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Kou woke up in the middle of the night, breathing heavily. Something was off, he was sure of it. After a dream like that, he had to call Mitsuba. His hand paused, hovering over the phone. He thought to himself. Why did my hand pause……? Whatever, I’ll just give him a call, and if he’s sleeping, that’s that. He shrugged it off and called Mitsuba.
Mitsuba, who had previously been sleeping, picked up with a grumpy tone. He obviously wasn’t happy to be woken up at this time. “What do you want, lame earring boy? I need my beauty sleep, you know.”
“Mitsuba? Sorry for calling you at a time like this…..”
“Well, at least tell me why you called. Or is it a stupid reason like you needed to hear my voice?” Mitsuba spoke sarcastically, and Kou had a feeling he was grinning. But that didn’t bother him, surprisingly. Kou spoke in a genuine tone.
“Yeah, I did need to hear your voice. Pretty dumb, huh?”
Mitsuba paused. He didn’t expect that to be the actual reason. Both were quiet for a while. Mitsuba spoke again.
“Seriously? Didn’t know you missed me so much~.”
“Hey, Mitsuba.”
“Yeah?”
“Wanna go on a date”
“What?! Are you sure you’re awake-“
“I’ll meet you outside your house.”
Kou hung up. Mitsuba sighed. This wasn’t like Kou, not at all. Usually, he’d be mad at Mitsuba teasing him, but this time it seems that Mitsuba had actually read his thoughts. Mitsuba got up and switched into a t-shirt with a long sleeve shirt under it(although it was summer, the nights were still a little chilly) and some shorts. He left his room and tiptoed, making sure he didn’t wake up his mom since she had just got off a shift at the hospital, and put on his shoes at the front door. He made sure to grab his camera before leaving.
Kou was outside like he said he’d be. And Kou, being the idiot he was, was wearing a t-shirt and shorts. Before Mitsuba could ask if he was cold, Kou grabbed his hand and started walking. As they walked, Mitsuba felt how gently Kou held his hand. In fact, it felt as if he was holding his hand as if it was porcelain and could break easily. After walking for a while, and stopping at the convenience store, they sat in the park on the swings. The cashier didn't bother asking what students like them were doing outside at a time like this, probably too tired to ask. They took a few sips of their drinks. It was quiet and the only sound that could be heard was that of cicadas buzzing. Kou looked at the ground before he spoke.
“You know, I woke up in the middle of the night.”
“Well, obviously, I know that, seeing as you decided to wake me up too and drag me out here.”
Kou finished his drink shortly after Mitsuba finished his. They threw their empty cans away. As Mitsuba started swinging a bit. Kou walked by and stood in front of him.
“Let’s go.”
“Where? You’ve already brought me here-“
Kou held out his hand, waiting for Mitsuba to take it. Mitsuba didn’t bother to finish his question and took his hand. They walked many places, hid from the cops who were on night patrol, and continued their adventure. Soon, they reached a beach. Kou stood gazing out at the ocean, still holding Mitsuba’s hand.
He liked the quiet. It wasn’t an awkward quiet, more like a calm peaceful quiet. They didn’t need to speak, as the silence spoke for them. Mitsuba smiled. He was glad he brought his camera, as he let go of Kou’s hand and set his camera to the right settings before taking a picture of the night sky.
It was a clear sky that night, as the stars could be seen. They were beautiful, almost ethereal. Even Kou seemed to be entranced by them, since his gaze had switched from the ocean to the sky. Mitsuba felt something in his heart as he watched Kou stand there, looking as if he was hypnotized by the beauty of the night sky. Feeling like he needed to capture the moment, he took another picture, this time with Kou in it. The sound of the camera seemed to bring Kou back to earth as he turned to look at Mitsuba.
“Did you just take a picture?”
“What~? Did you think I took one of you?”
“N-no!”
Kou blushed and pouted as Mitsuba teased him. Despite Kou being angry at him, Mitsuba was happy, as it seemed that Kou had gone back to his usual self.
The next day at school, however, Kou was acting weird again. He didn’t talk, even when Yokoo and Satou tried speaking to him. Knowing that Kou was weird sometimes, they didn’t bother trying to ask what was up. Mitsuba watched him as both of them cleaned the chalkboard after school, since they had cleaning duty. What was even more bizarre was that Kou only nodded as Yashiro senpai asked him something. Kou would’ve been full of energy and eager to speak to her, but today he wasn’t.
Even the day after, during PE, Kou had tripped over a small stone. Mitsuba helped him up. Kou mumbled a thank you and continued jogging. Mitsuba ran to catch up with him. Obviously, something was on Kou’s mind. Mitsuba had a feeling what was on his mind, but kept quiet as he watched him. As Kou was sitting on the bench, something cold pressed his cheek. It was a can of soda that Mitsuba had held.
