What's written in page 521? (Xylto + Maya)

December 17, 2014

[table=width: 550]

[tr]

[td]

His father had once asked him.

"Shishio, who do you want to become?"

He was five and they were only two-meter away from the toy store. There was this gigantic Batman figure he had been craving for weeks. Coincidentally, father seemed to be in a good mood because the constant line between his eyebrows wasn't there that day. He figured it would not do him much harm if he pleased his dad with coming answer.

"I want to be someone just like you dad!"

Well, his dad had a beautiful family, an alluring and passionate wife, a son, a well-paid job which provided him enough money to tour around Europe twice with mom (they had stayed at the best hotels) and two lovely houses. He was nowhere near such greatness. Yes, he had a nice job, a nice apartment BUT he was wife-less, son-less and marriage-less. Twenty years ago, his father had bought him that figure (which he still kept and exhibit on the nightstand at his place) because he had said he wanted to become like dad. If, just if, if he could actually obtain all those things he was less, would God give him what he wanted the most right now?

Shishio blew a cloud of white smoke into the air. This tobacco brand sucked. The flickering red light of the tobacco was crushed onto the ash-stray. Shishio scratched his head, a hand holding the pack as he looked over it for the last time before dumping the thing into the metal bin. He exitted the smoking area and waltzed back to his office when a phone call came. It was the author of Anmesia, the cover of which Mizuki was incharged of.

"Shishio's speaking," He singsong. Here came the tyranny bitch.

"I don't like the cover!" She shouted and the volumn must have passed 16000Hz because he could not hear a thing after that.

"The cover is nice."

"Nice! Nice! Nice!" She continued her rant. "You are always..."

He distanced the phone from his ear, scrunching his nose at the same time the before-mentioned artist who was going to be in a not-that-big trouble walked by. Their eyes met. As usual, the other would bow and say something out of obligation like:

"Good morning", "Good evening", "Good whatever". Sometimes he wished he would receive something different but well, his employee simply did not find interest in him unlike the ladies in the Marketing Department.

"Hey there," he said, grinning brightly.

"Are you listening, Shishio?!" Tsuki, the rambling author, screamed. It seemed the other had heard the frustrated outburst as well and quickly changed his direction. His lips slowly dropped the grin to be replaced by a thin line as they pursed. He shook his head then put the phone close to his ear again and chuckled like nothing happened, like someone hadn't just passed by.

"I am, I am! Chill out, Tsuki!"

[/td]

[/tr]

[/table]

December 17, 2014

I grew up in a better part of town, I was doted on like a prize possession through the first eight years of my life. Things changed for the worst when I turned eight, I can vividly remember:

"Mizuki, you can only live with one of us," shouted mom. "...but, I wanna live with both," I can remember the tears that accompanied this plead. “No, mommy and daddy hates each now, you cannot live with both, pick one now.”

"No, he is coming to live with me. I'm his mother, I know how to raise a child." "Like heck, you can. I'm his father, he needs a man in his life."

"...but mama, papa, I want to be with both of you," and I cried, but my cries fell on deaf ears.

In the end, I was forced into a shuffle, on weekdays I would stay with my mother and on the weekends, with my father. I was sad, that I once had a beautiful family and now it was in shambles.

It was then that I took up drawing as a means of escape from the sad reality I faced alone, for countless days I was stuck in my room by myself. I felt forgotten, whether I was at my mother’s or father’s. I wasn't allowed to watch TV, listen to music, and I wasn't able to bring friends home either. All I had was my backpack, with a piece of paper and pencil, I used those tools as a form of entertainment.

Thus, my room's wall was turned into a mural.

Sixteen years later.

I found himself working at my dream job, except for one thing, the author that I was working with was a tyranny bitch.

“Damn, I don’t know how to finish up this cover for Tsuki and the deadline is coming up soon. Shit!”

Ring. Ring.

"I don't like the cover!"

"The cover is nice."

"Nice! Nice! Nice!"

"You are always..."

"Are you listening, Shishio?!"

A long pause.

"I am, I am! Chill out, Tsuki!"

I was sitting in the cubicle next to Shishio throughout this phone conversation and heard 97% of the stupid conversation. It was no surprise that she didn't like the cover. I didn't even try with this one. The one thing it lacked was love. I didn't love doing this cover, three months ago Shishio came to me and asked me to work on Ms. Tsuki’s cover, she was one of his prized authors and I was one of the best cover artist.

I was up almost every night in the wee hours of the morning drawing and nothing would come out. I kept bunching up every piece I drew and throw it on the floor. The heck, I've never been this stressed in my life before this.

Now, I found myself with a deep furrows in my brow, “Shit. Can this just end now? It has already been three months.” The next thing I knew, there was a knock on my desk. I wasn't paying attention, my head was on my desk and I was already exhausted from the inside out.

December 18, 2014

[table=width: 500, align: center]

[tr]

[td]The weather was nice. The forecast said it'd be a sunny and brisky day accompanied with only slight raining. Shishio stared at his hair nonchalantly. Some massive explosion must have taken place on his head while he was sleeping. Or there would a heavy rain. His hair always became unruly on rainy days. It was a good thing he didn't have to come to the office today because he instead had to meet up with his best friend at a coffee shop downtown.

"You know," Tsuki started from when his buttocks hadn't even touched the seat.

"What? I dress nice today," he looked at his clothes: black jeans, v-neck T-shirt and a Caribbean blue windbreaker. "You complain about almost everything."

"I'm not talking about the clothes, you simpleton bomb head nincompoop!" He leaned back automatically at the beautiful woman in front of him who sadly always had a terrifying aura around her. Just moments ago, she looked like she was going to explode and splattered the gores onto the floor and his face.

Nevertheless, he grinned and waved his hand. "OK, OK, you aren't, what are you talking about?"

She huffed then folded arms across her chest. "I called that artist yesterday and told him to meet me at this cafe."

He wondered if she knew her face was like that of a villain scheming a torture for her next victim. But "that artist" she'd just mentioned...

"You called Mizuki?!" He raised his eyebrow.

"Why do you look so surprised?" Tsuki took a sip of her coffee. "I can't?"

"Then why did you call me?" He sighed, rubbing his temple.

"You are his boss," she put the cup down, blue eyes locking green ones. "Tell him to work properly or change my artist or I'll go to a different publisher."

As the last word left her lips, the door bell rang its clear kling kling sound. Shishio looked at the person walking towards them while Tsuki scoffed.

"Good morning," He flashed a weak smile at Mizuki. He knew he should have done something with the frigging cauliflower hairstyle.[/td]

[/tr]

[/table]

December 18, 2014

I was sitting at my desk with writing utensils all around me, my hair was a mess and I had begs under my eyes. "This she devil is going to kill me, both literally and emotionally. No, I can't do it anymore. I've gone over this scene fifty times already. I just can't depict it the way she wants me to," rolling off the chair and onto the floor.

"I think I need a smoke," as I slowly got up, off of the floor and looked out the window. It's raining. You know what that means? Bad fortune. When it rains, it usually pours and this project just oozes evil she devil all over it.

Ring. Ring.

"The phone? I wonder who could that be?" "Hello." "I need to see you stat! Can you meet up with me tomorrow?" "Tsuki?" "Hum, sure." "Great! I'll send you the directions, just don't be late. Oh, before I forget, bring the drafts. Bye."

Sigh. Pause.

"What the frigging heck?! 'Oh, before I forget, bring the drafts.' Does she want to kill me? I've already sent her the drafts. I swear she is going to give me a ulcers. Great, now I have to find at least three to four different drafts and by looking at the floor, this is going to be hell. I just knew it! Every time it rains, something bad happens and this is beyond bad. This is like jumping into the pits of hell bad."

Mizuki raises his eyebrows, looking at the deep furrows on his forehead and then, giving himself one last look around.

"This is some crappy stress induced work I have. I stayed up all night drawing, just to meet up with her for an hour."

When Mizuki got there, there was two people waiting for him.

"Crap, why is Shishio here as well? I knew it, rain is bad and why am I getting so nervous?"

Nevertheless, he smiles and waves at them. "Great, this is going to be two times as stressful!" "Good morning," replied Mizuki.

"I just knew something bad would happen. I had to pick up that frigging phone call."

December 18, 2014

[table=width: 500, align: center]

[tr]

[td]

He tried not to have his eyes followed Mizuki's every single movement. The way he pulled the chair, the way he skimmed the menu, the way he intertwined his fingers when Tsuki looked through the drafts and the way his eyes widened when she threw them into Shishio's face (figuratively).

"I dare you say nice again! None of these brings out the beauty of Amnesia!" She grunted, dissatisfied.

His green eyes looked at her sternly, wordlessly requested her to lower her voice. Nice or not, she should start learning how to respect people. Even if their works did not meet the requirements, she shouldn't treat them like they were worthless. She did not say that, of course. Heck, she wouldn't even think that. However, her face always expressed a higher severity of the original emotion. Tsuki must have caught the signal because she glared at him then looked away haughtily.

Shishio finally had the equanimity he wished for and slowly turned to Mizuki. Eyeing the drafts again, he scratched the back of his neck then sighed. They were all masterpieces as usual but according to Tsuki, none of them was created for the purpose which was being the cover of a book named Amnesia. Shishio had read the first chapter of the book, it was about a boy who would always erase every agonizing memories he had. When he grew older, he continued to do this secretly. He had only read to that part. He traced the edge of the paper before putting them neatly into a stack. By the time he looked up again, his heart stopped for a millisecond. However, the feeling was pushed back. This was work. And he was no amateur.

"Have you read the book, Mizuki-kun?" He smiled, the kind of smiles that came before a discussion over a fault.

[/td]

[/tr]

[/table]

December 19, 2014

After the meeting, when I got home, I immediately collapsed on my sofa. When I woke up it was probably around four in the evening, That she devil will be the last of me. She said that if I didn’t come up with the cover illustration by Monday, that I would be fired. Shishio tried to stop her and she dumped coffee on him, before storming out. Truthfully, I think I was more shocked that Shishio, defended me than the actually pouring of the coffee. After that she stormed out and Shishio sat there stunned. I wasn't sure what to say, so I sat there staring at him and I knew it would turn out bad after that. So for the next ten minutes I tried to make idle talk with him, but he didn’t say anything. I think it was because he was more frustrated that one of his star authors stormed out and left him with a unpleasant parting gift.

Well, it looks like for the next three nights and two days, I’m going to be a slave to my desk. Well, maybe I should rest this entire night before I jump back into the frying pan. Maybe, I'll have an epiphany with the illustration, if I sleep on it. Then, if that really does happen then that would save me all this trouble.

Guess, I’m gonna go shower, before I make something to eat.

