The sarcastic tone belonged to Hina Hinatsu, a girl in their class who had watched the entire ordeal take place.
Furayu's head snapped toward her, the weight of reality crashing down. His heart sank as he realised someone had seen it all.
Hina stood with her arms crossed, her emerald green eyes gleamed with disapproval. Her light brown hair, in two long pigtails that flowed down to her waist, framed by her petite figure, made her look like a middle schooler at first glance. But nothing about her gaze seemed childish, it felt like it was piercing his heart directly.
"Are you just going to stare at me or actually talk?" She snapped, breaking Furayu out of his trance of self-deprecation.
"Oh…Sorry…" He mumbled, his frustration hidden behind his quiet voice. "I just… don't know how to approach her anymore." His head dropped and that suffocating feeling of anxiety gripped him again.
"Hey!" Hina's voice softened, ever so slightly, a tinge of concern seeped through. "Look, I'll help you."
Furayu's eyes widened.
"Thanks…" He murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
"The way you speak is pathetic." Hina's bluntness struck like a slap. "Get your head in the right place and fix yourself up. You look ghastly."
"Fine, fine." Furayu straightened his posture, adjusting the lapel of his blazer in an effort to regain composure.
"Tell me how you're going to help, Hina!" Ren suddenly blurted out, her voice filled with curiosity.
"I plan on getting this moron to actually trust himself and stop second-guessing everything." Hina's tone firm, her emerald gaze narrowed on him like a hawk.
"Ah! I see," Ren nodded enthusiastically, though her expression quickly turned serious. "Well… good luck. I'll do my part in helping."
Hina raised an eyebrow, clearly taken back by Ren's change of demeanour.
"I guess you're not doing this for free?" Furayu asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.
"Of course not." Hina's lips were curled up in a wry smile. "But that'll come later. It's something you can't do for me right now… but when I need it, you'll do it."
I don't like that smile… Furayu thought, but what choice did he have?
Shrugging his shoulders in defeat, he accepted his situation. I've dug this hole for myself… might as well see where it leads.
Resigning everything to fate, Furayu could only hope that everything would end up correct and as it should be.
The three entered the school gates for the first time as a group, the front courtyard lively with the chatter of students. The air was filled with the youthful energy of high school life. Conversations overlapping, laughter echoing through the morning haze and the rustling of leaves in the breeze adding a familiar hum.
They navigated through the packed corridors, bodies moving in every direction as friends caught up. The distinct contrast in energy between Hina, Ren and Furayu was almost palpable, they felt like a group that had run out of things to talk about, the silence hung between them.
By the time they reached their classroom, the bell had already rung and class was well underway. Ren took her usual seat beside Furayu at the back, while Hina sat in the front row seat, her head tilted slightly as if already bored.
Where's Natsumi? Furayu's heart skipped a beat, panic formulated in his chest. Am I responsible for her not being here? His thoughts spiralled, the weight of his anxiety pressing down on him.
But as his heart sank, his eyes caught a glimpse of blonde hair across the classroom.
"At least she's in class…" He exhaled a whisper of relief, the tightness in his chest easing.
Class went on as usual, the monotony of the school day settling in. The teachers droned on about upcoming homework deadlines and the soft scratching of pens filled the room as students took notes. Quiet murmurs occasionally floated around but were quickly hushed by the teacher.
The only deviation from the usual boring day was Hina turning around every so often, sticking her tongue at Furayu mockingly. Each time she did it, Furayu couldn't help but crack a smile. It was silly but somehow it made him feel less isolated. I guess I have more than one person who actually cares about me here…
As the morning classes dragged on, the lunch bell finally rang. The anticipation of the hour-long break felt like heaven to the restless students.. Impatient tapping echoed through the room, and the shuffling of notebooks signalled their eagerness to escape the dull routine.
Furayu's gaze drifted toward the clock, silently counting down the seconds. His mind wandered to what he'd do for lunch but before he could get up, he noticed something unexpected.
Three girls had pulled their desks over to his. Ren and Hina were familiar faces, but the third girl was someone he hadn't ever spoken to.
"Oh, this is my friend Inoue!" Hina exclaimed, her voice filled with a soft tone as she gestured toward her friend.
Inoue's glare pierced Furayu through the heart. He felt as though she hated him before he even had the chance to speak.
"Hi…" Furayu said disheartened, feeling judged purely for existing.
"Oh… We got a shy dog now." She spoke in a condescending manner, crossing one leg over the other, radiating an unapproachable aura.
Inoue, an untouchable idol of the school. Put on a pedestal by all students, almost worshipped. Her presence alone was enough to send male students away, scared by her almost aloof social standing and the cold atmosphere she emitted.
Although not the tallest, she had legs any girl would desire, a waist that seemed sculpted and best of all-
NO I CAN'T LOOK AT THEM, I'LL HAVE IT CHOPPED OFF IF I DO, he shook his head, shaking away all impure thoughts.
"Shaking our head in front of greatness," She chuckled to herself. "You're such a good boy."
