Chapter 7-Part 1-
This time Masaomi was forced to dream on an uncomfortable seat, back facing a glass window. If one were to peer through it one would see a frail, effeminate man; looking peaceful and quite pale. Mikado was hooked up to different types of machines, going 'beep', 'beep', beep' , and none the wiser.
After the whole gang war that happened in their small town in Saitama things became much quieter, softer.
Aoba , no longer the head of the Blue Squares disbanded his troupe the same day Masaomi did with the Yellow Scarves. No one knew what became of the Green Jets, but some say that they quietly died down as time passed by.
It was all a very childish thing to have anyways.
Kasuka knew though. He knew why Masaomi and Aoba had a change of heart. It was because of Mikado, they felt that they owed him something. And they probably did, Kasuka thought. He heard about what happened that afternoon , not by Aoba, not by Masaomi but by Mikado himself.
People that are close to Mikado often tell the boy their own share of troubles and stories, but when you try to ask him about his own life, well he doesn't budge at all. It's like your talking to a wall, always there, but sturdy and firm. If you asked Kasuka ,Mikado was just a very quite person was all. You need to keep still when he speaks-or you'll miss it. Trying to understand the blue eyed boy hurts ( like getting a whole table thrown at you by Shizuo), and in the long run it isn't worth much but your own satisfaction.
Kasuka's satisfaction went far and beyond just that. He was content.
When Mikado awoke from his deep sleep he turned his head to look at the alarm clock.
This would have happened if he were at his apartment at the moment. Instead, he awoke staring at immaculate walls , the kind that would even get dirty if you rubbed your fingers on them too hard. There was an I.V needle in his arm, a cannula placed at his nasal . He blinked two times, and the person seated next to his bed was a blond man that had an exhausted and concerned expression on his face.
The stern look on Masaomi's melts away into an affectionate one ( but it looked more like guilt). The sort of look that reminded Mikado of a child who ate their desert first and ended up skipping on his homework.
" Hey, Mikado. Good morning." He says quietly. " How are you feeling?"
Panic.
The dark haired man began to hyperventilate ,confusion in his eyes and countenance. He then started to thrash around , attempting to take off all those disturbances around his person.
" Mikado don't try to move!"
But Mikado didn't listen, he didn't like it here, nor did he like the feeling of the needle on his wrists. He felt hopeless- and that was something he hated to feel above everything. Masaomi restrained his friend , attempting to stop him from harming himself. They both wrestled for a couple of minutes , Mikado pushing him away every time he attempted to hold him.
" It's okay, Mikado. I'm here, Don't you remember me? I'm Masaomi. You're here in the city hospital because you were bleeding, remember? You fainted. Everything is going to be fine," He had now successfully calmed the shocked man down. He was now safe in his arms, clenched on his shoulders for dear life ,breathing slowly, as if it hurt to breath. And it did. " Shhh, Mikado. I'm here now, I'm here for you."
The room was still for a moment , the only thing that could be heard was heavy breathing across faint mechanical noise.
"I don't want you Masaomi."
They taller man stood up, and pushed the person in his arms as if he was on fire. His eyes filled with storm and accusations.
"What?"
"I- what I meant was- that wasn't what I intended to s-say."
Masaomi laughed through his nose. " Then tell me," He walked menacingly , hovering over Mikado's bed. " What you meant, really. I'm all ears Mikado.- Because obviously you don't give a fuck that I've been here since yesterday night, worried half to death . But, oh, wait a minute. That's your job isn't it? Dying."
Hands clenched white sheets, and Masaomi didn't know what he was doing. Why must this always happen with everyone? Why did he have to be so insensitive at times and take his anger out on others? His girlfriend, his mom, Mikado, Kasuka, Aoba. Why am I like this?
"Stop it Masaomi. I ..wasn't feeling well. I just barely woke up, I'm in the hospital. Be more patient with me , please...What I really meant to say was... I don't want to be around you right now. I'd like to ..talk to..someone. Look, just..just get me Kasuka. I want to talk to him, no , I need to talk to Kasuka."
Silence, but this time the patient's voice was more forceful, stronger.
"I want to be with Kasuka right now! Please call him."
