UtaPri: Ai x Reader

Ch 2

(Time skip, like 2 weeks)

I sighed as I picked up two giant binders, four piles of papers, one iPod, a pair of headphones, and the academy badge for the S Class.

I walked down the hall, trying to balance what I was carrying.

"Onna, need help?" The caramel haired guy asked, holding out his hand. "Ore wa Camus."

I shook my head. "Iie, daijoubu, Camus-san."

"Nani o shite iru nodesu ka?" Ai's voice came.

I flinched a little as you slowly, and carefully turned around. "I-I'm taking both courses," I answered.

"Why's that?" Asked a rough voice. The boy with the silver hair and different colored eyes came up. "_________-san?"

"So I won't have to depend on others when I work." I answered.

The silver haired boy smiled. "I like your thinking," he said, ruffling your (h/c) hair. "Ore wa Ranmaru Kurosaki."

"Yorishiku," I answered.

"Ran-Ran! Ai-Ai! Kamyu! (Your choice of nickname)-chan!" Rei-chan called, hefting a backpack. "Yo!" Ranamru's eyebrow twitched at the nickname, Ai just looked up wearily, and Camus kind of ignored him.

"Rei-chan!" I called, tilting my head innocently.

"Ara? Carrying all that by yourself?"

"Hai, mondai janai!" I answered. "Ja ne." I started to walk away.

I heard the boys conversing as I walked away. "M-matte!" Called a smooth voice.

Ai came up to me, looking a bit flustered. "I'll help," he said, taking half of my pile.

I looked back. Rei-chan smiled and waved, Ranmaru-san winked, and Camus gave a half smile. 'Geez, is it that obvious?!' I thought.

***

We walked back to my dorm in silence. I'd occasionally glance at Ai, who was looking straight ahead with his totemo kawaii poker face.

When I entered the dorm, (bestie name) was not yet here. I placed my stuff on my desk. Ai closed the door, locked it, and placed the other pile on my desk.

Suddenly, he turned to look at me, leaning in so close that our noses were touching. He smelled like vanilla and mint. "There's more to why you joined?" He said, more like a statement than a question.

"H-hai," I answered, looking away from his sharp stare.

He sat down on my bed, and motioned me to sit next to him. I did, and started my life's story.

"I came from a very normal family. I had a mom, a dad, two older brothers, and two younger sisters. My older brothers exceeded in science and math, while my sister exceeded in history and science. Me, I didn't really have a place in school. (Bestie name) and I both had a passion for music. She loved singing, and I loved singing and the piano. I even got first place in the talent show singing an original song. But, my dad wasn't impressed.

"He hated the idea of me knowing how to sing or play. So, he pushed me hard whenever I played the piano or sing. Whenever I hit a wrong note, or my voice couldn't reach a note, he'd slap me so hard my skin would turn red for a week. He told me I wasn't good at singing or playing. I'd steel myself up until I was done, went into my room, and locked myself up. I'd cry and cry, holding myself, closing up, hating the world, hating myself.

That is until I found out about Saotome Academy. I had run away from my home in Hokkaido just to get here. I took three jobs for three years, now, here I am, fourteen years old, fifteen next spring, trying to prove my dad wrong."

He looked at me with sympathetic eyes, as I felt the wetness on my cheeks I didn't notice before. I turned my face away as I let the tears fall silently. I felt Ai's arms wrap around me. "Daijoubu ka?" He asked, holding me tightly to his chest.

'Out of pity,' I thought. 'Not out of love. I've never been loved, not even by my own family.'

And we sat there like that, until (bestie name) walked in.

"Ooh, ano hitto te dare?" She asked, once Ai had left.

"My classmate." I answered.

"He's so kawaii! Why do we have a no love rule? Is it because we have so many cute guys in our school?"

I nodded, listening to (bestie name) rant about the mysterious and unfair rule. I nodded, only half listening. Was it me, or did I hear a weird, irregular heart beat from Ai? Oh, well, it must be my imagination.