Not Like The Rest DrakenxfemOC

Inner Child

"Thank you," I smile to the waitress placing our sweets in the center of the table, before sipping at my steaming green tea; wincing at the bitter after taste. I quickly opt for a mouthful of daifuku, amply chewing on the sweet delicacy.

"You haven't changed, Kimiko," Yui hums, her voice gravelly.

"What do you mean by that?" I wipe the residue from my lip and lick it from my fingertips.
Casting my attention back to her once more, I absorb the clear differences in her appearance. Her aging features much more prominent than a couple of months ago. Her withered skin now looking much paler, her wrinkles running deeper through the grooves of her face. Her beautiful grey locks suddenly stripped of their volume, making way for shy glimpses of her dry scalp once hidden beneath. I frown, noting her once full cheeks now ghastly hollow. The column of her throat caves in with every breath, showing her internal structures right down to her now protruding collarbones.

"You've the taste buds of a child still," she grumbles, her brows scrunching up in distaste; only deepening the lines along her complexion.

"You speak as though you haven't seen me in years," I point out, raising a curious brow as I lean back in my seat.

"It sure feels that way," she admits somewhat in defeat. Suddenly looking so exhausted as though she hadn't slept in weeks.

"Hey," I wrap my hand around her frail one, taking note of the slight shaking in the limbs she kept hidden in her lap. "Come on, it hasn't been that long," I try a smile to cheer her up, but it's as though the quintessential glow to her is gone. She lifts her gaze to mine with a sad smile that doesn't reach her eyes. My chest constricts, but I rid away the troublesome thoughts that bloom in my mind.

My phone interrupts us, ringing for the unteempth time in twenty minutes. Squeezing Yui's hand I occupy the other with silencing my device, before sliding it into my pocket.

"Tell me about him," she requests, sipping at her tea with a somber complexion.

"There's not much to tell, besides I'd much rather hear about how you've been doing. I've hardly had a moment to even check in on you recently. I'm really sorry about that, I know it can be difficult to transition into different phases in your life and I haven't been there for you," I bow my head slightly in apology.

"I haven't been around for you, sweetheart," she lifts my chin to meet her stare. "That matters more. You matter more," she smiles sincerely.

"Nonsense! From now on we will meet up once a fortnight!" I clarify, feeling a great distance between us that has never been there before. I fear what that could mean. I can't afford to lose her, so I will fight to close the gap between us.

"Very well," she nods in approval. "Although, I think it is time for us to go our separate ways for today," she slowly pushes back her chair.

"Already?"

"Yes, you shouldn't keep that boyfriend of yours waiting," she gives me a knowing look, but all I care about is how her personality has changed from playful to reserved. I search her eyes for her usual self, but can't see it.

"He's- He's not my boyfriend," I sigh, feeling like this morning was a failure as I rise from my seat.

"No? Seems keen to me," she attempts to lift my mood, but I can't shake the feeling that something is terribly amiss here.

"Maybe... Anyways, same time and place, two weeks out from now," I suggest, preparing my fair share of the bill.

"There's no need for that," she pushes my hands into my chest, refusing my money. "I will see you then, now you should be on your way," she bids me farewell before practically shoving me out of the cafe with a ragged cough that she tried to conceal.