fragile ; oikawa tooru

⎯ 04 ⎯

the excuse of small talk was a little painful.

"mm," i hummed, thinking back to it. "you were pretty out of it," i stiffled a laugh.

"yeah, i guess it was the pain."

it wasn't...'

the sprain was painful, certainly, especially trying to walk on it, however, i was still somehow able to cope. i survived.

undoubtedly, it was oikawa's stress that was overwhelming him. whatever pushed him to that point ate away at him until iwaizumi returned and snapped him out of it.

i hadn't really tried very hard to do that, i just let him be but even if i had, i think that few people besides iwaizumi could've pulled that off.

"thanks again, if you weren't there i'd probably do something stupid," he chuckled. "and iwaizumi would be an extra 3x more angry with me."

you don't really need to thank me...'

i didn't voice my thoughts, knowing he would just deny it.

"i'll try my best not to fall into your care again," he laughed, forcing a smile on my own lips.

"yeah, try not to injure yourself again."

⎯

thereafter, the day felt slow and lengthy and as a result, i felt incredibly tired and thankful that hattori wasn't in my class.

oikawa didn't bother me for the rest of the day either so i let out a final sigh when the bell rang through the school, telling me that i could finally leave.

absentmindedly trudging towards the gates, i noticed a figure lingering at the school entrance.

what does he want now?'

once he came into clear view, i strolled right past him without a single word exchanged between us. i wasn't ready to spend any more seconds pretending like nothing happened whenever my muscles in my ankle tense up or i receive a random shoot of pain.

but to my surprise, i was left unnoticed and i couldn't help but halt on the sidewalk.

glancing behind me, oikawa remained stiff by the gates, his eyes fixed on the ground with an unreadable expression bearing his face.

of course,'

i scolded my stupidity.

it's not all about you, ikari.' i frowned.

letting my eyes wander over his hunched figure one last time, i debated with myself whether or not i should talk to him.

he reminded me of when he sat on the infirmary bed, detached from everything and lost in his own thoughts. it felt like it was my responsibility to do something, anything, like i did back then but...

it's not really my business... not this time'

i turned my back.