Three Weeks - Chapter 3: Third Week
Title: Three Weeks
Author: natonato
Pairing: Chiitaro
Genre: Fluff, School life
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Ryutaro attends the same cram school as Chinen but his cram school is held only once a week! Ryutaro needs to confess his love for Chinen but he's not sure whether he can do it. His having doubts of his own. Can he, really?
A/N: Italics means Ryutaro's POV. This chapter is much much longer because there's so many things happening! (>A<) Please read it until the end! Thank you ^^ And also the A/N below! Thank you~again~ XD
Word Count: 1821
Chapter 3: Third Week
Third week, it's finally here. He has to do it, now. No more 'next week' or 'I can't' or 'I shouldn't'. There's no more room for that! Definitely not, not this week.
"Konbanwa Ryutaro-kun!" Chinen greeted him with a warm smile.
"Ko..Konbanwa Chinen...san." Ryutaro quickly added the -san at the back because he was afraid Chinen might dislike him calling his name without any formalities.
"Ryutaro-kun! Don't call me that!" Chinen frowned and glared at Ryutaro. He disliked it even more when Ryutaro called him 'Chinen-san'.
"O..Okay..Then, Chii. Can I call you that?" Ryutaro hesitated a bit before saying that. He wasn't sure whether Chinen liked the way he called him.
"Hehe! I like that!" Chinen grinned cheekily then stared to skip his way to the classroom. He was in a rather happy mood today, too happy actually. Something seems off about it.
I wonder why.
Ryutaro couldn't help but ponder at his earlier thought. Chinen was not his usual self. Yes, he was smiling as always, but it didn't feel right. Ryutaro doubted his feelings because everyone around Chinen didn't seem to realise it. Was it just his imagination? Chinen laughed with everyone, smiled at everyone. That was his usual self. Maybe it was his imagination after all. He wasn't any different from the rest of the class. He wouldn't know if Chinen was acting weird today, he wouldn't know. Even though he was always the one looking at him. Always.
The class was about to begin so everyone went to their respective seats. They settled down, took out their writing materials, then started to take down notes on the blackboard. Exams were approaching and it was no time to be fooling around. Everyone realised this, especially Ryutaro. He wasn't exceptionally good in his studies, in fact, he was very bad at it. This cram school was by far one of the best in the district but he hasn't improved at all, not even a little. His parents did warn him that if he didn't improve, they were pulling him out from this cram school, for good. Now he had two things to worry about, his studies and the boy in front of him.
"Class, I'm giving you a 15 minute break. Please make good use of it." The sensei announced then left the classroom. Ryutaro needed this break badly. His brain was about to burst into million pieces from all those vocabulary and grammar. He couldn't handle it anymore. He scratched his head then slammed his head on the table.
All this is killing me...But I have to do it or else...
He didn't want to think of the consequences. No, he never wanted to. He just needed to focus on his objectives. Yes, just that. He had to clear them as soon as possible, especially the one which involved that small boy.
This was his chance. He had 15 minutes, just 15 minutes. He had just 15 minutes to confess to the boy in front of him. Ryutaro reached out his hand, slowly and steadily. He didn't want to frighten Chinen so he had to do it slowly. He was scared himself though. His heart racing wildly like never before, his face all flustered. A few more centimetres and Chinen's shoulder was within his reach. But, he stopped.
His hand froze in mid-air, not wanting to go further than that. It just lingered there. Ryutaro wasn't hesitating, no not at all. He was actually ready to do it but something he heard made him stop. It made his heart felt heavier, filled with sadness. He heard Chinen cry. He heard those soft sobs and they were never-ending. Tears wetted his sleeves as he tried to wipe them off continuously.
Why was he crying?
Ryutaro brought down his hand then rested it on the table. He was right all along. Chinen was forcing himself to be happy which was why it seemed off. He was depressed but there was no way the all-smiley Chinen would show his sad side. Everyone would get worried, including Ryutaro. Seeing Chinen sad was hurting him inside. To see someone you love cry in front of you, it's painful indeed. He couldn't possibly confess now. All he could do was just to stare and watch as his loved one cry.