The door to the room slowly swung open, careful to not disturb anyone in case they were sleeping. The androgynous man had on the latest designer apparel and the roses only seemed to accentuate his good looks.
" I'm already here."
Mikado could breath again.
" K-kasuka."
Brown eyes were looking back and forth as the two people stared at one another like nothing else mattered. Masaomi felt that he was the third wheel.
"Fine! Be with your stupid little boyfriend! See if I fucking care!"
Masaomi stood up. Shoving Kasuka's shoulder as he did so, forceful and crude. The door slammed shut voicing his anger .But Kasuka wasn't perturbed he was used to his blond friend's little tantrums. He placed the flowers in a vase near the bed.
" Mikado," Kasuka spoke. " you need to be more careful. Were you taking you medicine?"
" I.." downcast eyes. " didn't have time to. Honest. I've been so busy lately with the school and the students."
Kasuka sat on the vacant chair and crossed his legs.
" Then set yourself a schedule and follow it accordingly. " As he spoke he took out a small blue notebook. " I found one in my room. It is a gift for you."
"Oh," Mikado spoke as he bowed lightly. " Thank you Kasuka-kun."
"Just a while ago you said my name without an honorific. Say that again."
" Ah, Kasuka."
There was a comfortable silence before the man spoke again in that same tone he always used.
" I like it when you say my name like that. It feels like I can really understand you. I think I'm the only person who does. "
A smile. " Indeed you are Kasuka."
" I think it's fair since you're also the only the person who understands me. I don't understand me at all, but you seem to do. In fact, you seem to understand everyone somehow." Kasuka paused and added,
" You are incredibly strong Mikado, you're going to be back at you're job in no time."
" Hopefully so," the blue eyed man began to play with the strap on his arms. " I hope not to cause anyone any trouble. I'm sorry you came all the way here just to see me. And Masaomi as well, ahh, I should really apologize to him. He cares so much about me but all I do is agitate him. But it would be better if he was honest with his feelings.."
Kasuka nodded and started to peel an orange he took out from his pants pocket.
" Before I was told what happened to you I felt my chest hurt when I was taking a bath. So when I went to the kitchen to eat some cookies, I saw that my little brother had already eaten them. When I looked into my refrigerator and saw them gone I knew it was a bad omen." He said this without any trace of humor in it but the other laughed as if he had never laughed in his whole life.
"Why is it...?" The man said in between tears.
" Why is what?"
Mikado looked calmly at him and smiled. He raised his hand and cupped Kasuka's cheek.
" Why is it that you always know what to say ?"
If anyone would have heard Kasuka's next statement they would have thought it was a joke. ( Since it was said in a tone so flat and boring)- But to Mikado he knew that the man meant every word of it.
" Because I love you."
-and then they kissed.
Masaomi sighed. He had to apologize later to two people now, great just great. He massaged his temples until he felt something cold near his fingers. It was a can of coffee being offered by his greatest enemy-err, old friend. Aoba.
" Kasuka is in there, right." It was a statement.
" Yeah," the blonde man snorted. " God forbid Kasuka entry to the great Mikado-sama! Aren't you supposed to be jealous or something? Here is your love rival coming to swoop the princess away."
Aoba sat next to the blond, keeping a good distance from him as he did so. He crossed his legs over the pants of his tailored suit. He must have gotten off of work.
"I'm not like you Masaomi. If he's happy ,I'm happy. Kasuka and Sempai have been going out for five years already and I don't think they'll be quitting anytime soon. Well..unless.."
He didn't want to finish that sentence. And Masaomi didn't want him to either.
" I mean, It sort of surprised me y'know? Those two..actually nah. I've known it from the start. Even from middle school I knew something weird was going on, but how was I supposed to think that they liked each other in that way? I mean our town was hick central. The thought hadn't even crossed to me that dudes could like dudes. Except you Aoba, I always knew you were a little fruit."
" Aren't you being a bit hypocritical?" Aoba grinned. " Heh, I mean your interactions with him always lead me to believe you felt something else..."
Masaomi paled.
I love you Mikado! Let me take care of you.
He should really learn to think before he opened his big fat mouth.
"Shut your mouth. I never felt anything like that for him, I'm just.. confused."
" And that's how they start... I wonder why men always have this pride about their sexuality. Unlike me, the moment I learned of my feelings for Sempai I didn't become disgusted with myself. I just accepted them."
