REMAID- A Girl Ignored

How long had we spent in front of that river? I have no clue, but I do know that every second was worth it.

“Hermes was adorable, but I gotta be honest, I think Yukaki stole my heart.” I say while Rimi opens up her photos app. With grace, her fingers gently slide through the hundreds of photos she took of her precious turtles.

“I love to see them in the morning. I named all of them, you know?” Rimi admits while deleting pictures she finds to be lacking. “They’re almost like my friends. Ah! Now this is good wallpaper material.” I peak over her shoulder to see what she means, and find a picture of myself staring back, holding Hermes.

“Ehh? You want me on your phone?!” I feel strange. The thought of a hot gi-er, girl, having me as their background is touching.

“Yeah. Because you're my friend.” She says, her voice tinged with an air of gratefulness.

“I mean, yeah, I guess that makes sense.” I raise an eyebrow at her tone. Is every girl here suffering or something? That’s rough buddy…”Don’t you have a lot of friends at school? Isn’t that something cute girls have?” She laughs, taking my hand.

“I have you, Mina, and the turtles. That’s all I need.” She smiles wide. It seems like a sad smile. Still…she’s touching my hand and her skin is so soft I’m gonna lose my mind ahhh! Anything not related to this sensation moves to the back of my mind as I become a slave to my own growing fuzzy feelings. “Ahahaha! Yuta, you look like you're gonna start drooling man, you alright?”

“I’ve definitely ascended to heaven.” I whisper, unable to control the words falling out of my mouth.

“Ah, well, if you’re gonna be so open…then sneak attack!” Something sweet enters my mouth and I instinctively swallow. Confused and horrified, I turn to Rimi.

“Why?” I whisper.

“I made chocolates.” She replies, smiling. Genuinely this time. It’s such a nice smile, I can’t help but smile back.

“Delicious. The next time you surprise me like that I’m feeding you ants.” I promise, without a hint of comedy in my voice.

“You’re evil!” Rimi play-squirms in fear. Overall, it’s shaping up to be a good morning. Then, it gets rudely interrupted.

“There you two are! Ugh, you guys are a hard pair to find.” Two arms wrap around our necks as a familiar voice starts talking. I look to see our new companion and see a head of orange hair and brown eyes. Wearing a ruffled up white shirt and khakis, I can recognize him only faintly.

“Hey…aren’t you the guy who always gets his ass beat?” I ask, not entirely sure I have the right guy.

“I would prefer the guy who protects the weak with their heart and soul, but that works too.” The boy responds. “Also, my name’s Take, so please never call me that again.”

“Aww, really? But the guy who always gets his ass beat has such a nice ring to it.” Rimi chimes in.

“You two are so mean! Ugh, ah well, you did save me back then, so I suppose proper thanks are in order. Ahem…thanks.” He says, leaving me somewhat in a state of humor.

“Wow, I can tell that took a lot out of you. Need some water?” I try to joke, rolling my eyes.

“If you have some that would be great, I’m hyper dehydrated.” He answers seriously.

“Yeah, Yuta, he’s really dehydrated.” Rimi gives me puppy dog eyes. I give in immediately, pulling my water bottle out of my bag and handing it over.

I watch then, in disbelief, as he chugs the whole bottle in 5 seconds.

“Ahh…I feel alive.” He sighs in deep relief as I watch my plastic water bottle become trash.

“Oh, want it back?” He tries to hand it back to me, but my dead eyes stare into his.

“Recycle it please.” I mumble.

And so, that’s my first real conversation with the boy known as Take. I’ll never forget it, the prick.

###

“Ahh!” I hear Rimi yelp as we walk through the school doors. Turning, I see her on the ground, seemingly in pain. My eyes follow just a bit behind her back and see someone walking past rubbing their side.

“Hey-” I feel Rimi grab my side as she picks herself up.

“It’s fine. Just an accident.” Rimi tells me, taking my hand. “But, don’t let it happen again please.” Her cute voice sends my soul into overdrive. Take takes her other hand.

“Hell yeah, now we’re the goddamn wall!” He proclaims with a powerful smile. I admit, that one made me laugh.

“Ah, my boys are so foolish.” Rimi shrugs her shoulders as we make our way to class, through the crowding halls. “Ah!” Rimi’s pencil falls from her pocket and, without a moment's notice, someone picks it up and walks off. Two rude acts in a few minutes. This isn’t a coincidence. What the hell’s going on? “Damn. Glad I brought a spare! Well…spare 20, ehehe~.”

I wanna address it, but her face looks so calm and happy when it looks at me. Whatever it is…maybe it can wait. If she’s happy now, let her be happy.

“You nerd, you only need like 19 to get through a school day. Save the pennies.” She laughs, and my heart feels so conflicted.

###

Luckily, the rest of the day passes without incident. Maybe some snarky remarks from Mina, a lot of them involving calling me puke boy, but it's a rather chill day all things considered. By the time the last period has ended, I've mostly let what happened earlier slide into the recesses of my mind. Grabbing my things, Rimi arrives at my side and we make our way to the front entrance. I notice someone getting rather close and the events of earlier come surging back. I take Rimi's hand and lead her as out of the way of any ill intentioned looking people as I can. Of course, I can't even pretend I know what malintent looks like, so It eventually just comes down to walking faster than anyone else.

"Yutaaaa, you're going too fast!" Rimi says while barely keeping up.

"Aww come on, I know your half mile times, you can keep up." I retort at her, my eyes focused on the front entrance.

"But my legs are tireddddd." She complains. "Give me a piggyback ride!"

"Huh?! You're insane." The idea snaps me out of my protective state. A piggyback ride. That…actually sounds appealing…I'm definitely not strong enough though. I mean, maybe I am. Wait, no, why am I even considering it! You just wanna feel her boobs don't you! You asshole...I bet they're super soft...mmmmmmm-

"I was joking, don't think so hard about it." Rimi ruffles my hair as we reach the front entrance. The calm fall wind brushes my face and I start to relax.

"...Rimi, is there something between you and somebody here? It doesn't feel like you're being treated like this by accident." I try to broach the subject, and, hesitantly, Rimi seems to give some sort of answer.

"It's…something bad. I did something bad, and this is my punishment." She says, her hands moving to hide behind her back. What I always considered a cute action has suddenly filled me with a sense of foreboding. Before I can ask anything else, another sound fills my ears.

"I said no! Leave me alone, please!" The whole body of walking students is broken up by Mina stomping through them. From where she came, a boy ran out.

"Fuck you Ryuga! You're a stuck up bitch who doesn't know a good man when she sees one!" The boy spits on the ground. The body of people begins clamoring all at once, confused as to what's happening. Me and Rimi exchange a worried look before making our way down the steps, and after Mina.