Soubi and Ritsuka stood motionless on the street as Nezumi slipped his shirt and hoodie back on. People stopped to stare in confusion, but after a moment just let it go and went on their way.
Soubi’s heart was pounding, and Ritsuka hardly dared to breathe. Then finally, Soubi muttered, “Ritsuka there’s only one way to prove he’s wrong.” And Ritsuka knew it was true. He lowered his head and fought back tears, because he knew it to be true. He had felt a connection with Nezumi the second he had set eyes on him.
Scars from past wounds, including the jagged line on his left shoulder, seemed to stand out even clearer than Ritsuka remembered as he lifted up his shirt. Soubi’s stomach clenched and he felt like his chest would burst.
It was the exact same text, in the exact same font, in the exact same place. Loveless. It was like a curse, now visible on Ritsuka’s skin to anyone and everyone. Tears flowed down Ritsuka’s face as he replaced his shirt. No one dared move for what seemed like the longest time.
Soubi was, again, the one to break the silence. He gathered up Ritsuka’s backpack and murmured softly, “Let’s go home, luv.” Ritsuka, without a word, followed. Nezumi watched the go silently, sadness in his eyes. He didn’t like to see Ritsuka, his Sacrifice, cry.
They were almost out of earshot, and Nezumi must have turned and gone by then, but as they turned the corner, Ritsuka could have sworn he heard, “I love you, Ritsuka.” On the wind. It was Nezumi’s voice.
The black-haired boy’s heart gave a squeeze as he turned, but, indeed, the burnet was gone.
--Loveless--
Ritsuka and Soubi barely even glanced at each other for the next few days. Soubi would wait for the boy outside his school gate, and when Ritsuka and Nezumi parted, they went home and retreated to their separate rooms.
It had been three days since Nezumi had showed up when Ritsuka’s phone rang as he sat at the desk Soubi had provided, and the black-haired boy jumped. He quickly glanced at the number but didn’t recognize it. With a shrug, he flipped it open and asked, “Hello?”
“Hey, Ritsuka!” It was Nezumi. “I was wondering if you’d like to hang with me in the park. I’m really bored.”
Again, Ritsuka’s heart gave that painful yet longing squeeze, and he couldn’t help but smile. What was wrong with him? “Sure.” He answered finally. Nezumi’s smile could be heard through the phone.
“Great! Be there in five minutes!” He said happily, and the line went dead.
Ritsuka stared at the phone in his hand for a moment, before shaking himself out of his stupor and getting ready. He put on a new shirt and slipped his phone into his pocket. Just in case Soubi called him.
At the thought of the blond, Ritsuka stopped. What was he doing, going to meet this new boy and leaving Soubi all alone? ‘Nezumi is your Fighter!’ Said one voice. ‘Yeah, but what about Soubi. Are we just going to ditch him now that Nezumi’s around? Yeah, thanks for all the suffering you went through for me, Soubi, but now I have Nezumi! Bye!’ Said the other.
Ritsuka knew it was his responsibility to see Nezumi, but he couldn’t leave Soubi with at least telling him where he was going. Reaching that conclusion, the black-haired boy walked to Soubi’s room and knocked on the door.
“Come on in.” Soubi said. Ritsuka opened the door to find the blond lying on his bed, setting aside a thick book he was reading for school. Soubi was surprised to see Ritsuka in his room, fully dressed, but kept his face clear. “What is it?” He asked.
Ritsuka didn’t lift his head, opting instead to stare at his shoes. “I’m...gonna go see Nezumi. He invited me to the park, and I didn’t want to be rude so...” He left the sentence hanging, and there was a long stretch of silence. Finally, Soubi spoke.
“Of course, Ritsuka.” Said boy jerked his head up in surprise. Soubi was smiling softly at him. “Take your camera so you can make lots of memories to show me later, okay?”
Ritsuka felt so guilty, but he was backed into a corner. He knew that by doing his, he was officially replacing Soubi with Nezumi. With a heavy heart, he nodded and turned to leave.
Ritsuka slipped on his shoes and exited the house feeling like the worst person in the world.
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A/N:
Me: How are we gonna make them comment now, Seimei? The kitten ran away!
Seimei: Hm...what do we have that's cute, and like a kitten?
Me: You don't think...?
Seimei: -grabs Ritsuka-
Me: Seimei, no! We are NOT killing the main character!
Seimei: Aww! No fair!
Ritsuka: WTF?
Me: Please help me find a way to make them comment? -puppy dog pout-
hope u liked it! THE END
Peachybear89 Community Member 
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