Escaping Reality

Scene II

Ryu hadn't been expecting that the first thing he would do was apologize when he got to the hospital, but scaring the crap out of Akira's main nurse made it entirely necessary.

While Ryu bowed and profusely apologized, his friend was laughing to the point of tears. Ms. Tanaka, their head nurse, was still quite shaken, but she just smiled and immediately accepted his apology, going on about it wasn't necessary whatsoever.

Even though he tries desperately to come around convenient times for both of them, it doesn't alway end up that way.

" Say, why don't you come with us to the track? That way you kids can spend even more time together today." She suggested with a smile, looking between the two of them.

" Ms. Tanaka, I'm 19 and he's 21, we're not kids." Akira said, the tone in their voice making it clear that this wasn't the first time they've corrected her, nor will it probably be the last.

" Psh, I'm 46 so you're both still kids compared to me. Now, is that a yes or a no, Ryu?"

---

Akira, as it turns out, gets annoyed very easily about being offered help.

They refused anything that would aid them. Ryu stayed diligently at their side, trying his best to make them feel better about the situation in any way he could.

" Ryu, don't tempt me to smack you with my quirk." They warned, completely ignoring the large black, brown and white dog walking on the other side of them.

Sighing in defeat, the redhead called the dog to him, changing her into a small ball python and draping it over their neck, almost tripping over his own feet in the process. A small chuckle is all that action got out of Akira, much to Ryu's surprise.

Usually every time he ever tripped over nothing or was just plain clumsy they busted out laughing, but apparently this short walk was long enough to snuff out their sense of humor.

" So, -"

" I appreciate you trying to make me feel better, Ryu, I really do, but try and make small talk with me right now and I will backhand you. And my quirk will be used." They said calmly, bringing a hand up and gently petting Akio's small scaly head.

Ryu chuckled as he raised his hands up in mock defeat. " Alright alright, I'll leave you be."

And that's exactly how the rest of their walk went.

Every time Ryu tried to start a conversation, it always ended with a molten hot hand threatening to make contact with his skin. Every time Ryu tried to help them when they stumbled or their legs started to get unsteady, all Akira had to do was glare in his direction to get him to stop.

It wasn't until they were at their limit that they allowed themself to stop, nearly falling over when they finally got to a bench to the side to rest.

" Are you completely sure you're okay, Akira? You don't look the greatest." Ryu asked worriedly, sitting down next to them.

Akira didn't- or couldn't- answer him.

They kept one hand on their chest as they took deep breaths, a pained grimace painted onto their face. They tried their hardest to give the man next to them a reassuring smile, but they very quickly gave up when the look of concern only seemed to grow in Ryu's features. " Feet hurt. Chest feels like shit." They wheezed out, leaning their head back as they leaned against the bench and closed their eyes.