Chapter Text
The sun rose on the town of Kamome, only a few clouds dotted the dawn. The air buzzed with excitement for the 2nd day of the school festival. The buildings gazing up upon the dome of blue.
Mitsuba Sousuke lay in bed, staring wistfully out the window and occasionally scrolling through his phone. Resting his cheek in his hand. He had woken up way too early from excitement and now was waiting for when it was time to go.
His uniform lay on the chair next to him, his pink pajamas soft against his skin. He sighed and let his head fall against the windowsill. Tiredness weighing heavy on his mind. His eyelids sagged, his arms throbbed, and his stomach felt like a cavity in his mid section.
He held his waist, clenching his stomach as if it might burst out of him. He groaned and stood up to stretch. His muscles were stiff and it took a while for them to loosen up. He stumbled out of his room and into the kitchen.
Combing his fingers through his pink, tangled hair. Untying the jumbled rat’s nest of his locks. His digits catching on the knots. He whined and tried to wrench his hand free. Tears bloomed in his freshly opened eyes. Finally it came free, he decided to just use a hairbrush.
He quickly pulled on his uniform, oh how he longed to wear his choice of clothes. He tightened the tie, almost choking himself in the process. He coughed and straightened up from his slouch. Applying makeup with a shaky hand, messing up on the eyeliner multiple times. He stuffed his final items into his bag and stepped outside.
The air was cold and stung the boy’s skin. Snippets of breath curled invisibly into the blue sky. He stood on his front porch/balcony. Peering over the iron bars at the courtyard beneath him. His face was pink, both from makeup and the chill. It was almost Fall and it showed in the climate.
He rolled his eyes and muttered insults at Kou. Texting him a quick ‘are you headed over yet?’. He had recently hung out with the blonde, just last night in fact, sure Kou got possessed but it was fiiiine. The worst part of the night had been when Mitsuba was stranded with Teru and Akane, it had been so awkward!
His phone pinged with a message from Kou, ‘Yes’ and then a string of unnecessary emoji’s.
Mitsuba grumbled but before he could type up a witty response, another message from Kou, ‘STAY WHERE YOU ARE.’
Mitsuba furrowed his eyebrows, sometimes Kou did weird things but this was a whole other level, ‘What?’
‘ARE YOU OKAY???’ Kou texted back almost immediately.
‘Yes…? just hurry up i want to leave’ Mitsuba texted, slamming his phone down and frustratingly resting his chin on the railing. He usually didn’t mind Kou’s odd tendencies but today he just felt like shit.
Mitsuba probably should’ve been more excited about the second day of the school festival and he would be once they got there but mornings were always tough for Mitsuba. He usually just stumbled through them half conscious. Today just felt different for some odd reason.
Finally, after a couple droning 10 minutes, Kou arrived. Mitsuba first spotted his blonde hair, the same color of the sun rising behind him. He barreled down the metal stairs, going a bit too fast for Kou’s comfort.
He crashed straight into Kou’s chest, they stumbled backwards. Almost crashing into the stone wall behind them. “Slow down!” Kou said, wrapping his arms around the pink haired fool.
Mitsuba smiled at Kou for a scant few moments before complaining yet again. “You took so damn long!” He whined loudly.
Kou looked at his friend fondly, a slight mourning in his eyes. Kou seemed out of it, he looked confused and his movements were like he was in a dream, “S-sorry…” He mumbled, instead of responding with his usual oppositions.
Mitsuba stared at him, he pursed his lips and tried to think about his response. “Are you okay, Minamoto-kun?” He asked, tilting his head.
Kou gripped the soft skin of Mitsuba’s forearms, “Yeah I’m fine” He said, Mitsuba could tell he was discarding truth to comfort Mitsuba. Mitsuba glared at him.
“C’mon tell me the truth!” Mitsuba insisted, invading Kou’s personal space and clenching the exorcist's hands.
“We should go…” Kou deflected, turning his head away from Mitsuba, their faces only a few inches apart.
Mitsuba let out a lengthy sigh, but didn’t push. Not wanting to test Kou's boundaries more than he did every day. He pulled apart from the blonde and started their journey to school with a couple steps. “You’re so boring Minamoto-kun.” Ｍitsuba shook his head, acting like it was such a tragedy.
