As Akamatsu entered the room with Amami, he crossed his arms with a sigh. His eyes closed shut as if he was hesitant to say his next words. He looked at nothing except his shoes.
"So, what do you have to tell me?" she asked him with a gentle smile. She was a little annoyed that he had dragged her here when she wanted to do something more important but didn't want to show it.
He sighed. "Kaede," he finally looked up to her and she felt weirded out as he called her by her first name again, "I really want to ask you this. Do you think we could become something more again?"
"What?" her eyes widened. "What are you talking about? I already said 'no'."
He let out a stupid chuckle as he scratched the back of his head. He had been expecting that answer but it still hurt. "Well, that makes sense. You've got Saihara after all." he let out a guilty smile. "Even though I haven't seen you in years, I couldn't help but keep my feelings for you. Honestly, I tried so desperately hard to forget about you the past few years but I couldn't."
Akamatsu gave him a weird look as he continued to explain. She trusted that he would forget about their relationship so what was happening right now?
"Pretty dumb, I know. I made the choice to drop everything we had. I didn't really explain why I did it so I'll explain it now.." Her brow raised in interest as the green haired boy explained himself. "I sacrificed everything for someone I wronged. I lost my sister on a trip because of my will for adventure. So I simply devoted the next few years of my life trying to find her."
She gasped from the explanation. The more she thought about it, the more she could understand what he did.
"I.. I wanted to get back with you after I found my sister. I believed that she was out there but yea, these years were for nothing. She's definitely gone. If I go out almost monthly to that island and still haven't found anything, she's gone." he clenched his fist tightly as he looked away with sorrow. "So now that I've accepted this fate, I want to get back at least something."
"..What do you mean?"
He approached her and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. She trembled at the sudden contact. "I want to be your boyfriend again. When I saw you with Saihara, I initially gave up. I couldn't get in between you two, I do like the guy. But when I heard your piano playing again and your enthusiasm.. I couldn't help but remember what about you that I loved." he reached for her cheek.
She slapped his hand away, a stressed tear accumulating in her eye. The guy who finally came back to her life is suddenly trying to get back into the relationship they had before. "Stop. We can't. I don't have those feelings for you anymore."
He obliged with a frown. "..Yea. You're probably right."
"I.. I moved on from you. Learn to move on from me too." Akamatsu was about to face away but he put her hand on her shoulder. With a unsteady expression, she turned around to see his face leaning in. She didn't have time to interact as the boy kissed him. His hand grabbed hers to steady her. Her eyes widened as their lips connected, a tear dropped at the sudden connection between them. She made a horrible mistake as he kissed her.
She hesitated to stop him.
Suddenly, the door creaked open and Akamatsu suddenly got cut off her trance as she looked at who it was. It had been her boyfriend.
Her face immediately paled as she reached out to him. Saihara's eyes dulled as he closed the door with a slam. She immediately pushed him off of her and took one final look at him to show her distress.
He covered his mouth to hide his expression. His eyes were widened as he looked past her, towards the door.
"Why would you do that, you idiot?! I have a boyfriend!" a tear rolled down her face as she glared at the green haired boy.
He didn't respond as he looked away. She didn't give him any more time to respond as she ran out of the room looking for her boyfriend. She wanted to slap him so badly but she didn't have time. She saw him walking out on the sidewalk to his house and she instantly ran after him.
She stopped the boy by placing a hand on his shoulder. The only light that illuminated upon them was the moonlight and the few streetlights in the urban neighborhood. He didn't look up to her.
She turned him around with a desperate cry. She grasped his shoulder tight as she tried to explain herself. "Shuichi!"
He shook her hand off as he began walking again. He continued to look down at the pavement beneath him, not giving a moment to look at his girlfriend.
She ran up to him again and tried to grab him. "I wasn't cheating, he initiated the kiss! It wasn't from my own free will, he kissed me without my consent!"
He finally stopped to look back at the girl. She could finally see the tears going down his cheek and she rubbed them off. He smacked her hand away, making her gasp.
"Even if that's true.. It's fine. It's okay." he looked away once again, not meeting her eyes. "I know Amami is better than me anyways in everything, especially being a boyfriend. I can't even solve a case by myself. I can't believe I was actually gonna rely on someone else for my own problems, what am I, stupid?" he let out a timid laugh.
"Shuichi, what are you talking about?! Amami isn't better than you!" She threw her hands out as she explained that to him.
"..I'm just some detective that can't solve a case. Amami is a renowned adventurer that can actually represent his talent well. You're better off with him anyways. I was probably just a temporary boyfriend until Amami came back."
"I don't care! I just want you.. Just you! I don't care if he's better at something, it's you who I fell in love with! I don't want Amami anymore!"
