"Keys?"
"Check."
"Bag?"
"Check."
"Prescription? Emergency kit? Floss? Pantyho-"
"Mom!" Kyori shouted. She backed away from her mother's helping hands held and began to fiddle with her updo before pulling on her blazer. "I think I'm ready."
"I'm sorry sweetie, guess I'm a bit nervous." Hizume gave her daughter a sweet smile despite the teen raising a brow at her. "I just want you to have an amazing day."
"Me too…" the burgundy haired girl murmured, smiling as she turned back to face her reflection.
It was hard to believe but it was really happening, Kyori was slowly on her way back to her normal life. No more would she be confined to her house and weekly talks with the mind expert, Inoichi Yamanaka. The Shimura held her head high as she glanced at her uniform, wanting to look absolutely perfect.
She was donning a deep forest green pleated skirt with a tucked in white blouse that had the cities emblem stitched neatly over her right breast along with her last name in a deep crimson color. To finish the look, she wore her navy-blue blazer, the standard brown MaryJane's and she brought her unnaturally straight hair down, giving it an eloquently tousled look as it flowed down to the curves of her chest.
"You look amazing as always." Her mother told her before lacing their hands and bringing the girl downstairs. "I made your favorite!"
"Squared blueberry waffles?!" The girl grinned excitedly and picked up her pace. "Thanks mom, you're the best."
"So am I!" Her father chimed in playfully.
A grin almost crept onto the man's war sculpted face when the young girl wrapped her arms around him lovingly, agreeing with him.
"Lookie here, Sai. Kyo-baka's back to being a spoiled brat. No surprise," came the playful jab from Shin. The grey-haired boy snickered at the glare his sister shot him.
"And I thought it was customary for the youngest sibling to be the brat…" The pale boy mused, craning his perfectly combed head of hair towards his father. "Is it not?"
"Nonsense boys."
Danzo brought his attention back onto the television and quietly sipped his dark coffee as the Shimura women sat down and joined the males for breakfast, eating, chatting until they were all filing out of the dining area. Shin was the first to go, claiming he had to meet up with his current, potential girlfriend. Then, Danzo was on his way to complete his task, promising to drive Sai to school safely. Hizume wished them all a great day and Kyori was ready to start her day.
"Did you take your medicine?" Her mother smoothly questioned as the girl was now hairs away from exiting their home. The burgundy haired teen felt herself wince at the question. "Kyori," Hizume warned with honey eyes that almost looked golden when she set a disapproving glare on her daughter.
"I'm on it," Kyori huffed in defeat while her mother handed her the small bland tablets. Rolling her eyes, Kyori stomped off to retrieve a glass of water, so that she could take her medicine. "They're not really helping me," she whispered before forcing them down with the help of water.
Hizume let out a pitiful sigh, wrapping her daughter in her tender embrace the middle-aged woman gave the girl a gentle squeeze. "You shouldn't say things like that, sweetie." She chimed, pulling away from her daughter. Concern bled profusely at the contemplative blankness of Kyori's stare. Before Hizume could say anything more, the latest all-black, sleek Mercedes blared its horn, alerting the Shimura's of Kyori's ride. "You have to go." Hizume felt herself tearing up and was quick to bring her attention onto their wooden floors.
"Mom… don't cry. I'll be back soon to tell you all about it, kay?" Kyori murmured before pulling the woman into another hug, this one briefer than the first. "I love you."
"I love you too. Very much and as you know, I'm proud of you." And Kyori did. Shimura Hizume was a woman that knew of no obstacle that could damage her performance as a mother. She did her best and always overcompensated without any complaint and no matter what her children were perfect in her eyes. "If you need anything or want to talk, phone me?"
"I will." Kyori smiled.
"I'll be waiting to hear about your first day back, for the meantime," the woman paused, giving the silent guard a gracious bow. "I am grateful of your services, Kinoto-san, please look after my daughter."
The gruff looking man also bowed before standing perfectly still. "Yes, Shimura-sama." He strongly avowed as he saluted. Then, he brought his dark eyes on the teenage girl, giving her a brief nod. "Whenever you are ready."
Kinoto walked a bit behind the teen, opening the door to the backseat the dark-haired man tried to assist her and earn an eye roll. Out of all her father's men, she just had to get him. However, she had enough sense that her father trusted Kinoto to protect her and to not crack under pressure caused by any circumstances.