Kou stretched his pace a little to catch up with Mitsuba, when they were walking side by side he slowed. Gripping the strap of his bag and staring at the boy next to him. “I’m not boring!” The Minamoto protested.
Mitsuba smiled at the blonde, his eyes tired and his figure hunched. He had barely got any sleep and he thought that it showed. Although Kou only looked at Mitsuba with only love and admiration in his sky blue eyes. It honestly scared Mitsuba, Kou never looked at him like that for a long time. Sure maybe Kou stole a few glances and Mitsuba noticed but now this was a really long uncomfortable time.
Mitsuba wondered what had changed for his friend.
Kou paused, debating if he should say what he wanted to. Eventually he decided not to and they resumed their conversation, walking to Kamome high school.
Mitsuba woke up at the crack of dawn, not voluntary of course. More just his brain deciding that he couldn’t possibly afford anymore rest than 4 hours. He yawned and sat up. Checking the time on his phone, 4:28 AM…great.
He grimaced and tugged at the fabric of his oversized tee shirt. Pink strawberries lining the white fabric. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to kill his ever permanent bed head. As he was still half asleep he didn’t believe his ears when he heard a rap on the door.
He laid back down, his pillow soft and alluring to his already awoken vessel. But before he could even properly shut his eyes, another knock on the door. Who the fuck was knocking on his door at 4 AM?
Obviously no one pleasant, so he decided to just ignore it.
He wrapped the soft blankets around his body and curled into a ball. His legs spilling out of the covers. He groaned as more knocking on the door entered into his apartment. He pulled the pillow on top of his ears, attempting to muffle the sounds.
The knocking got more and more intense, until finally it stopped. Mitsuba figured whoever it was just left. He angrily squeezed his eyes shut, trying to go back to the sweet relief of slumber. Then a click.
Mitsuba froze, his eyes opening wide. He sprung out of the bed as a creak of the door tore through his ears. He grabbed the thing he had closest to his bed, a mathbook. He cautiously approached the door, holding his mathbook above his head in a threatening stance. He rounded the corner, the sounds of someone else's footsteps loudly echoing in his dawn lit house.
He shouted and jumped the shadowy figure. Wrapping his legs around the mysterious person’s waist and repeatedly whacking at them on the head. Both tumbling to the ground, the figure yelped and grabbed Mitsuba’s wrist. Mitsuba continued to slam the mathbook onto the figure’s appendages.
“Wait! Wait!” The body shouted at him, the voice sounded oddly familiar to Mitsuba.
The boy stopped attacking the intruder and paused. Trying to examine them in a better light. Their blonde hair was illuminated in the morning light, and something hung from their right ear. “Minamoto-kun?” He asked, squinting at the form.
Kou hacked, “It’s me! God, get offa me!” He shouted, irritation ringing in his voice.
Mitsuba unpinned the blonde from the floor. Letting him sit up and rub his injured head and arm. Kou muttered angry insults. “Why the hell are you breaking into my house at 4 AM???” He shouted.
Kou bit his lip, debating on how he should explain whatever was on his mind to the pinkette. He opened his mouth once or twice, panic growing on his face. But just as quickly as he faltered he recovered. “Let’s go on an adventure, alright Mitsuba?” He said, his eyes pleading and soft.
“Wh-what? What do you mean?” Mitsuba asked.
“Let’s use all our money and go as far away as we possibly can.” Kou had a hint of desperation in his voice. “Let’s do everything we ever wanted too, alright?”
Mitsuba stared at him, eyes moving at top speed to search for some sort of reason in Kou’s expression. He couldn’t find any that was eligible to him. “Why…? Couldn’t this wait? It's the second day of the school festival…” Mitsuba said, tone flat.
“Sousuke, i-it’s really important, alright?” Kou begged, grabbing Mitsuba’s hand and intertwining their fingers.
Mitsuba was shocked, he didn’t understand why Kou was doing this. But he seemed fragile, and it wouldn’t hurt to play along just for a while would it? He stared at Kou, “Alright, okay, right now?”
Kou sighed, a smile lighting up his face, “Yeah we need to go ASAP. We just need to leave alright.” He laughed, voice weak and wobbly, “Get packed quickly.”
Mitsuba walked into his room, were they really doing this? Really? This was crazy. This was just pure insanity. But if it helps then well maybe it's worth it. Mitsuba’d do anything for his best friend. Even if it meant eloping on one of the most anticipated school days of the year.