"Well, why?! Why did you fall for someone like me!? Because we were close friends before school, is that it?!" he yelled at her with tears in his eyes, his fists clenching. Akamatsu took a step back at his sudden outburst. "When we met, I was literally nothing! A detective with barely any confidence!" he swiped his arm angrily as he yelled. "Without you, I can't do anything.. I'm unreliable by myself. Seeing you with Amami at first made me upset. But when I thought about it, you can function without each other. You were right to choose him over me."
"Shuichi, that's not true! And I didn't want to kiss him! I swear! I still love you!" Now she was the one tearing up, her voice was thickening as she tried to convince the boy. A single tear dropped, leading on the rest. She grasps the front of her vest tightly.
"You like someone as useless as me?" still with tears in his eyes, he let out a laugh in disbelief. "Every single time I've done something, it's because someone else had motivated me or helped me out! I'm horrible!"
"Is that so wrong? We want to help you because we care about you! I want to help you because I love you!" tears streamed down her face as she sniffled between her words.
"I don't care." he said quickly, gritting his teeth. Akamatsu felt a sharp pain in her heart as the tears formed quicker than before.
"You don't need to waste your time on me. So, it's over."
Akamatsu's heart dropped, she gasped sharply as if someone had stabbed her. Her legs stopped functioning as she fell on her knees. "..What?"
"Just.. Just get with Amami. You don't have to waste your time on someone like me." Saihara hung his head as his bangs covered his teary eyes. He hesitated to open his mouth but eventually succeeded. "Let's just break up.. Bye."
He didn't give one more look at the girl.
"Shuichi!-" she tried to reach to him one more time.
"Shut up." he cut her off. Her words died with a hopeless squeak.
Without another word, he walked away, disappearing in the dark. The moonlight put light upon the lamentable sight of the pianist. She put her hands to her face as she sobbed, her voice cracked as she yelled out to the dark neighborhood. "Shuichi.. Shuichi...!"
It seemed she was right back then. She wasn't able to manage a relationship after all.
As Saihara walked home, the tears wouldn't stop flowing down. He was sure he had made the right choice, but that didn't make it easier to do the action. The only noise that filled the neighborhood was his constant sniffling and his uneven footsteps. He clenched his fist in frustration for breaking her heart, but he felt like he had to.
He really doesn't deserve Akamatsu. Amami was for sure going to treat her better than he ever could. He's just some shy, introverted detective that couldn't get anything done without anyone else. He knew he made the right decision, no matter how much it hurt him. It's better like this, really. He saw her eyes when she kissed her ex, it didn't look like she completely hated it.
He was the problem in between them. So he simply removed himself.
Honestly? Saihara wanted to run back and take back his words but he's gone already too far. Part of his break up with her was driven by his emotions and refusal to listen to her but he couldn't admit it. Though, this was a blessing in disguise. Maybe he could start to be someone that even he could be proud of because of this. It's fine anyways, he didn't deserve someone like her in the first place.
He bit his lower lip to contain a cry.
...
Amami comes stumbling out of the room after a while. He still had to process the incident that just happened so he stood in the room for a long period of time. Tojo and Hoshi immediately looked at him, they remembered he walked in there with Akamatsu.
She looked around. "Where did Saihara and Akamatsu go?" she asked Hoshi.
"Dunno." he shrugged. "I wasn't looking. Probably walked out already in another room."
"No.. I didn't see the both of them walking out."
His eyebrow raised. "That's because we're busy doing somethin' else." he pointed to the TV showing a colorful anime; Oma, Iruma, and Shirogane were all huddled up next to each other right in front of it. They also saw Keebo hugging his knees looking away in the other couch, concerning the two. "Heh, they're probably making out right now or something while we've been distracted."
"Perhaps you're right.." she let out a gentle laugh. "I'm probably being paranoid."
"Looks like you've got a ways to go.."
As Amami sat down with everyone else at the couch, he felt a little guilty. Of course, he had finally gotten the kiss he wanted but..
It felt wrong.
He wanted to get Akamatsu back but it pained him that he would have to hurt a fellow classmate in the process of that. He of course saw Saihara witness their kiss (although it pained him to admit it, he was a little glad about it) and maybe it could give a better chance for him to get with Akamatsu.
He then bit his thumb in frustration. Would he really be okay with ruining a relationship just to get with Akamatsu?
Yes.
It wasn't that he disliked Saihara, it's just that he's finishing his plan from all those years ago. If he lost his sister, he could at least get his girlfriend back, right? He leaned forward on the couch and let his hands cover his face as he thought. He slid them up to relieve the stress, his fingers pushed his messy hair up. A stressed groan escaped his lips.
Shit. He felt bad.
Suddenly, Akamatsu came walking back in the house. Her sniffles filled the room with noise, her eyes were puffy from sobbing. Some students looked at her with worry, Tojo tried to stand up but Hoshi stopped her. She walked past everyone to grab her backpack, thankfully they didn't say anything to her.