“Here, take it.”
“Thank you.”
The two sat for a while. The bell rang, calling them back to class. At the end of the day, Mitsuba came over to Kou’s desk.
“What’s up with you today?”
“Huh?”
“You’ve been zoned out all day, I mean, you didn’t even say anything to radish-senpai.”
“Don’t call her that….But, I’m fine.”
Mitsuba frowned. Clearly he wasn't, seeing how Kou was acting strange today. In fact, he was just about as fed up as he was worried. Well, he wasn’t that worried, is what Mitsuba told himself anyway.
“You’re clearly not. Seriously, just tell me what’s bothering you. It’s starting to bother and worry me, you know……….” Mitsuba blushed slightly, mumbling the last part. Kou looked at him, surprised, then smiled.
“Hey! What’re you smiling for, hella lame traffic earring boy?”
“Nothing.”
“Hey, Kou…”
Kou paused. Mitsuba usually didn’t call him by his name; he usually referred to him as “dude” or, like he just said, “hella lame traffic earring boy.” Mitsuba continued.
“You know, you can tell me anything, right?”
“……….Yeah.”
“So are you gonna tell me what’s been bugging you?”
“I will, at some point.”
The day after, Mitsuba invited Kou out on a date. Wait, not a date. Just two friends going on an outing. Yeah, that’s right. It’s just two very good friends going somewhere for the day. While Mitsuba was busy talking to himself, Kou lightly tapped his fingers against his as they walked through the forest. Earlier, Kou got a text from Mitsuba, who had asked him to go on a walk with him, as he took pictures for a photoshoot competition. Kou’s thoughts were interrupted as Mitsuba held his hand. Mitsuba, still spacing out, unconsciously grabbed Kou’s hand. Kou smiled and squeezed his hand. Mitsuba paused for a moment, took out his camera, crouched down, and took a photo of a white orchid. He shot Kou a quick glance before smiling, but only for a quick second before standing back up. Kou became confused.
“ What’re ya smiling for?”
“Hm? Do you really not know the meaning of white orchids?”
“No, tell me. Why would I know the meaning of some random flower, anyway?”
“Huh. Don’t wanna”
“What?!?” Mitsuba grinned, teasing him.
“It’s a secret~” Before Kou had the time to pout, Mitsuba led him by his hand, more into the forest. Little did he know that the tips of Mitsuba’s ears were dusted with a pink blush color. After the walk, the two stopped by a cafe to get lunch. When the waiter brought them their food, Kou paused, glancing at the potato curry Mitsuba ordered
“What’re you waiting for, hella lame earring? Eat your food before it gets cold-Eh?”
Tears came out of Kou’s eyes, and he started sniffling as they rolled down his cheeks. Kou’s food remained untouched, as he continued to cry. Was he throwing a tantrum? Was there something in the food he didn’t like? Mitsuba didn’t know what to do.
“Look, I’m…sorry, ok? I won’t rush you to eat your food, so please, don’t cry…”
Mitsuba handed him a tissue. Kou took it and looked up. Mitsuba was blushing, but also seemed almost… sad? Well, anyway, Mitsuba was right. At this rate, Kou’s food was going to get cold. He began eating it. The two stayed for a while, the pink-haired boy propping his chin on his hand as he watched the other boy finish eating.
Once that was over, the two paid the check and headed to the school. They snuck in and went up to the rooftop. By that time, the sky had already become a fiery scene of pink, orange, red, and a small hint of yellow. It was evening. Birds flew by as the two boys sat next to each other.
Soon, evening became night as they continued to sit there, hands intertwined. It was a clear night, where the stars could be seen shining brightly through the darkness, just like the night they went to the beach. Except this time, it was not Kou who was enthralled by the beauty of the stars, but Mitsuba instead. Or perhaps he was thinking about something. Kou stared at him a little longer before gazing up at the night sky, too. It was a peaceful moment. Quiet, not silent. Cicadas and other bugs buzzed, yet neither of the boys was bothered by the sound. Kou spoke.
“You know, something has been bothering me lately.” That snapped Mitsuba out of his thoughts. He moved his gaze from the sky to Kou. Kou’s expression was angry, but there also seemed to be hints of sorrow and guilt in it as well.
“No kidding.”
“Mitsuba, I’m being serious.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He wasn’t lying, though. Mitsuba could feel the grip on his hand tighten.
“Well, I-”
“Go on.” Part of Mitsuba wanted to remind him that their families would begin to worry where they were if he kept taking a long time, but another part didn’t want to interrupt this feeling of peace they had. So he chose to stay quiet.
