Servamp: In Our Next Life

Meeting

Sleepy Ash knew it was dumb as hell but he couldn't help it.

Whenever he had time, he'd go to the same street Mahiru'd picked him up from and lie there in the exact same spot. 66 years and he'd spent nearly half of that time on that street corner. As if he was waiting for Mahiru to walk by again and pick him up.

Today he was there again.

A group of people were talking just out of Sleepy Ash's sight.

"DON'T CALL ME CHIBI!!"

"Ah ha... if only we could get the new guy to come with us. He always seems... so upset..."

"Give up on the guy already Suko he snaps at you every time you talk to him. He slapped you last time!"

"He apologized immediately!"

"Ah-ah haha!! Masaaki-san! Didn't you say you have a friend coming to Japan soon? You gotta introduce us!!"

"We'll see! I get the sense he's kinda shy... but I'll try to convince him. It'd be nice for you to meet him."

"Well I gotta go to my shift at the repair shop so I'll see ya around! Call me if you wanna hang out again!"

"Will do Izanami!"

"I should get going too. I'm expected at the onsen..."

"Lily's also expecting me back soon Suko, Masuda. He says it's dangerous for me to stay out after dark."

"Ah! In that case I'll see you around Minori, Tamotsu!"

"See you Masaaki-aniki/Suko."

Sleepy Ash paid no mind to them.

...until one of the voices reappeared next to him.

"Are you a stray?"

Sleepy Ash turned to look at the voice.

It was a boy with jet black hair. He was dressed simply in an orange shirt, a white hoodie and brown pants and sneakers. And... his eyes...

Sleepy Ash hated himself for thinking it, but that wide warm honey brown made him think of... him.

"Looks like you are. It's cold you know you shouldn't be on the street."

Sleepy Ash felt himself lifted into the boy's arms.

"Well. Thinking simply, better this than to regret not helping you later."

Sleepy Ash almost snorted at the familiar words.

"Come on- we're going home."

Sleepy Ash closed his eyes. This was all so familiar... for a second he could pretend it was-

"Please... be... happy..."

"IF YOU WANT ME TO BE HAPPY THEN STAY WITH ME!"

...just what did he think he was doing?

Sleepy Ash opened his eyes again and took a look at the boy. He especially noted his jet black hair and the pointier nose he had. He bit back a sigh half angry at himself.

This wasn't his Mahiru.

Why'd you pick me up if you're not him... such a pain...

The boy suddenly stopped and held his head with the arm not holding Sleepy Ash.

"Ah jeez," the boy muttered. "For god's sake... not this again..."

...huh?

"Jeez... I'll take some painkillers if it gets worse it's not that bad right now," the boy decided. "Better get home before the sun sets..."