Sentimental Folly Ch. 15
Chapter: 15/?
Bands: The Gazette, Alice Nine
Pairings: Reita x Uruha (main) Aoi x OC, Kai x Shou, Ruki x ?
Genre: High School, Romantic Comedy
Rating: PG-13 (for now)
Warning: Reita is a complete bonkura!!
Synopsis: Young Reita is in love with his best friend (Uruha) and in an attempt to impress his frined, makes a complete fool of himself every time. To make things worse, Ururha's best frined Aoi constantly teases Reita and Uruha. They just entered their first year of high school. Can Reita tell Uruha how he feels before someone else does?
Disclaimer: If I owned the Gazette, I wouldn't have to write fan fiction. If I was getting paid, I'd be at the mall, not on Tumblr
[Spoiler (click to open)]
It's been two days since all the drama within our circle declined. We haven't heard from Nao. Our parents are back from their business trip. Ruki is staying with me. And today in class, Ogata sensei even skipped the quiz we had scheduled. Now, we're all at our lockers, getting our lunches. I wait for my friends and we walk to our favorite spot under the tree in the courtyard.
"You guys, what are we gonna do when it rains and snows and get's freezing?" Kohara asked opening his bento.
"Eat in the cafeteria like everyone else." Aoi replied.
"That's boring." Kohara complained. "But I guess it will have to do." We laughed at his reaction. For a minute, we were quiet; enjoying our lunch. The September air was rather cool this particular school day. Ruki and I had become even closer over the past few days. He needed me, and I was there for him to cry on.
"Can we sit here with you guys?" a familiar voice asked from behind. I turned to see Uruha and Etsu holding hands.
"Why?" Miyoko asked.
"I...We just wanted to sit with you guys..."
"Yeah, we get that. But, why?"
"I felt bad about what I said to you Reita. I didn't mean all those harsh words. I was just angry you thought so lowly of me." Uruha explained.
"And you were right. Those people aren't our real friends. And I may never have been a part of you guys' group but I'd like to start over and try to be friends." Etsu said.
"That is...if you'd accept our apology and let us be your friends."
We all looked at each other. Then we looked back to Etsu and Uru. "The final say is Reita's." Kai said. The others nodded.
"I understand if you hate me completely and never want to talk to me again. We'll go away and never bother you again."
Of course I didn't hate you, idiot! After all this time and everything you put me through, I still care for you...But I sure as hell am not gonna say that. So instead I sighted and smile. "You're forgiven. But one more slip up and your ass is gone for good. Now sit down before I change my mind."
I found myself being pushed onto the grass by Uruha. He had jumped on my back embracing me. "Thank you so much, this means the world to me Reita!"
"Okay, can you get off me now? You're heavier than you look." I said, struggling to get him off me. The others laughed and he apologized, embarrassed. While the others were all engaged in conversation, Uruha and I had a little talk. "You know I'm not letting you off that easy, right?"
"Yeah, I didn't expect you to honestly."
"You really hurt me Uru. You hurt all of us. And since when were you even into girls? You were gayer than two drag queens at Pride drinking Absolute through neon pink straws with glitter. You even started dressing more masculine."
He gave me a small, sad smile. His eyes held an unspoken apology. "You'll always be my Panda." he whispered. My heart beat faster than a running horse. "And you've always been in my thoughts and heart. No one can replace you. And deep down, I believe Etsu knows that."
"She knows about...us?"
"Yeah, I told her. Maybe sometime in the future, I can explain everything to you. And her...But for now, I'm stuck living a lie. It sucks. It hurts. But for now, it's what I have to do."
"I'll wait then."
He smiled. "Have you ever had to give up something so important to you, it hurt like hell, but you had to do it for the both of you?"
I smiled, thinking about Ruki and what I've been through personally. I knew the feeling. I had to give Uruha up. I even lost him for a while. But now I have him back...almost. And it feels great. "Yeah, I have."
"Well, in time I'll have to come clean. And I swear I'll get what w-I, lost back. I'll have it all again. Happiness. I got a little taste of it now. But when I'm far away from my parents, from this school, I'll have it. And I'll keep it all to myself. The world will be jealous. The world will never know the joy of having what I'll have."
"What are you two talking about over there? All secretive? Kouyou, you're doing a lot of smiling." Aoi noted.
"Just talking about the future. I can't wait to leave this damn school." he replied. Etsu wasn't buying it. Ruki wasn't either. I pulled Ruki over to me and sat him in my lap.
"You two finally dating eh?" Miyoko asked, looking at me and Ruki. We both blushed and shook our heads no. "Could have fooled me."
"Have you not seen the way you look at each other?" Kai added.
"Guys, come on. seriously. Shut up." Ruki said, getting irritated. "We're just friends."
"I'm just his favorite." I said.
"We already came up with a name for you guys! Reituki!" Kohara chimed.
"Oh God, seriously? You guys need lives." I said. I looked over to Uruha who looked a bit upset.
