"It" Can't Be Helped (Revised) | ✔️ | Blue Exorcist

51

The guys had tried to convince me to hang out the next day, too. But when I woke up, I had no ambition to be seen outside. I'd sent a lazy text to Bon, saying I was swamped with homework, and maybe next time I'd tag along. It hadn't been a lie. I had a few assignments throughout the week I'd been neglecting, plus I now had the entirety of Friday's classes that I missed.

Groaning, I rolled out of bed and walked down the stairs toward the cafeteria. Kuro heard me stirring and fell into line with me, a casual conversation starting about how yesterday went. Once inside the kitchen, I opened the fridge and assessed the contents. I yawned, stretching and moving a hand under my shirt to scratch my stomach before pulling out some ingredients. Technically, I was breaking the "no cooking" rule, but I was just going to make some eggs and toast, no knives required. Kuro sat on the counter as I cooked, anyway, so I was properly supervised.

I was in the middle of whisking my eggs when the cafeteria door cracked open. My ears twitched and Kuro and I instantly turned toward the sound. A small hand I've come to recognize simply by touch grasped the edge of the door before purple hair emerged from behind. Shock ground my thoughts to a halt for a moment.

Crimson eyes gave me a once over as she walked into the kitchen. Her hands went to grab her hips and she leaned her weight on one foot. "You're not supposed to be doing that, are you?" She scolded me, but it held no real disapproval. Her pretty face smiled softly and I felt heat flood my own. I stammered as I continued whisking my eggs and she laughed lightly at my embarrassment. "I'm just messing with you, idiot."

I sighed, "I know, I just wasn't expecting you so I got frazzled. You want any?" I hugged the bowl I was holding a bit closer and pointed at the pan. She pondered it for a few seconds before nodding. Making quick work to double my recipe, I addressed her presence without straying my eyes from my task. "So what brings you here?" I froze, quickly adding on; "Not that I mind, just seeing you after waking up has made my day, but just... Why?"

She let out a long sigh, and I knew the conversation was about to get tense. "Promise me you won't be mad?"

Pausing, I stared down at my mixing bowl before lifting my eyes to meet hers. She was bashful, flickering her gaze down to the floor and moving her hands to clasp in front of her. I blinked slowly, choosing my words carefully. "I'm sure you have your reasons. Just stay open and honest with me and I won't be upset."

She nodded, taking a step to the side and placing her hands flat on the countertop before pushing herself up to sit a few feet from the stove. It was a sign that this conversation was worth sitting down to her, and I readied myself to listen. "So," she started after a deep breath. "I overhead that Yukio wasn't going to be here, as you know. And in the hallway, he gave me this look." I hummed, recalling his expression. "He was worried, which is understandable. But it's not often that he comes to us with this kind of stuff."

I furrowed my brows as I lifted the bowl and took a step toward the awaiting pan. "What kind of stuff?" The eggs sizzled and crackled as the mixture was poured onto the hot surface. Grabbing a spatula, I went to work pushing around the eggs to cook them evenly.

"About you." She replied flatly. "He wants to respect your privacy, but sometimes he keeps us in the loop just in case. Sometimes he wants advice, too..." Her tone turned placating, ready to calm me down in case the information was upsetting. "He's been second-guessing himself a lot since he thinks he failed you in the beginning. He's just looking for unbiased opinions, I think." I hummed, looking up and briefly rewarding her with a small nod. For obvious reasons, she was nervous, but there was no need, and I wanted to express that. She returned my small nod and started to chew on her bottom lip. "In the hallway, he gave me this look that seemed like he was asking for my help. Shiemi was there, too, but she left before Yukio did. I sent Bon a message afterward--"