|
|
Post by hannah on Nov 26, 2011 14:19:19 GMT -5
Character(s): Ayame Natsuri, anyone. (HEY RE~EEEEEN)
Time: 10AM
Location: Her dorm, the day after graduation
Mayumi had left the day before, the second the diploma was in her hand, she was gone. Her drawings, that had added to the bare walls throughout the last two years were left hung sadly on the walls, as if missing her. The blue wallpaper suddenly looked forlorn, not light or airy as it once had. To Ayame, everything seemed different since she was named an adult and thrust into the world beyond high school.
The uniform she'd worn for the last two years, now a bit worn at the hems, was folded neatly on her bed, and in place she wore her own clothes; a pink hooded sweatshirt and light-wash denim shorts. Her patent leather shoes were hidden under the bed, and she'd spent the morning ambling around in stocking feet. Too tired to brush her long hair, she'd just tied it up messily, and pinned her bangs to one side the way she did when she'd practice fighting. But now she was seated in her chair, even though Mayumi would not be returning to sit in the other. When someone leaves, you can feel their absence, almost stronger so than their presence. The volume of them not being there screams so loud you can't hear the memories of them.
She hadn't spoken to Ren since he stepped offstage and stormed away. Getting in Ren's way while he was in a bad mood was like standing in the path of a tornado, and she decided that letting him blow off the steam was the best thing to do. And what she wanted was what was best. But now, in the dimness of a cloudy mid-morning, what she wanted was to be with Ren, and offer her small hands to him, and know what he was thinking. She knew they'd both been dreading this day since the moment they stepped off into the deep end, confessing their feelings and making their hearts more vulnerable than ever.
Standing up with wobbling legs, she headed for the door, fumbling with the knob as if it was made of ice. A gust of warm air flooded into the room as she stepped out. The dorm was a ghost town, as most students had final performances the days before and were already on their ways to becoming celebrities. It seemed that over the course of that last month, she was stuck in neutral while the rest of her student body flashed forward. Of course, that was mostly because their dreams were of fame and renown, while hers was only of revenge. And although she didn't want to admit it, there was one thing standing between her and said revenge. And that was Ren Yukio.
Approaching the door of his room, her toes suddenly felt cold, and her throat dried out. There was really nothing to be nervous about, was there? She took a look down the long hall, taking note of how quiet both dorm buildings were, and knocked softly on the door, regretting it instantly. Would Ren even be awake at 10?
|
|
|
|
Post by ariana on Nov 27, 2011 2:55:29 GMT -5
For the first time in the two years, the dorm room seemed so quiet. Sitting down on the office chair seemed a bit awkward, but he didn't know what else to do. Kettaro wasn't there anymore to annoy him like he always was - He was in America now. He never even had the chance to say good bye to him. Did he even say good bye to any of the friends he made here? A bit disappointed, Ren looked at his diploma. He actually made it. He actually graduated. He was a step closer to becoming a celebrity - and making his parents look like complete and total idiots.
Slowly standing up, Ren looked at himself in the mirror. Wondering how far he's come ever since he was a little boy - and the things he went through just to get to this very spot. A guaranteed lead role in a movie, and soon his very own television show. His dreams were coming true. And then, he started to remember all the people he encountered at this school, and how he'd probably never see them again. Especially Ayame. Laughing a bit to himself, he remembered all the problems he went through just to win her heart, or to make her happy. Not talking to her for over a year killed him, but he survived. They went their separate ways - that's what happens to all broken up couples, right?
Hearing a soft knock on his door, he wondered who it was. The people who were supposed to help him move out weren't supposed to come until noon. Opening it quickly, Ren saw his best friend right before him. He blinked a few times, trying to find out what to say - but instead he put on a small smile. "Hey", Ren said as he leaned on the door frame, putting his hands in his pockets.
This was going to be interesting.
|
|
|
|
Post by hannah on Nov 27, 2011 3:26:43 GMT -5
Standing slightly taller than she had their last encounter, she looked up at him, taking in everything. His eyes, his hair, his smile; they hadn't changed a bit. He was still Ren in every respect. As she stared, she was conflicted with wanting to kiss his stupid lips and knowing she had to be logical and tell him about her plans to reunite with her father and find her mother's killers. She linked her hands together behind her back and grinned shyly.
