The Delinquent Next Door

The Night of Colors and Wishes

After his turn-of-events confession, Hanma continues to tug at my wrist as we continue to wander the streets of the bright city of Kabukicho.

While he guided me by my wrist, I took a moment to take in the beautiful lights that decorated the crowded streets.

The smell of freshly made food and sweet treats wafted through the air. The sound of bustling people and laughter rang past my ears. Tall buildings with glowing neon lights and signs blinded my eyes as we continued walking. It was like daytime all over again, but more...brighter and lively.

At some point, despite taking in the beauty of everything, I could feel the stinging at the soles of my feet and it became harder to keep up with the Hanma's pace.

I tug against his hold, prompting him to stop in his tracks and glance back at me with an unreadable expression.

"Hanma, where are we going? We've been walking for a while now and my feet are killing me." I whined, searching his blank eyes for an answer

"Just a little further." he says flatly, continuing to pull me alongside him.

I huffed.

Of course he's not going to tell me anything.

Despite his insistence, I decided to hold my piece, curious as to where we were headed.

We continued on for a little longer until the crowd of people surrounding us began to thin.

Slowly, the atmosphere became calmer as we were led away from the fluorescent city as we continued down an old sidewalk eventually leading us towards the outskirts of Kabukicho.

Instead of neon lights and bright signs with tall buildings, there were lamp posts decorated on each side of the sidewalk with small, tight buildings and houses. We passed by parks and playgrounds as well as some abandoned buildings.

Hanma slows his pace and soon we start to walk side by side. He softens his grip on my wrist and smooths his hand down to my own, slowly but hesitantly interlocking his long lithe fingers with my smaller ones, in which I respond with a small squeeze of encouragement.

Soon, the sight of a small park clearing with a narrow forest path is revealed. I glance at Hanma questioningly but he continues to face ahead.

I felt a tingling sensation at the back of my neck, but ignored my quivering nerves as I continued on in step with him.

We walk across the clearing down a narrow path leading into a forest walkway riddled with greenery and blooming flowers. There were painted red wooden railings on each side of the path with dim lanterns and fireflies ignited, brightening the now dark sky.

A cool breeze brushes past us, allowing the tall trees surrounding us to whisper in our ears. The peace was so alluring I hadn't even realized we had reached our destination until I felt Hanma gently tug at my hand for me to stop walking.

"Hanma?" I breathed out in awe, wide eyes staring at the long cement staircase adorned with pink blossom petals.

Despite my captivated eyes, I knew Hanma was finally looking at me, and for some reason it made me feel even lighter than what I was feeling at the moment.

"Where are we?" I finally asked.

I could feel a gentle grip on my chin, turning my attention from the beautiful scenery to his dimly lit golden eyes.

He takes a moment to study me, eyes searching for god-knows what as I shyly squirm in his hold. I don't pull away, instead searching for something, anything that could take me away from the noticeable proximity we were in. We were close enough to the point where I could feel his breath tickling against my nose. I could feel heat rush to my cheeks and ears as I fold under his gaze