SLEEPING AT LAST | bajifuyu

thirty-one

Two days, it has been two days since the opposition happens back in the shrine. Chifuyu never heard another word from Toman's captains, not one that even worries Baji. No one can contact Peh, nor the latter tried talking to them, caught up in his hatred that he completely turned his back to Toman. Even though Chifuyu tried talking to him, constantly ringing his number to reach him, Peh never bothered answering his calls. Baji once told him to let it go since Toman will find a way to solve this conflict. Nevertheless, he wanted to act than let things happen on their own.

"You're not wearing a yukata?" His mom chimes, leaning at the door frame.

Chifuyu turns to her, "I think it's bothersome, mom."

"You think? But the one you wore last winter looks good on you."

"That's a memory worth reminiscing."

A pebble of a smile forms on his lips. Like a newly released movie, he can still vividly remember the event that took place during winter. Everyone is enthusiastic to see him and Baji make their relationship official in front of Toman, shouting and laughing at each other. He can still remember how Peh told them to make it a real wedding one day, but the universe might be the blond's enemy at the moment. Peh left and turned his back to Toman.

"Have fun, okay? Tell Baji my regards!" His mom waves before leaving him in his room.

Today is the summer festival, the day Baji invited him. They were about to forget all of the worries of now-somehow, and indulge in the youth of summer. It has been a lot, and they probably needed that break. At least for a bit, they can live life as the middle schoolers that they are.

Chifuyu checks his reflection in the mirror one last time before going out; a huff escapes his lips as he trudges through the hallway of their house. Once he's at the door, he couldn't help but smile at the expectations for their date. It has been his wish since the start of their summer, so he might as well go overboard with his imagination.

A knock halts him from his imagination, already causing him to smile even without seeing the other person. His clammy hands turn the knob and push to the door to reveal Baji. The latter wore a casual striped shirt, a pair of jeans with white sandals. It was a horrendous fit in Chifuyu's taste, but why is he even asking his fashion sense now out of all times.

"Are you ready now?"

"Should I joke and tell you I'm not?"

Baji chuckles and grabs his hand, enthusiastically pulling him out to where the festival is happening. From the height that they were, Chifuyu catches the life near their apartment complex. It's almost sparkling in his eyes, forming a halo from the lights that stretches up in the sky. His ears perk up hearing the subtle sound of the drums and children's cheers. Even from afar, he can still feel the life of the festival pulsing in his veins.

"Let's have fun, alright?" Baji smiles at him.

Chifuyu nods, holding the boy's hand tighter, "Hell yeah!"

It was magical, the lights, the stalls, the people-summer in general. The life almost blinded him as they went through stalls after stalls, either playing a random game a dozen times (they never won, at least once) or trying snacks that pique their interest. It was fun, full of giggles and whatnot-complete 180 degrees after all the bad events that happened within that week. Even though a string of complaints has left Baji's lips from that shooting game-he swore that the owner taped the target. Chifuyu has to pull the black-haired man out of the stall to prevent any conflict with other people.

Once he convinced the latter with a couple of candied apples and Takoyaki, they sat on an empty bench at the corner of the festival, watching the people move around.

"This is a great idea," Baji bites his candied apple, "Never regret asking you out."

"Well, after all that occurred, this is nice." Chifuyu smiles and eats his Takoyaki.

Baji turns his head to the sky, "I'm still wondering if this will continue."

"What will continue?"

"All of this conflict."

The glee soon fades, and the night finally registered in Chifuyu. As if the magic from earlier was nothing but a fragment of his hallucination-a dream he yearns to disregard the reality of Toman's conflict. Well, he'd rather indulge in this dream than face reality again. But, he can't be a coward towards his home, not when they needed everyone at the moment.

"I'm sure that everyone is doing what they can to solve this," he assures him, eating the last bit of his Takoyaki, "Like we do."

"I want everything to be okay before he comes back," Sighing amid the night.

"Who?"

"Kazutora, Fuyu. He's coming back next month."

His name rings inside Chifuyu, unwanted to his ears. He had forgotten his name or at least a bit of Kazutora. Just when he thought he had escaped his envy for the lad, he comes right back to bite on Chifuyu's back. He swallowed the lump that forms in his throat and wipes the bucket of sweat on his forehead. Perhaps he can blame this discomfort on summer rather than tell his predicament.

He adjusts the collar of his shirt, "Oh, he is?"

"Yes, and I can introduce you to him! That's another dream come true. you know?" Offering his last bit of candied apple to the blond with a smile.

Chifuyu stared at the offered candy in front of him, feeling bad for the latter. He finds it unfair he chooses to stay quiet about his insecurities when he told Baji to be open about him. But, he deems it bashful to feel jealous whenever Kazutora's name reached his ears.

"Kei, about Kazu-"

A ring cuts Chifuyu before he could even say his name. Baji immediately takes out the phone in hand and welcomes the blinding brightness of the screen. He immediately saw how Baji's face contorts, of pain or worry he can't pinpoint.

"Chifuyu, we need to go," Baji said as he stands up.

"What happened?"

"Peh has turned his back to Toman."