red string || sano manjiro/ mikey

chapter lxxi: on new years eve

"where did i go wrong, manji?"

kazua stood by the edge of the building, overlooking the city of tokyo while the leader of kantou manji stood a few meters behind her. he didn't move an inch, only watching her figure to make sure that she doesn't fall off accidentally.

"why do you have the need to blame yourself for everything i do, kazua?" he asks back rather than replying directly.

"why do i?" she chuckled to herself, remembering her promise to his late brother nearly six years ago. "i wonder..."

mikey sighs, having enough of her wandering. "is that all you came here for?"

"emma's worried for you. she told me you haven't gone home for a year now." she muttered. "you didn't even come with them to the shrine tonight. it's new years, you know?"

"there's no need for me to." mikey replied. "it's better off this way, kazua."

the latter bitterly chuckled. "is it?"

with a sigh, she turns around to face him with a small smile. she advanced slowly, taking her time until she reached the tile right in front of him.

kazua thoughtlessly cupped his face in her hands, slowly bringing him close to her lips. "does it have to end this way?" she whispers, her freezing lips dangerously close to his own. mikey didn't let any reaction show, but he held her wrists to try and stop her.

only, he couldn't bring himself to push away.

"stop." his dark hues locked with her own. "it's for the best."

"is it?"

"the rest despised me after what i did to them. why can't you?"

"because you did that with the intent to make them despise you." kazua easily replied. "and i know that it isn't what you want. why do you have to push yourself away?"

"i'm not someone who's pleasant to be around with. can't you see that?" he scowled. "why the hell are you so stubborn? stay away from me. i'm not the same person you thought i was."

"you're not the same manjiro who wrapped this string around my wrist and made a silly promise to marry me in the future?" she dared to ask. "you're not the same manjiro who sleeps with his blanket because it's the only reminder left of his late brother?"

"no, i'm not."

"then why the hell do i see that manjiro in your eyes?" her thumbs caressed his cheeks, soothing him in a way that only she could do. "why do i see manjiro reaching out to me and asking for help?"

"you're delusional." mikey scoffed. "leave before i kill you."

"oh, honey. i'd love to die by your hands." kazua inched closer. "but that'll leave you miserable, wouldn't it?"

a single peck on his lips, one that she let linger for a few seconds before pulling away from his warmth. he didn't know why, but it felt like this was the last he'll ever see her again.

bang!

bang!

bang!

fireworks shot up the sky and decorated the sea of darkness around them, welcoming the first day of a new year. with this celebration, they leave behind their past sorrows, regrets, and selves.

yet, some people cling on to the past in fear of the unknown they're unconsciously diving into.

"happy new year, my love." she smiled softly. "we forgot our matching sweaters, huh?"