Webtoon: Refund High School
Requested by: @MyHeroDeku

Mook's POV

Holding onto (Y/n)'s hand, I brought her warmth to my cheek, willing for her to wake up. Staring at her sleeping figure, I was immediately overwhelmed with the memories of that cruel day.

That day...was all my fault. If only I hadn't confessed to Aru, if only I had realised (Y/n)'s feelings sooner, if only...I could turn back time. The history teacher had saved her life in the nick of time but I wasn't sure how she would behave when she woke up.

Interlacing her fingers with mine, I watched as she lay as still as ice, her features frozen in one of peace as opposed to the sorrow she must feel inside.

The door slid open as I looked up to see who had entered. Aru managed a smile as she sat down beside me, her eyes on (Y/n) and our clasped hands. Awkwardly retracting my hand, I stared at my lap inside.

"You've been in here everyday for the past two weeks," she commented.
"What happened to her was my fault. I have to...make things right."
"Hey, I know you said that you wanted to hold off talking about our relationship until everything's sorted but I think we should settle this now."
"Aru-"
"I don't think...we should...you know..."
"Are you worried about (Y/n)?"
"It's not just that. I've seen how you've looked at her. You...love her, don't you?"
"What? I..."
"It's alright, sometimes feelings can be deceiving."
"I was serious when I asked you to be my girlfriend."
"Mook, you have to make a choice. Is it me or her? If being with her makes you happy, then I'm fine with it."

She forced a smile before taking her leave. A sigh escaped my lips as I once again stared at the sleeping girl before me. I stood up, deciding that staying here would make no difference, seeing as how she still remained in a state of a coma.

Glancing back at her, I noticed her fingers twitch. Immediately running back to her side, I clutched her hand, eyes widening in surprise as her fingers wrapped around my hand.

Her eyes fluttered open, the afternoon sunlight creating a mystical glow around her soft gaze as she blinked slowly and adjusted to her surroundings. I sat down on the bed, too hesitant to do much else.

"(Y-(Y/n)?"
"Mook...where am I?"

She sat up, glancing around then at our hands. Pulling her hand out of my grasp, she stared at her lap as we sat surrounded in an air of uncomfortable silence.

"Do you...remember everything that happened before?"
"Yes...I do," she replied quietly.
"How are you feeling?"
"What happened to me? How am I still alive? Why...are you here?"
"The history teacher saved you. They got rid of the burns on your body but they're suspecting that your eyes will remain like that. As for your scales, they'll appear more frequently now."
"Why are you here?"
"What do you mean? You got hurt-"
"You know what I mean. Shouldn't you be with Aru right now?"
"Listen, (Y/n)-"
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't act so selfish-"
"The teachers explained...your condition to me."
"And?"
"They told me to stay by your side..."
"You...really don't have to. Go with Aru, I don't want to ruin your happiness."

I watched as she nimbly put her feet on the ground, her hands shaking slightly as she forced herself to stand up. Instinctively taking a hold of her arm, she froze, her body temperature rising to an abnormal level.

"P-please let go. You're going to get burnt."

I looked into her eyes, feeling a sorrowful flow of nostalgia and casual happiness seemingly mixed into a concoction as the familiarity of her beautiful eyes drew me in.

Although I had mentioned to her the beauty of her gaze, I highly doubted that she took the true meaning to heart. It wasn't a simple compliment nor mere flattery...I was completely in love with them.

She quickly shook her arm out of my hand as a small flame danced around her palm and travelled up her fireproof clothes. A second later, the roaring fire disappeared as if it had never been there at all.

"Y-you should avoid touching me from now on. I'll go tell the teachers that I'm up, and you should probably go to class," she exclaimed as she reached for the door.
"W-wait."

(Y/n)'s POV

Mook caught onto my hand and pulled me back, his arms wrapping around my body from behind. His grip only tightened when I tried to move as if preventing me from leaving and looking at the expression on his face.

"...I'm sorry," he whispered.
"I'm afraid a simply apology won't cut it."
"I'm sorry...I'm so sorry..."

Keeping my gaze on the floor, the sudden sound of his quiet crying filled the gentle silence in which we were surrounded. This, undoubtedly, took me by surprise.

"Aru said that feelings can be deceiving..." he exclaimed.
"I'm sure I was just deceived then," I said with a heartless laugh.
"...I've made up my mind."
"For what?"
"You."
"Me?"
"I want you- no, I need you."
"What are you saying? Aru'll be really upset."
"I've...long convinced myself that she was the one I loved...without taking into account the intimacy of our relationship...I just thought that...having someone to love would be nice..."
"Then-"
"Don't say that. It's always Aru this and Aru that. Don't you see? The one I love is you."

I felt my hands grow uncomfortably warm. Trying to push him away, I was met with dread as he refused to let me go. The flames reached his arms and surrounded his body as well as mine.

"Mook, let go!-"
"No! I'm never letting you go again! If it means I'll have to put up with your flames, then so be it! I'm not running away anymore!"

Tears streaked down my face as the flames continued to dance in the air. Unable to keep it in for any longer, I cried out in pain. Why was he willing to go to such lengths to mend our relationship?...

Turning me around, he placed his lips upon mine. I tried pushing him away, but his hands had already grabbed mine, rendering me unable to do anything.

"(Y/n), your flames don't hurt me," he whispered as he pulled away, our noses almost touching.
"How can they not? Don't lie to me..."
"I'm fine. You don't see me as someone you despise. I couldn't have spent those countless hours with you and not know who you are."
"Mook?"
"Yes?"
"Are you serious about loving me?"
"Have I ever lied to you?"
"*smiles* You idiot...I really hope you don't regret this."

He lifted my chin up and leaned down to kiss me once again, the two of us unaware of the girl who stood on the other side of the door. Aru wiped her tears away, smiling as she headed away and left the two alone.