"I don't want you to fall."
Nothing could have prepared Yuki for the brutality of those words. He knew this was bound to happen, but the timing was terrible. And Ren saying it nonchalantly was beyond the pale.
"You could have at least picked a better time and place," Yuki grumbled as the lump in his throat grew. He wanted to jump off and bolt, but the shock kept him firmly in his seat.
Everything would change after this painful conversation. No more hangouts. No more guitar sessions. No more video games. No more back-rides to the school. It's over.
For a while, Yuki had been practicing the perfect response to whatever Ren would say, however he would say it. Yet, no words came out of his mouth.
The shock was crushing. He began mulling over how to salvage their friendship after this, but he realized that could wait. The most important thing at that moment was to run away and save his face.
He cocked his head to check Ren's demeanor, hoping to detect even the slightest trace of remorse. Nothing. His shoulders were erect, hips not twitching, and neck unstrained.
Clearly, Ren didn't care how Yuki felt—a shameless display of apathy that was more than enough for the message to sink in.
"I already did." That was all Yuki could say.
He thought of reassuring Ren that he wouldn't get in the way of his future relationships, but he was too scared and mortified to say more. All he wanted at that moment was to shrink back into his shell and disappear.
"What do you mean?" Ren innocuously asked.
Yuki looked up again, perplexed. He wasn't planning to answer, but those words made him realize something wasn't right. Oh no, he got it all wrong.
"I said hold on tight, or you might fall," Ren continued.
Awkward silence.
Yuki's eyes widened, and his grip tightened. He was so ashamed that he started fiddling in his seat, causing the bike to wobble. Almost losing control, Ren abruptly pulled over.
The force was too strong Yuki lunged forward, shoving his face into Ren's shoulder blades.
"Gomen, gomen!" Ren landed his feet on the sidewalk and turned to check on Yuki.
"Are you okay?" He politely asked, his voice laced with worry and bewilderment.
"I'm fine," Yuki replied.
"Did you say something back there?" Ren became curious about what Yuki had said earlier.
"No, I didn't."
Realizing he had almost randomly confessed his feelings and was a poor excuse away from being found out, he resorted to playing dumb, hoping Ren would let it go.
"I thought I heard you say..."
"It was nothing. Come on. Let's go. We're going to be late."
Yuki tapped Ren's right flank to force him to hit the road again. He was lucky the innocent driver didn't dig in his heels. Ren then set his bike upright and clamped down harder.
But before stepping on the pedals, he grabbed Yuki's left arm and pulled it close to his stomach.
YOU ARE READING
Killing Yuki
Horror...fully exposing his well-sculpted physique. The fine hair near the bulging bicep creates a stark contrast with the smooth, radish-white armpit. The bright light in the room failed to obscure the fine groove dividing his well-defined chest in half...
