Dance With Me (Soudam)

CHAPTER FOUR

     It had been three days since the fight. Gundham attended class as per usual, but Kazuichi laid in bed. He barely moved in the day, only getting up to go to the bathroom or to go get food. Not by his choice, Fuyuhiko would get him out of bed when it was lunch, making sure that Kazuichi would do his daily stretches. He'd also make sure to get him ice. He was worried about his friend, who had fallen into what seemed like a depressive episode.
     In Kazuichi's eyes he saw doing almost everything as pointless. Emphasis on almost. It felt like he had lost everything in only a day. He couldn't stand being around Gundham, but could do nothing as they were sharing the dorm. Luckily Gundham spent most of his time outside and away from Kazuichi. He envied him, being able to go outside and be loved by everyone he came into contact with.
     He'd shift and whimper as he put pressure on his side. The heating pad beneath him soothed him. While the pain had eased, it was still tedious to get normal things done. He spent time on his phone, wasting the hours away.
     Soon class would end, Fuyuhiko would return and then Gundham a short while after. Fuyuhiko would take a shower before preparing dinner. The scent of stirfry filled the dorm. He'd give Kazuichi the first serving, Kazuichi would give a quick thanks and eat fast, Fuyuhiko telling him to slow down.
     Despite the hostility he showed Gundham, he also offered him a serving. Kazuichi would grimace. Gundham would look at the food like it was poisoned, but reluctantly accepted it.
     He sat on his futon because they lacked a table, which would cause Kazuichi to coil up in the corner of his bed. As he hid his emotions he ate slowly. The food was delicious but these people were his enemies. He would keep a single eye on Kazuichi who was barely behind him.
     After they finished Fuyuhiko would clean the dishes and get to bed early. It would be a few more hours until Gundham would turn the lights off and join in slumber. Kazuichi all the while was on his phone, waiting for time to pass.
     When time struck 11pm, Kazuichi slowly pulled himself out of bed. Tiptoeing over Gundham's body, he'd quietly search through the closet before grabbing a prepacked duffle bag. He'd throw in his ID card and phone in and then leave the dorm. The duffle bag was slung over his left shoulder, the side with the smaller bruise. He'd make his way down the hallways until reaching one practice room that was always unlocked. It was tucked away at the end of the hallway too, so even if anyone came by they wouldn't be quick notice.
     He twisted the handle on the door and looked around to be sure before entering. Throwing his bag next to the door, he took his shirt off. Gently pushing it into the bag he grabbed his phone and walked towards one of the walls. There were stacked chairs. He'd grab one and drag it to the center of the room, to use as railing if he started to fumble. He'd put Tchaikovsky on, just as background sound.
     Holding on to the chair, he got into first position. Keeping his back straight hurt, but he stubbornly pushed through. He moved into second position, then third, then fourth, then fifth. Recycling through the positions, his chest began to feel uncomfortable. Ignoring his body's request to stop or pause, he let go of the chair and started to move around the room. A plié turned into a glissade, the sudden stretch took wind out of him.
     The music persuaded his steps and movements as the instruments got more intense. As the performance reached its peak, Kazuichi backed up. He would dart forward and try to preform a sauter. The worst decision he could of made. As soon as his back arched and his legs split, his form broke as he crashed knee first into the floor. Intense pain wrapped around his body, it was almost impossible to breathe. He turned onto his back wheezing. Closing his eyes he balled his fist. He couldn't dance properly, couldn't breathe properly, without being brought into the ground. Of course something like this would happen. He stayed on the cold floor for a while. Shallow breaths.
     He crawled over to his bag and popped two extra strength Advil tablets. It's something he shoved into his bag when Fuyuhiko was in class. Clawing his way up he leaned on the wall. Staring at the door he contemplating going back but quickly changed his mind. I just got here, I have to do more for myself.
     It would be hours before he'd return, the sun peaking its head on the horizon. He gently opened the door to the dorm, shove the duffle bag into the closet's corner, and limped back into bed. He would fall asleep and stay asleep for the rest of the day.
     A cycle was formed. Sleep all day, wake up and lie about napping to Fuyuhiko, eat dinner, wait for everyone to fall asleep, and then sneak out of the dorm to practice. Kazuichi's body was getting worse. Every single night to morning he'd strain his body further and further. Each night his goal was to sauter and land. It became harder to get up and walk, because of landing on his knees countless times. When Fuyuhiko would question it Kazuichi blamed it on falling in the shower.
     It had been four days, a full week now since the fight. Kazuichi waited for 11pm eagerly. Once the clock reached it's short hand over, he left.
     Gundham suddenly opened his eyes and looked at the freshly closed door. He had known the entire time. The first night, one of his hamsters alerted him. He brushed it off for the first three days, but decided to follow Kazuichi on the fourth out of curiosity.
     He got up and swiftly moved to the door. He decided to leave his shoes behind. Not wanting to leave his beloved Dark Devas of Destruction behind, he took them with him. He was only wearing shorts, a tang top, and his scarf. The room got freezing at night, but Gundham overheated fast. He also refuses to take his scarf off half the time.
