#**fic

Your life was… falling apart.

You sighed, bookbag being tossed over your shoulder, the school day finally coming to an end. But, your day would continue- you had to clean the toilets, feeling obligated to join your friends as you always did. Yet… with everything happening, you, honestly, didn’t have the energy. Socializing felt exhausting, and rather unappealing. All you wanted to do was sleep, despite the fact that going home was also unappealing…

Arguing filled your house at any given point. Parents fighting over petty things, then finding it okay to get you involved in their poor tempers. Unrealistic expectations piled on top of you- expecting high 90s in every class because you were capable of it. Expecting you to be happy, because you were capable of seeming like you were. Yes, you were entirely capable of faking your happiness… of pushing your emotions aside until you were comfortable in the confines of your room.

So, you’d just do that. “Just a little longer,” You whispered to yourself, hoping that the encouragement, though from yourself, would keep your emotions in check for the next little bit. Maybe, being with your friends would help- you surely hoped so, as you pushed open the door to the girls’ bathroom.

“(Y/N)’s here~,” Hanako cheered, waving at you as you entered the bathroom. You inhaled, preparing yourself for The World’s Greatest Acting, as you waved back, offering a grin to your undead friend. Death seemed to plague your personal life… seeing your ghost friend floating around made your heart ache a bit. Would it be better if your other family members, pets included, could… maybe visit a bit? If they were ghosts, would their deaths hurt as badly? Surely, they would, you concluded, as Yashiro said something to you.

“Hm?” You questioning, urging her to repeat herself, to which she complied.

“Are you alright? You look kind of spacey.”

“Yeah, I’m fine! No worries, but thank you for asking.”

She nodded, going back to sweeping, as Kou glanced at you, concern evident in his eyes. You smiled at him, making sure that the smile reached your eyes in an attempt to alleviate any concern. Honestly, you wanted your problems to remain your own. Kou didn’t need to bother himself with your issues- he probably had enough on his mind.

Not bothering with further conversation, but letting the other 3 talk as they pleased, you grabbed the washcloth and began to wipe down the sinks and mirrors, as you did nearly every day.

Once the bathroom was clean, you looked around, considering what to do next. Tiredness made your body feel heavy, eyelids barely being held open once you allowed yourself to relax a bit. Though you didn’t see it, Kou looked at you once more- as he had been doing throughout the entire day- this time taking note of how tired you seemed. Your facade was slipping, mouth drooping into a small frown, as you stared at the ground. After deciding you were as prepared as you could possibly get to head home, you looked up, widening your eyes and putting a smile back on your face.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I think I’m going to head home now. You guys be safe,” You spoke, picking up your bag and waving at your friends. They waved back, wishing you a good night, and telling you to be safe on your way home, but you didn’t pay as much attention as you normally did. Nodding, smiling, then stepping out of the bathroom, making your way down the halls.

“Kid, if you only made your staring a bit more obvious, they may have said something,” Hanako spoke up, a few moments after you left. He was well aware that Kou was simply worried- honestly, he understood why.

“Shut it- I’m just… they seem kind of upset.”

“Yeah? Then go talk to them.”

Kou pondered for a moment, before Hanako spoke once more, telling Kou that you were only getting further away.

“Right. Then, I’ll see you later, Hanako, Senpai! Have a good night,” He spoke, grabbing his back, then running down the halls- catching you at the front of the school, just after the doors were closing behind you.

“(Y/N), hang on!”

You paused, hiding your sigh, as you turned and smiled at your boyfriend. You didn’t have to pretend around him… you knew it, but you still couldn’t bring yourself to let him worry.

“Hey, Kou. Did you want to walk with me for a bit?” You asked, knowing the two of you lived in a similar direction. Out of everyone you knew, he was the most genuinely enjoyable to be with… Kou always seemed to distract you from your crumbling life. A confidant of sorts- your rock, when no one else was willing to be it. The thought made your smile falter, but you fixed yourself, as he walked next to you.

“Sure… did you feel like stopping anywhere?”

Was it that he could read your mind? You shrugged, pondering where exactly you wanted to go. You only had a few dollars on you… your parents probably wouldn’t be happy if you bought a snack, but…

“Do you wanna… grab a little snack from a convenient store, and maybe sit at the park for a little bit? I’m tired, but, to be honest, I don’t feel like going home just yet.”

“Yeah, that’s fine! It does feel nice out.”

Nodding, you continued to walk, Kou following in-step with you, and grabbing your hand gently. You were sure he was going to say something when the time came, but you appreciated his patience. Kou knew you weren’t feeling yourself… he could tell that just walking would be good for now. A break from all the noise provided from school

Once the two of you arrived at the park near your houses, you took a seat on a swing, Kou sitting next to you. Silently, you opened the small snack Kou bought you- the boy doing the same with his snack, both of you taking a bite at the same time.

“Do you want some?” Kou spoke up after a moment, holding his snack in your direction. Shrugging, you leaned forward, taking a bite from it, then holding yours towards him. He did the same as you, leaning forward, then nodding in approvement.

“You didn’t eat much at lunch, so I’m happy to see you getting something in your stomach… are you feeling alright?”

His concern was honestly endearing. You paused for a moment, staring down at the food in your hand. He knew you weren’t feeling alright. He would have worded it differently if he didn’t- his tone would have been different. Was there much use in lying to him? Would he see past it?

Tears streamed down your face before you could realize it, and you sniffled, leaning down a bit, letting your hair fall against the sides of your face- maybe it would hide your pitiful expression from him.

In a split-second, Kou was off of the swing and leaning in front of you, his eyebrows furrowed in concern. Carefully, as if you were something more precious and more fragile than glass, he cupped your face in his hands. His thumbs swiped over your tears, wiping them away as he looked over your face. You shut your eyes tightly, attempting to stray away from his gaze- it was to no avail. Kou wasn’t going to let you bottle things up, nor hide from him.

“You can talk to me, (Y/N)... you can cry… you can take your time. No matter what, I’m right here. I’m right here, just for you.”

As if it were instinct, you wrapped your arms around Kou, so suddenly and tightly that you stumbled off of the swing. Landing in front of him, still sobbing, your face buried in his shoulder- he wrapped his arms around you as well, nearly pulling you into his lap as he kissed the side of your head gently. His hold was firm, protective, yet full of nothing but love. You loved him for that… how his words were so genuine. How he was so bright- how he could express any emotion he needed just by hugging you. Maybe it was that he could be read easily… maybe you appreciated it, since you spent so long attempting to be unreadable. Not even unreadable- but able to be read as any emotion you wanted to show. Kou was so genuine. He was so kind.

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