you know i'm such a fool for you,
you got me wrapped around your finger.
do you have to let it linger?
— THE CRANBERRIES
CHAPTER 41 RAMEN
(name) was swallowed by panic as she and kazuha geared up for the eagerly awaited party invitation. however, a single phone call promptly shattered their festive plans, rerouting them to the solemn corridors of a hospital.
the (hair color)-headed girl flung open the door to the hospital room, her eyes desperately seeking the familiar face.
tears welled up as she cried out, "grandma!" racing to the bedside, she found her grandmother nestled in an unnervingly serene slumber.
meanwhile, kazuha stationed himself just outside the room, sensing the heavy and somber atmosphere that hung in the air.
hospitals held memories that haunted him, memories he tried to keep at bay. yet, for (name), he set aside his own discomfort, prioritizing her over his own qualms.
his heart ached witnessing her tears as her grandfather divulged the grim situation. "your grandmother hid her illness from you for a year." he explained, a furrow creasing his brow.
(name) frowned, demanding an explanation for the year-long deception. "but why? you know i don't appreciate you guys keeping secrets from me, especially something as important as this."
the grandfather, his face a mix of regret and understanding, clarified, "your grandmother didn't wish to burden you with her condition. she wanted you to focus on your studies. i disagreed, but i couldn't go against her wishes."
yet, the brief calm shattered when (name)'s aunt entered the room, her face contorted in disapproval at the sight of her nephew.
"what is she doing here?" she scowled. the grandfather sighed, "she needed to be here; she cared for your mother just as you do."
although protests echoed within the room, (name) reluctantly stepped outside. she knew that challenging her aunt wouldn't be wise, even if every fiber of her being resisted.
emerging into the open air outside the stifling room, she found kazuha leaning against the wall. offering a simple smile, he suggested, "wanna go get ramen together?" it was his attempt to offer solace, a way to divert her mind from the distressing situation.
smiling in response, (name) acknowledged, "and who am i to decline that?"
within the walls of the ramen shop, (name) was grateful for kazuha's company as they sat across from each other, steam wafting from bowls of hot ramen, both joyfully savoring each bite.
with a brief pause between slurps, (name) shifted her gaze to kazuha, initiating a conversation. "you know, i'm glad you decided to spend christmas on the university. i would've been all alone." she admitted.
kazuha, wearing a gentle smile, responded, "i thought i'd be spending it alone too. by the way, i couldn't help but wonder why your aunt dislikes you so much. you don't have to answer if you don't want to."
taking another slurp of her noodles, she hesitated momentarily before revealing to kazuha, "i was a mistake." the words hung in the air, nearly causing poor kazuha to choke on his ramen.
she sighed heavily, continuing, "well, that's what she said, but i know for sure that i wasn't. my mother passed away after giving birth to me, and my aunt blamed me for her sister's passing, which is utter nonsense."
she went on, "she still despises me because of it, refusing to move on. but i'm used to it,"
"my grandparents argued with her numerous times, believing she should let go of the resentment and not hold me responsible for my mom's passing, as my mom would've wanted that." casually continuing to enjoy her ramen, (name) spoke as if her story was just another topic.
meanwhile, kazuha sat in shock, his mouth hanging open. "i'm so sorry to hear that." he eventually expressed, but (name) dismissed it with a nonchalant response.
"don't be. it seems like the world hated me from the moment i was born. but my grandparents were the ones who truly looked out for me and cared for me. they didn't blame me for their daughter's passing; instead, they cherished me."
a genuine smile graced her lips at the memory, prompting a mirrored smile from kazuha. "if you don't mind me asking, where's your father?"
"i genuinely don't know. i never met him, and my grandparents refuse to tell me even if i ask," she shrugged. finishing her bowl of ramen, she exclaimed, "look! i finished it before you!"
kazuha seized the opportunity to shift the conversation, understanding the sensitivity of the matter. he smiled, "congrats, (name)."
her cheeky smile returned, and she teased, "i'm the best, right?" earning a light chuckle from him.
exiting the warmth of the ramen shop, the two stepped onto the snow-paved road, the soft crunch of their footsteps melding with the winter's hush.
the glow of streetlights painted a serene picture as they walked side by side, each step leaving imprints in the fresh snow.
kazuha, breaking the quiet ambiance, spoke gently, "you know, if something ever bothers you, you can talk to me about it."
(name) chuckled, the sound creating a brief melody in the quiet winter night. "i appreciate that, really. but i'll be fine." she replied with a playful glint in her eye.
after a moment's pause, she added, "okay, maybe i'll consider it." her words hung in the chilly air, a promise wrapped in humor.
a soft smile lingered on kazuha's face as they continued their stroll, the frosty air accentuating their breaths. seeking to shift the mood, (name) spoke up, "thanks for the ramen. it was really nice."
rather than responding, kazuha couldn't help but notice (name) shivering. with a subtle, caring gesture, he unwound the scarf from around his neck and draped it over her shoulders.
without hesitation, he gently took one of her hands, fingers intertwining in a comforting embrace.
curiosity painted (name)'s expression as she questioned, "what's this for?"
his response was a simple, warm smile. "just keeping you warm," he said. yet, the faint rosy hue on the tips of his ears betrayed that the warmth wasn't solely a defense against the winter chill.
(name) couldn't resist a playful tease. "ah, is this your subtle way of holding my hand, kazuha?"
he chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "maybe. but who said you'd mind?"
this playful banter earned a smirk from (name). "well, well, who said i'd mind?" she retorted, the chilly air doing nothing to cool the warmth of their exchange.
kazuha, with a sly smile, decided to take the teasing a step further. "oh, so you've given in, have you?" he teased, his eyes dancing with amusement.
she rolled her eyes playfully. "don't get too ahead of yourself. i just didn't say i'd mind. doesn't mean i've surrendered."
the boy chuckled, squeezing her hand gently. "fair enough. i'll take what i can get."
and just like that, he held her hand a bit more securely, intertwining their fingers.
↷ ⁞ END OF CHAPTER 41!
⟶ chapter written; january 16 2024
note. bye i feel like i'd
enjoy the reader and kazuha's
dynamic more than the others
🫣🫣🫣 i'll also start focusing
on this book for the mean time!
so expect more updates to come
!!!