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Miyamura was actually sort of surprised they haven't been caught yet.
He never made a habit out of skipping electives before meeting Ishikawa and the others. Especially since it was drilled into him since he was young to care about his grades and get accepted into a respectable college, but something about Ishikawa and his ability to convince Miyamura of basically anything was kind of impressive.
The rooftop was quite a comfortable place to skip classes in, especially when the weather was as perfect as it is this time around during fall. The sun was out, but it wasn’t enough to make him sweat unnecessarily underneath his school uniform. Plus the added company of someone he considers a friend, and he finds himself having a lot of fun doing something he isn't supposed to be doing.
Sometimes though, he and Ishikawa get into some weird moods. Serious conversations or topics you don't even talk to your own mother about.
Miyamura assumes that's how he got here.
Ishikawa’s eyes have been lingering on Miyamura’s forearms for the past couple of minutes. They stopped talking a while ago, choosing to enjoy the silence and the guilt of missing their classes for a little bit of fresh air. Miyamura however, cannot ignore the stare the other was giving at his scars.
He’s had his forearms a little more exposed recently, choosing to enjoy the cool air than bundle up like Hori. He never bothered to hide his scars or anything, and would’ve answered had someone cared enough to notice and ask about them. None has thus far though, and Miyamura still usually prefers to stay covered up just in case anyway.
Miyamura tends to care more about hiding his tattoos than his self-harm scars anyway, which would probably make other people laugh. He still prepared himself just in case Ishikawa began asking him questions about them.
The silence hung around a little more on the rooftop, and Ishikawa hasn't moved from his spot next to Miyamura. He was standing next to the sitting black-haired student, who was sat down next to him opposite of the rooftop view.
Just as Miyamura takes a deep breath in and out, relaxing his shoulders and leaning back on the wire protecting the rooftops ledge, Ishikawa begins talking, eyes finally off of Miyamura’s figure. “Does Hori-san know?”
Miyamura didn't expect that question, but tried to remain as casual as he could as if it was anyone else asking him. He doesn't know why he’s specifically nervous when Ishikawa is the one asking him, when he’s answered literal strangers easily in the past. Regardless, Miyamura chooses to ignore those feelings and answer as he usually would: with a comfortable and calm level of indifference about the topic.
“No, not really– or, I don't think so.” Miyamura mumbled back, moving to look at Ishikawa’s reaction. He also didn't look affected by the topic of conversation, but Miyamura knew better than to believe the mask his friend puts on sometimes. He didn't call him on it though.
“Ah.”
“I don’t make an effort to hide them as much as my tattoos, so maybe.”
“That’s so stupid, dude.”
Miyamura huffs out a laugh, expecting that sort of reaction. “Funny, isn’t it?”
Silence engulfs them once more, and Miyamura’s ears get muffled by a harsh gust of air. It feels nice and restorative, almost, as he leans back to enjoy it more.
“Are you planning on telling her about them?” Miyamura doesn't even feel himself have that thought or his mouth moving until he hears himself ask Ishikawa, nor does he know why he’s asking to begin with. His scars are his own business– if Ishikawa plans on telling Hori himself, he doesn’t know what he’d do about the backlash afterwards.
“No,” Ishikawa starts, this time facing Miyamura with a raised eyebrow, as if not understanding what he’d gain from doing such a thing. “It isn’t my business.” Miyamura locks eyes with him with his own suspicious sort of vibe. Was Ishikawa worried about him, or Hori more? Or was he trying to end the conversation?
“But you probably should.”
Those words knock something in Miyamura’s head, and he goes quiet as he digests them. Realistically, there's no point bringing them up to Hori properly if they haven't been a cause for concern in a while– what would Hori gain from Miyamura telling her about his self-harming tendencies he used to indulge in back in middle school other than being constantly worried about her own boyfriend?
On the other hand, though, he knows he should be honest. If he’s planning on spending the rest of his life, after highschool, college– with Hori, being honest with his struggles outright would be the best. Miyamura can’t say he has the healthiest habits ever even in the current day, but he’s definitely become better than how he was a few years ago.
At his silence, Ishikawa sighs and turns around to lean on the metal wires surrounding the rooftops edge. “No pressure, I just think she wouldn't want to be kept in the dark, just in case something happens… or something,”
Miyamura almost cringes at the others' poor explanation. “Yeah,” is all he manages as a reply.
These quiet moments in their conversation today seem to be a trend, as another one passes by them without either of them noticing. Ishikawa breaks it easily though, a hand rubbing the back of his head awkwardly as he begins to bite harshly at his bottom lip. It looks as if he was contemplating saying something, or how it would sound to Miyamura.
“I’m here for you though, if you ever need someone that isn't… Hori,”
Miyamura is genuinely filled with warmth at the offer: someone is willing to listen and help him if he ever needs it. He never doubted that Ishikawa would do so regardless –not just to him, but to anyone he cares about– but he knows that in any moment of serious need, he wouldn’t even think of reaching out to people in fear of being a burden. The proposition is nice to hear nonetheless.
He smiles genuinely, and sees Ishikawa look back at him with a nervous facial expression. “Thank you, Tooru.”
Ishikawa turns a little pink at the use of his first name, and huffs loudly. “Whatever, Izumi. Let's go back in between the classes switching before we’re both caught for skipping.”
“Aye aye, captain!”
“I’m a bad influence on you. What would Hori think seeing you skipping class with a handsome guy like me?”
“Please don't tell her…”
Ishikawa snickers as he descends the stairs, Miyamura right behind him already pulling his sleeves down and back to his wrists without a word.
They make it back to class just fine, and immediately get questioned by the rest of their friends on their whereabouts.
Everyone laughs, and Ishikawa doesn't mention anything Miyamura told him on the rooftop. It really isn't his business, and all he can do is keep an eye out for his friend whenever he needs him.