Second Worst Day of my Life

[MURAKAMI RYOHEI]

Mtasumi didn't have the time to judge Ryohei. Maybe the phrasing was wrong. She did have the time, they had little else to do and it may be the only time she'd get to meet him, but the situation didn't call for it. She was unsure whether or not she liked how he ignored them. On one hand, she thought it rude, on the other, was few words he said already only upset Maemi further so having them focus on something else was maybe the best thing he could do. It was also an awkward occasion to introduce herself, so she abstained.

She was surprised when Maemi asked her about what they bought. She eventually nodded. "Don't worry about it." It did push Ryohei to look towards them. He couldn't see too much of what was in the bags but he could also guess by the logos on them. It dawned on him that they probably bought chocolate or other sweets. It was true that Valentine's Day was not all that far off. Of course, it was not something he needed to concern himself with. He didn't know if some guys chose they could also get some for their crush but he knew it was not his case. He didn't even have a girlfriend he could plan a romantic date for. He did wonder though, who Maemi planned on making chocolate for. Somehow, the idea of her having a crush was weird and funny. Maybe it wasn't improbable, but it was still weird and funny.

Having no positive replies coming in, Ryohei sighed as he pocketed his phone. "Well, the stores aren't closing right now, so it shouldn't take much longer," he said out loud. He looked at the two, mostly Maemi in truth. He didn't get how she could be sitting. He wouldn't, not knowing who walked in here and all. "Are you feeling a little better?" She didn't sound as panicked when she talked to her friend, that was something.

[HIRAYAMA MAEMI]

Maemi thought that she was stuck in a weird and awkward position there. Her cousin was around, of course Ryohei had no ideas that they were related and she was stuck with Ryohei in an elevator. Luckily, she could focus on the girl instead of Ryohei which helped her a lot otherwise she would have lost it and probably would have jumped at Ryohei’s throat should he say something that triggered her. She couldn’t say they were enemies, not as much as before but they weren’t friends either and she didn’t think of introducing her cousin to Ryohei.

She would rather think of other things than of the fact they were stuck here. Talking about anything would change her mind for sure and talking about the purchases they made was good to change her mind if not even a little. Ryohei was right, the chocolates weren’t for crushes but they could also be for friends and that was what she intended to do. She valued homemade things a lot after all. She nodded when Matsumi thought that they shouldn’t worry about that.

She didn’t fancy the idea of sitting down on the elevator’s floor but she had to in order to calm herself. She was willing to sacrifice her clothes in the process if she had to. “Luckily for us,” she said back to him. Was he trying to reassure her? It sounded out of character for him. It was even weirder when he asked if she was feeling better. What was with him all of a sudden? “A little but I can’t say I’m doing wonderful right now.” She said. She didn’t need to pick up a fight or say something unpleasing.

[MURAKAMI RYOHEI]

Maemi had seen mainly his bad traits and little of his good side. It was, no doubt, what she thought. She had a way of pushing his buttons and while he wouldn't have cared about it had he heard she spent several minutes stuck in a broken elevator, being stuck there with her change things a bit. He didn't mean to be mostly unpleasant around her. She just found ways to pull that side of his out every time. Still, she didn't look well right now and he shouldn't chastise her. It always seemed to fall into deaf ears but it would be worst this time.

A mere step took her by her side, thanks to the limited space the three of them were stuck into. "Come on, you shouldn't stay on the ground, you'll just dirty yourself," he said, trying to sound caring enough for her to listen to him. She was in a position that called to panicking, it would only feed it more.

As he extended a hand for her to take to help her get on her feet, the elevator started moving again... only to die again only a few seconds later, as if just to make sure they felt the motion and the sudden stop of it once again. Nothing to help Maemi, Ryohei thought.

[HIRAYAMA MAEMI]

Maemi sure tended to fight for justice and could have possibly been a good lawyer if she used that side of hers but she did not and Ryohei tended to also push her buttons the right way so they could go at each other’s throat. It was a bit strange that he was on the side like this without saying something that would get her to act up. Was it because Matsumi was there that he toned down? She didn’t know but if it was the case then she would have to ask for her cousin to be around her more often when the guy was there.