What else could I do?
Confessing this week was never going to happen. Seeing Chinen crying depleted his courage and mood. Saying that he'd do it next week was....No, he could never do it. It was impossible him. It seemed fate never wanted him to. It wasn't meant to be. This could possibly be the last lesson he was going to attend. His results made it even more obvious. What was he to do now? Cry? He dared not show his tears, he was a man and a man doesn't cry. But Chinen did. Chinen needed someone to back him up, he depended someone. He shouldn't cry alone. If only there was someone brave enough to comfort him, someone willing to cry together with him. But not me.
Ryutaro stuffed his books in his bag. He walked out of the classroom, never was he going back there. Winter was cold. He hated winter. He shivered as he walked the path in the cold, heartless winter. His thoughts were entirely filled with Chinen. He never wanted to walk out like that, he wanted to go near him, hug him tightly, and embrace him with warmth. But those were silly imaginations, ever since the beginning. None of those were real, just follies of his youth. Although there were the real ones, the real memories he created with Chinen, on this very street.
He ran all the way here just to give me back my book.
He gave his gloves to me then held my hand.
We laughed, we talked and we smiled.
On this very street, in this cold winter, at that cram school.
A tear flowed down his cheeks. Recalling those memories made a man cry and he definitely didn't want to see the other man cry. Ryutaro ran up the path towards the cram school He sprinted as fast as he could as he feared that Chinen had already left. Sweat poured down his face despite the cold. He needed to see Chinen, he wanted to. There he saw Chinen, cheeks still wet from tears but no doubt, he was smiling.
"Ryuta...." Ryutaro went straight to him then pulled him into a warm embrace. He held Chinen close to him, never letting him speak. Ryutaro didn't want to hear anything, he wanted Chinen to feel his warmth and most importantly, his love for him. Chinen didn't respond to his hug, instead, he cried. An endless stream of tears flowed down his cheeks. The more Chinen cried the tighter Ryutaro hugged him.
"Chii....I don't want to let you go.I want to stay like this forever, with you." Ryutaro put some distance between them but still held Chinen in his arms. His eyes focused on Chinen, not letting him out of his sight.
"Ne...Ry---Ryu-chan, I..I'm..go..going away soo..soon.." His words interrupted by sobs here and there making it seem inaudible to a normal human being but to Ryutaro, it was crystal clear. He could feel his heart sink deep, all the way down. Sadness seemed to have taken over his heart completely.
"Away..? How far?" Ryutaro hesitated to ask, whatever the answer he was, he knew it would only sadden him even more.
"Away...Far away from you, Ryu-chan." Chinen's eyes portrayed nothing but sadness. His already wet cheeks became even wetter. Ryutaro knew what he had to do now. He was a man and men hated seeing their loved ones crying. He held Chinen by the shoulders, bent his head down and brought his lips close to Chinen's ear then whispered:I love you. His lips then met Chinen's lips, in a light but meaningful kiss. It felt warm even in this cold winter. Chinen's soft lips responded as well, bringing warmth to each other's lips. This was a very special winter indeed.
*****
2 years have passed ever since that day. Spring came soon after and the cycle of seasons repeats itself. Now, it was winter again. Ryutaro attended another cram school which was further away from his house but proved to be much more effective compared to the previous one. He was improving rapidly! His grades were above average and he even got accepted into a university. Life was going well for Ryutaro but something was still missing. He was 18 now, graduating in a few months time and that person was probably in university now. He walked along the path, a familiar path that he used to walk on, and remembered those times again and again. He continued on and finally stopped when he saw that particular cram school.
Despite the 2 years that had passed, the cram school still looked the same. It may look like an ordinary cram school to some people but to him, it was very special. He walked to the entrance and peeked through the door.