"Hey, Akamatsu?" As she was about to leave, Amami reached towards her.
Slap!
Her hand intertwined with his face, his face recoiled to the side. He didn't move his neck as Akamatsu glared at him. The other students focused their attention on them as the sound echoed through the house.
Amami didn't say another word.
"Ouch!" Oma whispered but Iruma punched him in the back of the head to get him to shut up.
Akamatsu finally looked around and saw everyone staring at her. Her face paled as she swiftly turned and practically ran out of the house. She slammed the door on her way out.
"I shall assist her!-" Tojo was about to stand up but Hoshi stopped her once again.
"Nah, give her time. That's probably for the best."
Although hesitant, she agreed; her eyes were shut in disappointment because of her uselessness in the situation.
"So Amami.. What did you do?" Oma asked him with a smile.
"Haha.. I'd rather not tell you guys." he responds with a chuckle.
"Oh come onn! It seems you upset Akamatsu pretty badly so.. Don't you think we deserve to know?" a sinister smile remained on his face. "You know, so we can help her out! Come to think of it, I don't see Saihara right now.. I wish he were here to cheer Akamatsu up! Or maybe you have something to do with it?"
"Hey, Oma. Now's probably not the best time to be messing around." Shirogane whispered to him in worry.
"Oh no! But I wanna hear what Amami has to say, no lies within this!"
"It's a pretty tense situation, Oma. I understand if Amami wants to stay silent, we don't have to butt in their problems." Keebo told him with a concerned expression.
Oma clicked his tongue, surprising the students for giving such a serious reaction. But then he laughed. "Haha, Keeboy said butt!"
The tension in the air instantly melted.
"Hey! I meant 'get involved with' their problems! You know that very well!"
"Ohh, okay! I thought you said the wrong word because of your lack of knowledge. You know, as a robot?"
"Wouldn't it be you with the lack of knowledge, not knowing the alternate meaning of what I said?!" Keebo fumed.
In an instant, they immediately forgot of what just happened due to their banter. Amami took a sigh of relief.
The hang out continued until it was time for the students to leave, in which he awkwardly walked home. Today was a pretty shitty day and he had been the main cause.
Miu Iruma added several people to a groupchat
Miu Iruma: WTF HAPPENED?
Kirumi Tojo: I do not want to talk about it if any of those involved are uncomfortable with us discussing..
Korekiyo Shinguji: I am residing in a hospital right now. About to get my lost blood back into my bloodstream, what occurred while I was absent from Oma's abode?
Miu Iruma: DUMBASS, thats why i didnt add them. saihara akamatsu and amami arent here so we can discuss all we want
Tsumugi Shirogane: Yea what happened? Did anyone see?
Kaito Momota: HOLD ON, whats happening rn? what happened to my sidekick??
Miu Iruma: hold your tits, i dont fuckin know what happened to saihara but im pretty sure hes involved. mainly because i didnt see him leave
Miu Iruma: did any of you see him leave?
Tsumugi Shirogane: I didnt see anyone
Miu Iruma: yea ima just assume no one saw him bc i dont give enough of a shit to wait for your responses
Kaito Momota: Wait what happened!?!??!?
Korekiyo Shinguji: Yes, my question remains unanswered as well. It looks like our texts have been disregarded, kehehe
Angie Yonaga: Akamatsu slapped Amami in the face!
Maki Harukawa: deserved
Kaito Momota: FR?
Miu Iruma: no she told you wrong information...
Miu Iruma: of course she did dumbass! is your brain as small as your dick?
Kaito Momota: shut up!
Korekiyo Shinguji: Ah I see... Amami used to be in a relationship with Akamatsu, correct? Perhaps there was some conflict between the boys. Ah, what love can do to teens! How beautiful...
Miu Iruma: yea man we dont need ur fuckin beauty speeches rn im just tryna read drama
Tenko Chabashira: how in any way is this beautiful??? it's awful!
K1-B0: Are you sure this is right to discuss this behind their backs? I mean, isnt it a little disrespectful?
Miu Iruma: its not disrespectful if no one knows
Tenko Chabashira: I saw amami walk in with akamatsu. i didnt trust that male for a second! But i was distracted! Im sorry akamatsu i failed you
Angie Yonaga: It is okay, Chabashira! Just confess your sins to Atua and all will be forgiven..
Kokichi Oma: So amami really dragged akamatsu in there, huh?
Ryoma Hoshi: yea tojo and i saw it.
Ryoma Hoshi: you guys know how saihara been acting strange?
Tsumugi Shirogane: Yea
Angie Yonaga: Yes!
Kaito Momota: a little
K1-B0: Yes
Maki Harukawa: definitely
Korekiyo Shinguji: Yes, I noticed.
