Love as rich as chocolate ~TodoBaku~

Chapter 19: emergency meeting

Akio Todoroki

The mass is groggy this time, lethargic in it's movements. It seems to lumber about and stumble on every step. Actually...no, this isn't the same mass. This mass is older, more frail, and has much less energy and spirit than the other. It seems...almost sad in it's existence, mulling along with little more to do than await activity, for it cannot force it.

The other mass, the usual one, enters the room, happy and as excitable as always. The older-seeming mass has very negative feelings towards the younger one, yet those feelings are laced with confusion.

The mass I am familiar with seems disinterested all of a sudden, yet stays around, seeming emotionally attached to the other. Yet this is clearly not reciprocated, so there is no positive outcome awaiting. Indeed, the older mass roars into a rage, feebly demanding of the other to leave. My mass obeys, slinking out the door like a kicked puppy, and the room dissolves around me.

Friday, the more expected of my days without class. To be honest, I'd expected something or other to happen today, and waking up at 7am and immediately getting in the shower was a rare thing. It's weird how you sometimes just know it's an important day, huh? It's some Final Destination bullshit how you can just tell sometimes, and I don't know exactly what was so special about Friday the 12th of November, but it just sort of...was. I felt amazingly refreshed when I woke up, and my shower can only be described as biblical. I felt on top of the world, the good vibes from last night carrying over into my sleep.

Last night really was...n't what I expected. I mean, think about it, yesterday I woke up grieving over my two crushes being in love with each other, and today I'm already lovestruck by the guy who helped get me through the day yesterday! Of course, Kei and Ryo were still playing on my mind, and the bitter part of me really didn't want to speak to either of them anytime soon, not quite ready to face going back to normal after what I've seen.

To be honest, the worst part now was knowing they'd kept it a secret from me. It was quite hurtful, to be completely honest, especially from Kei. I've known him for nearly 15 years, the least he could do is keep me posted! I mean, I get the thing with his family, but it's not like I'd go trotting over there to betray his trust! The whole reason he moved to the same place as me when we relocated was because his parents thought I was a good influence, so why would I go back on that?! And the theory that I might have an issue with it is preposterous for two reasons! Number one is obvious, and number two just makes sense! One is that I'm gay, and number two is that my dads know them both! If I was a gay homophobe with gay parents, I'd internally combust with confusion! Which is why, news flash, I'm not!

So...it hurts! And more than the fact that I can't have either of them. Because it makes me feel like they don't want me there anyway, which is worse than any kind of romantic rejection. I'd sooner be friends and nothing more than face losing them both! Being rejected as a friend would break my heart in more pieces than a puzzle, and it would never get solved again.

...damn, showers are good for thoughts like that, huh?

As I stood towelling my wet hair, I heard my phone buzzing on the countertop, and rushed over to pick it up. Dad would rip my head off if he knew I had my phone in here, so I had to one-handedly flip it over to see who was calling me.

Huh...Hiro? What could he possibly want at this time of day? At least he didn't FaceTime me, that'd be awkward...

Hello?

Hi, uh, Akio?

Yeeees, that's ma name...?

Um...fuck, listen, are you free right now?

Er, I'm just getting out the shower but I will be soon...is something wrong?

The only reason I asked was because I heard a different tone in his voice, a totally unfamiliar one. He sounded tired, stressed, and above all, sad. I was also a little concerned when my cheeky response to his first statement got no acknowledgment. Not because I think I'm funny, but because it seemed like his type of humour, and I'd played it up for a laugh.

...sort of. If it's not too much trouble, can you start making your way to the café in like 5 minutes? I'll meet you at the end of my road and take you to my place

Ok...see you soon then...

He hung up without a response, and that's when I knew something was wrong. I immediately started frantically dressing, combed my hair quickly and regrettably tied it in a wet ponytail. Ugh, wish I hadn't showered now! The Old Man was in the kitchen as I madly grabbed a breakfast bar, and thankfully didn't question my urgency. Hiro was just too polite to have hung up like that, so there's definitely something on his mind.

I walked out the door into the chilly morning air without another word. My hoodie...ok, Hiro's hoodie didn't feel like much in this weather, but I didn't care too much. I didn't feel at ease. All the good feelings I'd had from this morning were gone, dispersed out of my reach. I didn't stop the blistering walking speed I'd adopted until I spotted the figure of Hiro in the distance, waving me down.

That's...a good sign?
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Even more 👀

I love writing the stuff about "the mass", and I hope it'll all start to make sense. Maybe re-read those sections once I reveal what they mean!

Fact of the Day: I've been FaceTimed while in the shower before, it's freaking scary. I didn't answer, cuz duh, but god it scared the shit out of me!