She looked at him cautiously when he took a step closer to her and insisted that she should stand up. What was up with him? It wasn’t the first time that he was gallant. She didn’t hate it, but it was weird that it had to happen when her cousin was there. She considered what he said. Part of her wanted to remain there, sacrificing the outfit she had but she had to admit that he was right and hesitated for a brief instant before she grabbed it to help herself up. She wasn’t completely balanced when the elevator started again. She felt like it was about to free her but then it stopped, which had her gasp with surprise and hold onto Ryohei, much unwillingly, should she have since he was the one thing she could grab.

She wanted to gag but had to restrain herself, Ryohei for once didn’t deserve the gagging and she’d feel bad if Ryohei had to deal with this. He knew how she could be but she didn’t want to do that when Matsumi was around either. She had to be relatively poised.

[KIMURA MATSUMI]

Matsumi was somehow at a loss here. She could see her cousin was doing her best not to let the panic in. And there was this guy. The way she immediately reacted when he got in the elevator with them, the somewhat familiar yet distant way she replied to him. It didn't take too long to guess what that was about and in another situation Matsumi would have drilled Maemi with questions, but her cousin was in no state to answer any of them.

Still, Matsumi wondered. If he really was who she thought he was, Maemi depicted him as an arrogant, entitled guy who would always find fault to anything she would say. He was replying to her, sure, but to Matsumi, he seemed concerned about her. The fact he wanted to help her up... Well, she supposed it could also be that he didn't understand how Maemi felt exactly and couldn't deal with her reaction anymore, but he didn't sound nearly as annoyed as he should if that were the case. She was a bit grateful at him for forcing her up though. Matsumi didn't feel like squatting there forever to support her, having no intention of sitting down properly, but she also couldn't leave her there. She raised about at the same pace as her cousin, although without any help required.

For a second, she sighed of relief feeling he elevator starting back again. And then it stopped once more. She frowned at this inconvenience. Then she looked at her cousin and noticed how she was holding onto the guy. That was a surprise!

Ryohei too was surprised. He didn't expect that from her. And much like Matsumi, he didn't know if it was the fear that pushed her to do it or that she lost her footing. Either way, it was getting embarrassing, especially with Matsumi to bear witness to it all. Holding her from behind, he gently pulled her away from him. If she kept holding on, then she was still panicking. If not, he hoped that would spare him from hearing her call him a pervert for keeping her in his arms. "It's good. It must mean they know about the issue and are working on it. I'm sure it won't take long before we can finally be out of here." Ryohei wanted to take a step back, to not think about what happened. As for Matsumi, on the contrary, she wanted to get closer and make sure Maemi was fine.

[HIRAYAMA MAEMI]

Maemi didn’t need to be stuck in the elevator with Ryohei today, she wasn’t in the mood to face him or start an argument. She wanted to have a good time with Matsumi and it had started well, until now. She wanted to smash the elevator open if she could but she didn’t have enough strength for that! She didn’t mean to hold onto Ryohei however, when the elevator gave her false hopes – that darned thing! – by starting up a little and then stopping them leaving her to lose balance and having to do that. She didn’t intend to linger there longer than she should, and silently agreed to get the hell out of his arms as fast as she could with the best of her capacities that she could muster at the right moment!

She gladly took the opportunity to stand up properly and moved away from him, quickly apologizing to him when he gently pulled her away. This was awkward! On top of that, Matsumi was there to see this. Hopefully, she wouldn’t have to answer too many questions once they were out. She mentally promised herself not to take an elevator unless she needed it because this was her worst nightmare!

She nodded her head slowly when he spoke. She wondered for a moment how he did to keep his cool. They would have argued already if they were alone. “Hopefully, I don’t want to be stuck in there for too long.” To her, it was already long enough, she couldn’t imagine how many hours it would take for them to be free!

[MURAKAMI RYOHEI]

Ryohei was tempted to add "with me" after what Maemi said. But it might be a little to disingenuous. He was aware of her fear of closed places, she reacted in a similar way in the train because she picked a small compartment instead of the large, common one. In truth, she would have hated her situation regardless of who was stuck there with her. He just made it worse for sure. He didn't get why, but she still felt the need to come after him, even when he had yet said anything. She must have cursed inside of her head when she saw him walk in before the doors closed. Besides, she had a friend who didn't need to bear witness of their stupid little arguments.

