That sounds like me... I'm still kind of gloomy and keep a low profile in school outside of the art club, but it's nothing like it used to be
I didn't have any friends either Nobody wanted to talk to me because I was gloomy and depressing, so I didn't try to reach out to anyone Every day was hard back then... I used to wish everyone would disappear, since things would be easier that way So instead of talking to real people, I busied myself with art and only talked to people online for years
I'm really lucky to have friends like you and Mao and Yusuke.
It isn't really that spooky, is it... At least we aren't the people we used to be, right? But I can't agree more! It's kind of amazing how much one person can change your life, isn't it?
Someone took my hand and stayed by my side when no one else would. It sounds sappy, I know, but it changed everything for me When I couldn't smile or like anything about myself, that smile was enough to save me.
mine wasn’t as sappy, but i had an epiphany that when i saw their smile and actually acknowledged them. they were trying to help me out and be my friend for a while despite my disappearance and cold ways.
[Well, off to the shrine it is! Nobody else mentioned anything about this meeting, but Izumi wouldn't turn down a request to do a fun activity together with his friends!
...Except that when he gets there, Tsukasa's waiting on his own.]
Tsukasa! Have you been waiting here on your own this whole time? [Come on, think of a way to break the tension....] With only the two of us here, it almost feels like we're meeting for a date!
Ah, well, um... [ Tsukasa fidgets on the stairs, hand raised to scratch his cheek. No wonder he agreed so fast; of course he'd assume it was a group thing.
......god now he wants to die. ] That's because... it... is?
I think a kindness like yours can probably save someone.
Ahaha. I'm less gloomy than I used to be... Thanks, Akira But you're also really far from gloomy, so I guess you can say that we've changed for the better
[Wait, sorry? It takes him a moment to really comprehend what Tsukasa is getting at, but as he stands in place and looks up to his friend, his eyes widen just a little bit.
On one hand, nobody said that it's a romantic date, so this could easily just be something between friends. But on the other, Izumi also doesn't want to joke around if Tsukasa's serious. He can't be, right? Tsukasa doesn't seem like the type to use the word "date" lightly, but he also basically admitted that he has feelings for.... well, that's for another time.]
Oh! Um... I'm sure it'll be fun even if it's just the two of us!
[ Ohhh, this as a terrible idea. This was the worst. He got played by his older brother. If he just explained things, he's sure it'd be fine—Izumi doesn't like him after all, probably, like that—but it's all stuck in his throat anyway, and he clears it. Ghh.
It's just between friends. Stupid Miai and his "all dates are still dates," this is just between friends... ]
With luck... No, mmm, I'm sure it will be, too. [ ...He steps down the stairs a little and holds out his hand, head tilted slightly when he smiles. ] Shall we?
[Make that two of them that feel like they got played. Izumi isn't sure whether to feel nervous or guilty for not figuring things out or what, but he's at least going to try to act like he usually would.... "try" being the key word. He's never been great at not letting his feelings show, but Tsukasa is a dear friend. This really will be fun no matter what.
So with a nod, he tries not to look too startled as he takes Tsukasa's hand with a smile.]
Yeah. We're pretty lucky that someone already painted the stars, since all that's left is for us to enjoy the view.
[ O-oh, he actually took his hand. No, don't look surprised—Tsukasa turns and leads him up the stairs then, thankful for the darkness. It's actually been a while since he held someone's hand, so this is nice... He usually does it all the time with some of his friends, but
well. Those friends aren't around long enough for that to matter, and he feels like hiding whenever they do flicker onto the same plane of existence. It's too hard for him. ]
That's true~. Really lucky, since I left my paintbrush at home. I didn't even think about grabbing it... [ Super lucky, that people have wanted to go stargazing. Summer's a good time for that though, since it stays warm at night, so he isn't too surprised, but still... ] I wonder if this is going to continue into next month too, actually? I'd like it if we only had one problem to deal with—or, better yet, none... I mean, I didn't expect I'd be spending my summer break doing this kind of stuff... I thought it'd be more like, going to the beach with friends or something.
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