He frantically stuffed clothes and blankets into a single duffel bag, changing into more comfortable clothes, and slinging his camera around his neck. He thought about what else he’d need, toothpaste, toothbrush, hairbrush, his make up, he already gotten clothes, blankets…what else what else. Magazines, manga, shampoo + conditioner, ect. Ect.
He shouldered his duffel bag and walked out into the living room, where Kou was waiting for him. The blonde sat on the couch, fidgeting with his hands, bags under his eyes. He looked unwell, even now.
Mitsuba stood in the doorway, watching Kou until he noticed him. Finally the blonde looked up at Mitsuba. Eyes lingering on his outfit. Mitsuba was wearing a pastel button up with scribbled bright shapes on it, it was cropped and showed a sliver of his skin, faded blue jeans that reached his ankles, he had multiple pink bunny clips adorned in his hair.
Mitsuba blushed once he noticed Kou’s wistful stair. “What’re you staring at?!” He asked, tugging at his shirt. “Pervert!!!”
Kou quickly looked away, cheeks dusted with bright red, “I wasn’t staring! And stop calling me a pervert! I-I’m not!” He shouted, flusteredly. Holding the cup of tea Mitsuba gave him tightly.
“Yeah sure! You were totally fantasizing about me!!!!” He whined, momentarily losing the confusion and anxiety about leaving on a train at 6 AM.
“I was not!” Kou protested. Getting flustered, he was indeed a little innocent baby. He still couldn’t process Mitsuba’s teasing even after all this time.
“Let’s just leave,” Mitsuba said, wrapping his arms around Kou’s neck.
Kou blushed and flusteredly shoved the pinkette off of him, “R-right…yeah” He whispered softly, a smile tugging at his chapped lips.
Mitsuba stammered, landing on his back feet. He scoffed, “So annoying.” He muttered to himself, moving to pull Kou up. Grabbing his hands and almost pulling Kou to fall on top of him. Mitsuba’s breath hitched, “Sorry.” He mumbled, rubbing the back of his head, “Just hurry the fuck up” Mitsuba said, regaining his usual disposition of annoyance and irritation. “You’re the reason we’re leaving anyways and-” He sighed, shaking his head.
“Okay then, let’s go.” Kou said, his voice soft. “I found my dad’s cash and credit card stash so I took a few” Kou held up a fat stack of cash with around 5 credit cards. Mitsuba’s eyes widened in shock and sparkled with a slight fascination.
“Whoa, I forget how rich your parents are sometimes.” Mitsuba said, taking a credit card into his hands. He twirled it around in his fingers, its slick red surface shining in his hands.
“Yeah, we should charge everything on the credit card first. Cuz eventually they’re gonna shut it off and I only have so much cash.” Kou said.
Mitsuba ran his hand over Kou’s collarbone and walked out the door, “Such a bad boy~” He chided with an amused smirk.
Kou blushed, his entire face a tomato red. He quickly readjusted his tie and flipped his collar to cover his exposed skin. His brain melted and his skin radiated heat. “R-right!” He flushed with crimson and stomped over to Mitsuba.
They exited the house and speed walked to the nearest train station. School had already begun and the streets were silent as everyone crowded to the high school. They were the only bodies in sight, standing shoulder to shoulder. Their hands brushing against each other, threatening to intertwine.
They bantered playfully, laughing and teasing. Completely ignoring the reality of the situation and the insanity of what they were doing. Once they arrived at the station, they finally realized that people may question why two teenage boys were taking a train alone in full uniform during school hours.
Kou sighed and propped himself up against a bench, “So what’s our excuse?”
Mitsuba flopped onto the wooden plank next to Kou, leaning heavily against Kou’s shoulder, “Just hope that they don’t ask questions.” He stated, stretching his arms above his head.
“That’s not gonna work, I mean they’re gonna ask questions.” Kou said, rubbing the crease in between his eyebrows.
Mitsuba patted Kou’s coat pocket, “Just hand them some cash.” He smirked.
Kou started back, “What?! I am not bribing anyone!” He exclaimed, dead set on his useless morals.
Mitsuba let out a huff and shifted his weight onto his right hand, “What? It’s not like you really have a budget.” He said, lip jutting out in a pout.