He did notice that she neither apologized for falling on him nor did she thank him. He supposed he should consider himself lucky then that she did not insult him for holding her in his arms. Again, he tried not to hold her against her, to think it was because of her panic, but he was getting annoyed at their situation too and the fact she reacted negatively to him helping out was not helping his mood. He even wondered if she wouldn't have made a remark had the roles been reversed. Probably, because he was certain she complained about it to him in the past.

He moved away from her and returned to his corner where he closed his eyes. "I'm sure you'll be out before you'll have to start planning how to make your chocolate in here," he noted, before doing his best to ignore the two girls once again. "Not that I'm expecting to get one anyway."

[HIRAYAMA MAEMI]

To Maemi, it was a bad situation to be stuck in, especially in the elevator with Ryohei and Matsumi. Her cousin was the one who heard the most about him, and yet, here he was in person. Luckily, the girl understood not to ask too many questions since he was around. Matsumi knew better than to put her in a weird situation. She was tensed in Ryohei’s arms when he made sure that she didn’t fall. It was just too weird, to be stuck like that with him of all people. She didn’t mean to be rude, her fear of being stuck inside was taking on. She had good manners but right now, she was only thinking of needing to get the hell out of this place and the establishment altogether.

She stared at Ryohei for a moment though, when he talked about the chocolates she had planned to make. How did he know? Oh right, they had the bags from the shops that gave away from what they had planned to do. Why did he even comment on not having any? It never originally crossed her mind to give him because she tended to give them to her friends and family. She didn’t have a lot of friends at Ouran so it would mostly be the ones who were out of the school.

“You have a sweet tooth?” She asked him. She didn’t believe him eating lots of chocolates. She couldn’t remember having seen him accepting chocolates that weren’t from his friends either. Was it his way to ask her to have any? Besides…when you gave someone chocolate wasn’t it a way to express your feelings to them? It had to be because he had a sweet tooth that he wanted them from her. Why would he imply that she would not give him otherwise? He must be going mad from being stuck in there for too long as well!

[MURAKAMI RYOHEI]

Matsumi couldn't leave Maemi in the man's arms. It was clear they had history, more than what she had shared with her before. And it didn't seem to be a good history. The guy also appeared tense, maybe was he upset to be stuck here or stuck here with Maemi, she couldn't tell. He was polite but cold. Still, he was also trying to help. But Matsumi couldn't leave that to him alone. It was far more responsibility to do it. So she joined her cousin and did her best to calm her, to help her breathe as they waited, the only thing they could do really.

Ryohei was caught off guard by Maemi's sudden question. Was it her stress that was making her delirious? "What?" He tried to understand, figured it had to do with the chocolate. "I was just saying that because I mentioned the chocolate and didn't want you to think I was caring who you were making them for." He didn't want her to think he was picking o her for making her own Valentine's chocolate and cut short the possible reply from her that he shouldn't care because she never intended to make some for him. He looked away, feeling silly for having to explain. "We won't even stay here long enough to starve and eat them," he added. Or at least he hoped. He didn't want to end up stuck in there much longer.

As though this was the cue for the elevator to finally work, it started moving again. Ryohei was weary though, checking both the booth and Maemi, almost expecting her to fall in his arms again. Then again, the other girl was holdig onto her now so he might be spared. Matsumi was also relieved, ready to bring Maemi out as soon as the doors opened, even if they had to push the guy for that. It might be rude, but he could see Maemi needed air and space to feel better. He should uderstand.

[HIRAYAMA MAEMI]

Maemi couldn’t be completely upset at Ryohei here. They were doing their best to behave in the elevator and it was more than awkward. Especially having Matsumi around here as well! If they were to be stuck any longer they better just try to endure it and make it end fast. She thought she wasn’t doing too bad so far but she had to figure that it was partially because Matsumi was there to help her deal with her fear. She hated it, it wasn’t like she could hide it. She wasn’t good at hiding her emotions and there were times when she wished she could quite honestly. Especially when Ryohei was around!

The conversation about the chocolate wasn’t as bad but it was strange that they did talk of that. She never thought he would even bother and the way he was saying it, made her wonder if he wanted any from her. It’s not like she had a reason to give him any. She didn’t have time to reply anymore now that the elevator had started working again. She held onto the wall to prevent herself from falling into Ryohei’s arms again. Maemi murmured a thank Godness when the doors opened and she grabbed her bags.

