Battle Royale II - General - #51 Water
Title: Experiment in Love - Part 1
Fandom: Battle Royale II: Requiem
Characters: Shiori Kitano, Ryo Kurosawa, Tetsuya Shimura
Prompt: #51 - Water
Word Count: 2761 (not including lyrics)
Rating: PG13
Summary: When the world becomes too much to bear, who is there to turn too?
Author's Notes: The song used is Teardrops by The Proclaimers. Yes, this is slightly AU, but then again a lot of people can’t see Kurosawa being anything but angry and violent. Oh…and just so you know, I still use Shubultz Cuts instead of Schwarz Katze…there isn’t any reason to correct me.
Teardrops running down your face
Teardrops running down your face
Diamonds of water and salt from your body
Coming down to meet my kisses
----------
I promised myself I wouldn’t do this. I promised myself I wouldn’t do this and I’d be strong in front of him and everyone else. Why can’t I just be strong?
Shiori’s lower lip trembled as she looked into Tetsuya’s eyes. For once his words did not cheer her and, as she expected, they did not give any measure of comfort. Tetsuya’s insane catchphrases didn’t make the mood any lighter, which was unusual.
Immediately, Tetsuya knew that something was wrong, although he had sensed the tension from the moment Shiori returned. He frowned as Shiori froze, her gaze fixed upon some unknown point on the grimy wall across the room. Inside the tiny bedroom Ryo was oblivious, probably getting ready to go to sleep without a word to any of his comrades. That’s what he always did best.
“I’m sorry, Tetsu,” Shiori closed her eyes and slowly stood. “I need to leave.”
Calmly, the out of place jock walked to the door and stepped out into the hall, shutting two people she might venture to call friends out of her world at least temporarily. She wanted to run, to disappear, to not have to deal with humanity for at least a little while, but at the same time part of her wanted to be found. She didn’t have enough strength to go as far as she wanted too. She didn’t have enough strength to start running and keep running, nor did she have the strength to even leave the building. Instead she ran to the back staircase, the one furthest from the elevators, the one that was more a fire escape than a staircase. As the door opened and the cool night air bit at her exposed flesh, the tears she had been holding back fell without restraint.
I’m supposed to be stronger than this.
The roof would have been her place of refuge had her legs not given out beneath her after a few steps. Instead she sat on the narrow staircase not even half way between the fourth and fifth floors, her hands locked in a death grip around the railing. It was too predictable. Every place she would go to be alone, every place she would go to let out the emotions she never permitted anyone else to see, every place was too predictable. No matter where she went, he’d find her. He’d always find her.
It was her own fault, though. Each and every one of her places had been first shown to her by Ryo on the long walks that they had taken back when they first started speaking to each other. She didn’t know the city well enough, but then again, how could she? She hadn’t even been at Shikanotoride for an entire semester and she wouldn’t be there much longer thanks to the Program.
Just as she buried her face in the crook of her arm and began to weep bitterly over the mistakes that she had made, the door opened noisily, briefly silhouetting the rather bulky figure of Kurosawa Ryo against the light from the hallway within before the door shut with a loud metallic clang. He took several small steps forward, but stopped just short of the stairs unsure of what to do or say. Shiori lifted her head to stare at him, straining her body to stop the tears she already knew she had no control over. The dim lights on each landing cast a pale orange glow over everything, accentuating the deep circles beneath Ryo’s eyes and adding a sickly tinge to his lightly tanned skin. His usually wild, unkempt hair had been flattened and pulled back into a partially ineffective ponytail and his trademark leather jacket had been exchanged for a faded black hoodie at some point earlier in the evening. He looked more like a normal teenager than he had for quite a long time, so much different than the Kurosawa Ryo she was accustomed too.
