It's been over an hour and I still can't seem to understand what could have happened to my phone. I mean... I just had it.

Hinata and Yuuta have probably sent me many messages combined, no doubt in their minds that I may have lost it. I feel bad, but now that I am relieved from my class— I can head over to Yuuta and explain.

Me and Yachi parted ways earlier. She's learned new things about herself— things I'd think she should have known about sooner... but at least she's elated. She's smiling, she's confident, she's happier.

I adjust my bag clinging to my shoulder, lining the strap along my fingertips. I can't say the same thing about myself though... I am beyond frustrated.

At least my phone was paid off, but I can't say that I am looking forward to replacing it. I sigh, eyes turning towards the pasty clouds above me. Perhaps... I dropped it?  But I do remember that psychotic beggar grazing me. And for a moment there, he felt too close— he felt too precise. I sigh.

It was a standard issue LG, but perhaps it'll be of much more value to him now that he has it. I guess some people need things more than you do, right?

I try not to linger on that thought. I have a feeling that everything will be okay. Good energy, (Y/N). You will attract the energy you put ou—

pit

pit

'Are you kidding me?' I stiffen, eyes squinting towards the light droplets. My lips remain part, and I smile cluelessly into the pebbles of rain slipping down my skin.

So much for that proverb.

The rain quickens, and as do I. Although my bag doesn't offer me much cover, it offers me a peace of mind. I raise it over my head and begin to sprint off into Yuuta's direction— all with a single thought in mind...

Hinata told me it was going to rain this morning.

I trudge my feet, dragging them along the knotted metal beneath me. The weight of my day is slowing me down— that, and perhaps it's because I can feel water dripping from the ends of my clothes. I know I need a long nap and a bag of Cheetos Puffs after today.

211. I raise my hand, quite reluctantly, up to the metal door. And there I reach for the grey-colored resonator, but I don't press it. I don't have to, rather.

I keep my half-lidded eyes on the door and I watch it begin to swing open. I'm surprised, craning my head to the side.

But the black-haired male hasn't noticed me yet. His eyes are glued to his phone— he looks a bit frantic. A bit worried. "Shoot. I forgot my umbrella. She probably doesn't have one..."

"Yeah; she definitely doesn't have one." Yuuta pursues. He clicks his tongue and immediately pivots. I can hear his slippers squeaking as he steps to the side— and he still doesn't lift his head. I am speechless at his lack of awareness at the given moment.

It was only until he lowered his phone does he pay me any mind. His eyes are wide, and relief begins to swirl inside of them.

"What... What the?" He stutters, blinking several times. He then peeks around the corner out of the door, just before he takes a good look at me. "Where did you come from?" He asks me, holding his translucent umbrella.

"Believe it or not; but you should have noticed me a long time ago." I snort, lowering my hand. He must've thought something happened to me— or that I had flaked on our plans. My responses are usually pretty punctual and cutthroat.

"Oh... Well then I didn't see you." Embarrassed, he tosses the umbrella elsewhere— we both can hear it thud in the next room. Yuuta then squints, brows knitting upwards.

"Y/N! You're soaked! Come inside; come. Let's get you dried off." He beckons me, leaving the door open for me to follow him through.

I silently nod, removing my drenched shoes before I even think to leave my watery footprints all over his home. ... Even though I'm quite sure it'd bother me more than it'd bother him. Yuuta doesn't hesitate to scavenge for a clean towel and a set of clean clothes.

"Do you want me to start you a bath? You know, so you can warm up? And I wasn't sure if you wanted to talk over chicken and beer, or pizza and beer? Pizza sounds good..."

"Both sound really good, actually..."

I release a simpering chuckle at his ability to yap. There is no stop button, is there? "As long as beer is involved then I don't mind either way. I have had an... annoying da— oh! That reminds me!"

The man reunites himself with me and his arms are quite full. Full of everything he knows I'll need so that I'll be able to enjoy my stay here. "Hm?" He replies.

I gather the belongings from his grasp and I release a bellowing, exaggerated sigh. "The reason you couldn't get ahold of me is because I lost my phone. It is truly unfortunate..."

Nodding, slowly, Yuuta continues to blink. "Do you want to try tracking it? I'm sure I could help as long as you have it enabled."

