𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 || Kazu x Scara

Chapter IX

[Double update:3 Enjoy!]

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The lights in the venue fade. The lobby isn't packed anymore. Suddenly, instruments can be heard playing and the crowd bursts into cheer. This meant that the first band of the night was now performing. This caused Kazuha distress since it's Elemetal's turn right after.

In the distance, Kazuha spots Tighnari and Cyno walking backstage. He immediately follows after them and calls for their attention. "Cyno! Tighnari! Have you seen Scaramouche?"

Cyno and Tighnari turn around and notice how panicked Kazuha is. "He's backstage. We were just about to go meet up with him. Is everything okay?" Cyno asks out of concern.

"Thank you so much!" Kazuha dodges the question and runs past the duo, leaving them confused by his actions. He runs past many staff members, searching for Scaramouche. He finally finds him sitting in a chair tuning his guitar.

"Scara!" Kazuha desperately calls out for Scaramouche as he runs up to him. Scaramouche doesn't even bat an eyelash at Kazuha, ignoring him. This didn't surprise Kazuha. He believes he deserves this treatment in exchange for his harsh words. However, Kazuha felt it was still necessary that he apologize.

"Look, Scara. I definitely said some things I'm not proud of. I hurt you and abandoned your trust. You must hate me right now." Kazuha paused to look at Scaramouche's expression that still remained unfazed and stoic. He sighed, "I don't blame you for hating me." Kazuha hoped that Scaramouche would at least reassure him and say that he doesn't hate him. His hopes were let down and he was starting to believe their friendship was beyond saving.

"My anxiety got the best of me, and I lashed out on you. I was too hung up on the past to realize I was hurting you and even old friends of mine like Ayaka. In the past, I screwed up badly and I never wanted to go through that same pain again. I was scared today that history would somehow repeat itself. In the end, although the pain I faced today isn't half as bad as back then, I still repeated the same mistakes and I severed yet another friendship." Kazuha felt his eyes water. He never wanted to have a confrontation with his past, but in the end it was inevitable. As long as he doesn't get over his trauma, he'll still be haunted by the pain of the past.

"I'm sorry for hurting you. I told you to be more considerate of others and you really did try your best yet I crushed all your hard work with my bitter feelings. You did nothing wrong, I was just being an idiot. You don't have to forgive me, but I do hope that you can still somewhat get along with me for that brief period when we're on stage together." Kazuha uncontrollably cried. A tear ran down his cheek as he waited for a response from Scaramouche. Kazuha forced his eyes closed and he clenched his fists, expecting Scaramouche to hit him or yell at him. He braced himself for anything Scaramouche might do or say while truly believing he deserved it in exchange for his mistake.

Instead, he felt a soft hand wipe away his tears. "You are just an idiot. Perhaps a crybaby too."

Kazuha opened his eyes in disbelief. He remained stunned in place trying to comprehend how Scaramouche could treat him so tenderly despite everything.

Scaramouche places his hand on Kazuha's left shoulder. "Thanks for apologizing. I'm still mad at you though."

"What? Why?!" Kazuha asked.

"Because you didn't confide in me. You kept everything pent up. Next time, don't be hesitant. You don't have to tell me what's bothering you, just tell me that something is bothering you." Scaramouche gave Kazuha a reassuring smile. Kazuha felt his face get flushed and immediately shook off Scaramouche's arm.