_Chapter 52~ Days Off_

"Iwasaki, why are we even here? Let's go somewhere else."

"You can go if you want," he said, dribbling the basketball with his hands. On the cement of the basketball court, the sound ricocheted, ringing in my ears. "I want to play a bit."

"You're already so good though. Do you really have to?"

At my behaviour even I'd admit was childish, Ryu had somehow found it amusing. Smiling, he leaned forward slightly so that I could get a better glimpse of his face. "Yes, Reina. Now go take a seat if you're so unsatisfied."

Gazing into his eyes, I tried my best to fight the heat blossoming on my puffed up cheeks. "I'm not 'unsatisfied'... When you said you were going out I just didn't think you were coming to a park of all places."

"The weather isn't too bad today," Ryu dismissed, glancing down at his navy blue sweater. "And I told you you didn't have to come with me."

"Yeah, but I was really, really curious to see Ryu Iwasaki performing his weekend-ly activities."

Once again, a smile broke out upon his face as he propped the ball underneath his arm. "I see. So do you feel enlightened now?"

"A bit," I confessed. "But I'm not very impressed. Can't we just do something that even I can find joy in?"

Ryu hummed, repeatedly switching the ball between his fingers. "You can always play with me."

I deadpanned at him. "I said something I can find joy in."

"Basketball is joyful."

"Not for me," I easily retorted. "I'm not one for sports."

"Because you can't play them?" Ryu finalized.

Colour hadn't left my cheeks. "N-no! I so can! For all you know I can be a basketball prodigy!"

Ryu whistled in amusement, shooting the ball at the net and allowing it to make an easy basket. For a second, I was impressed. The emotion was quickly replaced once I heard his reply: "I didn't realize we were telling jokes."

"Hey!" I cried in disbelief. Ryu wasn't focused on me as he went to grab the ball, only irking me further. Before he could even dare to continue to shoot some more, I snatched the ball from his grasps, looking up at him with a frown. "I don't enjoy you looking down on me."

"I'm not looking down on you," Ryu replied with confused blinks. "Well, besides literally."

I hugged the ball closer to me. "Literally is enough. You can't just tell me I can't play the sport! I'll have you know I am perfectly capable of doing so."

"But I—"

Without bothering to listen to him finish, I extended the ball towards him. Right as he reached for it, I proceeded to fake cross him over and head towards the net. Ryu turned a second too late; I'd performed the best layup I could and luckily for me, after hitting the rim it swirled straight into the basket. As the ball fell through the net, I faced Ryu again, a smug smile playing at my lips.

Picking up the ball that continued to bounce around his vicinity, Ryu stared up at the net in surprise then turned his gaze back to me.

"Wow," he produced after a while, smile in play. "You really are amazing, Reina."

Rolling my eyes, I approached him again. "Now that I've established the obvious, can we leave?"

"Fine," he said, chest passing the ball to the ground so it could bounce and reach me. "I can't focus with you here anyway."

Content, I rose my arms to accept it. "Thank you—"

Before I could dare touch the ball, Ryu's hand shot out and he used his fingers to maneuver the ball to hit the ground and cross over to his other hand. Frowning, I reached for it again and he only did the same thing, passing it to his empty hand. Then, ever so dramatically, he sidestepped around me and bolted towards the opposite net. I watched as he performed an even smoother layup than I ever could, and instead of hitting the rim it went straight in.

Ryu picked up the ball and turned my way. After he caught my unimpressed frown, he only laughed and joined me.

"Had to return the favour first, sorry," he said.

My arms folded across my chest. "Why am I dating you again?"

He took my hand in his, leading me towards the sidewalk. It succeeded in making my heart flutter and judging by the smile that had grown upon his own face, he was most likely feeling the same. "Trust me, I ask myself that also," I woke up to hear him reply, voice full of sincerity. "And I'm grateful every single day."

* * *

"I don't think I can do it!"

"Reina, just take one out."

