I N N O C E N C E (Shu Sakamaki)

Chapter 44

(A/N: emm... yeah so... not me being gone for a year...)

Manami's skin began to sting hard under the thin fabric of her clothes. It didn't help that she had sensitive skin that bruised under the slightest of impact.

To Reiji's dismay, it didn't serve the purpose he hoped for. This made him grip the handle even tighter.

"Why?" He stopped, clenching his jaw. "Why don't you just do what I want?"

Manami opened her mouth to speak but closed it, as she curiously watched the expression on Reiji's face become one that she had never seen before.

He took some steps back, as his bottom lip began to quiver. He wanted to speak but no words could escape his mouth. It took him a moment to recollect himself from this weird feeling - one he didn't know how to describe.

"I don't understand." He said, leaning his one hand against the chair, the other scrunching his face. "Why has it always been about him?"

Manami was taken aback by his question. She wasn't surprised by it, but more by the fact that it had finally come out of Reiji's mouth.

"It was in such a way from the very beginning." Reiji whispered, his voice barely legible. "I can never stand a chance. Not in anyone's eyes."

"That's not true."

Reiji looked up at the girl, who was still casually staring at the ceiling. She extended her hand above her face, letting the bright ceiling light sneak through the gaps between her fingers, making her squint.

"You are just as good, if not better than him..." She hummed. "You are a quicker learner. He might be strong, but unlike you, he isn't as patient or even competent. You are strong-willed, and even caring when you wish to be. You might be pushy but you possess qualities of a natural-born leader. It's stupid for you to think the way that you do when you are as great as you are."

"What?"

Reiji didn't know how to respond to such a rant. Should he feel insulted or honored? For some reason, he couldn't pinpoint exactly where his emotions laid. Something which was rare for him.

"I'm saying that you and Shu are two different people." Manami said with a worn out sigh. "You are more logical while Shu is more emotional, though he tries to hide it. Shu is a lazy bum, but you are hardworking. You are more of a leader while Shu doesn't wish to partake in such roles. Your differences are what makes you unique, which is why you shouldn't wish to be in his place. You should find your own place - the one you really want. If somebody doesn't see your greatness despite your efforts to prove them wrong time and time again, take yourself somewhere where you will be appreciated, because you aren't the problem."

Reiji was once again stunned. This girl had that type of an effect on people. She dug to the inner most layers of their hearts, and pulled on the strings that held their feelings and thoughts tightly on a leash. It was heart wrenching, but in some ways, beautiful.

"How shall I take those words?" He mumbled, getting Manami's attention.

"That's up to you." She said, dropping her hands on each side of the desk. "I said my peace. So can you let me go?"

"Why? So I could let you run around, making the ruckus you always do?" Reiji folded his arms.

"Well yes and no-"

Suddenly, both of them jumped up in shock at the loud piercing sound resonating from beside the desk. It was the breaking of the window, sending thousands of broke glass pieces to the floor. A figure appeared through the frame, as he looked upon the scene which he had intruded.