Still the same.
He slid the door close and began walking back down the path. After that day, Chinen left.He never came back to the cram school but neither did Ryutaro. So, fate really didn't want them to be together but Ryutaro did what he had to do. He confessed. Though, he never heard Chinen's response. Maybe it was just one-sided love. His hands were quivering in the cold because he had forgotten to bring his gloves, again. He put his hands in his coat pockets then walked on.
"Ryu-chan, you forget them again, didn't you?" That voice. It was him, that person. The one he'd been missing for all these years.
Chinen.
His heart whispered his name, craved for it. He longed for that person but did the other longed for him as well? The answer was approaching.
"Ryu-chan.....I missed you." Ryutaro's hearts was going wild again. Chinen didn't grow much in those 2 years but he still managed to make his heart run wild.
"Chii....I..really missed you." Ryurato said it but he didn't dare to hug Chinen, he was afraid the latter might reject.
"Ryu-chan....I missed you... a lot..." Chinen ran towards him than put his arms around Ryutaro. He laid his head ion Ryutaro's chest. He was crying again. Ryutaro placed his hand on Chinen's hair, then smoothened it.
"Ne...Ryu-chan....I love you too." He mumbled those words with his face still buried in Ryutaro's chest. Ryutaro could feel his heart beating fast and his face was red, all the way to his ears.
"Ryu-chan, your face looks funny!" Chinen giggled.
"That's how much I love you!" Ryutaro was rather embarrassed to admit that but he didn't regret it. Not one bit.
Three weeks was the time it took for me to confess but I've loved you, ever since the beginning.
------------------------------------------------THE END----------------------------------------------------
A/N: Yes! It finally ended! But......I wanted to write more. Hehe. Coz I absolutely ADORE chiitaro <3 So I was thinking of writing an Omake/Special Chapter for this fic but this time it's based on Chii's POV!! It's like the whole story again but it's gonna be what Chinen feels and thinks about this whole event and Ryuuuu~ So please tell me your opinions! Thank you!
Author: natonato
Pairing: Chiitaro
Genre: Fluff, School life
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Ryutaro attends the same cram school as Chinen but his cram school is held only once a week! Ryutaro needs to confess his love for Chinen but he's not sure whether he can do it. His having doubts of his own. Can he, really?
A/N: Italics means Ryutaro's POV. This chapter is much much longer because there's so many things happening! (>A<) Please read it until the end! Thank you ^^ And also the A/N below! Thank you~again~ XD
Word Count: 1821
Chapter 3: Third Week
Third week, it's finally here. He has to do it, now. No more 'next week' or 'I can't' or 'I shouldn't'. There's no more room for that! Definitely not, not this week.
"Konbanwa Ryutaro-kun!" Chinen greeted him with a warm smile.
"Ko..Konbanwa Chinen...san." Ryutaro quickly added the -san at the back because he was afraid Chinen might dislike him calling his name without any formalities.
"Ryutaro-kun! Don't call me that!" Chinen frowned and glared at Ryutaro. He disliked it even more when Ryutaro called him 'Chinen-san'.
"O..Okay..Then, Chii. Can I call you that?" Ryutaro hesitated a bit before saying that. He wasn't sure whether Chinen liked the way he called him.
"Hehe! I like that!" Chinen grinned cheekily then stared to skip his way to the classroom. He was in a rather happy mood today, too happy actually. Something seems off about it.
I wonder why.
Ryutaro couldn't help but ponder at his earlier thought. Chinen was not his usual self. Yes, he was smiling as always, but it didn't feel right. Ryutaro doubted his feelings because everyone around Chinen didn't seem to realise it. Was it just his imagination? Chinen laughed with everyone, smiled at everyone. That was his usual self. Maybe it was his imagination after all. He wasn't any different from the rest of the class. He wouldn't know if Chinen was acting weird today, he wouldn't know. Even though he was always the one looking at him. Always.
