The nights passed, and Ren was hit with a wave of discomfort in her new environment. She felt uneasy even in the safety of Furayu's home, the burden of everything she had shared still weighed heavily on her chest. But for the first time in forever, she didn't feel alone.
As morning arrived, the sky turned to soft shades of orange and pink, signalling the day had begun, the day she returned to school after two weeks.
The cold morning air wafted through the room, brushing lightly against her skin, Ren rubbed her eyes, still groggy from the fatigue of recovery. But something felt…off.
"Mmm…?" She sleepily mumbled, shifting around slightly.
The usually firm feeling of the floor combined with the mattress had disappeared. Instead, she was resting on something much softer… and warmer.
As she shook off the tiredness, Ren realised there was something, wait no, someone, holding her. A firm placement on her chest and waist, keeping her close.
She silently gasped. "Huh…?" She whispered, her eyes widened in a daze.
Furayu.
Ren's cheeks flushed a deep crimson red, as the realisation of the situation dawned on her. She tried to remove herself from his grasp, but his arm was unconsciously tightening its grip on her. His grip clasped down on her chest.
"F-Furayu!" She squeaked.
A soft moan escaped him as he stirred, but his grip remained strong, Ren's heart was pounding loud enough to hurt her eardrums, her mind racing. What do I do!?
Her thoughts skewed with many different outcomes. But she calmed herself from the initial panic, a sense of comfort washed over her as Furayu's warmth enveloped her. She didn't feel as though the world turned against her to make her feel alone, she wasn't alone. Furayu holding her close, his breath tickling her neck, gave her a sense of purpose to fill Furayu's life with love and devotion.
"No… just a little longer." She told herself, as her breathing steadied, now fully embracing Furayu.
She didn't mind him holding her chest and waist, because she felt indebted to him for rescuing her out of an endless spiral of domestic abuse.
Furayu felt something moving around on his bed,
What is that?
Why's it so warm and soft?
He gave a light squeeze, which led to a squeaking noise that sounded like…Ren!?
Furayu bolted out of bed and away from Ren, who was now covered by the bedsheets and his pillow.
"Ren, I am so sorry!" He stammered out apologetically. His face is a deep shade of red from embarrassment.
However, Ren seemed undisturbed. In fact, she looked… disappointed that i had let go of her.
She got out of bed, fixed her clothes, and approached Furayu ominously, opening her arms wide.
"HMPH!" She pouted, as though demanding a hug.
Furayu questioned it.
But gave in, wrapping his arms around her, treating her like fragile glass.
"I didn't mean to, I promise… But also- HOW DID YOU GET INTO MY BED?!" Furayu asked, his voice covered in confusion.
"Not telling." She replied, turning her head in a playfully childish manner.
Damn. That's adorab- WAIT, WHAT AM I THINKING?! THIS IS REN! SHE'S RELYING ON ME TO HELP HER!
Furayu's mind spiralled into chaos as he struggled to maintain the facade of a calm, composed man.
Ren nestled closer, gently rubbing her head against Furayu's chest like a cat, making his heart pound.
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! WHAT IS SHE DOING?! THIS IS TOO MUCH!
In a panic, Furayu quickly released her, taking a step back to ensure his safety. He bowed deeply.
"Ren, I… I'm willing to accept any punishment you give me! I'm so sorry for touching you inappropriately!" he meekly voiced. Hoping the punishment wouldn't be all too severe but even then the anxiety caused beads of sweat to form on his forehead.
"It's okay, Fura-" She couldn't contain her laughter, as she burst into a fit of laughter.
"Seriously, it's fine! Don't worry about it!" Laughing through her words, her cheeks flushed from laughter.
Furayu let out a sigh of relief, his shoulders finally relaxed.
"Fine… if you say so." He muttered, rolling his eyes, still confused on why she found it so funny.
"Let's get ready for school, maybe we can get there a little early?" Furayu suggested, trying to change the topic of conversation.
"Ahhhh, now Furayu wants to go to school together after such a passionate morning," she teased with a mischievous grin. "My, my… how bold of you!" She whispered dramatically, enjoying herself.
