Paralyzed

Chapter 5

When they entered the abandoned Dormitory, Yukio rolled Rin into the kitchen. Yukio set the bags down on the table before stretching out his back. “I will get your room ready down here. We can’t have you going upstairs.” Yukio explained before walking out of the room and up the stairs, leaving Rin alone. 

   Rin sighed, hearing Yukio’s steps fade up the stairs. He wheeled himself out of the kitchen and toward the common area of the Dormitory, wheeling over to the sliding back door. He opened it and wheeled out away from the porch and toward the fence where he was able to see the lights of the town. 

  Rin?! Kuro shouted, hopping down from the window and jumping onto Rin’s shoulder. 

   Rin smiled, reaching up to pet Kuro on behind the ear. “Hey Kuro, how are you feeling?” 

I’m fine. How are you, why are you in a wheelchair? Kuro asked. 

   Rin’s smile faltered slightly, but he tried to hide it. “I got into a fight and got injured.” Rin shook his head, returning his smile back to his face. “Enough about that. What did you do while I was gone?” 

Oh! I played with some yarn, some of the Coal-tar’s that floated around and chased my tail. It’s been boring without you here. Kuro said, rubbing his face against the crook of Rin’s neck. 

   Their heartfelt moment was cut off by the sliding door opening abruptly. They both look back to see Yukio standing there, looking a little panicked. He physically relaxed when he saw Rin and Kuro sitting by the fence. 

“Rin, come inside. Someone is here to see you.” He commented, before turning back into the room. 

   Rin and Kuro shared a glance before Rin wheeled himself into the common room, getting a little help from Kuro when he couldn't get over a bump. When he entered he was immediately smothered. Rin was disoriented for a moment before he focused on who it was. His face heated when he realized he was being smothered by Shiemi’s breasts. He pulled away from her, getting flustered as he pushed her away. She seemed to get the hint and pulled away. 

   “Oh, sorry Rin. I got excited to see you!” She said, tears falling from her face. 

  Rin’s hopes got up as he looked behind her for the others, but found it was only her that was there. Rin’s stomach fell in on itself before his eyes found hers. At least one of them cares about me. Rin thought. 

   “Hey Shiemi. How’s it going?” Rin asked.  Shiemi smiled, walking over to sit down on the Love seat. Rin wheeled around, facing her. 

   “I was so worried Rin. When you got injured I just wanted you to know I tried to do all I could to help.” Shiemi explained. 

Rin’s smile appeared once again. “I know. Yukio told me.” Rin heard footsteps behind him, when he turned it was Yukio who had three steamy mugs in his hands. He stopped by Rin, giving a mug to him. Rin took it and noticed it was tea. He walked over to Shiemi, handing her a mug before he sat down on the chair next to Shiemi. 

   Shiemi took a sip, before finally addressing what she had been meaning to ask. “Uh Rin… if.. You don’t mind me asking. Why are you in a wheelchair?”
 
   Rin shared a glance with Yukio before silently taking a sip of his tea. “Isn’t it obvious, Shiemi. I’m paralyzed.” He said flatly, making Yukio nearly spit out his tea from the sheer bluntness of his words. Shiemi froze in her spot. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. All her thoughts fluttering to how she had treated him all those weeks of sitting away from him and isolating him all because she was scared of him. Those feelings faded away fast, but Shiemi still sat away from him, leaving her to believe this was all their faults.