Euphoria

Chapter 16

Thanks so much for 11k reads! That's so amazing and I am feeling well enough to write now, I can't thank you all enough but go ahead and enjoy the story!
(I apologize in advance if it's cringey)

Afternoon sunlight leaked through the windows as the dismissal bell began to ring and students flooded the halls, eager to be the first ones to leave as the classrooms quickly emptied, leaving a single (h/c) haired girl alone in the now-silent room. Her mind still buzzed with thoughts as she wordlessly packed up her things and stepped into the hall, giving polite half-smiles to the few walking past before continuing. Tsukasa's ecstatic expression had stuck in her head like a leech the entire day, her mind shifting between unease and contentment as the thought of death sat on her shoulders like a weight. However strangely enough, she didn't feel completely opposed to the idea, which was all the more unnerving as she stepped through the entryway and made her way to the gate barring the school. "You can't exactly avoid death around him anyway. But at the same time.." A strangled sigh escaped her lips as a flush of pink streaked onto her face and she pinched the fabric of her skirt between her fingers, before it fazed into frustration. "How is someone supposed to respond to that!" The sudden flash of anger faded as she glanced back to the school before biting the inside of her cheek and pushed the creaking gate open.

The walk home seemingly passed in a blur as she hurriedly opened the door and made her way to her room, ignoring the anxiety squirming in the pit of her stomach as she set her bag down and changed into a blue tank top and black shorts before flopping onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. The same conflicted thoughts swarmed inside her head as she gazed around the room, a strange sense of unease piled on top of the already-uncomfortable sensation in the pit of her stomach as she frowned and sat up. "I still don't know what to do, but I can't relax here." Unpleasant memories tugged at the corners of her mind, begging for attention as she pushed them down before the same comforting warmth that had pestered her the last few days flared up again. A strange numbness spread in her head as her limbs relaxed and she let out a breath of air before turning to gaze at the last patches of sunlight peaking over the horizon. "Maybe it wouldn't be so bad.." She thought for a moment before slowly shaking her head, laying on her back as she closed her eyes. "I can figure that out later."

Crisp morning air sent shivers down her spine as she stepped outside, school bag in hand and locked the front door behind her, fiddling with the keys for a moment before turning and beginning the walk to the school. Politely chatting with the students in front of her as they eventually arrived at the front gate. A strange mix of apprehension and contentment washed over her as she reached the entrance hall and stepped inside, ignoring the twinge of unease in the back of her head as she set her bag onto her desk and sat down to play games on her phone as groups of students flooded the classroom and the morning announcements rang from the speakers. "Due to the increase in injuries and dangerous incidents this month, we will be applying several enhanced security measures as of next week." A jolt of alarm shifted through her as the noise filling the classroom fell flat and the students all stood in collective shocked silence, accusing stares flickered around the silent classroom as unease sat like a toxic gas in the air. The warning bell rang briefly as everyone took their seats and the teacher shuffled through the door to begin the first lesson of the day.

The lunch bell dismissed classes, however the enthusiasm that had been so present yesterday seemed to vanish like mist as students filled the hallways, mustering polite smiles as the threat of the announcement weighed on everyone's mind. The (h/c)-haired girl avoided the scrutinizing stares of her classmates as she quickly grabbed her lunch and slipped away to the chilling air of the rooftop.