"I got it, really." She pressed though he had shown no sign of being convinced but allowed for her to close the backdoor.
Once they were both secured into the car, Kinoto drove off in the school's direction. He had nothing to say to her at all and that made matters quite alright, especially since she had a bit of a history with her father's men. They were there every step of the way and some of them, were close to her like family.
Immediately, Kyori thought of her very close friends Fu and Torune and she was excited to say the least. They have been inseparable since the start of middle school, and hopefully, nothing would change that. There were so many things she wanted to ask them. After finishing her father's cadet program, what were their plans? Has anything interesting occurred? Like, Torune nabbing a girlfriend? Did they know what happened to her and Risu? Did they miss her?
A frown painted itself on her face, especially when she questioned with a hushed voice, "Why would they miss me?"
She brushed away the question, and instead of running it over in her mind, she pulled out her mirror. Boring into her brown eyes before extracting a clear tube from her bag, Kyori bit back a frown and adding a bit of gloss to her lips.
"We're here, Shimura-san." Kinoto announced rigidly.
"Just Kyori." She was quick to correct the man, bouncing her knee sporadically. "We're like family. Not to mention, it makes me feel like I came from the stone age."
"…Right." Putting the car to a stop, he quickly hopped out and ignored the rambling teens as he focused on escorting the burgundy haired girl.
Kyori stepped out with her eyes vaguely scanning the parking area as Kinoto was adamant on holding onto her belongings. She inhaled deeply while taking in the main building towering over her. It was now or never. Kyori began her silent traipse and was barely aware of the obnoxious finger pointing, and the slick whispers.
"Look at what the devil dragged in."
"Ugh, the bitch is back."
She heard one of the students and paused, alerting the man that acted as her shadow. She had thought she seen a familiar head of strawberry blonde and hazel eyes, Fu? Probably, probably not. How many males had she known that shared his features down to the T?
"Kyori," Kinoto uttered, snapping her out of her thoughts.
Kyori blinked, now noticing the loud laughter, most likely directed at her or so she thought. She had foolishly forgotten; high school was full of idiotic dicks. Still, she and Kinoto continued walking, gracing the halls with her presence before she entered the principal's office.
His golden unruly hair was all that she needed to see to convey that nothing has changed. Minato Namikaze was as busy as he's always been is what she gathered when his eyes were immersed on a plethora of scattered papers, placed haphazardly onto his desk.
"Ah, there's our returning student." Minato joked with a grin stretching cross his lips as he backed away from his work, bringing his cerulean eyes onto the two. "I, and the rest of Hashirama High is honored to have you back."
"Thank you, Namikaze-sama." Kyori politely smiled, bowing with gratitude as he handed her a schedule and gave Kinoto a copy. "I'm glad to be back."
Kinoto raised a brow as he stared down at the paper. "Namikaze-sama, is it? I hate to bud in but her first class will be starting soon," he muttered respectfully.
"You're right," The blonde nodded. "If you don't want to be late, you guys should get going." Minato chuckled, scratching at his neck bashfully enough to where the burgundy haired girl began to laugh genuinely at his mannerisms.
Afterwards, they exchanged parting words and Kyori was back to sauntering down the halls with Kinoto three meters behind her. As they neared her first class, Kyori felt her stomach plunge, flopping as her fingers enveloped the knob. Though her resolve was as strong as steel to return to school, she couldn't help the dark thoughts flooding her mind.
What if everyone were wishing she would have never come back? What if Torune, and especially Fu, felt content without her presence? What if the school was better off without Shimura Kyori? What if this was all a naïve mistake that resulted in chaos that she was too unstable to handle? What if she ru-
"I'm here for me." She mumbled lowly, twisting the knob.
Pulling it back, Kinoto quickly held the door for her. With a strong sense of self-resolve, she walked into the classroom with a poker face that rivaled her baby brother's. Kyori then walked over to the male that stood dead center, facing the board.
"Kakuzu-sensei?" She asked, growing uncertain at the sight of his strangely irritated green eyes.
She would have thought it was allergy season because of their intense in other features, she noticed his long flowing hair of ebony that ended inches below his waist. And if she strained her eyes a bit, she could clearly see faint scarring ebbed in precise slices among his face.
