I looked over at the manager as she introduced me to the new part-timer, yet another college student looking for some way to help pay for all the things that scholarships don't cover. Hopefully this one would stick around longer than the last one. The work might not be the most exciting, but the paychecks were enough to pay the bills. Sadly, too many students just weren't willing to spend time doing tasks they considered meaningless and ended up either not doing the work or doing a crummy job of what they did do.
Greeting the blue-eyed boy, I wasn't too shocked when I heard that I would be in charge of his training for the next week or so. Until he was able to get the hang of the job and do it on his own, I would be in charge of him. I'd been through this more than a few times since starting this job, so I was used to the process.
"Hi, I'm Yukiteru Amano. Nice to be working with you," he greeted me in a soft voice. He seemed to be fighting off his shyness if I was to judge by the blush growing brighter on his cheeks, making me smile at him all the more.
At least this one didn't look like he would make as much trouble for the rest of us as the usual college students we got here did.
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"Thanks again for the hard work this week, Yukiteru-san! It's nice to see someone willing to put in the effort to keep things in order around here." I smiled as I watched him sit down at one of the empty tables in the break room, setting his backpack down next to him before he began pulling out some schoolwork he needed to finish.
"Well, it's what I am being paid to do. Besides, this place is nice for getting my homework done. My roommate back at the dorms makes it hard to study at times." He ducked his head down as he spoke, his bangs falling and hiding his eyes when he mentioned the person he shared his room with.
I didn't bother hiding my curiosity as I leaned over the back of his chair, peering at the paperwork before him with a grin. I didn't bother hiding a laugh at seeing a familiar sheet of problems resting on the table.
"Ahh, I took that class last year! Did you get Mido-sensei? He's pretty hardcore on his tests!" I slid into the seat beside his as I looked over some of the answers he'd already written down, noticing a few that while correct, would not get full marks from the strict teacher I remembered from my own class.
"Umm... Yeah, it is Mido-sensei teaching the class..." Yukiteru fidgeted beside me as he nervously watched me flip the paper over to see the questions on the back of the page.
"Wow, he's still using the same old questions for his homework? Talk about minimal effort to earn his pay... He could at least change a few things up, ya know?" Letting out a sigh, I placed the sheet down in front of him and began pointing out some of the problems I'd taken note of, offering some tips on how to improve his chances for a better grade.
The next hour passed quickly, filled with as much laughter and joking around as it was with hard work and study.
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"Thanks for agreeing to tutor us, (y/n)-senpai!" Yuki's voice echoed down the hall as him and his friend followed me down the hallway to my room.
"Sure thing Yuki-san! I've been helping you out for the past few weeks, adding one more person isn't that much of a deal. So, when are you going to introduce me to your friend?" I gave a quick grin at Yuki before turning to open the door, letting the two boys inside the small space.
At least I didn't have to share my room, having rented a small studio apartment rather than pay money into a dorm. Something about having actual privacy really appealed to me.
"Oh, sorry (y/n)-senpai! This is Yuno, my roommate." I gave the pink-haired young man a once-over, taking note of his clean uniform. Giving him a smile I held out my hand.
"So you are the notorious roommate who Yuki-san is always talking about! Well, I have to say, you don't look like a troublemaker. Maybe it's all the girls following a cute guy like you home that interrupts his study?" Giving him a playful wink, I turned back to Yuki, ignoring the beginnings of Yuno's denial of my words. "Actually, looking at the two of you, if I didn't know you from work I would have placed my bet on you being the troublemaker, Yuki-san."
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"And that is how you will find the answer to the extra credit problems he always gives on his mid-term exams. If he actually bothers to change it for once, this should at least come in handy for some of the later tests he will give you during the rest of the term." Exhausted, I sat the pencil down on the counter and stood up, heading over to the kitchen. "Either of you want some coffee? I have tea too, if you'd prefer. Oh, there might be some milk still in the fridge if I didn't use it all yesterday for breakfast."
Opening the door, I reached into the fridge and began shifting things around as I looked for the milk that might be hiding behind various other containers and packages that tried to fill the top shelf.
"No need to put yourself out. You are already doing us both such a huge favor, it wouldn't be right to expect anything more from you! We'll just get ourselves something on the way back to the dorms!" Hearing his words, I turned to face him for a moment before turning back and rummaging through the fridge again as I began pulling various items out onto the nearby counter.
Even Yuki couldn't say anything in denial after the loud grumble of Yuno's stomach had filled the kitchen, mine and Yuki's following along shortly after. We might have been studying a bit longer than we had thought, something confirmed with a quick glance at the nearby clock.
"The least I can do is see to it that my guests are fed before sending you guys off for the day." Waving the boys out of the kitchen, I began preparing a simple but filling meal for three.
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With my assistance, both of the young men I had been tutoring had passed their classes with flying colors last semester. During the break between semesters, all three of us could be found hanging out together whenever we had the chance, having built a stronger friendship over the past several weeks.
