The sun was about to set now.

With no sign of Sanemi anywhere since morning, Obanai finally decided to visit his place one last time before heading back.

As he went back to Sanemi's place to check if he was there, he still didn't find no one.

"Where the fuck did he disappear? Tch!"
He clicked his tongue.

Guess I'll have to see him tomorrow... What bullshit...
He sighed helplessly before turning around to walk away.

That's when he finally found Sanemi, but he looked...

...Lifeless?

Sanemi's tears seemed to dry out and his eyes looked dried up too. As if he was emotionless.

Obanai's eyes widened at the sight of him, and he couldn't help but think of what had happened.

Sanemi didn't seem to notice Obanai and continued to walk, his gaze fixed on the ground. His usual powerful and energetic aura was completely drained.

Obanai hurried, stopping right in front of Sanemi as he took a moment to take in the gloomy sight of him.

"Where the fucking hell were you?"

Sanemi's head snapped up, his eyes meeting Obanai's. He didn't answer right away, just stared at him blankly.

"Why does it matter?"
He questioned, a hint of annoyance in his expression. His voice was monotone, devoid of any emotion as he walked past him.

Obanai's eyebrows furrowed in confusion and concern.

"It matters because I've been looking for you since this morning!"
He followed Sanemi, his eyes scanning over him, noticing his gloomy and desolate appearance.

"And... you look like shit."
He waited for Sanemi to face him, but surprisingly, he didn't.

Sanemi was silent, his eyes remaining on the ground. The silence was deafening to both of them.

There was a lot to say, a lot to share. But at the moment, he couldn't even utter a single word.

He didn't want to, but he stayed quiet. He wanted to scream, to shout, to cry... but he couldn't. He was unable to.

There was a lot of sorrow hidden behind Sanemi, which Obanai sensed.

Seeing Sanemi remain quiet, Obanai's expression softened. He stepped closer, his voice lowering to a gentle tone.

"...Hey, Shinazugawa."
He hesitated to continue and waited for Sanemi to turn around.

Sanemi took a deep breath in and slowly turned around, his eyes meeting Obanai's.

The usual spark in his eyes was gone, replaced by a deep emptiness. He looked so sombre, so worn out. It was a side of Sanemi that Obanai had never seen before.

"...What is it?"
He asked, his experience distressed.

Obanai took a deep breath in, his heart aching at the sight of the exhausted Sanemi in front of him.

"Look..."
He paused, swallowing hard.

"I've got some news."

"News?"
Sanemi chuckled lightly, his gaze falling to the ground.

"What is it?"
He asked playfully, though his tone, his laugh, it all seemed deceptive.

"Did you finally get with Kanroji?"

Obanai's breath hitched in his throat. He gulped, taking just a step closer. The golden light from the sunset seemed to leave a certain shimmery gleam over his eyes.

"...No."
He exhaled softly.

Sanemi's false smile seemed to leave his face slightly. He didn't say anything, but his aura urged Obanai to continue.

Obanai's gaze met Sanemi's, his voice even calmer now.
"Shinazugawa, I know how you feel right now."

"Hm?"
Sanemi tilted his head to the side, pretending to not understand what Obanai meant.

"You see... About Tomioka..."
Obanai paused.

"Ah... So that's what it's about!"
Sanemi chuckled softly.

Obanai's breathing slowed down. He knew that Sanemi was trying to hide his true emotions.

"Look, Shinazugawa..."
He took a deep breath in, steeling himself to say what he had to.

"Hm? Go on..."
Sanemi nodded, smiling a little as he urged Obanai to speak up. He was still in pain, he was still heartbroken, but he didn't seem to show it.

Obanai's heart pounded in his chest. He knew he had to be careful with his words.
"I know, you and Tomioka are... well, not in good terms. But whatever's going on right now... it's not your fault. Well, maybe just a little bit... but not entirely."

Sanemi's expression darkened. He frowned a bit, trying to read Obanai's emotions.
"Where's this coming from?"

Obanai's eyes locked onto Sanemi's, his gaze intense.
"Look. Uzui... he told Tomioka that you... didn't care about his promise."

Sanemi's eyes widened, his breathing hitched as he stiffened. He wanted to say something, but he was at a loss of words.

Obanai stepped closer, his voice low and urgent.
"...He's the one who told Tomioka that you didn't care about him."

Sanemi clenched his fists as veins appeared on his forehead. He tried to brush it off, smiling a little.

"I..."
He scoffed, looking away.

"I did say that though, didn't I?"

Obanai's expression softened. He saw the pain behind Sanemi's eyes.

"...But you also said that you cared about him... Uzui did not listen to the whole thing and... Tomioka thinks that you don't care about him. He is in an illusion of thinking that you hate him, and are basically... using him."

Sanemi's eyes widened, a flash of hurt crossing his face.

...

"...The fuck?"

Obanai reached out, gently placing a hand on Sanemi's shoulder as he sighed.

"There's no point in blaming Tomioka... He got misleaded and has no idea of how much you care for him. Uzui should've just... kept his mouth shut."

Being hit with so much information at once, Sanemi was unable to show any emotions. His face broke into a soft smile as he looked at the ground.

"Uzui created a huge mess, huh?'
His gaze met Obanai's again.

"...Speaking of Uzui, where is he?"

Obanai sighed, rubbing his temples.

"On a mission..."
He looked at the ground, the warm sunlight melting the snow slowly.

He clicked his tongue, sighing out of frustration.

"Tomioka really thinks this bullshit is true..."

Sanemi's expression darkened. He looked away, his voice low.

"I see..."
He paused, his breathing hitching.

"So... he's that brainwashed, huh?"
He asked, hurt at the thought of Giyuu not believing in him at all.

Obanai's scoffed.
"I had a talk with Kocho a while ago... Tomioka's been a dick lately, hasn't he?"

Sanemi's eyes widened, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he frowned a little.

"Don't say that... to Tomioka."

Obanai gasped softly.

Even after all this... he still loves Tomioka so much?
He wondered.

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