There is a Beautiful Perspective I Cannot See

Minako stared at Ryoji, studying him with a careful kind of curiosity, come time for breakfast. It isn't that they lack conversational topics-(because, how the hell is that possible when she has so many questions on her mind?) it's simply the case that she's content to stare the boy-correction. Man. Ryoji's... different now, not just physically, either. Minako frowned, lips curling downward in disdain. Her insecurity grew inside her, gnawing at her insides with cries of rage, bitter at the lack of attention previous to this. Apparently she wasn't allowed to try and get over her childishness, anymore. Instead of complying with the voices inside of her she bit down on her food, chewing delicately with an ushered patience. Despite the slow nature of her actions she had managed to bite the inside of her mouth, teeth clamping down to break skin, releasing a small stream of blood. Minako yelped in shock and clamped a pair of hands to her now-bleeding mouth.

The boy's head snapped up in surprise, rushing to her side with a deep worry that was obviously not just from the sudden scream she let out. Even in her shocked state, he could tell something was on her mind.

"Minako? Are you okay? What happened?" she only winced in response; opening her mouth gave her quite the unpleasant sting. Ryoji's brows knitted together in confusion, then he gave a humored sigh at this edginess. He was just making things worse... He had tried to ease her mind, but he seemed to be worrying her all the more with his self-consciousness.

He gave her a soft smile, before rubbing her head, chuckling at the pouted look she granted him, "Let me see," he whispered, prying her small hands away from her in an attempt to inspect the wound. She opened her mouth grudgingly, averting her eyes sheepishly at her clumsiness, cheeks reddening as he inspected the cave of her mouth.

He frowned a bit and stretched out her cheeks irritably, "Does that hurt?" she winced, "Of course it does!" she exclaimed, trying to move away. Ryoji tsked and muttered something about her making things harder for him before he stood up, placed his hands on his hips and walked away, returning with some rubbing alcohol and a q-tip in hand.

He's changed, she thought. The realization made her happy and a little mournful all at once. If he were the old Ryoji he would of treated her more delicately then he did at this moment, if he were the old Ryoji he'd beat himself up about everything-try to punish himself for his wrong doings... Now, Ryoji seemed confident-almost like the type of person to say whatever is on their mind.

Gazing into the cavern of her mouth, lips slightly parted as he tried to reach the spot without stretching her further he murmured, "What's on your mind?" Minako was silent for a few seconds, but he waited as she gathered her words together and backed away to let her speak.

She took a deep breath before she spoke, almost hesitant, "I just... I feel guilty-I don't know when it was... but I just. I knew you. I wanted you and I knew I needed you and there's a guilt that comes up with that, Ryoji. There's a lot of guilt." She sighed and mussed her hair up, irritated.

"I don't feel like my decision was necessarily wrong... but more so that it was at the wrong time and that makes it wrong." He chuckled and lifted a hand to smooth over her hair, smiling, "You mean you feel like you deceived Akihiko, right?"

Minako was silent for a moment, eyes dark, "I don't really remember all that much about him, Ryoji, who he was, really... but from what you told me and what I remember I feel like I cheated." Minako sighed and ruffled over her hair again before snapping, "Ryoji-as much as people tell me that I'm good at solving problems and I'm caring I suck at voicing how I really feel and do what's expected instead-but it isn't an expectation when I say this, when I say that I love you."

Ryoji blinked. He knew she loved him, but she had never stated it directly-and this was probably as direct as it would get at this point, with her not even attempting to meet his eyes.

"I'm a lot more selfish than you know, Ryoji... I just hope I don't drive you away with it," she whispered, swallowing air.

Ryoji's heart sped up. There was no one who could get in the way-but he suddenly had the desire to wrap her in an embrace and carry her off to some forbidden land with only the two of them. Ryoji decided to share his own confession instead-hey, he was trying to be less selfish, too, you know, "Yesterday... I'm sorry. It seems silly, doesn't it? To feel so guilty about just walking in on you-not that I didn't enjoy it," she laughed, "It's just... Everything came rushing back. I could never do anything for you and it was more frustrating than you can imagine, Minako. I just... I remembered all the mistakes and failures when it came to dealing with or protecting you."

She scoffed, blush fading, "We're all human, Ryoji, we're not perfectly made or hand-crafted down to the exact detail. We're built up and chipped away... painted and peeled, but there's always a part of the original piece that exists. Take your time." He flinched slightly at the word 'human', "I'm not-"

Minako rolled her eyes irritably, "Shut up. You are. You're more honest and less stupid than before... but like I said-take your time." He gave a soft smile before pulling the girl to him, grinning into the crook of her neck, "I love you," he whispered, "so much."

So... just a quick little chapter in. I've honestly been busy with school work and haven't been able to really sit down and write. I don't know who thought it'd be a great idea to give us a ton of homework everyday when we have track, PATs and finals at the end of the year... and to be honest, although I'm giving away my age here, I have highschool in grade 10 next year which I'm super excited for. I'll have so much more freedom and I won't be as suffocated as I am now.

So I guess this is a breather chapter. Follow me on fictionpress if you want more original one shots or if you want to submit requests and I'll do 'em if I have enough time. I also have a story started on there... which I'm really sorry for, but I just needed to get the ideas down.

I'm really sorry that I started stories and haven't been able to keep up with them. Really. I hope you guys forgive me.