The dormitory is quiet.
Nanase walks through the empty hallway. It is evening, going by the darkness that swallows the hues of orange and red. All day she was busy acclimating to her new self-study routine along with physical exercise. Her limbs ache, she realises. Overdone; rust collected from nearly a month of negligence. How careless of her.
The sparse sunlight is a companion with an exhaustion seeping into her bones. One that's leaving soon, like the one missing when it should be never. Clad in a light blue coloured dress, her steps are pacing aimlessly. Her eyes fall upon the students from the edge of her high floor. Looks away from those multi-coloured pinpricks. She turns around, the few stars going out from her sight. Her feet continue pacing, unrest in her stomach twisting.
Tomorrow is a Sunday. Normally she would be planning for her goals, very important goals and a mere sensation of stomach twisting wouldn't be a bother. Little scratches. Her lips part, she lets out a sigh. Why was she ruminating? She knows what to do, and has been reminding herself for days.
Yet days she is wasting. Days he no longer has for himself. For her. She shuts her eyes, the chattering students in the distance vanish, the dim light of bulbs and stars peeking through leaves.
It's only Nanase and her breathing. A echoing tide of water that washes over her ears, a swathe of liquid that strikes the bony structure in her chest.
She turns on her heel, suddenly reopening her eyes, and then closing again as the light bites into her pupil.
Her feet stumble for a moment, and suddenly steadies. Not her with fatigue. It was faster, she notices, as her skin picks up the feeling of slim but firm fingers closed tight.
She cracks open an eye, eyes adjusted to the brighter light. Golden eyes stare at her, an odd but familiar light flashing in them for a split second.
"You shoulda be more careful, y'know?" The girl chirps, her vibrant scarlet hair in a ponytail bouncing. "Appears like you have eaten nothing. You didn't? There's not even an exam yet. You expect to carry your weight like that?" The girl shifts her grip over Nanase, moving to her side with an amused smile.
"I'm fine," says Nanase. "I apologise for the trouble. I'll be leaving... Awasawa-san?" She remembers the girl's name. It's been a few days only and she finds herself surprised that she didn't forget this girl's name. She wasn't a priority.
"Hey, now," Awasawa interrupts. "Let's go eat, baby girl."
"Excuse me?" Nanase blinks, a broken breath hitching out from her.
"If you can't carry yourself nicely, not without slamming your head in a wall, then you gotta join me to some cafe." She turns her head, waving a hand, humming a soft tune. "I find myself in the mood for something sweet."
The hallway is a little less quiet.
Nanase steps forward, thinking.
And joins her. "I suppose I would be fine with something sweet." She tries for a smile, hoping it is not weak and misshapen.
Awasawa doesn't say anything. It's fine, this break in silence.
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Words: 531
Published: August 03, 2022
YOU ARE READING
COTE: Vignettes archive
FanfictionA collection of random scenes, one-shots, potential stories that I used to write. Disclaimer: I do not own Classroom of the Elite or any of its characters. It belongs to Shōgo Kinugasa and respective other owners.
