lifeline | bl | jjk

12: one's greed grows

12: one's greed grows
Alt. Title: "I want more. Is that okay?"

The afternoon heat bored down on him, drops of sweat rolling down his skin.

Yua Shihori had already taken off his shirt, leaving him topless with a pair of mid-thigh shorts. "It's so hot." The nurse complained as he took a swig of water, an ugly expression forming on his face when he realized that it had turned warm. "This heat is gonna kill me sooner or later."

Walking behind him was none other than Okkotsu Yuuta. Instead of replying, his eyes were fixated on Shihori's back. Every time he stepped forward, his defined muscles made the youth lose focus on his surroundings. He had to swallow down the saliva building up in his mouth, afraid that he wouldn't realize he was already drooling.

"I'm sorry," Yuuta looked down, acting guilty. Yet, in truth, he was rejoicing his decision of asking Shihori to accompany him to Africa. "I shouldn't have asked you to come with me, Shihori-san." How could he be apologetic when he managed to see Shihori topless? If they had stayed in Japan, he never would have seen this image.

The nurse halted in place, turning around with a frown of disapproval. "What are you talking about, Yuuta-kun? I could have refused you but I accepted, didn't I? It was my decision to go with you so don't blame yourself." Yuuta felt a hand caress the top of his head, his lips almost showing a smile.

No, don't smile. He'll notice something wrong. Instead, the youth kept up the pretense of feeling guilty, which softened Shihori's heart.

"Come on," the weight on his head disappeared. The hand that caressed him reached down for Yuuta's hand. "Anyway, we're almost where the curse is." The second Yua Shihori walked forward, a bright and innocent smile broke out on Yuuta's lips.

Ever since last year, when he ended up hospitalized for harming himself, Shihori had grown into a habit of holding hands with Yuuta. The youth knew that Shihori was afraid that he'd start blaming himself just a few seconds ago. The reason why the nurse held his hand was to reassure Yuuta that it wasn't his fault at all.

And Yuuta? He was just happy to hold hands with his most important person.

Although the weather was scorching, Yuuta felt as if he was walking on cloud nine.

Soon, they reached an abandoned research facility far away from cities. It used to be a lab where researchers used humans as test subjects for drugs in the past. It was said that the human test subjects had rioted and murdered the researchers for revenge. The resentment and despair took the shape of a curse.

Its grade, however, was unknown.

But it was safe to say that it was a special grade.

"Today, I'll just be watching at the side. I'll evaluate what you've learned and what needs to be improved. So, don't hesitate to do your best and don't be afraid if you fail. I'll be here to save you."

Those words caused Yuuta's heart to tremble.

How could he not treasure his Shihori when he keeps talking like that? How could he not grow greedy when his Shihori treats him the best? Every word the nurse utters touched Yuuta's heart, to the point that he couldn't stop this starvation from growing inside him.

His Shihori's tender care; Yuuta desired it.

.

.

Gojo Satoru stretched his limbs, falling back against the wall behind him as he glanced at the abandoned building across the street. Two of his students were currently inside searching for their target. Meanwhile, a certain someone was sitting on the same bench as him.