𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐎 𝐍𝐎 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐄 ━━ 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗜𝗦𝗠 | ✓

‹ 04 ›

❝ WALKS BY! ❞

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TO SEE RYUHEI crying as he clutched my hand wasn't something I was very keen on experiencing in this very moment. He held my hand so tight and so desperately that I knew he was afraid. We were children, after all. And having this kind of conversation felt a bit too mature for our age, but it must be talked about or else the consequences of bottling it up would soon collapse on me.

My hand went up to wipe the tears on his cheeks, leaving it there as I waited for him to look at me again. Once he did, I let go of his hand and hugged him.

I was the one who initiated my very first hug. And Ryuhei held me close, burying his head in the crook of my neck and sobbing, staining my kimono. I was hesitant at first if I should pat his back or just let him be, but the more his body accepted mine, the more I wanted to feel his warmth.

I wish, just for once, I could feel the heat of your embrace.

"Friends aren't supposed to abandon each other, right. . . ?"

. . . Right.

Ryuhei let go of me, and I already missed feeling his arms wrapped around me. I felt something inside of me twitch as I saw the sorrow in his eyes, the absolute sadness that flowed through them, that was slowly engulfing me as if it were massive waves. And I was afraid to drown in them.

"You shouldn't be friends with someone like me, Ryu-kun," I told him softly, whispering as if it would make the words I have said hurt less. He gave me a pained look, a cross between grief and shock, before shaking his head rapidly then taking one of my hand with both of his. "Don't say that, [M.Name]! I like being friends with you!"

Lies.

The wind kissed our skin as the sun slowly sets behind us. What a beautiful moment, only to be used as a background for such a heartbreaking scene. Two boys, one crying and begging, and the other looking so emotionless that it looked like he was tormenting the boy.

But I wasn't. What I was doing was the exact opposite of it.

"What's so good with being friends with a freak like me?" I asked, and he sobbed harder. His heart must've hurt for me. Who knew a heart could hurt for someone else other than its own? I guess it could be the same as pity.

"You're not a freak, [M.Name]," he said, voice breaking in the end, "and even if other people see you as such, why should I see you the same way? You're [M.Name]. My friend. My partner. My. . ."

"My soulmate!"

Soulmate? Ridiculous.

"Soulmate?" I repeated, Ryuhei nodded vigorously, smiling even after all the tears he's shed. "Yeah! You're special to me, [M.Name]. Even if I make a hundred of friends, or maybe even a thousand, you'll still be the only one I'll stand beside with after so many years."

Knowing that I hold a significant role in Ryuhei's life felt. . . nice. Like I ate my favourite food after several days of enduring dull tasting vegetables. Or like smelling my favourite scent, which was the smell of oranges mixed with a little bit of vanilla.

Knowing that I was important to Ryuhei made my life a bit better. Knowing I mattered to someone so much that they'd beg for me to stay made me feel so alive.

"I want to be with you, forever and ever." Ryuhei looked at me with determination and something else in his eyes, smiling broadly while holding my hand. "And I want to protect you."

I only stared at him for a few seconds, contemplating whether I should answer or not. His smile was just as blinding as the sun behind us, but I could only bare to look at such a shining, beautiful thing so long. I averted my gaze and sighed, squeezing Ryuhei's hand.

"You're stubborn," I muttered. Laughter bursted from him as he enveloped me in a hug again, swaying me side to side as I closed my eyes. "Because I'm your friend and you're my friend, idiot!"

Yeah. . . friends.

"Let's go get ice cream!" He declared, letting me go and dragging me to somewhere with his back facing me, but I could still see the wide grin just from the sides of his face. I only hummed and let him drag me, walking faster to match his pace.

"Never let go of my hand, okay?"

You were the one who let go first.

"Okay."

Very short chap, I'm sorry.