Under Nagano

Part 5

With a reassuring squeeze on his shoulder, Yami motioned for them to depart from the bakery, his smile a steady beacon of warmth. Stepping out into the lively streets, Nikko felt a calm settle within him—an acceptance of both himself and the path ahead.

For the first time in ages, Nikko allowed himself to believe in his worthiness of love and friendship. With Yami beside him, Nikko knew that whatever challenges awaited, he would face them with courage.

As they resumed walking, Yami glanced at Nikko with a sudden thought. "Do you need a place to stay tonight?"

"No," Nikko replied quickly, his voice tinged with embarrassment.

"Oh? I see. And the bags I saw you carrying this morning?"

Nikko's face turned slightly red at the thought that Yami may know about his new situation. He quickly dispelled the thought and cleared his throat.

"It was just some trash I needed to get rid of."

Yami chuckled lightly. "Fair enough." They continued walking, and Nikko stared down at the pavement, unsure of what to say next. A subtle unease stirred within him, a faint nausea that he tried to ignore.

"So," Yami started, "I heard that some buildings around where you lived are getting demolished because of the new mall that's going in.." He slightly looked over at Nikko curiously. "Do you have somewhere to go? I'm not sure how much is getting taken down though."

With the sudden information, Nikko stopped in his tracks for a split second, processing the information he just received. He tried to think back to the eviction letter on his door, but there was never an explanation about why he had to move. Quickly, he tried to regain composure.

"So it's more than just my building, huh...

Yea. I'm, uh, probably moving away for a bit."

"That's a shame," Yami murmured. "I would've liked to see you again..."

Nikko felt a pang in his chest, a sudden emptiness. He glanced at Yami, but his expression remained unreadable. "Thank you for helping me today," Nikko managed to say quietly, though his voice faltered slightly.

"Of course," Yami replied sincerely. "Also, can we meet again sometime? Just to talk, or explore together. It doesn't matter."

Nikko nodded. "Okay."

Nikko turned to leave, perhaps to find solace in a park or a bench for the night, but as he moved, a wave of dizziness swept over him. His head throbbed with increasing intensity, and a cold sweat broke out on his brow. He struggled to maintain his composure as consciousness began to slip away. The last thing Nikko heard was Yami calling his name, and then darkness.

The sensation was muffled, like being submerged underwater. Darkness enveloped everything, a warm cocoon of oblivion. As I opened my eyes, I found myself adrift in a vast, lonely void. Hours seemed to pass in this emptiness until a faint, gentle glow began to materialize—a boyish figure, radiant yet ephemeral. His smile was enigmatic, his gestures inviting, yet when he tried to speak, I couldn't hear or understand. His words were lost in the silent expanse.

In the midst of my confusion, just as quickly as he appeared, he vanished, leaving me stranded once more in the desolate dark.

An overwhelming sadness descended upon me, an abyss of despair deeper than any I had known. Tears streamed down my face, and a desperate cry welled up within me, yearning for an unknown presence, haunted by questions that echoed endlessly. Who was the spectral figure? Where had I wandered? Please, someone... anyone... help... help... help...

A blinding flash tore through the darkness, accompanied by a deafening ring that shattered the silence. And then, after what felt like an eternity, I heard it.