closed;

[substitutable]

Date & Time: soon after Kano's attack on dan
Location: Ayano's apartment
Characters: Ayano (koufukuriron) and Shintaro (substitutable)
Summary: Kano made Momo upset and now Shin is checking on Ayano.
Warnings: n/a

[Kano better hope that he stays away from Shintaro for a while. After making sure Momo and Ene are going to be safe at least, he sets out to go look for Ayano, worried that the evils of Kano Shuuya had gotten to her too. He also feels his stomach tighten as he gets closer to her apartment, remembering how he was told in his conversation with the fox-faced boy about how he can't keep a good eye on her.

He tries to control himself so that he doesn't knock too loudly on her apartment door, but it's louder than it usually would be.]

Ayano! Oi, open up!

Comments

[koufukuriron]

[ After that last text, Ayano had been unable to answer. She had been unable to anything actually. Calling Shintaro had been an idea she had had while texting, but once Kano's words had sunk in she had stopped thinking at all.

Shintaro will immediately notice there's no response. He will also notice the door opens under the weight of his fist.

Are those sobs, or are his ears deceiving him?

Only one way to know. ]

[substitutable]

[The open door is frightening. But hearing Ayano's voice gives him mixed feelings. He's angry that something hurt her again. He's angry that it was Kano. Upset that he couldn't prevent it. But there's also relief. He's relieved that she's still here. He's relieved, honestly, for a chance this time to reach out for her.]

... I'm coming in.

[He pushes the door the rest of the way open and steps inside, closing it behind him before he ventures farther into the apartment in search of the source of the voice. When he finds her, he calls out again, a little more quietly.]

Ayano?

[koufukuriron]

[ He'll find her by the bed, not over it, but sitting on the floor, back against it.

Crying. Or rather, doing a pretty bad effort to cover her cries now that she has seen Shintaro. He can't see her like this. Weak and vulnerable. He'll surely hate the way he looks. If Kano got fed up with her, what's stopping Shintaro?

Those thoughts aren't helping her to stop crying though. ]

[substitutable]

[Her attempts to hide are incredibly obvious. He can guess why she's upset like this, if Momo and Ene are anything to go by, and he clenches his fists once and frowns, walking right up to her and crouching in front of her.]

... I told you, didn't I? If you needed help at all, I'll listen.

I saw you crying once, back in middle school. I didn't do anything about it, but I promised I won't look away this time, didn't I?

[koufukuriron]

[ She looks up to him and tries to say his name, but she's such a sobbing mess that it sounds more like SHINAAAAAAAW than his name.

She's also leaning on him and crying like a baby. He's too good for her, she keeps telling herself that. Guilt and pity, is that all? He's here with her now, right? But maybe he's about to break her even worse. Break her for good. ]

[substitutable]

Wah... [He wasn't expecting her crying to lose control like that, but he doesn't push her away. Instead, he raises his hands, one to pet her hair and the other to tug her close, calling back memories from when he's have to comfort Momo, in their father's place before Mom could get there, after she'd fall outside and cry.]

You don't have to carry everything on your own. I promise.

[Aah, what embarrassing words. But they're honest. He can be sure he's being honest. He'll wait to ask her questions until she's calm again.]

[koufukuriron]

[ Slowly but surely her breathing steadies. He's sincere, so very sincere. She can rely on him, even if it makes her feel useless. ]

Something is wrong with Shuu-kun. He's not-he's not like that.

[ He wouldn't, she keeps telling herself. It has to be something. Her voice strengthens and resolve returns to her eyes.

Also wow Shintaro you're really close and acting really cool. ]

We have to do something.

[substitutable]

... You know.

[He sighs and lifts his hand from her head, then drops it back down in a pat.]

I got it. We'll figure something out. But forget that for now. Are you okay?

[koufukuriron]

[ Pat her more yes. It's...relaxing. ]

I'm-

I'll be fine. He wouldn't say that. I know Shuu-kun. I'm more worried about him than me.

[ It's kind of obvious. ]

[substitutable]

[He ignores that.]

What did he say to you?

[koufukuriron]

It doesn't matter.

[ At least not in the long run, she thinks. ]

He was just being mean.

[substitutable]

It matters to me.

He locked Ene in his tablet and upset my sister. At this rate he's probably said something to the other three, too, and maybe some more.