Summary: (Canon-AU; this will be a 'parallel reality')(Slow friendship-romance) It doesn't have to make sense to others, and it doesn't have to make sense for them, either – but that's okay, because labels are overrated anyway. Still though, secrets will come out sooner or later and what doesn't break a friendship, only makes it stronger... "What kind of balls?" "Baseballs."
Note: Chapter lengths are not pre-determined and are to be posted as they are written, hence updates may be unpredictable. Short chapters are to be expected!
All recognisable appearances here are the conjurations of Akira Amano and the team behind Katekyo Hitman Reborn. Unless otherwise stated, the only thing 155cm owns is Nakamura Yukiko, and even that's debatable – she's a fairly free spirit.
The uncomfortable sensation of a sweaty arm slinging itself across her shoulders has Yukiko jolting awake.
"Get off!" she starts instinctively, but upon noticing Takeshi's laughing visage she slumps back down to the table, rolling her eyes. "Very funny, Takeshi." Nonetheless, despite her exasperation she makes no move to shake off his arm from around her shoulders when he moves in a second time.
It's been days since they last spoke to each other like this. Although she's glad that he has other real friends to dedicate his time to now, there's a small part of her that can't deny that she feels the tiniest bit lonely when she's left bored out of her mind because she's on her own. After years of having someone there, suddenly going back to her isolated state is really taking its toll on her.
She may like being alone, but that doesn't mean that feeling lonely is enjoyable.
"Where have you been?" Takeshi's tone is light, but she swears she feels his arm tighten minutely from its casual position. "I haven't been able to get through to your mobile for days."
Is that hurt she hears in his voice?
"You know Yukiko, if there's something wrong, you can just tell me."
Takeshi's serious moments aren't so uncharacteristically rare for her, but she hates that she's the cause of it. Still, there's something funny about his words-
Oh.
"Wait, my phone?" She raises her head slightly from the table, only to drop it back down with a light muted thud. "Didn't I tell you I changed my number?"
The silence which falls between them is so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
"No?" He draws out the word, and Yukiko sheepishly edges away as his stare turns accusing.
"I'm sorry?"
Silent, Takeshi pushes up his sleeves. Yukiko pales as she realises what's coming next.
"Mercy! Mercy, Takeshi!" she whisper-shrieks, grabbing her bag and darting towards the doors of the library, eager to escape the fate of being tickled.
Their laughter is enough to bat away the apprehension slowly creeping in, but it's a temporary deterrent at best.
Yukiko twitches as she finds a tiny, suit-clad toddler in her usual waiting place. His expression is indecipherable, and it makes her feel vaguely uncomfortable as she halts a few paces away. Something is telling her that she really doesn't want to talk to him, and she's going to listen to those instincts.
The problem is, today is a 'Walk home with Takeshi' day, and she had already told him that she would be waiting outside the gates. If there's one thing that Takeshi and herself rely on with their friendship, it's doing what they say they will – so, she's here. Waiting.
The minutes go by.
Yukiko tries not to fidget, because the toddler is still there and if a kid can remain still, so can she. Soon, she's slipping into the semi-lucid daze she normally falls into whenever she's tired and about to fall asleep, and apart from taking time to sit down, against the wall, she doesn't make any other movement as she falls into a peaceful trance.
"He won't come."
Yukiko looks up at the squeaky voice. She blinks, startled when she realises it had come in the direction of the kid, but is still lethargic enough to find her reactions delayed, not energetic enough to present any other sign of surprise.
"The person you're waiting for has already left. He left before you got here." The kid says.
Yukiko's slowly coming out of her stupor, but by the time she's fully conscious the kid has already left. His words are still ringing in her ears.
"Just go home."
Yukiko checks her phone. It's nearing five. Already? Her stomach threatens to growl in protest. Sushi sounds really good right now.
The air is damp, but Yukiko is glad it's not raining. She doesn't have an umbrella, and it feels like she's going to be waiting for a while. Obviously, she's being stubborn. It's late, and the world won't stop revolving on its axis if she gives up and goes home. But there's something about the way that kid had demanded for her to leave that makes her want to stay even more. There's something here she's not being allowed to tap into, and it hurts a little.
Yukiko continues to wait.
Naturally, she falls asleep once more. Time trickles faster when one is unconscious.
In the morning, Sasagawa Ryohei finds a girl unconscious by the gates whilst on his morning run. He's not an idiot and he's not a bystander, so he exerts some of his strength to pick up the girl and bring her to the school's infirmary even though there's no one there. He signs her in anyway with his thick scrawl of handwriting, assuming the tag on the bag by her side is labelled with her name.
Takeshi visits her when he learns she's in there, learns that she has developed a fever overnight.
"Did you forget?" She smiles, but it's not all there. Her eyes are unfocused, and underneath the sickly-clean sheets her palms lie flat against her side.
"Sorry." He apologises. It's a crack in their relationship but nothing more. Yukiko doesn't believe in clinging and being annoying, so she accepts the apology and something lodges uncomfortably at the base of her throat.
Two days later, Sasagawa Ryohei lands himself in the hospital and all goes to hell - literally.
a/n:
hahaha bet you thought you got rid of me but no! I prevail! I also have a cough, which sucks. balls.
ayy finally finally mukuro next chapter and a sPIN FROM CANON WHOOP