Entrenched Love

Kai

Dead?!

The world spun. Miwa. Was not. Dead.

"He's not dead." I said through clenched teeth, my voice shaky.

Kamui gazed at the tiled floor.

"I'm so sorry, Kai... I know he is - was - your best friend. I'm really sorry, man."

Kamui's hand ran through his black hair, his lips pulled into a nervous smile.

Tears threatened to pour down my face. I couldn't cry here. Not now.

He's gone... Miwa's dead...

"What happened?" The question slipped.

"He was stabbed, last night... I thought you knew..." Kamui trailed off, his usual flaring voice deterring into a genuinely sincere one.

I pictured Miwa, his usual blonde hair stained red in the streets. I pictured his weak voice crying out. I wondered if he thought of me? Did he remember me?
We all loved Miwa, and now he was gone. There was nothing anyone could do.

I looked up at Aichi. It was like him to hold his strong gaze. Aichi never gave up. No matter what. I knew he admired me... he's so much stronger than me now.

I sighed.

"I'm sorry..." I murmured, leaving Card Capital, my gaze downward as I walked away.

"Kai! Wait!" Aichi called, running after me.

I turned around, expressionless.

"What?" I said firmly.

Aichi smiled shyly, his warm eyes full of concern.

"I miss him, too," Aichi said, "you're not alone."

I gave a small noise of recognition in return, followed by a small thanks, and turned around to continue home.

It was true.

Miwa's dead.