one [sachio ueda]

t w e n t y t w o : t h i r d p e r s o n

She stretched her arms after dropping the ragged bag on the floor of her room. Sachio was watching her with narrow eyes. She stole a glance at him and knew right away that he was observing her.

She started doing various things like pouring herself a glass of water and exploring the refrigerator. Sachio followed her there too. He wanted to speak but was debating with his inner self whether he should say anything at all or not. He finally found the courage to ask her about it.

"What actually happened?" He questioned, his voice as monotonous as ever.

She froze for a moment. She can't drop the act yet.

"I tripped and fell...?" She said, as if she was stating the obvious.

"You didn't."

Mai forgot how stubborn Sachio could be.

But she's stubborn too. She could just tell them what actually happened but they would make a big deal out of it.

"Then what do you think actually happened?"

"Either you did it to yourself like some maniac or someone did it to you."

"Why the hell would I do it to myself?"

"Then somebody did it to you."

There was silence between them as they stared at each other. Mai couldn't hold eye contact for long. She never could. Especially not with Sachio. For a while she could but not after he faked a confession to her.

"So you did make someone mad, huh?" The familiar, annoying smirk grew on his face.

"I didn't." She retorted, just to say something against him. She always wanted to have the last words. She rushed into the bedroom to shut him out but Sachio stopped the door from closing with his foot. His reflex was admirable. No wonder he was good at fighting.

"Who was it?" He tried to push in.

"Forget it already. It's not that serious." She pushed the door back.

"If something happens, you're gonna pay for both my foot and hand." He began blackmailing.

This made her step away from the door, letting Sachio into the room.

Just when he got in, Mai heard the main door click open. Fujio came towards her room and threw the packet of ointments and band-aids into her room.

"Mai, catch!" The packet sprung into the room, making her flinch away.

Before it could reach her, Sachio caught it with one hand. "I'll help her." He assured Fujio, closing the door on his face with his other hand.

Mai was vexed anyways but embarrassing herself like this made her more agitated. At least, Sachio didn't think it was embarrassing. His expression was serious the whole time.

"Sit." He pulled out the stuff from the packet and tossed it on the bed.

"I can do this myself." She stopped him.

He sucked his breath in and widened his eyes in reply. "I'm being nice to you."

Wow, Sachio was being nice. The sun rose from the west today.

He sat in front of her, taking out the disinfectant on a cotton ball. As soon as he rubbed it on her upper lip, she pulled back and hissed.

"Are you hurt?" He didn't stop rubbing it on her cuts.

Is she hurt?

She didn't mind small physical wounds unless a limb was broken. Yet, she was hurt.

"No, just worthless." She frowned ironically, making Sachio stop applying the disinfectant.

He looked into her eyes and sighed. He was done with this girl. She was one of those mentally unstable bitches but that's what Sachio liked about her. She was joking but Sachio somehow didn't like it.

"Yeah, you are." Sachio said as he picked up the ointment and put a small amount on his fingertip. "But I'm glad you exist." He rubbed it on her lips.

It was the first time she received that comment. Her wounds were burning but she stayed still.

"You make this world a worse place like it should be." He added.

"Fuck you." She spat.

"Not now." He raised his eyebrows and unwrapped a band-aid, sticking it on her cheek.

"Stop saying shit like that." Mai's voice became quieter. "What if I was someone else?"

"Then I wouldn't make jokes like that."

"You don't know me that well." She breathed out.

"I know you have secrets. It's obvious but everyone does."

"What's your secret?" Asking him was wise even though she knew most things about him.

"You tell me yours first."

She narrowed her eyes. She had only one secret and she was dying to tell that to someone. Maybe Sachio wouldn't react so terribly. He was used to facing worse things than someone having a huge crush on him.

Maybe she should tell him. It would make her feel less guilty.

"I used to stalk you."

Sachio didn't understand what she said at first. As soon as he did, he grimaced. "Disappointed but not surprised." He shook his head in disapproval.

Mai's jaw dropped at how casually he took this. He was used to having people stalk him.

"Why did you stalk me though? Did some gang pay you?" His words were sharp, keeping Mai at the edge of the knife.

"No, I just had a crush on you." She blurted out.

It was the first time Mai said something without thinking. She hadn't lost it completely though. She said it like it was no big deal. Maybe he'll think it's a joke and forget it. Her expressions were calm but her palms were sweating.

This was a confession. And she felt stupid because his confession was fake and hers was not.

Sachio's face fell. He was exploding inside but realised that she said 'had'.

"'Had'?"

"Yeah, I had." She tried to fake a smile but her upper lip hurt. "Don't worry, I don't anymore. So you can chill." She assured. All she wanted to do was make things less complicated and ease out everything between them.

"Oh, right." He got up. "You have a new crush." His brain was quick.

Sachio was defeated. He was defeated by the same damn person in everything. Rao was stronger, taller, had nice hair and now he was Mai's crush.

"Rao." He pursed his lips.

Mai looked away with a sigh and thought before answering. "Well, I don't exactly have a crush on him yet. I just like him. I mean he's cute." She squinted her eyes, as if she was deep in her thoughts.

The way Mai was talking right now made Sachio lose all hope. He should just get over her like she got over him. Mai was so good at acting that he couldn't figure out if she was lying.

"Your turn." She snapped, dragging him back down from his thoughts.

This is your turn, Sachio. It's now or never. "Yes. Right. My secret." He rubbed his palms together, nodding slowly.

Before he could say anything, the door flung open with a thud against the wall and Fujio barged in, stomping loudly with every step.

"You're going to tell me who did this." Fujio started jumping and cracking his knuckles as he stood in front of them.

"No." She answered flatly.

"Yes, you will!"

"No, I won't."

"I'm going to find out!" Fujio pointed at both of them before dramatically leaving the room.

"He's dumb." Sachio nods.

"Yeah, he's dumb." She agreed.