"Shimura Kyori. Welcome back." Kakuzu shortly gave the girl a brisk nod as she thanked him. "Join the rest of the class if you're ready to learn all there is about money." He gave her a slight amusing grin as she and Kinoto slid into the back of the class before he resumed with his lesson.
Kyori eagerly pulled out a pack of color-coded pens and a notebook, marking it before writing down the agenda. There were so many eyes on her, closely captivated with her every move that all she wanted at this moment was to curl away into nothingness. It made her feel uneasy, small and kind of… frustrated. Before she could open her mouth or fix the class with a death glare, a gentle hand tapped on her shoulder caused her jolt in surprise.
Kyori turned her big brown eyes onto the girl sitting beside her, finding she was no threat. Her hair was a rich shade of brown, it was long and flowing with every sway of her neck too, reminding the teen of a chocolate fountain. Her bangs were swooped away, framing a face full of gorgeous features. What stood out most to Kyori was her large dark eyes that held thick batting lashes and uniquely, there was a small beauty mark at one of her prominent cheek bones.
Looking like that, Kyori was sure she wouldn't forget such a face, so she figured the girl was either new or they've never encountered.
"Hey… sorry if I scared you," the girl whispered as her eyes ping-ponged to the board and onto the burgundy haired girl. "I was wondering if you'd like a copy of the previous lesson?"
Kyori raised a brow at her kindness. "But why?"
"I thought us new girls could stick together…" the brunette trailed off with a rosy blush at her cheeks. "I'm Izumi, nice to meet you by the way."
"Kyori." She smiled sympathetically at Izumi, feeling bad for how rude she sounded. "And I'm nothing new to this school." Kyori mumbled lowly, but it was loud enough for Izumi to frown in confusion at that remark.
Still, Izumi known better than to voice her confusion at the scowl working onto Kyori's face and turned back to the front slowly. "Well, if you need the notes or anything, feel free to ask me Kyori-san."
"… Thanks." Kyori began to collect her things once the bell rung. "See you around, Izumi-san." She waved a goodbye to the girl, then beckoned Kinoto to accompany her with just a glance.
"Looks like you've made a friend already." Kinoto stated, earning a scoff as they wormed their way through the halls full of rowdy students, ready for lunch. "You go girl."
Izumi was a nice girl, albeit she was not very knowledgeable about the brunette, Kyori could sense it. Izumi was kind, considerate, delicate even and someone like that should not get entangled with someone like her. Kyori would only ruin Izumi with her friendship, at least that's what she believed.
The burgundy haired girl frowned, "She's not my friend." Sighing, Kyori stepped into the lunch line, drumming her fingers against the stainless steel. She brought her umber eyes onto her guard, shooting him down with a stern glare. "Drop it."
"Kyori…?" A familiar voice questioned incredulously and a gasp escaped her glossed lips. The sound of his deep rumbling voice made her perk up as she turned in the lunch line to face him.
"Fu," she breathed out, drinking in his appearance.
His auburn hair had remained in its pony-tail with strands framing his face. It still looked about collarbone length but that was all that remained the same. Many months ago, Fu was barely considered lean and now he was quite intimidating to look at.
It was also due to his striking eye color that had always brought an intensity to his stare. All the same, this was Fu. Kyori genuinely smiled at the teen as she remembered all their times spent together and stepped towards him, only for him to stiffen and back away.
"…Hey," she greeted with a slight frown at the blankness on his face, making him almost unreadable. She was familiar with his subtle grin, but all she received was nothing but coldness. But she understood his reasoning. And she had so much explaining to do. "It's been a while, huh?" she questioned.
"Are you seriously going to play it off as if we're friends?" The ginger-haired Yamanaka scowled a bit. "After what you've done, I hope you know that we're nothing."
Despite that there was no venomous tone latched onto his words, they pained her. And she definitely needed a moment to shield herself from his words because she would be damned if she couldn't last about four hours away from home. But damn, it did hurt and the way he glared at her wasn't making this any easier.
"Stay away from me, Kyori. You've ruined everything for sport."
"Oh… okay." Kyori nodded silently, bringing her head down so he wouldn't have to see the hurt.
