My One and Only [Murasakibara x OC]

Chapter 4: Titan With a Soft Heart

~Before we begin, thank you so much for 100 reads! It's a small milestone but it really means a lot to me.~

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December had closed in on us before we knew it, and the ground was completely coated in a damp, white icing. Decorations and trees had been hung and erected left, right and centre in preparation for the fateful day of the 25th.

There seemed to be a cheerful and positive atmosphere everywhere as the holidays approached, contrary to my heart, which felt sick and worried ever since that day.

Koharu never appeared behind the school. Despite waiting there for what felt like an eternity, she never showed up.  

I would never know what happened to her. Maybe she was held up by something? Did she have detention? Was she feeling sick? The answer remains a mystery to me...

The worst part was that she's completely avoided me ever since, she'd always blank or run away from me. Himuro wasn't doing any better, he's been so concentrated and serious lately.

"Muro-chin...speak to me..." I moaned, trying to initiate a conversation.

He sighed and closed his notebook before turning to me. "For the last time, Atsushi, I need to concerntrate on my research."

"But what research?" I desperately asked.

"It's top secret...I told you..." He replied, his face showing concern that I would always forget everything he'd say.

However, after reading his expression, I found many things: Desperation...Guilt...Sadness...Jealousy...

What's going on with Muro-chin? He's so...conflicted.

I normally wouldn't be concerned about someone else, but Himuro - and Koharu - are exceptions. I literally can not help but be worried about my best friend, as well as my crush...

But suddenly, it clicked, like finally solving a extremely complicated detective case, except without the cheerful ending.

I looked at the floor. "It's about her, isn't it...?"

There was a lasting pause. Himuro seemed only half suprised, I think he was expecting me to find out one way or another. He nodded silently.

"You didn't need to..." I grinned lightly. "You'd be better off with the info."

"No!" He cut in. "I'm getting you with Koharu if its the last thing I do, Atsushi. I can't bear seeing my best friend down in the dumps like this!"

I wanted to tell him that I had always been like that, but my conscious decided not to crush his enthusiasm.

"I see...but you should use those tips yourself."

*

The echoing ringing of the bell had signalled the end of the day. Himuro had already rushed off to the gym for basketball practice, so I ended up on my own.

After a couple of months here, I knew my way around the corridors and knew the best route to take to the gym whilst avoiding the flow of foot traffic exiting the school grounds.

Enjoying the peace and quiet, I took a right turn to the corridor that lead outside, only to find a horrifying sight.

A group of three second year boys who had backed a girl, who was defenceless and crying, into a wall. Throwing her books at her, hitting her, calling her names and throwing insults.

And that girl was none other than Koharu Kirina.

I paused whilst the rest of the world seemed to briefly slow down. A shock was sent throughout my body; it was not a shock of fear, but a spark to ignite a roaring flame inside my body.

I stood up straight behind the closest boy, and gripped his head tightly with my hand.

"What do you think you're doing?" My voice wasn't lazy like normal, it was dead serious, carrying the intensity of a lions roar.

I towered over the group, emitting the aura of a titan. A titan that shows no mercy. The boys looked horrified whilst Koharu was looking up, scared but relived.

It was like a high-magnitude earthquake was being unleashed from where I stood. I lifted up the second year in my hand and chucked him onto his friend, who toppled over with him.

"Leave her alone. Understood?"

Without properly answering my question, they got up and sprinted away, screaming in fear. And they should be scared, nobody messes with Koharu under my watch.

I kneeled down to the trembling Koharu, even though I was trembling myself realising that I was about to talk to her.

"Koharu...are you alright..?" I whispered.

Her beautiful face peered out of her arm, and she lit up as we made eye contact. She smiled as tears dripped down her cheeks.

"A-Atsushi..." she began. "Y-You...- t-thank you..so m-much..."

"O-Oh...no problem..." I replied, blushing furiously.

Silence filled the air again, but this time accompanied by an essence of love and passion. Koharu wiped the tears from her face, and before I could react, she swiftly wrapped her arms around me and embraced me in a warm, sweet hug.

But I chose not to react, except from returning the favor and embracing her back, and during that moment the same words echoed through our minds o  repeat:

I love you, Koharu...

I love you, Atsushi...