I hesitated, reaching out my fingers then cowardly retreating them again. "How about if it falls?"

"Then it falls," Ryu replied.

I deadpanned. "Thanks for the encouragement. You've totally made me want to pull one out now."

Ryu's eyes flitted onto the small game of Jenga we were playing, ignoring the stares of the families at surrounding tables as he reached to take out another one for himself. It easily slipped right out of the wobbly tower and he placed the piece with the rest of the ones he'd pulled out. "See," he said after a pause, "safe."

My impassiveness fell into the state of a frown. "Not anymore," I tried to reason. "Now it's one wood piece less stable."

"Oh c'mon," Ryu prodded, "you're the one that said we should play this game."

"I'd forgotten just how nerve-wracking it is; thinking that the piece you pick up can make the entire tower tip over," I admitted, picking up my pop and putting the straw to my lips.

After leaving the park, we decided to head to get something to eat and ended up coming to a nearby family restaurant. Since it was one I was familiar to going to when I was a child I'd suggested we play the game Jenga they offered to kids here to pass the time and so far Ryu and I hadn't gotten much along with the game.

"Fine, I'll just take one," I reluctantly groaned, going for it.

"You'll be fine," Ryu assured me.

I chose a piece towards the middle of the stack, pushing it forward and tugging it out the opposite end in the smoothest way I could. As soon as it slipped out, the entire tower began to wobble. I sucked in a breath as it teetered, eyelids high as I expected it to crash. Though, as if to save me, the tower's unstableness finally came to settle out. My shoulders slumped in relief as Ryu chuckled.

"See, it wasn't too bad."

"Kinda was," I said, setting down the piece. "Your turn."

Ryu went for a piece, with his typical poise. He effortlessly discarded another one and unlike my attempt, it didn't waver. It was as if even if it were to fall over it wouldn't affect him in the least. Maybe that was the kind of mindset you needed to have in this game?

"Oh yeah, Iwasaki," I spoke up randomly as a thought came to mind. "Guess what's coming up soon?"

Tensed, I went for mine and this time it slid right through. As Ryu reached for his piece, scouring the short tower with his eyes, he knitted his eyebrows together. "What?" he asked.

His confusion dispirited me a bit. I shook my head as I proclaimed, "Christmas!"

Ryu flinched and as a result, all the blocks came tumbling down. My eyelids fluttered in surprise as Ryu retreated his fingers with a sheepish look. He immediately went to stack them up again.

I laughed a bit, finding his reaction cute. Guess that settled that game. "Why'd you get so jumpy?" I asked him. "Do you not like Christmas?"

"Of course I do," Ryu replied.

"Christmas has to be my favourite holiday," I confessed. "All the lights, spirit, warmth, love."

Ryu fumbled with the rebuilding once more, scattering the pieces across the table. Nearby citizens gave us quizzical stares. I had grinned though, getting an answer as to why he'd jolted.

"And as amazing as spending the day with you sounds," I drawled. He'd perked in surprise, as if not expecting me to catch on to his underlying thoughts. I went on, "I was actually thinking we can go to Erika's upcoming gig and surprise her!"

Ryu met my eyes with clear confusion. "Gig...?"

My eyes glistened at the mention. "Yeah, you won't believe it! Erika's actually—" Before I could say it, I stopped myself. Pausing, my eyebrows knitted together. Wait, would it be all right if I told him?

"Reina?" Ryu called out.

I lifted my gaze onto him. It wasn't like I couldn't tell him. And Erika hadn't said I needed to keep it a secret anyway. Deciding to go with the thoughts, I briefly informed Ryu about my findings the other day. Unlike to how I reacted though, Ryu didn't think the news was much to go crazy over.

"C'mon! Show more enthusiasm!" I prodded him with a frown. "It's crazy news, right? I had no idea until recently too!"

"But Amaya isn't actually famous is she? Then why should you have heard of her?"