She felt as if she was forced to slide bare against dry ice. Even as a root in training under her father's wing, Fu was trained to be as close to inanimate as possible, but never had he been so cold. Not with her. They were very close, and now they obviously weren't. Everything made sense now, he never called nor had he visited once she returned home. And while she knew the reason behind his animosity, he was not the only one hurting.
"Kinoto from now on, grab my lunch." Kyori finally spoke as she gathered her plate with a quickness she surprisingly possessed before stepping out of the line. Then, she saw the dark-haired teen with thick glasses.
"Kyori! You're back…?" the boy adjusted his glasses, blinking in astonishment.
"No, I'm just a figment of your poor imagination Torune," She spat, still upset over the Yamanaka. The Aburame frowned as she pushed her way passed him, muttering, "If you're anything like Fu, which you are then I have nothing to say to you."
"Kinoto-senpai's here too?" Torune craned his neck at his senior, the frown on his lip grew as the gruff male lead the burgundy haired girl to a more secluded area. "Why is she over there?" he spoke out loud, turning at the sight of his friends growing near.
"Because she's a senseless bitch that needs home training?" the dark-haired beauty offered with a careless shrug. "Why else?"
"Maki, be nice." Fu admonished, wrapping the girl within his large arms. There was the faintest of smiles on his face at the sound of her girlish tittering. "And no cursing. It's unbefitting of you."
"This is serious, Kyori's our friend, best friend might I add." Torune frowned as they trudged over to their seated area. "I don't care to know what happened between the three of you, but if something is ailing her then we should help." The couple rolled their eyes.
"My days of helping her are done," the auburn-haired boy stated evenly as he brought his eyes onto the girl seated beside him with a relieved grin. "Kyori can handle herself."
"I second that," Maki chimed absently as she stabbed at her chicken breast. "Besides, I didn't like the bi— tramp at all, so why should I help her?!"
"You two are the worst…" Torune only shook his head at the two before turning his eyes back onto the burgundy haired girl. "I hope you won't act like this once Risu's back."
Kyori shrugged off her anger as she was led towards the right wing of the cafeteria. With every step, she realized the crowd thinning gradually as she made her way towards the long table near the corner. Supervised, but left to their own devices were several teens, seated at the long table while their supervisors sat at a smaller table.
Kyori watched, mildly amused at the rambling conversations. A silver haired teen was cackling obnoxiously at the set of twins bickering over forest green lipstick.
"Sakon, it's mine!" one twin shouted, glaring at the identical face. "Give it a rest!"
The other scoffed, moving to snatch the lipstick from his brother's grasp. "Bullshit, Ukon. I let you borrow it!"
"Jashin-sama declared that you two pussies fight to the death, like real mortals!" the silver haired boy cackled with zeal, jolting out of his seat.
Kyori then turned to a green haired boy that was surprisingly paler than Sai, he sat clutching a small Venus fly trap glaring at a blue haired girl that held a set of rose quartz.
"Plants are better." The pale boy hissed.
"No, crystals are!" The blunette snapped back.
Next to the two were a pale haired boy that looked moderately sick. And as he picked off his scars and revealed fresh wounds, a ginger haired girl smiled.
"These are beautiful, I can see the pain." The ginger girl spoke calmly.
"I've had worse," the sickly boy dully shrugged.
Kyori stepped forward alerting the teens of her presence.
"Well I'll be damned… we have a fucking newcomer!" said the Jashin worshipper.
An elderly woman that looked overly dressed for the pleasant weather coughed, bringing the girl's attention onto her. "You must be Kyori, I am Akasuna Chiyo, the school's head counselor dear." Kyori bowed politely, earning a smile from the harmless old lady. "Come."
She coughed once again, ushering the burgundy haired teen towards the seated students that all eyed her curiously and introduced them. But before she left, she warned the more dangerous teens about consequences.
"That ancient fucking bitch," Hidan cursed lowly with a scowl on his lips. "I'm a prophet, I know how to control my-fucking-self."
"Since when?" Ukon questioned. "Even juvie can't straighten you out."
"What makes you think a shitty religion can?" Sakon added in seconds and the twins sniggered at the gaping glare the Jashin worshiper wore so openly.
"FUC—fuck the both of you." Hidan bit out through his teeth, trying to calm himself. "You're lucky human sacrificing is an older practice."