" -But you dated women, and others. Even one of the Orihara twins."
" I'm still a man, " Aoba replied. " If you were in my situation wouldn't you go out with her too?"
"She does have a huge rack." Masaomi mused.
"But the only person for me," Aoba sighed with a dreamy look on his face " is my sempai."
" Ok, calm down Casanova. I'm straight and I really can't stand to hear this."
" Too bad, because just like I hear your inconsistent whining you need to hear mine as well. I dislike to be used like that."
" But you have no problem in using others right?"
" That's true."
" Not a drop of guilt, eh? But you always acted like this , even in middle school. You still have that stupid facade whenever you are with Mikado. That cheerful, cute underclassman. But when you talk to others it's a completely different tone and personality. You're vile and ruthless."
" I'm just a masochist,"Aoba replied while sipping on his coffee. "While I hate when others use me I don't mind one bit when he uses me."
" Since when has Mikado ever used you? Since when has Mikado ever used anyone?"
Aoba patronized him and smiled.
" All the time. You just don't get Sempai like I do."
Masaomi stood up with his teeth clenched, he had enough of this banter. The can falling through his fingertips as they clenched into a fist.
" You always pretended to empathize with others wants and needs, but you still act like you're above them. Well fuck you Aoba. I'm going to tear you a new one caterpillar eyebrows."
The younger man didn't stand up , just tilted his head sideways.
" Didn't I tell you- White is such a dreadful color on you?"
This happened when they were in their second year of high school.
A fifteen year old Aoba carried two book bags in his hands looking quite indignant, looking up at his blond upperclassman. The other had his arms crossed ,mouth twisted.
" Aoba, gimme Mikado's book bag. Now."
" Sempai is currently in his study session after school. He told me to take care of it for him."
" You're lying Mikado never asks anyone to do things for him."
" Shut up, he told me to. ...using Telepathy! You just don't know it because you aren't on the same wave length as Sempai!"
" C'mon I just wanna see if he has any munchies. I'm starving here!"
The two began a tug of war and soon the contents of the school bag fell on the ground.
Kasuka began picking up the items as the two teens continued to argue. This happened everyday. This and also the fact that Mairu and Kururi were right behind the quite boy, admiring his beauty while latching on to him. He didn't complain, they were friends after all.
Anri was amused as she looked at them quietly. It was a surprise to her that time could pass so quickly, that she was no longer the abused young girl she used to be. She wasn't alone anymore, for she now had kind friends. ( She couldn't help but think it was Mikado's doing, because if she never met him in that hospital she would have never met anyone else.)
(But of course those kind friends are always silently screaming, small tiny screams)
A sound of a shuffling door was heard.
" Thanks for waiting everyone!" A petite boy walked toward them, beaming at them while carrying a text book .
" Mikado-chan!" Mairu squealed as she ran toward him, her twin still latched on to Kasuka's arm ( who didn't seem to mind).
" Mairu-chan," he smiled. " What are you all up to?
" Waiting ( for you)."
" Yup, like Kururi-chan said , waiting for you! We're going to Aoba's house today for movie night. Let's go kaykay?" The bespectacled girl latched on to the boys arms with gusto. Mikado laughed. The twins were contagious.
" Who the hell said you could come!" Aoba pouted.
"Well, " Mairu said as she walked behind her twin, and spontaneously grabbed her breasts. " These knockers do!"
" Shameless!"
" INCESTTTTT! " Masaomi yelled out at the top of his lungs. " SpiderMasaomi could get used to this!"
Just another day for Mikado.
" Did you know that the world is going to end soon?" Mairu spoke in between chews as she ate her yogurt. The group stopped in Mr Simon's convenience store for some rations. They always pitched in with the food( it would range from thirty to forty ), they grabbed anything that suited their fancy and always ordered out for their movie nights. That, or they walked to a reasonably priced restaurant for their eats. It was a ritual for them that happened every Friday, well, unless it was called off for personal reasons. Namely, Mikado's job that asked him to work on Friday's if they needed help on replacing someone.
Aoba was currently locking arms with his sempai, his head resting on Mikado's shoulder.
