Demon of nightmares

2. Twin Shadows

Sitting in his usual spot, Umemiya tapped his fingers on the counter, visibly lost in thought. Suo and Nirei were there with him, but they too seemed wrapped up in their own thoughts. The silence between them grew heavier until Umemiya finally broke it.

"Are you guys sure Sakura seemed off today?" he asked, his tone cautious but direct.

Nirei nodded, a concerned expression on his face. "Yeah, there was something different about him. He was... colder than usual, like he was distant."

Suo agreed. "He usually isn't like that. It wasn't just tiredness or a bad mood; it felt like he was looking at us from behind a mask. And there was something else-he was smoking." Suo's brow furrowed as he said it. "he never smokes, yet today, it seemed like it was something normal for him."

Umemiya narrowed his eyes in thought. "I don't think it was Sakura." His words caused both boys to look at him in surprise. "There's something he hasn't told us. Or maybe someone we don't know about."

Suo raised an eyebrow, looking even more confused. "But who could it be? Sakura's never mentioned having a brother."

Nirei scratched his head, trying to make sense of the situation. "He really looked like Sakura, but..."

Umemiya leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. "A twin, maybe?"

Suo and Nirei exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from confusion to realization. "If that's true," Nirei said slowly, "then why hasn't Sakura told us about him?"

Kotoha, who had been watching from behind the counter, approached them. "I'll tell you the truth," she began, a thoughtful look on her face. "That boy looked like Haruka, sure, but there was something off in his eyes. And that mole under his eye... I've never seen that on him."

Pov's Yūma

As I walk through the dark streets, with another cigarette nearly burned out between my fingers, I know Haruka's friends are already starting to ask questions. It was bound to happen sooner or later. I don't care if they find out who I am, but I don't want Haruka to have to deal with this alone. He's too soft when it comes to me. I know him too well, and I know he'll try to downplay the situation to protect me. He always does. He always sacrifices himself for me, even when I don't deserve it. And it kills me. Why does he care so much about protecting me when I'm the one who should be protecting him?

When I get home, Haruka is already getting ready to head out. He smiles at me, but there's a hint of worry in his eyes. That worry. That damn worry that he always has when it comes to me. It makes me want to scream. Why can't he stop worrying about me and live his life? Why do I need him to worry about me?

"I'm going to meet the others at the bar. Are you sure you don't want to come?"

I look at him for a moment, shaking my head. "No, Haru. That's your life, not mine. I'll stay here."

Even though he tries to hide it, I can see the slight disappointment in his eyes. There it is again. That look. That look that says I've failed him somehow. And it crushes me. Every time. Why can't I just go with him? Make him happy? But no... No, this isn't my world. It's his.

"Alright, Yū. Just... don't isolate yourself too much, okay?" His voice... so gentle. He's worried about me. Of course he is. I hate how much I love that he worries about me. I hate that I need it.

I watch as he leaves, closing the door behind him. And just like that, the warmth leaves with him. The silence in the apartment suffocates me the moment he's gone. It's always like this, every time. Why can't I be the one who walks out without feeling like my entire world is crumbling?