Reality's Blade

Chapter 22: Visitor

I could feel my body slowly returning, the transition from Legerdemain back to reality was always strange. It was warm. My fingers wriggled against my soft duvet, my skin was no longer cold and wet. Muffled sounds started to reach my ears, they were familiar, but I couldn't quite distinguish them. A soft beep in my ear told me the process was complete. I lay for a moment, listening. All was quiet, but I could feel the weight of a gaze watching me. A trickle of nerves ran through me as I wondered who had come in my room, my parents knew how the headset worked, this person didn't.

I plucked up my courage and opened my eyes, the tinted darkness of the visor greeted me, propping up onto my elbows I sat myself up and removed the helmet, out the corner of my vision I could see someone sat at my desk. Slowly, I looked over.

"You okay?" The person asked cautiously. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

My brain finally caught up with the present. "Naoki?" I wondered, feeling confused.

I swung my legs off the bed and put the visor back with the console, switching it's blinking green light off. I stared at Naoki for a moment, scouring my brain for an explanation as to why he had appeared before me. I rubbed my face, the change of pace from fighting for my life was proving hard to shake off.

"Seriously, are you okay?" He asked looking worried.

"Ah yeah, you know how it is, just... Fighting vampires... And stuff." I trailed off, as Naoki's expression became a deep frown. I guess he didn't know. "What you doing here?"

A look of mild surprise ran across his face, as if he wasn't expecting to be questioned on that. He looked away, his eyes skimming over my desk.

"Well, you know, just wanted to see how you are. And a..." He took a deep breath, as if he was trying to find the courage or resolve to say what he wanted to. "I, err, wanted to apologise for the other day, it's my fault you got injured." He faced me, his expression downcast.

Aah so that's what this was about, I almost felt relieved. I'd almost forgotten about it, The Count had grabbed the same arm, so I hadn't thought twice about the slight pain as I sat up. I'd forgotten it was not from the game but in fact from reality.

"Thanks, but you know it seems I'm not the only one you should be apologising to over that. I don't know what happened, but I heard you started it." I tested.

While I didn't think Kazehiro would lie about something like that, it was only fair to give Naoki a chance to explain himself, I thought.

"I knew you'd say that." Naoki sighed. "I kinda told him to give up and go out with me." He muttered so quietly I wasn't sure I had heard correctly. I blinked, not entirely sure how to process his words. Naoki just sat there, suddenly finding immense interest in the floor.

"Do you-"

"No no no no no no." He interjected before I could finish my sentence. "Man I couldn't stand for us to both be moping after him. Hell. He rejected a hunk like me. He has no taste." Naoki pouted, as if he was actually a bit insulted to be rejected by the likes of Kazehiro.

"Then why the hell would you ask him out if you have no interest in him?" I queried exasperated, not following his logic at all.

"I'm gonna make you mad again." He groaned.

He saw me open my mouth but held up a hand, telling me to wait.

"Let me explain. So, after the err, baseball incident, I was reasonably convinced that he wasn't gay. But when I ended up alone with him I thought I'd just test the water to confirm, and anyway yeah, pretty sure I'd have a black eye if you hadn't come along. Thanks for that, and sorry. And so yeah, I'm pretty sure he's not gay." Naoki rushed through his story, seeing me getting agitated.

I stared at him hard for a while, Naoki shifted uncomfortably under my gaze.

"You're the worst." I stated.

"I also knew you'd say that. You should be happy though, I guess?"

A flashback from earlier resurfaced, I had met Kazehiro's rumoured boyfriend and discovered that they were just friends. "Oh, I already knew..." I murmured.

"What?"

"His friend came into the shop... today? Wow it feels so long ago. Anyway, I met the friend that Kazehiro was supposedly dating, they really are just friends. Kazehiro even told him about the rumour, his friend laughed at it." I recollected.

"All my hard work was for nothing." Naoki leaned back in the chair, letting his head roll backwards, groaning as he did so.

"No... Even though they weren't dating it didn't change the possibility that he could be, but you're saying he's not." I half shrugged.

Naoki flopped forwards again.

"But you still need to apologise to him! Playing with people's feelings isn't cool. What would you have done if he had said yes?" I ran my hand across my face, I didn't want to try to imagine it.

"I would have stolen him from you." Naoki winked. "No, he wouldn't have." He said seriously.

"Why are you so sure?"

Naoki looked away again. "Hmm... I get the feeling he already has his mind made up."

The all too familiar feeling returned, like chains wrapping tightly around my chest making it hard to breath. It was just like earlier with The Count, my stupid feelings being called out.

"On a person?" I checked, trying not to let my voice crack.

Naoki did one slow nod.

"Why are you making a face like that?" Naoki joined me on the bed, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. I could feel his warmth permeating my clothes, enveloping me. "You know, I think you could get him. I've never seen him talk to anyone other than you, you dragged him to our baseball game and I'm sure he had fun. I don't think you're as far from him as you seem to think. Keep pursuing him, I know your feelings will get through." Naoki murmured softly.

Was he telling the truth? Sat in his warm embrace I wanted to believe him.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

I looked at Naoki, his soft expression gazed back at me.

"You look tired." I blurted out without thinking.

Naoki laughed, taking back his arm. "Well you're clearly cheered up." He chuckled to himself.

"Are you okay?" I wondered. I'd been so absorbed in my own problems I hadn't even taken a good look at the friend sat beside me. There were dark circles under his eyes, he looked worn out.

Naoki flopped backwards, putting his hands behind his head. "Nothing I can't handle."

I scrutinised him, he wouldn't meet my eyes.

"It's maths isn't it?"

"Busted already. The terrifying power of childhood friendship. If I don't get my grades up I won't be allowed to play in the upcoming tournament. Apparently I'm prioritising my clubs over my studies." He made a face to show he didn't agree. "I've just never been that good at the academic things." He added wistfully.

"Tomorrow lunch time, come to my class. We'll hold a study session." I instructed, having had an epiphany. If all he had to do was improve his grades, then all he needed to do was study and have someone there to help point out his mistakes.

"Tomorrow?"

"Yep. You can apologise to a certain someone in my class while you're at it." I stuck out my tongue.

"Yeah yeah. Okay, I get it. Tomorrow lunch time then." He heaved himself back up.

There was a knock on my door, which had been left ajar.

"Dinner's ready. You're welcome to stay and eat if you like Naoki." My mum offered, poking her head through.

"Thank you for the offer, but I had better head home." With that he stood up. "I'll see you tomorrow, Miya." He waved with a single hand, and strolled off downstairs.

"Naoki let me see you out." My mum hurried after him.

Well, it seems like I have another person to help, I smiled to myself.