"Stop freaking the new girl out with your Jashin talk." Guren admonished, shoving Hidan playfully. "And don't even think of converting her!"
"Me and religion is highly unlikely," Kyori laughed at the idea, pausing when their unfamiliar eyes settled on her. "And I'm not new."
Though, they were strangers –all eccentric in various ways – Kyori did not feel extremely uncomfortable in their presence. While majority of the student body whispered nonsense about her, they were upfront and uncaring to who she was and what she's done.
"I remember you." Deva muttered softly, nodding slowly as a disturbed grin stretched her pink lips. "You're that one eyed war hero's daughter… he brought lots of pain and received some too." She snickered more to herself, turning her oddly ringed eyes onto her best friend.
"Right." Kimimaro swiftly nodded before dragging his index down a bronzed scab.
However, Kyori was surprised. There was no awkward confrontation or silence while seated with this group. Then, Zetsu's golden eyes bore into her.
"Why are you here?" he asked, gaining the others' attention. "You're not like us… You never were."He finished his observation with a hiss.
"And how can you be so sure?" Kyori challenged his stare with a bland one of her own. "You don't know me." The pale boy laughed darkly at her words.
"Ignore him." Guren spoke up, but her words went ignored as brown eyes clashed with fluctuating golden pairs. "Kyori-san," she called out.
"There he goes," Kimimaro huffed in boredom. "Once he starts, he cannot be stopped, Guren-chan."
"Don't cater to her just because she went missing, and you feel sad for her." Zetsu uttered with a crazed look in his eyes at the sight of her eyes building caution within them. He laughed, causing the twins and even Hidan to laugh as he gaged her reaction, closely. "Don't forget you were a disgusting bitch that had hurt people in this school. If anything you deserved whatever screwed you up!"
Her fists pulsed with a rage and a deep, unforgiving scowl settled onto her rather delicate face while Zetsu held his head high with a smugness in the air around him. "Kyori-chan's angry now, oh how excit - "
"Do you even know what the fuck you're saying?" she bit out coldly, her tone surprised the teens thoroughly as she appeared to be sweet and inviting. But now, her soft features were hardened, and she even stood to maintain her intimidation. "I'm guilty and I'll deal with that for the rest of my life but don't pretend that you're worthy of berating me when you're getting off on being an insensitive asshole!" She snarled unaware of the strange looks she gathered from her peers.
Kinoto raised a brow when he saw the burgundy haired girl leaning into the table, violently glaring at Zetsu. "Kyori, sit down and finish your food." At that, the girl turned to him with a defiant glare.
"No! I'm not going to sit here and take this bullshit I'm not!" she snapped, still glaring daggers at the dark featured male that stood up. "It's one thing to rag on the kind of person me, but to say I deserved to be screwed with?!… fuck this!" Kinoto walked over to the girl tugging her away from the table with ease despite her fighting against his strong hold.
"Kyori listen, you have every right to be upset, but this is your first day back." Kinoto started as he glanced at the faculty and the teens who seemed to gain more interest in the girl, desperate enough to claw at his face. "By acting out, you will only prove that your father was right and bring shame upon your family. And that's not what you want to do."
"I'm giving you the chance to not only prove me wrong, but for you to overcome this..."
"You're right…" Kyori blinked, growing still in his hold as hot tears blurred her vision. "K-Kinoto, I didn't think it would be this hard though," she whispered. Chewing on her bottom lip, she nervously glanced back at the table then to her overseer. "I didn't think anyone would try to hurt me…"
"The beauty of life," Kinoto uttered knowingly and Kyori frowned at his overall aloofness. "No one knows what to expect." He added. Then, he released her once she calmed down and left the girl to do away with her tears as he gathered her things and excused them from the lunch.
"I-I need to talk to my mom... Just five minutes." She voiced while swiping at her watering eyes.
Kyori let out a hiccup, allowing the gruff man to wrap his calloused hand around her forearm, not without tensing, as he guided her towards the exit. Though they grew further away from the prying eyes of the group, they were hardly aware of the two teens seated near the lunch line that watched the whole thing.