"IT. WAS. AN. ACCIDENT." He grunted, gritting his teeth.
"Let's just go already." He added, forcing a smile through his clenched jaw
"Sure!" Ren replied with an innocent smile that radiated her happiness.
Furayu and Ren left the house quietly, the tension from the morning changed to a calm stillness. The anxiety of returning to school after weeks of absence still lingered in the air, but with each step, she realised both herself and Furayu had become incredibly close, a weight on her shoulders seemed to lighten.
As they walked side by side, Ren slowly starting to trail behind, her gaze focused on Furayu. Wow… someone actually wants me around. The thought filled her with an indescribable warmth she had never felt.
The morning breeze brushed against their faces, the soft glove of the sun painted the streets and the gentle rustle of the leaves on the tree filled the mood with peace. The walk stirred a feeling of nostalgia, even though it had been a couple weeks… walking next to Furayu felt so. Right.
"Furayu…" She murmured softly.
"Mmm? What's wrong?" He mumbled, sounding groggy, as though he didn't sleep all too well.
"Did you… sleep well?" she asked hesitantly, her voice filled with anxiety, afraid she might be a burden.
"Not really…" Furayu admitted, his tone quiet, but the weight of his concern was clear. "I'm just… worried about today."
His tone worried Ren, but she decided not to press on his thoughts. I hope he's going to be okay, she thought. Glancing at him every now and then with quiet concern.
In the distance, walking gracefully through the sea of people, was Natsumi Saki. The moment his eyes landed on her, a surge of adrenaline coursed through his veins.
Should I apologise for what happened before?
He had been avoiding her for the past weeks, unable to find the courage to speak to her after everything, but it felt different this time. The adrenaline, the guilt and having red by his side, gave him the push he needed.
Ren noticed Furayu suddenly pick up his pace, his steps quickening towards Natsumi's direction. Where's he going? She wondered, her brow furrowing. Her gaze followed his, the moment her eyes met where Furayu's gaze lingered.
Her chest tightened.
"Why is it always her…" Ren whispered under her breath in rage, her voice laced with malice. The frustration in her tone was barely audible, but the weight of feelings that she hid were heavy.
Pay more attention to me… Her heart silently begged, but the words never left her mouth. Deep down, the fear she held of having Furayu taken away from her and his time no longer being hers. How could she ask for something so selfish?
Furayu's heart pounded as he approached Natusmi, each step heavier with anxiety.
I hope she doesn't hate me…
The fear of her despising him gnawed at him, but he set it aside.
"Hey… Natsumi, How you-"
Before he could finish, Natsimi's eyes widened in panic. Without a word, she let out a shriek and dashed into the school building, her footsteps echoing in Furayu's ears. Every step she took felt like an anvil of weight falling on his heart.
Furayu froze. He felt empty, unable to process what happened. His heart, which had been racing a second ago, now felt hollow.
A soft, comforting hand gently rested on the back of his head.
"I'll ask her why she did that… okay?" Ren's voice was calm, her smile warm and reassuring. But inside, she was anything but calm.
How dare she…
Anger simmered underneath Ren's composed exterior. After Furayu approaches you nicely and respectfully… You just run away?
Her mind was a storm of hatred but she kept her composure knowing that what Furayu needed was for her to be his anchor. Something he had done for her without being asked.
"Thanks, Ren…" Furayu muttered, his voice barely audible.
Ren tightened her grip, her mind clouded by unspoken thoughts of disgust. I won't let her hurt you again.
Furayu, Yet beneath the confusion of what had just happened. He looked at Ren with a glimmer of hope and began to surface, glazing across his eyes.
"You'd… Do that for me?" His pupil dilated, his heart pounding with renewed passion to fix things between him and Natsumi.
"Yes, I will." Ren's smile radiated absolute confidence, but deep down, she was anything but.
I don't even know if I talk to her properly… Her hatred toward Natsumi still burned inside her, but if Furayu is happy then she would endure it.
If it puts a smile on his face… I should be happy… right?