When I walked by the mirror at the top of the stares, I couldn’t help but to notice all of the bags that were under my eyes. If anyone saw me, then they would know that I was already mentally dead on the inside.

I wonder if Shishio could tell? It’s not like I don’t do my work and no matter what I was assigned, I would always get it done and that is why he trusted me. But, that wasn’t always true. You can say that if, I didn’t love the project, then it reflects negatively in the colors, but then again, that’s just an opinion.

The next morning.

Well, I was definitely right. I had a dream that sparked my creative juices. I was able to sketch what I saw and if I could say so myself, it wasn’t half bad. I’ll rest for now and when I come back, I’ll add the finishing touches. Then, I’ll fax it to Shishio. I wonder what he'll think about it?

December 19, 2014

[table=width: 500, align: center]

[tr]

[td]

Everything had happened faster than he could blink his eyes. When Mizuki answered his question with a simple shake of the head, face looking bored, it'd touched a nerve of Tsuki's sensitive (only to bad words about her) side. Her literatural personality must have taken the simple gesture as an offence. Even worse, unlike other subtle writers, Tsuki had a short temper and a explosive characteristic. He shot up from his seat like an arrow as his cup of coffee was snatched away from its place.

A flash of memory ran over his mind decorated with rosy background. A month ago, he had cut down on every unnecessary expense to afford for this magnificent freaking expensive windbreaker. He had expected a long-term relationship but life was about the unforeseeable. An inevitable breakup was knocking on the front door.

As the hot water contacted on the fine materials, Shishio grabbed Tsuki's wrist tightly.

"Enough," he sent her a cold scowl. "You have no authorities to humilate my employee or do you have the rights to lecture him. If there is any problem, from now on, you go through me."

Tsuki made no attempt to reply but rapidly snatched her jacket and stormed out of the cafe, leaving Shishio behind with the source of all misery and ecstasy. He looked at the shock looking man sitting across him. There was a lump in his throat. Using taking off his ruined windbreaker as a nice timeout for his mind, Shishio reorganized his thoughts, his feelings. He wished they could be reorganised. Because if he could, he would love a woman like other men his age.

The unexpected initiation of a conversation from Mizuki broke his trains of thoughts, wiped out all of his plan, which pushed him back to square one. Shishio was used to being loved not the other way around. His brain stopped fuctioning for a short second, his thoughts scribbling nonsense on the blank paper.

"I'm sorry," the apology woke up him. A second was after all a whole good half an hour. "I-..."

"It's alright," he intervened. "She was overreacting," Shishio ran a hand through the broccoli hairstyle. To his surprise, the horrible rainy day curse had been lifted off from his head. Shishio smiled at Mizuki. "Don't mind too much about her action. But you need to read the book. After you have done that, fax me the draft."

He literally, huge emphasis on literally, collapsed onto his bed. He needed to drop by Nichoume. Non-sex celibacy involving unrequited feelings policies must be changed. He made a mental note to himself: get laid next weekend.

As the ceiling suddenly became a fascinating object to observe, Shishio saw his pencil sketching out the heart shaped face, the little nose, a pair of sleep-deprived eyes... His hand wovering around the bed sheet, his fingers simultaneously grasped the piece of metal and quickdialed number 9.

"Hello, Touko Tekumi, delivery service speaking."

"Hey, it's Shishio Sousuke. You still owe me that money," he started and immediately added. "Which you won't have to pay if you deliver a gift basket."

"Oh, OK!" That bastard must have been so happy on the other side. The guy borrowed from him 1000 yen.

"Once per week for one month."

It was ONE THOUSAND yen. One basket would be a mammoth incur loss.

"Hold your horse there, Shishio."

First, he didn't have a horse.

"The basket contains fresh fruits," he switched to using the speaker then reached for his iPad. "Take a piece of paper and write these vitamins down."

"Jesus, Shishio! Are you trying to bribe your boss or something?" Tekumi groaned after their final verification of the basket's contents.

"No, it's just a gift for a friend," he said unconsciously and regretted it the moment the last word left his tongue.

"Oh, nice," Tekumi started singsonging which only urged Shishio to wish he could travel through phone call and strangle the idiot.

"It's not..."

"But, I'm sorry to say this, you will never get this chick down if you give her things like..." He paused a bit, probably to read the list. "Vitamin C and fresh oranges."

"Oi..."

"Not unless she is 50-year-old woman."

"Tekumi!" Shishio growled.

"OK, easy! I won't comment about how stupid the way you woo chicks anymore. But seriously? Vitamins?" Tekumi began to howl laughter like a hyena. "Oh, god."

"Are you done? Or do you want a tight hug arond the neck with a rope?"

"I don't, I don't. Where do you want me to deliver this anyway?"

"Send this to Mizuki..." He closed his eyes, reading the address from his memory.

"Sender's identity classified?"

"Rope."

"Got it, got it, it will be arrived to your precious chick tomorrow's morning. Bye!"

And Shishio smoothed the phone under his high-class pillow, muttering curses and oaths. If that bloody fake blondy revealed his ID, he would bring over a tornado to the guy's home.

[/td]

[/tr]

[/table]

December 19, 2014

I worked through the wee hours of the morning finishing up on the last touches before I sent it in to Shishio. To be perfectly honest, I am extremely nervous about it for some reason. I partially blame it on the fact that Shishio gave me free range to do whatever I wanted and this time he asked me to read Amnesia before I come up with another sketch. It didn’t take long for me to read the book, I finished it in less than a few hours and truthfully, she was right. My covers before weren’t portraying the angst her book was giving off. I would hate to admit it to her, but I’ve finally feel like I relinquished my dignity after seeing what Shishio went through just moments before I left.

Shortly after adding the last finishing touches, Mizuki went to his couch and collapsed. “This really took a lot out of me,” Mizuki sighed. He then looked up at this window and then his clock, “It’s 5:27AM already? Sheesh, when I go at it, I lose track of time. Shit, I should fax this to Shishio soon, it’s already Monday morning.” Pause. “No, probably not? But, he asked for it and if I don’t then the coffee hit he took from Tsuki would have been for naught.”

Mizuki got up from the couch, legs still wobbly from the lack of sleep, and headed towards the fax machine, one hand on the wall for support. “I don’t care if the timestamp says 5:35AM, it would just show that I’m devoted to the work that I do. Yeah, that’s right.”

Fax machine: sending….completed.

Sigh, for some reason the burden just lifted from my shoulders. I guess I should sleep, even if it’s just a little bit over an hour.

Mizuki headed towards the couch, collapsed, his arm rested over his forehead and shortly after that he was out. The alarm went off at exactly 7:00AM. “Ahhh, I have to get ready and head to the office,” Mizuki mumbled as he stumbled on his way to the bathroom.

At approximately 7:20AM there was a knock at the door, “I wonder who could that be,” questioned Mizuki as he heads towards the door. He looked out of the peephole before opening, “Delivery service? Must have the wrong address? I should let him know.”

“Hi, are you Mr. Mizuki?” “Hum, yes I am.” “These are for you.” Mizuki looked on with a tranquil look, “For me? Who could they be from?” “Hum, thank you,” as he reached out for the basket.

When the delivery man left, Mizuki closed the door and left out a big sigh, “This has to be from Tsuki. She’s probably apologizing for her outlandish behavior on Friday or Shishio immediately faxed her the cover and she was thrilled about it. This is probably to buy back Shishio’s affections or it could even be a bribery of some sort.

He looked up at the clock, “I have to leave now or I’ll be late.” When Mizuki got to the office, he brought along Vitamin C packets and took some at his desk. “Hey, these are actually pretty tasty. I should probably send her an email thanking her for the oranges. Maybe, she does care about me, even in her own sadistic way? Why else would she send a care package filled with supplement and fruits?”

“I should probably go talk to Shishio about the fax I sent in earlier. I wonder if he’s in yet? Come to think about it, I didn't’ see him at his desk earlier and that’s unusual. Maybe, he’s embarrassed about the coffee incident last Friday? Afterall, he is my superior and being in that state would leave anyone fuming for days.

It was like any other day at work, when Mizuki went about his regular routines making copies, he accidentally overheard a conversation between two girls working in general affairs talking about the almighty Shishio.

“Say, did you hear about what happened to Shishio?” “No, what happened,” whispered one of the girls. “I heard that he’s out sick today with some sort of stomach virus.” “Really?! That’s odd, he still comes in when he’s sick. This is very unlike him to miss even a single day of work.”

“Shishio is sick?”

December 20, 2014

[table=width: 500, align: center]

[tr]

[td]Shishio held the crumpled wrapper of the Snickers in his hands, eyes shooting daggers at it. Beep the beeping overdated Snickers beeper! He wanted to scream from this confining space called the toilet.

"Hey, are you OK?" Mutsuki banged on the door, must be to make sure he wouldn't be involved in any latent death.

The knot inside his stomach twitched before swirling around again. The feeling was nothing different from having your viscera pulled out of your body. His hand clutched the aching stomach as sweat drops dotted on his forehead.

Flushing the toilet, Shishio cleaned his mouth for the third time. When the door was opened, a Mutsuki who had been sitting on the floor like a ball looked up at him. The 21-year-old college student stood up, eyeing Shishio's pale face worriedly as the boy reached out for his face.

"It's fine," Shishio brushed the hand aside then walked away. "You shouldn't be here. Your daddy will fir-..."

"You don't care about craps like that," Mutsuki said poutingly, made his way to the kitchen where he had prepared a nice, hot porridge, one of Shishio's favorite dishes in the menu. The man had explained it was because he wouldn't have to chew.

"I do now," Shishio pulled out a chair and dropped his lifeless body on it. He laid his face on the table, groaning in agony as whatever inside his stomach just shuffled. "And you know why."

"Yeah, I do," the boy put the bowl down in front of Shishio's face, leaving the rest of the work to its delicious scent. Smelling the pork chop emitting from the porridge, like Mutsuki had expected, Shishio detached his face from the wooden surface and started filling his emptied stomach. "Isn't he straight?"

"Yeah, so?" Held the spoon in his mouth, Shishio looked at Mutsuki, his emerald eyes not avoiding brown ones. Eventually, the latter veered his gaze away first.

"He sent you a fax at five this morning," Mutsuki settled down next to the older man, handing the paper which Shishio scanned thoroughly. "This should be forwarded to Tsuki, right?" Mutsuki, the son of Toko Publisher had early grasped the basics in the company. At the age of 18, he had committed a non-serious relaltionship with Shishio Sousuke, the talented art director. Shishio always showed him which drawings he would choose for the books, which he wouldn't and explained the reasons. Which was why Mutsuki could easily tell Shishio wouldn't shake his head to this art.

