REMAID- An Understanding

The school hall seems so daunting when you feel like your stomach is gonna explode.

“This is why you don’t forget food, dummy!” Rimi chops my head, and I groan.

“I was busy this morning.” I was too busy making grandma breakfast to make myself something. Not that I regret it. I wonder how long Tanya got to sleep in for? Hopefully she feels refreshed. I’d hate for what I did to have no effect at all.

“Well, since I’m feeling generous, I'll buy you a big lunch if you promise to pay me back.” Rimi says, smiling sneakily. I have a feeling things could go really awry with this. Still…a hot girl buying me lunch…maybe we could turn it into a date, and then I could kiss her between bites of bread. Nghhhhh~- wait, no! Stop it stop it stop it!

Yeah Yuta, you perverted bitch!

Not invited, buzz off.

“Oh, shit, my wallet. Lemme go get it. Don’t go anywhere!” She winks at me with her tongue pointing out, like an adorable spell, before she walks off to the classroom. Running my fingers through my hair, I wait patiently for her return.

I wait…

And wait…

And wait…

What the hell? I check the time. It’s been ten minutes? Is something wrong? Don’t tell me she hurt herself in the classroom. I walk down the hall to one of the classroom entrances, opening it up and finding no Rimi, just Miura and his group of, what I assume are, friends. He turns and his eyes lock with mine. SHIT.

“Yuta! Come on over buddy. We were just talking about you. How’s your face doing? Still sting?” The people around him start laughing. I’m frozen stock still. I don’t know what to say or do.

“Buzz off bud.” I feel an arm wrap around my neck as a familiar voice makes its arrival.

“Ah, damn, it’s Take! We saw you on the way to school today bud. Tell me, how the hell’d your face get so damn fucked up? C’mon, tell me tell me.” Miura seems giddy, but Take gives no response, instead taking me away.

“Just come with me, they never follow me during lunch time.” Take assures me, leading me up the stairs, ascending past the third floor and opening a door with the sign “DO NOT ENTER” nailed on. The fall chill hits my face as we step outside, onto the school's roof. Gated to prevent anyone from falling down, the view is still lovely, giving an overlook of the rest of the village. Take walks over to the gate and takes a seat. I follow after him, sitting down as well. Despite leading me here, he doesn't seem very talkative. It seems like the words he wants to come out simply won’t, and so together we sit, waiting for someone to break the silence.

Eventually, I take control.

“Hey Take, why do you protect people?” I ask. There’s no answer for a moment, and when I start to think he may have not heard me, he responds.

“Same reason you fix me up. Because I can’t let others suffer.” He seems comfortable enough to start leading the conversation. “Have you ever been bullied, Yuta?”

“Uh…yes, I have.” I admit, not sure if I wanna go deeper into it.

“What did it feel like when people bullied you?” He asks.

“Like I was worthless.”

“Maybe even alone?”

“I felt so alone.” I whisper, and he nods.

“That’s how I felt too. When I was bullied…it felt like I was going to be stuck as this trash ball forever. Kicked around with no janitor to take me home. I won’t let others feel like that. So, I don’t care how much I get beat up. I’ll always know I protected somebody from a pain I found to be so unbearable. I did the right thing.” He turns to me, and smiles. “I also have someone to take care of me when I get too ahead of myself, so I’m never really all that scared.”

“That’s a lot of pressure you asshole.” I roll my eyes, wishing I could push him, but he’s definitely stronger than me. Would absolutely not end well. So, I stick my hands to myself, thinking back on those days in the city. “I had my own Take, once.”

“Woah, your own me?”

“Shut up, you know what I mean. She always protected me, and would always show interest in what I was doing. I wish…she were still here.” I admit, keeping my eyes on the ground.

“She sounds wonderful.” Take says, patting my shoulder. “Don’t worry, you'll definitely see her again. I can foretell it, for I am connected with the gods of strength!” Take states.

“Yeah…sure…”

“And until she’s back, I got you man. You know you’re in safe hands that way, right?” I stare at Take, his words swirling in my mind. I burst out laughing.

“H-hey, you ass!” Take gladly pushes me over, a mix of joking and annoyance clear in his voice.

I’d never say it honestly, but I am a bit grateful.

###

When I returned from the roof, I finally found Rimi. Hanging out under the stairs, her eyes are fixed on the wall in front of her. A hand is placed on her chest, and she seems to be struggling to breath. She begins squirming, as if her own skin is uncomfortable.

“Rimi?” She doesn’t respond, slowly descending to the ground as she seems to lose the ability to breath. Her face turns red as her squirming turns to a shaking. “Shit, Rimi!” I run to her side, taking her hand. When she sees me she lunges into me, holding on tight. I hold her back, too confused to understand what’s going on. As we stay like that, I feel her finally take a breath. Slowly, her breathing becomes just barely stable, and she finally starts talking.

“H-home.” She whispers, clearly pleading. “Take me home please.” It sounds like she wants to cry. “Wanna go home, wanna go home.”

“Okay, understood.” I slowly stand us up. “Let’s take you home.”