“I had a dream.”
“Mhm.”
“A dream where you were dead. Another dream where you were a ghost. And……”
“And?”
“And a dream where you didn’t exist.”
“...”
“I-”
“Close your eyes.”
“Huh?”
“Just close them.”
Kou was confused why he wanted him to close his eyes, but listened to him nonetheless. Suddenly, he felt something soft on his lips. His eyes burst open, but before he could see what happened, Mitsuba’s face turned away.
“Did you just…kiss me?”
“So what if I did?”
“You did?”
“Idiot, when did I say that? Maybe it was a flower.” Kou was speechless for a moment as he looked down at their intertwined hands, noticing the white orchid from earlier.
“Hey! You totally just kissed me, didn’t you?” Mitsuba pouted and slightly turned his face back.
Now, Kou could see him. Oh. He could definitely see him. Mitsuba blushed for a moment before letting go of Kou’s hand and pressing the flower against his lips. Just then, a shooting star passed behind him, making Mitsuba look as if he were an angel, or perhaps…a star. Kou couldn’t tell if he was being captivated by the beauty of the star or Mitsuba. He blinked, and the star was gone, as if it wasn’t even there. Mitsuba smiled. It wasn’t like the teasing smiles Kou was used to, more like a sad smile. Almost a goodbye…
“Well, who knows, I’ll never tell~.”
“N-no fair!”
“Haha, anyways.” Mitsuba’s gaze returned to the night sky, just like how his hand returned to Kou’s.
“You weren’t dreaming, Kou.”
“What-”
“You were right, I am dead. And I no longer exist.”
“T-that can’t be true. No. You’re lying, y-you’re lying.” Kou felt his face grow hot and his vision blurry as tears streamed down his cheeks. But this time, he wasn’t crying, he was sobbing. Mitsuba hugged him.
“There, there. I guess this time it really is my fault for making you cry. I’m sorry”
“Don’t leave me, not again.”
“I have to, Kou. You have a life to live, I don’t.” Mitsuba pulled back and held Kou’s cheeks in his hands, the warm tears wetting his hands. This time, he kissed his forehead.
“Wake up.”
…
….
…
Kou’s eyes opened slowly, he felt someone on him. Slowly, he reached his hand to pet the person's head.
“M-“
“Kou!”
Oh. It was Yashiro’s voice. What was she doing here? Actually, now that he got a better look, she seemed to have grown taller and her hair a little longer.
“Thank goodness, I was worried you wouldn’t wake up!”
“Where…am I?”
“You’re in a hospital. A truck ran a red light and hit you while you were out. I thought you were dying. I’m so glad.”
Just then, a doctor came in.
“Ah, it seems you’re awake. Good. I hope you don’t mind, but I’d like to ask questions just to make sure your brain and memory aren’t damaged after the accident.”
“Ok.”
“Mind telling me your age.”
Oh. That’s right, he was thirty. It’d been fifteen years since…Now, he’d been married to Yashiro. His brother had been badly wounded in a battle against a powerful yokai and was forced to retire. His sister, who had replaced him, was in university.
“Sir?”
“It’s nothing…I’m thirty. Thirty years old.”
“Excellent. So…Basically….Then….”
A few days had passed. Kou was gazing out the window as Yashiro slept soundly. How strange. Despite it raining the past few days, it was clear out tonight. Ah, and the stars. Of course, those beautiful stars had been shining once more. This time, however, their light wasn’t enough to brighten the darkness. Not that they didn’t have an effect however.
“Stars are stupid. They’ll continue to shine, despite the darkness. Even if it means they’ll burn out and use up their life anyway.”
“Hm? What’re you doing up so late?”
“Just looking at the night sky.”
“Alright, just be careful not to knock over the flowers I got you.” Kou glanced at them. White orchids.
“Hey, what’re those flowers?”
“Oh, those? I got them for you since it was Valentine’s Day, yesterday.”
“What do they represent?”
“Eternal love I think? Anyways, I’m going back to bed. Don’t be up too late, you have work tomorrow.”
“Mhm.”
After Yashiro went back to bed, Kou plucked a flower and took one of them, holding it as he twirled it with his fingers.”
“Eternal love, huh? Oh, it seems those stars have company tonight.”
The moon shone down brightly, and in the process, almost lit up the flowers.
“So this time, you have someone huh?” Kou heard the voice behind him but stayed still. He could feel hands that weren’t Yashiro’s hug from behind. He knew who it was.
“Liar. You left me, and once again you are.”
“Well stars can’t shine forever, can they? They have to burn out at some point”
“…”
“Exactly.”