"Little miss Tyranny will be thrilled," Shishio chuckled and flicked out the phone in his pocket. Jumping down from the stool, he was one step away from dialing her when she called him herself. Swiping the green button, he grinned. "How convenient, I was just about to call you."

"Keep lying, Shishio," He could see Tsuki holding a tobacco between her fingers, blowing out white smokes as she was leaning on the banisters.

"He is telling the truth, Tsuki-chan," Mutsuki chirped which was rewarded with a smack in the head. The gentle kind, of course. "Ow!" However, wailing was his profession.

"Call me tyranny and you are a dictator." Tsuki, who did not actually see what was going on commented sharply. "You two are getting back together?"

"No," Shishio sighed. "We won't be."

The answer flattened out the entire warm atmosphere when Mutsuki fell out of his will to continue making jokes. He became quiet and obedient.

"Then why is he there?"

"Let's not talk about this."

Mutsuki flopped on his bed and crawled under the sheet, earning himself a poke to the side from Shishio. The boy only muffled something rhymed with "Stupid", then remained still.

"What brings you to call me?" Shishio sat down next to the limp prostrate body next to him.

"I received a call from your employee this morning, saying he was appreciated that I sent him a gift basket whose existence I didn't even know until then. Is this your doing, Shishio?"

Oh, man. It was alright, he had foreseen this. Shishio breathed out before lying down. Mutsuki peaked out at him from his artifical blanket shell. "You should say you're glad that he likes it."

"OK," Then they both ended the call.

"You know she is a writer but she is not-..." Mutsuki was cut off halfway by the sound of the bell.

Mutsuki shinked down in the sheet again as Shishio hopped off the bed to answer the door.

The other did not know who was outside the door but he knew the moment Shishio saw who it was, the man had literally picked up from the bed, carried him bridal style and dumped him into the closet. His face was a series of emotion, various from happy to freakout.

"It's him." With those final words, Shishio closed the closet's door.[/td]

[/tr]

[/table]

December 20, 2014

I really don't know why I'm visiting Shishio. Why am I being so nervous? It's not like I've never talked to him before. Well, whatever. After a series of unfortunate decisions, I found myself walking to Shishio's place. I guess I was worried, because he was a no show at work today and this wasn't like him at all.

No, that wasn't it either. I'm here, because I am also anxious about the cover art I sent him this morning. When I called Tsuki, she didn't say anything. So I was left wallowing in the worst case scenarios sector and oh boy, I can definitely say that it eats you up on the inside.

I'm probably a walking wrecking ball right now. My hands are sweaty and my face feels flustered. I just hope that's he alright and just skipping work, because he just wanted to. Hopefully, he's well enough to open the door. I don't want to get there and have him absent or deathly ill that he wouldn't be able to open the door. Oh god, thinking about this is making me more nervous.

It didn't take long for me to find his place and when I got there, it wasn't too bad. I guess you can say it has a placid aurora to it. When I got to the door, I could hear Shishio talking to someone, and that made me even more jittery. Before I could properly knock on the door, the door opened.

"Is Shishio here?" The male didn't say anything to me, he just let me in. He looked like a train wreck, his hair was unruly and has begs under his eyes. When I entered, I felt a sense of tranquility. The place was nice, unlike my place, which was a pigsty.

December 20, 2014

[table=width: 500, align: center]

[tr]

[td]He was greeted with a not-so-warm 'Is Shishio here?'. He was dumbfounded, unable to answer because he was standing right in front of Mizuki. Tightening his grip on the doorknob, he sniffled the bitterness inside. Mizuki's complexion was distinctively better than the other day. He must have used the vitamins Shishio sent. One moment ago, he had to bite in a wordless pain; now, a garden of various flowers and trees was growing his head. Finger rubbing his runny nose, he followed behind Mizuki. Thanked to Mutsuki, his apartment was cleaned partly. Speaking of Mutsuki... A fuzzy image of a backpack and trench coat appeared. Shishio was about to run for those then he thought it didn't matter. Mizuki would think that they were his belongings. His gaze wandered aimlessly and somehow landed on the white neck before him, only half a meter away. His heartbeat accelerated. He pursed his lips, searching almost in desperation for a distraction.

"Why-..." His voice was husky, which had him clear his throat a couple of times. "Why are you here? Is there anything happened at the company?"

Mizuki flinched then did a perfect U turn. Their face had never been this close, so close that Shishio could see his reflection in those hazel brown eyes, that his skin was tingled from the sensation of the other's breaths on his face, that the textures of Mizuki's lips were so clear to his vision. Shishio stumbled backward in a loss, eyelids fluttering, mouth dry. He swallowed all the temptation suddenly arose down and ground his teeth, changing his view to the white carpet.

Mutsuki curled into a ball inside the closet, hands over his ears. Don't.

"I'm sorry," He voiced before Mizuki could say anything and raised his fisted hands just to drop them limply to the sides. "It's just..." A tired breath left his lips. "Do you need anything?"

[/td]

[/tr]

[/table]

December 20, 2014

I immediately was taken aback when I heard those words, 'Why are you here? Is there anything happened at the company?' It was Shishio, but he didn't say anything when I was at the door, he just made a you can come in gesture. I knew I should have brought my glasses with me today. Well, at least I know that he isn't deathly ill. Oh boy, this is gonna get awkward. I've never been at my superior's place before. I just found myself wanting to see if he was alright.

"Hum, are you okay?" That didn't come out right. Shoot. Why, am I getting so anxious? It's not like me, maybe I should try to break the ice? "Hum, do yaou want to try any of the supplement packets Tsuki sent me this morning? They're good and they work like a charm." Shit, why isn't he saying anything? Oh man, he doesn't want me here? This is turning for the worst, how do I tell him that I was worried about what happened on Friday and that I was nervous about him missing work?

"Hum, the reason why I came, was because I was worried about you. It's not like to to miss work and it's not like you to not get back at me after I sent in the cover. I'm here, because I thought you collapsed or something. I overheard the girls from general affairs talking about you and I was really worried. I didn't expect to find myself walking here, but I did. When you opened the door, I didn't recognized you. I feel really bad right. I thought I heard you talking to someone just a minute ago? Am I interrupting something? If I am, I can leave."

December 21, 2014

[table=width: 500, align: center]

[tr]

[td]'Is he saying he's worried about me?' Shishio's thoughts swirled around this new discovery, ringing bells and throwing flowers. The beats of his heart were so loud he could hear the drumming in his ears. Hopes rose inside him albeit weakly like fireflies. How long had he been this desperate? Why out of all people on Earth was the person in front of him? Why did that person have such clear brown eyes that made his legs turn limp? What was so attractive about the point little nose and those cherry plump lips? How would it feel like to have them between his lips?

The shuffling sound coming from the closet woke him up from the transient wallow. His bright green eyes was staring into a widening brown ones. Their noses were brushing, breaths entangling. His heart stopped beating. He needed an excuse, fast and immediately. His hand quickly improvised, wiping the corner of Mizuki's eye when Shishio slowly straightened himself up to lie.

"There was something in your eyes." He chuckled lightly. Nothing seemed have weights at that moment because he could hardly feel anything but the anxiety, the urge to put an end to this meeting before anything than that almost kiss could come up. Like his hormones. His brain recycled the last words Mizuki said to him to produce an acceptable reply. "Um, you are not interrupting anything," Shishio lowered his headed and rubbed his neck, eyes turning to look at the closed closet. "If you are here to talk about the new drawing you sent me which I received a couple minutes ago, I might not be at my best state for work at the moment." He then promptly looked up at Mizuki, flashing a soft smile. "Maybe tomorrow?" His hands fell on Mizuki's shoulders as he started leading the other to the door. There was a problem rising in his pants. "I appreciate your consideration but I'm fine. Just need a day off and tomorrow everything will be back to normal." He stopped his track when they were only a meter away from the door. "Your art is amazing. This time Tsuki will definitely shut up and fall heads over heels for you, Mizuki." Shishio released the other's shoulders, finger slightly brushing the skin near the collar as if it was an accidental touch. "Now go home and get a rest. Drink the vitamins so you won't catch my disease."

After the front door was closed behind Mizuki's back, he flopped down on the carpet, supine. A thousand thoughts ran through his mind which made him groan into his palms. Why did he do that? Wasn't that literally a polite way to kick someone out of his house? Chances like this wouldn't come a second time in a million years. But... even if given opportunities, what could he do? Pushed the other down on bed and proved homosexual was better hetero? Shishio ruffled his head at the dense thought when his ears caught the creaking sound of his old closet. Someone was walking close to him and was he blind, he could still tell who that was.

"You are so pathetic when it gets serious," The boy whispered.

"Shut up," Eyes remained closed, he said tersely.

"Shut me up then," Mutsuki bent down at the same time Shishio opened his eyes and saw. A scarf which was so familiar to him but not to his house and this hanger. The moment their lips touched, there was a sound at the door. [/td]

[/tr]

[/table]

December 21, 2014

Did he just kicked me out politely? Well, I guess it couldn’t be helped. I pretty much forced my way in, unannounced, but what was he trying to hide? I could swear that I heard another man’s voice just seconds before he opened the door.

Why was he acting so weird and why was he looking into my eyes? I could have practically fainted from that alone, when he did. He made me a nervous wreck. I tried to keep my composure, but he kept on getting closer to me. Sheesh. Was he trying to intimidate me? Test me? Was he joking with me, like a fish out of water? Thinking about this is making my head spin in circles.

Why am I burning up anyways? Sigh. I’m thinking too much about something that isn’t even there, but I must admit he looked really handsome in that disheveled hairs of his and his worn-out sweats. Why am I blushing right now? I’m a man damn it and he’s my boss. Sure, I was flustered when he got close, but that doesn't mean anything! I’m probably putting way too much thought into this! He was probably just in a happy go lucky mood.

Sigh.

What time is it anyways? Crap, it’s seven, already? Oh my, I have a dinner date at eight. Shoot, I have to get back home fast. I totally forgot about it ad it's thanks to Shishio. How could I. she's gonna kill me? Don't have time to think...

Pause.

Yeah, never mind, I was so caught up with Shishio and his tall tale sign of hiding something...that I totally forgot about meeting up with Kaminari. Oh man, why did mom have to set me up with her?!

.

It looks like I can't find anything to wear. Crap!! My hair is also unruly! Whatever, I don’t have time for this. Anything’s fine and I’ll comb my hair in the car. She wouldn’t mind my looks, would she?

Great, it looks like I was able to comb this unruly hair. “Nari, I'm truly sorry about being late. I was meeting up with my boss about my cover illustration for Tsuki's latest book and lost track of time. How are you?”

