Fate [Ai Mikaze x Reader]

Chapter 8 - Suspicions and Confusions

A machine...

My thumb gently traced the photo-cheek of the boy.

Is he... really?

Remembering the days I was by his side, I bit my lips.

"It's a flower... growing over the rock that crushed it. It's almost like... it forgave the rock..... So... you find forgiveness beautiful then."

I looked down.

Forgiveness... huh. But... what should I forgive? He really never did anything wrong.

"....." gulping down my anxiety, I looked up at the pinkette at the other side of the room. "Hey... Ringo-sensei?"
"Hm? What is it, [F/N]-chan?" he asked kindly.
"... You know, I.... have a friend." I slowly started. "And that... that friend of mine, is having some problems, and she is confused on what she should do..."
"... Ah." he chuckled. "Go on."
"... So, she... grew too close to someone she wasn't supposed to." I played with my fingers. "And, now.... she found... she found out that that someone isn't really... who she thought he is."
"I see. And now she is scared to accept the truth, but she also wants to throw the darkness away and be by that person's side. Am I right?"
"....." I sighed, releasing the tension from my shoulders. Ringo probably saw right through me, so there was no point in even trying to go with the 'friend' version.
"I think that you... ahaha, slip of a tounge. Your friend should follow her heart." he smiled at me gently. "What she chooses to be the right path will be the right path."
"... So... should she...?"
He sent me a meaningful look.
"Ah, look at that, I'm done with the paperwork." he sang, standing up.
"Oh..." I mumbled.
"Be safe, [F/N]-chaaan~"
Grabbing his stuff and his coat, he winked and danced out of the room.

... Follow... my heart... huh.

~■♡■~

Weakly pushing the door closed behind me, I looked at our empty dorm room. Plopping down on the couch, I stared at Mikaze's part of the room.
I found myself smiling. I remembered a few memories that happened here, like when Mikaze walked out of the bathroom with bright pink hair. I chuckled a bit.
I looked at my part of the room. A picture of Mikaze, Otoya and me from when we were hiking was standing on the commode.

... Follow my heart.

My... heart says...

My phone suddenly rang, snapping me out of my thoughts. I quickly grabbed it and looked at the screen.
"...."
I felt my face go pale, as my stomach got in a knot. Slowly inhaling and exhaling a deep breath, I accepted the call.

"... Yes... Father."
"[F/N], [F/N]! I didn't hear your voice in a while, tell me, how is our plan going?"
"Well. I believe Mikaze now developed some liking to me. I can ensure you that I will bring him to the agency in a short while."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Positive."
"Very weeeeell then~ Don't fail me this time, my daughter. You know the consequences."
"Yes, Father..." I clentched my fists.
"Hahahaha~... This is my farewell then! Do your besttt."
"I will..." I said, but the call already ended.
"..." gritting my teeth, I dropped my hand with the phone in it on my lap. My eyes filled with tears.

... I don't want to do this. Not anymore.

As the contact of Father was left open on the screen, I looked at his picture.

... But if I back out...

".... [F/N]-chan?"
Jumping and quickly wiping my tears, I looked up.
"Reiji..."I quickly forced a smile. "D-Do you need something?"
"...Oh, I uh..." he muttered, pointing behind him with his thumb. "I just heard you having some problems with Ai-Ai, and... are you crying?"
"No, no no!" I chuckled quickly. "Absolutely not. Mikaze-senpai? Problems? No, everything's fine, perfect, marvelous-"
"Ai haven't slept in days, [F/N]."
"..." I blinked at a now more serious looking Reiji. "Huh?"
"I thought you would know about it, since you sleep in one room with him and all..." he furrowed his eyebrows.
...
Since I didn't want to face him, I always went to bed before he could come back from work. When I woke up, he was always already gone.
"... B-But why didn't he sleep?" I asked, concerned.
"All he told me was that he was busy researching things up." he sighed. "But, I have a feeling it's something about you. Haven't you been avoiding him a lot lately?"
"..." I looked away.
"Look." he plopped down next to me on the couch. "I know that Ai's a tough one to deal with, but he really isn't a bad person, you know. And no matter what he says, he really likes you. He kinda has a soft spot for you."
"Eh?" I looked at him confused. "Kinda the exact opposite."
"Haha~" he smirked. "Oh please. Haven't you noticed that he stopped punishing you? He may say it once or twice, but that's just a bluff. He also has been loosening your schedule and give you more free time." he pointed at the photo of Mikaze, Otoya and me.
"......"
"And you enjoy his company too. Listen, I don't know why you are mad at him, but you should talk to him. He misses you, and you miss him."
"... I..."
"He is in the practice room." he pulled me up from the bed and slightly pushed me towards the door. "He is supposed to be working... but I think he could use some company."
".... Okay." I sighed out, grabbing the door's handle. "... Thank you, Reiji."
"Anytime~" he sang before I exited the room.