hearts formed by solicitude and desolation

⌈ 31 ⌋

ᏞᎾᎪᎠᏆNᏩ . . . . .

ᏞᎾᎪᎠᏆNᏩ ᏟᎾᎷᏢᏞᎬᎢᎬ !

"arisu! how long are you going to take?!"

usagi's agitated tone easily carried throughout the otherwise silent building, brows drawn together and her sneakers tapping impatiently against the ground. said male continued to rummage through the contents laid abandoned on the floor, his movements quicker now that he had gotten a scolding from the girl.

"just a little longer!" he shouted in response, lip caught between his teeth in concentration before a victorious smile broke out across his face. his hands held up a pair of sweatpants and a plain t-shirt, and quickly his body stumbled from his position to venture further into the building. usagi watched him disappear from sight, to change no doubt, before her eyes settled on you.

"uhm, (name)?" you tore your eyes from the ground at the sound of slight hesitation, studying usagi's now worried expression plastered across her face. you hummed, lightly, as indication for her to continue, and when given the okay her eyes lowered, fingers fiddling with the sleeve of her sweater, "earlier, you said something about dethroning the queen. you don't think...?"

"that the final game is the queen of hearts?" you finished, concluding you were correct when her frame tensed ever so slightly. you shifted your gaze away from her face, staring outside the window as you released a small sigh, "it's just a hunch. but normally they're proven right in due time." not to mention that with the advantage of knowing what game you were going to participate in, players would be more likely to save heart games for last.

usagi didn't say anything else at your statement. if she had wanted to, she was interrupted by arisu's voice echoing from his obscured position, "we've got no idea what awaits us in the final game, so whatever's coming, i gotta make sure i can move around easily!"

at his words you shifted your gaze down to your own body. feet adorned with worn out sneakers, a pair of chishiya's pants and his cardigan. it was comfy enough, smelled like him too, and you couldn't help but bring the fabric closer to your body to breathe in the scent of rain and clean laundry. you concluded that there was no need for you to change your own outfit, and usagi seemed to agree for she stayed rooted to her own spot as well.

when you lowered your arms back to your sides arisu finally emerged, now dressed as if he were planning to participate in a round of physical activity. he smiled at you both, so bright like the sun you couldn't help but twitch your lips up lightly in response. at least he never lost his spirit, you thought, as you and usagi followed him through the doors leading back outside.

arisu reached a hand up to massage the muscles in his shoulders, perhaps trying to ease them in order to use them more efficiently, "first we have to find the final game venue," he swiftly muttered under his breath, which you interpreted as something along the lines of hoping it wasn't too far, before he turned towards you and usagi, "let's find a tall building to lo-"

"this way!" the girl beside you broke out into a light jog, interrupting arisu's train of thought. you both shared a look, your shoulders lightly shrugging in response. but you didn't question it further as you quickly followed after her, trusting usagi's judgement.

arisu however, hesitated for a brief moment before running, confused, "usagi?"

she didn't spare him a glance as she begun to speak, eyes fixated on the sky, "this morning there was only one blimp left in minato ward. the final venue has to be there."

"this morning?" arisu mumbled, more shocked than surprised. there was also an underlying tone of sadness laced within, as if usagi's actions caused his heart to hurt deeply inside his chest. he lifted his arm, reaching a hand out as if wanting to touch her already departing figure, "usagi, you've been checking every morning?"