Hibiki

Chapter 4 | Short Reminisce

-KAEDE-

When I first realized and found out about love, I thought it wasn't that important. It's not the same love with your family but it's something deeper.

          Watching my classmates catch feelings with others, some even ended up dating. Made me feel lonely for the first time in my whole life.

          Love.. love is like a dancer that dances with music. They accompany each other to make something new, or just to feel a feeling that they've never felt before. While I am but music that echoes in a broken down stage.

          "Kaede do you have some free time today?" --- said as he wraps his arm around my shoulder, while walking around the park with no people in sight. --- sat down on a swing and his head looking down.

          "Nothing really. Maybe go to the local bar?" I responded, still looking into the sky covered with dark clouds.
          Silence filled the place as I looked at my watch. While --- looked at the white cat who followed us around the park.

          "Kaede, will you go out with me?" I turned to look back at him.
          "Huh?" I said in confusion. "What do you mean?
          "I said what I said, I'm sorry," He slowly faced me, and stared at my eyes, his eyes almost tearing up.
          "What do you mean? I'm a man.. You're a man."
          "And that's the reason why someone can't be happy?" He asks in frustration mixed with sadness.
          "I'm sorry, just forget what I said," He said as he stood up and started walking away. The raindrops slowly fell and rolled down my face. It's cold, as if It's still winter.
          "Even if we're together. You'll just get hurt. I- I don't know how to love," I coldly replied.
          "That's the reason?" He said while smiling and laughed it off. "Then.. I'll help you understand love," He looked up as his face wore a gentle smile.

          I teared up as I chugged the beer in front of me. The memories kept flooding in, and it's not stopping. My classmates, sudden cheer made me choke on the drink. I feel dizzy and everything around me seems to be spinning.

          I suddenly felt a hand groping my waist, and my body felt heavy. I can't keep my balance even though I'm just sitting and fell into my classmates shoulder.
          My eyes slowly started to close, but I saw a familiar figure.

-HIBIKI-

After getting groceries from a store, going to a bar is kind of a weird decision. The scent of beer greeted me. I was about to order but a loud cheer from the other side of the bar caught my attention.
          Looking at the commotion, there seems to be a familiar person sitting there. It's Kaede.

          I approached the group and Kaede's there, his head on some man's shoulder. Their hands on his waist and some beer still dripping from Kaede's mouth.

          "What is it?" The man asked angrily.
          "Kaede's going home now," I replied. He tried to stare at my eyes intensely. After a few seconds passed, he finally gave up.
          "Fine, fine, take him. What a joy kill," He complained while he avoided looking at my eyes. I wrapped Kaede's arms around my shoulder, as I carefully helped him out of the bar.
          "What was that? Does Kaede have a boyfriend?" I overheard some girls from the group ask each other as I left with Kaede. I don't really care about what they think right now.
          Kaede's really bad at choosing his friends.
          "Are you okay?" I asked in a worried manner.

          He's not safe with his classmates, who knows what might've happened if I didn't go out. Does this always happen to you Kaede?
          "Hibiki, is that you?" He called out.

          He suddenly rested his head into my lap while holding his stomach.
          The sky is dark, covered with clouds. It started raining. I walked him into a shade and gently sat him down on a bench.

          "Yes?" I replied as I looked back at him.
          The rain continued on pouring while Kaede continued on sleeping.

          Finally the rain stopped and I was able to bring Kaede back to his apartment. I struggled as I put him in bed, resulting in me tripping and getting crushed by Kaede.

          "Well this is a way to put someone in bed," I said to myself, sighing in exhaustion.
          His body is warm, and I feel sleepy already. Maybe.. maybe I'll just take a quick nap.

-KAEDE-

"Kaede, I like you!" --- screamed out loud as I was about to board the train.
          "What?" I asked again.
          "I said I like you dumbass," --- said as she shyly steps towards me.
          "I'm sorry, my last relationship didn't work out. You'll just get hurt," I replied coldly. I didn't dare to show any emotions.

          I looked back to face --- as the train's doors started to close. Leaving me behind.
          "After all, you deserve someone better. It's my fault that my last relationship ended," I said as I approached her.

          "I promise.. I promise this is different. Just give me a chance," She replied, sounding like she's already crying. I turned my back from her. "It's the first time I've ever felt this for someone, and it's you."
          I gripped my bag harder as a sudden guilt hit me.
          "A promise, huh?" I faced her and walked towards her.
          "Let's give it a try," I replied with a soft smile, as I held her hands.
          She smiled back and hugged me tightly, her wet tears, cold. Passed through my shirt.
 
 

      Reminiscing and remembering the past are too unpleasant. I tried to get rid of these memories but.. nevermind. The past isn't important anymore.

          I woke up to my body still feeling heavy and my sight, still dizzy. I finally focused my sight and there he is, Hibiki, in front of my face. So close that we basically share the same air.

          "Wha-" A noise came out from my mouth when I realized I was on top of him.
          I quickly close my mouth with my hand so as not to wake him up. He woke up anyway, and started scratching his eyes.

          "Kaede?" He called out as I still sat up on top of him. Not knowing what to do. "You're heavy," He followed as he tried to sit up. I felt something poking from underneath.

          "Ahh!" I quickly got off him and sat beside him. I sighed.
          "Sorry sorry.. so uh. What happened last night?" I asked as I combed his hair with my hand.
          "You passed out in that bar, remember?" He replied in a worried voice. "Oh and sorry I slept over, you were too heavy and when I tried putting you into bed. I tripped and you crushed me," He quickly stood up right after explaining.
          "Haha it's fine really," I laughed it off, he looked funny because he's panicking without him even knowing. "I should be the one to say sorry. Thanks for bringing me home," I said in a soft voice as he patted my head.
          "You're already here so might as well eat breakfast," I stood up and walked towards the kitchen.
          "Kaede who were those people?" He asked as I cracked an egg.
          "Our classmates, you don't recognize them?.. anyway I'm performing tomorrow with my band," I said seriously, but turned it excitedly as I tried to change the subject.
          "Band?" Hibiki asks as he approached me from behind.
          "Yes, I forgot to tell you that I joined a band a few weeks ago. I'm the lead singer but I also practice the guitar. We'll be performing live at some venue nearby," I looked at my side to suddenly see Hibiki beside me.
          "I see, give me a ticket," He replied in his usual monotone voice. Still sounding sleepy.
          "A-alright," I said in a startled voice.