“Ki-Kitano,” The fragile looking girl seated in front of him looked so much different than the Kitano Shiori he had gotten to know so intimately over the recent weeks. Ryo couldn’t help but worry, which was something that he hadn’t done for anyone except his blood brothers since his loss last Christmas. It was a startling feeling, but surprisingly, he didn’t object to it. Then again, there were a lot of things that he’d been doing recently that he had firmly believed that, up until that point, he would never do again: like trust someone. With much hesitation he reached out his hand and brushed the tears off her cheek with his thumb, although more immediately took their place. “What’s wrong?”
It’s my fault. It’s all my fault. I wish I could tell you the truth, something, anything.
The concern so clear upon Ryo’s face just made her feel worse. It didn’t suit him. Shiori couldn’t look him in the eye, finding it easier to stare at her own feet and make a pathetic attempt to hide her face without her hands. As if for reassurance she reached up and touched the clear glass pendant Ryo had given her the week before. Shiori had been extremely touched by the gift and hadn’t taken it off since that day. It had been his mother’s and was quite possibly the only thing he had left aside from the painting hanging above his desk and the irreparable hurt in his heart.
“Kuro…” Slowly, Shiori disentangled her arms from the railing and wrapped them around her knees instead. “Why? Why are you nice to me?”
“What?” His expression softened as his mind registered the question. With a soft laugh and in an extremely sarcastic tone, after a short pause he replied, “Would you rather me beat you up and call you names?”
In spite of herself, Shiori smiled, though her laugh fell short of real humor. The leader of the Shubultz Cuts had had that effect on her since shortly after they met, always making her smile whether she wanted too or not.
How could I have let you get so close to me?
“Sometimes,” Shiori was dead serious and it caused Ryo to sigh and roll his eyes. Carefully he sat down on the narrow stairs next to the petite jock and draped his arm about her shoulders.
“Stop being so overly dramatic.”
“Like you’re one to talk, Kuro.”
“I know, I know.” He bowed his head to rest his forehead a short ways above her ear and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. With his free hand he reached out to cover her cold hand which had been clenched into the leg of her worn out jeans. It was an awkward sort of hug, and Ryo hoped sincerely that no one decided to use the stairs at that moment. “Please stop crying. Please.”
“That’s easier said than done, Kuro.”
“I know.”
Instead of calming down, his reassurance only made her cry harder. It brought to surface all of the thoughts she had been trying to ignore since she was first entranced by the rebellious gang leader. She buried her face in his shoulder and sobbed as he fidgeted slightly. It made him nervous to be even the slightest bit comforting or affectionate in public, and this was no exception no matter how he wanted to help Shiori.
Because of me you’re going to die, Kuro. You, Tetsu, Mae, Nanami and Professor. You’re all going to die. Why do I keep kidding myself? It’s all my fault. I should have never done this. I shouldn’t have transferred…Why did I want to do this in the first place?
“Hush,” Ryo kissed her lightly on the side of her head. With much difficulty, he suppressed the memories of his family which surfaced with the contact. It was hard, but for the first time in a long time he didn’t allow his mother’s embrace or his sister’s tears or his father’s supportive words linger in his mind. “Just calm down. Everything is going to be just fine.”
I want to tell you, but I can’t.
After a time her choked sobs were replaced by shivering as she attempted to regain her breath and the cold night air chilled her skin with every passing second.
“C’mon. Let’s go back inside and get you warmed up,” suggested Ryo and Shiori just nodded meekly in response. Ryo unwrapped his arms and stood before he reached out to hoist her to her feet.
An intense guilt filled her mind and her heart, though she did her best to ignore it. She deeply cared about the five members of the Shubultz Cuts, especially their wild leader, and it pained her to have to keep such a secret. The thoughts continued to buzz through her head as Ryo lead her inside and wiped the tearstained trails off of her cheeks with a damp towel. It was a struggle for her to not break down and cry again, but somehow she managed. Instead, she leaned forward and kissed him softly. Though the contact only lasted a moment before she pulled back and forced herself to look him in the eye.