"She has a manager now," I pointed out. "Plus, she's family. I should've known... but she didn't even brag about it."

Ryu considered my words, finishing the last of his drink and lightly swirling the plastic cup. "So you want to watch her perform?"

"A lot! She told me she might even sing an original song. Or, if not, she'll cover another Mortal Mania song!"

"Mortal..." Recognition flashed in Ryu's eyes. "Oh, that band you like."

"It's the best band ever!" I declared with probably stars in my eyes. "Even when I went to see them perform I couldn't believe just how beautiful Kai Sunakawa was! His voice is so angelic...! He's kind of the comedian of the band too so his jokes are super hilarious. I honestly love everything about that man I swear!"

After the words had flowed out of my mouth, realization of whom I was talking to socked me in the gut. Apprehension creeped up on me at once and when I turned to see just how dejected Ryu had gotten my heart sunk in my chest. It was as if I'd just broken his heart to pieces.

"I-Iwasaki, you know me— I was exaggerating!" I hurriedly told him. Dammit, I was being misleading wasn't I? "I don't actually love him! I mean, I do look up to him because I love his music, but you're the one I—"

"It's okay, Reina, I get it. That guy's stolen your heart before I could." Ryu placed his hand over mine before looking into my eyes, reflecting a newborn resolve. "It's not fair... but I won't lose you to him."

I wasn't able to halt the fiery blush that had made its way to my cheeks; both his words and contact underlying reasons for it—they always were.

"B-but...he's a celebrity," I ended up stammering.

"That's why I get it's not weird for him to have a bit of your affection," Ryu murmured. "Still, I have a bit of hope don't I? You were ogling at pictures me."

I bolted to my feet, beet red. My heart was pounding way too hard in my chest I could barely regard anything else. "I-I already told you Aki gave those to me!" I protested. "I had a proper picture of us but he swapped it!"

"Did he now? I still haven't been proven otherwise."

"Th-that's because he took the photo! Next time I see him I swear...!"

"It's okay, Reina. I find it cute." He grinned. "You did give me the picture but if you want it back—"

"I said that wasn't it!" My shout had drawn all of the other customers' stares towards us yet again but such a thing was the least of my concern. My head dropped to hide my face. "L-let's just go."

Ryu laughed, only furthering my embarrassment. After ensuring I was safe to go, I quickly hastened towards the exit. A lumbering Ryu came after me before long.

"Reina, wait. I was teasing," he said as soon as he made it by my side, keeping my pace with ease. "Sorry."

Too late for that. You're already the reason my heart feels like it'll explode right now... It was the truth, but I couldn't dare say it. Then again, it was my fault thinking I could bury that event behind me. No matter how cute he was....

As we headed down central street, a thick silence of me attempting to swallow down my awkwardness hung in the air. And without a clear destination in mind, we only continued walking, too.

"Wait, doesn't Sugiyama like that band also?" Ryu spoke up to break the silence. "A band full of guys?"

"Oh, no. It's two boys and two girls," I corrected. "Daichi always goes crazy over the lead female singer. That's why during the concert it was pretty funny because he ended up freaking out like he was dying when she made eye-contact with him."

I slightly chuckled at the memory, the nostalgia ridding me of the current tension. Though, it had also brought an unspoken sadness. My laughing died out before long and my lips curved downwards before I could stop them.

"Hey, Iwasaki," I began after a pause. "Have you spoken to Daichi lately?"

"No," he responded, only dropping my spirits further. "I haven't seen him around for awhile. Why?"

I bit the inside of my cheek. "No reason. I just haven't seen him either."

I guess my dejection wasn't so subtle because Ryu's attention completely fell onto me. "Did something happen between you two?"

I heaved a sigh, keeping my gaze on the sidewalk ahead of us. "I don't know," I murmured. "I think he hates me."

"Whoa, what?" he said. I turned my focus onto him as he went on, "How could he ever hate someone as loveable as you?"

