By Your Side (ioriku)

8

"Trigger!?"

It's Mitsuki's voice, a tight, loud squeal of shock and astonishment. He squeezes the icing-filled piping bag in his hand, it's only seconds away from bursting. Iori urges him to calm down, taking the bag out of his surprisingly strong grip.

Mitsuki stammers, shaking his head in disbelief. "So, his brother really is Kujo Tenn?"

"I guess so," Iori says, somehow perplexed but also concerned for his brother's inability to control his emotions.

"You've met him before, right?"

"Yes," Iori nods hesitantly, recalling their tense interaction and hopes he never has to deal with him again.

"Wow, lucky!" Mitsuki says, balling his fists in jealousy. "I heard that he's really kind, like an angel!"

Iori mentally groans at that. He knew that Kujo Tenn was far from angelic. He'd even go as far as to suggest he were a demon. After all, an angel that abandoned his brother for five years was unheard of, but a demon was much more plausible.

But, he doesn't say anything. He refuses to crush his brother's idealistic dreams.

"Well, if you ever get the chance to see him again, bring me along!"

Iori forces a smile, "Of course."

Of course not, he wants to add, but he doesn't, for the sake of his brother's happiness.

❧

The following day is a Saturday.

Iori doesn't have school, and is not held back by the customs of his school uniform, but he wears it anyway, for the sake of formality and because his own sense of style was nonexistent.

When he enters the hospital room, there's a melody echoing the room. It's gentle, even amidst the blasting of the air conditioning. Iori doesn't recognize the song right away but it doesn't seem to matter, because any sound that came from Riku was delightful.

Iori hides behind the curtain that separates the door from the bed. He breathes quietly, captivated by the sound of Riku's gentle humming.

Soon, his humming turns to song. His voice is warm and smooth, like a serene river by day. Iori listens longer, wanting to peel back the curtain and witness it for himself. But he enjoys it in secret, as if the sound belonged to him only.

When Riku comes to a sudden pause, Iori assumes he's finished, but his assumption is far from correct.

Then, "Iori?"

The sound of his name being called makes Iori jump, clutch his chest, and straighten his posture all within the span of a second. "N... Nanase-san!?" Iori exclaims, voice unexpectedly high. He sheepishly pulls back the curtain and walks in front of it. "How did you know I–"

"You're not very good at hiding," Riku says slyly, trying to hold back a laugh.

"I see," Iori mumbles, looking off to the side, overwhelmed with the fact that he'd been caught. But, even more so with the mere sight of Riku, who is standing by the tall windows that overlook a playground, alongside busy streets and a road that seems infinite.

The sunlight reflects Riku dearly, a soft light that colors his face and makes the red of his hair shine even brighter. It makes him look kinder and sweeter, if that were even possible. For a moment, the blue skies and blooming clouds through the window behind him make Riku look as if he were descending from a heaven beyond.