Hibiki

Chapter 22 | The Rain Is Really Pretty

With a beautiful move one after another. One leg up and the other right under, he mimicked every movement his mentor made. Exactly like a mirror, a reflection of one's actions.
          His white hair, like snow wasn't tied up in a ponytail like it was when we arrived.
          A spin after another, he danced as if he was a goddess. An enticing, beautiful yet dangerous feeling lingered around me as he danced in front of me. His skinny, alluring body moved as if being controlled, precisely to its desire.

          After almost half an hour, that moment finally concluded. It felt so fast, like it slipped past my memory. Why do I feel like I would only be able to witness this performance once in a lifetime?

"Kaede?"

          A flash of memory, Haruki.. came back to me as I heard my name being called so intimately again.
          I've lost my mood again, I'm supposed to be happy right now.. actually, I don't really know what to feel. Haruki, I should be happy that I now know what he felt, but I do still feel a lot of resentment towards him.

"Kaede?"

          I got back to my senses as I felt my shoulder being poked while someone called me by my name again.
          I turned to my side to see Hibiki, looking at me with a look I've never seen on his face before. Seemingly excited about something.. this is the first time I've ever seen him, excited, I guess.

          "What did you think?" He asked in his usual monotone voice despite his face looking all cute. "Did I do great? Say something."
          "Yes, yes! You did good, haha!" I said as I ruffled his hair, he didn't even do anything but accept it.
          I wanted to compliment and praise him more but those reckless words I just said made it awkward. I just smiled at him.
          "You seem happy." He replied. I was caught off guard by his sudden words, the thought that he probably never even saw me this happy even once. I thought I've already given him a few smiles before?

          Looking at Hibiki like this, his face and neck, shined upon by a cut of small light. His beautiful features, his eyes, nose and lips looked perfect. Like how he was back then.. but he hated that perfect figure of a lie.
          He hated how 'perfect' he was so he destroyed it, but why does it look like he's still perfect in my eyes?

          A few hours passed by observing Hibiki, and only Hibiki upon his stage. His practice has finally ended for the day. For some reason, I didn't really get bored like I expected.
          "Let's go." Hibiki called out to me who was already fixing his shoelaces.
          I nodded as I walked towards him.
          It has been long enough, since I've been with him. I want to be with him for a while.

          "Hiki." I said, calling out his attention towards me. "Beach."

"Beach?"

⁰-⁰

          "Beach.." Hibiki uttered as his eyes glowed for a second, looking out my car's open window. His hair, pushed back by the wind. He looks excited..
          "Thought you wanted to go the beach." I stretched my neck since it felt stiff.
          He responded with a sound of agreement. "It's been so long.. thanks. You really remembered that?"
          "Of course." I said with a smile.

          After a few minutes, I finally stopped my car and we ran to the seashore. Hibiki played in the waters for a bit while I just sat there looking at him. He ran back beside me though.
          "Hey, look at your pants it's wet now." I said, as I squeezed out the water from his pants.
          "It's fine." He responded, acting confused with his face. He do know that doesn't work on me right?