Evening. The chilly winter breeze refreshed my unprotected face. Calm, smooth breathing left warm puffs of steam in front of me. The soft layer of snow crunched pleasantly under my feet.
"...Seriously, how do you even manage to hit that target? It's so damn far away!"
After picking Akito up from the archery club, my friend, Sudo Ken, sincerely admired the dark-haired archer's skill.
"Well, it's not the first year I've been doing this, right?" Akito accepted the praise with a smug smile.
Arriving at our agreed upon meeting place, we stopped and waited for the two girls to arrive.
"Indeed, Akito was masterful at hitting targets. I was very impressed." I praised my friend.
"Yeah, that's what I'm saying!"
When I noticed those we were patiently waiting for, I turned and greeted them with a wave of my hand.
"There they are!"
"Guys! We've arrived!" Haruka ran up to us with a bright smile, followed by pink-haired girl.
"H-hi, everybody..." Hi to you too, Airi.
After gathering everyone together, we headed out for a walk.
"Sorry, we're a little late. Did you wait long for us?" Haruka asked.
"We agreed to meet half an hour ago!" Ken replied with feigned irritation.
We waited for them for not more than five minutes. Ken, of course, knew that and just wanted to tease Haruka.
"H-ha?! You're probably the one who was late and came last!" Haruka didn't seem to realize how late she was.
"He was the first to arrive, actually." With a jovial grin, I refuted her accusation.
"Really?!..." This casual friendly quarrel and her surprised face made us feel a little more cheerful.
Our laughter echoed down the street.
"C-can we visit Keyaki on our way?..." Airi asked in a shy voice.
"Оh? Airi wants to do some shopping? Of course we'll visit it! Right, guys?" Haruka seemed to agree.
"Why not? I wouldn't mind getting something for myself." Ken agreed to the idea.
"I, too, would be only too happy to go somewhere else. How about you, Kiyotaka?"
"I don't mind." I shrugged.
"Great! Then, let's go! It's not so far anyway." Haruka vigorously gave the command.
As everyone continued on their way, a thought occurred to me and I slowed my step.
What does it all mean to me?
Does it make me feel satisfied? Happiness?
A recent incident has really thrown me off my game. It's made me think about all of this. What keeps me around them? Why do I spend so much time with them?
I looked at the reasons for my questions.
Here they are: Haruka, Akito, Airi and Ken. My friends. Maybe even the closest people to me. Always with a happy smile, with care in their hearts, they welcome me all the time.
So, what do I feel for them? Love? Probably, but not what I mean...
"Kiyopon, keep up!"
Ah... I see.
It's a care.
I care about them. I want to protect them. Whatever the cost, just so they're safe.
For everything they've done for me.
For everything they've taught me.
For everything.
Their happiness-filled laughter and joy is worth its weight in gold to me.
"Yeah." With a slight, lively smile, I followed them.
Wish it would never end.
A/N: Well, hey there! English is not my first language, so if you notice any mistakes, please point them out.
In this fanfic, the backstory of Ayanokouji and the White Room is different from the original, so our main character will act and think differently.
Due to close exams, new chapters won't be released very often, but I'll try to make and release them as often as possible.
Thank you for reading, have a wonderful day!
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Classroom of the Elite: Cruel Care
Fanfiction"You're obligated to always win." That's what I was threatened with when I was born. I was taught individual skills, trained to be the best among the others. However, before I reached my limits, I was sent to my final test. To a place called «Advanc...