"It's been a while, hasn't it, Yukio?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. She paused to look at him closer, how even though they hadn't spoken in over a year, he could still face her with such solid confidence, whereas she was tripping and sloshing about in her insecurity. If they had maybe kept in touch, he probably would have seen straight through her mask and spotted the nervousness.
She was diffident for several reasons. the most obvious being their past relationship, and how it never came to a full close. Somehow, her heart was still his, and there was no easy way to explain that, let alone admit it to him. The rest were simple; that they were the last students in the building, that Ren was just about as predictable as the weather, that her father hadn't yet contacted her about meeting at all. If there was anything she was sure of, it was that she was unsure of everything.
Taking a deep breath, she looked him tacitly in the eyes, willing for him to read her expression. "I didn't just come here to say goodbye." she admitted, the confidence she built up breaking down. "I came here to talk to you, and catch up. Do you have time?" she asked stupidly, her voice getting numb. Everything she said sounded desperate lately, but it wasn't like she wasn't. It was about time to be honest with herself, even if now wasn't the preferred time.
|
|
|
|
Post by ariana on Nov 27, 2011 3:36:44 GMT -5
"It's been a while, hasn't it, Yukio?"
Ren chuckled, staring at her. "You haven't grown, hm? You're still a midget." Gazing into her eyes, he realized how much he's missed her. "Came here to talk to me?" Ren repeated dumbly, a bit surprised. Well, it has been a year. Looking at his watch, Ren nodded. "Sure." He said calmly as he moved out of the way, "I hope you don't mind the room's a bit... empty. I've been packing."
Not being able to read her thoughts and expressions like he was able to before, Ren didn't know how to react to anything. He wasn't emotionally prepared. Usually, he was able to read her like the back of his hand - but not talking to her for a year really put him off. A bit nervous, Ren sat on his old bed, putting his hands behind his head.
Raising his eyebrows, Ren muttered a: "What's up?" and let his curiosity sky rocket and his heart beat faster and faster as each second past.
|
|
|
|
Post by hannah on Nov 27, 2011 3:54:01 GMT -5
Following Ren into his room, she was suddenly unable to look at him, not even his back--especially not his back. She refused to look at it ever again, to see him walk away, even if this was completely different. She stared at a generic corner of her peripheral vision, not really seeing anything at all, and from the trance she heard him lie down on his bed, and tuck his hands behind his head.
"What's up?" he asked calmly. His placidity was driving her insane. Every nerve in her body was twinging and somehow he could just like there and talk to her as if they'd spoken recently, and that they hadn't lost contact, and that her feelings for him had somehow disappeared.
She sighed and sat down on the floor in front of his bed, and pressed her forehead against the edge of the mattress. "Remember when we went to the beach? And I told you I was leaving this town after graduation?" she asked quietly, feeling the oxygen being sucked out of her blood. "That's still the case, but..." Come on, Ayame. Spit it out. Tell him. "I wanted to um, tell you something first. I doubt you want to hear it again, but I can't leave until you know. It's just something I've had on my chest for... a long time, and I just have to say it."
Surprised by how dry her eyes still were, she lifted her head, which suddenly felt like a bowling ball, and got up on her knees and leaned over Ren as he laid there so unruffled and poised. And after one more deep breath, she uttered it, truly and steadily. Her voice didn't quaver or break like she was sure it would. Instead her words came out clear as a bell. "I love you."
|
|
|
|
Post by ariana on Nov 27, 2011 4:04:22 GMT -5
"I love you."
Ren sat up, surprised. His eyes widened, not sure what to say. "...What?" He muttered as he sat there awkwardly, looking at her. He had so many things to say, and he didn't know which to say first. Ren sighed, "...Ayame, we haven't talked for years." He said, trying not to screw this up like he did all those times. "I've changed, and i'm sure you've changed. How are you sure that I'm still the Ren you fell in love with?" Sitting at the edge of the bed now, sighing. "And you're still going out there for that revenge crap?" Putting his hands through his hair, Ren was beginning to get frustrated.
"I'm not trying to be harsh, but is revenge really all you want to achieve? You're really risking your life for it?" He glared at her, realizing that if he let her go do this, he would lose her like he loses everything that meant something to him. Ren began to chuckle, "So basically you came here to tell me you love me, and then leave instantly to get yourself killed?"
