A Cloud's Silver Lining [KazuScara Original]

Part 8 - Different Taste... Opposites Attract?

As the two strolled down the street, Wanderer gazed up and down, being sure to get his sight on everything that was happening around them. He looked towards Kazuha suddenly as they stood before a stand.

"A table for two, please," Kazuha said.

The woman behind the desk nodded and led them to an empty wooden table. Wanderer could hardly tell what was going on as he knew he didn't have to eat.

At the same time, he did want to know where that weird-tasting chewy... thing came from, so he just took a deep breath and moved onward.

Secretly, he didn't like the sugariness of the sweet. It wasn't his taste, but he didn't want Kazuha to feel bad.

"What would you like?" The woman came over to the table. Oddly, she just stood there.

"Wanderer," Kazuha turned over to Wanderer in his seat, "What do you want to try?"

Wanderer thought for a moment, then stared at the woman. "Something bitter."

He closed his eyes, expecting something to come up.

"Well... just bitter in general or do you want to order something in the me-"

"Just bitter. Did you order yet, Kazuha?"

"Hm, I'll take the Sangayaki please," Kazuha said.

The woman nodded in fear, as expected, and hurried to the counter and went through the door leading to the smells.

"Do you speak like that to everyone?" Kazuha whispered.

"Hah, they are such unsightly insects. Why should I respect them?" Wanderer replied, crossing his arms.

"Alright, okay. Just still respect them a bit, okay?" Kazuha put his hand on Wanderer's shoulder, then suddenly took it off when the woman came over uninvited.

"Here is your food. And uh, the hat guy, we made you a Tiramisu, bitter like you wanted," she said, placing the plates on the table. Wanderer noticed her trembling to hold still.

Good, he smiled. Insects deserve to fear.

~

The aroma from the fish was very hot as it flew around them.

Wanderer took one look at the Tiramisu and looked unsure and concerned.

"Are they sure this isn't sweet?" Wanderer closed his eyes as if in disgust.

"It can be bitter or sweet, depending on how much of the powder is in it," Kazuha stated. He then glanced at the cup. It seemed like they almost overflowed the cup with powder. Some of the browns spilled around the outside of the cup.

Kazuha shook his head. "It seems they added a lot. Do you like it very bitter?"

Wanderer looked at him. "Who knows? You can't trust how much people put into their food."

Kazuha was very suspicious. How come he got so picky and had trust issues after going outside and not having any time with him? Did he... treat Kazuha differently? He shook his head, quickly getting the thought out of his head.

"How about you try it first?" Kazuha tried to convince Wanderer to try something new.

Wanderer looked at the spoon, and slowly picked it up, taking many glances at Kazuha as if to say, "If I don't like it I'm blaming you."

He scooped up the tiniest bit of the powder and licked it.

His eyes turned everywhere as if he was trying to taste something.

Wanderer then immediately ate all the powder quickly from the top, only leaving the bottom creams.

"Okay, it's not too bad. But the bottom is not bitter enough."

Seemed Wanderer had an obsession with bitterness. Noted!

~

Wanderer was impatient and kept waiting around Kazuha to finish his fish. After the two finished their food, well Kazuha at least, they headed off. Wanderer felt like he was clinging to Kazuha, not wanting to leave him and walking by his side the whole time.

Before they knew it, they reached the end of the street, the rest of the pathway leading into the wilderness.

The sky was darkening as the two walked toward the end.

"Well, time flies. I guess we should go now," Kazuha said, looking at the stars.

Wanderer glanced up too, wanting to know why Kazuha always looked at the sky. He didn't figure it out. Was it just the beauty? The shininess? Or, for some sort of picture? Wanderer always saw irritating and.. old... pictures, but this time he felt safer looking up with Kazuha. He breathed a sigh of relief when he didn't see those pictures again.

"I'll see you tomorrow then. Back at the spot?"

"Yeah. Bye, Kazuha."

The two waved each other off, and Wanderer went back to... wandering. He had some time and decided to get a bit of sleep until the next sunrise.

The next day, Wanderer eagerly set off on the grass. There was rain and thunder that day, but he was just used to it.

Maybe he wouldn't go back to Sumeru. Maybe he'd stay here with Kazuha.

He cleared his mind, as he hurried up to the cliff.

The moment he got there, he tried to feel the happiness he felt every day nowadays, but.. Something felt wrong.

It felt lonely, again. Why wasn't Kazuha there? He was never late.

Maybe he would be here later?

After around ten or so minutes, the lightning started to crash down. It was as if his.. mother wanted him to feel a mood. Wanderer felt a hint of betrayal from the one he finally loved. He should have never trusted another human.

Where was Kazuha?

"Tsk." He used his skill to cut the tree beside the wood. The dead tree collapsed onto the ground, creating a loud sound.

He then turned to leave, and jumped down the cliff, unharmed.

"Humans," he scowled.