Ryoma Hoshi: okay u all dont need to respond, anyways we tried to cheer up him up to talk to akamatsu.
Himiko Yumeno: yea hes been acting a bit weird
Ryoma Hoshi: we told him to go to the room we saw akamatsu head in and we didnt see him again. i assume something happened then
Miu Iruma: yea I thought the boytoy was exhausted from getting pegged by akamatsu all day though!
Kokichi Oma: can you shut the hell up iruma, if you used your eyes to read you'd see that he said "u all dont need to respond" u stupid bitch!
Tenko Chabashira: you do not need to go that far for a simple mistake, you male! iruma can be detestable sometimes but even I can hold back!
Miu Iruma: lrave me aoone
Kokichi Oma: Aww shes crying and cant type properly!
Kirumi Tojo: Okay maybe let's leave it at that
Kokichi Oma: Fine, anything for you mom!
Ryoma Hoshi: okay yes thats what happened on my side of the story
Kokichi Oma: thanks witness Hoshi. I basically understood what happened
Kokichi Oma: Amami took akamatsu's sandwich and she got mad at him! And the reason for saihara's disappearance is that he got bored
K1-B0: I do not think it is that simple!
Kaito Momota: Hes just messin with us
K1-B0: Oh oops
Kokichi Oma: Its okay, i didnt expect a robot to understand my joke :)
K1-B0: I dont know why I tolerate you and your robophobia.
Tsumugi Shirogane: I think maybe amami kissed akamatsu against her will and when saihara walked in the room he witnessed it?
Kirumi Tojo: I think you're right on the mark.
Himiko Yumeno: yea ur probably right
Maki Harukawa: I think so too. I find it hard to believe akamatsu would hit someone without a reason like that
K1-B0: Yea I think so too, howd you get a descriptive solution like that?
Tsumugi Shirogane: its a cliche i saw in an anime!
K1-B0: ...that's your reasoning?
Korekiyo Shinguji: Yet it seems like the most plausible answer.
Kaito Momota: so we have no choice but to rely on it.
Kaito Momota: im gonna beat the shit out of my sickness and beat the hell out of amami next
Kaito Momota: Respectfully!
Kaito Momota: If that actually happened anyway
Tenko Chabashira: I shall help you!
Maki Harukawa: I'm down
Ryoma Hoshi: maybe we shouldnt go that far
Kirumi Tojo: Let's just treat them like nothing happened, I can make a meal to cheer them all up
Tenko Chabashira: Youre too kind! Thanks tojo!
Kirumi Tojo: It is my pleasure :)
Saihara walked into his house, feeling more dead than usual. His uncle and aunt were probably asleep already by how late it was. His shoulders drooped as he wiped his wet eyes, he glanced to the right and saw the hat he had worn before resting on the table.. It was gathering dust from how long it's been sitting there. He hesitated to take off his shoes as he stared at his past shell.
He picked it up and put it on to cover his eyes.
He tossed his shoes off and grabbed his backpack with the case notes. He aggressively put it over his back and walked towards his room. He slammed the door as he entered.
I'm tired.
Saihara made no expression as he finally picked up his head. He slowly moved his eyes to his desk where he would spend the rest of the night. He tossed the backpack at his desk, knocking down his pencil cup. He let out a frustrated groan and didn't even bother to pick it back up. Hopefully he'd accomplish something today.
If only I was good enough to accomplish anything.. By myself.
The dead expression turned into a distressed frown, his knees gave out under him. He finally let out the sob that he's been containing all the way back to his house. He fell on the floor and curled into a ball. No noise remained except for the crickets outside and his pathetic cries.
...
As Akamatsu walked back to her house, she couldn't contain her tears. They freely fell on the pavement as she walked. She felt like an idiot, she felt like it was her fault for everything. She ruined another relationship and broke his heart. She shouldn't have gotten so close to Amami while Saihara was suffering, she wished she had just reached out to him.
But she didn't, and now everything is ruined.
With an uneven pace, she walked back to her house. Her grip on her backpack straps tightened as she thought about what just happened. Her expression broke as her lips struggled to form anything but a frown.
As soon as she got home, she quickly walked to her room and threw her backpack on the bed. Now that she was alone, she didn't have to contain her sobs. Luckily, her parents and grandmother were asleep so hopefully they wouldn't notice her weeping.
She fell on her bed with a thud and reached for a pillow. She buried her face in it with a loud cry, one that she had been containing all the way on her way back to her house. She could no longer contain her heartbreak over the boy. The hopelessness that she felt converted into tears, soaking into the pillow sheets.
She couldn't help but sob the detective's name as she hugged her pillow tighter. There was no movement besides when her head would recoil from sniffling. The only person that could help her out right now left her. She wanted more than anything to hear his comforts again, but she couldn't.