“I’m sorry, Kuro. I’m sorry you had to see me cry.”
----------
Teardrops running down your face
Teardrops running down your face
Staining your skin and my skin and beginning
The stories that you can’t begin
----------
Thankfully, Ryo wasn’t the type to ask questions. He had seen more than his share of anguish and kept more than his share of painful secrets. The most he would do for anyone is make a few passing attempts at giving comfort. For quite a long time he just stood there in the middle of his room with Shiori’s small figure gathered in his arms. The top of her head barely reached his chin and made her feel extremely tiny, but at least she felt safe.
I wish we had met under different circumstances.
Shiori clung to him and sighed. Though she had managed to come to grips with the guilt, she still felt incredibly unhappy. She hated keeping things from him.
Sometimes I wish I had never met you. I don’t want it to end like I know it will.
“I feel disgusting,” Shiori’s words were muffled by Ryo’s chest and his thick sweatshirt. Although she was reluctant to leave the embrace, she pulled back and walked passed him. “I’m going to take a shower…feel free to join me.”
Over the past few days and weeks many of her belongings had migrated into the far corner of Ryo’s room, including her bath supplies which were all neatly stored in a plastic carrying rack. She grabbed it and pulled her towel off the back of his desk chair before walking shuffling out of the suite and down the hall towards the stairs. Awkwardly, Ryo followed her carrying his own towel and bath kit. He just didn’t want Shiori to be alone after her emotional outburst earlier that evening, though the tone of her voice made it apparent that her offer was strictly out of habit, not for something more. That, and he needed a shower himself.
Ryo was slightly puzzled and wondered where Shiori was heading. The in shower in the apartment was more than adequate and no one in the building would dare even open the door to the ofuro on any of the guys’ floors because they were so disgusting. He trusted her, though, and followed without a word. Apparently Ryo hadn’t done enough exploring of the building to know that some of the girls felt the need to keep the ofuro spotless, at least on Shiori’s floor. How could they take their daily baths if the bathroom wasn’t clean? The small changing room was paneled with light colored wood which, though worn with age, was no less beautiful than it had been when the building was built. Even the silvery fixtures and the mirror were shining and spotless.
“Wow,” Ryo looked around the tiny room in amazement as Shiori opened the door to the ofuro in order to check if the tub had already been filled, which, thankfully, it had. “I can’t believe there is actually a clean room in this building.”
“You should try spending more time with the girls,” Shiori retorted as she set her towel and kit on the counter next to the sink. “Most of them are compulsive neat freaks, it makes life a lot easier. For me, anyways.”
The gangster just smiled in response and locked the door, not wanting any of the girls from the floor to walk in and find him in their bath. Before he pulled his hoodie over his head, he leaned over and gave Shiori a quick kiss on the cheek. He was surprisingly meticulous when it came to folding and placing his clothes in a neat pile, so by the time he was done Shiori had already carelessly shed her clothes and turned on the water in the shower. Her shampoo and conditioner sat haphazardly on the small shelf above the spigot, next to the shower gel and soap which had been in her basket a few moments before. The water heated up with incredible speed, filling the small room with steam after only a few moments. Ryo closed the door behind him just as Shiori switched the stream of water from the spigot to the shower head.
Shiori had already situated herself on the small stool, leaving Ryo with no choice but to kneel. Without a word, he plucked the showerhead from its hook on the wall and sprayed it gently over Shiori’s shoulders, using his free hand to massage the tension out of her neck. A small smile appeared on her face as she relaxed beneath his skilled touch. Ryo always seemed to know what she needed most at any given moment and she had no idea why or how. Carefully, he tipped her head back a short way to run his fingers through her hair and look into her eyes from the odd angle. It wasn’t long before her hair was thoroughly soaked as Ryo brushed her hair back from her face. The feeling was gone too soon for her liking, though, when Ryo took a few moments to rinse his own hair.
