despair | h. rindo

XXIII

Thuck.

Thuck.

Thuck.

You couldn't take it anymore. 

There's been a noise coming from your window, like small rocks being thrown at it. 

You open your window, ready for confrontation. When you open your mouth, a pebble flies and hits your forehead knocking all thoughts from your head.

"Oops. Sorry."

Rindou looks up to where you stood frozen, almost looking like you were rethinking all your life decisions. He could laugh. He should. But if he did, he knew you'd just slam the window shut at him. 

"Hi." He greets quietly, a soft smile gracing his lips, one that seemed to surpress all the worries that burdened him all week.

You stare at him, unable to form coherent thoughts before you glare. "Hi? Hi?? That's it? You ghost me, for a whole week, maybe longer, show up in front my house, disturb my sleep and all you have to say is hi???"

Rindou purses his lips before he fully digests your words. You weren't mad because he woke you up, you were mad because he avoided you for so long and he had the nerve to come by in the middle of the night.

"Did you miss me?" He smiles triumphantly and you're quick to throw a book his way. "AH! Wh— What the hell?"

He's only greeted with a glare from you.

"Look, I'm sorry. Let me explain." He sighs, picking up the book you threw. "Please?" 

Oh, yes. You heard that. He pleaded. And how could you say no when he said it so gently. He was so... different.

You've had theories since his first visit in the hospital with his first bouquet and food basket.

Theory 1. The real Rindou Haitani died during your abduction and whoever this sweet guy was is a stunt double, to keep up with his mother's reputation.

Theory 2. Your manifestations actually work, you could be a witch now. 

Theory 3. Rindou Haitani was abducted by aliens and they returned him back after brainwashing him and are currently using him as test subject and/or spy against the world government.

"Look, if I knew you liked staring at me so much, I could give you a picture."

Theory 4. He's actually a psychology student, not a high school delinquent, studying the effects of  intermittent reinforcement on someone.

You click your tongue, moving to close the window.

"Wait, waitwaitwaitwait! Y/n!"

You stop, glaring at him.

"Please, come down. I want to talk." He pleads once more. 

A resigned sigh slips your lips and you close the window. You didn't look angry, so Rindou could only wait and assume you were on your way down.

And you were, you finally opened the door to him, a look that mixed disbelief and exhaustion on your face. "Talk."

"Not here." Rindou unclasps the helmet from the handles of his mirror, lending them out to you. he didn't shove, or push like he did when he gave you his helmet everytime he picked you up. He waited. 

You took the helmet from him, wearing it and clicking the locks. You always wondered where he got the spare helmet. Surely, his brother would have his own motorcycle, and if he didn't, why did this one fit you and wasn't even just tad bit bigger?