Fallen Rose

Litszomania - Part 1

"Hmm..."

As he rubbed his eyes, Billy sat up to stretch as the mornings light illuminating well upon him. He gazed around, recollecting last night's events, eyeing right next to his bed. It was certainly roomier without the cabinet in there.

"Katsumi, quiet down! Please, let him have his rest."

"No. I want him gone now if you won't leave without him."

"I at least want to see him off..."

Muffled bickering between Hiroshi and Katsumi could be heard behind the door, much to Billy's dismay. He sighed and picked himself up out of bed, getting prepared for his departure. Hesitantly, he opened up the door to a disappointed Hiroshi and an irritated Katsumi. Hiroshi caught him out of the corner of his eye with an apologetic smile on his face.

"Good morning, B-"

"About time! Now take your things and go!" Katsumi interrupted. Billy lifted up his bag and sighed yet again.

"I know, I know already..."

"Good. Now we can all finally get going..." she nudged the pair to the door, the two rather dejected. They found Madiha and Minh waiting in the lobby as they made their way down, sitting on some felted chairs. They brought their attention over to a rather curious Katsumi as she knit her brow.

"Where did Michael go?" She asked, checking out the windows just in case.

"He went ahead, I believe... He got tired of waiting. He really wanted to visit the next town over. It's a really special place to him, I think where he and Aladdin spent much time together." Madiha replied with faint melancholy as she motioned towards the door.

"Huh... well, alright then. I'm sure we'll catch up with him if we get going now," She turned to Billy, "Bye!" she pushed him closer to the door, keeping close to her family. He rolled his eyes when he got the picture, finally heading towards the door before getting stopped by Hiroshi.

"Wait!" He placed his hand on Billy's back, turning his head to Katsumi. "I'm going to see him off, Katsumi." He spoke stern, brushing off her scrutiny.

"No! We-"

"Yes! I'm going to escort him out, and I'm going with him alone." he walked out with Billy before Katsumi could interject. They approached the motorcycle in sparse chit chat.

"Well...our time was short together, but I really enjoyed it, y'know..."

"Yea, man... We've known each other for what, two days? I'm still gonna miss ya, though." he patted Hiroshi's back, then looked into the distance. "You're a cool guy, Hiroshi."

"I promise, if I could, I'd let you stay... Katsumi's better than this, I swear! She's just too paranoid sometimes... I don't want her to snap on you." Hiroshi twirled his hair nervously.

"Hey man, it's.... It's no sweat, alright? Here," he took a paper out of his pocket and scribbled something down on it, "This is... the best I can remember about the place...good luck."

"Oh, thank you- wait.." he scanned the paper, noting a long number at the end of it, "What is this?" he asked, pointing to it.

"Oh, heh-" he glanced down, "No one said we couldn't keep touch, eh?" he gave a small smirk, causing Hiroshi to giggle.

"Of course!"

"Well," Billy mounted his motorcycle, revving his engine, looking back at Hiroshi "I'll see ya..." Hiroshi gave a small wave as he watched him ride off into the morning. He felt down. Though they did not meet with the best intentions, he really felt a spark between them. He felt terrible to let him go, he knew he wasn't bad, just confused if anything. Hiroshi knew that his own self was really the biggest danger to everyone- whoever is after him was not going to step down. They'd all be much safer without Hiroshi...