The class was about to begin so everyone went to their respective seats. They settled down, took out their writing materials, then started to take down notes on the blackboard. Exams were approaching and it was no time to be fooling around. Everyone realised this, especially Ryutaro. He wasn't exceptionally good in his studies, in fact, he was very bad at it. This cram school was by far one of the best in the district but he hasn't improved at all, not even a little. His parents did warn him that if he didn't improve, they were pulling him out from this cram school, for good. Now he had two things to worry about, his studies and the boy in front of him.
"Class, I'm giving you a 15 minute break. Please make good use of it." The sensei announced then left the classroom. Ryutaro needed this break badly. His brain was about to burst into million pieces from all those vocabulary and grammar. He couldn't handle it anymore. He scratched his head then slammed his head on the table.
All this is killing me...But I have to do it or else...
He didn't want to think of the consequences. No, he never wanted to. He just needed to focus on his objectives. Yes, just that. He had to clear them as soon as possible, especially the one which involved that small boy.
This was his chance. He had 15 minutes, just 15 minutes. He had just 15 minutes to confess to the boy in front of him. Ryutaro reached out his hand, slowly and steadily. He didn't want to frighten Chinen so he had to do it slowly. He was scared himself though. His heart racing wildly like never before, his face all flustered. A few more centimetres and Chinen's shoulder was within his reach. But, he stopped.
His hand froze in mid-air, not wanting to go further than that. It just lingered there. Ryutaro wasn't hesitating, no not at all. He was actually ready to do it but something he heard made him stop. It made his heart felt heavier, filled with sadness. He heard Chinen cry. He heard those soft sobs and they were never-ending. Tears wetted his sleeves as he tried to wipe them off continuously.
Why was he crying?
Ryutaro brought down his hand then rested it on the table. He was right all along. Chinen was forcing himself to be happy which was why it seemed off. He was depressed but there was no way the all-smiley Chinen would show his sad side. Everyone would get worried, including Ryutaro. Seeing Chinen sad was hurting him inside. To see someone you love cry in front of you, it's painful indeed. He couldn't possibly confess now. All he could do was just to stare and watch as his loved one cry.
What else could I do?
Confessing this week was never going to happen. Seeing Chinen crying depleted his courage and mood. Saying that he'd do it next week was....No, he could never do it. It was impossible him. It seemed fate never wanted him to. It wasn't meant to be. This could possibly be the last lesson he was going to attend. His results made it even more obvious. What was he to do now? Cry? He dared not show his tears, he was a man and a man doesn't cry. But Chinen did. Chinen needed someone to back him up, he depended someone. He shouldn't cry alone. If only there was someone brave enough to comfort him, someone willing to cry together with him. But not me.
Ryutaro stuffed his books in his bag. He walked out of the classroom, never was he going back there. Winter was cold. He hated winter. He shivered as he walked the path in the cold, heartless winter. His thoughts were entirely filled with Chinen. He never wanted to walk out like that, he wanted to go near him, hug him tightly, and embrace him with warmth. But those were silly imaginations, ever since the beginning. None of those were real, just follies of his youth. Although there were the real ones, the real memories he created with Chinen, on this very street.
He ran all the way here just to give me back my book.
He gave his gloves to me then held my hand.
We laughed, we talked and we smiled.
On this very street, in this cold winter, at that cram school.
A tear flowed down his cheeks. Recalling those memories made a man cry and he definitely didn't want to see the other man cry. Ryutaro ran up the path towards the cram school He sprinted as fast as he could as he feared that Chinen had already left. Sweat poured down his face despite the cold. He needed to see Chinen, he wanted to. There he saw Chinen, cheeks still wet from tears but no doubt, he was smiling.
"Ryuta...." Ryutaro went straight to him then pulled him into a warm embrace. He held Chinen close to him, never letting him speak. Ryutaro didn't want to hear anything, he wanted Chinen to feel his warmth and most importantly, his love for him. Chinen didn't respond to his hug, instead, he cried. An endless stream of tears flowed down his cheeks. The more Chinen cried the tighter Ryutaro hugged him.
