Wouldn't It Be Nice (A Toradora Soulmate AU)

11: I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire

Ryuuji's foot taps lightly against the wall as he looks over his notes. He and Taiga have a math test tomorrow, so they're doing the review together in case either of them needs help. Most questions having been resolved, they sit in silence, intent on their own work. Rather than the couch, Ryuuji is seated on the floor, leaned up against Taiga's bed. She had insisted on setting up there instead of on the couch because she wanted to lay under her covers.

"I'm cooold."

"You're so whiny," Ryuuji had replied, grinning and following her anyway.

Only twenty minutes in and Taiga's notes topple over the side of the bed. "Are you even studying?" He mutters, sorting the papers and standing up. She isn't studying. She's sound asleep in her bed, curled up under her blanket. Her hair fans out behind her. Ryuuji sighs. She didn't even change out of her uniform. Still, she looks so peaceful. Taiga rolls over and a section of hair falls in her face. He leans over and tucks it behind her ear, careful not to wake her. She smiles dreamily.

Glancing at the clock, Ryuuji decides to be on his way. He knows Taiga won't be asleep for very long, and he wants to have dinner ready for her when she wakes up.

Half an hour passes. Taiga's apartment is silent until the door opens again and Minori strolls in. She's come here enough after school to know to be quiet in case Taiga is sleeping. Since she is, Minori takes a deck of cards from her backpack and sets up a game of solitaire at the foot of Taiga's bed. After all, Taiga might wake up soon, and Minori wants to hang out.

She's almost finished the game when her cards are set out of order from a swipe of Taiga's foot. "Taiga...," she huffs, "I was about to win that one." Taiga only responds by rolling around some more and muttering indistinguishable words. Her face is threaded with a worried expression. "Bad dream.. Maybe she's just cold." Minori pulls Taiga's covers over her shoulders in hopes that she'll be able to calm down.

Minori goes to get a glass of water, and as she's walking out she hears Taiga very clearly say "Ryuuji...". Minori turns around. Taiga is still sleeping. "Ryuuji, don't leave me too..." Minori goes back to Taiga, but she's already done. She rolls back over when Minori sits on the bed.

Minori stares at the floor. Even if she doesn't recognize it, Taiga is in love. What if he says her words too? What if he already has? I've heard of adults that end up alone because this same thing happens to them. I don't.. I don't want to be alone. That sounds horrible. But I don't want Taiga to be alone either. Before she realizes it, tears are running down Minori's face. The feeling of her future being in someone else's hands is overwhelming.

Minori wipes her face. I can't just sit here and wallow. What if Taiga were to wake up? She'd insist I told her what happened, and I can't. Whatever happens, happens. I just have to live with that. She sets up another game of solitaire and moves on.

A few games later, Taiga still sleeping, there's a knock at the door before it opens. Ryuuji walks in, dinner in tow. He starts to unpack what he brought on the table when Minori comes out of the bedroom. "Oh, hey Minori," Ryuuji starts, "is Taiga still asleep?" She nods and he continues. "I was just bringing over some dinner. There's enough for all three of us if you want some."

Minori grabs an extra bowl from the kitchen. "Sure, thanks." The two of them sit at the table and start to eat. It's silent and the air is tense.

"So," Ryuuji says between bites of rice, "Have you found any ghosts yet?" Minori glances at her arm, remembering what happened the first time they talked about this.

"No, I haven't. In fact, I don't really think I'm hoping to see one anymore. It wasn't realistic, so I think I'm going to put my time into other things." Her expression brightens up. "After all, I could always get better at softball! I was thinking about learning an instrument as well..."

"Hm. It's okay to still hope though. Even if you aren't looking, maybe it'll just happen one day. A ghost will walk around the corner when you're least expecting it." They both smile.

The bedroom door creaks open behind them. Taiga walks out rubbing her eyes. "Who are you talking to-" She sees Minori and then the food on the table. "You guys started without me?!"

The three of them talk about the winter break trip to the ski lodge while Taiga catches up on dinner. Winter break is only a week away, and they're all looking forward to the chilly slopes and hot chocolate.