Black and White (Rin Matsuoka x fem!OC)

37.

It was weird to see the time passing by and me not going out for a run, or on my way to uni, but it would be just for 2 days, I needed to be patient. I had called the university to let them know about the permit I got, just for the sake of having an excuse for the absences.

After I heard Haru closing the main door, I got up with a bit of effort and took the crutches to go to the kitchen. I wasn't hungry but I couldn't have an empty stomach before taking the prescribed pills, so I leaned on the counter and ate a banana as quickly as I could. The pain was slowly increasing so I needed the pills.

Once I had put the empty glass in the dishwasher, I made my way to the bathroom to take a shower. Once inside I wondered if I should try to shower standing up or sitting down, I'd never had a sprain or a broken bone or anything before so I didn't know what was the best thing to do. Since I couldn't put pressure on my left foot, it was better to just sit in the tub, otherwise I could have a worse accident with the slippery surface.

I put my bandaged foot inside a plastic bag so it didn't get wet, according to the doctor's instructions. I showered as I could, trying to not splash out much water and also having my left foot resting on the edge of the tub. When I was finished I took some time to clean up the bathroom and get to my bedroom, since Haru wasn't around no one would see me in a loose towel and struggling with the crutches (I nearly fell twice).

When I was done changing I figured it was almost 12pm, I had taken too much time. If I was gonna do this before university I'd have to get up even earlier or just do it at night. I took a seat on my bed and sighed heavily, it wasn't fun to be injured. Just then, there was a knock on the door. Oh no, I was going to take at least twice the time to get to the door, maybe it was better if I just jumped. I got up and balanced myself in my right foot, I didn't fall so I jumped until I got to the main door.
-Who is it?- I asked.
-Sousuke
Sou? He should be at uni. I opened the door to let him in and I saw his face going from my face to my hand resting on the wall to keep me balanced and finally to my right foot trying to stay in place.
-What the hell are you doing? - he said in a deep disapproving voice.
I felt chills and swallowed.
-Uh?
He didn't answer and just took me from the waist and lifted me in the air, he walked in and close the door with his other hand. He went all the way to my room and plopped me carefully on it, when I looked at his face I felt that a scold was on its way.
-Noah you have to take this injury seriously, otherwise you won't recover soon.
-So, you mean why I didn't have the crutches with me?
-What else?
-I just wanted to get quickly to the door, the whole morning I've been using them and everything I do seems to be in slow-motion... I take too much time to do anything.
-It's just for a few days.
-I know, but it hasn't been even one day and I'm already getting anxious.
-Then watch a movie, read manga, study for the next exams or borrow some class notes from today's lectures; there's plenty you can do.
-I just feel weird to be like trapped in here.
-Don't be so dramatic and let's eat already I'm getting hungry.
-Uh?
I saw him taking some bags from the floor, that I didn't see when he arrived, and took them to the kitchen. I got up, took the crutches and joined him.
-Sou, shouldn't you be at uni?
-No
-Sousuke...
-I have lectures from 2 to 5pm.
-Oh, okay
-What did you buy?
-Vegetables, rice, eggs...
-What are you gonna make?
-Omurice
My eyes widened.
-For real? You know how to make that?
He simply nodded.
-Amazing! Okay, what do I do?
-Sit and tell me where is the rice cooker and the cutting board.
Bossy. Just like Haruka.

