The Hearts Crossfire/// A Kou Minamato x Mitsuba Sousuke story

Swallowed Blade

Kou Minamato

The name was assigned to me when I was brought into the world. A world where nothing I did mattered. They didn't care, never would. Set in my own line of sight was a lonely life that I had never wanted. The world was grey and cold, I didn't care what happened to me

I walked out of the sterile building and breathed in the toxic outside air. January wind blew my hair softly around and felt like knives in my throat when I breathed. The sky was dark, and it looked like a storm was on its way. The chilly air hinting that freezing rain was in the forecast. I heard an excited squeal and turned my head to face my best friend. Nene Yashiro. Nene looked the same as before I was sent away, except she carried a more mature posture now.

Nene ran towards me and pulled me in for a crushing hug. Her tears fell fast, and it reminded me of back then. She cried just as heavily when she found me.

I wrapped my arms around her, and she sobbed harder. I rested my forehead against her shoulder and rubbed calming circles into her back. She didn't calm down for at least 15 minutes, so I stood there with her. When her last tears had fallen, she looked me in the eyes and said, "A year and six months already huh?" I let out a light chuckle at her attempt to lighten the mood around us.

"Yeah, crazy right. I'm as good as new." It was a lie. We both knew it was, I couldn't hide how I felt from her. She always seemed to know, perks of a lifelong friend huh? She sighed and glanced at her watch, her eyes widened, and her head snapped back up.

"We need to go!" she said, grabbing my hand and pulling me towards the car.

"What? Why? What's the rush?" Almost tripping on my feet Nene ripped my suitcase from my hands and popped the trunk.

"Hanako is waiting at our apartment. He couldn't come because of an online meeting for his job but he told me to get home as soon as possible so he could see you." She slammed the trunk closed and rushed towards the driver's seat. I quickly went to the passenger side and slid into the seat as she hurriedly started the car.

The ride was mostly silent. Nene sensed my desire for the quiet, open road and let me collect my thoughts. It was going to be my first-time home in a year and a half. Was it even going to feel like home anymore? It barely did before the incident, how was I supposed to live where it took place. The place my empty and dark feelings took over, and I no longer felt needed in life. Nene was always there for me, but I showed her a side of me that day that I hope she can forget. No one would want to remember seeing their best friend layin-

The car came to a sudden halt and my seatbelt grabbed me tight. Nene apologized immediately but I wasn't listening.

We were at our apartment complex. The gloomy shade a grey I had been accustomed to now looked odd and unfamiliar. The flowers out front long dead and disintegrating with the wind. A good mood brightener, isn't it? I stepped out of the car slowly and stuffed my hands in the pockets of my jeans. My feet brought me forward until I was at the elevator and Nene was next to me, holding my stuff. She looked at me, gave a reassuring smile and entered the elevator. I followed hesitantly, my thoughts turning to mush as the elevator rose higher and higher.

"I cleared out your old room and moved the furniture into that empty room we never used. I figured you wouldn't want to stay in that room, given the...circumstances." Nene's sudden voice made me jump slightly. But what she said helped me relax and stabilize my breathing. I really didn't want to stay in my old room, too much emotional baggage in there. I nodded slightly at her to show my appreciation, to which she smiled brightly at me.

When the elevator dinged, signaling we had reached our floor, my anxiety came back. It was too soon; I couldn't go back to that feeling. I didn't want to feel alone again, never again. Nene must have noticed me spiraling because she moved my suitcase into her left hand and grabbed mine with her right. She squeezed three times. Exactly three times. Not any more or any less, her sign of love. I breathed in deeply and let her lead us both to apartment 345. The first place I felt at home, but also more alone than ever.

Nene unlocked the door, and it swung open. I could smell her favorite scented candle as soon as I walked inside. It gave a comforting feeling to me, even in the place I now see as dark and chilling. It looked the same. Nothing changed except the curtains, and that Hanako had moved in so he could help Nene while I was away. I need to thank him for that.

As if on cue, Hanako came running from the living room. He lunged at me, and we fell to the floor. Nene was quick to pull him off of me, but I sat on the floor for a little while dazed from the sudden attack.

When I finally stood up Hanako hugged me and said, "It's good to see you Kou, hasn't been the same without you around."

"Yeah, I mean who wouldn't miss me sitting in the corner of their parties." I tried to make a joke, but it must not have been a good one because they both stared at me. I chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of my neck, "I was just kidding. Haha funny right?" Hanako and Nene blinked then looked at each other.

Once Hanako looked back at me he said, "Do you want some tea?" My shoulders sagged and my posture crumbled, I nodded thrice and let him lead me to the kitchen while Nene went to put my stuff in my new room.