Touch of Intoxication || Tekken Hwoarang

Chapter 31: The Deal

👑Mamoru's P.O.V👑

"Mamoru, there's no escape"

Those words endlessly repeated themselves again and again during my dreams, I saw nothing but darkness and only heard that voice saying the same line without fail.

There's no escape.

I felt like a mess, I hadn't attended school for a week or two now after rarely attending for a while and had told the school it was due to sickness, but my primary reason as to why I didn't attend school definitely had nothing at all to do with sickness. It was more due to the fact that a secret of mine had been revealed to one person who I don't think I could trust to keep it a secret. Kazama is a person I could trust with the secret, he looks like the type to not talk to many people, a lone wolf. Hwoarang on the other hand, he seemed like the type to somehow manage to tell the world a secret and not realise he has done so, which is why I was sure that the truth behind my very being had already been revealed to Miyuki.

However, shutting myself in my home was taking it's toll on me, I hadn't seen sunlight and breathed fresh air for what felt like months and my mind had been crowded with thoughts of worry. I needed to get out of my apartment for my own good and with that decision made I showered and grabbed a hoodie to wear on my way out. For the first time during the time I locked myself away I had decided to turn my phone on and upon turning it on it continuously vibrated as messages quickly appeared on the screen.

All of which were from Miyuki.

Are you okay?

You disappeared suddenly after what happened

I don't know what made you suddenly leave but please reply to me

I'm worried

Mamoru answer soon please, I want to know that you're ok

It's been a few days now, can you please at least message back so I know you're well.

I tried knocking on your door today but you didn't answer... I hope you're looking after yourself

It's been a little lonely here at school since you've shut yourself in, come back soon.

Hey, I asked Jin if he knew why you'd be hiding away, he wouldn't tell me anything so please speak to me.

I miss you at school, I don't have anyone to share my onigiri* with, I'll still make extra in case you come back soon!

It feels weird not getting a response at all, please message back or call me, I will pick up immediately!

I miss my best friend come back (T_T)

*A/N: Onigiri is a rice ball (usually in the shape of a triangle) that is seasoned with spices alongside having a filling inside it, it is wrapped with dried seaweed, often at the bottom of the triangle

As I read over the messages I couldn't help but feel bad, Miyuki had no explanation towards my sudden absence and she seemed so worried.

I sighed as I plugged my earphones into my phone, listening to music as I walked out of the apartment complex and into the street. I didn't know where I was going so allowed myself to simply wander till I found something that piqued my interest.

I had been walking around for about an hour before coming across an art gallery and for some strange reason felt drawn to it, as if something was calling out to me, so I approached the entrance and purchased a ticket to enter before walking in towards the main exhibition being shown. At first nothing spoke out to me in terms of interest so I continued wandering until a painting caught my eye, I turned tho look at it and found myself entranced by it, it was as if suddenly this painting began speaking out to me, keeping me in it's grasp with no means of escape.