“C’mere,” Ryo didn’t exactly give her a choice as he shut off the water and lifted her off of the stool.
“Ah, Kuro!” Shiori shrieked and wrapped her arms instinctively around his neck as he carried her the few steps to the deep bathtub. The water was extremely hot, but relaxing. There was just enough room for both of them if Shiori used Ryo as a pillow, which she was more than willing to do. Water splashed over the edge, but it was no concern as it trickled slowly down the drain in the floor.
Why is he so nice to me? Why me and not someone else? How can he even trust me?
Both of them were too lost in their own thoughts to hold a conversation. Instead, they sat in one of their not-so awkward silences. At least the tub was heated, so no matter how long they spent in the water it wouldn’t get cold. Ryo kept his arms wrapped tightly around her tiny waist and rested his cheek against the top of her head.
I don’t deserve this. I don’t deserve for anyone to be this nice to me, especially anyone here. All I’ve ever been is rude and nasty, even to my father. How could I do that?
Shiori sighed contentedly, no matter how much inner turmoil she felt in her mind and heart, she hadn’t been so calm in an extremely long time. It was all because of the gangster who held her so tightly in his arms. Her emotions were still in chaos, but at least she was happy. Or, at least, as happy as she could be. She trembled slightly as she twisted around to look Ryo in the eyes once again.
“W-why are you so nice to me?” A single tear fell from her eye, but she tried desperately to keep herself under control.
“I’m nice to the people I care about,” Ryo replied and after a moments pause he added in a quieter voice, “Though most people wouldn’t believe I have anyone to care about, anyways.”
“Most people don’t matter,” the corners of her mouth twitched into a slight smile, but it quickly faded back into a blank stare.
“You matter,” he reached his hand out of the water and gently stroked her cheek. Instead of wiping away the tear, he only managed to add more water droplets.
“You’re being sappy.”
“I’m being honest.”
----------
Teardrops running down your face
Teardrops running down your face
Let me, let me brush them with my fingers
Comfort you and say it’s alright
Fandom: Battle Royale II: Requiem
Characters: Shiori Kitano, Ryo Kurosawa, Tetsuya Shimura
Prompt: #51 - Water
Word Count: 2761 (not including lyrics)
Rating: PG13
Summary: When the world becomes too much to bear, who is there to turn too?
Author's Notes: The song used is Teardrops by The Proclaimers. Yes, this is slightly AU, but then again a lot of people can’t see Kurosawa being anything but angry and violent. Oh…and just so you know, I still use Shubultz Cuts instead of Schwarz Katze…there isn’t any reason to correct me.
Teardrops running down your face
Teardrops running down your face
Diamonds of water and salt from your body
Coming down to meet my kisses
----------
I promised myself I wouldn’t do this. I promised myself I wouldn’t do this and I’d be strong in front of him and everyone else. Why can’t I just be strong?
Shiori’s lower lip trembled as she looked into Tetsuya’s eyes. For once his words did not cheer her and, as she expected, they did not give any measure of comfort. Tetsuya’s insane catchphrases didn’t make the mood any lighter, which was unusual.
Immediately, Tetsuya knew that something was wrong, although he had sensed the tension from the moment Shiori returned. He frowned as Shiori froze, her gaze fixed upon some unknown point on the grimy wall across the room. Inside the tiny bedroom Ryo was oblivious, probably getting ready to go to sleep without a word to any of his comrades. That’s what he always did best.
“I’m sorry, Tetsu,” Shiori closed her eyes and slowly stood. “I need to leave.”
Calmly, the out of place jock walked to the door and stepped out into the hall, shutting two people she might venture to call friends out of her world at least temporarily. She wanted to run, to disappear, to not have to deal with humanity for at least a little while, but at the same time part of her wanted to be found. She didn’t have enough strength to go as far as she wanted too. She didn’t have enough strength to start running and keep running, nor did she have the strength to even leave the building. Instead she ran to the back staircase, the one furthest from the elevators, the one that was more a fire escape than a staircase. As the door opened and the cool night air bit at her exposed flesh, the tears she had been holding back fell without restraint.
