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[Painful memories]

...

(Yuma's POV)

It had already been three months since the accident took place, but it felt like it happened yesterday.

I would never be able to forget that pain. How my whole world crashed down after watching the news.

Hotaru and her boyfriend Fujiwara had died in a car accident while they were driving home.

The memories that had been hunting me in my sleep. All those times when Hotaru did... Things to me. I just couldn't forget that stupid smirk of hers and her teasing personality. And as much as I hated to admit, I felt bad for Fujiwara as well. After all, Takeda and him were close friends and used to hang out a lot too...

Ever since, I began to lock myself in the room and act sort of distant towards others. I just needed some time alone...

However, I wanted to apologise to (Y/N)... How much I regretted pushing her away like that, after all she had done for me, always being there for me. She was the only person I could really rely on, even more than Takeda.

But now she was probably gone too.

Or that's what I thought.

...

(End POV)

Yuma stood up from her bed after she heard someone knocking on the door. She went to open the door and was surprised when her gaze met you.

"(Y/N)?" She asked with widened eyes, clearly not expecting your visit.

"Yuma..." You trailed off as soon as you noticed her eye bags. "Are you okay?" Was the first question that came to your mind.

The pink haired girl looked like she had been staying up all night and not bothering about sleeping at all for a long time. Her long hair tied up into her usual lose pigtails as she was wearing comfortable pajamas.

Yuma forced a little smile and you immediatly knew it was a fake one. She had never been good at lying...

"Yes, I'm good. Just a bit tired..." She said. "Why have you come here?" She quickly asked then, not pretending to sound rude.

You sighed. Being the kind and caring friend you were, you knew that what she needed the most right then was someone she could trust in, a friend. And you didn't think twice before deciding to assume that role.

It didn't matter how many times she would try to push you away. You were able to see the pain in her beutiful amber eyes, so you decided not to give up and try your best in reaching her heart. Hopefully she would open herself to you again and you could be there to protect her.

You would literally do anything for her. Even ignore your romantic feelings towards her.

"I'm worried about you... You haven't showed up at school for four days" you told her. You both were in the same class so it didn't take you a lot of time to notice her absence.

"I'm okay, you don't need to worry... I wasn't feeling very well and got permission to stay here until I'm fully recovered" she responded.

You made an 'Oh' sound, afterwards, you took out a few papers from your bag and then handed them to her. "Here you go. The teacher told me to give you this" you said referring to the homework they had given to all the students.

Yuma mumbled a 'thank you' before taking the papers. She was about to turn around when you stopped her in time. "No, wait!" You blushed slightly embarrassed as you weren't planning on raising your voice like that. "I mean... I wanted to ask you something first" you added.

You managed to draw Yuma's attention as she was now looking at you expectantly with those sad yet beautiful eyes.

"Would you mind if I stayed here tonight?" You asked and your question caught her off guard.

"I..." She began speaking and you were patiently waiting for rejection. "I wouldn't mind..." She finally agreed, which made you happy.

...

~Timeskip~

...

You were getting changed into your pajamas in your friend's room when the door suddenly opened, revealing a now flustered Yuma.

"Sorry! I should've knocked first" she said hurriedly and you couldn't help but chuckle at her innocent behaviour.

"It's okay, we're both girls right?" You said with a slight smirk.

Yuma's cheeks turned a bit redder. "Y-Yeah... But still-" you cut her off before she could continue talking.

"Oh don't be that shy... Anyways, perhaps we could watch a film..?" You kind of asked, earning a thoughtful look of the pinkette, who seemed to be hesitant at first but ended up giving in. "Okay, why not"

You were hoping that way you would help Yuma forget about those painful memories for a while and cheer her up a bit.

...

You two were sitting on the couch. It was a cold night so you remained close to each other and under a white blanket.

You both decided that you would watch (Random film's name).

During the film, you would take glances at the girl beside you from time to time. She still looked upset and it made you sad so you opened your mouth, about to speak.

Until Yuma started talking. "(Y/N), I'm sorry... I was was acting so mean to you, and yet you treat me like nothing's happened" she said in an apologetic tone.

