Underneath the Red Trees

CHAPTER 79: TAKE IT ALL AWAY

Hayate pulled a shirt over his head. "Come on," he said, "Let's get dinner. I'm starving."

Touma checked the clock. "It's nine o'clock."

"So?" Hayate asked. "I'm sure there is a place somewhere open this time of night. This is Tokyo. Besides, I want to take a walk."

Touma rolled his eyes, then rolled himself out of bed. He smelled like Hayate's shampoo. He had just taken a shower. Hayate too.

They found themselves walking down the street in search of a takeout place that was still open. And twenty minutes later they did find a burger place still open. There was a line of at least five or seven people there.

They stood in the line for around fifteen minutes. There were still three people in front of them, there had been two more additions to the line. Hayate nudged Touma. "I'm going to find a bathroom. Stay in line, yeah?" he whispered to Touma.

"Okay. Be safe."

Hayate grinned. "Always, babe."

Touma's eyes widened. The blush spread from his ears all the way to his neck.

Hayate smirked as he walked away.

He ended up finding a bathroom in a convenience store a block away. He didn't know if Touma was already at the front of the line, but by now Touma already knew what he liked and what he didn't, so he wasn't too worried. It meant less work for him.

Although he would probably get a scolding. Then again, Touma was cute when he reprimanded him. He found himself grinning as he thought about it.

"Life must be good if you can smile so easily, Mr Igarashi."

Hayate raised his head, and his smile fell. Katsu Akano stood at the end of the street. He was dressed casually. Unlike last time, Katsu was not smiling. Rather, his face showed his contempt.

Hayate knew Katsu hated him. He never showed or said it outright, but Hayate knew the truth.

"What do you want?"

"I believe I warned you to stay out of my family business, did I not?" Katsu said.

"I'm not going to abandon Touma," Hayate said, he kept his voice calm. He wouldn't give Katsu the satisfaction of seeing him lose his temper. "He won't come to your side willingly. You do know that, don't you?"

Katsu sniggered. "Not as long as you are by his side." Katsu crossed his arms over his chest. "But I think that will change, soon enough."

Hayate laughed. "Are you fucking serious? I just told you: nothing can make me abandon him."

Katsu grinned. It was a malicious smile. "Did Yuuki ever tell you how my wife and father die?" Hayate frowned. "He and Daisaku murdered them. I doubt Yuuki was the one who dealt the killing blows, but he most certainly helped."

"So what?" Hayate asked. "Daisaku manipulated him. Yuuki was never at fault."

Katsu nodded, idling his head downward. "I agree with you." He raised his chin once again, but his irises glowed green. "But it does disgust you." His voice seemed to appear in the depths of Hayate's mind.

Hayate gripped his nose bridge, trying his best to ignore the pounding in his head. "Stop that," Hayate growled.

"You are angry, Hayate, angry that Yuuki could have saved your beloved brother, and yet he was too cowardly to do anything about it. You have the right to be angry. You have every reason to despise him."

"No!" Hayate shouted. Ryuu roared from the deep within his soul, fighting whatever it was Katsu was doing to him. Hayate lowered his head. He hunched down, attempting to focus on the truth instead of the words that seemed to resonate with his fury. His fingernails dug into his skin.

Katsu bent down so they were at eye level with one another. The ominous green glow of Katsu's eyes met Hayate's gaze. The glow was so bright that the light seemed to claw deep into the core of Hayate's rationale. His words rung loudly inside Hayate's mind, muting the roars that were trying to overshadow them.

"Yes," Katsu said, "You know I'm right, Mr Igarashi. Do you know why?" he asked, "I'll tell you why. Naguchis do not mix with Akanos."

"Hayate?" Touma called. He was carrying the paper bag with their dinner inside. Hayate had taken awfully long to find a bathroom. Was it far away? Or had something happened?

It was already past ten o'clock. Most places were closed by now. Where was he?

Was he okay?

Touma relaxed when he saw the tall figure at the end of the street. He was cradling his head in the palm of his hand.

"There you are!" Hayate glanced up. He seemed to be in a sort of daze. "Are you okay?" Touma asked as he closed the distance between them. He still did not answer. Touma frowned. "Hayate?" he reached out to touch his face.

Hayate slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me!" he snapped.

There was something wrong.

"Hayate," Touma said. He wanted to laugh. "Are you joking? This isn't funny."

"Why the fuck would I be joking?" Touma's smile fell. His brows furrowed. Hayate never swore at him. "How could I be so blind?" he gripped his hair. "I'm so fucking stupid."

"Hayate," Touma tried.

"You," Hayate started, "are a coward, Yuuki."

Touma inhaled sharply. "That isn't my name."

"It used to be your name." Hayate glared at him. "You are no better than the rest of them. You are nothing more than an Akano. That's all you'll ever be."

Touma swallowed. Tears welled up, burning his eyes. "What's wrong with you?"

"I know the truth, Yuuki." Touma's stomach turned with every cruel word Hayate said to him. "You murdered two people. No, actually. Three people. You murdered my brother, too, right? When you abandoned him in Daisaku's clutches."

Touma's grip loosened on the paper bag. Their would-be dinner fell to the ground, scattering the food across the pavement.

Touma shook his head. "No, I..."

"Yes," Hayate barked, "Yes, that's exactly what you did. Stop pretending you're innocent. Stop acting like a naïve child. You know what you did. You know what you are."

"Hayate, please stop," Touma's voice broke. The tears slipped from his eyelids down his cheeks.

"Oh?" Hayate said, "You're crying now? Like a little bitch."

"Stop it," Touma begged. "Please. I love you. You know that."

Hayate snickered. Her gripped Touma's collar. "Let me tell you something."

Their faces were inches away from each other. But the sentiments that had been there when they had previously been in this position were gone.

Hayate's voice was filled with cruelty and malice when he spoke. "I never loved you. I was using you to get back at your family."

Touma's lips quivered. "You're lying."

Hayate gripped Touma's jaw. His grip was too tight. It hurt. "I have never been this honest with you." He threw Touma back like he was a ragdoll. Touma's back hit the wall behind him. "I never want to see you again."

Touma's legs buckled beneath him as Hayate walked away. He stared at Hayate's figure as he walked away. The tears wouldn't stop.

Who was that?

That wasn't Hayate, right? No. It couldn't be. That couldn't be the same man he had fallen in love with twice over. He was too much like his ex-boyfriend. He was too much like Katashi Saga.

Touma's heart ached. It hurt too much. It was happening all over again. Why was this happening again?

"What do you want?"

Katsu stood on the corner, watching Touma silently.

"You know what I want."

Touma stared at Katsu for a long time.

He got to his feet. "Fine." His voice was steady. The tears had stopped. "You win. I'll come home."