I’m supposed to be stronger than this.
The roof would have been her place of refuge had her legs not given out beneath her after a few steps. Instead she sat on the narrow staircase not even half way between the fourth and fifth floors, her hands locked in a death grip around the railing. It was too predictable. Every place she would go to be alone, every place she would go to let out the emotions she never permitted anyone else to see, every place was too predictable. No matter where she went, he’d find her. He’d always find her.
It was her own fault, though. Each and every one of her places had been first shown to her by Ryo on the long walks that they had taken back when they first started speaking to each other. She didn’t know the city well enough, but then again, how could she? She hadn’t even been at Shikanotoride for an entire semester and she wouldn’t be there much longer thanks to the Program.
Just as she buried her face in the crook of her arm and began to weep bitterly over the mistakes that she had made, the door opened noisily, briefly silhouetting the rather bulky figure of Kurosawa Ryo against the light from the hallway within before the door shut with a loud metallic clang. He took several small steps forward, but stopped just short of the stairs unsure of what to do or say. Shiori lifted her head to stare at him, straining her body to stop the tears she already knew she had no control over. The dim lights on each landing cast a pale orange glow over everything, accentuating the deep circles beneath Ryo’s eyes and adding a sickly tinge to his lightly tanned skin. His usually wild, unkempt hair had been flattened and pulled back into a partially ineffective ponytail and his trademark leather jacket had been exchanged for a faded black hoodie at some point earlier in the evening. He looked more like a normal teenager than he had for quite a long time, so much different than the Kurosawa Ryo she was accustomed too.
“Ki-Kitano,” The fragile looking girl seated in front of him looked so much different than the Kitano Shiori he had gotten to know so intimately over the recent weeks. Ryo couldn’t help but worry, which was something that he hadn’t done for anyone except his blood brothers since his loss last Christmas. It was a startling feeling, but surprisingly, he didn’t object to it. Then again, there were a lot of things that he’d been doing recently that he had firmly believed that, up until that point, he would never do again: like trust someone. With much hesitation he reached out his hand and brushed the tears off her cheek with his thumb, although more immediately took their place. “What’s wrong?”
It’s my fault. It’s all my fault. I wish I could tell you the truth, something, anything.
The concern so clear upon Ryo’s face just made her feel worse. It didn’t suit him. Shiori couldn’t look him in the eye, finding it easier to stare at her own feet and make a pathetic attempt to hide her face without her hands. As if for reassurance she reached up and touched the clear glass pendant Ryo had given her the week before. Shiori had been extremely touched by the gift and hadn’t taken it off since that day. It had been his mother’s and was quite possibly the only thing he had left aside from the painting hanging above his desk and the irreparable hurt in his heart.
“Kuro…” Slowly, Shiori disentangled her arms from the railing and wrapped them around her knees instead. “Why? Why are you nice to me?”
“What?” His expression softened as his mind registered the question. With a soft laugh and in an extremely sarcastic tone, after a short pause he replied, “Would you rather me beat you up and call you names?”
In spite of herself, Shiori smiled, though her laugh fell short of real humor. The leader of the Shubultz Cuts had had that effect on her since shortly after they met, always making her smile whether she wanted too or not.
How could I have let you get so close to me?
“Sometimes,” Shiori was dead serious and it caused Ryo to sigh and roll his eyes. Carefully he sat down on the narrow stairs next to the petite jock and draped his arm about her shoulders.
“Stop being so overly dramatic.”
“Like you’re one to talk, Kuro.”
“I know, I know.” He bowed his head to rest his forehead a short ways above her ear and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. With his free hand he reached out to cover her cold hand which had been clenched into the leg of her worn out jeans. It was an awkward sort of hug, and Ryo hoped sincerely that no one decided to use the stairs at that moment. “Please stop crying. Please.”
