“I didn’t lie.” ryuji said, his eyes focused on the tiled floor of the abandoned office building. he couldn’t bring himself to look at you after what you had just found out. you coming here was no mistake, it was because of him. “I didn’t want to do this alone, I couldn’t do this alone.” he continued, his bottom lip quivering slightly as the familiar feeling of guilt and shame settled in his chest like a bad case of heartburn.

of course ryuji knew what would happen to you if you didn’t pass a game and the thought made his stomach churn with dread - but he promised. banda promised that wouldn’t happen. and ryuji promised that wouldn’t happen. he would go before you did if he had to. maybe he did lie to you at first, told you he had no idea how the both of you had gotten here and didn’t know what was happening but it was to protect you.

“I wouldn’t let you get hurt-“ he said, his hands clenching the sides of his wheelchair in frustration, his eyes finally meeting yours. the look on your face made his whole body burn and he couldn’t stand to be in his own skin. “Im sorry.”