I jostled him, unable to stop the appearance of a smile on my face. "I'm serious, Iwasaki."

"I'm serious too, but okay," he apologized heartily. Though, it did shift into a more solemn mood. "So why do you think he hates you?"

After reaching a riverbank, we decided to take a seat on the surrounding grass. After taking a look at the sparkling river ahead, I once again sighed, bringing my knees closer to my body. "We got into some dumb argument."

"About what?"

"That's the thing," I said, turning my head to the side so that my ear was placed on the top of my knees. "It was about you."

Ryu's eyelids rose considerably, not expecting that. "Me?"

"Not in the way you're thinking," I assured him. "It was a day after we...you know... confessed, and Daichi was over at my house so we ended up talking about it. But because I didn't tell him all the details he got all mad at me like some kind of petulant child." Although it was awkward admitting it, I knew I couldn't lie to the guy. "Looking back, all of our conversations whenever we're alone or not take a turn towards you—like he wants to know every little thing between us."

Ryu bobbed his head, silently digesting my words before speaking, "That sounds a little creepy if you put it like that."

I rolled my eyes, shifting my body so that I was facing him. "I'm not trying to make it sound creepy, but that's just what it is. And because I say I can't tell him everything, he avoids me? He won't even answer my texts." Another frown spread across my face. And there was that whole thing with that weird dream and his sneakers.

"Reina, I'm sure it's nothing serious," Ryu reassured me. "Sugiyama's your friend, right?"

"He's my best friend!"

Ryu didn't seem too fazed by my declaration. "Then obviously a little argument like this—though weird—will pass over in no time."

Considering his words, hope swelled up inside of me like a wildfire. I rose my head a bit off my hands. "You really think so?"

"I know so," Ryu said, placing his hand on my head and mussing my hair a little. He leaned forward and planted a chaste kiss on my head. "So cheer up, okay?"

I nodded, placing my fingers to the spot. I hid my face a little. "You always know what to do to make my heart flutter don't you?"

A chuckle originated from him. "Don't say something so cute."

"But while we're still being honest," I went on again, "can I ask you one more thing?"

Ryu's brows creased together the slightest.

"Miyabi..." I shook my head, knowing it had come out weird. "The Student Council," I tried again. "Did they disband or something?"

My question spurned the response I'd wanted from Ryu. He fixed his posture, tugging at the grass. "I think they did a while back—when you were still admitted at the hospital."

My head jerked upwards in shock. My mouth had fallen. "Wait, seriously? How? What happened?"

"Nobody really knows," Ryu replied. "One day three members just quit in front of the entire school during the assembly. They got into some kind of argument... I wasn't there so I'm not sure what about but the rumours were flying around for awhile."

Hearing his words that resembled Miyabi's from the other day, I stared at him in disbelief. "And you didn't think this was important to mention to me?"

"The Student Council doesn't have much impact on the school anyway, so I didn't really have the urge, per se," Ryu drawled. Seeing my reaction, his complexion blanched. "Wait, why do you seem so angry?"

"Miyabi has been the only member of the Student Council for weeks now and we weren't there for him!" I responded, my voice raising a few octaves. "What kind of friends are we? No wonder he was so snappish the other day! He must be under a ton of stress trying to manage the entire school by himself! Who knew he'd be such a hard worker!"

Ryu appeared dubious at the words tumbling out of my mouth.

I snagged his sleeve. "Iwasaki, you need to be more supportive of your best friend!"

Ryu was appalled. "Best... No! Miyabi's not my best friend!"

"He isn't?" I tilted my head to the side in confusion. "But haven't you two known each other since tenth grade?"

"I guess," Ryu answered, frowning. "It's not like we were in the same class or anything, but he's the one that just barged into my life one day. And he's been incredibly clingy ever since."

"The same is with Daichi and I!" I told him. "At least, I met Daichi last year. You don't always become friends with people in those extravagant ways. And besides, Miyabi sees you as a friend!"