I take a second to ponder on it; however. I don't want to tell him about the psycho man, or else he'll throw a fit. I mean, Japan isn't necessarily known for having many crimes or anything like that, plus...

"Nah, it's okay. I am due for an upgrade, honestly. Maybe the Pixel? Hinata and I can match, haha." I brush it off, because it really is fine. All of this is just motivation for me to get a new one.

"Alright, as long as it's fine. The lady's word absolute!" He rakes the palm of his hand over my damp fringes and slicks them back, just so that he can flick me over the forehead. "Now go— enjoy the bath."

I nod, chuckling. "Have you started the water already? That was quick." Not that the bathroom was too far, but it's still impressive. I turn, looking towards the illuminated room.

And with this corny, playful expression he shoots me finger guns— waggling his brows. "A-train, baby!"

He doesn't allow me to react; however, and instead goes back to placing his order. "Enjooooyy~" he whispers, slithering around the corner and into his front room.

"Weirdo."

━━ 🏐 🏐 🏐 ━━

I seethe out a sigh, yet a smile glistens my features. My skin is moist, but not from the terrible, precipitated rain— but from the steam and warm water that had been tickling my pores.

"This is nice. At least I didn't have to go all the way home." I mutter to myself, removing the towel from my head-- and I feel as my dampened tendrils lay against my neck.

I then look down, eyes narrowing on the white blouse lying on the bidet in front of me. This must've been one of my shirts that I'd left here one of the nights prior. I reach to slither my blouse around my shoulders and then I button it up. It doesn't require a bra.

And after another moment or two, I am stepping out of the bathroom. My slippers are quick to give me away— sliding against the wood beneath me.

"Perfect timing," Yuuta drawls, raking his fingers through his unwashed hair— he keeps his eyes on his phone. "Our food will be here soon. Is there anything else you need?" He asks me, eventually tearing his gaze towards me.

I stand there, half-dressed in his foyer. It now occurs to me that I'll be far more comfortable in a pair of trousers.

"Yeah," I trot over to him, craning my head to the side. "Maybe something comfy I can throw on underneath." Any other time it would be plausible; but after our conversation earlier, I feel it is more appropriate.

He nods, without a frown or an ounce of hesitation. "Of course. I'll get you some right now." He rolls his shoulder back as he lowers his phone once more, and finally. He was always quick to make me feel good. At peace. Anxiety soothed.

As Yuuta trails off into the next room, I glance around. I was subconsciously searching for something to do throughout this moment or two that he'll be preoccupied.

But then to my surprise, I hear a ding.

ᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵈᵒⁿᵍ...

ding! dong, ding!

And that was easily my cue. I pivot, turning towards the front door. I can feel all of my senses heightening as I imagine squeezing my teeth around warm, fried chicken. I gulp— feeling as though I need that grease after a long day.

"Y/N can you—"

"Duh! I am on it!"

I speak, while simultaneously reaching for that craned handle. I twist and watch it turn, just before I hear it click.

"Hello, Ichijiku residence..." I trail off, feeling a bit awkward to be half-dressed. And for that; I keep my eyes on my fidgeting toes for a moment. They're glued downward, lips tightly-knitted together. It was almost as though I had something to be embarrassed about.

"Huh?" He squeaks.

I choke, reluctantly ripping my gaze towards him... but something inside me churns. Was it my blood? My veins?

"Um..." The male proceeds. He doesn't even allow me a second to guess, to think, to react. So with my wide eyes, l clench the hem of my blouse— tugging it downwards.

"Y/N... What— What are you doing here...?" Hinata trails off. I can hear his heart breaking having to even ask me that. He keeps his cell phone clenched in his hands, but I can see him squeezing it even tighter. Now I have something to be embarrassed about.

I am speechless, eyeing his drenched hair and dampened textbooks. There is an umbrella tucked away between his underarms, but he isn't using it. He was in a hurry; he must've been.

"I... I'm... that's..." I stammer, trying to catch myself. This really was NOT what it looked like.

Not at the given moment, anyway...

Footsteps then pursue me. I can feel Yuuta's body and feet becoming adjacent to my own. He's smiling, reaching for the door to push. "Must be the pizza, chicken, and beer! The pizza is for me, though." He interrupts.

