Just a brainrot, really. Though I do have a few more scenarios in mind which I am planning on writing. I just hope I do not forget them.

The first time Momiji heard of this happening to girls, he was rather distracted.

They started teaching these things in fourth grade in primary school, and he must admit, the knowledge kind of went over his head. To be fair, he had more problems to deal with rather than actually pay proper attention to what was being discussed in the health and physical education class back then. Unfortunately, this knowledge has a way of catching up to you, whether you wanted it to or not. When he really understood how the female reproductive system worked, he was icked and horrified.

Imagine having to go through the painful cycle every month. He wouldn't know how painful it was of course, but he could never forget the sight of one of his female classmates slumped over her desk, hand clutching at her lower abdomen where a hot compress was pressed against it earlier. This had become a familiar sight to them – Every. Single. Month.

He was even more concerned when he realized what his mother had to deal with, and what Momo would eventually had to deal with.

Not just them. Now he had Tohru to think about.

His girlfriend, when he thought about it, does not really show signs of having discomfort during her red days. While they spend almost every day in school together, he had never seen her display any sign or complain outright about any monthly-related pains. He hoped he wasn't missing it, because he knew of Tohru's tendency to keep any discomfort she may have to herself in order not to make anyone worried about her.

Sighing to himself at the direction his thoughts had taken, he climbed the last stairwell leading to the rooftop of their school and opened the door, making sure not to drop the chocolate bars and drinks he got from the vending machine. During the past few days he and Tohru had been having their lunch break together and it was just the two of them. He certainly didn't mind since it meant he can have her to himself even when that sounded incredibly selfish on his part, though he found it rather unusual since it was Tohru who actually requested it, shyly at first.

He rounded a corner and saw her already setting up the picnic-style blanket she had brought with her and he hurried over to her apologetically. "Sorry I'm late, my class just ended." He greeted as he bent over and kissed her on the cheek, and she lifted her head, gracing him with a beautiful smile, her eyes seeming to sparkle as she gazed at him that his heart skipped a beat quite literally. It had been just a few weeks since they had started to go out officially as a couple and there were still some blushing here and there, but they are both starting to get used to it.

"It's okay, I just arrived." Her smile faltered a bit, which he immediately noticed. "Let's eat?"

"Okay, lets."

He handed her the drinks and the chocolates he bought, as they settled down to eat the bentos she packed for the both of them. He had made it clear that she didn't have to do so, of course, but she said she wanted him to eat the food she made.

Tohru was rather quiet, and he noticed that she wasn't really eating properly, gaze quite unfocused in front of her. "Tohru? What's wrong?" He asked, concerned.

She seemed to startle out of whatever stupor she was in, and she turned her head to look at him and smile but Momiji saw her grimace instead. "Tohru?"

"I'm fine, I was just – " she began, but whatever it was she was supposed to say got cut off as she grimaced again. The pain was clearly written on her alabaster features.

"No you're not." Momiji placed the bento down and immediately focused on her. "What's going on – are you sick?" He immediately pressed his forehead to hers. "You have a fever. I think I have to call Hari. No wait – let's go to the clinic." He was trying not to panic. This is only the second time he saw her sick and he cursed himself for not knowing what to do for a sick person. He knows how to take care of himself, but doesn't know how to take care of others. Verdammt! He cursed, mentally.

Before he could do anything else – probably sweep Tohru into his arms or something – she caught his face into her hands.

"Not yet, Momiji. Please." She whispered, her cheeks red with a beautiful blush. "I want to stay here with you."

"But you're sick, liebe – "

"I'm on my second day. Please, I just want to be near you."

Second day? Second day? Oh wait – Oh.

"Second day? You mean you're…" he faltered, not entirely sure how to say it without accidentally offending his girlfriend. It was at times like this that he realized he still wasn't sure how to refer to these things when faced with the opposite sex.

"I'm on my p-period." Her cheeks were still fiercely red and she appeared to hesitate with the slight stutter, perhaps out of embarrassment at the fact that she was admitting something like this to a boy, but she continued. "I'm usually more sluggish during my second day but I don't want to miss school… I want to see you."

His heart melted. Like what guy wouldn't melt into a puddle of goo hearing their girl say that she wanted to see him in spite of her in pain?

What a softie, Momiji.

"I am not an expert in these things but I can see that it's painful. Wouldn't you like to go to the school nurse? She can take better care of you."

Tohru shook her head. "I'll go later… just let me stay with you here, please."

"Do you… Do you want me to hold you? I don't know what to do…" He was worried, looking her over. Now that he was properly studying her features, she actually looked more exhausted than he thought.

Tohru grabbed what looked like a small container which he realized was her own hot compress from the small bag she has with her, before sinking to his arms. "I'm sorry for being so clingy…"

He leaned against the wall behind them, positioning her better in his arms. "I don't mind you being clingy – you look so adorable. I'm here to help comfort you in any way I can, but I don't like seeing you in pain."

She slightly extricated herself from his arms, kissing him on the cheek. "I'll be fine. The fever will pass. The pain isn't always there."

They fell a bit into silence, before he voiced the question nagging him at the back of his mind as she all but buried herself against his chest. "Do all girls become like you when you're on your period?" If being on her period makes her become a bit more needy, then he was all for it. He just really wasn't a fan of the fact that females had to endure something painful every month.

Tohru gave a soft chuckle. "It depends. Uo-chan becomes a monster and Hana-chan prefers to be left alone. Women can be insane during this time… but not all of us."

He didn't want to imagine Uotani-san becoming a monster and he couldn't help but be thankful that his girlfriend happened to be on the sane side during her monthlies. "Is it still painful?"

"A bit."

"Will you let me try rubbing it?" He felt her stiffen in surprise. "Y-You don't have to let me, but I want to help and try to do something."

He saw the top of her head nod and she took his hand, guiding him to her abdomen and he stiffened in response upon feeling soft skin but he reined his instincts in. He has to help relieve some of that pain.

He presses his thumb against the area which is hurting, and begins to rub circles around it. He starts to form a rhythm – by his eighth count he switched to counterclockwise, and he congratulated himself when he felt Tohru relax and become sluggish in his arms. He wasn't sure if it would help but he pressed a kiss to the side of her head when he felt like doing it.

"Is this helping?" He whispered against her ear.

"Yes." Her voice was breathy, more of a sigh than a response. "Thank you for being here. I am so thankful I have you…"

Just then, the bell rang, and she groaned her dismay, as she straightened herself a bit from his embrace.

"We can skip class for now, if you want." He suggested, chuckling. "You're sick, one half day wouldn't kill you."

She sank back into his chest, as if she never really needed that convincing. "Okay… just for today."

He pressed another kiss to her temple and continued rubbing her abdomen. He wouldn't mind staying in the rooftop all day if it meant being able to hold her and at least alleviate some of that pain himself.

Well, he still has to let the school nurse check her. Later.

Later. He promised to himself.