Ryu hesitated, quiet as he continued to fiddle with the grass between his fingers. "I don't know a thing about the guy," he finally said.

"Why are you so awkward?" I pressed. "Friends are friends! Ones like Daichi and Miyabi—they'll stick with you until the end. Besides, if you don't know him well now, you should just get to know him better, right?"

Ryu faced me, features riddled with incredulity. "I don't know...."

"You're too closed up, Iwasaki. Not everyone around us is an enemy," I reasoned. "We became friends and something great came out of that, right? Then it'll be the same with them! I'll try to patch things up with Daichi so you try to get to know Miyabi more. Deal?"

Ryu stared at me, silently. My smile widened as I quirked a brow and reluctantly, Ryu darted his gaze from me.

"Sugiyama would be fine to get along with... but maybe not Miyabi."

Shock etched onto my face. "But... why?" I questioned. "Even if Miyabi is polar opposites with you you could still get along!"

That sounded better in my head, I thought with a wince.

"That's not the issue," Ryu stated.

"Then what is?" I said. "Miyabi cares so much about you already, and he's been trying to make an effort of being your friend for so long now. Shouldn't you be considerate and loosen up a bit?"

"That's not it either," Ryu responded. "It's just...."

Not appreciating his behaviour, I glared at him. "Why are you suddenly acting like it's a bad idea? You just said you wanted to get to know him better."

"I didn't say that."

"Is there some kind of reason you haven't wanted to be friends with him before?"

Ryu ran his fingers through his hair, flopping onto his back. "His looks are just...."

"Looks?" I blinked. Miyabi's appearance? "Wait, you don't want to be friends with him because of how he looks?"

I hovered over his face and locked eyes with his, pressing for an answer. It only issued a dry smile to envelope Ryu's face instead. "Reina, you're frowning."

"That's because you're being all vague!" I accused. "Do you seriously not like Miyabi because of a petty reason like his appearances?"

Reaching out his hand, Ryu placed his fingers over mine. "It's not that."

"Then what is it?" My frown deepened, ignoring the goosebumps that arose on my arms at the contact. "You're so selfish, Iwasaki."

"With good reason." Ryu lightly smiled, giving my hand a squeeze. "Hey, Reina, I want to take you on a date. Can I?"

My heart stuttered in my chest. My eyes had widened a fraction, and Ryu pushed himself forward until he was sitting and facing me. He stared into my eyes, waiting for my response. Feeling a blush coming on, it took time for me to muster my voice.

"U-um, I-I..." I flushed even more. "Y-yes."

Ryu honestly grew so excited. Joy breached his countenance as his hold only constricted. "I already planned lots of places we can go together. An aquarium, amusement park—we can go on picnics or to a cafe! Or we can go to a planetarium too and watch the night sky! What do you think?"

Ryu's ramble and elation only managed to make me weak inside. He was so happy—maybe the happiest I'd ever seen him. Knowing that I was the cause for that couldn't help but melt my beating heart in more ways than one.

"Well, I don't think we can do all of that in one day," I eventually responded with a giggle.

Ryu's eagerness slipped a little. "Oh, you're right. Then, you can decide what we should do. I'll do whatever you want for the day."

I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from aww-ing. "You must be the only person to ever seem so eager just for a date."

"Well after everything I've put you through, it should be obvious. You've just made me so happy so I want to be able to make you happy, too."

Once again, I was caught off guard. Touched wouldn't even begin to explain how I felt. "Then you should've just accepted our relationship beforehand," I mumbled.

I barely was able to hear my voice due to the erratic pace of my pulse. The cause of it all was only sheepish as a result. Jeez... it wasn't my fair. How did he expect my heart to handle this all the time?

___________________________

Ryu's too precious. I've never written a couple, couple before so please forgive the amateur-ness of it all hahaha. I may also be cheesier than necessary (I probably already am though lol).

Anyway, what do you think will happen? Well, look forward to the next chapter!

-Misty