REINCARNATE

40: Closure

Y/n didn't know how or what she was feeling in the moment his voice filled her ears. It was both achingly familiar and alien to her, and as she slowly turned around she found herself once again standing face to face with the person who caused her so much pain and joy.

"Rintarou."

Nakamura smiled at her and when he opened his arms y/n fought to resist the urge to run right into them, instead she hesitantly stepped forward to take his hand. His grasp was warm and firm, filling her with a sense of foreign security, it was the same as how she remembered it.

"You're, not the same." His voice was feather-soft and laced with the slightest hint of longing. "You've grown up."

"I have." Y/n smiled sadly, her next words were filled with more worry than relief. "Am I?" She gestured with her hands, not wanting to finish her question.

He shook his head. "Not quite. I heard you crying out for help so I took you to where your mind was happiest while your body heals. Remember here?"

Y/n looked past him where light streamed through a pair of large gym doors, illuminating the dim hall. She could hear the sound of volleyballs crashing around, sneakers squeaking against the spotless gym floor; the voices of those whose faces she likely wouldn't even recognize anymore.

Except for one voice, whose last words to her were through a letter telling her to keep going, reassuring her that everything was going to be okay. Everything was going to be, just fine.

"Damn it Riku!"

They watched silently as a ball came rolling out of the doors and rested by the water fountain, only a couple metres away from where they stood. The sound of jogging footsteps were followed by a sight that made y/n's breathing hitch.

He wore his jersey, his hair slightly flattened from sweat but gleamed like beaten gold under direct sunlight. His body was once again, whole and in perfect condition as he grinned to someone inside the gym. 

"Ai~~ Riku, you've been playing volleyball for the last ten years and you still shank your passes like a middle schooler?"

"Kenta." Y/n breathed. She wanted to reach out, to call his name until those golden eyes were fixed on her again and hear her name pass his lips. He didn't seem to notice her as he jogged back in, all his attention focussed on the game in front of him.

Nakamura eyed the painful look on her voice, full of longing and emotion and he felt a clenching feeling in his heart.

All the times you said 'I love you', they were never meant for me. 

I was selfish.

Y/n gently rested her hand on his. A sad but playful smile teased her lips, she knew exactly what he was thinking.

"No, we all know he had eyes for Akari."

"Akari's cooking." Nakamura corrected immediately and they shared a light laugh. 

She sighed and turned her gaze back to the gym doors, a realization coming to light.

"I can't go in, can't I?"

Nakamura shrugged, thinking the same as her. He had been the one who came instead of Kenta. His golden haired friend was selfless for selfish reasons, he would've tried to make her stay and Nakamura knew that wasn't the right decision.