"It" Can't Be Helped (Revised) | ♾️ | Blue Exorcist

34

Over the next week, the air between Yukio and I remained awkward. Our meals together were uncomfortably silent, and our daily banter ceased to exist. The only time we appeared to be on good terms was while in class. However, even then our exchanges were brief. I only answered questions when I knew no one else would reply, and when I would speak, I wouldn't look him in the eye. As expected, his replies were professional and unassuming. Yet, despite our minor effort, my classmates seemed to catch on to our quarrel. Bon had tried to approach me in between classes to question it, but I had waved him off, saying it was nothing and it would blow over. Izumo, on the other hand, took a more straight-forward approach. She had elbowed me in the middle of Demon History and demanded I talk about it. Unfortunately, I hadn't been able to escape since class was in session and I didn't want to create a scene. However, after remaining tight-lipped for several minutes, she gave up on interrogating me.

Even Kuro was behaving differently while I was around. While I had expected him to give me an earful after I'd returned that evening, he had remained silent. The past few nights, he had taken to sleeping on Yukio's bed, and I didn't know if that meant he was angry with me or if my actions made him that depressed. My already restless sleep took a turn for the worse afterward. My nightmares containing graphic depictions of my self harm. They evolved as the nights passed, with my most recent dreams portraying suicide attempts. I would wake up after I had ended my life, my skin crawling and heart pounding. Falling back to sleep after that was basically impossible and I spent most of the early morning contemplating my pathetic existence.

I sighed and pulled a box down from the top shelf in the closet. Opening the lid, I pulled out a blue silk tie. Bittersweet memories flooded my mind, recalling the events my family had attended while wearing it. I moved to put it on, tying it and adjusting it until it sat snugly against my collar. My eyes moved down to the remaining item in the box and I pulled it out, my fingers running along the smooth fabric.

Just then, the bedroom door opened. My eyes flickered up, seeing Yukio walk in, dressed similarly to myself. I eyed his dress shirt and noting the missing article that should lay on top. I swallowed and held out the teal length of fabric. There was a moment of awkwardness between us before his hand rose to accept the tie. The air shifted between us as we came to a sort of silent agreement. Tonight should be about having fun together. I recalled his earlier remarks about creating memories while I still could. This whole situation was trivial when I viewed it from a further perspective. I only had one week left, and it would be foolish to avoid him.

I cleared my throat, turning on my heels and walking to the nearby window. "Dad would be beside himself, right now. He'd take so many photos of us that he wouldn't have any memory left on his phone."

There was an airy laugh from behind me, "we'd also be extremely late to the dance. He'd always need one more picture."

A sad smile crossed my lips and I turned around once more, seeing his expression mirror my own. "Yeah, we'll have to take a few tonight. If we don't, he'll start turning in his grave." His smile grew slightly wider and I saw relief flash in his eyes. He moved to the side, going toward the closet and flipping through the hangers. He stopped at his Exorcist jacket, reaching into the pocket and retrieving something. He turned back around, his hand still inside his suit jacket.

He adjusted his tie once more and tilted his head in the direction of the door. "I bringing gum, just in case you need it." I scoffed, but happiness pulled at my heart at his teasing. "Should we get going?" I nodded and we began making our way out the hallway and down the flights of stairs. He started filling me in on a few things that I'd missed over the last few days and I laughed at a few of his responses.

When we reached the bottom of the stairs, Kuro was sitting by the door. He cocked his head to the side. Curiosity flashed in his eyes, but a small smile played on his lips. "Have fun!" I smiled back at him and told him not to create too much chaos while we were gone.