Hibiki

Chapter 1 | Unusual Beginning

The train is as full as it can be, being this close to each other weirdly feels comforting.
          Kaede's in front of me, basically already squishing me because of how tight it is. People are talking silently to each other and a soft laughter can be heard from the far corner of the train.

          "Kaede," I called out in a silent voice. "What's your answer?"
          Kaede still in a daze didn't reply to what I brought up.
          "Kaede Yamato," I whispered, followed by a flick to his forehead.
          "Oh sorry, what is it?" He replied in a soft voice.

... 

          "It's nothing."

          Yesterday, Kaede wasn't as he normally was but today he seems cheerful again. We got inside the morning train and his mood suddenly changed.
          Looking around, student couples are everywhere. Full of emotions.. they're full of love. Something both of us lack to feel normal.

          "Hey, let's eat lunch.. Heyyy.. Hibiki!" Haru's loud voice yelled out in my ear. "Who are you even staring at?"
          He looked in the direction that I was looking at and Kaede was there.
          "You don't really stare at me like that you know," He said as he showed his annoyance by tapping my head.
          "You don't have to yell, this isn't even your class," I replied while pinching his nose.
          "Okay nevermind that, let's go have lunch," Haru took me by the hand and led me outside the room.

          Haru always seems happy whenever he's around me, but I don't know why. I'm basically like a dull puppet with no emotions. But here he is going through the trouble of stuffing my face of food.

          "Here!" He said as he stuffed my mouth with the third whole muffin.
          "I wonder, how long has it been since we're in a relationship," I asked as I tried to swallow the remaining muffin in my mouth.
          "I don't know either, which means it's been a while. Say Hibiki, when you smile at me like what you're doing right now, is it just acting or is it genuine?"
          "Hmm.." I replied after I flicked his forehead. "You shouldn't be asking people personal questions suddenly like that but.."
          "But?"
          "I guess it's acting. I can't feel anything."
          "I see.. I'm sorry about that," He said as he massaged my hand as he always does.
          "Do you know why I fell for you Hibiki?" He asked me but I was much more fixated with the tall men coming to approach us.
          The ones with bats are mumbling something to themselves while some of them are pointing a finger at Haru.

"Haru.. let's go. Don't look back."

⁰-⁰

          I woke up to a weak body, hot and sweaty even though the window is wide open. I guess this time I dreamt of what happened last week.
          He was about to say something important not for those people to come for him.
          I got ready for school and got out a little earlier than when I usually go. And here I am, sitting at the end of the slide thinking about the past few weeks.

          "Where is his room," A loud voice from behind the park's comfort room can be heard. Interest piqued, I quietly approached the voice. "We just have to.. talk. With him a little."
          "Who knows what you will do to him," Another voice responded.

Thwack

          "What the hell.."
          "A punch in the face isn't enough? Now talk."
          The second person seems to be trying to avoid this person but with each question asked and each punch it takes.
          It didn't take long before he was forced to answer everything. Interestingly, all the questions were about people in our class.