“You do know that I was waiting for over thirty minutes?” “I’m sorry, it was all business and I would have came, but I was...well, you could say it took longer than I expected.” “Well, I don’t want to hear that from you.” “What was that for?” “The kiss is a debt to be paid in full the next time I see you. Don’t forget it.”

Oh man, she just kissed me! But...but, I’m gay.

December 25, 2014

[table=width: 500, align: center]

[tr]

[td]Beep.Beep.

Morning light crept through the gap between the ebony curtains and fell onto his bed. Clothes were scattered on the floor from the front door to his bedroom. The trench coat was on the table kitchen while the yuca pack was lying on the floor. A soft snore brushed his left ear like a mew of a kitty while his nose breathed in the dry, crispy scent of winter...

Beep.Beep.Be-

A hand slammed on the digital alarm.

"Ugh," The blanket rustled and flipped aside in a bunch as Shishio rose up from his supine position, naked. "What time is it?" He looked over his shoulders to find a sleeping Mutsuki who then groped for his hand.

"It's still early," the boy muttered then pulled Shishio's arm weakly. "Stay."

"I'm not going anywhere. It's my apartment," he said, crouching down to gather his shirt. "Plus, if you wake up now, I will make you breakfast."

Mutsuki bolted up and snatched away the white shirt which originally belonged to Shishio. The man sighed while Mutsuki pulled the shirt over his head. His lips were grinning, hands ironing the wrinkles in vain.

"I haven't worn this for a while," He whispered nostalgically, his fingers curling around the hem of Shishio's shirt. His baby blue eyes sparkled when zoomed into a gorgeous but solemn mien. "We are ...together now, again, right?"

"Good afternoon, Shishio!" Toshiro, a colleague in the same dept, threw his arm over Shishio's shoulder as he was on his way to the office. Mutsuki had wasted away all of his morning with the boy's demands, only letting him go until it was 12:30 PM. "I heard you got a bad flu."

"It wasn't anything serious. Did something happen while I was away?"

"Nothing big," Toshiro looked at the ceiling, scratching his chin, pretending to be deep in thoughts. "Except for this morning, Mizuki had this chick come over and give him a bento full of love."

And his steps came a halt which only lasted a second. Nobody knew that a 9.0-richter earthquake had occurred in his mind or that his legs could no longer feel the floor.

"Really?" He chuckled dryly.

"Yeah, well, the kid looks not bad so it isn't really a surprise to see that," Toshiro shrugged, completely oblivious to the sudden change of atmosphere.

"Of course, unlike this colleague of mine whose status is celibacy," Pursing his dry lips then releasing them into a wide smile, Shishio sent Toshiro an implicit look which earned him a punch in the forearm.

"Hey, hey, that won't be prolonged anymore now. Because tonight I'm going to a goukon!"

"Whatever, mate," Shishio shoved his hands into the jeans' pockets, laughing at the Toshito’s idiocy.

"Oh, come on, wish me luck. Hi there, Mizuki-kun," Toshiro waved at the person in front of him. "Look who has come back from the dead?" Apparently, no one had a slightest idea that Mizuki had come over. As a pair of hazel eyes glimpsed at him, Shishio flexibly raised his wrist to stare at the watch dully, all this stupidity for the sole purpose of distancing himself from the other. However, after hearing a soft dutiful ‘good afternoon’, how could he not reply?

Forcing his eyes to part with the texture on the leather strap of his watch, Shishio beamed (something he had successfully learnt from the Sale Dept, the powerful smile-even-if-your-dog’s-just-died). “Hey there, how is everything? Congratulations on your new girlfriend!”

His lips suddenly froze. It had never been so hard to pull up a smile. So instead, he lowered his head and chose to pat on Mizuki’s shoulder.

“You have surpassed your senspai,” He wondered if his laugh at that moment looked crooked, if his face were any different from yaoming or if his eyes revealed some truth that should forever remain a secret. "About your illustration," He changed the subject. "Tsuki loves it. You don't have to worry."

This morning he had faxed the young author the cover which he had redesigned with Mizuki's work as the cover. Needless to say, she was thoroughly satisfied which was why she suddenly had the peace of mind to bring out the Mutsuki issue.

"It's really nothing. He was just on his way back after a party and conveniently visited me along the way." He lied. Who would tell the truth when it wasn't on your side?

"And you guys have a boy sleepover party! Yay!"

"Enough sarcasm there," He scratched his head. "Nothing happened. Not all the way."

"Save the gory details for someone else."

"I don't intend to tell you anyway."

"What did you say to him, Sousuke?"

The empty gaze in Mutsuki's eyes materialized sharply in his mind. The way the boy hunched his shoulders while picking the scattering clothes had been haunting ever since he arrived the publisher. He knew he was wrong that other night. He shouldn't have taken up the offer even though Mutsuki said he was glad that had happened. Shishio had rejected the boy again, rejected Mutsuki to give it a try, a try in Mizuki. There were many regrets in Shishio's life but he didn't want Mizuki to be one of them. But now that, the artist was officially in a relationship... Shishio, as usual, was always one step behind. And he couldn't take the responsibility for all the damage he could create.

"I can't believe you! You are a f-cking coward!"

"I-..."

"How could you say that to Mutsuki after all you have done?!"

"Nothing hap-..."

"Stop being selfish for once! You are almost 30!"

[/td]

[/tr]

[/table]

January 6, 2015

“Look at me. Hey, do you know how hard it was for me to find this place? I made an obentou for you out of love. Don’t forget what you said last night.” Her voice floated through his mind, weightless yet haunting. He didn’t look at her straight in the eyes but focus on her helix, instead. Her voice piercing, like a scorching arrow penetrating through his eardrums.

“Of course not, how could I forget?” Still unable to unpack between what happened last night or from this morning. He was utterly, confused.

“Good, you should treat your fiancee better. I mean, you’re almost 26 and this one sided relationship has never stopped since when we were kids. I’ve always loved you. Look at me. It’s about time that we take a step forward.” What was she talking about? What steps should we make? What would be the best reply? His thoughts swirled frantically like a deer running away from the predator. Her words kept evaporating into a mist and he was drowning.

What the heck is she saying? This must be some kind of joke? I must be dreaming? “Ah. Ah. Ahh, I understand.”

He just wanted everything to work out with his love life and work life, but suddenly it turned into vapor. Nari. Her throat. Her lips. Last night… Shishio...

“Look at me, can we step outside for a minute? I just want to talk to you one-on-one.” Her eyes were fixated on him.

“Why can’t we do it here?” Her gazed pierced through his soul. Suddenly, changing in tone. How do I reply? Should I really go? It was an ominous feeling, but…?

She moved her hands to her waist and her feet was tapping on the floor, “This is personal. I want to go somewhere in solitude.”

“Fine.” The tone in her voice changed from someone who was about to murder someone, to being calm and collected. The ominous aura went away.

She left.

“Look we didn’t have sex for the hell of it last night. You were a willing participant. I don’t care if you were drunk, you were drunk enough to know how to get in my pants. Then, you asked me to marry you. I don’t care if you were joking or not, a marriage proposal is still a marriage proposal and it stands. You get it don’t you?! We’re officially engaged now! You need to take responsibility and atone for your mistakes.” Wait. Did I hear her right? His thoughts swirled through his head, knocking the breath out of him and his lips were glued together.

“...b-but…” No, what is she saying? I didn’t do anything. Was it was all a drunken mistake? The words that he was looking for didn’t vocalized.

“Are you even listening to me Mizuki?” He looked up and then nodded. Wait. No. How can I blindly agree to this? Closing his eyes, he could feel an increasing and pulsating thud from his chest.

“So it’s settled then? I’ll see you tonight?”

‘Whew,’ but out of the frying pan and into the fire. Shit, I’ve dug a grave and I’m going to be in it.

He was looking back in horror and his hands were sweaty. He wanted to collapse. How did this happened? I mean I remember meeting up with her, she kissed me and we had dinner, but I really don’t remember anything after that. I slept with her? No, I couldn’t have? Did I really proposed? This isn’t like me.

Suddenly, a hand out of nowhere, slapped him across the back of his head. “Yo, hey, you look like you seen death. Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m fine.”

The male stepped back, putting his hands on his shoulders, “Look if you need to talk, I’m all ears.”

His eyes turning red in hue, “I messed up big time.” His heart was racing and he was already gasping for air. “This is a blur to me.”

Toshiro looked straight into Mizuki eyes, “You mean…?”

“Nothing, I’m fine.” His was voice trembling and his legs were going to give out, before he could finish the sentence. “Hum…”

Taking two steps back, Toshiro looked down at the floor, raising his right hand and resting it on the back of his head, looking on, he said, “Look, I’m in no position to say anything. I’ve kept this to myself for a while now, but I think you should know. If not from me, sooner or later it’s gonna be too late. So listen.”

Toshiro sat down, moving his right hand from his head into his pocket, tapping his right foot on the banister next to the smoking pit, “I don’t know how to word this. Hum... I think you should know that Shishio is in love with you.”

“What?! You can’t be serious Toshiro?!” What is he talking about? Huh?! Come again?

Being taken aback by those words, he fell back on the wall behind him. He wiped away the beads of sweat on his forehead. “No, quit playing around?!”

Toshiro slammed his fist on the smoking pit, “Look at me, look into my eyes, why would I be lying? I have have no reason to! I’m not gonna gain anything, if I was. Shishio loves you, because I’ve watched him for years. He always looks at you with adoring eyes. He always find excuses to talk to you. It makes me sick! Sick, because you were oblivious. It astonishes me, because he never made the first move. It’s nauseating to look at him everyday drooling over you. You must be really...what word can I use to describe your seemingly elusive scattered brain? Stupid?”

“I feel like everyone in the office knows that Shishio is gay. Yet, you probably didn’t realized it, because you were so busy with Tsuki’s art illustration or you were really elsewhere, mentally.” He got up and kicked the wall beside Mizuki. “Look, you should do something about it. You’re in love with Shishio, aren’t you? Do something before its too late.”

“Look, I ain’t telling you all of this out of pity. It’s just that I overheard you and that Nari earlier. I just happened to be outside and she was practically at your throat. So yeah, it’s hard to block all that shit out and yeah the human curiosity in me, got the better of me. So, I eavesdropped.”

What should I do? It has never been so hard to breathe. Then, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

“Mizuki, we never had this conversation, you hear me? When we get back, you need to act normal. I don’t care if you’re still in shock, because I don’t need Shishio to get suspicious and surely, I don’t want to get in the middle of this love triangle.”

“Yeah! I won’t say anything to him.” I just want to go home and wake up from his hellish nightmare.

