I Have Always Loved You (Kyo x Tohru)

Chapter-9: Painful One-Sided Love

Tohru usually works part-time till eight, four days a week. But today, it's ten and she can't muster the courage to leave the workplace. She's not ready to face Kyo yet. That's why she decided to work overtime. She had even texted in their four-person group chat about it.

It's circumstances like this that make her feel frustrated about her living situation. Even if Kyo and she used to have fights before, at least she didn't have to come home to the same house. She could even avoid him and let herself think, but now... she would see him when she gets home. There was no avoiding.

"Dear, you should leave. It's really late, you know?" her fellow co-worker says in concern.

"No, really, it's fine! I can work!" Tohru bubbly replies. The later it is, the better chances are that Kyo might be off to bed.

"It's not safe for girls to go home this late, so really, you should go now," the older lady insists.

Tohru checks the time once again and sighs. It really is too late. It might be unsafe on the streets if she leaves any later.

After how she ran away from Kyo after school today, she doubts he will come pick her up, either. Plus, he should be in bed by now. So it's safe to assume having no encounter with him.

"Alright, I'm done for today then! I'll go get changed!" Tohru hurries to her locker to change out of her work clothes to her school uniform.

She checks her phone and is disappointed to find no missed calls from Kyo. She shakes her head. She is the one who told him to leave her alone. She has no right to be upset.

She bids goodbye to her other workers and makes her way out of the big building, only to be surprised to find her gray-haired friend.

"Yuki!" she lets out in pure surprise, and he looks up from his phone.

"Hi, Tohru. Good evening." He gives her a kind smile. "I didn't see the group text earlier, so I ended up coming at the usual time." He pushes himself off the railings and stands straight after putting his phone in his pocket. 

"Yeah, um, but I didn't know you were waiting— no, uh, I didn't even know you were coming." He was waiting for her for two whole hours! But... Yuki usually didn't come to pick her up unless...

"Kyo sent me. He said he was busy with something, so... here I am." He flashes her a charming smile. "Though I know you're a little disappointed to see me," he adds in a teasing tone.

Tohru flushes a little. "No, I'm not! In fact, I'm really glad to see you. Thanks for coming. I was actually a little scared to go home alone this late," she says with a nervous chuckle.

Yuki chuckles and says, "Well, no need to fear when Yuki is here. Come on, let's go."

They both start walking together in peace.

Tohru and Yuki have a really loving platonic relationship, ever since Kyo introduced them to each other nine years ago. They were an inseparable trio ever since. The group expanded when Tohru met Arisa and Saki in middle school, but unlike Kyo, Yuki couldn't attend their middle school because of family issues. However, thanks to his brother Ayame, he was able to attend their high school. They broke things off with their parents completely, and Yuki is currently financially supported by his eccentric older brother.

She has never directly told Yuki about her feelings for Kyo, but she knows that he knows. He often even indirectly teases her. To be honest, she's scared to talk to Yuki about it. Because what if Yuki tells her that Kyo actually feels nothing in return? That thought is terrifying.

"So how are things going with Machi?" Tohru asks.

"Great. I have a date with her during this Golden Week," Yuki replies, excitement visible in his voice.