" What a load of bullshit, the world isn't going to end soon. That's like saying the sky is going to fall anytime soon."
"Actually," Mikado began. " That's one of my biggest fears...the sky falling."
" Don't worry Sempai, I won't let that happen."
Masaomi made a face in between slurps of his icee. " The hell ? How can you stop the sky from falling. If it did you'd be the first one dead under a cloud some where."
A sweet laugh filled the air, and everyone turned toward Anri. " If you ask me I think Kasuka would survive first if that ever happened. He's very practical. "
" Yeah," Masaomi winked. " He'd be the first dumb ass to try to eat a cloud."
Kasuka threw a cookie at his head.
" What brought this on anyways? " Anri asked , filled with curiosity.
" Today...at school." Kururi spoke slowly, and very softly. Everyone began to close in on her to hear her correctly. " The teacher taught us about global warming( it was interesting)." She was in the same position as Aoba was , latching on to her piece of affection, Kasuka.
Mikado nodded as Aoba snuggled with him deeper. " Ah, I see. No wonder! If the world did end..hmmm. Yeah, Kasuka would be the sole survivor! But the first person to die would be Masaomi..sorry." He apologized when he saw the blond's shocked expression. " Just.. you don't have the best survival instincts., I mean...remember the school trip in the woods? We were lost for about thirty minutes and you were the first one saying we should drink our pee to save water. "
Kasuka nodded while the others laughed, jabbing at Masaomi's forehead.
"And I-" Mairu stopped in between walking . " Shall be the only female in the world left to reproduce! It will be a tough sacrifice but I will prevail! Ohhhhh yeah! "
Everyone laughed, even Kasuka. His closest friends always knew he had different laughs for everything. He did a 'ha' when he thought it was just humorous, all in that bored voice of his. If he did ' ha ha' he thought it was really funny. But when he would go ' ha ha ha' it was just hilarious. And the group knew this was true whether the world would end or not.
" The world should end in a Noah's ark." Was all Kasuka said ,continuing to munch on his cookies. He took another one and fed it to Mikado while walking to the Chinese food store that had opened up a couple of days ago.
" That's dumb, " Aoba's grip on his sempai tightened. " Why would anyone want to be our savior. That's why Noah's ark only had animals, we aren't meant to be saved. Because we are dumb humans."
Masaomi changed the subject, because truth be told this topic scared him.
" Oi, Mikado-chan, you're half Chinese right? Why not talk to the owners and get us a discount? Who knows? They could be your long lost relatives . "
Mikado sighed exasperatedly. " Masaomi I told you on Monday that they are my family that's one of the reasons I wanted to come here. To see how their business was going. "
" That's really cute. How you care about you're family that way. We have a little brother, but he is so not cute!" The girl adjusted her glasses as she spoke.
" Not cute. ( at all.)" added the other twin.
The shop was a modest one, the windows were clear and one could see a handful of people enjoying the grand opening. The group walked in animatedly, and Masaomi was about to take a foot inside when he saw that man. The Uncle that he wished dead so often from Mikado's child hood. The one he almost killed when he had pushed him off the stairs.
He pulled his friend gently to the side. Making it seem he was just snuggling up to him, whispering to him his accusations.
Mairu could be heard at the counter, ordering her plate saying to them" Get a room you two!"
"Mikado how can you do this to me?" The grip on the boy's elbow tightened. "Don't you remember how he treated you back then?"
"Masaomi people change, he's changed into a more kinder person. He is more mellow now." The blue eyed boy wanted to look at anything but his friend's face, because he wanted to believe that people are genuinely good on the inside. But the blond didn't let him and grabbed his face (gently) so they could be staring eye to eye. ( A small cat call could be heard from their friends.)
"So, you think people change for the better just like that? There is no such thing, if a person is born rotten they stay rotten Mikado! How can you be so naive..."
"What are you talking about Masaomi...out of everyone in our group you changed the most." Mikado at this point was cold. " Did you want me to give up on you too?"
Time stood still for them, neither of them backing down their appointed argument. Just staring at each other.
" Kiss already!"
And both of them broke their stare, Masaomi standing up and bowing his head slightly.
" Just forget it ok?"
They had fun that movie night.
On Friday, when movie night canceled ,was when it had happened.
