After misunderstanding Giyuu for years, Sanemi never bothered to know a single thing about him, calling him a 'loner'.
Giyuu had also formed an image of Sanemi as a 'hot-tempered man' in his mind.
But as time passed,
The two finally decided to give...
After a while, Giyuu's sobs subsided, leaving him emotionally drained. He lifted his head, his eyes dry and lifeless.
He felt empty, hollow. He wished he could take back everything he'd said to Sanemi.
He looked up at the clouds, and somehow, he could see Sanemi again.
"I love you, Giyuu." Sanemi's voice seemed to echo inside his head.
His heart skipped a beat at the sound of the voice. He closed his eyes, the memory of Sanemi's words washing over him like a balm to his soul.
For a moment, he let himself believe that Sanemi was still by his side, that everything was okay.
But the moment passed, and Giyuu was left alone again with his thoughts. He took a deep, shuddering breath and stood up, wiping his tears away with the back of his hand.
"I can't just sit here and wallow in self-pity... I need to do something."
That's when Shinobu knocked on the door.
"Tomioka-San! Open the door!" Her sweet voice seemed to travel through the door in a soft tone.
Giyuu's heart skipped a beat at the sound of Shinobu's voice. He sniffled, rubbing his eyes.
Just... Why does he always get himself into these problems? I guess talking things out should help him get together with Shinazugawa-San again... Shinobu sighed, waiting for Giyuu to answer the door.
Giyuu quickly composed himself and walked over to the door, opening it just enough to reveal Shinobu standing in the doorway.
"Kocho... What are you doing here?"
Shinobu looked at him up and down before speaking. "You don't seem to look good, everything alright?"
Giyuu looked at the floor quietly, not uttering a single word.
Shinobu's sharp eyes scanned him from head to toe, taking in his appearance. "Well, I heard about your little tiff with Shinazugawa-San. Thought I'd check up on you, make sure you're still in one piece."
She pushed past him, making her way inside.
Giyuu closed the door as he followed her into the living room, standing a few feet away from her as he spoke. "I'm fine."
Shinobu sighed. "Going to hide from me now, Tomioka-San?"
She stepped closer. "You know... Shinazugawa-San told me everything."
Hearing her words, Giyuu tensed up and looked away from her, as if her stare alone could peel back the layers of his soul.
"There's nothing to tell... We had a disagreement, that's all." He tried to cut his words short.
Shinobu's narrow eyes didn't leave Giyuu as her lips curled up in a smirk. "Oh nothing, Tomioka-San? Nothing except the fact that you had a whole mental breakdown because Shinazugawa-San seemed to break a 'promise'?
Giyuu's hands balled into fists, and he clenched his jaw, trying to contain his pent-up frustration.
"It wasn't a promise... It was just something I wanted, that's all." He sighed and relaxed his hands, lowering his gaze to the floor.
Shinobu tilted her head, studying Giyuu intently. "You know, Tomioka-San, you're really something else. You're so stubborn and hard-headed, but at the same time, you're so... delicate."
She let out a soft, low chuckle. "I know you still love him very much."
Giyuu's eyes flicked back up to meet hers, surprise clear on his face. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Instead, he simply closed it again, looking away from her.
Shinobu took it as a cue to continue, her smirk growing just a little wider. "Don't act so surprised, Tomioka-San. I've known you for a long time now."
Giyuu's shoulders slumped as he let out a quiet sigh.
"It's not... like that." He lied, his voice barely a whisper. He couldn't admit it, not even to Shinobu. Not after everything that had happened.
"It's just... complicated." He amended, hoping that would be enough.
Shinobu sighed softly, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"It's not that complicated when you think about it..." She gave him a gentle smile.
Giyuu flinched at her touch, his heart racing in his chest. Even the slightest of touch, from anyone, reminded him of Sanemi. He couldn't escape the feeling he hated the most, the feeling of remorse. "K-Kocho..."
Noticing the change in his demeanor, Shinobu stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug.
"You're still so hung up on him..." She whispered softly, her voice barely a whisper.
"You're not over him, are you?" She asked, already knowing the answer.
Giyuu froze, his breath hitching in his throat. For a moment, he just stood there, letting her arms envelop him. Then, he finally began to shake his head, a quiet, pained sound escaping him.
"No... I'm not..." He trailed off, unable to continue.
Shinobu could tell that Giyuu was struggling with his feelings, and it made her heart ache for him. She knew all too well how difficult it was to move on from someone you still cared for.
"It's okay..." She whispered, holding him closer.
Giyuu's resolve crumbled, and he couldn't hold it in anymore. All those feelings, those emotions revolving Sanemi... they were too heavy to carry with his broken heart and his weak soul.
He knew he had to let it all out at some point. Unable to stay quiet for any longer, he let out a soft, muffled sob, burying his face in her shoulder.
Shinobu's eyes widened, she couldn't believe how hurt Giyuu was, realising how much he actually loved Sanemi.
"I-I hate him..." Giyuu cried, the words torn from his throat.
"I hate him for not loving me back... for not understanding anything!" He choked on his tears, his entire body shaking with anguish.
What? Don't tell me... Does he actually think that way...? Shinobu swallowed hard with disbelief, immediately pulling away from the hug.
"Didn't love you back?" What world are you living in, Tomioka-San?" She asked, her breathing fast.
Giyuu could sense the anger in her voice.
He sniffled, wiping his tears off. "W-What...?" He whispered, swallowing hard.
"Don't tell me you really believe that..." Shinobu muttered, a deep frown on her face.
"Don't downplay him like that... Do you even realise how much he loves you!? And if I'm honest, I feel like he's the only person who's capable of understanding you, Tomioka-San!" She shook Giyuu's shoulders, trying to make him understand.
But, it seemed as if Giyuu didn't even try to think properly.
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