“Do you hate things that are in order? Snowy roads, boxes of chalk, organized rooms. Stuff like that. Do you hate ‘perfection’?”
“It scares me. I was always nervous. If I had the slightest imperfection, I would get in trouble. It felt like I was being told to walk a thin, thin thread. It felt like I was being threatened. I remember those days. I couldn’t stand it. I couldn’t breathe!”
Yuki thought back to Machi’s words that fateful day…She had truly seemed terrified at the thought of anything being perfect. And yet she had no problem with Yuki and Kaname tidying her apartment. Yuki smiled reminiscently; she had been so flustered when they arrived on her doorstep - but then he had been, too. Although Yuki liked it when Machi got flustered. He always thought it was cute.
Yuki had been walking around school on his duties patrolling (as captain of the School Council), and due to his thoughts he hadn’t been concentrating on where he was walking. So he subsequently crashed into someone walking the other way, their arms piled high with papers. The papers scattered everywhere, and although Yuki apologised repeatedly, the guilt searing through him refused to go away. “I am so, so sorry, I swear, I wasn’t watching where I was going and I didn’t mean to…It was an accident, I promise, but I am really sorry, honestly, let me help…” Yuki’s voice tailed off.
Kneeling in front of him, blushing violently and muttering her own apologies, was Machi. Yuki had to hold back a gasp of pleased surprise, and got down on his knees to help gather the fallen pages. “I should have been watching where I was going, I am very sorry,” he echoed graciously as he handed her the last of the papers. Machi shook her head. “No, really, it was my fault.” Yuki chuckled lightly, making Machi’s blush deepen that bit more. “Don’t laugh at me!” she said fiercely, kicking out of him and almost overbalancing. As she righted herself, Yuki breathed a deep sigh of relief. If he had caught her…
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t laughing at you. It’s just…we’re a right pair! We’re always bumping into each other,” Yuki laughed gently. Machi’s blush receded a little, and she even felt comfortable enough to giggle with him. Yuki smiled more widely at her laugh; he thought it was as beautiful as she was. But at that thought, he flinched. “I…I should really go. I…have a lot to do,” Yuki rushed. Machi jumped as though she had been burned. “Oh…okay. I’ll…see you at the meeting, then.” Yuki smiled and nodded before walking away.
Machi sank back down to the floor, letting the papers slide out of her grasp once more, cursing herself. She should have said something more, been smart and witty and funny and sweet…She hung her head in despair, knowing the disappointment had been clear in her voice once he had announced his departure. And that annoying blush had crept up on her again…
Just around the corner, Yuki leant against the wall and swore in a most un-princely manner. He shouldn’t have left her, he shouldn’t have laughed at her…He hung his head in disgrace, knowing the embarrassment had been clear in his voice when he announced his departure. And that annoying chuckle had gotten out and grated on his skin again…