Kou glared at Mitsuba, “Yes we do.” He said, trying to fight back the irritation in his voice, “We have a budget! We’re running away and we’re gonna have to have so many necessities and-” He stuttered a rant and lists of requirements.
Mitsuba cut the blonde off by shoving his arm lightly. “Ugh! Come on! You’re always so boring! We’re basically friend eloping, it should be exciting!” The pink haired boy whined loudly. Interesting word choice, eloping.
Mitsuba stood up, stretching his arms above his head with a yawn, “Let’s just go already, alright?” He said, “I’m not doing this for nothing.”
Kou’s muscles were tense and his mind frigid but he nodded nonetheless, anything to save his best friend. They both stood up and walked over to the ticket purchase. Oh. It wasn’t even a person.
Before them resided a small blue box, one that wouldn’t ask questions or make small talk. It was a sigh of relief for the both of them. They both laughed it off and Kou slid a credit card into the tiny slit.
They climbed onto the train, its boxy body long but mostly empty, due to the odd time. There were, of course, a few stragglers. Men and women who had been late waking up and were rushing to their jobs. There was a certain man who had tousled hair and was ruffling through papers anxiously. An old woman with a huge bonnet who was occupying herself by flipping through a gossip magazine. As well as a couple others who didn’t particularly stick out to them. They sat down in the middle of another high schooler, whom was commuting, and a man with a superman t-shirt hurriedly eating a granola bar. There were quite a bit of seats in between the four, obviously Mitsuba and Kou sat right next to each other. Squeezed together on the plush bench. Mitsuba held his bag in his lap, fidgeting anxiously with his camera. Twisting the knobs and clicking on the buttons subconsciously, not even noticing Kou watch his fingers with fascination.
Mitsuba let the silence linger for their first portion of the drive, finding it comfortable and oddly soothing to just sit next to his friend. The only thing that made his stomach twist was the strangers who seemed as if they were staring at them (they weren’t) and the unbelievable act he would be committing on their families. He was worried about his mom, she already had lost his dad and he didn’t want to break her heart further. Of course he repressed that and focused on Kou. All that mattered right now was his friend and the adventures that would come.
Mitsuba pulled out his phone and popped in an earbud, giving the other one to Kou. Fumbling as he tried to press it into the blonde’s ear. The exorcist took it and aligned it with his ear canal, easily inserting the outer rubber layer. Mitsuba pulled up their playlist and started the first track. Humming softly along to the chosen song.
It was a relaxing moment, a solace from their constant distress. They listened to their music, the pink and blonde sitting side by side with shared earbuds. Perhaps to the outsiders it might’ve looked like they were dating. Mitsuba let his eyes sag and head fall onto Kou’s shoulder. He had barely gotten any sleep in the first place and now all this? It was too much for the poor boy to take, he just needed to “rest his eyes” a bit.
But, just as Mitsuba’s luck would have it, Kou chose this time to open his big stupid mouth. “So…I think that we should take this and then switch onto a bigger train and go from there? Maybe even travel out of the country? What do you think?”
Mitsuba felt a twinge of annoyance but made himself not say anything, as he had been doing for a while, Kou’s mental state was clearly fragile and he didn’t want to provoke him. He sat up straight, rolling his neck. “Sure that sounds great, where do you want to go? I mean as long as we have your rich boy~ money then we can go anywhere.” He said, patting Kou’s arm softly. Pausing the constant flow of music.
“I-I dunno,” Kou said, rubbing the back of his head. “With everything going on I haven’t really had time to think about it…”
Mitsuba tilted his head, cocking an eyebrow, “With everything going on? What…what do you mean? Kou why- why’re we going on this spur of the moment trip?” He said, an earnest tone to his quiet voice.
Kou visibly tensed up, shoulders squaring and sweat pooling on his forehead.
Mitsuba’s expression softened, only care and love in his pink irises, “You can tell me” He whispered softly.
Kou took a shaky deep breath, “Sousuke!” The fragile boy said, turning his body to look at Mitsuba, “The reason I’ve been acting so weird is-” His voice catched, like he was unable to speak the reason. “It’s-” He put a wary hand around his neck. Understanding filled in his sky blue eyes, “Fuck.” He muttered, the first time Mitsuba had heard Kou say the naughty word. His hand tightened around his Adam's apple. “Fuck, dammit, stupid rules…”
Mitsuba was now more confused than ever, staring at Kou with a perplexitated look. “What do you mean?”
