Gakuen Babysitters Oneshots

Ryuichi | Scattered Petals

Requested by A_mraK
--SORRY FOR THE LONG-ASS WAIT

※ I don't really know how the Hanahaki disease works...

I'm mentally and physically tired. I don't really feel like writing, but a request is a request. I must finish it for it is my duty.

One-sided love is as painful as emotional and physical scars.
~Me, based on my experiences in love

Recently, let's say, I was diagnosed with a unique yet horrible disease. For a whole month, I've been coughing up flower petals.
I have, what you call, the Hanahaki Disease. It's not just coughing up flower petals. They actually grow in your lungs. It's especially painful when the thorns come along.
The main cause of this 'disease' is from one-sided love.

My first love, or crush, if that's a better term, was Kamitani Hayato. I honestly admired his strength and straightforwardness. He had good looks too. Apparently, he hasn't returned my feelings. That's when an excruciating pain grew in my chest. This week, I was planning to surgically remove the flowers. Maybe then it can help me move on.

Ever since that day, my lifestyle, my everyday routine hasn't been the same for me. Despite my efforts to forget him, his image appears in my head. It makes me wonder how such a good-looking guy can have a different personality, it's rather than what personality is expected of him from other people's perspectives. But alas, what can I do? It's already hard for me not to cough up petals in school, not that the nurse's office isn't a nice place to rest, but people, too, would be asking, gossiping, and I would be the talk of the school.

To avoid all of those troubles, I had to suck it in and have surgery to remove them. It was expensive, sure, but it was worth it. It wasn't embarrassing either. The doctors told me that there were a lot of people who have Hanahaki. The disease is normal, but at the same time, rare.

The next day, I went back to school.
Despite my heart echoing like an empty hollow, it didn't beat like it used to, and while the scars had stayed, I continued living my life to the fullest. I still had feelings though...just not for him...anymore.

I played volleyball, like the usual. There was once a time when I tried baseball, but obviously, that didn't work out for me. I played alone that time, some time around break time. The thing is, the rest of the volleyball team, in where I am a member as well, is on a training camp as of current. There will be four days, today is the first day, though I decided not to go.

There I was, receiving to myself. The lonely memories of my old school days came back to me for no apparent reason. I hate remembering the things I wish to forget. Still and all, I forgot all of my feelings for him.
Intently, I stare at my ball. Seemingly, I protected it like it was my life. Spitefully, I failed to protect it.

"Ahh!"

"Ryu-niichama!"

"Ryu!"

"Nii-chan!"

I let my 'life' slip past my protection, my safe hands, my comfort zone, and it bumped into someone else. Technically speaking, it hit him in the head.

"Are you okay?!"

My volleyball hit an unfortunate boy. Confused, I was at first, but the kids that surrounded him, I realized, were from the daycare room.

"I'm fine..."

The only thing I could've done at that abrupt moment was to apologize.

"I'm really sorry!"

And I did. Before that, I noticed the kids still trembling in fear. Besides that, I knew one of them must be the little brother.

"It's okay. You don't have to apologize. I'm really okay."

"I'm sorry for accidentally hitting your babysitter!"

I apologized to the kids instead.

Then that day ended.

Whilst walking home, I felt a slight pang in my chest. I've felt this before. I don't exactly remember what it was, or what it felt like, but it was there before. Then I knew.

I ran home as fast as my legs could go. My mouth remained covered by my hand, in hopes that I won't choke out.

I didn't want to have this feeling again, for it was too painful. What if my feelings weren't returned as well? What must become of me?

By the nearest sink, I waited.

I didn't cough up any flower petals.
None were even growing in me. There was no pain...only my once again beating heart.

Does this mean...?

The End...?
...Or...
To Be Continued...?