Thankfully, Yuuta is fully dressed— but his hair is disheveled and his clothes are wrinkled. What looks like happened; really, really did not happen. ...But it's not like I can say that, it offers me zero protection now.

I thought Hinata's eyes couldn't get any wider, but they do. They are sadder, too. Especially upon laying his eyes upon Yuuta. He bites his lip, quickly turning his gaze.

"What the hell..." The ginger growls.

Yuuta takes a step back— startled— but then he steps toward. "Hey man... this really isn't..." He speaks quietly. Just like me, he has no idea where to begin.

And I can see it frustrates him. Hinata is looking for answers, but all we have to offer is lingering, humiliating, awkward silence. My severed heart is pounding out of my chest— and as though there is no air left in my lungs— I gasp to speak.

"You know... I thought we both were feeling the same way." Hinata shakes his head and grits his teeth — I can tell he is trying his best to fight off the anger. "I felt completely alone after Kageyama died... but I knew I had you. I had you and I trusted you— I thought that we were in it together— but here you were the entire time. I was the only lonely one."

Now certainly isn't the right time or place for this... I can't believe this is real, and I can't imagine what this must be like for him... So that's why, "This isn't what you think, Hinata! I-I'm sorry..."

"Me and Yuuta are just friends. We were ending it today... I— I'm..." I'm an asshole, really. For keeping this from my best friend. We are all friends. This just isn't right.

Maybe a part of me foresaw this— maybe I felt my fate zeroing in from every corner and blind spot; and I tried to end it before it could.

I don't even look at Yuuta. I know this will hurt him, but my best friend is hurting even more. I just keep my quaking eyes on Hinata— and he looks like he's about to cry... What have I done?

"...But that doesn't change that it happened! Why didn't you guys tell me?? Why?!" He barks out— his cries spit like venom; but they pierce like needles. My eyes glisten.

He's right... Why didn't we?

"Hinata! Please! Let's just talk about this later— please. You have to hear me out." I beg. This all must sound so half-baked and cliche to him. He doesn't look like he is going to forgive me at all.

Yuuta remains wincing, reaching to grab the ginger's shoulder. "Yeah... Maybe if you come inside, we can talk about it—"

"No! Don't you fucking touch me!" He yells. I don't think either of us have seen him so infuriated before. How could someone so kind and calm give us the expression he is giving us now? He truly loathes me.

"...!"

"You know, I came all this way! How humiliating is that? I came all this way because I was worried like hell; and here you were, Y/N! Having dinner and fucking each other." Anger drips from his lips as Yuuta reels back his hand. And before he huffs out another breath, Hinata turns his piercing gaze to Yuuta.

"And screw you too! Always talking to me and pretending like you didn't know shit!" Hinata releases his things and they all fall at once— and with the force I never knew he had in him— he takes his wet hands and shoves them against the policeman.

And then he does it again, and again. Yuuta takes the hits and shuffles back, eyes wide at Hinata's state. So this is his rage. "Just... just calm down." Yuuta tries, but I can tell it's just making him more irritable.

"Please stop! Please... let's not fight here." I am quick to react, grabbing Hinata by the shoulders before I grab his hands.

It takes a while, but he becomes calmer. He breaths in, and out— several, several times. The ginger just grits his teeth some more and tears himself away from me, eventually pivoting.

"Fuck this... I have nothing more to say." Hinata leans over, while simultaneously ripping open his book bag. He grabs his books, aggressively shoving them into his yellow bag as quickly as he can.

I can feel my heart shattering. Each moment it just keeps repeating. It keeps falling apart.

I realize that right now; there is nothing I can say or do. I can tell him why I'm here, but it doesn't change the fact that me and Yuuta do have a past. So even though this is not what I want, I just let him go.

"This is horrible... What do I do...?" I mutter.

Hinata is quick, passing up our delivery driver and then he easily becomes out of sight. I feel weak in the knees, and I immediately find myself turning tail back into the room.

"Hey! Watch out dude. Geez..."

"Y/N..." Yuuta tries , but I feel awful, I feel like I'm going to be sick. My footsteps flee back into the room, and so he connects with our driver.

"Ichijiku?"

"Yeah..."

I keep my hands clasped over my mouth, trying my hardest not to weep. After all, it's true. It's as they say:

What can take years to build can take only seconds to destroy.