Your stares are too much to bear...please stop.

╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳

He fumbled with the beads of the necklace
to distract him from the sickening feeling
growing in his gut.

Stop staring at me.

He grabbed the necklace abruptly and gulped.

He faked a smile,
knowing he wouldn't be able to fake it for long.

He felt queasy—
beads of sweat formed around his neck.

Hasn't this happened before?

"You two know each other?"

The teacher asked.

"Yes. He helped me get here,
and even accompanied me to the faculty room."

The slight amount of praise from Shouta
changed their expressions.
They were now smiling at Ryuu.

Now you smile at me?

"I guess you can sit beside Ryuu then."

Shouta happily chatted with Ryuu,
and Ryuu played along
even though he felt like he was about to
puke at any time.

He lasted a whole period
and immediately ran out when recess came.

The bathroom.

He entered so quickly,
the people inside thought he was a madman.

He retched loudly,
not caring if anyone would hear him.

This has to stop...but how?

After washing his face,
he went back to the classroom.

Shouta wasn't anywhere in sight,
so Ryuu napped.