[Name] held his breath as he hid in the opposite room of Nagi and Reo. His shaky hands were pressed tightly against his mouth as he slowly slid down the door he had been leaning against.
God, he felt sick to his stomach.
He was so, so close to actually cutting the string. He didn't know what came over him but for a split second, it felt like he had been possessed. In the end, though, he suddenly realized just what he was about to do and was immediately overtaken by immense guilt.
While he didn't know if it would have worked, just realizing what he was about to do had him running away feeling distraught and ashamed. He still can't believe what he was actually about to do earlier.
Slowly, he let his hands fall to his side in a balled-up form as he released a shaky breath. He felt like such a terrible person right now.
If Reo didn't come, he wonders if he actually would've gone through with it and tried to cut the string. Would that change anything though? Somehow, he didn't want to know the answer to that.
His mouth tasted bitter.
He lifted his legs against his chest and let his head bury itself in his knees. His hand fidgeted unconsciously as he tried to get his mind away from the intrusive thoughts that had filled him in a moment of weakness.
He didn't know how long he stayed sitting there in silence but he eventually managed to find the energy to lift his head. The sky that was visible through the room's windows was visibly darker now, signaling that he must've stayed here longer than it had felt.
He wonders if Reo and Nagi have left right now. He wouldn't be too surprised if they did. It was getting pretty late. Would they be annoyed that he took so long? Worried, maybe?
As he wondered, he felt his phone vibrate. He opened the device only to be greeted by the chat nickname he had set for Reo.
"Speak of the devil..." he mused quietly to himself despite the lack of emotions swirling in his eyes. His hands clicked the notification allowing him to be directed to the private chats between him and Reo.
__________
Money by LaLisa
I'm so sorry we couldn't wait for you!
Nagi was complaining about being tired so we're leaving right now
Mama, I'm a star
That's fine! Get home safe :)
Money by LaLisa
You too! :)
__________
[Name] let a sigh leave his lips as he shut his phone closed. He stood up from his spot and patted himself down before trudging over to the windows on the other side. He opened one of the windows allowing fresh air inside the classroom. A cool breeze quickly swept through his hair as he pressed an elbow on the window sill and rested his face on his open palm.
The great part about being in this classroom was that it had an amazing overview of the school's field, meaning...
His eyes stared down emotionlessly as Reo ran ahead with a smile on his face while Nagi walked at a slower pace behind him. Both of them looked happy, content with just each other.
"So much for being sorry, hm?" [Name] hummed before giving a wistful smile.
This was fine, he thought as Nagi and Reo hopped onto the latter's bike and set off with a loud laugh. It seemed like something out of a movie as the wind caused both of their hairs to wave haphazardly in the air, the last bits of the golden sun's rays lighting their path.
He watched them until they were out of sight.
Now that he was a lot calmer and thinking clearly, he couldn't help but remember this saying people usually whisper about in school.
'Trios never work.'
He doesn't really think about things like that but as he finally leaves the classroom, he couldn't help but think they were right. After all, bikes usually only ever come with two seats on them, right?
__________
It was already pitch black when he finally made it back to his dorm room. He had taken his sweet time walking as he chose to enjoy the twinkling stars that came with the night sky.
He couldn't remember the last time he had taken the time to reflect and just enjoy existing with no one else. He's been so busy that he forgot that being alone held its own form of tranquility.
Unfortunately, that was all gone now as he unlocked the door to his dorm room. He opened the lights before stepping inside and closing the door behind him. The place was so quiet and cold that it almost made him want to shiver.
At times like these, he couldn't help but miss the greetings his mom gave him whenever he came home...
Huh.
[Name] stopped in his tracks.
When was the last time he came home to actually meet his mom? Despite always updating and keeping track of each other, it's only ever been video calls and chats.
A small frown tugged at [Name]'s lips at the thought. He didn't mind being busy to the point of neglecting himself but to his mom? He can't accept this.
He chewed on his lips as he turned to the calendar. He still had one more school day to go before the long weekend hits.
He squinted his eyes at it contemplatively before turning to the clock on his wall. He then turned to a nearby travelling backpack.
In a moment of impulsive decisions, [Name] began to pack.
__________
Knock
Knock
Knock-
"Hold on, I'm on my way!" Fumiko blinked tiredly as she trudged over to the door in her night gown. She couldn't help but wonder who would knock her door this late in the night. "Who is it?"
She opened the door only to be greeted by a male in a mask and a hat covering his face. For a split second, she felt her heart stop until the man pulled down his mask to reveal a face she knew all too well.
"My baby..." She couldn't help but whisper with a tender tone in her voice, one that she'll only ever use for him. "Welcome home."
[Name] couldn't help but tear up at the greeting as he nodded with a sniff. "Yeah, I'm sorry for not being home in so long." He spoke quietly, somewhat ashamed for his actions.
"Nonsense," Fumiko smiled as she opened her arms, always willing to accept her baby boy despite him not being a baby anymore.
[Name] didn't hesitate as quickly engulfed his mother into a hug. Despite the fact that he was a bit taller than her now, he couldn't help but still feel small in her arms.
It didn't matter how old he'd gotten or how tall he's become. He still felt like he was a scared child hugging his mom as tight as he could before he went to school.
For some reason [Name]'s heart couldn't help but ache as tears fell freely from his eyes. Quiet sobs left his lips but Fumiko simply patted him in the back in comforting circles.
"You must've been through a lot, hm?" Fumiko spoke in a soothing voice, the same one she uses whenever [Name] gets a nightmare in the middle of the night. "Mommy's here now, don't worry."
[Name] nodded as he bit his lips, his eyes glossy as he hugged her tighter. "M-mhm." He swallowed a cry as he buried his head into her neck.
Oh, how he had missed this, just being in the secure arms of his mother while they stayed inside the comforts of their home. It didn't matter how much fame he got, how much money he earns, or how many talented people he meets.
Nothing could ever compare to the warmth of his mom's embrace.