End of the World (BokuAka) Bokuto x Akaashi

Chapter Seven: Mistake

"No...No! We have to go back!" Yukie screamed, forcing her hands to open the door. They were already out of the station, and the only thing Akaashi could do was be by her side.

He felt the same way too. He even considered going back. Especially the guilt of leaving behind his friend. He promised Sarukui, yet he lost another one.

"There's nothing we can do," Akaashi whispered, pulling her gently from the door.

Yukie dropped to the ground, her hands full of tears covering her face. She didn't care about the watchful eyes of the people around them. Akaashi didn't too. The loss was too great, now that they have to tell it to others.

"It's all my fault," Yukie mumbled. "It should've been me."

Akaashi sat on the floor, attempting to hold her shoulders but he hesitated at the last second. "It's not your fault. None of this is."

"Hey, guys! Thank goodness you got here in time!" Kaori called, running towards them. The people paved the way, with Komi, Bokuto, and Konoha with her.

She instantly spotted Yukie crying on the floor. And when the others looked around the people, Akaashi already knew what they were going to ask.

"Where's Onaga?" Bokuto asked, staring at the crowd. But all he heard was Yukie's muffled cries. Akaashi stared at the floor, he didn't know if he was strong enough to say it.

"Isn't he with you?" Konoha asked Komi, who shook his head hard.

"I was with Suzumeda on the other compartment."

"Then where is he?" Konoha turned to Akaashi. "Where is he—Akaashi? Why is Shirofuku crying?"

Akaashi took a deep, shaky breath. "He's not here."

Konoha scoffed. "What do you mean he's not here? Isn't he with you earlier?"

"He didn't make it," Akaashi told them, looking straight into their eyes, surprised his voice carried force—and went higher than usual. The others took a step back from the sudden outburst.

Akaashi shook his head as he stared at nothing. "He got left behind." He bit his lip, preventing his tears starting to fall. "The train started moving, and he didn't have enough time to get in. He helped Shirofuku-san instead."

Yukie sniffed beside him, mumbling the same words earlier. Kaori sat beside her, hugging her friend.

"So...he's gone?" Bokuto asked, his voice was shaky. Akaashi did a faint nod, and that was enough to overwhelm the whole train with a weary atmosphere that would choke every passenger inside it.

Bokuto wiped a tear. "It's my fault. I didn't get to tell Konoha not to close the door in time."

"Please. This is not the time to pick who's to blame." Akaashi told him.

"Clearly, it was my fault," Yukie said, her face looking up. Her eyes were red and swollen. "I would never make it if he hadn't helped me."

"Stop it already!" Konoha shouted, making everyone flinch. "If you're just going to blame yourselves, blame the guy who refused to help the people in the first place!"

He was right. But Akaashi still didn't want to blame anyone.

Murmurs echoed from the people around them.

"That man..." Konoha heaved a sigh. "He closed the doors so the people wouldn't get in. Can you believe that?" He turned to the people, stepping back—like Konoha was a threat.

"He would rather leave you behind just for him to escape safely! But—" Konoha looked at his palms before glaring at the people. "Would you do the same too? I mean, you're obviously a mess out there."