The final bell chimed, and the corridors were empty as the students rushed towards the gates gossiping about the festival. Ryuzi was walking alone, with bent shoulders and his gaze down. His steps echoed too loudly.
He had known that he should have been away sooner.
"Takeda."
The voice stopped him cold.
Three boys came out of the shadow by the side gate, --his old schoolfellows. It is the same smirks, the same cynical eyes, which disturbed him.
"Running away again?" one drawled.
Ryuzi has his fists closed on his sides. "...Move."
Another laughed. Not till we have a word or two. They say you have been playing the silent saint here too. Do you think these idiots are not aware of the truth?
"Pathetic," the first sneered. Playing to be something better than he is. But we know you, Takeda. And you froze at the time when she most needed you. Couldn't even protect her."
The words hit like knives. His chest tightened. His throat closed.
He attempted to speak--attempted to say shut up, attempted to move, but he could hardly move his legs--they were like lead. His breath was short, shallow, fast.
The world tilted. The voices were lost in a cry.
Coward.
Monster.
Her tears were your fault.
Ryuzi could barely see through his vision, and it was dark at the edges. With one hand clasped to his chest he leapt back against the wall. His breathing was harsh, excessive, too rapid. His throat was clawed up by panic and he suffocated.
"RYUZI!"
The voice of Suki broke the mist. He was there in a moment, pushing himself between Ryuzi and the rest, with his arms spread out like a shield.
And what the hell do you think you are doing, huh? Suki shouted, fire in his eyes. "Back off!"
The boys blinked, startled. "We were just--"
"Shut up!" Suki snapped. "You've done enough. Get lost!"
The sharpness of his voice--so unlike the sunshine of voices--made the boys hesitate. At last, cursing under their breath, they crept away, and disappeared into the alley.
Suki turned, heart racing. "Ryuzi?"
Ryuzi lay crumpled along the wall, breathing too rapidly, his eyes wide unfocused. His hands were trembling, scratches on his chest as he was unable to breathe.
Hey, hey-- Hey, hey--" Suki crouched, patting his shoulders. "Look at me."
No response.
Suki grasped his face and forced their eyes to look. "Ryuzi! It's okay, you're safe. Breathe with me, okay? In, out. Just follow me."
He extended a very gradual breath, in, and out. "Like this. In... and out."
Ryuzi's chest heaved. His breathing underwent stuttering, unevenness, yet, so gradually--so gradually--he kept up with Suki.
The thumbs of Suki were rubbing on his jaw. "That's it. You're okay. You're not alone. I'm right here."
An hour or so elapsed before Ryuzi started to tremble, his breath coming more regularly. His eyes were refocused on those of Suki. Vulnerable. Raw.
"...Why," he rasped, voice hoarse.
Suki blinked. "Why what?"
"Why do you... stay?"
Suki's heart squeezed. He smiled, tucking the wet hair of Ryuzi off his wet forehead. Because you are worth staying.
The throat of Ryuzi was closed up once more, though this time it was not caused by panic. The pangs of his chest were something still more dreadful.
Suki would not leave him walking home alone. He put the bag of Ryuzi on his own shoulder and pulled him to his home.
You want some people now, said Suki. "And my family's good at that. Trust me."
Ryuzi would have liked to argue, would have liked to draw back--but he could not. His weight was too great, his heart too sore. So he followed silently.
When they entered Aoyama house, it burst.
"Suki, you're late--oh?" Hana came into view, with a narrowed-up eyesight at the pale face of Ryuzi. "What happened?"
Nothing, Ryuzi said to his self-satisfaction.
Suki shook his head. "He had a rough time. Don't ask too much right now."
Emi came behind her with a keen but not mean gaze. "Sit him down. I'll get water."
Rika was looking round the corner, with an air of curiosity. "Is he okay?"
Yes, he will be, Suki said, directing Ryuzi to the couch. He laid a glass into his hand. "Drink."
Ryuzi hesitated, then obeyed, the cool water grounding him.
The sisters hovered and were protective yet respectful. Hana crossed her hands, and her voice was less than usual. Whoever wounded you... they will not touch you here. You're safe."
Ryuzi clenched his fingers on the glass. The pain in his chest was excruciating. He could not recall when someone had said that to him.
Thanks, he muttered, hardly audible.
Suki smiled and slumped next to him. "Told you. The annoying but the best in my family.
The lips of Ryuzi twitched upwards the first time that day.
Just a fraction. But it was real.