Vincent

Eight - Purple Hyacinth

A lightning flashed in the sky, creating a silhouette of Sandy in a split second, and the drizzle became stronger.

Sandy was panting when he opened the door. His expression changed when he saw us. His brows met in the middle and confusion was visible in his eyes.

Guilt flashed over me.

I pushed Hiro away and stood up. "Sandy..."

He didn't move.

"It's..." I glanced at Hiro. "It's not what you..."

My voice trailed off as he darted inside the shop and grabbed Hiro's collar.

"What the fuck are you doing to him?" He growled.

Hiro's face didn't show any expression. He didn't answer, either.

Sandy tugged the man's collar. "I'm asking you." His brown orbs pierced Hiro's black ones. "Answer me."

The threat in Sandy's voice didn't seem to affect Hiro. "I was just checking his wounds." He said, nonchalant.

Sandy looked at me--well, more like... glared at me. I'd seen this expression before, and it's terrific. Just how many times did I shiver this day?

After a few beats he let go of Hiro and grabbed my hand. "We're leaving." 

We were heading to the door when Hiro mumbled something.

Sandy turned his head to him. "What did you say?"

"I said you can't leave 'cause it's raining hard." He took a tray from the counter and put my cup and plate on it. "But it's up to you if you want to leave."

Sandy didn't say a word. He opened the door and dragged me outside. Hiro was right, it was raining hard. Lightning and thunder followed us as we walk outside.

"Sandy!" The rain was falling so hard that I had to shout. "We can't walk under this rain!"

He didn't turn around.

"Tsk!" I stopped and pulled him to face me. "I told you to--" I stopped. "Ah..." My voice trailed off as I saw the look on Sandy's face. Thunder rumbled again. We stood there, in the middle of the street, facing each other, not saying anything. I wanted to say something, but somehow I didn't know where my voice went.

He sniffed and wiped his nose with the back of his palm. Although his bangs covered the upper part of his face, I knew he was crying.

Again, my voice was stuck in my throat.

He sniffed again.

"Sandy..."