章節 14: The Talk

It's been a few weeks, and now we're at the end of April. It was time for the famous Japanese Golden Week where everyone gets five full days off of school.

About fucking time!

I've been working my ass off on raising my favorability with these characters! It feels like every second of everyday is spent with them!

Akira walks to school with me everyday now because "BFFs walk together!" Sometimes we even walk back home together along with Yuu after our club meetings. Other times when Akira's absent, I somehow convince Yuu to not walk home with me. There are also times I can't worm my way out, and I despised those times. Of course, lunch time is spent with the two.

Recess is always with Ryuu or Tatsuya. Tutoring was going smoothly, and my assistance was always appreciated.

After school was either with Ryuu or Yuu at club or the cafe. Yuu always manages to make something for me or pull me into making a pair set of whatever we're making with him. Ryuu now acknowledges my presence and doesn't threaten me every time I walk in.

Sigh.

Where have my peaceful school days gone?

If I had to list who had the most filled love meter to the least filled, it'd probably be along these lines: Yuu, Akira, Ryuu, and Tatsuya.

Yuu has been as active as always. If anything, I feel like his mask has slipped off much more than in the game. There are times I feel an odd stare during classes. When we do walk home alone, he's eyes never leave me. Also, glimpses of those crazed, impatient eyes were so much more frequent. I can never let my guard down around him.

Luckily, Akira is the best shield. Though, he's probably why Yuu's mask has been falling so often.

He's as sticky as always. He constantly butts heads with Yuu, and I swear they bicker every time we're all together. Other than that, he's just been buddy-buddy with me. He texts me all the time. We joke around and are just good friends. Nothing odd has happened with him yet. I haven't seen his facade fall ever again.

Ryuu is still seems guarded against me. Tutoring is just tutoring. In that office, we are nothing more than a tutor and student, but in the cafe, it's different.

I usually order a cappuccino or latte and browse on my phone or do homework. At some point, Ryuu just started serving me either one whenever I came in. Like, the second I walk in, he goes to the espresso machine and then brings the coffee to me without a single word from me. I couldn't help but be excited at the progress the first time it happened! I expressed my happiness when I thanked him for the drink. Ryuu huffed with a slight blush before walking away to work.

If I were going by the game, this was a sign that I had entered his route!

Since then, I started trying to talk with him more when he wasn't too busy, which was regrettably not too often. I would ask how he's doing with school work or about his job or customers. At first, he gave very short and curt answers. Later, he started actually conversing with me.

I'm entering that exponential growth in the affection meter period!

It's the opposite with Tatsuya, though.

We're the same as always. We work quietly and efficiently during recess. Sometimes he'd give me a little bonus if the week was really productive. He only nags me a little if I'm late or if I mess something up. No real affection growth.

I'll keep up with the work with Tatsuya as he's a good backup, but for now I'll be dedicating more effort in Ryuu! I'll be sure to be friends with him soon!

"Will you be working during Golden Week, Yamamoto-kun?" I casually asked as he cleaned up behind the counter.

Today was the day before break. I specifically left this day free from club to get some last minute brownie points before break. Anyway, since it was the day before Golden Week, it was emptier than usual. It was probably due to the men working overtime to be able to relax during the break properly.

"Yeah, I need the money." Ryuu simply answered as he pulled out a rag to clean the counter.

"..."

Are we close enough for me to ask? Uh, should I risk it? What's the worse that could happen? A little set back wouldn't be that bad...

"Spit it out." Ryuu noticed my disgruntled stare. I chuckled sheepishly. "Well?"

"Oh, I was just wondering why you needed the money?" I meekly asked as I cautiously watched his reaction. Ryuu stiffened before continuing to wipe the counter.

"..." I waited patiently, but after a minute passed, I mentally sighed and looked at my cup.

I guess I overestimated his affection level.

"My family..." I widened my eyes in surprise when I heard him start out of nowhere.

I looked up to see him gravely staring at me. I gulped before preparing myself and giving him my full attention. Seeing my attitude change, Ryuu seemed to regain his resolve to talk about personal matters.

