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╰┈➤ Back at the infirmary again after "unexpectedly" passing out, Chiaki reaches his breaking point. Even as he attempts to put on a brave face in front of you, you do your best to show him that he doesn't have to be brave for you— he's allowed to be human.
MILD SUICIDAL IDEATION WARNING!!! ─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Eyelids that droop with exhaustion, eye bags that form only when no one is around, and finally, a hero that hits the floor.
CRASH!
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"..that was stupid. Yeah, really stupid. The Producer is going to be so angry. No, I deserve that."
You could hear Chiaki's voice, a voice that you love so dearly, quietly speaking to himself in the darkness of the infirmary. The Ensemble Square building was almost entirely vacant, and you know just how much Chiaki hates being alone. But now, he is all alone. You made a selfish decision to stand back to listen for just a moment. He never opens up to you, or anyone, for that matter. This was an opportunity to understand him, even just a little bit.
"Dammit," Chiaki scorned himself in a hushed whisper. You could hear his voice becoming strangled as you peered into the dark infirmary. "I'm so annoying— why am I like this..?" Hearing those words shattered your heart. Your expression dropped in absolute shock and disbelief. Hearing Chiaki of all people speak such harsh and scornful words made you truly realize just how much he suffers. His suffering goes unnoticed by all, and he prefers it that way. You want to teach him that suffering in silence is basically killing yourself inside.
Knock.. knock...
Chiaki's head lifted, his brown hues shifting to find you in the dark. The window near the bed was opened, allowing moonlight to beam upon the mattress where Chiaki rested— or pretended to. You walked into the room, feeling the heavy atmosphere falling upon your shoulders almost immediately. "Hey, Chiaki." You waved awkwardly. He waved back, a smile lifting his lips. "Hello, Producer! Why are you here? You should be going home now." Said he. You shook your head solemnly. "Uh, I'm okay, thank you. Chiaki, I have a question for you." You decided to be straightforward about it. Chiaki tilted his head slightly. "Yes, what is it?"
"Why do you do this to yourself?"
Your question seemed to hit him like a bus. His eyes rounded as he simply stared into your eyes, unsure of how to respond. Either way, you knew what was wrong. It might help to hear it from a partner instead of everyone else. You approached the bedside, placing your palms over the bedsheets. "Chiaki," you spoke his name in a light, feathery voice. "You are enough." You worried that you'd sound stupid, or perhaps you'd be wrong and push on a subject that was irrelevant— but Chiaki's reaction told you everything you needed to know. His expression shifted as his eyebrows knitted. His lower lip began to shake and his eyes succumbed to bitter tears, his expression growing tense as he struggled to conceal his sorrows behind a forced smile. "I know. I know.." His words were choked and barely audible, like thorns had wrapped tight around his throat.