“Sousuke…” Kou turned his head, expression now invisible, “I’m sorry I can’t explain it. But stuff’s gonna happen, and people are going to die. You’re going to-” His voice cracked and if Mitsuba didn’t know better he’d say the blonde, who was always strong no matter the circumstances, was crying, “There’s just some really bad people who- if we stay then-”
Mitsuba nodded in understanding, rubbing circles into the uniformed back of his friend. This time…Sousuke had to be the strong one. For Kou. “Alright…alright.” Mitsuba took a deep breath, considering the weight and meaning of his every word, “You don’t hafta tell me…if we’re in danger then I’ll follow your every word, alright? I’ll trust you. You don’t even hafta tell me how you know this.” He whispered, despite his inquiries.
Kou turned back to look at Mitsuba, indeed tiny sparkling crystals of salt littering his wide eyes. The corners burning with red. Mitsuba smiled and brought his handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped Kou’s eyes. Kou sniffled and nuzzled into the pink cloth. “Just calm down alright?” Mitsuba instructed, “We can worry about this later. For now let’s just focus on the moment.”
Kou nodded and tried to still his tears. Mitsuba hugged him to his chest, awkwardly trying to stroke Kou’s hair soothingly. Kou buried his face into Mitsuba’s shoulder, covering his cute outfit with snot. Mitsuba’s nose subconsciously wrinkled with disgust once he realized, but rather than teasing Kou about it he just let him cry. He debated if it would lighten the mood but if it could even be an ounce of hurtful then Mitsuba couldn’t do it. Mitsuba hugged him tighter, moving his hands to cradle Kou’s arching back.
Eventually Kou stopped crying, yet he could still not bring himself to look at Mitsuba. There was an intimacy in the air that neither could place without ruining themselves. It was warm and cozy so why question it? Mitsuba tried to comfort the blonde with whispered words. Even if it wasn’t too reassuring, Kou still appreciated the gesture.
Then as noon neared, Mitsuba's stomach growled. His face flushed a bright red and he tried to cover his face. “Sorry…” He mumbled.
Kou sat up, wiping his puppy dog eyes. “Don’t apologize. Do you want any food? I packed us both some lunch.” He said, picking up his bag.
Mitsuba took a long deep breath, it was fine. It would be fine. It doesn’t matter, just don’t think about it. Kou pulled out two bento boxes stacked on top of each other. “Did you make those?” The pink asked with a weak smile.
Kou smiled softly, looking at the bento with fading red eyes. “Yeah,” Kou said, something deeper in his eyes, “I also have packaged food if you want.” He added.
Mitsuba smiled, nearly genuine. Sometimes it felt the only way he could eat without completely hating himself was when Kou cooked it. Especially when he had cooked it with Mitsuba in mind. “I’ll take the bento~” He said, grabbing the box from his hands. It was wrapped with a pink lace cloth, a clear marker it was Mitsuba’s. Deep down Kou must’ve known about his…problems. Kou always helped, rarely making things with too much fat but always something that was good and tasty.
Mitsuba unwrapped the cloth off of the box, opening it up and grabbing the chopsticks. Inside Kou had packed gyudon (a beef rice bowl topped with egg and green onion), tiny sausages cut up into octopi, fried tofu, brown rice shaped into pandas, whole persimmons, raspberries, and a jellified fruit dessert. Kou often shaped things into cute little stars, hearts, ducks, and other animals. He had started because of his sister and recently adopted the tendency when making Mitsuba’s lunches. And Mitsuba just adored it, it always brightened the hellish mealtimes. It was easier when Kou was with him.
Mitsuba fidgeted with his chopsticks, clicking them together. “When are we gonna switch trains? Should we get a hotel?” He said, switching the topic. He stirred through his rice bowl. Stomach empty and throbbing as he picked up a piece of seasoned beef. He brought it up to his mouth and munched on it. The meat was juicy and as always perfectly made.
He groaned in a way that made multiple people look at them weird. “This is so good!” He whined. “You really need to like start a restaurant or something!”
Kou smiled fondly, letting himself daydream about a world where they’re both alive and they live in a cozy little cafe. Just happy together, that seemed like the best timeline for the both. “Do you think we should stop at a hotel for the night?”