Ren shook his head. "You haven't changed."
|
|
|
|
Post by hannah on Nov 27, 2011 4:15:28 GMT -5
"So basically you came here to tell me you love me, and then leave instantly to get yourself killed? You haven't changed."
As cold as those words were, they still meant something to her. His realization that she was probably going to die indicated that he still cared about her, even if it was in the smallest way possible, even if it was hardly at all.
She slumped back to the floor and smiled again. "Basically, yes." she admitted, finally feeling lighter again. "I had to let you know before we really parted ways for good. And I guess, even if we've both changed, I know that deep down, you're still that Ren. And you're also still the Ren that asked me to play with him that rainy afternoon, and gave me the bottom of your shirt to wrap around my knee when I fell--" She showed him the deep scar. "I didn't come here to make more problems, just to confess that last thing before I leave for good."
Sighing, she stood up and looked at him, how she might not ever see him again if she walked out now. "You wouldn't have said anything to me if I hadn't come here first anyway, would you? So who are you to question what I'm going to do now?" she asked, not angry, but curious. If she hadn't initiated the conversation, would he have just let her go and die?
|
|
|
|
Post by ariana on Nov 27, 2011 4:20:46 GMT -5
Not believing the words that were coming from her mouth, Ren shook his head. "Probably not." He said, "But not talking to you would make it easier for me to cope whenever you did... leave." Not wanting to say the words, 'dead' or anything related to it - he stuttered. "Ayame, you can't go." He said firmly. He grabbed her wrist and looked into her eyes, "You can't leave like this. You can't... die."
Even though he's been waiting for her to say those three words for a while, he couldn't help but feel a bit betrayed. They were always supposed to be together - at least, that's what he always wished for when he was a kid. "You're a fucking idiot, you know that?"
|
|
|
|
Post by hannah on Nov 27, 2011 4:35:56 GMT -5
She wasn't expecting Ren to get up, to blow his composure, or to grab her arm and show his feelings. But at the same time, she knew that if he really was the Ren she fell in love with, he wouldn't just let her go.
"You can't leave like this. You can't... die." As he uttered those words, staring so fervently into her eyes, she found herself with two options. A) she could go off and fight, and try not to die, or B) run away with Ren, and go to the states, and have the life she'd only ever dreamed of. It was all real now. They were both adults, and they had the whole world at their disposal.
"You're a fucking idiot, you know that?" he added, and she pulled her arm away.
"Don't you think I know that?" she asked, staring at him. "I know I'm stupid; I've always been stupid. I've always been an idiot to you, and maybe I'm about to make myself the biggest idiot on the planet to you, but it's just who I am, and you have to accept that." The intensity died down a bit, and she felt heavy again.
"I'm sorry, Ren," she said softly, sitting down on the bed beside him. "that I'm not smart or anything good for you, but this is just what I have to do to make peace with myself. When I come out of this, alive, I'll come find you. I promise, but until then, you just have to believe in me."
|
|
|
|
Post by ariana on Nov 27, 2011 4:42:22 GMT -5
Not smart? Not anything good for me? Ren thought to himself - How ridiculous. If Ayame really knew Ren like he thought he did, she'd know that Ayame was the girl of his dreams. "To make peace for yourself?" Ren glared at her once again as she took a seat beside him. "...Am I not good enough?" He said quietly as he looked down at the ground.
"Why are you throwing your life away like this? What if you don't come back, and you leave me waiting for nothing? Are you just going to leave me alone like this --?!" Having the greatest urge to punch something, Ren held tightened his fists. "Not once has anyone considered how I felt." Ren said, "And honest to God, I thought you were going to be different. But I guess not." Ren looked at her, "But if this is something you have to do I guess I can't stop you. You aren't mine."
Ren laughed, feeling sorry for himself. "I don't think you ever were."
|
|
|
|
Post by hannah on Nov 27, 2011 4:59:24 GMT -5
She mulled over his comments for a few minutes. Of course he was enough, he'd always been, but in this case, it didn't involve him. It involved her family, and that was it. But even if she caught them, what would it do? It wouldn't bring her mother or Ryouya back, and it wouldn't retrieve all the wasted years of traveling and constantly living in fear of everyone around her.
Once again she was at odds, trying to distinguish right from wrong, and decide whether or not something was worth it. She hated trying to think things like this out, because more often than not, she didn't think clearly, and didn't really listen to herself. But for once, she had to be honest with herself. She couldn't screw up anything else, there was nothing left to lose, nothing but Ren, if what she'd just said hadn't already done it.
