"You still love him a lot, don't you?"
Obanai hesitated a bit, but slid the question in, causing Sanemi to choke a little.

Sanemi was caught off guard, but took a deep breath in to calm himself down.
His gaze shifted to the orange sky as he exhaled softly.

He stared at the sky for a while before his gaze shifted back to Obanai, a gentle smile playing on his lips.

"You know what? I don't care anymore..."

Obanai's eyes widened. He stared at Sanemi, his heart racing.

"The hell do you mean?"
He asked, his voice shaking slightly.

Sanemi looked away, his gaze shifting to the melting snow. He chuckled softly, looking back at Obanai.
"I mean, I really need a break."

"...What?"
Obanai looked clueless.

Sanemi's eyes travelled to the snow melting off of trees far away.

"You see, I've tried a lot now, but I don't think... Tomioka cares."
He said, though it hurt.

Obanai's eyes widened at the words.

"So... What's the point?"
Sanemi let out a gentle laugh.

"...If he doesn't like me, then what's the point? What's the point of chasing him?"

Obanai frowned a little. He couldn't tell whether Sanemi was being serious, or if he was just saying this as a coping mechanism.

"Shinazugawa... Don't say that."

Sanemi's gaze met Obanai's, his look serious.

"...Why not? What's the point of our relationship? At the end of the day... it's Tomioka's decision. Whether he wants to be with me or not..."

What the fuck is Shinazugawa even saying? Is he actually giving up on Tomioka?
Obanai gulped out of nervousness.

Sanemi continued, his voice choking with emotion.

"...And if Tomioka feels like I should leave, then I should, right? I don't see any reason to keep trying. He said it, he hates me. I should most probably..."

"...Give up."
He smiled gently, looking at the ground. He seemed to be fighting back tears as he took a deep breath in.

Obanai's jaw clenched, his eyes wide. He couldn't believe Sanemi was saying this. He wanted to slap some sense into him, but he knew that Sanemi was speaking his mind right now, so he couldn't do that.

"Shinazugawa... You... You're saying that you'll give up on him?"
He asked, his breathing shaky.

Sanemi looked up at Obanai, his eyes glistening with tears.

"I-I love him, Iguro... I still do, so fucking much..."
He sniffled.

"But, I think it's better to walk out of his life and... stop bothering him now-"

Obanai interrupted him, glaring as he stepped closer.

"And what about yourself, Shinazugawa!?"
His voice was raised to a shout.

Sanemi was taken aback. He stared at him with wide eyes.

"Love isn't a fucking game! It requires respect and devotion from both fucking sides! You guys are pathetic at this!"
Obanai looked furious.

"Just... Just how can you two be so... so fucking hopeless!?"

Sanemi's eyes widened in shock at Obanai's outburst. He took a step back, swallowing hard.

"I-I..."
He stammered, clearly taken aback by the intensity of Obanai's words.

"You claim to love him and this is what you do, give up? God! You're so terrible!"
Obanai continued to yell, his face red with anger.

"You love each other, but you're too fucking weak to even try! You just sit there, feeling sorry for yourselves, expecting Tomioka to magically change his mind or appear at your doorstep! Well, newsflash, he won't!

Sanemi gulped, frowning at the hurtful words.

"What the fuck do you think I've been doing!?"
He snapped.

"Do you even realise how hard I'm trying, to keep this relationship from falling apart!? All this fucking time! I didn't just magically disappear this morning, I went to see Tomioka, to atleast talk things out! But do you think he cares? No, he fucking doesn't!"
Sanemi breathed heavily, rubbing his temples with frustration.

Obanai's anger seemed to dissipate, replaced by a look of sadness and frustration.

Sanemi continued to rant, his voice wavering.

"And now, I'm back here, with you, because he... he told me to leave. He said that he..."
He choked up, tears welling up in his eyes.

He took a deep breath, calming himself down.
"It hurts when I'm the only one trying!"

Obanai's expression softened, a flicker of understanding and sympathy in his eyes. He reached out, placing a comforting hand on Sanemi's shoulder.

"Shinazugawa..."
He paused, struggling to find the right words.

When he spoke again, his voice was quieter, almost gentle.
"To love someone, you need respect, commitment and trust... It's complicated, but that's how it is."

Sanemi let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head.
"That's what our relationship lacks, Iguro... Tomioka doesn't respect my feelings. And as for trust, he... he trusts fucking Tengen more than me!"

He took a deep breath before continuing.

"I don't see any reason to keep going on, it'll only..."
He choked a little, sighing out.

"...end up hurting me."

Obanai's gaze locked onto Sanemi's, his heart aching at the sight of Sanemi's distress.

"Shinazugawa..."
He muttered softly.

"But..."
Sanemi smiled warmly.

"But I'll do the least I can, to make Tomioka happy. And if that's without me, I'll go away..."
He turned around, ready to leave.

Wait... What!?

Obanai's eyes widened.
"What the heck, Shinazugawa!? Wait!"

Sanemi looked at Obanai over his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Iguro... I can't do this anymore. I need to put his needs before mine..."
And with that, he left.

Obanai stood there, alone, watching as Sanemi disappeared from sight.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Damn it, Shinazugawa..."
He murmured to himself.

"Why do you have to be so selfless, when it comes to Tomioka?"

His gaze shifted to the sky quietly. Darkness started to set in slowly.

"Shinazugawa's really an idiot... he doesn't give a shit anymore, that lovesick bitch."
He let out a deep, tired sigh.

"I guess I'll have to take matters into my own hands..."

...

But why do I care...?
He questioned himself.

He looked at his own hands, flexing his fingers.

"Hm... I guess they really were..."

"...a pretty good couple."

___________________________________________

Iguro to the rescue!!!

He's so pookie🎀

Anyways, Tengen's coming back next chapter.

I hope I'll see you there;)

Mwa!! 🩷🍩💐✨