The Voice of You and Me

19

               It was the next day that you stood in the alley across the street from the Homra bar. You took in a deep breath as you could only stare at it while holding Saruhiko's hand. This was going to be harder than you thought.

"You are not going in?" a voice asked from behind you. You looked over your shoulder to find Anna standing there.

"...Don't feel like it. Besides, I'm disqualified, aren't I? You knew, didn't you? That things would turn out this way." Saruhiko asked. The young girl was quiet for a moment before responding.

"...It was...only a feeling. I felt that one day you were going to leave." she answered.

"Since when?"

"Since the beginning...But I always wished it wouldn't happen."

"Has this feeling of yours ever been wrong?" he asked. Anna shook her head. Saruhiko squeezed your hand a little then faced the street again.

"Ha! In other words, you saw me as a traitor from the very start," he said. You said nothing as you glanced from him to the young girl who stood quietly behind you.

"Anna? Anna, where are you?" a voice called from the bar. It was Kusanagi.

"Go on. He's calling for you." Saruhiko said without moving.

"Is there anything you need me to tell them?" she asked. He was quiet for a moment while lost in his thoughts.

"...Tell Mr. Kusanagi..." he began but stopped halfway through. You gave him a moment before realizing he wasn't going to finish. While releasing his hand, you turned to Anna while crouching down.

"Tell him that we're sorry we won't be accepting his offer," you explained to her. She nodded in understanding.

"What about Tatara?" she asked.

"Nope, nothing," Saruhiko replied.

"How about Misaki?" she asked. It was quiet for a moment as you looked down at your shoes with a sad expression.

"...I'll tell him myself. You don't have to worry. I'll kick you if you don't leave now." he said. Anna hummed in response and gave you a quick hug. You returned it knowing it might be the last time you ever will.

"Goodbye, Anna," you said with a bit of a sad smile.

"Goodbye, (y/n)," she replied then went her way. As you moved to stand beside Saruhiko, Anna stopped in her tracks then faced the two of you once more.

"...What?" Saruhiko asked wondering why she stopped. The young girl stared then noticed your hand connected with his.

"I'm glad you are staying together," she said after a moment. You felt your face heat up at her words suddenly feeling embarrassed you were caught. Saruhiko nervously scratched the back of his neck, but he only held your hand tighter. Kusanagi called for Anna again causing her to finally leave. You waved at her retreating form and watched the two disappear. A sigh escaped your lips as you looked down at the ground.

"...You can go to say goodbye if you want." Saruhiko explained seeing how sad you were. You shook your head.

"I don't think I could go through with it. Besides, we need to tell Misaki together," you said with a smile as you turned to face him. Before he could respond, an angry cry was heard behind you. You lifted your head to see Yata flying high above you then landing in front of you on his skateboard.

"You idiot monkey! 'Twas damn hard to find you! Your stuff's all gone when I came back and you didn't answer your PDA! I was worried!" Yata began to shout which caught you completely off guard. You brought your hands up as if to calm him down, but Saruhiko stopped you. He placed a hand on your shoulder then gave you a look as if to say he would handle it. You nodded in understanding then took a few steps back to let them talk.

"...I'm moving. I'm gonna be staying at Scepter 4's dormitory. I'm just here to tell you this." Saruhiko said simply. You mentally facepalmed at letting him talk as Yata had a hard time understanding.

"Ha...Hah?! What'd you say?!" he shouted clearly confused. Saruhiko let out a sigh. You were starting to feel nervous about this.

"Didn't you hear me? I'm talking about Scepter 4's dormitory. I joined Scepter 4." he said once more. Yata placed both his hands on the side of his head as it sank in.

"Wait...wait...Why is it Scep- eh? Wait...Wait what d'you mean? Isn't Scepter 4 the blue coats? That sinister glasses king's clan? If you do that, you'll be serving another king. Do you understand?" Yata asked trying to piece this puzzle together.

"Of course I do," he responded. Yata looked from him then to you.

"(y/n), did you know about this? You're just gonna let him leave?" he asked. You frowned and avoided his gaze before deciding how to answer him.

"I'm joining Scepter 4 too," you said. A pain shot through your chest at the sight of his face. He wasn't taking this well.

"Why...why are you..?" he asked while looking at his shoes.

"Why? Such a boring question. Let's put it this way. Cuz I'm bored. We have superpowers but we behave like gangsters. I truly find Homra boring." Saruhiko explained without hesitation. Before your eyes, Yata grabbed the collar of Saruhiko's shirt and pulled him close with present anger in his voice and actions.

"You bastard! You're leaving Homra?! Did you forget that Mr. Mikoto saved our lives?!" he shouted as he raised one of his fists. Within the same moment, Yata released his collar and placed his fist against the Homra symbol on Saruhiko's collarbone.

"This mark that we got from Mr. Mikoto is our pride, isn't it? Then why are you...." Yata said in a calmer tone than before with his head lowered. You turned your head away as the tears welled up in your eyes. This was becoming much harder than you thought. It was quiet for a moment and the scene felt like it was frozen there for hours. Then something clicked in Saruhiko.

Saruhiko pushed Yata away then illuminated his fingertips with red flames. With his free hand, he opened his shirt to reveal the Homra insignia and with the other dragged his burning nails across it. You stood in shock as smoke filled the air around him. Yata was frozen as well while watching the events play out.

"I destroyed the pride you were talking about, Misaki," Saruhiko said with a slight smirk mixed with deep pain.

"Bastard...what d'you mean by this? No matter what happens, this cannot be allowed...Slandering this mark is unforgivable...You traitor.....Both of you are traitors..I'll kill you." Yata said as red flames engulfed him. The tears that you were holding back finally escaped as they streamed down your face at the sight of the boy's anger. He only saw you as a monster.

"...That's what you said. Don't forget it. Use your real abilities and come kill me." Saruhiko replied not threatened at all. The flames around Yata only grew before he took his skateboard and left. You reached a hand out to him as the tears kept falling down your face. This wasn't what you wanted.

"(y/n)..." Saruhiko called out to you. You faced him with tears in your eyes and saw the sad look in his eyes as well. Whether it was for you or for Yata, you wouldn't know. He walked closer then wrapped his arms around you in a tight embrace. You returned it and ended up crying harder than before. Saruhiko didn't bother you and just held you close. A frown grew on his face from realizing Yata made you cry. He believed within time Yata would forgive you, but him........

Well, only time would tell.