It was just past four o' clock when Mikado waved goodbye to his friends in front of the bakery. Masaomi's arms enveloped the top of Mikado's head in a tight embrace.
"Ne, Mikado-channnnnnnnnnnn! We're gonna pick you up after you finish your shift! Set aside some tea and some cakes for us, kaykay?"
" You louse." Aoba gripped his bag straps a bit harder. " You shouldn't overwork sempai like that."
Mikado had a small smile on his face and it might just have been an illusion but the underclassman could see flowers emerging from behind his infatuation.
" Aoba-kun would you like some cake as well?"
" Yes..." he answered quietly.
" Well aren't you whipped." the blonde added sound effects to his statement , motioning with his hand a belt being cracked. He was punched in the face.
Kasuka seemed to ignore his friends as he continued to play on his portable video game player he received last month. He waved goodbye without even looking up from his Super Mario.
" See you later."
" Good luck Mikado-kun." Anri bowed and walked behind the boys that would be accompanying her home. With that Mikado clenched both of his fist invigorated and filled with good spirit.
" Hello Yamazaki-san! I'm ready to start my shift!"
The big burly man ( who was also the owner of the store) stepped out with a friendly face handing Mikado a package filled with bread and cookies.
" Today I'd like for you to go walk around Market Street and sell there, alright? We have enough help here at the store and we need someone young and energetic to get people's attention today. Is that all right Mikado-kun?"
The young boy could only smile placing a fist in the air.
" Sure thing, Owner! Leave it to me!"
The sun was hidden behind the clouds and Mikado wondered if he should tell the owner his thoughts; That today he didn't expect so many customers in the open air market, but he swallowed and placed the boxes of bread on the store's bicycle. Strapping it on with some rope he found near the back door of the bakery. He hopped on and just like that, he began to pedal faster and faster.
Whenever he made his deliveries he imagined himself as a pilot, or sometimes even as a race car driver. The wind was his opponent and the sky was the limit. But what he liked the most was that he only took the bicycle when the destination was a bit farther away from everything familiar. He liked this feeling because it made all his problems go away, like his illness that made him throw up occasionally, that made his stomach go haywire, how they didn't have money for the rent this month, or that the sky was going to fall soon ( and it felt exciting). He wondered if this was how Masaomi felt when he ran in track. His blond friend was recruited and he was the star runner of their high school. He was like the sun, Mikado mused as he turned a corner. But then he realized that Masaomi was always running. The sad thing about it was that he was always running in the wrong direction.
The part time worker slowed down his pace, he enjoyed the scenery (since this was the more wealthy part of town). The houses were well built, sturdy not like the apartment building he lived in with his grandparents. His mind wandered off to the flowers in front of him, questioning if he should pick some for Mrs. Kida and his grandmother. He was a bit embarrassed to even think of Anri ( would she get the wrong idea?) and even to Kasuka. He didn't want to even think why he thought of him.
His face felt hot.
" Young man!"
Mikado turned on his bike as he saw an old man ( who looked like some kind of butler) walking quickly and out of breath. The boy thought he was about the age of his grandfather , and when he thought this he quickly made his way to the other . He wouldn't want to be an inconvenience.
" Ah, Young man . My master saw you from outside the window and he wondered if the box of bread is for sale?"
Today was his lucky day! He wouldn't have to go back to his boss empty handed.
" Yes they are. Is he interested in the whole box?"
" He wanted the cookies as well as everything on the bike. If you're alright with selling them come inside so we can unload them. You see I'm not as young as I used to be."
Mikado nodded and waited for the man to open the steel gate in front of him. When he arrived at the door he balanced all the boxes at once , his legs shaking as he placed them on the small table near the door.
" Ah, will this be all?"
" No," said the old man sadly. And that was the last thing Mikado heard when chloroform enveloped his senses.
" Dammit Kasuka why do you always win at this game!" Masaomi groaned loudly as he sunk in his beloved bean bag.
Kasuka shrugged. " Because you suck at this game."
The youngest out of the two boys rolled his eyes. " I loose every time. You are just to good Kasuka- sempai."
" If Anri were here it would be much better than hanging out with all these dudes...I know!" The blonde haired male stood up as he popped another chip into his mouth. "Let's call the Orihara twins. They're so hot."