"Hina, why are you here?" Furayu asked through his clenched teeth, maintaining his composure to the best of his ability.
Noticing the situation, Hina tried to calm everyone down.
"She's usually like that." Hina laughed nervously.
Furayu turned back to Inoue, a forced smile stretched along his face.
"Let's get along."
"Mmm… If I feel like it." She replied, smiling at him patronisingly.
The air between the group was thick, every glance laced with hostility. The others shifted uncomfortably in their places as if expecting them to fight any second.
"Hey now, let's calm down." Hina said in a small panic.
Ren quickly stepped in, grabbing Furayu's arm.
"Hehe… I need to return a book." She murmured awkwardly. "NOW!"
Dragging him off before he could make any type of protest. An uneasiness clung to her.
"You okay?" Furayu asked, concerned.
Ren nodded, but inside, she felt like walls were closing in and anxiety trapping her. How is Furayu meant to be able to hang out with her if her new 'friends' wouldn't accept him?
Her thoughts hurt, creating a pain in her chest filled with anxiety.
"Hey, Ren, what book are you returning?" Furayu asked, puzzled. He knew she never borrowed anything from the library.
"Just shut up." She snapped, her voice unexpectedly sharp.
Her head was spinning, hot with thoughts, stumbling slightly, almost tripping over her own feet.
"Ren!" Furayu shouted, panic rose within him.
The world seemed to go dark, spinning in shades of grey. Everything felt cold, but there was warmth. Something comforting, something safe. Reaching out, craving it. Something had gently swept her up
"I feel safe…" She whispered. The peace soothed her apprehension. For once, there was no fear nor adrenaline. Just tranquillity.
Her eyes slowly blinked open to the sound of shouting.
"You have no idea what she's been through!" A voice cried out, it sounds familiar doesn't it?
"Touching a girl like that is borderline rape, you freak!" Another voice snapped back, female but it was sharp and accusing.
Ren sat up slowly, "Who's raping who?" She groggily muttered, rubbing her eyes.
Silence fell instantly. The two arguing stared at her, startled by her being awake
"Are you gonna stare or answer the question?" She asked, genuinely confused.
Inoue flipping her hair back, scoffing. "Fine. This beast here was trying to carry you off to do God knows what."
"Have you lost the plot!" Furayu shouted back.
"Well since your so into petite, cute little girls like Re-"
"Shut the fuck up you kinky dog lover." Furayu cut her off coldly.
Ren, still groggy, couldn't hold it in. She burst into laughter.
"WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING!" Furayu and Inoue yelled in unison.
"You two," She giggled, "You act like siblings in sync."
They both froze.
"Ren…" Inoue said in a low growl.
"What you just said is blasphemy." Furayu muttered.
"You even finish each other's sentences." She added while between laughs.
Inoue twitching, clearly annoyed.
"Sweetie." Inoue sweetly whispered but sounded threatening. "You're a nice girl… but please never associate him with any of my cute little brothers."
Ren just smiled cheekily, sensing she'd gotten under Inoue's skin.
"What a warm moment awh!" Furayu mocked.
Inoue stamped off, barging Furayu aside trying to retain dominance.
"Someone's feeling moody!" He called after her mockingly. "Ren, are you sure you want to be friends with her?"
"She's very nice, trust me." She warmly replied
A scream in the distance echoed down the corridor, clearly Inoue. They both ignored it, choosing instead to sit and chat as the day drifted into the evening
"Hey Ren, it's starting to get late. We should start heading home." Furayu suggested.
"Sure!" Ren agreed, but didn't move to indicate any signs of leaving. She was curled up under the sheets, slightly blushing and hiding her face.
Fuck, that's cute. Furayu thought. But why is she hiding herself like that?
"Hey Ren… what's wrong?" He asked gently.
"Do you mind leaving for a bit? I need to change." She whispered, barely audible.
Furayu darted out.
"SORRRYYYYY. I'LL WAIT FOR YOU OUTSIDE SCHOOL."
He heard her laughter behind him, a sound that wrapped around him like a blanket covering him during the cold of winter. Standing outside waiting for her… A feeling had reignited within him, the sense of belonging.
"You're insufferable. Useless. A scumbag."
He blinked. "Huh?" He turned around. "Who said that?"
"Don't even recognise my voice anymore, you rat." The voice hissed
"Natsumi?" Reality hit him like a punch to the stomach
"Messing around with so many girls. How loyal." She sneered, stepping out from the shadows.
"What… are you… talking about?" He choked.
"Being all cosy with Ren, Hina and now Inoue. So faithful of you."
"It's not like that…"
"SHUT UP!" She screamed, slapping him across the face.
He stooped stunned, the sting blooming across his cheek as he watched her walk away.
Am I not worth it? Was it all meaningless?
A hand. Small, warm, soft. Holding the place of pain. He turned in shock.
"Ren!" He gasped. "No, I didn't mean-"
"Don't worry," She said softly. "It's going to be okay."
Those words…Her touch… made him melt into her. Allowing himself to relish in the support she offered.
"It'll be okay." She repeated. "Everything will be just fine."