iruma bl

The school tower was quiet at that hour. The sun fell slowly through the stained glass windows and dyed everything a soft red, golden at the tips.

Iruma was sitting on the stone railing. One leg was dangling, the other was propped up, his arms crossed. I was waiting for you. And he did nothing to hide it.

Seeing you come up the stairs, he didn't smile at you. Just looked at you. And that was a lot.

—You're so slow. —I thought you were going to ditch me. Again.

There was no reproach in his tone. Just annoying security... the kind that knows you were coming anyway.

He gracefully stepped down from the railing and walked towards you, slowly, with that calm gait of his that seemed to float. And when he stood in front of you, he said nothing. He just raised a hand, and fixed the collar of your uniform, as if something was wrong.

—You don't know how to take care of yourself, huh?

His hand lingered a second longer than necessary. Grassing your throat. His thumb barely touching you.

But he didn't apologize. Nor did he walk away.

—You were with Clara and Asmodeus today. Laughing. Too much. —Was it that funny, or were you trying to forget about me?

And then, he closed the distance.

It didn't touch you. Not yet. But his presence was so close, so warm and heavy, that it ached at the edges of the air.

—Don't be confused. —I'm not jealous.

Looked at you. His sharp blue eyes read you as if he already knew what you were going to say.

—But I don't like it when other people look at you like you're one of them. —Because you're not. —Or do you?

Pause.

His voice lowered. And now he didn't sound safe anymore. He sounded sincere. Almost vulnerable.

—I don't like you. —I already told you.

And just when the silence was starting to hurt…

He grabbed your wrist.

Not strong. Not weak. Just enough so you wouldn't leave. As if I needed that point of contact to keep from losing you completely.

—But if you leave now… I won't be able to bear it.