     Pressing his ear up against the door he waited until Kazuichi's footsteps faded. That's when he opened the door, seeing Kazuichi turn a corner. He silently chased after him, always staying one hallway behind Kazuichi as to not get caught.
     The end of the hallway lit up, as Kazuichi turned his head around. Gundham hid behind the corner. He proceeded inside, a small click confirming a shut door. Luckily, Gundham would not have to sneak inside the room. Next to the doors were windows. The chairs blocked a good half of them and created a perfect area for Gundham to peer into. It's not exactly safe to keep piles of chairs next to glass, but Gundham paid no mind to it.
     Kazuichi took his shirt off. He turned to throw it at his bag by the door, which caused Gundham to duck behind cover. He heard a small thud against the glass as the shirt fell to the floor. Poking his head back up, he saw Kazuichi start to cycle through the postions. First, second, third, fourth, and fifth. Is this all he's been doing for the past week? Seriously? Narrowing his eyes Gundham gazed at Kazuichi's figure, noticing the massive bruising on his chest. Back in the dorm, he had seen a few glimpses here and there, but never focused on them. He had a short flashback to when he kicked Kazuichi in the chest, shaking his head. What an idiot. He's practicing while he's clearly still hurt. Well, it's not my fault if he continues to injure himself. Gundham got up to leave, then hesitated. He quickly knelt back down as one of his hamsters squeaked inside his scarf.
     "Quiet yourself. I just want to see what this buffoon has been doing all this time."
     The night went on for Kazuichi. Panting as he stepped back, he practiced over and over again for a full sauter, but could never land on his feet. Breathing in sharply, twitching to the soft pain, he prepared himself. When he felt ready, he glided against the floor until he jumped. It was another failed attempt, the fourth time this week. He curled up and held his sides. The pain each day got worse and worse. He didn't know how long he could keep this up for.
     Gundham gripped the edge of window. He sighed in disappointment and got up, staring at the door handle. What am I thinking? Why do I want to check on the dick who bit me? Rolling his shoulders he silently opened the door and shut it behind him. He took off his scarf to prevent being strangled again and put a finger to his lips to make sure the Devas were quiet. Approaching the pink-haired boy, his steps were detected and Kazuichi sat up holding his side. His look went from painful, to disbelief, and then anger.
     "What the fuck are you doing here." Kazuichi immediately took a defensive state, shuffling to get on his feet.
     "I know you've been sneaking out." Kazuichi's expression dropped. "This is the fourth night too. Look at you, you're only going to hurt yourself further."
     "You put me in this position!! Don't fucking act like you care!!" Kazuichi barked. He stared at the floor before remembering everything Sonia had told him. "You took almost everything from me. My position, you lied to everyone, you lied to her."
     "Her?"
     Kazuichi shot up and got in Gundham's face, his face flushed. He was unphased.
     "SONIA!!!" He screeched and pressed his finger into Gundham's chest. "You lied to Sonia and then took her as your partner!! You told her- you told her" he stuttered and choked. Gundham grabbed his wrist and pulled it away from his chest. Leaning down to Kazuichi's face, their eyes locked.
     "What did I tell her?" His position made Kazuichi feel small. There was a short silence.
     "You told her that I randomly started fight, when you were the one knocking over my shit. You were also the one to engage in a physical fight." He held his breath and pressed his tongue to the roof of his mouth, hoping it would keep his tears at bay.
     "While it is true I shoved your bag over, you could've placed it away from mine. She also asked me to be her dance partner, I just agreed."
     "Or!! Just maybe!!! You could've done that with yours instead of shoving mine down in the first place!! And bullshit, she promised me she would be my partner!" Gundham's grip on Kazuichi's wrist tightened. The tension in the air was thick, both knowing they couldn't lay another hand on each other or they'd get expelled. "I wish I never had to share a room with you!!"
     "What can I do?! It's Monokuma's fault were stuck together!!"
     "Go to a different room- god I don't know!! It's irritating enough to have you as a roommate!" Gundham dug his nails into Kazuichi's wrist. Kazuichi pried Gundham's hand off of him and starting walking towards his bag. He knew he was being an ass, but Gundham was the one to approach him. What was he expecting? For us to just be goodie-goodie like nothing happened?
     He picked up his shirt and shoved it in his bag angrily. He recoiled when pairs of tiny teeth clamped onto his hand. Gundham's Devas scratched and bit Kazuichi's hand as he grunted in frustration and pain. Taking a deep breath, he forcefully plucked the hamsters off, dropping them onto Gundham's scarf. He slammed the door behind him as he left.
     Gundham stood there alone in the room, shaking his head more after a few minutes. He put his scarf back on and pet the devas, letting out a small chuckle.
     "Thank you my Dark Devas, I don't know what persuades a person to be so sorry for themself."
     He turned off the lights and left. When he reached the dorm he reached into his scarf and smacked his forehead. He was so caught up in following Kazuichi, that he had left his ID card in his bag.
     Refusing to knock on the door, he slid down next to the door. He caked his head in his arms and brought his knees to his chest. He fell asleep in the hallway that night.