Meanwhile…
"Do you seriously think Kyori's alright? Because she looks like she needs all the moral support she could get." Torune turned to Fu with a more prominent frown. "Or are you going to let Maki tug you along the hate train?" The Yamanaka had a stone-like, unreadable expression as his hazel eyes watched the sniffling girl from afar.
"This has nothing to do with Maki." Fu defended his girlfriend as he cautiously eyed the beautiful dark-haired girl chatting with the student body president. Then, he turned to face his best friend. "It's just better to not be involved with Kyori, she's too much." He murmured.
Recalling the last time, he was involved with the burgundy haired girl, Fu was met with more conflict than he was accustom to. His time with Kyori consisted of a continuum of deceit, along with an endless battle within his conscious. He wanted to do the right thing, he wanted to grow into being a good man, an honest man.
"Fine, we'll keep our distance." Torune rolled his eyes. Adjusting his glasses, he brought his attention back on his fruit cup. "But if anything happens to her, or if she goes missing again… I'm blaming you," The geeky looking teen snubbed.
Kyori burst through the doors as she furiously swiped at the tears threatening to roll down her face. Her breath was thin and shaky as she unceremoniously sat upon the few steps that transcended into the school's garden.
"Here." Kinoto handed her his phone after dialing her mother, and soon after he left her there.
"Hello? This is Shimura Hizume." Kyori sniveled, putting the phone to her ear.
"Mom… Hey," she attempted to sound cheerful and would cease her tears or at least mask them for the duration of their talk.
"Haha I gotcha!" the teen's face fell as she heard the boisterous laugh that belonged to her mother. "Please feel free to leave me a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Sincerely, Hizume."
"You've got to be kidding…" the burgundy haired girl muttered in defeat as she squeezed the cellphone within her palm. So badly had she wanted to smash it to bits, instead she slammed it close. Though she had wanted to rant more than anything else, Kyori wanted to be strong and show her parents that she could handle high school and eventually, the real world. But, right now, she needed comfort and support.
Letting out a deep sigh, Kyori allowed her tears to linger and fall down her face freely at the day she was having. She was more than ecstatic to continue her schooling; she had thought that it would be good for her to slowly integrate into the public. But this was more than disappointing.
She had pushed for this day, for months. And if she was honest, most of her excitement and motivation to become better came from the urge to see her friends, to be around those who love her and care for her. But being here was anything but that. Despite being her first day back, her dearest friend turned on her and she was afraid the others would follow. But she couldn't blame them.
"You're out of control and a danger to anyone who doesn't agree with you!"
"After what you've done, I hope you know that we're nothing… Stay away from me, Kyori. You've ruined everything for sport."
"Don't forget you were a disgusting bitch that had hurt people in this school. If anything you deserved whatever screwed you up!"
"I can't do this… I can't even call my mom." Kyori heaved, her glossed lips formed into a deep frown. "This was a mistake."
For years, her friends and family could do nothing but watch as she became this nauseating being. Fu had a point, so did her father and though she'd hate to admit it… even Zetsu was right; she was disgusting. Mean. Dirty. Guilty. She had hurt so many people… people that she cared about. And now she was hurting them by showing up like nothing happened.
Kyori couldn't help but express her anger as she banged the sides of her fists on the cool stonework while she cried, cursing up a stream. She felt so damn stupid for thinking she was capable of getting back on her feet. She couldn't even handle words. What had she expected? For her friends to warmly welcome her back after all she has done? Were they supposed to disregard her actions and how she affected them just because she missed them? Absolutely not, but secretly she wished they had.
But what hurts the most is that she was incapable of helping herself and even if she could, no one would understand her explanations, how she felt… and no one would ever get close enough to knowing why. Clenching her eyes shut, Kyori was wracked with overwhelming anger and sadness that had her folding her ears as she hurtfully sobbed.
"Fuck… Fuck! I can't do this!" she screamed through angry tears. "I can't even call my mom, for fuck sakes… I'm so pathetically stupid!"
"Whoa, you shouldn't talk down to yourself like that."
The sound of a restfully raspy voice had Kyori jumping onto her feet in an instant. Moving frantically and unceremoniously, she collected her things before glaring cautiously at the prowler that stood feet away from her.
