Rin Okumura x Reader - Bittersweet Goodbye [2]

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"Listen you," Rin growled. "She and I aren't a thing. Get that through your thick skull."

Rin vehemently stood, nearly knocking the chair over. He removed himself from the classroom, aggression building. Why was he angry? It wasn't the taunting itself; he wanted it to be uprooted in truth. If he did kiss [F/n] back, would he be happy? It would be deceit disguised as happiness. But by not kissing her, he felt miserable. It was a lose-lose. 'How can you say something so vile? She's your friend!' Is she, or does she have resentment for him? He couldn't blame her if she did. He didn't give a reasonable explanation for not kissing her. "I don't think we should um, do this." What a slap in the face. Rin sighed. "My love life is like School Rumble."

*School Rumble - taking "it's complicated" another level.

/-/-/-/

Rin saw [F/n] with Yukio. For some reason that irked him. He lost her to his brother. It was like being stabbed, left to bleed while they were reveling in their joviality. Rin's unanchored jealousy was kerosene to the fire. He was avoiding confrontation with [F/n], but Yukio had no damn right to pull the moves on her. It was underhanded and downright cruel.


"Something wrong Rin?" Yukio asked, concerned why Rin was being reserved toward him. 

"Wouldn't you like to know," Rin snapped. 

Yukio looked victimized. "Rin, I'm only trying to help."

Rin looked at him askance. "Help me, my ass."

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play stupid with me! I saw you talking with [F/n]."

"What? Suddenly it's wrong to talk to my friend?"

"Not the way you talk to her." Rin's voice was weighted with considerable remorse. "Sorry. I was being irrational. You make her happy. If she makes you happy who am I to stand in your way."

"What are you talking about Rin? I'm not dating [Y/n]."

"Then what did she tell you?"

"She told me not to enclose it to you."

"You think I give a sh*t? Tell me or I'll compromise my identity."

Rin pulled out Kurekara an inch to prove he wasn't bluffing. His intrinsic blue flames ignited. Yukio's eyes narrowed. 

"Fine. I'll tell you. She's going to Yagami station. Better hurry if you want to get there."

Rin closed his sword and hit the ground running. 

/-/-/-/

Rin fast-walked through the concourse past flurries of people, eyes filtering for [F/n]. 

"[F/n]!" he called out. He stopped when he came face to face with the Paige.

"Rin?"

"You really thought you could leave without saying goodbye."

"I didn't want to. It was pride. Believe me, I wanted to talk to you, but I messed everything up." She fought back tears.

"It's okay [F/n]. It's okay." Rin soothed. "I wanted to talk to you too but I was tripping on words. I felt like it was getting out of my hands. I hated that. That time you kissed me...well I want you to be with someone who's more of a man."

Rin was glad he had this moment of clarity. It was then [F/n] dropped a bomb.  

"Rin, I'm leaving True Cross."

"Why?"

"Isaiah is ill."

"Your brother from the Vatican?"

"Yes. He has a rare condition. I've donated my scholarship fund for him to get well again."

"That's why you were late that day."

[F/n] nodded.

"What about Shiemi? She could have something to make him better." 

"I already visited her shop. There were no drugs to treat him, only herbs and remedies."

Rin felt his resolve crumbling. Moreover, he felt disgusted with himself. All this time he was being petty when [F/n] faced hardship. He wished there was more he could do for her. A train came into the station and slowed to a gradual halt. Passengers populated the concourse. [F/n] steeled herself for a proper goodbye.

"Rin, I want you to promise me something. Be the best damn exorcist there is. Like Fujimoto was."

"Sure," Rin promised, managing a smile.

"Goodbye Rin." [F/n] wrapped her arms around Rin. Rin reciprocated the hug. He wanted to keep holding her like this, but the steel mode of transportation nullified that sentiment. The two uncoiled from the hug. 

"Goodbye [F/n]. Take care."

"You too."

[F/n] boarded the train, wearing the smile he fell in love with. The smile he'd miss for the rest of his days. The train disembarked. The sun descended fluidly into the horizon, bathing the sky predominantly violet. It reminded Rin of something [F/n] told him once.

'The sun and moon are children on a playground. They share the sky, dormant until their turn arrives. That's how Isaiah explains it to me.'

Remembering that, Rin's despair lessened.