Red Carnation

One

Riku wandered the streets, he still had his phone with him, but using a GPS wouldn't be good. His parents would have a possibility to locate him if he turned on location, so he just had to rely on some maps that were around for tourists.

He was sure he looked suspicious, but if someone asked him why he was alone or if he was lost, he would just tell them he's going to a relative's place and run off. He's been out for one day already, having spent most of his time on trains and hiding in public bathrooms when he saw police. Getting out of Tokyo was his main goal for now, but it would take a while on foot, as he had to take breaks to not overexert himself. He only had enough medications for a few weeks at best and acquiring more wouldn't be an option for now.

He didn't have any specific destination in mind, but a less populated area would be a good place for now. But still being in Tokyo meant he had to find a place to wait out the night, somewhere where it wouldn't be easy to find him. He was still only missing for less than 48h and the locals were informed about him, so his only bet was outside or a few public bathrooms - that he would have to rotate frequently.

As a 13-year-old it won't be easy to survive alone in the streets, much less with a medical condition, but going back wasn't an option. If Riku returned, Tenn-nii would have to go away, and that's something Riku doesn't want to happen. Sure, running away meant that they were separated nonetheless but as long as Tenn stayed with their parents and was loved, it didn't matter. Riku was disappointed that their parents would let Tenn sacrifice himself for his sake.

Tenn wasn't responsible for anything that happened, the fault mostly laid in Riku and somewhat in their parents, who kept trying to save the club despite it being easy to see that it was doomed already. Riku's fault wasn't something he could change, no matter how much he would try or apologize, his asthma wasn't something he wanted. He got it without his own consent. Who would want asthma out of their own will ? he wasn't crazy. But it was his fault that he was an impulsive child, and was very reckless, always ending up in the hospital by his own stupidity.

While lost in his thoughts, Riku bumped into a dark green haired man, probably an adult or almost an adult. He had the same air around himself like Riku, of someone overly cautious.

"Sorry, I wasn't looking." Riku said as he quickly bowed and tried to head off, to limit contact with others.

"Wait kid, aren't you kind-of young to be outside at this hour ? You know it's almost midnight by now."

"I just got off the last train to go to my relatives place. They live near here." Riku pointed in a random direction, hoping he would be let go without any further questions.

"And your parents let you go alone at this hour ?" The guy was now looking at Riku suspiciously. He wasn't buying that.

Riku just looked at the guy nervously. What was he supposed to say now ? He was screwed now. His fight or flight instincts decided it was time to run, and so he did.

"Hey !" The guy took off after him. Thankfully Riku could run fast, so he had an advantage here, but it wouldn't last long. Taking a sharp turn Riku hoped to throw off that guy by a but and maybe hide somewhere, but he tripped over a trash can, landing on his face.

"Are you alright?!" That glasses guy caught up to him finally and kneeled down in front of a now crying Riku. "Why are you crying? Are you hurt?!"

"Please don't report me." Riku sniffed a few times. "I can't go back home.. or Tenn-nii... Tenn-nii..."

"Calm down. I won't report you for now. Aaah i'm bad at things like this... for now why don't we go sit down somewhere and patch your knees up, ok?" The guy gave Riku an attempt at a kind smile.

"You really won't report me?" Riku had to be cautious.

"For now, i won't, so let's go." The dark green haired man got up from the ground, extending a hand to help the red head up. "I'm Yamato."

"Riku..." He took the hand and was now back on his feet, following after Yamato.

They walked in silence, until Yamato found a place they could sit down at without being spotted.

"So, care to tell me the real reason why you're outside at this time?" Yamato asked Riku as he took out a bottle of water and some tissues from his own bag.

"Ouch..." Riku hissed as Yamato poured water on his knee. "I can't be at home now... it's something that I can't tell easily to a stranger. Especially since I still don't know if you'll report me."

"Hmmm... so i take you're a runaway."

"Ah i have band aids in my backpack." Riku said as he opened the said bag, giving a chance for Yamato to sneak a glance inside.

"Are you selling medicine or something?"

"Doesn't matter to you."

Riku carefully stuck two bandaids onto his knees, smiling as he swung his legs back and forth.

"Listen kid, I won't report you. I'm in the same boat sort-of. So i would put myself on the line with you and potentially my friends in similar situations." Yamato leaned back on his hands, looking up at the sky.

"You're also a runaway... and there are more people like that here?"

"Yeah, we usually move around separately but we sort-of live together now. That is if illegally renting a small one bedroom apartment with 6 people counts as living." Yamato looked back at Riku. "You look around Ioris age or younger... maybe I should take you with me..."

"How can I trust you. You're a stranger." Riku defensively clung onto his bag as he slowly took a few steps back.

"You're right. You can't trust me, but isn't the aspect of following me and getting to sleep inside sounding better than walking aimlessly outside for the night?"

Riku stayed quiet. It did sound better than sleeping in a bathroom somewhere, but he was told to never follow strangers, especially to their homes... but something about Yamato told Riku that he wasn't lying. Maybe it was worth the risk...

"You don't have to follow me, but if you want to feel free. I have to go back now or Sou will have my head." Yamato got up and looked at Riku, who was staring back at him..

As Yamato walked away he heard footsteps behind himself, smiling slightly that Riku trusted him enough to take a bargain with his own safety.

What a naive kid, he's lucky I wasn't bluffing.