Chapter Text
Gray colored clouds filled the sky, the air in the city smelling like rain and the nostalgic winds of fall.
Akane sat in bed once again. For two weeks, she'd felt a strange sadness she couldn't describe. Even Yamada couldn't help her. "Akane." He said that cloudy afternoon. "Why don't you get up? We could take a short walk." Akane took a glance at her boyfriend, slowly shaking her head.
He looked around the room helplessly. "Then...what do you want to do?"
Akane stared at her lap, her silence growing. Yamada sighed, taking a seat on the side of her bed.
He took her hands gently in his. "Would you smile? Please?"
Akane's raised her eyes. Her gaze was locked on him, but it felt distant.
Akane opened her mouth, but closed it just as quickly. She returned her gaze to her lap. "Do you want a hug?" Yamada suggested, holding his arms out. Akane didn't even look up that time. "Akane," Yamada tilted his head in her face.
Her eyes moved to her hands. "Are you hungry? You want some food?"
Yamada asked, already turning toward the kitchen. Akane held him back. Turning, Yamada picked her up off the bed, shifted to sit where she had been, gently pulling Akane into his lap. "How is this?"
Akane stared up at the ceiling. "Still not up for speaking, huh?" Yamada smiled a little, leaning down to kiss her. The kiss lasted a few seconds before it tasted salty.
"Woah, Akane, you ok? What's the matter?" He brushed a hair from her face as tears ran down her face.
He stroked her cheek delicately, bringing her up to his chest.
If Akane were feeling herself, she'd probably think she was a nuisance, and she should be the one being responsible.
If she were feeling herself. Yamada rubbed her back, gently massaging it with every touch. Eventually, Akane's soft sobs quieted, her breathing falling into a steady rhythm.
Yamada couldn't help but hope she'd feel better soon. Two weeks of doing your best to get your girlfriend, who usually hid her pain, to at least crack a smile was tiresome, whether he tried to deny it or not.
Yamada caught a hint of Akane's shampoo under his nose. It smelled like she had switched it again. It used to be a strong, nauseating scent, but smelled of a gentle, comforting aroma at that moment.
Akane stirred in her sleep, rolling over to the extent of almost falling off the bed. Yamada grabbed her by the wrist, unintentionally waking her.
Akane sat up, rubbing her tear stained eyes. She didn't say a word, and stood up from the bed.
Yamada kept his eyes on her as she exited the room, mumbling unintelligible words while she walked off to the restroom.
Akane closed the door behind her, glancing back at Yamada wearily before closing it. Yamada stood out of the bed, and walked over to the bathroom just in case. The apartment fell silent.
Yamada lightly knocked on the door. "Akane? Everything ok?" Obviously, she wasn't talking, so silence was the only reply.
Yamada opened the door cautiously. "Akane!" he exclaimed, rushing over. She was hunched on the floor with a pained expression. "Hold on, let me help you up."
Akane didn't argue, but whimpered in pain when he helped her onto her feet, clutching her side. She looked a little pale. Was it starvation? Something else?
Yamada set Akane on the bed. "Akane—your phone. Where is it?" Akane pointed to the bag hanging on the back of the door.
Squeezing her hand, Yamada made his way over to the door, rummaging through the bag until he pulled it out. The battery was drained, less than 19% remaining. He found the charger down on the nightstand, plugging it in. Akane stared at him questionably, tilting her head in curiosity. He turned it back on. "Akane, can you type in your password?"
Reluctantly obeying, Akane shakily took it from him and unlocked it. Yamada gently took it back from Akane. A few swipes later, his finger hovered over the phone, almost as if he were hesitating.
He pressed call, the green light glowing back at him. It rang. Once. Then the call was picked up.
"Hello?" Someone on the other end answered immediately. Probably Akane's mother, from what it sounded like. "Akane? You're finally calling? I’ve been worried sick! You just disappeared. No message, nothing...Your father, he's quite, quite angry with you. I mean, you could have at least―"
Yamada cleared his throat, cutting her off. "Um..Akane's actually not speaking right now, ma'am. But to get to the point.." Yamada glanced back at Akane, who was now lying down.
"I need your help. Its about Akane."