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Repulsive. That's the one word that kind of sums up her whole opinion of it. The big scar that runs over her shin, still a deep pink despite it being a little older now. It was hideous, or so she'd convinced herself anyway; how could anybody possibly love the girl with the torn up leg? She'd gotten it jumping hurdles— one nasty accident had made her quit forever. Tears filled her eyes which threatened to burst. She couldn't wail like a child here, the team were just in the gym next door, and someone would surely come to check on her eventually. Storage rooms always seemed to make for good movie clichés didn't they? Hiding, kissing, and apparently sobbing now too.
She hadn't realised the tears had spilled until she heard the sharp intake of a breath that could only be hers. Short, shallow breaths hammered against her ribs as she tried so desperately to stay quiet. She couldn't, and a sob ripped itself from her throat as she once again stared down at the still-healing gash her socks barely covered. Why her? People seemed to fawn over her looks, giving her eyes of nothing but complete adoration. But they didn't see it, they didn't see the horror she had to mask every single day. They didn't see the way her mother had stuck her nose to the sky at the wound, telling her daughter that no man could ever look twice at her once they'd seen it.
She brought her sleeve up to her face and rubbed lightly at her eyes, careful not to redden them more than she's sure they already were. That's when she heard the door click. Stilling almost immediately, she somehow hoped that whoever had wandered in here couldn't see her— as if she'd just magically disappear if she sat statue-like. Unfortunately, she wasn't so lucky as to become invisible; she just hoped the mystery person was Yachi… Please let it be Yachi.
"Kiyoko..?" She winced. That was not Yachi. That was Tanaka Ryuunosuke. A boy who she did actually give quite a lot of thought to, but figured her mother was right— he'd never spare her a glance again if he were to see. Repressed feelings were never a good thing, but she couldn't help it. What was she supposed to do?
"Hey, it's okay." He shut the door behind him, offering a silent prayer of thanks to Takeda for installing a little light bulb. He squeezed around her until he could crouch down in front of her. Woah, her eyes were so red; had she been crying for a long time? He plopped down in between her feet and ducked his head down to try and meet her eyes. "Look at me, it's alright y'know. I still think you're super pretty, even if you're a little snotty." She snorted at that, though it lacked her usual cheer, but it was still a win in his book! He reached forward and gently pulled her arm away from her face. The sleeve was soaked through with tears. "Oh, no snot then?" A tiny smile pulled at Kiyoko's mouth. How could he figure out what to say? How did he do that? Just making everything better with a smile like that is really hard to do… She thought so anyway.
"I came to check on you, just assumed you couldn't find the papers. Don't worry, nobody's suspicious or anything if you're worried about that." She shook her head, she hadn't really been that worried, she liked to take her time anyway. Of course, it was always a possibility that someone would come looking, and someone would have, had she taken that long. But ah, oh well. He searched her face for anything that could tell him what was wrong, some indication of pain? Maybe it was cramps? Sugawara was a little better with that sort of thing than he was, but he knew a bit. He looked around a little, trying to think of more to say for the poor girl that just sat limp in front of him.
His eyes locked onto her leg, and he drew in a tight gasp. "Uh… Don't kill me for asking, but what the hell happened?" He pulled the hand that had been holding her arm away and slowly inched it towards her injured— no, that's a scar?— leg. She flinched once she realised he was going to touch it. "No!" He stilled, looking up at her with slightly widened eyes. "A-Ah! I'm sorry! I was just making sure it didn't hurt!" He retracted his arm and let it be covered by his other one over his knees. A few tears escaped her again, shaky breaths clawed at her neck. "It… Was during a track race. Well, you know, the hurdles I used to jump." He nodded, staring back at the pinkish scar. It had obviously been deep for it to scar quite that badly. "It's cool."
Her head shot up to stare at the side of his head, his eyes were still trained on her leg. What did he just say? He just. No. Surely not. She laughed despite herself, bitter sounding even to her own ears. "I didn't ask for you to see this. Please leave. I'll be out in a second." He brought his eyes to hers then. He could see the fear in her eyes, though he was sure he could see it mixed with just a drop of hope. "You think I'm joking, huh?" He smiled softly, reaching back out to take her hand in his. Calm down Tanaka, this is all very new, but if your heart could kindly stop beating at a million miles-per-hour, that'd be lovely. He'd dreamt of a moment like this, though without the whole injury part. Her hands were much smaller than he'd anticipated, and his hands weren't really all that big. The girl of his dreams was actually letting herself be comforted by him: the big dorky "battering ram" as Nishinoya called him. He wasn't built for soft moments like this— or so people thought. There actually wasn't anything he hoped for more, than for a picnic date, or a drive-in cinema with fairy lights lining the car. He wondered if Kiyoko would be excited by either of those things.
"You're…" He sighed, he'd told her this so many different times, but this was different. This was a whole new atmosphere. He'd never actually been alone with her before, he'd never been this close to her either, other than when he was with Nishinoya. That didn't count. A tiny giggle came from above him. "You're blushing, Tanaka." He sputtered, a few babbles of "no" and "of course not" came flowing from his mouth. "Look. I could say you're beautiful, but that's something you've heard too many times for it to really mean anything coming from me." She was shocked, is that really what he thought? He was the one who gave her the most compliments, how could he possibly think that his comments didn't make her feel better? No matter how silly they were. Though she supposed she hadn't really given him any reason to think that what he said had any impact on her, she shut him down everytime in public without question, but he never seemed to be deterred by that. Some might call that creepy, but it wasn't like that, he wasn't trying to be overwhelming or gross— she was certain that if she truly asked him to lay off forever, that he would without a second thought.
And she'd be correct, he'd rather die than make her ever feel uncomfortable. "I think it looks cool— don't look at me like that, I'm serious. I don't know why it looks cool but it just does, alright?"
Her free hand was fidgeting with her skirt. Was it always hot in here? Damnit Kiyoko, say something. Anything.
She leant over him and hugged him as best she could, given the position they were both in; she was sure his thighs felt like they were on fire by now, but it didn't seem like he was going to say anything anytime soon. She wasn't stupid, she knew he was likely internally screaming. After all, she had absolutely no doubts that what he felt for her was genuine, but she needed this hug. Is selfishness truly selfish if it benefits both parties in the end?
He shook lightly, his hands twitching with uncertainty. What did he do? Where did he put them? Around the back of her neck? Around her torso? Did he rub her back? Or maybe her hair… No, that wouldn't work, what if he messed it up? Hah, it was almost as if she could read his mind as she brought her arms around behind her to guide his hands to her back. Around her torso, right. Noted. Well done Tanaka. He held her, firmly but also with a gentleness she'd never really seen in him before. She pressed her face into the side of his neck and fought off another wave of tears. If she left a wet patch on his shirt, then everyone would know she'd been crying.
"Y'know, this isn't how I'd pictured our first moments together." She pulled away slightly to look at him, before smirking slightly. "You've been picturing things?" If the ground could open up and swallow him whole, now would be the best time to do exactly that. Please. No? "I mean… Kind of. But anyway, are you okay now? Here, let me." He pulled her sock back up her leg and fixed the top of it so it layed flush against the bottom of her knee. There was a fondness in his eyes that she'd never send before, but she chose not to comment.
What was this feeling? Whatever it was, she thinks she likes it...