"You two are the only single ones left. you might as well pair up." Kai said.
"It's not the simple. We don't feel that way about each other." I said. "And some wounds still haven't healed."
"Oh, right...we're sorry." Miyoko said. I wasn't talking about Ruki like they probably thought. I was talking about me and Uruha. Ruki had closure. To some extent anyway. I know he's still hurting. But I never got closure with Uruha.
"So Kouyou, what have you been up to?" Kai asked.
"Putting on airs for superficial, shallow losers." he said smiling to himself. Aww, he used my words! "And it's Uruha. That's what I prefer you guys to call me."
"It's so good to have you back Uru chen!" Miyoko said. "Does this mean we can go shopping again with Kohara? Like we used to?"
"Well, as long as Etsu can tag along then I'm fine with it." he looked to his girlfriends.
"Sounds great." she said smiling. The smile soon fading as she glanced in a certain direction. We all followed her gaze and landed on three guys walking towards us. They stopped a few feet away and spoke.
"Etsu, when are you gonna stop playing stupid and pretending to like this pretty boy? He's not even straight."
"He's straighter and manlier than you Kannon. And I'll have you know we're very much in love."
"Ha! Good one. Now come on, seriously."
"I said no already Kannon. I don't want to be with you. There's a reason I'm with Kouyou. He knows how to treat a girl."
"Because he is one."
"Shut up Miku! No one asked you!" Etsu shouted.
"Why don't you guys just leave the girl alone? Clearly she wants nothing to do with you." Ruki said.
"What are you gonna do about it shorty?"
"Kick your asses!"
"Calm down Taka." I said, holding his hand.
"I suggest you three leave these kids alone." a familiar voice advised from behind us. We turned to see Nao.
"What are you gonna do? Hit us? Tell our sensei?"
"That's exactly what I'll do. Then I'll let these nice young men here knock some sense into you. I'll say it was purely self defense. Now who do you think the principal who is also a good friend of mine would believe? Three teenage punks, or his life long friend?" Nao asked with a smirk. The three boys looked to the ground in shame, clearly defeated. "That's what i thought. Get back to class or where ever you belong."
"Yes sir." the one called Kannon replied. They ran off. Ruki jumped from my lap with a smile and ran over to Nao and hugged him.
"Naohsi! What are you doing here? I- I thought...I'm so happy to see you! It feels like it's been forever!"
"Well, I couldn't stay away from you all. you all were like the sibling I always wanted. I want to always be there to protect you guys, even if you're all a bit mad at me right now. I baked apology cookies." he said with a dorky smile.
"You know we all love you still Naoshi." Miyoko said, patting the spot beside her for him to sit. He joined us. Ruki sat beside him. Leaving me forever alone guy. "Uruha? Well, I guess I'm not the only one the came back to the group."
"It's good to see you again Naoshi. This is my girlfriend, Etsu."
"Hello, it's nice to meet you." she said.
"Same here." he replied. "Try a cookie, I made them myself." he offered. Etsu grabbed one from the box and bit into it.
"Oh wow...you made these? These are amazing...Uru, taste this cookie!" she shoved the cookie into her boyfriends mouth.
"Those are good!" he exclaimed, mouth full of the sweet.
"Kai gave me this recipe. Give him the credit." Nao said.
"Oh no, I never made them as good as these." Kai said smiling.
"So, how are things with you and Pon?" Ruki asked casually.
"Pretty fine. He asks often about you. I told him we haven't spoken. He thinks it would be good for us to remain friends. I'm actually glad he thinks so. He said he talked to Aoi's sister and since, he's been a very different man."
"That's good. I'm glad you guys are getting along." Ruki said smiling.
"But yeah...so how have you been?"
"Getting through it. I'm staying with Reita for now and his parents are fine with it.Everything is going pretty good for me. I think I have a crush on this really cute boy too. I don't think he noticed me much though."
"He'd stupid not to." I said.
"Thanks Rei."
"Well, I have to get going. I got a pretty sweet job."
"Oh yeah? Where do you work?" Kohara asked.
"A pretty cool vintage music shop. You guys should swing by sometime. I'll teach you how to play the drums." he said with a smile. "Well, see you guys later. Behave, stay out of trouble."
"We will!" we all said at the same time, laughing. Nao waved goodbye and we turned our attention back to the cookies.
"Who was he man? He was pretty cute." Estu asked.
"That was Naoshi. He's kind of like our big brother." Miyoko answered. picking up another cookie. We spent the rest of lunch telling Etsu about Naoshi and filling Uruha in on what he missed the past month. After school, Miyoko came back to the house with me and Ruki to work on our biology project.
"What are you kids doing?" mom asked, walking into my bedroom.
"Biology Suzuki san. We have to draw a detail diagram of a plant cell and type a one or two page paper on it." Miyoko explained.
"Well good luck with that. If you need any help I'll be downstairs. Oh, and I brought you up some sandwiches and apple juice."
"Mom, we aren't kids."
