Project Rebirth #2

Chapter 12

Content Warning: Romance, mentions of abuse. (I apologize for forgetting to add this.)
Y/N sat next to Heizou on the bus, worriedly looking at him every few seconds as he stared out of the window. She had stayed with Heizou and Yuki for the night to watch over them, even though Attutire had gone out drinking. In the morning(before dawn), Heizou had decided to drop Yuki off at her friend's — Klee's — house before heading off to 5WIRL's general meet-up location with Y/N. Y/N had been unsure of whether to let Heizou go out, especially after such grievous injuries, but he had been so determined to leave the house that she had not had the heart to stop him. She had simply rewrapped his bandages, helped him out of the house, and spent $5.00 on a ride into the center of town.
"You know, you don't have to watch over me like I'm a child," Heizou said, startling Y/N. He had turned around to face her while she had been lost in her thoughts.
Y/N opened her mouth, already preparing a retort to his blunt statement, but hesitated. She finally decided on, "I just want to make sure that you're alright."
"...Just...don't treat me any differently, alright?" Heizou pulled on his sleeves, hiding the various cuts[new] and scars[old] that marked his wrists.
Y/N bit her lip, then slowly moved her hand to hold Heizou's, her face turning slightly pink. Heizou looked at her, his expression showing obvious confusion and embarrassment. Y/N blushed harder when he squeezed her hand gently, a roguish smile appearing on his face. Suddenly her phone rang, causing both of them to jump. Y/N looked at the contact number, then frowned. It was Wanderer. Heizou peered at the phone number, then looked at her in confusion. Wanderer didn't know Y/N that well, so why was he contacting her? She slid the button to answer, putting the phone on speaker so Heizou could hear.
"Hi, Wanderer–" Y/N began, but was cut off.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Is Heizou with you?" Wanderer's voice sounded irritated and panicked, which was quite unusual.
"Yeah, I'm here. Is there something going on?" Heizou asked.
"Yes! So– basically– well– I– ugh, Xiao can explain this!" Wanderer said.
"Huh?" Y/N said, further perplexed.
"Have either of you two seen the news?" Xiao questioned, his voice sharp despite the bad connection.
"No...is there something important we need to know?" Heizou said.
"The f**king public found out about Kazuha and I!" Wanderer yelled.
"W– what?" Y/N stuttered, suddenly remembering the news. How had it slipped her mind?
"They also found out about Venti and I, to be accurate." Xiao said.
"C- can you just summarize this?" Y/N asked. An audible sigh was heard from the other end of the call.
"The public found out about all of our relationships, they're digging up dirt about Y/N, Heizou, Venti, Wanderer, Kazuha, and I, they're preparing for a massive event that is not going to go down well, and Morax is so excited about all of this that I could just shove his littl–" Xiao was cut off by Wanderer.
"Yes, that's all there is to it," Wanderer said, yawning.
"I'll come over," Heizou said.
Y/N ended the call, then looked at Heizou. He looked utterly exhausted, the eyebags under his eyes were back, making him look even more gaunt than usual. What were they going to do this time? Y/N sighed. Perhaps she could talk some sense into Venti, at least.

Venti

Y/N: What are you planning?

Venti: hmph
Venti: newbies don't understand everything that the public have done to us

Y/N: Aren't you a new member?
Y/N: Also, hasn't Xiao been a member since the beginning?

Venti: I joined right after heizou
Venti: we're just going to ruin things
Venti: it's what they deserve

Y/N: Have you considered that ruining the band will hurt the other members?

Venti: they'll thank me
Venti: we won't have to deal with all of that s***

Y/N: Venti, I don't think this is going to work.
Y/N: The public is the whole world.
Y/N: How are you even going to embarrass the whole world?

Venti: i don't care, i'll find a way

Heizou took the phone from Y/N, quickly typing in something to reply.

Y/N: this is heizou and don't do it

Venti: why didn't you come and join the group last night

Y/N: i was busy

Venti: you can't stop me btw i swear i will do it

Y/N: you're ruining your relationship with xiao you know

Venti has blocked Y/N
This contact is no longer available. This person may have blocked you, or they may have changed their number.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think he would react like that," Heizou apologized, looking down.
"No no, it's okay!" Y/N hastily reassured him, waving her hands side to side(like jazz hands, but concerned). "...But what are we going to do?"
Heizou gestured toward the bus exit, where the bus driver was tapping the steering wheel irritably while glaring at them. Y/N quickly leaped off of the bus, Heizou following her with an amused look on his face.
"It'll be fine, these kinds of things have happened to us before." But Heizou's worried expression — that was quickly appearing on his face — spoke otherwise.
"I hope so, Hei." Y/N covered her mouth as soon as the words came out.
Heizou looked at her, clearly surprised. Y/N blushed furiously, suddenly remembering her old plan to ignore Heizou. He smiled, his eyes a vibrant green despite the dim morning light. "So, it's Hei now, is it?"
"I- well, it's just-" Y/N stuttered, blushing harder.
"And by the way, I did notice how you were trying to ignore me, just in case you were wondering about that," Heizou said, winking.
Y/N quickly turned around, walking down a dark alley to try to escape Heizou. But he followed her, slamming her against the wall.
"So~" Heizou laughed, still maintaining his unnerving smile. "Let me tell you something."
"W-what is it?" Y/N mumbled, her face still flushed. He knows that I like him. He knows he knows he knows he knows he knows heknowsheknowsheknowsheknowsheknowsheknowsheknowsheknowsheknows.
"I..." Heizou blushed, looking as if he wanted to slam his head into the brick wall. "I...like you, Y/N."
Y/N froze. What? What did he just say? Her mouth dropped open, showing her flabbergasted state. He liked her? He actually liked her?! Y/N was unable to move, still shocked.
Upon seeing her surprise, Heizou hastily backtracked. "I mean, you  don't have to say it back or anything...in fact, let's just forget that even happen–"
Y/N cut Heizou off as she pushed him into the opposite wall, pressing her lips to his. She didn't let them pull apart, not even for a second. Y/N needed to let Heizou know. Her heart was pounding in her chest, but Heizou's expression was inscrutable. After several seconds Y/N broke the kiss, looking nervously at Heizou. He was practically gasping for air, blushing hard after the kiss; his hair was tousled in a rather adorable way. Y/N felt a spark of pride with the knowledge that she was able to make Heizou react like that. With the small amount of adrenaline after the kiss, she spoke.
"I like you too, Hei."

**Chapter Twelve end**
Dear me. Heizou's not the only one gasping for air. I was cringing at myself while writing this, so I apologize if it's badly written! I must've rewritten this section alone 3 times!
Small Note: Y/N is always nervous, but she will definitely be in control if she kisses someone. Then she will go right back to being a tiny little cute/sweet cinnamon roll. No longer oblivious cinnamon roll, yay! If my friend sees this, SHE WILL KNOW THE MEANING. I hope. I call her oblivious for a meaning~
Let me express my feelings after their first kiss: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Okay, I'm done. I'll start writing the next chapter soon!