Every time you gazed out the window, embracing the sea's landscape up high, your head would suddenly clog up with thoughts. Will you and Rantaro ever be able to find all of his sisters? How long would it take to gather all twelve of them? You had already found two of them, so it should be easy to look for the remaining ten. Right?
"Hey (Y/n), you okay?" Rantaro asked noticing that you were reserved. Glancing back at the greenish blonde, you gradually nod as a response. Rantaro's sister Ryoko was sitting on his lap, resting peacefully after a long day of rushing to the airport. She had gorgeous mint locks that matched superbly with Rantaro's, which you couldn't help but quietly stare at while she slept.
As for his other sister Rina, she kept on giggling to herself being the optimist she was, swinging her feet back and forth. Rina was found the most recently and had quite the strong attitude, unlike the timid Ryoko. Although her hair was rather dark compared to Rantaro's, it appeared just as fluffy and ravishing—As if it was a thing that ran in the family.
There had been moments where Rina kept asking if Rantaro and you were a couple, which made you blush and gush to yourself. However, you tended to stay away from expressing your feelings, as Rantaro didn't seem like he was interested in a romantic relationship. From time to time, there would be comforting hugs and hair ruffling, but otherwise, things never went relatively far from there.
But god, his face was absolutely flawless. Everything about him was. His soft-looking lips were the perfect shade of pink, and his lashes were notably long and every girl's dream. All you desired was Rantaro all to yourself, but of course that wouldn't happen anytime soon.
For the past weeks of their adventure back in San Diego, the boy was behaving quite strangely. Always excusing himself to go to the bathroom, or walking off by himself without your consent. His smiles were bittersweet and more straining than per usual. It only bruised your heart to see him look sorely cheerful all the time.
"Are you alright, Rantaro?" You muttered, tempting to ask more.
More questions why he hadn't been talking about his issues openly to you lately. If he had anything he wanted to talk about in general. A specific topic. Although, Ryoko and Rina were constantly following Rantaro, leaving no alone time for yourself and the blonde boy. It would be inappropriate to especially talk about that kind of thing in front of them. But now was the perfect moment as the sisters were asleep.
"I'm fine," he lied.
But, you knew he was afraid. Afraid of losing anyone that was close to his heart. Afraid of experiencing the same feelings over and over, until his mind overflowed with crucifying and countless thoughts.
There were some nights where you heard the boy sniffle silently to himself and some days when it looked like he hadn't slept in days or weeks. It moved to the point where it was so easy to pick up Rantaro's pitiful lies.
"I'm okay, don't worry about me (Y/n)."
"Something just got into my eye, that's all."
"I'm not that hungry, but thank you anyways."
It was difficult, watching Rantaro suffering and see how truly damaged he was. It hurt to know that he was hiding it all with such a casual smile as if everything was perfectly in order. As if everything was going the way he planned.
You had to talk to him. You had to console him. For the sake of not only his sisters, but most importantly himself and his being.
But if only Rantaro had been more cautious in the first place, things would be different. If only he hadn't been so useless, losing his twelve sisters at once because of one careless action. If only he had been a better older brother.
"We will find all of your sisters Rantaro," You commented interrupting the short silence, "Just don't lose hope."
The greenish blonde glimpsed up to meet your eyes—They seemed weary but distracted by the younger girls and his own grief. He smiled sadly at first, but wasn't able to hold it for long.
"But it's all my fault that they are lost (Y/n)," Rantaro sighed, his voice completely strained, "My family said to just give up.. Do you think they're alright? Do you think I should just..?"
"Stop thinking like that Rantaro. You said that nothing would stop you from searching for them. They're okay wherever they are, out there waiting for you to find them."
You grab ahold of Rantaro's hands squeezing them tightly— they were shaking as if it was a winter's day. You didn't dare to look straight into his eyes, they were probably swelling up with tears. They always were everytime you both had infrequent conversations like these. But this time, it felt different.
"They will be safe, I know it," you whispered, "We already found two of them, we just need to find ten more. We can't stop now. Even if it takes us months or years, we will find them Rantaro."
You then decided to hold your hand up against Rantaro's face, your thumb stroking gently against his rosy cheeks. They were burning with the urge of wanting to cry. Wanting to let it all go. Wanting to let go of the negativity within his body.
It seemed so astonishing how the man beat himself up like this, all upset from his guilt and blame. Yet pull off such a calm and contented character, that it seemed unexpected for him to be somber whatsoever.
Leaning towards Rantaro, your lips suddenly pressed against his cheek without any thought. You weren't too certain what you were doing, but to your surprise he didn't pull away or question anything. Instead, the greenish blonde appreciated your concern with a heartwarming embrace. He swallowed hard, in attempt to hold back his tears from his agony.
"Will we?" He asked.
You let out a brief sigh, and responded with a sad yet softening smile.
"I promise."
