The clock on the wall showed 16:53. Two minutes passed since Du left Akari and Toshiro alone in Du's room.
The tea in Du's cup was still hot when Toshiro rushed downstairs. He passed a couch Du sat and stopped, not turning his face to them.
"I... I'm sorry." His voice was tight. "I... Take care of Akari for me..."
He took two steps towards the door. "That's for the best..." He walked to the entrance and sat down, pushing his feet into his shoes. Toshiro swore under his breath. "Laces." Then he stood up, gave Du one last glance and left.
---
Room door closed behind Toshiro with a soft click. He never slammed doors — not since that accident at— stupid thoughts.
Akari didn't cry. She sat in the same spot on Du's bed where she listened to Toshiro excuses minutes ago. The same spot where she heard "too tall" in his "love you as a friend", "too boyish" in his "it isn't the time". The laces hugging her body under the dress felt like a dirty, stupid secret — a stolen costume.
She looked at the ceiling. The gloss on her lips felt stupid and sticky. Gentle touch. She tried to wipe it. Now half of her face was glossy, and her hands were all sticky.
Idiot.
Her ear twitched reflexively at the knock, but she didn't turn her head. Oh.
"Come in." She waited for the door to open. Her voice was flat. "I'm such an idiot."
She glanced at Du. "Tall. Flat. Tomboy idiot..." She let out a weary sigh. "That stupid dress, this stupid gloss, that fucking stupid—" Her throat closed. Lingerie. She couldn't say it. "That stupid me..." Her voice dropped almost to a whisper. "Playing dress-up..."