He was above average height for males and had unruly loose curls that not only framed his structured face but had complemented his fair skin while partnering well with his expressive dark eyes. She looked closely, wondering if the shape of his eyes were naturally cat-like or was he just sporting winged eyeliner. While he did not look like much of a threat Kyori's caution only grew as he slowly stepped forward.
"Are you okay?"
"Do I look okay?!" she spat back more than irate as her guarded umber eyes locked on his.
Wide onyx eyes stared back at her with growing concern at her moody remark. It looked like he was considering her question, comically pursing his lips. Kyori rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over chest.
"Never mind, just leave me alone!" Instead of complying, the boy scoffed and a small pout graced his lips at her snappy attitude. "What?" she barked.
"Nothing… you sure are insensible, and grouchy." He flatly stated, not even a little alarmed at her callous behavior. This time, Kyori was the one that scoffed.
"Yeah? And what the hell does that make you?" she ridiculed defensively, lowering her voice. Glowering up at the stranger, she practically exploded, "You don't know what I'm dealing with, but here you are bothering me!"
"Well sorry, I didn't mean to bother you." The boy's frown deepened, and he backed away slightly, blinking at her. "I woke up to you crying…I just wanted to make sure that you were alright." The dark-haired boy uttered to her surprise.
Kyori's crude front gradually fell and she was back to tearing up despite not wanting to. Luckily, she wasn't experiencing an intense bout since she was distracted by her genuine curiosity. Like, the girl from earlier he only shown concerned for her and while his intentions seemed along the lines of nice and sweet. She had learned that people usually weren't.
"And for what?" she questioned almost inaudibly and adding to her shock, the boy grinned at her. Showing off his perfect smile, he chuckled at the ridiculous question. "I disturbed you and prejudged you, so why are you being nice to me?"
"Well why not? It's not a crime to be courteous, especially when there's a pretty girl involved." he reasoned before settling onto the steps like she had earlier.
Kyori fell silent, stunned at his last words. He called her pretty… was he perhaps interested in her or had he tried flirting with her?! Either way, she held no desire to mess around with boys. It always ended badly and she was prohibited from toying around, anyways.
The burgundy haired girl let out a scoff, "Fuck off."
"Excuse me?!"
"I'm not into guy-liner."
"I don't even know what that is!"
Though she had tried insulting him some more, the young man actually let out a snicker. His smile was so infectious, even Kyori felt like joining him. But she couldn't; she'd rather not give him the idea that she was enjoying his company.
"Still, you obviously need someone to talk to." he pointed out, gesturing to the phone she held in her hand. "They say it's easier to talk to strangers about our problems because you're free of critical judgement."
Apart of her was touched at his compassion, but a larger part of her was still weary. This stranger had given her a chance despite her unwillingness to show him even the slightest of respect. Meanwhile, her closest friend was adamant on stirring clear of her and basically was content with burning all ties. This, this bothered her and still, she found herself slowly lowering to sit beside the cheeky young man.
"I-it's my first day back and it really sucks. I mean," she paused, feeling as though it was pointless to talk about it.
By the soft grin directed at her, she concluded that he wouldn't mind, but she couldn't confide in a stranger. Not again, not after what that had cost her. Kyori endured so much, only to lose so much more than herself. She couldn't bare going down the same road, with a different face.
"This is stupid and I don't even know you!" Kyori exclaimed before scrambling onto her feet and heading towards the entrance to the main building.
"Wait!" the boy called out, she turned huffing in annoyance and fixing him with a glare. "If you ever need to talk or just hang out, I'll be here during lunch sometimes." He offered with a smile in place. Kyori frowned as he had his hand out to her, expecting her to shake it.
"I think I'll decline." The burgundy haired girl then resumed her strides in returning to Kinoto's side. Her day was hardly over.
Boy, was it fun writing this... poor Shisui though, he was just being sweet... Hopefully they can be friends later—I mean sooner.
Kyori: Poor my ass, he tried to hit on me.
Shisui: You told me to 'Fuck off.' Then had the nerve to presume that I wore guy-liner?
Yeah, Kyori... that was really mean.
Shisui: See? At least someone appreciates me.
Kyori: Don't hit on me then...stupid.
Anyways, let me know what you think. Book it, favorite it, or keep it in you history (mobile users) to catch up on the next Chappie. Updates ranging from planned to sporadic. *shrugs* We're all clueless here...
updated: 7/25