CODE (JaDine AU)

09

君を彩る全ての要素を僕が守ってみせよう
I'll show you that I can protect every element that colors you.
何があっても側にいよう
I'll be by your side no matter what.

Chapter 9

This has been the second time she cried since that day in the hospital.

Both times, it was because of Top.

But this time it was out of despair.

She hated it. Why did she always have to hurt?

She was full of resentment right now, she felt as if she was carrying something heavy on her chest.

She couldn't breathe very well. But maybe that would be better. Maybe that would stop the pain.

She felt a hand on he back.

Ali.

He was crying as well.

---

Ali knock three times on Top's door. 

Not waiting for an answer, he had proceeded inside his room.

It was to see his best friend smiling tenderly at his phone.

Top had noticed him and looked up.

"Ali, morning..." He greeted, smiling serenely.

"A text from Sam?" Ali asked without preamble.

"Yeah." Top nodded. "She said she's visiting again. She's on her way."

Sam had been a frequent visitor in Top's apartment, just like he had been to her when he was a lot more healthier.

Ali looked at him for a while, as if  in thought.

Top waited.

"You love her." Ali said.

It wasn't a question. It was a statement.

Top wasn't really surprise to hear this from him, but still he was confused.

"What about it?" He asked.

Ali sighed. "I don't think you're being fair to her. Why don't you tell her?" He asked with a lingering concern in his voice.

Top looked away.

"It doesn't matter. It's better this way." Top said.

"I also don't think that is up for you to decide." Ali said. 

"And of course it matters." He continued to say. "She loves you." Another statement.

"She can't." Top said. "She shouldn't."

"I think that's already too late." Ali said. "You saw to that. But now you've left her hanging. You wouldn't back down, but you wouldn't move forward."