Rin wasn’t really a helpful person. He wasn’t heartless, but he much preferred not having anyone rely on him and disrupting his habits for their sake. He helped himself, and he believed everyone should do the same.

Every time he laid eyes on you across campus, he felt a tug at his heartstrings. It was completely unlike him to feel that way, but you looked so utterly helpless and alone and it bothered him that very few people actually wanted to give you the time of day. You couldn’t speak very well— your articulation was lacking and without your hearing aid, you couldn’t hear anything at all, not to mention that you only communicated through sign language. Most people seemed to hesitate in approaching you, even if you were admittedly one of the kindest persons he’s met.

It’s been a few weeks since he’s started ‘speaking’ to you. Your interactions mostly took place via signs that he took a lot of time to decipher, and notes on paper or on your phone.

It’s been one week since he’s started taking a sign language course without letting you know.

He supposed, at first, that he was only doing this out of pity, but you had undeniably grown on him.

Now seated on your chair in your dorm room, he attempted to communicate with you through the basics that he’s learnt so far.

“How—“ he brought his fists together in front of his chest, raising his thumbs up. “—are you?” He rolled his hands forward and pointed at you. He felt stiff and awkward, but determined to learn still so he could make you feel more at ease.