"Chii....I don't want to let you go.I want to stay like this forever, with you." Ryutaro put some distance between them but still held Chinen in his arms. His eyes focused on Chinen, not letting him out of his sight.
"Ne...Ry---Ryu-chan, I..I'm..go..going away soo..soon.." His words interrupted by sobs here and there making it seem inaudible to a normal human being but to Ryutaro, it was crystal clear. He could feel his heart sink deep, all the way down. Sadness seemed to have taken over his heart completely.
"Away..? How far?" Ryutaro hesitated to ask, whatever the answer he was, he knew it would only sadden him even more.
"Away...Far away from you, Ryu-chan." Chinen's eyes portrayed nothing but sadness. His already wet cheeks became even wetter. Ryutaro knew what he had to do now. He was a man and men hated seeing their loved ones crying. He held Chinen by the shoulders, bent his head down and brought his lips close to Chinen's ear then whispered:I love you. His lips then met Chinen's lips, in a light but meaningful kiss. It felt warm even in this cold winter. Chinen's soft lips responded as well, bringing warmth to each other's lips. This was a very special winter indeed.
*****
2 years have passed ever since that day. Spring came soon after and the cycle of seasons repeats itself. Now, it was winter again. Ryutaro attended another cram school which was further away from his house but proved to be much more effective compared to the previous one. He was improving rapidly! His grades were above average and he even got accepted into a university. Life was going well for Ryutaro but something was still missing. He was 18 now, graduating in a few months time and that person was probably in university now. He walked along the path, a familiar path that he used to walk on, and remembered those times again and again. He continued on and finally stopped when he saw that particular cram school.
Despite the 2 years that had passed, the cram school still looked the same. It may look like an ordinary cram school to some people but to him, it was very special. He walked to the entrance and peeked through the door.
Still the same.
He slid the door close and began walking back down the path. After that day, Chinen left.He never came back to the cram school but neither did Ryutaro. So, fate really didn't want them to be together but Ryutaro did what he had to do. He confessed. Though, he never heard Chinen's response. Maybe it was just one-sided love. His hands were quivering in the cold because he had forgotten to bring his gloves, again. He put his hands in his coat pockets then walked on.
"Ryu-chan, you forget them again, didn't you?" That voice. It was him, that person. The one he'd been missing for all these years.
Chinen.
His heart whispered his name, craved for it. He longed for that person but did the other longed for him as well? The answer was approaching.
"Ryu-chan.....I missed you." Ryutaro's hearts was going wild again. Chinen didn't grow much in those 2 years but he still managed to make his heart run wild.
"Chii....I..really missed you." Ryurato said it but he didn't dare to hug Chinen, he was afraid the latter might reject.
"Ryu-chan....I missed you... a lot..." Chinen ran towards him than put his arms around Ryutaro. He laid his head ion Ryutaro's chest. He was crying again. Ryutaro placed his hand on Chinen's hair, then smoothened it.
"Ne...Ryu-chan....I love you too." He mumbled those words with his face still buried in Ryutaro's chest. Ryutaro could feel his heart beating fast and his face was red, all the way to his ears.
"Ryu-chan, your face looks funny!" Chinen giggled.
"That's how much I love you!" Ryutaro was rather embarrassed to admit that but he didn't regret it. Not one bit.
Three weeks was the time it took for me to confess but I've loved you, ever since the beginning.
------------------------------------------------THE END----------------------------------------------------
A/N: Yes! It finally ended! But......I wanted to write more. Hehe. Coz I absolutely ADORE chiitaro <3 So I was thinking of writing an Omake/Special Chapter for this fic but this time it's based on Chii's POV!! It's like the whole story again but it's gonna be what Chinen feels and thinks about this whole event and Ryuuuu~ So please tell me your opinions! Thank you!