Even Yuno finally started acting somewhat more friendly, although he had taken to spending a lot of time on his phone. Every once in a while I would tease him about texting one of his fans (it's amazing how many girls and boys followed him around with looks of adoration on their faces), but he would just blush cutely and deny having an interest in any of them, although he did let it slip one time that there was someone he liked. He refused to say anything more about them, no matter how many times me and Yuki asked him, both of us happy with the idea of being able to help him get together with whoever the lucky person was.
Setting the spoon back into the bowl, I smiled at the two seated across from me on the spread out blanket, enjoying the feel of the sun shining down on us. It really was a perfect day for a picnic with the sky clear of all but a few soft looking cotton white clouds, flower buds just beginning to appear on the plants that had only just begun sprouting leaves again recently. Yes, Spring really was trying to make its appearance as Winter had finally released the hold it had for so long.
If only days like this could last forever.
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This was the third time this month that something had gone missing. I could have sworn the shirt had been in the laundry bin, but now that I was putting everything away after the trip to the laundromat I just couldn't find it. Maybe it was still in the washer or dryer. I'd better go back and check to make sure I didn't leave it behind.
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I swear someone's watching me lately... Every once in a while I can almost feel their eyes on me as I walked between classes the first week back after the new semester started. Part of me wishes that I knew someone in my classes but the small group of people I'd gotten to know had either taken different classes this semester for their major or had started ignoring me for some reason.
At least Yuki and Yuno still talked to me.
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"Class, please welcome a late transfer into the class. Gasai Yuno will be joining us from today onward. Please introduce yourself, Gasai-san." The teacher turned towards the pink-haired student who had just entered the classroom as I stared wide-eyed at Yuno as he just sent a quick wink to me.
Shortly after introductions were complete, I found myself blinking at the friendly grin on Yuno's face as he sat in the seat next to me, wondering how and why he had transfered into this class. Oh well, at least I finally had someone to talk to.
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Over the next few days, Yuno transferred into two more of my classes. He didn't seem to have too much trouble keeping up with the work and when I asked about it, he explained how they worked with his plans for attaining his major, even if it was a bit off the usual way most people lined up their classes.
Who was I to complain about it when I finally had someone to talk to, someone that didn't mind walking me to and from classes during the times I had normally felt those unknown eyes watching me. Even if we only shared three classes, the other classes he had always seemed to be close enough to each other that we could walk together most of the way.
The relief I felt when the feeling of being watched faded was strong enough that I couldn't help giving Yuno frequent smiles and even a hug once or twice after I explained what had been going on. He just nodded in understanding and accepted the hugs with a friendly smile.
At least now I only seemed to have to worry about the occasional missing item back at home. School had finally gained some stability again.
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"Ahh, this was just what I needed Yuno-kun. Thanks for letting me come with you today. I really enjoyed that last ride, even if the roller coaster was a bit scary. Just promise you won't tell anyone at school that I screamed during the big drop, okay?" I grinned at him as we walked out of the amusement park, a half empty bag of popcorn and a stuffed animal keeping my hands full.
"I'm glad you came along too. I promise I won't tell anyone that you screamed. I would hate to think you might refuse to go next time if I said anything. I really want to do this again with you." His pink eyes stared into mine as he came to a stop, his fingers slowly reaching out and caressing my cheek.
I could feel the blush start to heat my entire face before he pulled back with a grin grabbing the popcorn from me and turning to continue down the path towards the bus stop. Blinking in confusion, I was left standing there for a moment before my feet started to move, slowly following the young man that had just shaken my world without even seeming to realize it.
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It had been two weeks since we had gone to the amusement park together and he still hadn't said anything about what had happened. Not even Yuki seemed to know what was going on with Yuno, not that I told him about what Yuno said or did when we left the park.
I was starting to wonder if maybe it had been a joke, him just playing around with me and thinking I would understand.I wasn't sure if I should be relieved about things or disappointed.
It didn't help that one of my towels had vanished last night after I'd taken a shower and went to bed.
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"Hey Yuno, did you want to maybe... I don't know... Go someplace today? I mean, just as friends I guess?" I couldn't help feeling sick to my stomach with nerves as I waited for his answer, my knuckles turning white as I gripped the edge of my seat, out of sight of the person I was talking to.
I could feel my heart beating erratically as I sat there, having realized I wouldn't know if I liked this person as just friends or something more until I actually gave things a chance. If my feelings for him grew, then maybe we could see where it went. If not, then we could hopefully remain as friends. Either way, I was willing to try if he was. But then, that was the big question that loomed over me. Was he willing?
I was shocked out of the train wreck my mind was heading for, by the feeling of soft, warm lips brushing against my cheek. Looking up, I was met with a smiling face before he nodded at me.
"I'd like that."
