Alte Liebe Rostet Nicht

Begging For Your Aid

Nothing could have foretold Ann about these events. Not even a dream once more could have prepared them for this. In fact, they had just been in their one room apartment and were working eagerly on something, typing whatever came to their mind. Instead of wasting time on their assignments, though it was something they had finished ahead of time, they used their evening to cook up something different. Besides, writing is writing and that was something they just loved doing. They would always make sure they were writing something, anything really, and if it were not for their job and them having to pay bills they would spend time in their room all day long, writing their silly, little stories. Or something like that.

Regardless, they were just engrossed in their work, this taking up most if not all of their focus. Ever since Nyeli moved with Ritsu they had a bit more time to do so. They were not relieved by his absence, no! Nothing like that! They just had more time to write and it was not something they complained about. Especially since they see Nyeli day in and out as they had to look after him while Ritsu was busy with work and would be unable to bring Nyeli for the time being.

This evening had not been one of those however yet they first had jumped to the conclusion when hearing a knock at the door. It must have been Ritsu with Nyeli in his arms, asking if the cat could stay over for the night because of work early in the morning or because he just missed his Sisnya that much. Ooor he was eager for a bedtime story, Ritsu unable to tell one and telling Ann to do it, only to fall asleep alongside Nyeli. Then again, their friend always came prepared with sleepwear to change into and his clothes for the next morning already in his bag. That was what they had been expecting.

But it would be nothing like that, not even close. They opened the door regardless, not expecting anyone else. However, they did come face to face with someone else which had their face in slight shock, a little surprised even.

A familiar male figure was standing in front of them, around the same height. The face was hard to make out as it was facing the ground below, having dropped from the looks of it. He was standing there like a sack of potatoes and trembling. A sight they were... Oddly familiar with. No, they had seen this before and it left Ann themself in utter shock when staring. Mainly because they never expected to see this outside of this dream they once had. But it was pretty real, realer than they could have ever imagined. It was so surreal but at the same time... It was actually happening.

"I... Izumi?" After a few more seconds they managed to utter the name out, slightly stuttering. And as if he had been in a trance his head suddenly lifted itself up, staring at the person right in front of him now. The expression pained them, to say the least. It was as if they were stabbed right then and there. Though not because he glared daggers at them, no. This would be the first time where he wouldn't do that, where no sparks of any kind were flying. It felt like a stab in the chest because of the pain. They could feel it when just looking at them.

Has anyone ever seen an expression like this plastered onto his face? It was like some wound, he himself not having it under control. His eyes at the brink of emptiness, his body shaking, first only letting out jumbled nonsense while stuttering over and over. They wanted to say something and were about to. However, right then and there he did something very out of character, especially when it came towards Ann. Actually, they didn't expect this action from him at all.

Out of nowhere he grabbed both of their shoulders with his hands. Yet he wasn't clutching onto them either and making it painful, no. It was as if he was trying to keep himself steady while looking at them, afraid he might fall right then and there. All while staring right into their eyes, terror and frustration written all over his face.

"I can't do this anymore!" It was the first thing he said out loud, something they were able to understand. He was in an audible panic, so close to losing himself, right at the brink of it. "I can't handle this! I don't know if I can! But what am I supposed to do!? Hey, tell me, what am I supposed to do here!?"