Mitsuba nodded and scooped more rice into his mouth. “Yeah, we probably.” He agreed.
Kou elbowed him playfully, “A sort of rest stop.” He smiled, his little tooth at the left corner of his mouth poking out. Kou opened his own bento box, blue cloth sprawling out on his lap. Kou’s own lunch had tonkatsu as the main dish, egg rolls because Mitsuba didn’t care for them, and of course all the other side dishes he had packed. Mitsuba stole a tiny piece of tonkatsu with mischief in his smirk. He hummed and popped it into his mouth.
“Hey!” Kou protested, “That’s my food!” He said, though in reality he didn’t really mind.
Mitsuba booped him on the nose, the banter distracting him from the anxieties. “What? I’m just appreciating your skill.” He chided, waving his finger in the air.
“Yeah yeah” Kou mumbled, grabbing an egg roll with his chopsticks. They ate in silence with the occasional snarky remark, watching as the hills rolled past them. Long gone from their comfortable home town.
They pressed against each other, sitting shoulder to shoulder as they found ways to occupy their time. Kou flipped through his shonen manga magazine while Mitsuba scrolled through his phone. They sat like that for the remaining hours.
Eventually they reached their destination, yet another small town. They actually didn’t have a destination in mind just escape. They just decided it was late and both their legs were asleep anyways.
The sun cast a blood orange glow as it died just past the mountains that surrounded them. They stepped off the train, the train station was empty even though it was only nearly evening. It was a ghostly kind of empty, not another soul in sight. The crop fields rolling, spreading past them in this quiet country town. It was the ideal fantasy for retirees.
The sky was golden, the tiny houses spotting the green dirt roads. They stumbled to some inn, tiredly paying the old women behind the counter. The lady cocked an eyebrow with confusion and disgust. Why were two high school boys running away together? Why did they choose to land here? Nonetheless she took Kou’s card and swiped it.
They trotted into their shared room. Mitsuba immediately collapsing onto the sheets and groans. Dropping his bags onto the floor. “Today has been a long day!” He whined, throwing up his hands into the air.
Kou laughed and set his own bags down next to his own bed. The room was very rustic as an aesthetic, the beds had a store bought quilted laying on top of them, and a ranch dresser. That was it. It was a cozy yet small room, maybe a bit overpriced for the size but who cared.
Mitsuba stood up and popped his knuckles. “I’m gonna take a shower” He announced walking to the bathroom.
Kou laid against the quilt, burying his face into a patch. “Okay” He responded simply. Not daring his mind to imagine that scenario.
Inside the bathroom was cramped, a ranch sink, a toilet, and an old school bathtub were all set onto the mosaic tile. He cranked up the hot water, steam filling the room and fogging up the mirror. He finally peeled off his sweaty clothes, he really hadn’t dressed for the occasion, and dipped into the bath. Letting his muscles relax as he let out a lengthy sigh.
There were two little bars of soap on the edge of the bathtub, balancing precariously on the white ceramic surface. He sat there for nearly an hour, letting his eyelids sag and his mind drift into an area in between sleep and wake. Until finally he was startled awake by a loud rap on the door. It was Kou, of course. Who else would it be?
“Mitsuba! Hurry up! I want a turn!” The exorcist boy shouted, “What are you even doing in there?!”
The water splashed around Mitsuba as he jumped out of his skin. “Shaddup! Just give me a second!” He shouted back through the door.
Kou tapped his foot impatiently. Mitsuba stood up and quickly dried himself off, wrapping a towel around his body. Covering both his torso and down there. He grumbled and wiped the mist away from the glass above the sink. His pink hair was dripping with tiny droplets of water. His face was red and blotchy and the boy couldn’t help but point out everything that looked off about his appearance.
Another knock on the door, this time even louder.
“ALRIGHT GAWD BE PATIENT!!!” Mitsuba shouted back. He walked to the door and swung the wood open. Holding the hotel towel taught to his damp skin. He blushed, as Kou was standing right next to the previously closed door. He pulled the towel tighter, “Don’t try and look perv!” He shouted loudly, shouldering past the blonde.
Kou grumbled something inaudible to Mitsuba and slammed the door irritatedly. Ah the perks of living together. Although they always bickered like that, it was a comfortable routine even though it may seem toxic to others. They were just kidding around, of course. Nothing serious.
