"Rebel With a Cause" - Ran x Male Reader

Chapter Three - "Why I'm Like This"

..."'Cause I don't need to follow the rules and obey"

*(Y/N)'s POV*

Ran... slapped me?
Why...? What did I ever do to her?

I looked at her face.
She seemed upset.

"Let's go," she muttered.

"Go where?" I asked.

"I dunno. We're stuck here until someone comes."

"What do you mean--"

"They left us here," Ran interrupted. "The class went back."

"No, that can't be possible," I replied.

"I'm serious. I don't care what you do, I'm staying here."

Ran sat down near the Hachiko statue.

This is the first time I've got a good look at it.
The bronze statue, a triumphant Akita dog who actually existed.

"Can you believe it?" I said.

"What?"

"How strong loyalty is... That dog waited years in the same place."

Ran scoffed. "Loyalty? That junk never works."

"What do you mean?" I wondered.

"I mean, when has loyalty ever paid off? It's all... nevermind."

What's Ran going on about?

"Umm, Ran?"

"It's just... I've never felt the need to follow the rules. Why should I?"

Ahh, I see.
A quick glimpse into Ran's heart. I'd better take advantage of this moment!

"If I may ask, why are you like this?" I asked, sitting down near her. "What's your cause?"

"M-my cause?" Ran looked at me with confusion. "Cause for being such an awful person?"

"You're not awful, Ran. I... I like the rebellious side of you."

"H-huh?" Ran began to tear up again.

"Yeah. It's such a cool part of you. Well, beside the whole 'ignoring me' part, I think it makes you... you!"

"No, that can't be. I've tried to change, but... you're telling me you like me like this?"

"Yeah. It defines you, Mitake Ran. The fire in your heart burns hot."

"Shut up," she said. "Shut, up!"
Her voice gradually began to rise until the whole area echoed her voice. She quickly stood up.
People's heads turned to look at us.

"You behave like you're supposed to," she shouted more. "I don't like that! I don't want to be like the others! You don't mean that!"

"Ran, it's fine. I do mean it."
I reached out to her to calm her down, but she slapped my hand away.

"Stop it," she said. Now, she's crying even more.
Her hands drooped down to her sides, and she put her head down.

I came to her side, and embraced her.

"I don't care if you slap me away again," I said, calmly and quietly. "Just know that I will be there you."

"Why...?" Ran said, between sniffles. "Why do you care for me so much? Someone... you hardly know...?"

"It's because when I first saw you, I felt you were the one. Your passion... I felt it. You captured me."

We stayed embraced like that for a little while.
But we were interrupted by somebody.