She normally would have run away from this but felt it might be too rude for Ryohei. He didn’t deserve that; besides, he hadn’t been mean to her. “See you.” She said, bowing politely before she got out. She didn’t think there was much else she could say. She wasn’t sure what else she could have said since they weren’t even that close of friends even though they had known each other for ages it seemed. She then happily and gladly moved out of the elevator ready to head home after the long day of work.

[MURAKAMI RYOHEI]

Maemi just turned her head at him to say goodbye before heading out. She cared not to say anything else. Matsumi didn't think much of it, certain that it was simply her cousin's fear that she had yet fully shaken off now that they could be outside the elevator. Ryohei, to an extent, understood the same but still found it a bit brusque.

"Maemi!" he called out, forcing them to stop. Matsumi stared as the man joined them and handed a bag. Maemi, somehow, thought about grabbing hers but Matsumi who was too busy holding on to her and checking up on her cousin, forgot hers in the elevator and Ryohei was now holding it and handing it over back to them. Matsumi nodded as she mouthed a thank you, grabbing it. That day of shopping really went weirdly and it only would have made it worse had she realised she forgot her bag. Then again, Matsumi could tell a few people were lookig at them. Were they aware there had been some issues with the elevator? That would explain. Unless Matsumi was imagining things. No one went to them and asked how they were doing though, so if maintenance knew people got stuck, they didn't seem in a hurry to check o them.

Ryohei didn't seem to know what to say either, or perhaps did he also think there was nothing the two of them had to say to each other, even after this. "Take care," he just told them, although he was more looking at Maemi while saying it than Matsumi, and then left. He still wanted that tea but felt the need to walk for a while first.

Matsumi looked her Maemi. "Will you be alright? Would you rather we go home?" She had no idea if Maemi wanted to do more shopping before all of this, or planned on eating somewhere with her, but this incident might have changed things.

[HIRAYAMA MAEMI]

Maemi didn’t know why but for a moment she felt her heart skipping a beat at the moment he called out for her name. Why didn’t he call her by her last name? Sure, they had known each other for long but the more time she spent with him the more confusing their relationship was getting, or even their conversation. She turned around wondering why he called her out and then realized that Matsumi had no bags. “Thank you.” She said, with a small smile. She was still shaken by the time she spent stuck in such a tiny space.

She waved her hand a little at him. “You too.” She finally said, also cutting short their conversation. It was all strange, and the worst was that Matsumi was assisting with all of this. What would her opinion of her be after this? She then decided to shake that weird feeling off and shook her head a bit before looking back at her cousin. “Yes, though how about we get some tea before we leave? This event left me tensed and I don’t want to go home in such a mood.” She said. Especially since they were running spas. Wouldn’t it be weird for her to be stressed while doing that? Sure, running a business wasn’t the same but still!

[KIMURA MATSUMI]

It was weird to have someone call her cousin by her first name that way. Especially since they might have shown they knew each other but didn't act as though they were close. Yet he called her Maemi as he handed Matsumi the bag she forgot to bring along. Matsumi was still wondering who was that guy and what exactly was his relation with Maemi. A part of her thought that, had they been in some drama or anime right now, they would have been the moment the two started feeling something for one another. But Matsumi knew that, sadly, life wasn't like in those drama and anime. It would be far easier for her to get Osamu otherwise. So it left her wondering.

She didn't do just that however. Maemi was still shaken. She was acting strong, but was still shaken. She was certain Maemi would need a little more time to calm down. As such, tea was not a bad idea. She nodded and kept holding onto her arm. Normally, she might have waited for someone working at the shopping mall to complain. Surely they were allowed some form of compensation for the stress they went through. But there was no one around for Matsumi to release her own stress onto in the form of anger so she would have to settle for taking her older cousin to the mall's restaurant.

It was crowded but not too much. There were enough tables for them to be sat at. And enough empty space for Matsumi to recognize the guy they had been stuck in the elevator with. He apparently had the same idea as they did. For now, he didn't seem to have noticed them, not paying attention to anyone else in the place. "Will it be alright?" Matsumi asked Maemi, since they were the ones with clearly something going on between them. At least the waitress working there could sit them at a table away from him. But to Matsumi, who had noticed him, it would be hard to fully ignore this detail.