So, today I learned something new. I learned that: I got engaged to Nari. I also learned that Shishio is in love with me. Laughing to himself, he looked up at the sky, “This universe is twisted in every single way, imaginable.”

January 14, 2015

[table=width: 500, align: center]

[tr]

[td]He was stupefied. A mere crave for a smoke ended up as an encounter to a horrid disclosure.

As Mizuki dashed off without noticing a hunching figure in the corner by the door, hidden in the darker shade, Shishio dragged out a cigarette from the Malboro box and lit it up. He sucked in the bitter taste of tobacco then blew out a cloud of grey smoke. Eyes looking at the dark white ceiling above him, he waited for Toshiro to walk through that door to balcony then spoke.

"Aren't you just the nosy one?" He smirked at the pair of artisanal shoes next to him.

"Better than a coward," was the reply making him stunned. He ought to laugh at himself for acting surprised. Tsuki was roght. They were so right to the point where his tongue only tasted bitterness and Mizuki engaged to a woman. His teeth grinded on the end of the cigarette, leaving deep marks. "You should put that off before the chief sees," Not until then did it dawn on him that his fingers were crumpling the white collar of Toshiro's button down shirt, eyes throwing draggers at the other's audacious ones, thick veins vivid on his reddening neck. His eyes were like those of an angry lion. One wrong move, you are eaten.

"Who gives you the rights to-..." He growled through the gritting teeth. He wondered if this was how it felt like to be burned alive. Everything was boiling. His brain was close to blow off

"Spilling the beans?" Toshiro snickered. "The beans are rotten!"

Releasing the man with a hard shove, Shishio tore the cigarette away from his lips and tossed it into the ashtray. The flickering cherry light died off and disintegrated into thousands pieces in the water. Avoiding body contacts with Shishio, Toshiro shifted then strode ahead while the former glowered at the drenching and withering cigarette.

"How..." His lips parted as if to ask the decayed pieces of tobacco. "How can I recover the beans?"

Whatever everybody was saying went into one ear and out through the other as Shishio intertwined his fingers, observing the others talk while all in the same time not paying attention. It had been a crucial meeting in which HR cut-down was mentioned. He faintly remembered that the Art Department was going to have an entire new face. Walking through the automate door with a dim 'Leaving so soon' by his ear, though his head was still high, his eyes pinned on the flower flagstones of the pavement. Then he was seeing his hand gripping on the holder inside a train to a stop he could not figure out. So he simply resolved all problem by staring out of the window: dark, pitch dark. All of a sudden he understood that something was broken and he was dying a little each moment passed by and the world had finally become monochrome. He found himself lost in a silent movie where there was neither sounds nor colors. Scientific fundamentals were redefined as his footsteps bore no weights, raindrops pouring out from his eyes and as if it was a God-sent, rivulet of alleviation freezing his thoughts. Then there was a burst of sparkling lights.

'Why the hell does everyone have so many heads it isn't funny? Crap, they are even half-transparent... Hey, that four-head f*cker stole my phone. He even poisoned me. Son of A Bitch! Darn, I feel nauseous. The interiors are about to go up from my stomach, through the throat and out of the mouth. Don't touch me, you S.A.B! I need to get out of here. I need to go... But... To where?

'Where do they go when the world is ending?'

The bartender wiped away the beads of sweat on his forehead and cleaned away the blood-drenched towel and bandages before swiping his finger across the touch screen. Peering at the vomit on his shirt, he quickly dialed the first name appeared in the Recent Calls list. If this man stayed any longer, he would wreck a new havoc! Coming to this bar at 6am sharp, imbibing every bottle of wine he deemed enjoyable, draining to their last drop as if he drank to die. The bartender shuddered at the horrid thought but the injured hand was a harbinger which spoke volumes. Relief rushed to him when he heard a sign of reply from the other side of the line.

"Hello? Mizuki-san? I'm sorry to bother you but your friend has passed out in our bar. Can you come and pick him up? Wonderful! Thank you very much. Yes, the address is..."

Having told "Mizuki" his bar's location, he locked the phone then returned to the heap that reeked off Vodka and Whisky and crouched down to pick up small little pieces of a broken glass. Definitely beyond repair, the bartender thought.[/td]

[/tr]

[/table]

February 12, 2015

Downing a can of beer, Mizuki looked at Nari. He squinted his eyes. "Who are you...really?" He sulked through his parted lips. Everything was a blurred. "Me...you.." His mind was almost at its point of combustion.

2 hours later

“Nari, look. I had time to think about this. I don't think this is right. I don't remember proposing to you, if I did, my mind was all muddled up. You can't be serious about this, can you?" Mizuki pulled out his phone and began to scroll through his text messages. "Look, I don't remember sending you this. If this tells me anything, it tells me that, this wasn't composed by me." He inhaled all the air that he could. Eyes burning with frustration, he waited for Nari to respond, just anything, a simple explanation would suffice. "Nari please don't tell me, you-..."

Mizuki squalled. "Who gives you the right t-to, take my phone?!" His brain was about to explode. "Y-you, you sent those messages, didn't you?!"

"This isn't the way I write my messages, you, you sent everyone that message on my contacts, that we got engaged!! And this, this initial message from that night, you composed it didn't you? You made it look like I proposed to you, didn't you?!"

"Look at me! Tell me the truth!! You made everyone think that thi-this was all my doing!!" He gritted his teeth.

"Tell you the truth?!" Nari bickered. "Why don't you ask yourself?!"

"I have the ring and does it look familiar to you?!" Mizuki was taken aback, "Where did you get that?!" Nari grinned, "Where do you think I got this ring?! You gave it to me. Y-O-U!!! You are horrible!!!"

The flickering of the living room's lights dimmed, "You, you're just looking for a way out aren't you?" Growled Nari. Mizuki took two steps back, as she approached. "You look at me, you aren't getting out of this that easily. You proposed in a drunken frenzy and I don't do, do overs. We also had sex!"

Nari pinned Mizuki to the wall, "Whatever you think you know, isn't true. I don't know the password to your phone. I don't compose messages like that and if I were to do it in such a manner, I would opt for emailing all of your recipients. I'll do it the classy way." She ran her fingers through her hair, observing him, his moves, his body language. "This isn't over yet, you hear me Mizuki?!" He hesitantly nods. His heart was racing as if it was about to burst out of his chest, hitting her in the face. He was angry. If this is what you call a murderous rage, then this was the feeling that would accompany that word in the dictionary. Her eyes were full of daggers, about to attack its prey at any given moment. “I-I understand. B-but, if I find out that this was your doing… I-I...”

‘She just pisses me off to no end. If I could just...I would have my way. I would hit the next train out of town and you would never see me again!’ He clenched on the closest object he could grab. He was a beaming ball of rage.

“Nar-Nari.” Tch. “I’m gonna step outside for a smoke. You can leave.” Mizuki snickered. Nari returned a narcissistic smile.

“Hey, Mizu-Mizuki, your phone is ringing.” Nari yelled, looking back towards the front door. “Mizuki! Answer your freaking phone! Damn it!!” She peered out the door, she looked to the left and to the right. ‘Where is he?’ She murmured. “It couldn’t be helped…” “Hello?”

"Hello? Mizuki-san? I'm sorry to bother you but your friend has passed out in our bar. Can you come and pick him up?"

“Friend? Who is this friend..? A girl?” She hung up and chucked the phone at the couch. “Getting a phone call close to 6:30am from a frantic bartender? I wonder who could this friend be?"

“Welcome back. Where did you go?” Nari snickered. “Are you cheating on me?” Mizuki was stunned, “Excuse me? What are you going on about again?” He cringed.

“I mean, you just got a phone call from a bartender asking you to pick up a friend, who is passed out at the bar. Who is this friend? Is it a girl?” Ranted Nari.

He looked at her, ‘N-no, it can’t be?’ “Nari, what’s the address?” Mizuki gasped.

“No, I’m not gonna tell you, until you tell me who this friend is!”

“I think it’s Toshiro.” Hesitated Mizuki, “Yeah, it’s Toshiro.”

“Who is this Toshiro?” puckered Nari.

“A coworker. So, tell me where’s the location?”

“Fine, but I’m coming along to.”

“Oh bloody hell. FINE!”

He was dumbfounded. “Shi-Shishiro?!?” He looked at the other who was passed out in the corner of the bar. “Are you serious?!” Gasped Mizuki. “You’ve got to be kidding me!”

“Are you Mizuki?” Asked the bartender.

“Yes I am, but why is there a blood-drenched towel and bandages over there?” He whimpered.

“Well, this fellow right over there was singing drinks all night, he called out your name after he collapsed on the table and expelled the contents of his stomach all over. He managed to get up from that chair and then blacked out in that corner. Please take him home.”

He was stunned. Shishiro was curled up in a ball, a cry for attention, Mizuki kicked the heel of Shishiro's shoe and pulled out his keys. He took in two deep breaths and then exhaled, he waited for Nari's response. "Aren't you gonna ask how he got this way or who he is…? You’re awfully quite this evening.” He looked over and paused at Shishiro's lifeless body.

‘Toshiro was right. He pointed out that there may have been something boiling inside Shishiro's heart.’ He teeth gritted, making a sound as he falsely smiled, "Nari, please help me carry him to the car." One miscalculation and Nari would lash out. "How can this even end wel-well…?" Everything was disheveled and now this. His brain was close to erupting. ‘Calm down...take a deep breath and carry him to the car…’

Grabbing onto the other, Mizuki pulled him on his back. The shimmer of the morning's sun glaring through the drapery of the bar's window. 'That bastard Toshoro was dead on. He must have drowned his sorrows in alcohol.' He pinned his eyes at the pavement. Then, he turned around, "Nari, do you plan to stay at my place?"

He found himself at a lost for words. All of a sudden a rush of emotion flushed through his system, ending in a rage. Everything halted as if the cinematic record stopped, his pulse pulsating, 'I want this to end, but for some reason carrying him on my back feels serene.'

'What happens now, when he comes to?'

February 14, 2015

[table=width: 500, align: center]

[tr]

[td]Someone kicked his shoe but the headache forced his eyelids to close. Moreover, he didn't want to wake up at least not until he could give up. Shishio felt himself lifted up then fell down on something like a human's back. Suddenly, it all went back to the year he was a seven-year-old kid. There was this bike belonged to a kid in his class he really liked. That bike was made by the boy's father and himself. So it couldn't be found anywhere. Shishio had wanted it so badly that he came face to face to the boy and offered many prices. To some vague point, the boy bolted towards Shishio and started beating him. Of course, he fought back fiercely but in the end, nobody won. His father quickly arrived when the school called home to inform about the incident. As they walked back, Mr Shishio had given his beat-up son a piggyback ride. Sousuke leaned on his father's shoulder, unable to drop the bike issue just yet.