“That’s easier said than done, Kuro.”
“I know.”
Instead of calming down, his reassurance only made her cry harder. It brought to surface all of the thoughts she had been trying to ignore since she was first entranced by the rebellious gang leader. She buried her face in his shoulder and sobbed as he fidgeted slightly. It made him nervous to be even the slightest bit comforting or affectionate in public, and this was no exception no matter how he wanted to help Shiori.
Because of me you’re going to die, Kuro. You, Tetsu, Mae, Nanami and Professor. You’re all going to die. Why do I keep kidding myself? It’s all my fault. I should have never done this. I shouldn’t have transferred…Why did I want to do this in the first place?
“Hush,” Ryo kissed her lightly on the side of her head. With much difficulty, he suppressed the memories of his family which surfaced with the contact. It was hard, but for the first time in a long time he didn’t allow his mother’s embrace or his sister’s tears or his father’s supportive words linger in his mind. “Just calm down. Everything is going to be just fine.”
I want to tell you, but I can’t.
After a time her choked sobs were replaced by shivering as she attempted to regain her breath and the cold night air chilled her skin with every passing second.
“C’mon. Let’s go back inside and get you warmed up,” suggested Ryo and Shiori just nodded meekly in response. Ryo unwrapped his arms and stood before he reached out to hoist her to her feet.
An intense guilt filled her mind and her heart, though she did her best to ignore it. She deeply cared about the five members of the Shubultz Cuts, especially their wild leader, and it pained her to have to keep such a secret. The thoughts continued to buzz through her head as Ryo lead her inside and wiped the tearstained trails off of her cheeks with a damp towel. It was a struggle for her to not break down and cry again, but somehow she managed. Instead, she leaned forward and kissed him softly. Though the contact only lasted a moment before she pulled back and forced herself to look him in the eye.
“I’m sorry, Kuro. I’m sorry you had to see me cry.”
----------
Teardrops running down your face
Teardrops running down your face
Staining your skin and my skin and beginning
The stories that you can’t begin
----------
Thankfully, Ryo wasn’t the type to ask questions. He had seen more than his share of anguish and kept more than his share of painful secrets. The most he would do for anyone is make a few passing attempts at giving comfort. For quite a long time he just stood there in the middle of his room with Shiori’s small figure gathered in his arms. The top of her head barely reached his chin and made her feel extremely tiny, but at least she felt safe.
I wish we had met under different circumstances.
Shiori clung to him and sighed. Though she had managed to come to grips with the guilt, she still felt incredibly unhappy. She hated keeping things from him.
Sometimes I wish I had never met you. I don’t want it to end like I know it will.
“I feel disgusting,” Shiori’s words were muffled by Ryo’s chest and his thick sweatshirt. Although she was reluctant to leave the embrace, she pulled back and walked passed him. “I’m going to take a shower…feel free to join me.”
Over the past few days and weeks many of her belongings had migrated into the far corner of Ryo’s room, including her bath supplies which were all neatly stored in a plastic carrying rack. She grabbed it and pulled her towel off the back of his desk chair before walking shuffling out of the suite and down the hall towards the stairs. Awkwardly, Ryo followed her carrying his own towel and bath kit. He just didn’t want Shiori to be alone after her emotional outburst earlier that evening, though the tone of her voice made it apparent that her offer was strictly out of habit, not for something more. That, and he needed a shower himself.
Ryo was slightly puzzled and wondered where Shiori was heading. The in shower in the apartment was more than adequate and no one in the building would dare even open the door to the ofuro on any of the guys’ floors because they were so disgusting. He trusted her, though, and followed without a word. Apparently Ryo hadn’t done enough exploring of the building to know that some of the girls felt the need to keep the ofuro spotless, at least on Shiori’s floor. How could they take their daily baths if the bathroom wasn’t clean? The small changing room was paneled with light colored wood which, though worn with age, was no less beautiful than it had been when the building was built. Even the silvery fixtures and the mirror were shining and spotless.