Dark clouds rumbled over the horizon as she sat on one of the benches and silently began eating. A few other students littered the roof, focused on their own lunches as the metal doors screeched open and a few of her classmates spotted the (h/c) girl, padding over to sit around her as she ate. Laughter rainging across the rooftop as her nerves loosened and she began to joke around with them, contentment sitting in her stomach as they chatted for a while before they all rose and waved goodbye, quickly explaining about piles of homework as they waved goodbye and dissapeared down the stairwell. The uneasy feeling of being watched settled over her and she stared around the rooftop, the feeling growing before she looked gazed with glowing eyes in the dark of the stairwell. Tensing her shoulders for a moment before recognizing the familiar insanity in them and relaxed slightly as a wide cat-like grin spread across his face and he wrapped her in a tight hug, squishing her arms to her sides as the dread in her stomach lifted and the same comforting warmth settled in its place. "Nice to see you too Tsukasa." He released her for a moment, his smile faltered for a moment as he cupped her cheeks and stared intently into her (e/c) eyes. "Your not mad at me right?" She stared silently for a moment before shaking her head as his smile returned and he hugged her shoulders. "Yay!" The sound of ringing echoed up the stairwell and he released her as a frustrated frown appeared on his face, before turning back to her and gripping her hands with his own. "Do you have to go?" She merely nodded, offering a brief smile before pulling away from him as she walked to the stairwell, before glancing back to see Tsukasa giving her a dark stare.

Shivers ran down her spine at the hollow look in his eyes as they stared at each other for a moment and she felt fear building in her stomach as he took a step towards her. Indecision paralyzed her to the spot as she struggled to think of a course of action. "Tsukasa's my friend. He wouldn't hurt me, right?" Shivers settled over her skin as he reached out and brushed his fingers against her cheek, she fought not to flinch as his chilling gaze locked with hers and a bead of sweat dripped down her forehead as he spoke. "You said you wouldn't leave (Y/N), you promised." A note of desperation seeped into his voice as the void in his eyes shrank slightly and his other hand firmly gripped her waist. She stared back at him for a moment, unsure of how to respond as her fear grew and her voice quivered slightly. "T-Tsukasa your scaring me.." His gaze softened as a flicker of sanity dripped into his eyes and he quickly released her, something like remorse apparant on his face as he kept his eyes on the floor. "S-Sorry (Y/N).." Her nerves relaxed slightly and she stepped forward, wrapping her arms around his neck, hugging him softly for a moment. She felt him tense at her touch before he gently hugged her waist, burying his face in her shoulder as her face warmed again as they stood silently for a few minutes before she spoke. "I wasn't lying Tsukasa, what is going on with you?" He raised his head to stare at her for a moment, golden eyes boring into hers as regret laced his voice. "I don't know." His grip tightened as he continued and her heart seemed to beat faster the longer she held onto him. "I just can't lose you (Y/N)." His voice lowered to a hushed whisper as he caressed her cheek with his fingers, a strange look in his eyes as nervousness flickered to life inside her and she felt the warmth grow as she placed her hand over his and smiled softly. "I promised didn't I?" He smiled and a faint flush of pink came over his face as he tilted her chin up with his hand, his thumb brushing her bottom lip as her heart raced in her chest. He hesitated for a moment, wide amber eyes silently asking for permission as she nodded and closed her eyes, dead silence hung in the air before she felt soft lips press against hers, gentle and sweet as he gripped the small of her back and pulled her close. She tensed for a moment as he bit her bottom lip, a muffled gasp escaped her as he smirked into the kiss. His kiss began to get rougher as she wrapped her hands around his neck, ruffling his dark hair as hunger seeped into the kiss and he pushed his tongue between her lips, causing a muffled moan to slip from her as he explored her mouth with his tongue for a few moments before they parted for air, both of them panting slightly as she caught her breath before mustering up the courage to stare back up into his golden eyes. Her face was bright red as he hugged her tightly, a shade of pink dusted across his face as he pulled back to gaze into her eyes. Smirking at her flustered reaction before leaning forward to whisper in her ear. "I heard that (Y/N)~" Her skin felt like it would burst into flames as he released her, grinning slyly as she stared back in a shocked, embarrassed silence as he licked his lip, a thoughtful look on his face. "You taste like candy." The embarrassment exploded at his words as her shaking knees buckled and she sunk to the floor, her heart racing inside her chest as he cupped her chin with his hand. A coy smirk still on his lips as he bent down to plant a kiss on her cheek before letting go, waving as wisps of black smoke began to engulf his translucent form. "See you later~" The puff of smoke dissapeared, leaving the stunned girl alone on the rooftop as the second bell rang, however she made no effort to move as the noise faded and stopped.

"What just happened?"