"Yuma you don't--"

"No, yes I do. I'm truly sorry" she sighed. You suddenly noticed that tears had begun welling up in her eyes. "It's just that... Whenever I think about the accident..." Her voice was slowly breaking.

You couldn't stand seeing her like that and suddenly felt the urge of hugging her and never let go. You did so, you embraced her around your arms, pulling her into a warm hug.

"I know..." You gently stroked her hair and she let out a sob.

(Y/N's POV)

I didn't care about the film anymore. It was just a background sound that seemed so distant... All I could focus on was the girl who was leaning on my shoulder, crying softly. The one I wanted to protect the most.

Hoping it would calm her down a bit, I started caressing her cheek. She didn't seem to mind and after a few minutes she was able to regain her composure. Yuma looked up at me with red eyes.

"They didn't deserve this... So why?" It was a rethorical question but her voice was full of sadness. "(Y/N), I don't want you to leave... I'm so selfish" she said as she glanced down, averting my gaze.

Why did she have to be so cute?

"Yuma, you're not selfish. It's my own decision to stay here with you, and I'm not going anywhere either" I assured her and she seemed relieved upon hearing my words.

"Besides, I'm the only one selfish here" I blurted out. I took a deep breath, knowing what would happen next. She looked at me with a curious expression. "Why do you think that?" She asked.

"I'm taking advantage of you while you're this weak. I shouldn't be telling you this, but I can't stand it any longer..." I began confessing, earning a confused and naive look from the girl I fell in love with.

"Yuma" my eyes were now locked on hers. "I know we're friends and all that, but I love you" that words escaped from my lips without giving it much thought.

Silence. I was afraid I had messed up.

(End POV)

Yuma couldn't believe what she just heard. She blushed madly as she realised what was going on.

"(Y/N)... Do you really mean it?" She asked as if saying it wasn't enough proof.

Maybe if you showed her...

You closed your eyes and kissed Yuma's lips gently. The other female slowly reciprocated and it soon turned into a more passionate kiss. You noticed that your friend was really good at it, unbeknownst to you, she had been practising with Hotaru four months ago.

You two began making out and after a while you pulled away. When you opened your eyes again you saw her lying down on the couch, her pink cheeks even matched her hair. Then you realised that you had pinned her down, and were now looking at her eyes with a light blush.

"Yuma, I really love you..." You confessed once again.

For the first time after three months, she finally smiled, and it was the best smile you had ever seen. Not to mention it was an honest one, unlike those fake ones she had begun getting used to.

"I love you too" she said. Then she put her arms around your neck and pulled you in, kissing you again.

...

Three days later

...

You had managed to convince Yuma to attend school again.

You two were now walking through the hallways of school holding hands with Yuma, which drew the attention of everyone who was there. Some of them were whispering things to their friends.

'Isn't that Yuma Okazaki?'

'Hotaru's friend?'

'No way... They were totally a couple'

'So she decided to show up...'

'It's been three months'

'And who's that girl next to her?'

'Are they dating?'

'Two girls? No way...'

'They look hot'

'Hahah shut up, she's looking at us'

You shot a glare at the last two boys since you were able to hear them perfectly. It pissed you off, you wanted to tell them a few things until you felt the girl beside you tighten her grip on your hand. You brused aside those annoying comments and focused on your lover, who seemed a bit nervous.

You knew exactly what to do.
Not caring about the weird glances anymore, you gave her a slight smile. "Just ignore them. I'll protect you if anything happens" you said.

She looked relieved. "You're right... Thanks" she said in a more confident tone. "Let's go to class" she added.

You nodded in response.

Yuma smiled and for a brief moment you could have sworn that you saw the same bright Yuma from four months ago.

"I'm glad that I confessed to her" you mumbled absentmindedly.

Yuma turned to face you with a confused look. "Hm? Did you say something?" She asked, tilting her head slightly to the side.

You chuckled. "Nothing at all, let's go" you quickly hid it and walked towards class by Yuma's side.

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The last part svcks, I know. But whatever. Hope you like it~

Word count: 1752
Requested by: @Blueykun6