"Ren, hear me out, okay?" she mumbled, staring into her lap. "Would you think any less of me if I told you that I was willing to give up revenge so I wouldn't lose you?" she asked. "If I die, it'll be for nothing, and even if I do find the killers, nothing will be replenished, not even dignity. And if I dare to walk out that door right now, and call my father, and leave with him..." Finally, things were getting clearer. "I'll have lost everything that ever meant anything to me. I'd lose you, Ren."
She couldn't bear to look at him, especially not if he turned down her offer to stay, so she continued to fix her eyes on her hands contorting nervously in her lap. "I just came here to tell you I love you, but I ended up unnecessarily hurting you and myself. But I also thought out a few things, and my mind's made up. I don't...need...to find them anymore." she conceded. "I just need to make you happy, and to make sure you're not left alone ever again."
|
|
|
|
Post by ariana on Nov 27, 2011 5:24:45 GMT -5
Seeing how he finally got his point across, Ren smiled. "There we go." He said as he leaned in and kissed her on her cheek. "That's what I wanted to hear". Hugging her now, Ren still couldn't help but doubt her decision. "...Although, are you sure?" Still hanging on to her, Ren looked down, furrowing his eyebrows. "I mean, you've got your eyes set on this revenge thing ever since we met, and I only want to make you hap-" Hating himself as he basically made her think over it once again, Ren stopped - "Never mind." He muttered, "I'm not letting you go. I don't care. Call me selfish, but honestly, Ayame.."
He pulled away from the hug to look at her straight in the eyes, feeling the intensity of this very moment. "I've loved you since the first day I saw you."
|
|
|
|
Post by hannah on Nov 27, 2011 21:47:34 GMT -5
"I'm not letting you go. I don't care. Call me selfish, but honestly, Ayame.. I've loved you since the first day I saw you."
Those were the magic words. The tense quiet around them shattered, and some silent song began to surround them. Her vision didn't blur, but somehow all the colors melted into some warm, nameless one. The weight that pressed down so hard on her heart and her shoulders was gone, and was replaced by an invisible string pulling her against Ren's chest.
The familiar, rhythmic sound of his heartbeat ticked into her ear, and she closed her eyes, just listening to it. It reminded her of the night Yousuke told them where babies came from, and it was so quiet she could hear his heart beating; thump, thump, thump. She buried her face against him, taking in both the smell of his skin and the scent of his cologne. He still used the same soap, and the same body spray, and she could still picture the bottles in her head. It was as if the year she spent without him was only a few days away from home, and now she had come back. There was no denying that wherever Ren was, that was where home was. To her.
"Hey Ren," she mumbled, her lips brushing the fabric of his shirt. Her grip around him tightened a bit, as if to affirm the validity of her next words. "Don't let go, okay? At least not for a little while longer."
|
|
|
|
Post by ariana on Nov 27, 2011 22:02:48 GMT -5
"Alright." Ren said softly as he hugged her tighter. How long has it been since they hugged like this? Smiling to himself, Ren kissed her neck and started to laugh. "So what have you been doing this past year, hm?" Ren rested his head on her shoulder, wrapping his arms around her waist - taking her statement seriously. He didn't want to let go.
"What do you plan on doing now?" Planting another kiss on her neck, Ren was all ears. He wanted to know what Ayame has been doing without him, if she was up to no good or if she was heading someplace better than he was.
|
|
|
|
Post by hannah on Nov 27, 2011 22:15:29 GMT -5
"So what have you been doing this past year, hm?" he questioned, the harshness in his voice returning to normal. "What do you plan on doing now?" he asked, his lips tickling her. The feeling sent her back a couple of years, to when they first dated, and it took her a few seconds to process the question from the fog of nostalgia.
"Well," she started, moving her arms up and resting them on his shoulders, lacing her fingers together at the base of his neck. "I studied all year, both years. Maintained a decent average, applied to a few schools, continued training. But there was always something missing, you know?" She moved a few stray hairs out of his eyes, and looked at him. The icy film around his eyes had disappeared.
"From this point, I can do whatever you need me to. You have big dreams right? Lots of places to go and people to see. So my plan, which I devised about ten seconds ago, mind you, is to follow you. I've seen enough of the world, and now I just want to be with you." she answered, adjusting his goggles.
|
|
