XIII — One Rule Left Unspoken

However, despite those tears... she cleansed them away. 

Quite gently so.

If he sees me like this, he will be sad too.

But then, a short message notification rang.

Just like a bell.

Who is it? Mom?

Of course, she did expect for her to finally reply. 

She then checked her smartphone again, to see who was the sender.

Oh?

Immediately, she opened the message from them.

Hey, are you going to school? 

I'm waiting in front of the door.

- Reita Riku

She immediately jumped from the bed.

Wait, how? I only gave him my number!

Her clothes were messy, but she couldn't care enough.

She rushed from her bedroom. Grabbing the door's knob.

Then walked downstair.

However, since she couldn't see things clearly-

She slipped down from the stair.

Her body crumpled backward.

Her shoulders hitting the floor, with her back arched.

Her messy short hair was flailing on the floor.

"Ugh. Ittai, ittai..."

However, someone heard it.

"Uh, is everything alright?"

Riku asked, shouting from outside the door.

"Everything is fine! Don't worry!"

She said while holding back her pain.

She woke up immediately then walking rapidly to the front door.

Then, she opened the door slowly but surely. 

Leaving only one of her eyes to be seen.

"Ten minutes." she said. 

It was blunt and reserved.

And for the first time in his life, he saw her sleepy, cold eye. 

The one without her glasses.

It was threatening, as he couldn't help but nod as a reply.

After that moment, the door simply closed shut quickly.

Leaving no interpretations of her pain.

That was even more embarrassing, Anna.

She definitely was right about that.

I mean, failing from the stair during her first day going to school with a friend?

She should be ashamed, really. Especially after giggling like an idiot yesterday.

Or crying like a fool. Begging for her to come back.

Soon after, ten minutes just passed.

She was taking a bath. Five minutes.

Preparing for the rest. Exactly five minutes.

Punctual. As always.

She then opened the front door for the first time.

She took a small breathe before saying something.

"How did you know?" She asked, calmly.

Riku saw that small eye again, still as threatening as ever.

As if wanting to devour his soul, despite her glasses covered it.

"I asked our maths teacher about it." He replied.

Honest, and somewhat brave.

She closed her eyes, then sighed. 

Almost immediately, along with her feelings.

I hate you, uncle.

"I see."

Deep down, she was mad. 

Why can't people keep their mouth shut every single time? Is it really that hard to do?

She would take care of him later on, or maybe she should thank him for that.

"Next time, tell me about it." The reply was short, with a cold, icy tone.

He never answered. Instead, he was wondering whether he breached her privacy.

Or whether she was really mad or just on her period, which seemed too rude to ask for.

Later on, she then closed the door, locking it with a key from the outside like usual.

Riku noticed something immediately from her still swollen eyes.

"Are those... tears?" he wondered out of curiosity.

Oh no!

Yes, she was shedding tears on her bathtube earlier for being so clumsy.

Thinking she ruined everything.

Hearing that, she wiped her eyes immediately.

"No, these are just water."

"From the foam. That's why."

A cold, almost confident but dry tone as a reply.

It truly wasn't a lie at least...

"Okay, good. Let's go then."

She nodded without any hesitation.

Or maybe not deep down, as they both walked away.

Wait, he is Riku Reita. That Riku Reita!

Never in her entire life she would care about her reputation.

But all of a sudden, he was treated as a threat to her peaceful life.

She then stopped the step of her feet, the one that also noticed by him.

"What's wrong?" asked him out of confusion.

"Reita-kun..."

"Are you that clueless or you don't see it yet?"

She stared at him, then distancing herself.

It was vague, filled with mockery. Hinting at the problem.

"Oh, are you talking about them?"

Yes.

She wanted to say that, but instead she replied in affirmative.

A silent nod.

"Don't worry."

"They will understand."

Heh, what do you even mean by that, idiot? Are you a clueless clown, an idiot, or what?

Her thoughts were violent, but she didn't want to hurt him.

"They will see us."

"Rei-ta,"

"Ri-ku."

She spelled his name out. No, she had to.

However, his response made her eyes bewildered.

He closed her mouth, giggling.

And then he let out a muffled laugh. 

Somewhat a short, and breathy one. The one hidden behind his curled fingers.

Deep down, he never knew a girl like her could be this threatening.

Unlike those artificial ones. Plastics he used to interact with at school.

Heh, I was concerned. You idiot.

"I mean..."

"We are just friends."

"Right, Kanzaki-san?"

We are just friends... right. That's true but...

All of a sudden, she was put back into her place.

She disliked it.

But to her dismay, she had no rights to claim him.

Even just for seconds. Let alone minutes, hours, or days.

"Yes." She answered, not with a nod. But a silent plea.

For now.

That continuation didn't seem to flourish either.

I would never fall in love with this clueless clown. 

My comedian, Riku Reita.

An unspoken rule. 

Never expressed, as it was silent.

Never uttered, as it was empty. 

Because by doing so, she would feel like Kazuko again.

"Also, it was funny. The way you spelled out my name like that."

He still giggled even after her silent threat.

"Kanzaki-san..."

"You are something else, you know?"

His signature smile was drawn on his cheerful face.

"No, I'm not."

"Shut it."

Her face reddened again. Maybe due to the heat of the sun, or his radiation.

She had no idea. 

However, one thing for sure. 

She was more than glad to walk with him. 

Together.