Seeing that the cafe was mostly empty, Ryuu came around the counter and sat beside me. I jumped a little in shock but turned my body to face him. Ryuu leaned on the counter with his arms folded, the wrinkle between his brows deep.

"I... We... My family's...a little..." Seeing him struggle, I lightly patted his shoulder. Ryuu startled before looking at me with eyes full of conflict and emotion. It made my heart clench.

"Take your time. I'm not going anywhere." I softly spoke and reassured him with a smile. "And if it's too much, you don't have to tell me."

"..." Ryuu gazed at me for a second before turning to face the counter again. "...Let me ask you something." I blinked.

Huh? What? All of a sudden? I thought I was getting your backstory???

"Okay." I urged him on, curious to see where this was going.

"How is love...expressed?" Ryuu quietly asked, which was very different from his confident and proud way of speaking.

Eh? Ehhh?? Ehhhhhh???

Uhm, this was something that never popped up in the game? Does this mean we're on the friendship route right now? This is something he'll ask only if you're a friend? Maybe?

I gotta take this chance to tell him what he knows is wrong! Not because he'll fall for me because he obviously sees me as a friend whose a guy, but for the future love of his!

"Hmm." I placed an elbow on the counter and leaned my chin on my hand and blankly looked forward.

Now that I think about, this is such a high level question! How is love expressed? As a virgin who was never had her first kiss nor any romantic interaction with any 3D human being, how would I know!?

...

Dating sims, it's your time to lead the way!

"...Love is suppose to be fluffy and warm, right?" I started weakly, not knowing where I was going with this.

"..." Hearing silence, I took it as him not knowing what to say. I bit my lip before continuing.

"To express love is to convey you care for your loved one, right? Between couples that could be through loving gestures like kisses or holding hands. If you really love someone, just spending time with them is conveying your feelings. That's why there's dates, I guess."

"Even small, normal gestures, like listening to them or making sure they're okay, is a way to show your love. Sure, things like giving flowers or gifts are nice, but material things can't compare to emotions or the person themself. Your presence will always be better than a bouquet of roses or a piece of metal."

"Of course, the opposite would be hurting them. No love should be full of pain and suffering. But, even though I say that, no relationship is without heartache. Fights happen, but once they're done and resolved, the love between a couple grows."

After taking a second to go over that last sentence, I quickly added.

"That doesn't mean you should pick fights, though. Going out of your way to harm your relationship or the one you love is wrong. Thats the opposite of taking care of them. That's not love."

"..."

Geez, I really went on a rant, huh? I went all over the place. Geh, I tired my best, okay!

"W-Well, that's what I think, anyway." I blushed slightly. "I haven't really experienced l-love, so..." I glance over to see Ryuu's expression.

Ryuu was staring intently at the counter. I could see the tension in his body. His muscles were flexing under his shirt as he leaned over.

"Yamamoto-kun?" I called out gently. He immediately relaxed and focused on me. My heart thudded at the heartbroken gaze. I could only weakly call out his name again in question.

"...Is that how it is? There's no violence or medicine or alcohol?" Ryuu looked at me helplessly. I felt my heart drop.

"No, there isn't." I cooed as I lightly rubbed his back. Ryuu suddenly had tears in his eyes.

"Then, have my parents not been in love this whole time?" Ryuu quietly said as a tear ran down his cheek. "Why? Why didn't I notice?" Ryuu's fist was tightly clenched. I wouldn't be surprised if his fingernails were piercing his palm.

Feeling frantic and clueless on what to do, I followed my gut and stood up to hug his back.

Ryuu was an actual person who's broken, not some 2D character who doesn't really feel. I may have enjoyed reading his story, but experiencing it in person is totally different. I would never want someone in my life to experience such a childhood. It was just depressing and wrong.

The fact that I had once been entertained by his past suddenly left a bad taste in my mouth.

I felt him tense up in my arms before turning around.

I thought he was gonna push me away, but he promptly gripped me in a firm hug. He buried his head in my shoulder, and I felt it slowly become soaked. I relaxed and comfortingly rubbed his back.

It's a good thing the only other customer left and the coworker went to the back before he broke down. The shock from seeing Ryuu like this would probably be way too much.