もののけ | monster | soshiro hoshina (Kaiju No. 8) (COMPLETE)

じゅうろく | sixteen

もののけ | kaiju | monster

16

[Season 2]

9 years later...

Soshiro (29)

I HEARD IT FIRST: a girl's soft giggle, a melodic sound that caressed my ears. I felt a gentle touch on my cheek, so delicate that it stirred me from my slumber. My eyes fluttered open, squinting against the light as I tried to make sense of the figure before me. Slowly, my vision adjusted, revealing a familiar face gazing at me with a tender expression. Her blonde hair shimmered, catching the light.

"Soshiro-kun," she called me softly, her voice filled with warmth, "finally you're awake. I was trying to call you, silly. You were sleeping so deeply." She giggled again, the sound like a soothing balm to my weary soul.

"Kiyomi..." I murmured, my hands instinctively reaching for her. I slid my arms around her waist, pulling her closer until she was practically on top of me. Her green emerald eyes widened in surprise, and a blush spread across her cheeks.

"Woah, Soshiro-kun? What's gotten into you?" she asked, her voice a mix of amusement and curiosity. I could feel her heartbeat, rapid and strong, echoing in my chest. She began to play with my hair, her fingers weaving through my bangs with a gentle touch.

"You know, you really have a weird haircut, Soshiro-kun, but it suits you. You look like a cute tiny mushroom. I love it," she said, giggling again. "And your red eyes, they go so well with your dark violet hair. I love them—I loovee everything about them because they're a part of you..."

I didn't respond, instead just gazing at her, absorbing every detail of this precious moment. Her words washed over me, like a bittersweet reminder. Her brows furrowed in confusion at my silence.

"Soshiro, are you okay? You're too quiet," she said, concern creeping into her voice.

I reached up, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear to get a better view of her face. My other hand remained on her waist, as if afraid she might vanish if I let go. "You're not real..." I said flatly, my voice devoid of emotion. She remained quiet for a moment before laughing.

"Silly Soshiro-kun, what do you mean I'm not real? I'm right here!" she insisted, her tone lighthearted.

"No," I replied quickly, my voice firm. "You're just haunting me."

Her expression changed abruptly. Her eyes, once filled with warmth, now looked crazed and bloodshot. Tears of blood began to trickle down her cheeks, falling onto my face. She gripped my shoulders tightly, her touch now harsh and desperate.

"Then you should have saved her!" she screamed, her voice full of anguish. "It's all your fault, Soshiro! Your fault!" She shook me violently, her cries piercing through the air.

"I know..." I whispered, my voice barely audible. I'm growing tired of this.

It's my fault. I know that all too well.