The Forgotten

Exactly… How was she supposed to respond to this? It wasn’t like the other’s words were true; they had just met, Kirigiri had no opinion of her yet. The only thing she had gotten from her so far was braids and stuttering. “… Fukawa-san,” the detective started, "… If it is alright to call you that. If I hadn’t wanted to talk to anyone, I wouldn’t of offered to start the conversation in the first place."  Well… that wasn’t exactly true. She really hadn’t wanted to speak to anyone, but it’s not like it was anything personal. Nonetheless, she hoped it put the girl at ease, even in the least bit.

"T-that's a lie!" She interjected, fearing the worse. Kirigiri was lying to her and they had just met! She should have expected this, shouldn't she? How horrible! She really was just that disgusting, wasn't she? "W-Why would anyone want to t-talk to me of all people?!" she practically hissed out, pulling herself in a bit, giving her back a hunch. She clung to one of her braids, eyes widening in shock and horror for a moment before narrowing. "No one e-ever wants to talk to me! Who p-paid you?!"

"… Kyouko Kirigiri," she said in a flat tone, not bothering to elaborate. The other could continue the conversation if they wished, she would not be adding onto the statement unless something required her response.   

"N-not that it will matter t-to you later, but my name is T-touko Fukawa..." She replied, eyes looking at the girl before flickering elsewhere, skiddish already. "I'm sorry you hav-ve to be stuck talking to m-me."

"I suppose that is true.”

Her face started to light up to see that slight smile on his lips. She was at a loss for words as her heartbeat started to pound against her chest. 

"I promise I-I’ll return them!" The nurse was practically bursting with happiness. The girl in front of her wasn’t calling her names, or bullying her like most of the people she met. At this point, she was used to the cruel treatment, after all, she now believed their words. She shook that negative thought from her head, "O-oh right! I-I’m Mikan Tsumiki. It’s nice to meet you.."

"N-not like it's g-going to matter to you or anything, I bet-t you'll just forget it anyways, b-but my name is Fukawa T-touko."

「腐川冬子」| ᴀʀᴛɪsᴛ: X | ᴋ-ᴀᴍᴜᴋᴜʀᴀ

"Ah…You’re really okay with me reading them..?" Filled with surprise and joy, the nurse couldn’t help but ask another question, "Would it be okay for me to read all of them?" Her lips curved upward. She was sure that she would’ve been rejected, and the fact that she wasn’t made her feel like she mattered a little more. "I-I mean, not at the same time…B-but I don’t think any of your work should go un-appreciated…" 

"I....I guess I c-could lend you them...I have a f-few copies of each laying around somewhere..."

"Uwaaa! N-no! T-that’s not w-what I was trying to imply! I-I’m sorry!" The nurse nibbled on the tip of her fingernails, "Y-you’re an author…? I-i didn’t know that, w-would you mind if I read something of yours sometime..? A-ah but I guess I’d u-understand if you say no..I w-wouldn’t want to dirty your books with my gross hands…"

"You w-want to read one of my books....?" She asked, eyebrows furrowing a bit. This girl really wanted to read something of hers? That wasn't new to her, but the fact that she was interested after meeting the author was. "I g-guess that I don't mind if you d-do....What one w-would you like?"

"If you haven’t been able to yet, I doubt you can."

"You m-might be right. It's hard s-staying away from perfection..."

"The fact that you do whatever I say should be disconcerting, but I honestly couldn’t care less right now.”

"I-Is that bad? Do you want-t me to stop?" 

"Ugh, I need some tea to calm my nerves. Go shower while I do that if you insist on following me once more.”

"Y-yes! of course! Anything for y-you!" 

"You do realize I’m insulting you, correct? Ugh, whatever, you’re nothing but a romance novelist.”

"I don't just write r-romance...."

"Whatever you say, you must be a pure waste of air then, if that’s the case."

"Y-you sure do know all the right things t-to say..."

"You’re in desperate need of a shower, and proper hygine in general." 'Lord she's obsessed beyond belief, it's disgusting in and of itself.'

"A-Am I? It's such a waste of water...B-but if its for you, I d-don't mind taking a shower!" This could be it! It really could be it! He could be trying to tell me that he cares about me! He obviously cares about my health!