sweets ✧ r.kaji ˣ ʳᵉᵃᵈᵉʳ

30: shadows

shadows lurk in the dark. that's what everybody thinks. but some say that they are the dark, always the reflection of a light. wherever there is light, there is a shadow; that's how it's always been.

without light, there wouldn't be shadows. without shadows, there wouldn't be light.

without good things, there wouldn't be bad things. without bad things, there wouldn't be good things.

umemiya told you that. you had asked if he was sure, because to you, shadows were just the uneven shapes of areas where light didn't touch. they were the dark creatures that seeked refuge behind wares to hide from the sun that circulated around your ankles when you walked on the road during the afternoon. the swift void that danced under the stars when the time was fit, forever waiting for something else to latch onto. the mysterious beings that accompanied anyone lonely when no one else was there for them.

were they the souls of people who roamed the mortal world, unable to move on to the afterlife? or monsters that came from hell to steal human lives away? were they just mere objects of science and nothing else? no one knew.

plus, it wasn't your problem. leave it to the scientists and dreamers to find out. meanwhile, you headed up the furin building's stairs, looking out the windows that passed by as you did so. the light afternoon rays of sun filtered through the glass, guiding your steps up the staircase. whenever your legs moved, the shadows shifted too.

opening the rooftop door and feeling the wind high above blast into your face with fresh air from umemiya's plants was a feeling you knew all too well. you passed by the tomatoes, celery, cabbages, and flowering weeds, admiring all the colorful hues that did rhythmic ballet in the breeze.

there was a sound, one of chattering. hm? i didn't know that there was going to be a meeting today. with a solemn smile, you turned to face the opposite direction and decided to explore the other half of the roof, thinking modestly: if they didn't invite me, then there's no reason i should be listening.

however, nothing much from the unexplored side of the roof entertained you at all. the only things of interest you discovered were bags full of fertilizer, a small shelf of succulent plants, a broken chair you tried sitting on, and a wooden bird figurine perched on an old tire. in the end, you decided to sit on one of the benches overlooking the town near the railing and wait for the meeting to finish.

"oh—l/n-senpai?!" a small, surprised voice exclaimed.

you turned around, startled, and saw nirei. "oh, nirei-kun! hi! what're you doing here?  you asked. usually, umemiya's meetings only involved the four kings and their right-hand men.

"umemiya-san invited us to go on a meeting," sup said politely, antiquely styled earrings moving as he talked. at the sight of the boy and sakura behind him as well, you smiled.

you stood up from your seat and ducked your head a little in a small bow. the three reciprocated the action. "ah, i see. hello, suo-kun, othello-kun!"

"huh?" sakura glared at you at the petty nickname you used. however, he was used to it by now. he directed his gaze away. "hi."

"w-what are you doing here, l/n-senpai?" nirei asked nervously.

"oh, i was going to talk to ume-nii, but i waited for the meeting to finish first." you flashed him a kind smile before adding, "i didn't know you three were a part of it! if i did, i should've said hi."

"no, it's very okay! did we keep you waiting?"

"not at all, i explored and stuff, so i didn't get bored." that's a lie!