Aoba pinched the bridge of his nose and started to pack up his belongings.
" Weren't we supposed to pick up sempai in ten minutes? Maybe you can call them after that? Besides, I have to go home soon."
" Ah, never mind then. Kasuka, c'mon! Get your lazy butt up so we can pick up Mika-chan."
The dark haired boy continued to play as the other two grinned at him.
" When Kasuka-sempai plays video games his brain is in another world."
" For sure, " the blond began to sneak up behind the other boy and pounced. " SPIDER MASAOMI-AWAY!"
When they arrived at the bakery they were 10 minutes late. The trio were running ( besides Aoba who was on his own bicycle) toward Mikado's work place , earning questionable stares from passerby. They must have really wanted bread.
" Ahhh, Stupid man slut! Because of you we're making sempai wait!"
" It's not my fault Kasuka bit me! Anyways- wait. Mikado isn't in the front."
They stopped running as they stood in front of the store, looking quite confused when they saw the owner in front of the establishment looking quite worried as he bobbed his head left and right.
" Ah! Boys! "
" Mr. Yamazaki." They chorused.
" Isn't Mikado-kun with you ? He hasn't come by since this afternoon...I sent him to go to market street and he hasn't come back yet."
As soon as he said this all expressions were changed and the boys seemed to be older than they really were.
" Which way did he go?" Kasuka spoke first surprising everyone.
" He went that way," the elder man raised his finger. " I'll leave off on calling his grandparents for now, there must be a reason why he is so late. Perhaps one of the tires broke...Please find him!"
As soon as he blinked the three were gone.
After the news the trio quickly ran towards the quickest way to get to the market place-Through the wealthy part of town. Aoba was in the lead ,since he had had a bicycle it allowed him to cover more ground faster than the elder boys. He had his cellphone on high just in case the two had to give him any information on Mikado's whereabouts .
But when he saw his sempai with his own bike walking toward him he didn't become glad like he thought he would. He just stopped, he stopped because in his world it did stop. At that moment everything felt surreal to him. So it was true, the end of the world was the sky falling, not a Noah's Ark. No one was saved.
This isn't happening.
" Oi, Mikado!" Aoba could hear Masaomi's yelling and he didn't care. He could only stare when his sempai was becoming more visible, and he knew, he knew that Masaomi and Kasuka was in back of him, quite shocked and at loss for words .
So many worlds were ending today.
He was terrified , but nevertheless the youngest spoke first.
" What happened Sempai?" His mouth was dry.
The trio could only wait and examine their friend who was quite dazed, trudging along with his bicycle. The bread carts were empty, and his shirt was a bit torn off, blood on him as well as bruises. Marks were engraved on his neck and on his petite body. Mikado's eyes were so expressive, puffy, but how can that be? They were vacant.
" Who did this to you!" Masaomi screeched . He was a failure because he couldn't protect his friend, was what he was thinking. " Who beat you up! I'll kill them!"
The other two knew that that couldn't possibly be it. It was something else, something more terrible.
The youngest looked pained, he looked like he was about to cry. Aoba started to stutter trying to give his words form, his voice tearful and frail. " If they hurt you, you should tell." Words of wisdom of a child, but he knew that telling adults would only make matters worse, it always did.
But both of the former gang leaders voices didn't reach Mikado, he didn't even look at them. He merely ran straight towards Kasuka's arms. He was accepted and the taller boy held on to the other as if his life depended on it.
Aoba became even more frightened never , ever forgetting that expression on Kasuka's usually dull face.
It was helplessness.
Masaomi's face remained cold as stone, clenching his fists and looking at the cracks on the ground because he was nothing more than an awkward teenager. He didn't know how to handle the situation, and he shouldn't feel jealous because his supposed best friend ran towards someone other than him.
Mikado coughed violently and began to whisper, but Kasuka being in such close proximity with him could hear.
"He said that his master wanted everything on the bike.. but how was I supposed to know he meant me as well?"
It began to rain and as the rain fell Mikado let out a yell. He tore away from Kasuka and began to scream loudly, loudly until he was hoarse. No one heard him, as they were in his cars the rain muting everything other than the downpour.
No one tried to stop him, and at this point Aoba began to cry, as well as Masaomi and Kasuka. Because even though they didn't understand the situation they could feel it.
