Gang Of Youths • bokuaka

1 ~ Ghost Towns

Akaashi Keiji felt a warm breeze when he stepped foot into the Temple. The smell of incense still hung in the air from offerings made earlier. 

He had never been too fond of the place. In actuality, it had been years since he had even made any sort of offerings to the Gods. Not because he didn't believe in them, but because he had grown disconnected from them in a sense.

He walked up to the altar, and from his satchel pulled out a bottle. Before he left the house he had watered some wine down. There was a bowl, empty and dry as it hadn't been used in days, Akaashi took it and poured some of the wine into it, watching as the bowl filled with the light maroon liquid, its sweet scent filled the scene before him.

He paused, thinking about what to pray for. The temple was quiet, and around midday when he prayed, he was alone and found some peace in that.

Akaashi took a moment, placing his hands together and closed his eyes as he spoke, 'If you are listening, whoever you are. Please, give me a way out of here,' his voice was quiet, barely even a whisper. Would the Gods heed his pleas? Give him answers to his prayers.

A part of him hoped they would, but there was a part eating at him telling him that they would ignore him; his mind filled with doubts. He had not paid attention to them in so long, perhaps they had grown to dislike him.

He opened his eyes again, his sight slightly blurry from how tightly he had them shut. What was he to do now? Was he to leave, wait and wait until he sees if the Gods would answer him? Akaashi always saw himself as a patient person, but he wanted answers now; he wanted a way out of this.

A week before he visited the temple he was summoned to his father's office. It was a sunny morning when he sat down with him in his office.

'Marriage?' Akaashi had asked, almost in disbelief.

His father laughed, a dry cold sound, 'You are at the age where you should be looking for a bride Keiji. Her family is wealthy, and her father is a well-known Senator. It'll be good for us.'

It'll be good for us. The words play over in his mind. A marriage for power, and status, that's all this was. This wasn't for love; he had never met the girl. Akaashi pitied her, in some ways he was doing this for both of them; freeing them both from a life of torment and a loveless marriage. This was for the benefit of his family, nothing more. That is why he was at the Temple, praying for a way out of this.

He closed his eyes again and sighed heavily. He remained in place and kneeled before the altar unmoving. It was silent, apart from the rhythms of his steady breaths and the natural sounds outside.

It was like this for a few moments more, that was until it was shattered by the sound of footsteps behind him. At first, Akaashi assumed that the person would go to another side of the temple, and leave him to kneel here in peace.

That was not the case.

He looked to his side and saw him kneel beside him. He saw Akaashi look at him and smiled, bright yellow eyes staring at him. He thought they reminded him of an owl, staring widely at him.

The man spoke, 'You've been here a while, are you alright?' He asked.

'I am fine.'

That was not enough to keep the man at bay, 'Penny for your thoughts? You look stressed.'

Akaashi blinked slowly at him, 'I don't feel like sharing my thoughts with a stranger,' he spoke plainly.

'Bokuto Kōtarō.'

Akaashi looked at him with a raised eyebrow, 'Pardon?'

He smiled at him, a bright warm smile, 'Well I'm not a stranger anymore now that you know my name.'