"I like that bike so much," he mumbled.

"Do you know that bike was his father's last present to him, Sousuke?" Replied Mr Shishio.

"What does that mean?" He asked.

"His father was a soldier," Mr Shishio turned back to look at his son with a sad smile. "He passed away last year on a mission. The last gift that boy ever received from his father is that bike. To him, that bike is more precious than anything. You cannot say you like that bike more than him so you should be its owner. You cannot buy it with any prices because there is none. Do you understand me, Sousuke?"

"I give up," his eyes were already half opened when Mizuki turned around and saw. Shishio's lips curved up gently. This was it. Compared to the woman who Mizuki about to marry, he lost on every aspects. And he couldn't say he loved Mizuki more than she did because love never had a scale. It could not be measured or counted. And a person could not be owned by another person. A person could only belong with somebody they chose. In this case, Shishio was not the chosen one. "You can let me down now."

He said then pushed Mizuki forwards so he could jump down. Shishio did a wobbly moonwalk but regained balance in no time. It wasn't a pleasant landing since it resulted in a major headache. So much for a hangover, he thought as he straightened up his back. A young lady was in his vision. She had this odd look on him that made Shishio wanted to avoid communication at any costs. However, when he realized the close distance between her and Mizuki, it just clicked.

"Is this your fiancé?" He chuckled slightly, trying to hide the bitter taste at the tip of his tongue. Mizuki's reaction was out of his calculation. Is every groom-to-be surprised at such a simple yes-or-no question, he wondered. "Sorry, I must look like trash at the moment," he smiled apologetically at the woman. "I'll introduce myself more properly if we have a chance of meeting again. Now, excuse me."

His feet swiftly moved. By a miracle, Shishio managed to walk straight as if he wasn't currently suffering from a hangover and a heart attack. "Thanks, Mizuki. I'm sorry about all the troubles I've caused," he patted Mizuki's shoulder. This time, instead of wanting to have his fingers lingered there longer, Shishio wished he could run right away. He stared in widening eyes as a hand was grabbing his wrist tightly.

"Mizuki," the name slipped out of his mouth sounded softer than natural. "You don't have to worry. I'm OK. I can take care of myself. I've brought enough troubles."

Then he ripped off the hand which had clung to him just a second ago.

"My apartment is near here," he lied. Mizuki had come to his place once. Shishio hoped this blatant fib wouldn't be seen through. "I'm off. See you tomorrow."

Even if it happened, he hoped Mizuki had enough sensitivity to stay where he was. As Shishio strolled towards an undecided location, he exhaled in relief. There was no footstep behind him. He quickly took a turn as soon as one appeared. In all honesty, he had no recognition of the place he was. He didn't even know how he got to here. Something in his stomach lurched, pushing all organs inside his stomach to his gullet. He clutched his torso and lumped into an alley to vomit on a pile of trash. It came out like waves, one after another. Every time he thought it was over, he bent down again. Swearing under his breath wih his teeth clenched, Shishio coveted all this nausea would go away.

"You look like shit," a voice echoed behind his back.

"Sorry," he used the sleeve to wipe his mouth. Mutsuki frowned at the bandaged hand.

"What happened?"

Finally, Shishio stood up to regard Mutsuki wih concerning eyes. In one of Tsuki's book, the name Mutsuki belonged to a character who was unable to lie. The origin of that was in front of him at this moment. Mutsuki was Mutsuki. Mutsuki couldn't deceit anyone because the truth was always on his visage though Tsuki always said that sort of magic only occurred to Shishio.

"This," he glanced at his dextrous hand. "I hurt myself accidently."

"You..." Mutsuki fisted his hand into a ball. "Because of what you got drunk? Because of what you, an artist, hurt his own f*cking hand?! Because of what?"

"I GIVE UP!" Mutsuki uncuonsciously took obesity step back, taken aback. "God, I give up. Be quiet, Mutsuki," Shishio breathed out.

"I-I am sorry," the boy pinned his eyes to the cement floor as his name was called. Despite the part of himself that ached for Shishio's current state, he couldn't be more happy. Mutsuki after all wasn't entirely the child he appeared to be. And Shishio happened to be the only one see through that masquerade. "Let's get you back," Shishio knew yet Shishio still treated him as if he was the nicest being on Earth.

"You should give up as well," Shishio said out of the blue. "Don't hurt yourself."

"Not helping," was Mutsuki's reply entangled with a small sniffle. "Not helping at all."

Giving up was never as easy as it sounded.

[/td]

[/tr]

[/table]

February 25, 2015

"I like that bike so much," Shishio mumbled in his sleep. Mizuki smiled, "It looks like he's talking about a bike of some sort."

"Yeah, like a crazy drunken baby if you asked me. I mean come on Mizuki, what's the point of going and picking him up from that bar? I mean it's not like he's gonna win boss of the year or anything. He was for lack of a better word, an ass to you when you worked on the Tsuki's project." She screech.

This was it. Nari was at her wits end. He knew that the other was slowly regaining his consciousness. In this case, what would happen next, he thought. He was anxious, not because the other was riding on his back, but because now was the moment of truth. He was caught in the middle of a love triangle. It was Mizuki versus Nari versus Shishio. Who would triumph? He knew that in a game of love and war, nobody comes out a winner. His heart was torn between his childhood friend and the boss whom he admired since day one. It wasn't like he hated the elder. Work was his vent, something that kept him distracted and his savior. His body went numb at the thought of the possible one on one confrontation between the two. Nari being the hard critic that she was, does not take no for an answer. She pulls tangents, every left and right whenever she could. It wasn't a pleasant situation, being stuck between the tyrant fiance and the boss who was until recently, studied and analyzed by Toshiro, was bluntly in denial. He shook his head, knowing that these thoughts weren't too far off the beaten path. A blacked out boss was on his back. He was for lack of a better word, a hot mess tangled, in a love triangle to boot.

Nari looked at the knocked out Shishio on her beloved’s back. She nudge him with her palm. Instantly he felt a rush of blood leaving his face. He chuckled accompanied with a now paled face. His heart was thumping, 'I really don't know what I'm gonna do when he wakes up! This is already awkward with Nari here, a jealous one at that and having him stay for the night. Oh god...let alone he might be sleeping in my bed.' Nari looked at the other after placing him in the back seat and grabbed the steering wheel with a condescending look. For a brief second, his hands didn’t waver, and he took back control of the vehicle. “Pfft.” He didn't react. "Nari, I just want to go home, it's already morning and I'm tired as hell. What now?! Are you trying to kill us all?!! I now, have the painstaking task of calling in sick for him. Please, just leave me alone for these couple of hours or at least until he wakes up. I beg of you. I won’t ask for anything else."

"Looks like we just made it in time before the morning traffic Nari. Can you please lock up the car? I'm gonna carry him inside," his eyes widen with displeasurement. The other was slouched in the back seat and his belly partially showing. "Sleeping like a baby without a care in the world I see. Geez, he is s-so-"

Mizuki carried him up a two flight landing in his apartment condo. He barely got to the front door and the other suddenly pushed him forward, jumping off. Half awake and half who knows what, did a wobbly moonwalk. "Wh-what?!" "No, no, no Shishio. What are you doing?" Mizuki gasped. “My, my looks like he’s awake now Mizuki.” Nari nonchalantly laughed as she walks up. The two stared at each other and at him, in his slurs he asked, “Is this your fiancé?" Accompanied with a half baked smile.

Mizuki looked on stunned. He reeked of alcohol. ‘How in the hell was he this fast on his feet after-?’ He pause for a response. "Sh-she's my-" accompanied with a panic after tone. The tyrant looked at him, "No! Yes! I am his fiance. How did you know?!" Grinning from ear to ear, "Don't tell me that Mizuki took the liberty of announcing it to the office?"

Shishio looked at the two, "Sorry, I must look like trash at the moment," smiling, "I'll introduce myself more properly if we have a chance of meeting again. Now, excuse me.” Patting Mizuki’s shoulder, "Thanks, Mizuki. I'm sorry about all the troubles I've caused.” The other looked straight into his eyes, "Mizuki...you don't have to worry. I'm OK. I can take care of myself. I've bought enough troubles." Pausing, "My apartment is near here...I'm off. See you tomorrow." Then he walked off without batting another eye.

Mizuki looked at Nari and she returned a smile, “Mizuki. Look at me! I’m cold, I’m hungry and I’m sleepy,” she grabbed the keys, jammed it in the keyhole and walked inside. His body didn’t know how to react. He looked at the girl, the demons in his dream, taking the keys from him, invading his space, his life. Of course, he wanted Shishio to stay, but-.

Just moments before, he was speechless, he looked at the two, one was walking down the stairs in the opposite direction and the other, the torment of his very existence, walking inside and collapsing on the couch. He immediately looked at the other corridor of the floor, then, turned around and looked at the she devil. She was already out cold.

He balled up his fist and hit the wall behind him, “No!” He shook his head. His mind was made up and there was no going back and he knew that his heart wanted something else. Velociously running after the other and catching up to him, who was halfway down the flight of stairs. “Sh-Shishio! Wait!!”

Screaming from the top of the landing. The other stopped and didn’t acknowledge his presence.

He murmured, trying to slur the pain that was stabbing into his sides. Shishio’s reaction was still that, just that a slight irritation at most. He pondered. His fingers were locked in a balled up fist and for a second, he didn't want this feeling to waver. Here onto, instead of wanting to release it, he crunched harder. He could feel his heart rate increasing like that of a marathon runner. "Ple-please," escaped his lips. He glanced at the floor, paused and proceeded, “I need to talk to you. Please hear me out.” As he leaped down the stairs. He wrapped his arms around the other’s waist, pulling him in, tears welled up in his eyes, “Shi-shi…please stay.” He broke down. “I-I think that I lo-lo-lo- you.”

Then he locked his fingers around the other's waist. Even though the other didn't immediately pulled away, he hoped that Shishio was awake enough to comprehend the situation, that he had his arms clenched around his waist. He gasped for air. The air around him was thick enough to slice like bread.

When he came to, from a brief cloud nine moment, his arms were already wrapped around the other. He didn't know how things led up to that point. All he knew, was that time froze. He was holding onto the other, something he had longed for without realizing it. He clutched onto the other's waist with his right ear against the back of the elder. His heart was racing like the raging waves. It was a nostalgic feeling to him. Muttering under his breath, Mizuki tighten his grip even more. "This is all a misunderstanding." Despite the part in his heart that wanted to keep Shishio with him, he couldn’t be happy, he knew that deep down Nari wouldn't let this one pass.

