Indelible || Giyushino

017 || Promise

!MENTIONS OF SUCICIDE AND MENTAL ILLNESSES!

The raven haired boy stood on the edge of the building. The rooftop of a shopping center that's usual not busy. His shoes were lined up against the pavement wall, him standing right there on top of it.

He looked at the beautiful sunset. That day it was painted with colorful pastels, a midsummer breeze waved past Giyuu's long hair.

He looked down, ready to jump off.

His cellphone in his pocket rang.

He answered.

"Nee-san, what's the matter?" Giyuu tried to speak in a normal voice as his hand holding the phone shook. "What? Okay, I'm coming home right now."

P R E S E N T D A Y

The businesswoman and actress stood together  on the rooftop. Giyuu leaned against the wall he once tried to end it off of 2 years ago.

"The moon looks beautiful,  isn't it? Is this like a hidden spot?" Shinobu beamed.

"I guess. I come here a lot, I never really see anyone else do."

"How'd you discover this place? It's perfect for star-gazing!"

He hesitated, "Well. It's a long story. 2 years ago."

"So..? How did you find it?"

Giyuu sighed, "I was 26. My career had just taken a turn for the better, but my mind didn't feel an ounce of joy." He paused.

"I came here one day durning summertime, to jump off."

Shinobu looked visibly shocked, even though she tried to conceal it.

"I'm sorry," Shinobu caressed his shoulder. "May I ask why?"

"I had nothing to live for. I stopped smiling, laughing, and eating. I felt so lost and tired, I though ending it was my only solution." Giyuu explained such a deep topic, but his face was apathetic. "I was- am, useless."

"Nonsense, Giyuu. You have everything to live for, and you are not useless." Shinobu lectured. "You're amazing Giyuu, you just need to reach out to people more. I'm always here for you, also."

"What made you change your mind?" Shinobu asked softly.

"My older sister called me right when I was going to jump. She was pregnant with her 1st child. But I don't want to talk about this anymore."

"Okay." The butterfly gulped.

He looked at her face thoroughly, "You alright? Your face looks pale."

"Yes, yes. I'm just overwhelmed by what you just told me- you know."

"Not just right now, every time I see you, you always look unwell. Is something going on?" Only Giyuu managed to speak with concern while looking like he couldn't care less.

Although she's beautiful, Shinobu has pretty alarming dark circles under her eyes."I'm just tired from work and the company. I can barely sleep at night. My medication isn't helping either."

Giyuu slipped a cigarette out, "Medication?"

"Insomnia meds, antidepressants. I have anxiety medication too."

"Oh. So we're on the same page."

Shinobu laughed covering her mouth, "Did you just crack a joke? You know I've never seen you laugh before or anything."

"Not intentionally."

After her laughter died down, "I never told my sister about me putting myself on meds. She would never in a million years approve of it."

Surprised, "Doesn't she run the medical part of your company?"

"Yeah. But she would've sent me to therapy or something for my problems. Not that I don't believe in therapy - this is just better for public image. And, it's a quick fix."

Shinobu hesitated, "I got them prescribed by a doctor up in the countryside."

"Countryside? Isn't that dangerous? Tokyo is a big city with advanced pharmacies and doctors all over...you were that worried about hiding your medication so you went to an iffy doctor?" Giyuu questioned. "You're supposed to be the smart one."

Knowing Giyuu was right, the doctor she went to had a rundown eerie office. And what he prescribed her she had never heard of it despite having a biology degree,  however Shinobu just turned a blind eye at his somewhat illegal practice and the medicine seemed to be working. Well, until it didn't.

"He wasn't even that bad. The pills were working for a decent amount of time."

Giyuu smoked his cigarette, "But now they don't, don't they? Not to invade, but I think your sisters therapy idea is better."

"You're one to talk...every time we're alone together you smoke. You're addicted and need help as well." Her fierce words stung Giyuu, but they were both right with each others situations. Picking on someone else's problems just makes you feel better about yourself.

The businesswoman changed the topic, "I'm just tired of this shit." She took a deep breath. "Everyday I wake up to stress about something new, and it's been like this since I was in high school. Always having to be perfect and worrying about keeping the golden image up. This fake-dating shit just added on to it."

"I'm sorry." Giyuu apologized.

"It's fine. Don't be. I know how important it is. And I agreed so it's on me."

A moment of silence washed between them.

"Look, how about this. You quit smoking, and I'll stop getting sketchy medication. And maybe, just maybe...I'll try therapy." She held out her pinky finger. "Promise?"

Giyuu thought about it for minute, but he would do it for her. And Shinobu would do the same for him.

He hooked his pinkie with hers, "Promise."