Im home.
After Ryuichi walked Shizuna to her neighborhood, she managed to make it home safely without incident. She turned around once before the front door closed, but of course he was not there. After all, they had parted the moment her home came into view, so he should be on his way home right about now.
Shishido-kun.
When Shizuna whispered his name, she felt an inexplicable warmth enveloping her heart. She would have never felt this way had she not been rescued by him from the ill-natured playboy that had tried to hit on her just the other day.
She originally knew about Ryuichi because he was a classmate of hers, and shed heard numerous bad rumors about him, which Ryuichi himself had affirmed.
Because of Shizunas upright personality, the only impression shed ever had of him was that he was somebody she would never get involved with. However, in reality, the Ryuichi shed talked to was completely different from what the rumors said.
Of course, even he didnt deny them, so they were likely true, but even so, Shizuna recognized Ryuichi as a classmate she could undoubtedly trust.
I had so much fun today.
She let out a chuckle as she recalled the days events.
Even she couldnt say for sure why she had gone to such lengths earlier, but one thing she did know was that she simply couldnt leave him be. She couldnt help but reach out to him when she imagined him at home, alone, eating cup ramen all by his lonesome.
I wonder what this feeling is.
Ryuichi himself had had no qualms about eating alone, and she definitely hadnt done it out of a sense of pity. She just wanted to do something for him. She wanted to thank him for saving herbut more than that, she wanted to stay by his sidehe, who was brusque yet kind.
His arms were so big. And strong~
When Shizuna was embraced by Ryuichis muscular arms, she felt a thrill she had never felt before. Shizuna knew that he was only joking, which made her feel all the more secure in Ryuichis arms.
Shizuna put her hands on her cheeks.
They were unbelievably hot to the touch, and her heart was beating so loudly that she could hear it pulsing. She couldnt forget the feeling of being held in those thick arms of his, and the fact that he whispered in her ear that he would devour her was also vividly etched in her mind.
Seriously What is happening to me?
The pounding of her heart continued unabated as Shizuna was confronted with bewilderment at this feeling she had never experienced before.
At the same time, she realized that the reason why she hadnt resisted Ryuichis pull on her arm both this time and last time (thekabedon) was that there was a tiny, tiny part of her that wouldnt mind if he had his way with her
The pounding of her heart continued unabated as Shizuna was confronted with bewilderment at this feeling she had never experienced before. At the same time, she realized that the reason why she hadnt resisted Ryuichis pull on her arm both this time and last time (the
kabedon
) was that there was a tiny, tiny part of her that wouldnt mind if he had his way with her
She still hadnt realized.
She hadnt realized thatcertaintendency lying dormant within her; it would be a while before she did.
She hadnt realized that
certain
tendency lying dormant within her; it would be a while before she did.
Whatre you doing?
Urk?!
Perhaps shed been alone in her imagination, or perhaps she wasnt. Either way, shed failed to notice her mothers approach. Embarrassed by the sight of her mother looking at her in exasperation, she quickly took off her shoes and moved from the foyer.
Sorry, Mom. I had some urgent business today.
Its okay. But it really did come as a surprise. Ive never heard you sound that desperate before. Fufu, I wonder who you were with?
A friend.
Hi. Good evening, Shizuna.
Evening, Sohei-kun. Whats up?
It wasnt unusual for him to call Shizuna like this; they were childhood friends, after all, so they often talked to each other face to face, not to mention calling and texting on their phones.
Now that I think about it, I dont have Shishido-kuns contact information Will he tell me if I ask?
Even though she was on the phone with her childhood friend, her brain immediately went back to thoughts of Ryuichi. She spaced out, causing her to miss what he was saying on the phone.
Shizuna? Shizuna~?
Oh, sorry. So, what were you saying?
Were you spacing out? Thats pretty unusual for you, Shizuna.
Well, it happens sometimes.
So, what did you want to talk about? she continued.
Lately, youve been talking to himto Shishido, havent you? He isnt threatening you or anything, is he?
When she heard his words, her mood took an instant nosedive. She tightly clenched her phone in spite of herself.
Again, she knew how others viewed Ryuichi, and she knew what kind of rumors were floating around about him. But Shizuna knewshe knew therealRyuichi.
Again, she knew how others viewed Ryuichi, and she knew what kind of rumors were floating around about him. But Shizuna knewshe knew the
real
Ryuichi.
It was natural that Sohei didnt know, just as it was natural that he would take the rumors seriously since nobody was saying otherwise. Still, she hated the fact that despite his ignorance, he had the gall to ask if he wasthreateningher
It was natural that Sohei didnt know, just as it was natural that he would take the rumors seriously since nobody was saying otherwise. Still, she hated the fact that despite his ignorance, he had the gall to ask if he was
threatening
her
No, he isnt threatening me. Shishido-kun is a good person. Hes a very kind person who even sav
No, but the rumors say that hes ensnared many women before, yknow? Plus, he skips classes and is generally disrespectful toward the teachers. Hes by no means a kind
Sorry. I think Im going to bed now. Goodbye.
Wait, Shizuna
Beep, beep, beep.
Shed hung up the phone.
As her childhood friend, Shizuna trusted Sohei and naturally had good faith in him. However, she did not want to hear him say such things about Ryuichi. Even if he was just parroting what everybody else was saying, she still did not want to hear it.
No matter what anybody else says, I know Shishido-kun is kind.
Her quiet mutter melted into the atmosphere without ever reaching anybody.
Of course, a part of her also wondered if she was simply putting too much trust in him; if she was only seeing a facade of Ryuichis. Even so, Shizuna trusted Ryuichiand that would never change.
Just be careful, okay? Theres a lot of bad rumors about him. As your childhood friend, I cant help but worry about you.
I know. I dont want to worry you, so Ill be careful with Shishido-kun, okay?
The gears of change were beginning to turn.