Taking the Steps ||.:Aoyagi Ruito:.|| {Step 3- Getting Through the Day} [:o12:]

Step 3,

Getting through the day.

Takashima immediately stood up as he saw Ruito step into the room. “What are you doing back here? You dare show your face again?” His voice started off somewhat soft, but turned into a loud roar.

“Honey, stop it.” Asako shushed.

“Stop it? This...this....insensible boy who just walks into my daughters life and then leaves her to mope around?”

“It's not like tha--” Asako tried to reassure.

“Not like that?! I've sat around the house all day watching my daughter pretend that she's going through a happy life when she's really going into depression! I've sat around the house at night listening to her cry! And you tell me it's not like that?!” he roared louder and louder.

The teens flinched and all but Ruito tried to inch back towards the hallway, away from the argument. Ruito wanted to too, but if he did now, wouldn't it make matters worse for him if he were caught? Hoping that it was his best bet, Ruito walked beside Asako and bent down at a 90 degree angle. “I'm really sorry!” he shouted trying to shake off all the nervousness and fear that was building up inside him. “I'm really sorry about what I've done to Yuki! I didn't mean for it to happen this way.” he rambled.

Takashima eyed the bowing boy and grunted, passing Ruito angrily. Either he was too angry to speak to him, or he was too angry to look at him. Ruito stayed in that position until Aoi's hand was placed on his shoulder once more. Ruito looked from the hand, up the arm, to Aoi's concerned face. No one spoke during that moment. Only the ticking of the clock could be heard, making things more awkward.

Because after meeting her parents.....

You need a break from all this excitement.

“Guess who?” the person joked as he held his arms wide open.

“Don't do that!” I laughed as I hugged him. “I thought I was never going to see you again. You stopped texting me a couple months after going to America.” I pouted.

“Sorry about that. Got a little busy.” he apologized.

“Busy doing what?” I questioned. “Studying?”

“Sure lets go with that.” he chuckled. “So what are you here for?” I showed him the list of supplies my mother gave me. He whistled with a surprised expression on his face. “That's a lot.” he sighed.

“You tell me. I think your parents just want you out of the house.” he joked. I punched him playfully in the arm.

“Shut it Akio.” I mumbled as I started my shopping trip.

“So...When are you gonna tell me?” he suddenly asked as he fell into step with me.

“Tell you what?”

“That thing that you're hiding from me, that I don't know. Is it......a guy?!” he guessed. Dang, Akio always knew how to read me. Back then it really got on my nerves, I could never figure out how in the world he did it. My voice and breathing was normal, I wasn't jittery or whatever. And to this day, I still don't know how he does it.

“....no.” I mumbled.

“Aha, liar. I knew it.” he smiled. “I can help you with that!”

“Ah...says the guy who's never dated a girl.” I mumbled.

“You've never dated a guy.” he retorted.

“Shut up Akio.” I groaned. “If you're gonna follow me than help me look for these items.”

But....when I say you need a break,

That doesn't necessarily mean that all the drama will stop.

It'll just keep coming.

“It could've been worse.” Aoi whispered, trying to make things seem less tense.

Nobody responded to him as they listened idly to the ticking of the living room clock. Who knew it was that loud.

A few minutes passed as the silence grew bigger and bigger. It was then that none of them dared to say anything.

Slowly, the thumping of footsteps could be heard from the hallway.

“What's with this atmosphere?” Asako questioned as she walked into the room, waving her hand back and forth as if she had smelled something horrible.

“Depression.” Rin mumbled as she closed her eyes tightly and sighed. “I don't even know why we should be depressed.” she said, referring to her, Aoi, and Mina. Ruito mentally groaned as he just sat on the sofa.

Sighing, Asako walked towards him. “Don't worry about it, Takashima is just having a hard time, that's all.” Asako reassured Ruito as she took a seat beside him. “Besides, I know you're sorry. I know you still have that little crush on Yuki.” she continued as she patted his back. “After all, you're still wearing that bracelet she gave you.”

Everyone's gaze flickered down onto Ruito's wrist.

“Yeah....” Ruito gave Asako a small smile as he started playing with the bracelet idly.

Live....

Breathe....

You can do it!