Chapter Text
CHO: the wave before the tide
• Yoshiki finds himself unable to move, hands shaking as he embraces the unfamiliar figure in front of him. Although he should’ve recognized him, he didn’t. Sure, his voice, height, and appearance was the same, no doubt. But how can the person he found dead be alive? How can the person he held in his arms be the same person who died before his eyes? The figure before him embraces him tighter.
“Yoshiki, you’re not gonna tell anyone, are ya?” Asked the lad.
Yoshiki looked up slowly, his bangs covered his vision. His hands trembled terribly.
“Okay, Hikaru.”Replied Yoshiki. Hikaru flashed a smile as he got up. Yoshiki’s hand reached up to his neck, caressing his cross. A sense of guilt surpassed him. This has to be a sin, right? He slowly raised his head, stealing a quick glance at him, who was busy readying himself on the
bike. He was lowering his gaze as he heard him call out to him.
“Yoshiki?” He said, gesturing at the bike. Yoshiki nodded and picked up his stuff to get on his bike as well, finally ready to go home. The ride back was quiet, uncomfortably quiet. Hikaru couldn’t help but notice the cross on his neck. It was hard not to notice the gold- colored pendant burning in the sun wasn’t hard to ignore. However, Hikaru felt exposed, rather uncomfortable. As if he was a vampire exposed to the sunlight. That type of uncomfortable. Nevertheless, he buried these feelings deep inside. The last thing he wants to do is make Yoshiki feel like an outsider in his village. Although what Hikaru thought wasn’t exactly wrong either. After all, Christianity was a minority in Japan. But to Hikaru it didn’t matter whether Yoshiki was a monster, let alone someone religious. He couldn’t care less.
They eventually reached Yoshiki’s house, he waited as he parked his bike in front of his porch. As Yoshiki reached his door, he heard Hikaru bid him farewell. Yoshiki nodded as he went inside. Hikaru watched him disappear. The cold air washed down his spine. He couldn’t help but feel down. Nevertheless, he shook the feelings off. After all, he was a tough guy, wasn’t he? So, he got on his bike, ready to pedal back home. As the cold air brushed against his skin, he took a deep breath, savoring the weather of the cool summer as he rode towards the horizon.