"THERE ISN'T A SINGLE DECENT PERSON IN THIS PLACE!" By place, Mikado was trying to say in his life, but that's ok. He doesn't know what he's saying anymore. And anyway's his friends understood him, and they couldn't help but agree.
" The world is going to end soon! A-a-and" He closed his eyes. " Why doesn't anyone care?"
" Mikado." Masaomi spoke, standing tall. " What happened ? What happened to you?"
But Mikado ignored him and flinched every time Masaomi grabbed on to his shoulders.
They cried all the way home.
Aoba called his parents lying to them that he had a project due on Monday. That it was necessary for him to stay at his friend's house to complete it . They bought the excuse only after they talked to Mrs. Kida , she was quite oblivious to why the three other boys were staying in her house but welcomed them with open arms. She spoke to the other parents, explaining that the weather was much to violent for them to head home anyways. Mikado's grandparents were quite worried but smiled when they knew he was in good hands.
It wasn't uncommon for the boys to bathe together on certain days , but this time Mikado refused to bathe with the others. He wasn't vocal about it , he was just perched on Masaomi's bed refusing to budge.
" Sempai, please bathe with us. We can clean you up too...aren't you cold?"
Ignored.
" Sempai, Sempai, Sempai!" Aoba had enough and he didn't have anymore patience. " You're being cruel!"
" Come on Mikado. Stop being a big baby," Masaomi spoke. " Just cause some people roughed you up doesn't mean shit...unless.. you're hiding something.."
Kasuka's eyes narrowed and stood up from his position on the bean bag.
" Mikado, just me and you. Let's go."
Masaomi shut his eyes as he rubbed his temples. " Like that's going to work," he began, but when he opened his eyes Mikado and Kasuka was already gone leaving an irritated but jealous looking Aoba.
Kasuka began to do his usual routine, dab water on to himself and then begin to latter his hair with shampoo. He pretended to not seem interested in the way Mikado opted to the bathtub instead of the usual stool he used in the traditional Japanese home that Masaomi owned. He pretended not to notice the water turning pink because of the blood trickling down Mikado's leg and he pretended not to look when he saw Mikado scrub until his skin was pink.
To Mikado it would never be enough to scrub him clean. No matter how much he tried to he would always be dirty.
How was he supposed to feel like right now?
I'm empty.
" I know what happened ." Kasuka said, he faced the boy completely. " I'm sorry Mikado."
Mikado does not nor does he face him. The only thing Kasuka could see was a small back with red marks, and how those shoulders seemed getting tinnier and tinnier each second going up and down.
The boy was crying.
When Mikado went to sleep on Masaomi's bed ( the trio insisted he take the bed) ,Kasuka called a sort of meeting in the kitchen.
The teenagers made sure for the adults to be asleep, it was two am and they made sure to keep their voices low. The tallest of the three told them what really happened, the truth of what had happened to their ill friend. He also mentioned how, while doing so, apologized to Aoba and Masaomi , how Mikado wasn't brave enough to tell them in person just yet and used Kasuka as his messenger.
Mikado asked forgiveness because he knew he was cruel.
There was a pregnant silence after everything was said. No one spoke because in a way they were mourning for Mikado's loss of innocence. Like it was that important in the first place. Because honestly what would you do? What could you do?
Masaomi and Aoba became absolutely livid.
The blond boy was like fluid reaching up to his metal bat, the one he used to command and bring fear to the yellow scarves.
The younger, always so calm and composed turned his face into something sinister a remnant of the blue squares , a knife in his hands.
And Kasuka could only stare and keep his mouth shut because he had no way of stopping his friends after they made up their mind.
Masaomi spoke, but he was no longer Masaomi. He was an animal, baring his fangs and ready to pounce.
" We're getting payback."
♠TITLE♠ And I Wondered Why It Burned
♠RATING ♠PG-15
♠WORDCOUNT♠ 6,715SUMMARY ♠In which Shizuo realizes he's a train wreck, Izaya knows that they can see him ,and where Mikado desperately wants to show two young boys just what trust really is.Alternative Reality
♦NOTES♦ Shizuo/Mikado/ Izaya and other pairings. These are all slightly hinted of course.