Reverie and Nightmares

8

"Doesn't it bother you when the people stare at you when we pass along in the hallways? I think we discussed it before, but it's been becoming a problem to me, at least." Ryuga said through the phone. "Heck, I can't even go to wash my hands without some stares. It sucks."

"It's... It was a little problem for me, too. And that's when saying, on top of it, it wasn't like people respected me too much... To begin with."

"Aww... Don't say that. I respect you, right?"

The butterflies that danced in Ryuga's stomach were something he liked playing around with, sort of like how a person touches a wound repeatedly; despite it hurting every single time, it was natural to do so every once in a while. As for Mikan, she didn't take it any other way. She was confused.

"Uh, Mikan? I was talking to you a bit?"

"Oh, yes. I'd say you're the person who respects me the most, if I must be... Honest with us both... Sister Nay is a kind woman, and I love how devoted she is... To her work, as busy as she is... B-but that's never stopped her... Kind of like you."

"Well, I got to do something so that things change. It's not like you're not doing anything, either. We've been doing our best in this hot weather, and sooner or later, it'll be winter, and before we know it, summer all over again."

"Mhm... It's going to be hot again..."

Ryuga's temptation to ask Mikan whether they would stick around long enough was carving into his stomach, so with a gulp, he decided to 'find the courage and put a twist in tonight's entertainment. "Mikan, uh. Can I say something, you know, before we sleep?" Ryuga's feet bounced in sheer nervousness and love, referring to 'we sleep.' "I had something on my mind lately."

"Go ahead..."

"Um, I hope it doesn't bother you so much as it makes things a little easier between us. OK?"

"I got it. Pinky promise?"

"Of course." He said, looking to the curtain to see if his little brother was peeping, but the boy was far asleep. Breathing in, he said, "Anyways, what I wanted to say was now that we're near the end of my time at Yoshitsune, and I know. You're a second-year student, so it may be selfish to ask this."

"S-Shirogane... You're not going to be selfish to say that... If I think I know what... You're trying to say..."

"Oh?! Do you know?" Ryuga squealed, his brows up to the sky and his back leaning to the pillow. It caught him by surprise, but he welcomed it. "In that case, do you want to say it or?"

"You go... Never mind... It helps me learn how to say words without stuttering... Along with ending my sentences with breaks... So, what I think you were trying to say is whether I would get to see you after school ends, as you'll be done."

"Shit, you got it completely, A+. But I expect nothing less, haha." He chuckled, his cheeks bursting and his head closed. "Yeah, it's not so much as being scared, as it is I... Might miss you?"

"Did I hear you say that right?..." Mikan nearly dropped her phone because of the interference of the call. "Did you just say you'd miss me?"

Ryuga, his heart full of joy, couldn't help himself laughing. "Yeah, you heard correctly. Um, is it okay if I miss you? I'm going to be the busiest man in college and stuff probably. Heck, I might need to even get a job alongside things. But I think I can manage things; after all, you're the one who helped me get this far, right?"

"Yeah, you're right; I just wasn't expecting you to miss me, as." Her face flustered, and one could debate whether hers was redder than Ryuga's. It was adorable, something you'd want to hug (no one can resist that smile and live), and Mikan knew it. "I thought that... I'd be the one missing you, and not the other way... Around for as long as I can remember."