Love was a scary thing he puckered. Being thrown in a shuffle of a divorce, he was thrust between taking sides and now he was in his own horror cliched love triangle romance. "Crap," He flashed a frown. He tried not to have his eyes reflect his darkest thoughts. Everything had happened so quickly, before he could comprehend, than he could bat even an eye.

His mind was floating in an endless abyss like it seemed. When he came to, he was on the floor in his room. The last thing that came to his mind was that he was locked in a love embrace with his senpai. He ruffled his hair and rubbed his chin, “H-how in the hell did I get here again?”

March 4, 2015

[table=width: 500, align: center]

[tr]

[td]The next time he woke up to a recognisable face was when he realised he had been carried to Mutsuki's condo. He knew it was the boy's because there were several of his paintings hanging on the wall next to him and Mutsuki liked scented objects such as this cute little green handmade omamori hanged on the edge of the bed. Moreover, he had lived here when he was getting the pipe system in his apartment fixed. His index finger moved forward and touched the amulet. Its tiny bells sewed at each edges rang round, clean klings. He worked on getting up but the heaviness in his brain stopped him from trying. Shishio swore someone must have chop down his head with an axe or he was in a terrible hangover. A few smearing images of events that had taken place during his drunken state flashed across his mind like a strike of lightning in the sky, loud and painful.

"Fuck!"

He bolted up, hands pressing on his ears to obstruct all the echoes. His breaths slowly became uneven while heartbeats quickened their pace. A sound emitted from the right but it was muffled as if they were underwater. Coming into his vision was Mutsuki with a worried face. A cuckoo bird must be banging its beak against his skull. He groaned through gritted teeth, hoping to lessen the pain by any chances.

"My head is so hurt," he hissed then grabbed the glass that had beenough hovering around his face awhile. After downing all of its content, Shishio noticed the headache was partly alleviated so his eyes darted to Mutsuki. "I thought you said you'd bring me back to my place."

"You puked on my shirt," Mutsuki said calmly. His fingers twitched the ebony fabric of the sheet.

"Is that so? I'm sorry," Shishio ruffled his already tousled hair. "Ugh, I can't remember a thing before that alley. Shit. I need to take a bath."

"You reek of trash but you should wait a bit. The hot water aren't ready and you've just drunk Ukon no Chikara. Hey!" The bathroom door shut close soundly in front of him before Mutsuki was able to utter anymore protests. "If you got sick, I will kick you out! Seriously!"

Mutsuki huffed in dissatisfaction then scooted to the kitchen to make miso soup. A few minutes later, Shishio merged into the bedroom, a towel over the back of his neck, another towel wrapping around his waist.

"I think I left my grey sweatpants here! Where do you keep them?" He called out to Mutsuki.

"Bottom right drawer!" A voicr shouted back at him. "You left a suit, a tee, underwear and a pair of sweatpants here."

"Bollocks..." As his eyes scanned through the collection of clothes inside the wardrobe, they found a row of tailored suits. "Since when did you become such a fanciful person?" He took out the sweatpants and shut the door.

"Recently, does that bother you?" Mutsuki veered his head around so their eyes could meet. "I thought you should've known after the meeting held yesterday."

Shishio remained silent. The words that were at the tip of his tongue had been rescinded. He left the subject at that and brought on another by standing next to Mutsuki to see what the boy was making and if it was edible. When Shishio approached the other, the corner of Mutsuki's eye had twitched slightly which had ascertained Shishio's concern. Something had happened and Mutsuki trying to conceal it. He made no move to show that he had known, opting instead to help the boy preparing bowls and spoons. If Mutsuki wanted to hide something, it mustn't have been anything relatively good.

"Did you call in for me?" Shishio asked, picking up a slice of cucumbers and dropping into his mouth.

"Texted. Don't pick food like that," the boy smacked lightly on Shishio's hand. All of what they were doing felt like sweet scenes in a romantic TV drama but he couldn't help drifting his mind back to the time when Mizuki was a newbie and Shishio was in charge of teaching him the basis. It wasn't all warm and homey like this yet he coveted for a chance to go back in time and make things right.

Shishio placed the bowls on the wooden table and walked to his seat opposite of the other's.

"You should stay the night," Mutsuki suddenly suggested. The mouth that was agape with a spoon hovered near it pursed to a thin line, Shishio looking at him uneasily. "I don't have a chance?"

When his lips parted so Shishio could reply, Mutsuki cut in. "Please?"

"Whoa, what's with the whole polished gentleman style?" Toshiro greeted him with wide eyes and o-shaped mouth as he stepped into the elevator, hair slicked back, wearing a suit that spelled 'grandeur'. Mutsuki insisted on pulling him out of bed at seven in the bloody morning to prep for all of these. They even hopped in a shop to get a pair of Oxford shoes at eight while he was on his way to the station because people didn't wear Converse with suit apparently.

"None of your business. I feel like it," Shishio sighed, reaching his finger out to press on number 5 then the close button.

"Wait," Toshiro leaned forward to hit the open button, hand waving at a familiar face that stopped his pulse for a second. Bits and pieces of yesterday floated back to his memory, churning the inside of his stomach. He cleared his throat to gulp down the nauseous feelings. "Come quick!" While Toshiro kept waving frantically like a child, Mizuki was hesitating outside. Of course, Shishio must have scared him off with his drunkard behaviors and bad-timing. For a person who was the center of a triangle relationship, Mizuki must have been put in a complicated situation: his unwanted admirer met his lovely fiance.

There is a tug on his shirt.

The flash of memory wobbled his steps when he stepped out of the elevator.

"You go first. I just realised I have something to do," a curt reply and he strode away before Toshiro could spurt out something stupid relating to the person he was slowly enclosing distance.

Someone is holding him tight.

"I'm really sorry about yesterday. I hope I didn't say anything unacceptable," he bent down enough so his lips were adjoining Mizuki's left ear. His innards swirled as if a hand was rearranging their positions. He made a sharp left turn to the entrance when a chirpy voice spoke to him softly albeit surprisingly.

"You haven't gone up yet? You said you didn't want to show up with me," Mutsuki tilted his head.

"I did," Shishio exhaled restlessly then turned his heel as he glanced furtively at a person who was no longer in sight. Mizuki must have entered the elevator.

"You don't want to hand in your resignation anymore?" Mutsuki questioned, hesitance in his voice.

"I still do. Let's go," He patted the othercs shoulder and they started walking. Shishio acknowledged the quiet glancing Mutsuki was doing. He didn't want to point it out, however, the other had understood.

"I can't help it. I know it's unprofessional to do something like that but you keep giving give me false hope."

The golden doors slid open, no one was inside thankfully.

"It's not false anymore."

When number 7 and number 8 had lit up, Shishio stared into the void. The fragrance of Mizuki's shampoo transiently fleeted by him from an undistant memoir. His feet were leaving the ground as the metal box went up. Mizuke scented like fresh vanilla, a sweet aroma yet bitter taste. A weight pressed on his shoulders then a whiff of cinnamon passed by, pulling him out of the pool of a hazy reminiscence. A pair of lips brushed over his own, nibbling gently to plead for a deeper touch, an special move of Mutsuki. Before he lowered his head to return the passionate kiss, the last sound he heard was a little weak sob of a overly familiar voice.

"I-I love you."

[/td]

[/tr]

[/table]

March 8, 2015

He rolled over looking up at the window blinds, it must be seven something, murmuring to himself as he crawled over grabbing the closest thing. His head was spinning uncontrollably. His mind was running amok with vivid dreams and disastrous confessions. Between dream and reality, he didn’t know up from down. He couldn't remember how he got back to his room, if his life depended on it. He licked his lips, which tasted like cigars, leaving a bitter aftertaste on his tongue.

Before he could get up, there was a sudden knock at the door, an ever so irritating one at that. He was taken aback, by the sheer force of each pound. "It's too early for this." Mizuki said in a distraught voice. He was dizzy, from the lack of sleep he had from the previous days leading up to this. He pinned his eyes on the door, a hurricane of emotions flushed through his system, like the swirl you see after you flush a toilet. "Was this a dream?” He questioned the authenticity of the events leading up to this. Sigh. He punched the bed, "I fucked up," he exhaled. Shishio ignored his confession and walked off. That’s what he remember, but he wasn’t so sure. Between his lack of sleep and delusional love struck half hearted confession for he his boss, who knows. He was a zombie in human skin, his mind was a glob. There were always forces working against him. He quickly cease his thoughts and slowly ascended upward, walking towards the door. Twisting the doorknob,"What do you want Nari?” He hissed. He didn't even want her there, let alone want to see her this early in the morning, especially after the turbulent Shishio drama.

Just by looking at her face, he felt knots forming in the pit of his stomach. Something in him yearned for a way out. ‘This isn’t funny anymore.’ He thought. Playing it cool. He smiled and patted her shoulder as he greeted her. There were more things that he wanted to say, but couldn't vocalized. He had no ounce of energy to fight the tyrant, he had to get back to work soon. It was bad enough that he missed a few days earlier on in the month. He smiled at the younger female and proceeded out of his room. Having nothing but his boxers on.

“You look good,” preceded by a laugh. The other making fun of him.

"What," he hissed. Looking at the tyrant who had her arms crossed and quickly turned around, trailing her eyes in his direction, up his legs and ending at his face. Like shooting daggers, she smiled. "That's what you get! You have a bad memory."

"I assume, you're enjoying every little thing that I do, down to the minor blemishes?"

“And why do you that,” she chuckled.

He raised his eyebrow in response, “You're an obsessive control freak!!" I should have known you had something to do with it!! You pester me with questions and insist to know where I’m at at all times. So, tell me how did I get back here?!” The male let out a soft groan, when the other lightly kicked him in his shin. He still couldn't get the thoughts of his senpai out of his head. Was it a dream? Regardless, it was vivid enough for him to second guess the dream approach. Chills went down his spine when he replayed it in his mind, his confession was for naught.

“Tch,” he gritted his teeth. The male just didn't know how he got back to the apartment. One moment his arms was around his senpai and then, he ended back in his room. How did he get there? Something just doesn't seem right. His hunch was on the younger female. Turning around, he punched the wall, letting out a sigh. It was bad enough having to live with the younger. But she wouldn’t leave him alone. The other was an evil tyrant and he was walking on a bed of nails, so it seems. Just looking at the other was enough to put him over the rails. His anger was taking control of him and his was body heating up. His mind going crazy. “Just tell me.”

Shaking her head. She walked away. “Fine so be it,” he smudly replied, walking over to the couch and sitting down and falling back on his back. He laid down in a supine position, which eased him. His body was already in pain. ‘I just want out.’ He closed his eyes closed, hoping for another chance at sleep. But he couldn’t, sleep was a luxury, a tear trailed down his cheek as he rolled over to the side. “It wasn’t a dream..”