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We had gone on several dates over the next few months before I realized things just wouldn't, couldn't work out between us. Yuno cared for me, I could see that easily and in the beginning he had been so sweet and kind, treating me like I was the most important person in the whole world. He'd taken me places that I never would have gone on my own, plays and musicals, even the occasional concert if a band I had mentioned liking happened to be playing nearby.
But then things changed as he slowly became clingy and overprotective, not letting me out of his sight when we were out together and being confrontational if anyone else came up and tried to talk to me. He even began acting slightly aggressive around Yuki, someone who had done nothing but show support towards us when we started going out. Not everyone acts so supportive of their best friend's dating each other.
When the end of the current semester was at hand, I finally decided to call things off, telling Yuno that I just couldn't deal with his control issues. I refused to show how scared I was of him when I saw how dark his eyes went, feeling nothing but relief when he finally turned away and left the room. I barely managed to sit down before my knees gave out.
I still don't know if I cried at that moment because I thought everything would be okay now or if it was because I'd actually started to fall in love with him before things fell apart.
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I decided to take a break for a semester or two before starting classes again, telling Yuki I would keep in touch with him but needed some time to figure things out, to find my place in the world again. He promised to give me the space I needed and assured me he would be there if I needed to talk, keeping our conversations private from Yuno. He even suggested using some of the vacation time I had saved up to take a trip somewhere, to get away from it all.
Going to my boss, I put in a request for time off and within a week I was taking a train to a small town. I had a distant cousin living there who was willing to let me stay in the guest room, were I could relax and try to find some peace of mind during the next couple weeks.
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It had been Yuki's daily messages to me that had kept me in touch with what was going on, that had let me know about Yuno's quiet transfer out of the college and into another one in a distant city. Although part of me felt bad about his leaving, another part of me was relieved that I wouldn't have to face him anymore.
It had been hard enough those last few days of school, feeling his eyes on me as I did my best to act like everything was normal, like I wasn't breaking apart at the seams. It had been nearly impossible to keep the tears held back until I got home, where I felt safe showing the vulnerability I felt.
By the time my vacation was over and it was time to go back and think about returning to work and later college, I had found the ability to smile again. Maybe everything would be okay after all.
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I was too focused on making sure the wheels didn't catch on the last stair as I boarded the almost empty train to head home, not paying attention to what was in front of me until I bumped into another passenger, closing my eyes and waited to hit the floor. Feeling someone grab me from behind, I opened my eyes and began pouring our apologies to the flustered looking lady before me as she gave a quick wave and turned back around, finding her seat quickly. That just left the person behind me to thank, one of their hands still holding onto my arm for a moment longer to keep me balanced.
"Thank you so much, I'm so sorry to have caused you trouble!" I burst out as we made our way down the aisle, keeping my eyes on the path in front of me even as I turned my head a bit to let them know I was speaking to the person behind me, not wanting to block the other passengers trying to board the train.
"Of course, (y/n). It is my pleasure to be of assistance to you." A familiar voice spoke from behind me, causing me to gasp as my heart skipped a beat in fear.
Before I could do anything, I felt my luggage get taken from my hand and lifted to the storage area above us, a hand quickly guiding me into the empty seats below. Soon I was looking into familiar pink eyes, my hand clasped gently within his cool fingers.
"(y/n), you have no idea how much I regretted things when you left me. I regretted the way I behaved, the way I did things, how I made you feel. I regretted and still regret how I made you cry. How could I make the one person who matters to me cry like that?" I shivered as I felt his other hand bring a piece of cloth to my face, carefully wiping my cheeks dry of tears I hadn't realized had begun to escape from my eyes.
"Please, leave me alone. I don't want to be with you anymore Yuno. I don't want to feel that way for you anymore." My soft whispers were muffled by the cloth that he was still using to gently brush my tears away.
"Shhh. It's okay. I'll make everything okay. I won't hurt you this time. And I won't let anyone else get in the way this time. You'll see. This time I won't give you a reason not to keep loving me. I promise." With those words gently spoken into my ear, I finally realized it wasn't my crying that had me feeling so light-headed, the smell from the cloth finally hitting me as my head came to rest against his shoulder.
Just a few minutes after I fell unconscious, Yuno smiled at the attendant there to collect tickets as he pulled two out of his coat pocket.
"She's had a long day. A friend of hers died recently. It hit her pretty hard. Please let her rest until we get to our stop. With any luck, she'll sleep through the transfer and get to wake up when we reach our new home." He smiled brightly at the lady as she grinned down at the couple, the attendant thinking how cute they looked together as the pink-haired boy gently wiped the last of the tears from the sleeping girls eyes.
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It would be days before anyone even realized she was gone, any chance of finding her gone among the streets of a city that she wasn't awake long enough to even recognize before the stolen car was already leaving the city limits.
As the fumes put her back into her unconscious state of rest, the soft lullaby Yuno was singing filled her ears.
Sleep little one
Sleep already
Or the Coco will come and take you away.
Sleep little one
Sleep already
Or the Coco will come and eat you up.