"Oh hush Reita. Everyone loves sandwiches. And apple juice is good for you."
"Thank you Suzuki san." Miyoko and Ruki said together. I thanked mom and grabbed the tray from her and set it on the floor in the middle. She walked out, leaving us to finish our project. It wasn't due until friday, but we finished the diagram before the sunset.
"I gotta be heading home now." Miyoko said.
"Alright, we'll walk you halway." Me and Ruki walked her up the street and around the corner. We could see her house from this corner so we watched her until she disappeared inside the house before returning home. When we got back, mom had dinner ready. We ate, I let Ruki take a shower first, then I took mine. We brushed out teeth then went to my room.
I turned the tv on for the first time in like, a year. I almost forgot I had a tv. Ruki locked the door and turned off the light, then jumped into bed with me. I was used to sharing a bed with him now so I didn't really mind. He was small anyway, so it's not like I could complain about him taking up a lot of room.
We watched hours of TV. It was 11:30 by the time we turned the tv off. I laid on my side. He followed suit and face me. Oh no...last time this happened it was Uruha. And it ended in a kiss. "Thanks for being here for me, always."
"Don't thank me Ruki, it's what friends do. What kind of friend would I be if I hadn't done anything for you?"
"No friend at all." he said with a smile. "So I wanted to talk to you about something..."
"You can talk to me about anything, I'll listen."
"Remember how today at lunch I said I had a crush on this cute boy?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, he's really popular. Like you. And I was wondering if you could help me..."
"How can I help you?"
"I really like him. I was hoping you could talk to him for me. He's about your height, he's also on the soccer team. He has the cutest smile, really strong arms, light brown eyes that sparkle like yours...A lot of girls like him but I know for sure he doesn't want any of them..."
"What's his name?"
"I'm afraid to tell you."
"Is it Kamijo?"
"No."
"Byou?"
"No."
"Kazuki?"
"No, it's-"
"Please don't tell me is Ryo."
"No! It's-"
"It's Satoshi isn't? He is a reather skilled-"
"SUZUKI. AKIRA."
"What?"
"Stop making guesses, okay? Just drop it."
"Are you sure?"
He turned his back toward me. "Goodnight Reita."
"Ruki, talk t me, please? I didn't mean to upset you. I don't even know what I did."
He turned back to me. "Fine. I'll talk. But only because I'm not sleepy and you seem legitimately sorry." We both smiled.
"So, are you going to tell me more about this guy?"
"He's very sweet, smart, a really talented musician. Did I mention he was cute?"
"Yes."
"Yes well...he's cute. And he'd been hurt really badly by someone he loves just like me. So I think we could really used each other. We'd make each other happy." the way Ruki spoke so dearly about this person touched me. It sounded like Ruki really liked the guy and knew a lot about him. He talked as if they were friends.
"Will you tell me his name?"
"I can't. You'll laugh at me."
"I wont laugh at you, I promise." He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He didn't say anything for a long time. "Um Ruki?" He opened his eyes and sat up. "Uh...Takanori?"
"Do you really want to know?" he asked.
"Yes! Stop scaring me and tell me already."
"He'll never want to be with me...this is pointless." he said, tears falling from his eyes. He must really have it bad to be crying over this guy.
"What makes you think that? Any guy would be lucky to have you, my best friend.
"That's just it. He says crap like that but never notices me. He'll never want to date me. I'm stuck in the friend zone."
"Taka, what are you ta-"
"You! It's you, okay?! When we were kids, I had a crush on you. But i knew you like Uruha so I ignored my own feelings all these years. You were even my first kiss. Remember? That day in the woods when I scraped my knees and you carried my back to your house even thought I told you I could walk? I slept over at your house..."
"I forgot all about that...the night you crawled into be with me because you were afraid of the thunder, and i told you I'd protect. Then you hugged me and told me never leave and I promised I wouldn't."
"Then we kisses. And even if it meant nothing to you, it meant the world to me. That 5 second peck on the lips meant everything to me."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"What difference would it make Reita? You always loved Uruha. And when I met Nao I feel head over heels for that man.And for that short time we were together, I forgot about my feelings for you. But when Nao hurt me and you were there, all those feelings surfaces again. It hasn't been easy for me to hide these feelings. Especially now that you've been so touchy-feely and letting me share your bed. Temptation is a bitch."
"I...I don't even know what to say..."
"That's a first." he said with a said smile, tears still streaming down his face. "I know you don't feel the same way, which is why I didn't tell you. Now that you know, I'm going to sleep on the couch. I'll be leave tomorrow. I don't know where I'm going, but I wont bother you anymore. I'll disappear."
"Ruki, you're talking crazy. I'm not letting you leave."
"I can't stay." he said getting out of bed. I didn't want to lose my best friend. Ruki leaving would tear me apart inside. All our friends would be really upset. And it would be all my fault. So I acted on implus. I pulled him into my and kissed him like the furst time me and Uru kissed.
This is so wrong, but if it makes him happy, I'll have to grow to love it. Love him.