I absolutely devoured the omurice, it both looked and tasted surprisingly good, I mean I knew he could cook but not this well. I wonder why is he still single with those great skills... Sou stayed almost until 2 pm, we talked about university, his shoulder exercises, some TV shows that we both like, he even recommended me some doramas (which I was surprised to hear)... We are similar in a lot of aspects and I confirmed it again, when we were just avoiding Rin topic. It's always complicated, I guess.
-I remember when I had to use crutches when I was still a kid...- Sou said with a faint smile at the memory.
-You did? What happened?
-I also sprained my ankle, in one of the stupid races I had with Rin.
-And did you actually rest?
-Not at the beginning, so I had to use them for almost a month since it wasn't recovering.
-So this is your way of telling me that I should be patient and wait?
-Yes
-C'mon I'm not that reckless.
-I know, but what if you fell again when you're jumping?
-Fine mom, I'll use them.
He chuckled.
-I just have around 20 more minutes, are we gonna talk about what's important?
-What is?
-You
-Me? We've been talking about me since you got here.
-Noah...
I sighed.
-I don't know what to say Sou...
-That's why I'm here. Since the day after Valentine's Day you've been acting different.
-Since then?
-Yes, you're more cautious and you fake smiles.
-What? I do that?
-You're also being more stubborn and moony than usual.
-What? No, I'm not.
Sou rolled his eyes and glared at me.
-Okay, fine. But no one noticed a change until yesterday...except for you...- I said.
-I assume it was Rin's role to talk to you, so I didn't say anything. I also thought that you'd come to me if it was necessary. But you didn't, you went to the dolphin boy and look at you now- he said the last part in a bitter tone.
-How do you know?
-I asked him.
-You asked? And he answered, yeah right.
-He's very slow when changing, you know?
-Oh no
-He won't say anything, so don't worry.
-Please, don't become a bully, especially not for me.
-I didn't do anything to him, I just made him feel maybe a bit guilty.
So that's why he tried to apologize last night?
-You guys are never gonna be friends, are you?- I asked.
-We tolerate each other now, so I guess it's just a matter of time.
-A matter of time until he says something to Makoto or Rin to put you in place.
-Don't worry about me and stop trying to change the subject.
-You started it.
-No, I didn't.
-Fine, fine, but I still don't know whe...
-You do know where to start, so get talking.
I told him about the punch mainly, Rin's lie to cover it and a bit of what Haru has said about our relationship.
-I know it's not that important and I just made it bigger than it was at the beginning, but I get really mad when I'm lied to and when Haru's level of honesty gets higher than a drug addict.
Sou chuckled and pat my head.
-Rin hasn't called? - he asked.
-I turned off my cell phone.
-So dramatic
-Shut up, I didn't want to talk to anyone.
-Not even me? That hurts.
-You never call, you just show up.
-That's a better surprise, isn't it?
-Yeah- I grinned.
-I'm not good at giving advice, but the only answer I see, is to talk to Rin about it.
-I know, but I don't really want to.
-Understandable
-I feel like it's gonna sound so stupid and childish when it comes out of my mouth.
-It's a bit stupid and childish.
-Not helping.
-It won't sound stupid and childish to him, you're one of his priorities, so he'll listen to you.
-I hope so.
-I'll tell him to come by after practice, okay?
-Don't.
-Why not?
-I don't wanna see him.
-Well, the moment I tell him we went to the clinic he's gonna freak out.
-Don't tell him, when he sees me he will know.
-Don't be so hard on him, he literally has no clue of what's going on.
-I know, I'm acting like a crazy girlfriend- I said covering my eyes with my hands.
-There was a lot going on in just a few days, plus your visit to the doctor. Anyone would be upset.
I sighed.
-Next time you're mad or confused or frustrated, whatever, don't turn off your cellphone and call me.
-But you hardly answer your phone.
-Sometimes I don't wanna talk to people, but I'm comfortable with you.
-Thanks, I guess.
Sou chuckled.
-It's a good thing.
I smiled.
-Don't get depressed, okay? It's not worth it. It's just one day and a half left until you have to struggle to get to uni with those sticks, as you call them.
-Will you help me that day?
-Just if you call me.
I rolled my eyes but nodded anyway.
-Although, I think Rin would be happier if you ask him- he added.
-Right...
I played with my fingers slightly, and felt him moving closer to my side, he smelt like mint. He caressed my head and briefly hugged me.
-I've to go Noah.
I nodded.
-Thanks Sou, for everything since last night.
-No need to thank me- he smiled one more time before getting up, suddenly he laughed.
-What?
-I just remembered something.
-What is it?- I said smiling from hearing his sweet laugh.
-Last night, before you got injured when we were running, like 10 minutes in I was already lost. I mean I didn't know where was the exit of the park anymore. So I tried to get closer to not lose sight of you and not get completely lost, that's when you noticed someone behind you. Then, when I was going to take you to the clinic for a moment I didn't know where to go, but you were in so much pain so I had to find the way out immediately; and to be honest I don't know how I did it, but with you in my arms I suddenly knew the way.
-Really?
He nodded.
-It sounds stupid now that I'm saying it out loud, but it's the first time I find my way out. Normally, I don't go running by myself at night, because I get lost easier than during the day... Damn, I sound like a kid.
-It's not stupid and I'm glad that at least something good came out last night.
Sousuke was blushing and had a sweet look in his eyes, he turned his face to the side to hide his embarrassment. I got up in one foot and hugged his side briefly, he flashed a last small smile before walking to the door.

It's nice to see this side of him every once in a while.

*****
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