The other started, "Mizuki." He opened his eyes immediately after hearing the other spoke. He looked up at the younger female and covered his eyes with his arm. He was embarrassed to look at her in the face. One of his greatest fears was showing his bad side. He was afraid of facing her in his weakest moment. 'Great,' his moment of vulnerability showed its ugly face in the worst possible way.

“I remember now, it's slowly coming back,” he replied. “You followed me, when I was with him. You also drugged me.”

The female quickly walked over and sat down besides him. She was in a black dress, with makeup on, and looked like she was ready to go somewhere. The first thing that he noticed was her defensive attitude, arms crossed and all. She was ready to put up a fight until the end. With her legs crossed, she shook her right foot back and forth, and smiled, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Being in the state of denial. He was second guessing himself at the response. He wasn't even sure anymore. Mizuki's mind was all muddled up, his thoughts were a jumbled mess. The more he thought, the more questions he had; there were holes in his memory. He don't know right from wrong. Everything that he shot at her, she shot back down in an instant. The male looked at the girl. He paused for a second, observing her demeanor. After hearing her out, he smugly replied, "Quit lying to me."

“I literally have no idea what you’re talking about hun.” She lightly chuckled. Tilting her head to the side and left.

.

The stench was getting so bad, he couldn't help but to wonder why he smelled like garbage. He laid in the tub, rocking his head back and forth. Letting out a long sigh. He rested his head on the back wall of the shower, staring up at the ceiling. Every unimaginable thing flashed through his mind. He was worried about facing the other when the time came.

“I need to talk to him and make this right.” He sighed, “But how?”

He closed his eyes and fell asleep. What seemed like hours, happened in minutes. The instant he woke up, he was still covered in studs, with a light scent of vanilla, his favorite scent. He knew that he was still in the bathroom, but couldn’t help but to smell the aroma of scented raspberry bath wash, surrounding his throne, with a hint of lavender permeating through the small room, it overpowered his scent. It was hers. Nari had already made herself at home. She took over the vanity’s space and invaded his shower nooks. He didn't want this anymore. She was taking over his life. He can’t let this go on any further. He had made a decision; he wasn't going to give in without a fight. Then suddenly, there was a loud knock at the door.

“Leave me alone,” he hissed. "I’ll be out soon! You already ruined my one chance early."

"I have no idea what you're ranting about." She laughed. Giggling at the preposterous accusation. “Pfft! I did no such thing!" Nari replied with a calm voice. Slightly opening the door, she looked at him. Running her fingers through her tousled hair.

He sighed. Just a moment ago, he was in a serene place, locked up in the bathroom to himself. His calm and collected demeanor went from warm to cold in an instant, opposite on the spectrum. All thanks to Nari. He was in a hell hole right in his own apartment. Thinking of her, was enough to give him a heart attack. She just knew what to say to set him off. It was a whirlwind of emotions flooding in and out of his mind. Mizuki was at his wits end again. If suicide was an option and a mode of escape, he wouldn't mind taking it and sleeping in an eternal bliss. Anywhere, but here.

"I need to talk to you."

'Is she seriously doing this?' Mizuki sighed and gritted his teeth. The banging on the door didn't stop regardless, he could see her and she could see him. Still she insisted to pester him. It went from banging to kicking in seconds. "Mizuki!!" Gosh, just leave me alone he thought. He covered his eyes with his hands. Thinking to himself, 'How long would he have to go on with this? Why him? Why now? What was her motive?'

“Tch.” Getting up, he grabbed a robe and walked to the door, "What?!"

She smirked, "I just needed to-, never mind." Was the reply she gave him, he looked at her. She made him aggravated. He ought to take a swing at her, just for disrupting his bath. She was rude in every unimaginable way. Toshiro was right. Right, about ditching her and hightailing out of town. But he didn't, not because he shouldn't, but because he was pinned down to his career. He loved his job. It was fulfilling in every way. It was also his mode of escape. If he left, then going back would be meaningless. He would be labeled as a traitor. He has never quite in his life and he wasn't about to start now. His conscious wouldn't let him, even if he wanted to. Pausing to think. He watched the other parading around the house. In her hand was a bowl of fresh fruits and a spoon. She grinded her teeth on the tip of the spoon as she took a bite out of the berries in her bowl.

"The strawberries are delicious Mizuki," she sarcastically giggled.

“The ones that were meant for tonight?” He frowned, “I’m glad they’re serving you well on this fine morning.”

“Mizuki, I took the liberty of calling in sick for you. So you you don't have to worry about going in late today.”

“What did you do that for?” He was shocked by the confession. He wanted to get out the house as fast as possible. Tiptoeing over to his dresser. He ruffled through his clothes, pulling out everything, looking for a white dress shirt and black slacks. He needed to get back to work. There were a few deadlines that he failed to meet earlier on in the previous week. He ought to nonchalantly laugh it off and agree, but he didn’t. "No, I have to go in. I have a meeting with Tsuki at noon. Some final revisions that she asked me to do.”

He looked at the floor and picked up the dress shirt he had on the day before. It was the first thing that he saw. Holding close to his face.

“Doing the smell check I see,” she lightly chuckled.

He closed his eyes, a faint scent of cinnamon danced along his nostrils. That’s right. He closed his eyes, holding the shirt against his face, recollecting the events earlier. His half hearted confession. Shishio taking off. That's right, he remember running after Shishio in the heated passion. Shishio didn’t say a word and just walked off. His body was at the mercy of his mind. 'Yeah, that's right. I ran after him down the alley and into the street.' It was slowly coming back to him. That’s was when he recalled a car pulling up and the dark figure emerged, assisting the elder inside. He didn’t see the other’s face, just his back.

It was now cleared. That was the last thing he could remember. But, how did he ended up on the floor, in nothing but his boxer’s brief? Those were questions that he couldn’t answer. His mind was still a haze.

The other instantly laughed. "It's a pity that you can't remember anything." Nari’s laughter, penetrated his memory down memory lane. The abrupt stop, left a bitter taste in his mouth. “Nari,” he hissed. “Who picked Shishio up?!”

She had a spoon in her mouth. Walking into the room, she fell back on the bed, looking up at him, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He turned around and looked at her, but couldn't help but look out the window simultaneously. ‘That's right, while he was in the tub, the radio announced a storm pulling in.’ The forecast predicted dark clouds, turbulent winds and heavy rain. Some massive storm was pulling its way into town. He chuckled at the sight of the heavy downpour. "How am I gonna get to work in one piece?" It was a good thing that he was going in late. It was then that he laughed, reminiscing about a talk that they had when they were little. A name game that she used to play.

“Kaminari...” he chuckled. “You bring to my life jolts of turbulent winds.”

She was intrigued by the declaration. Partially getting up from the bed, with elbow holding up her weight. She gave him a big smile. “And I expect to live it by name. You remember about the conversation we had when we were kids, haven't you?”

The conversation took a one eighty degree turn. He ought to kick himself for not realizing it sooner. She was playing another one of her name games.

She looked over at him and smiled. "The answer to your early question. Here, you dropped this in the car when you were carrying Shishio upstairs."

"Sh-shi...?"

Realizing the the magnitude of the phone. He gritted his teeth. He stared back at her, with dagger filled hatred, Mizuki proceeded to button up his white collar shirt, acting like it didn't phased him. He needed to avoid her like the plague. But he couldn't, not because of her presence, but the room was filled with a light scent of sweet lavender permeating through the room. He looked in the mirror and his hair was still wet. He didn't have enough time to dry it, 'So be it.' Looking in the mirror, Mizuki ruffled his hair then traipsed out the door.

‘I can’t have more than one thing on my plate, before everything crumbles and crack into an abyssal like crevice, in the confines of my dark tormented soul.' He laughed. "She used his phone. Now it makes perfect sense."

‘Being in a love triangle was never without drama.’ He laughed.

.

When he got to the office, it was quieter than usual. He walked in the front door and nobody greeted him like they usually do. 'That's odd.' He thought. ‘Did I miss something?’ The atmosphere was off to some degree, but he couldn’t pinpoint it. The first floor seems to be going about the usual business.

He needed to grab something from his desk, before heading to the meeting. While in the midst of running around and grabbing a cup of coffee, he dropped his briefcase, paper flying all over the place. "Great!" He churned at the sight of the complete mess he made. He was on edge the entire time. It wasn’t because of his meeting, but because of the elder. "I just hope I don't see him today." Butterflies took hold of his stomach. They were flying around. He was squeamish, just from being there. Everything reminded him of the other.

He found himself walking towards the elevator. “Great. Toshiro is waving at me like an idiot and Shishio is right beside him. Thank you god, for making this the worst morning ever. Should I act like I forgot something and not get on? No! I can’t, that would be too obvious.” He churned at the sight of the other. His mind wanted to bolt, but his body walked. He found himself walking enclosing the gap. He was fighting himself to walk the other way, but couldn’t. It was like a magnet pulling him in. One of his most awkwardest moments. His face was red.

The elder smiled and greeted him, "I'm really sorry about yesterday. I hope I didn't say anything unacceptable,” he was taken aback, by how close the other was. Not expecting the other to say such a thing. He thought that he was the one in the wrong, because he confessed. He ran after the elder in a heated confession. Acting like a fool. But, the other didn’t exude that he remembered what happened. He wasn’t even sure if that was a good or bad thing.

“It’s fine.” He whispered back.

He watched the other walked away. It was then that he couldn't help but feel sad. He went from being a nervous mess to feeling sad in a time lapse of a few moments.

“You do know..” Toshiro started.

He was living in the past. He found himself fixated, by his close encounter with the other just moments ago. Still replaying the moment on repeat. When the other started in the elevator, he looked over to his right, “Know what?”

“Ne-nevermind. You look good Mizuki-kun.”

What's written in page 521? (Xylto + Maya)

Recommended Posts

Xylto

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

itsapanda16

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Xylto

Link to comment

Share on other sites

itsapanda16

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Xylto

Link to comment

Share on other sites

itsapanda16

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Xylto

Link to comment

Share on other sites

itsapanda16

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Xylto

Link to comment

Share on other sites

itsapanda16

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Xylto

Link to comment

Share on other sites

itsapanda16

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Xylto

Link to comment

Share on other sites

itsapanda16

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Xylto

Link to comment

Share on other sites

itsapanda16

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Xylto

Link to comment

Share on other sites

itsapanda16

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Xylto

Link to comment

Share on other sites

itsapanda16

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Xylto

Link to comment

Share on other sites

itsapanda16

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Browse

Activity