TEARS OF JOY
Sunako closed the door behind her when they left. When he left. Her heart was beating rapidly.
You're anything but ugly…
"I don't know about that," she muttered. "I haven't cared about my looks for two years."
You're anything but ugly…
She headed to get ready for bed, those four words repeating themselves in her head continuously, speaking louder and louder to her until she dared to look at her face in the foggy mirror. Wiping the steam off it, she gazed at herself.
Full, pouting lips, a delicate nose, and violet eyes. But the negative attributes stared back at her more. Her lips were cracked, her nostrils were too big, and her eyes were bloodshot from the lack of sleep. Her skin was dry. Her hair was hideous. Her eyebrows were thick.
Sunako turned away and slumped to the ground. She didn't see what Ryouga saw. At all. She bit her lip and began to sob. She wondered how it was that he could say she wasn't ugly. It had to be a lie. This means that he lied about not hurting her. He got her hopes up.
Sunako picked herself up and headed to her room where she could cry in peace. Once there, she curled herself into a ball.
I hate ugly girls.
You're anything but ugly.
I hate ugly girls.
You're anything but ugly.
I hate ugly girls.
You're anything but ugly.
Sunako covered her ears, trying to block out the voices. But other voices carried over to her attention, blocking the ones haunting her.
"And why not? Every man deserves a woman!"
"She's too young!"
"She's fifteen years old, Dad! I think you ought to give them a chance!"
"They're an adorable couple, if you think about it."
"Matsuda, shut up!" Sunako went to the window and opened it. The voices were close by.
"Just do him this favor: let Ryuuzaki stay here tonight. Watari can watch Light for the night, can't he?"
"I could, but that's only if Ryuuzaki wants."
"So it's all up to you, Ryuuzaki. Personally I think it's worth it. You don't get a girl like that every day!"
There was a pause. "Watari, if you could."
"That-a-boy, Ryuuzaki!"
"Shut up, Matsuda!"
"But he's gonna do it!"
"I'm not going to do anything!"
"What?"
"Will you let him go now?!"
Sunako sighed and was about to close the window when she saw Ryouga running towards her window. "Do you still want me to go?" He asked. Sunako blinked. She knew that she didn't really want him to go, but she needed time to think. She was so confused that she wasn't sure where one thought began and the other ended.
"I'll let you back in," she said.
"Don't bother. Just a minute," he said, looking around. "How high up is your room?"
"First floor, so I doubt it's that far up."
"I'll give it a shot," he said, approaching her balcony. Jumping up, he was able to get a hold of one of the banisters and pull himself up. Sunako helped him a bit, begging herself not to react and get a nosebleed. Once he was inside, they headed into the room.
"It's dark in here."
"I like it better this way."
"Sunako-chan," he addressed. Sunako looked at him. He said nothing else, but took her head in his hands. "If you need me, just tell me."
Sunako tried not to let tears escape again. But her attempts were futile. She grabbed his shirt and buried her face into his chest, sobbing loudly.
He rubbed her back, whispering comforting words to her.
You're anything but ugly…
Sunako hiccupped and wrapped her arms around Ryouga's waist, still keeping hold of his shirt.
I don't want to hurt you…You're anything but ugly…
"Go to sleep, Sunako-chan," Ryouga said, gently pushing her away. "I'll be here when you wake up. I promise."
Sunako wiped her eyes, nodding. She got into bed and watched him for a while, making sure he stayed where he was before closing her eyes.