“Wow,” Ryo looked around the tiny room in amazement as Shiori opened the door to the ofuro in order to check if the tub had already been filled, which, thankfully, it had. “I can’t believe there is actually a clean room in this building.”
“You should try spending more time with the girls,” Shiori retorted as she set her towel and kit on the counter next to the sink. “Most of them are compulsive neat freaks, it makes life a lot easier. For me, anyways.”
The gangster just smiled in response and locked the door, not wanting any of the girls from the floor to walk in and find him in their bath. Before he pulled his hoodie over his head, he leaned over and gave Shiori a quick kiss on the cheek. He was surprisingly meticulous when it came to folding and placing his clothes in a neat pile, so by the time he was done Shiori had already carelessly shed her clothes and turned on the water in the shower. Her shampoo and conditioner sat haphazardly on the small shelf above the spigot, next to the shower gel and soap which had been in her basket a few moments before. The water heated up with incredible speed, filling the small room with steam after only a few moments. Ryo closed the door behind him just as Shiori switched the stream of water from the spigot to the shower head.
Shiori had already situated herself on the small stool, leaving Ryo with no choice but to kneel. Without a word, he plucked the showerhead from its hook on the wall and sprayed it gently over Shiori’s shoulders, using his free hand to massage the tension out of her neck. A small smile appeared on her face as she relaxed beneath his skilled touch. Ryo always seemed to know what she needed most at any given moment and she had no idea why or how. Carefully, he tipped her head back a short way to run his fingers through her hair and look into her eyes from the odd angle. It wasn’t long before her hair was thoroughly soaked as Ryo brushed her hair back from her face. The feeling was gone too soon for her liking, though, when Ryo took a few moments to rinse his own hair.
“C’mere,” Ryo didn’t exactly give her a choice as he shut off the water and lifted her off of the stool.
“Ah, Kuro!” Shiori shrieked and wrapped her arms instinctively around his neck as he carried her the few steps to the deep bathtub. The water was extremely hot, but relaxing. There was just enough room for both of them if Shiori used Ryo as a pillow, which she was more than willing to do. Water splashed over the edge, but it was no concern as it trickled slowly down the drain in the floor.
Why is he so nice to me? Why me and not someone else? How can he even trust me?
Both of them were too lost in their own thoughts to hold a conversation. Instead, they sat in one of their not-so awkward silences. At least the tub was heated, so no matter how long they spent in the water it wouldn’t get cold. Ryo kept his arms wrapped tightly around her tiny waist and rested his cheek against the top of her head.
I don’t deserve this. I don’t deserve for anyone to be this nice to me, especially anyone here. All I’ve ever been is rude and nasty, even to my father. How could I do that?
Shiori sighed contentedly, no matter how much inner turmoil she felt in her mind and heart, she hadn’t been so calm in an extremely long time. It was all because of the gangster who held her so tightly in his arms. Her emotions were still in chaos, but at least she was happy. Or, at least, as happy as she could be. She trembled slightly as she twisted around to look Ryo in the eyes once again.
“W-why are you so nice to me?” A single tear fell from her eye, but she tried desperately to keep herself under control.
“I’m nice to the people I care about,” Ryo replied and after a moments pause he added in a quieter voice, “Though most people wouldn’t believe I have anyone to care about, anyways.”
“Most people don’t matter,” the corners of her mouth twitched into a slight smile, but it quickly faded back into a blank stare.
“You matter,” he reached his hand out of the water and gently stroked her cheek. Instead of wiping away the tear, he only managed to add more water droplets.
“You’re being sappy.”
“I’m being honest.”
----------
Teardrops running down your face
Teardrops running down your face
Let me, let me brush them with my fingers
Comfort you and say it’s alright