Mitsuba slid into bed and pulled on the sheets. Eyes already dropping although it was only 8:00 PM. It had been such a day, he could barely stand the heavy exhaustion. He quickly slipped into his not so peaceful sleep.
His mind was blank and dark, quickly slipping into unconsciousness. Where his mind dared to wander into the most purely absurd space. This particular night he dreamed of this purely just strange scenario where he was dead. A supernatural, a school mystery none the less. What even was that? School mystery? Ridiculous what the mind could make up. It was his brain’s latest recurring cacophony of nonsense but this time there was something different.
Whereas he usually dreamt about some alternate universe that was so detached from this reality that he could ignore it. But this time it was different, it was exactly the same as his real memories but the ending was different. He was killed at the end of this dream, at what would have been that time.
Was this what Kou was warning him about? Had Kou somehow known about this future? How? This wasn’t real, it was just Mitsuba convincing himself of horrible things. He’d done this before and it wasn’t real. It wasn’t real. It wasn’t real. It wasn’t real. It wasn’t real.
Just repeat it until it's true. Right?
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kou opened his eyes, clenching the cold metal of the clock to his chest. The morning light spilt through the stained glass windows. Lighting up his freshly awakened form and illuminating Mitsuba’s empty bed. Kou stared dazily at the sheets torn from the mastress. He snapped up, scrambling to pick up his socks.
He stood onto his feet and rushed to the window. Mitsuba was nowhere to be seen, the train tracks were empty and void of trains. Fuck had they missed it? Had they missed the train? Damn they couldn’t afford to miss it. He ran down stairs, hastily pulling on his shoes. He nearly slammed into the wall, but luckily turned on his heel.
His heart raced with the need to make sure Mitsuba was safe. Mitsuba couldn’t die. Not yet again. He’d already tried so much, this had to be the one. He couldn’t lose him not again-
Before Kou knew what was going on he was crying. So many tears had been shed over these repeated days. He burst through the door with sobs escaping his throat. His chest heaving with worry for his friend.
Then he bumped into a warm body. He glanced up and immediately softened. Mitsuba. He hugged him tightly. Mitsuba was wrapped in a gray coat with a steaming cup of untouched Miso soup, likely from the inn. He wrapped his arms around him even tighter. So glad he was alright.
Sousuke looked shocked, his eyes wide and his expression one of surprise, “Minamoto-kun?” He asked, trying to pry himself away from the clingy puppy-like boy.
Kou smiled and stood up straight, letting go of Mitsuba, “S-sorry…I was just- worried where you were.” He stuttered anxiously. Protective of his feelings but trying to open up.
Mitsuba patted Kou on the head affectionately and stood on his tip toes. “You’re such a worry wart Minamoto-kun!” He teased. The rising sun illuminating his pale skin, his pink hair fluttering in the soft breeze.
Kou wiped the tears hurriedly from his eyes. His breathing slowing from the brink of panic. “I am not!” He joked. He poked Mitsuba in the shoulder with a toothy relieved grin.
Mitsuba didn’t comment on his tears or urgency and the Minamoto was glad. He guided him gently back into the room. Talking to him like a child. Rather than usual where it would bother the blonde it soothed him.
They checked the train times and hurriedly stuffed their bags with their scattered belongings. Leaving a tip on the bedside table for the staff. They got dressed, Kou just in a tee shirt and shorts and Mitsuba in an elaborate multi layered pink outfit. The blonde couldn’t even help but laugh, which made Mitsuba mad at him, which was even cuter.
They approached the train station, the metal awning curled and designed. The train tracks were littered with dandelions and grass. The sun rising over the mountains slowly and lighting the scene with a yellow glow. The two walked hand in hand, fingers intertwined. It was a beautiful area as they had remarked.
Mitsuba peeled away from Kou’s soft and caring hands, traipsing over to the traintracks. He wheeled around, movements playful and with a lively uncaring. Kicking his legs into the air. “What time is the train due?” He asked, walking over to the train station. A tiny wooden plank over another one. Casting a shadow on the boy.
Kou smiled and ran after him. “It’s coming soon.” He said, catching up to Mitsuba and staying close to him, “We’ll have our own rooms, with beds. So we can stay on longer” Kou smiled, “We’ll head to Tokyo and from there well I suppose we can decide.”
Mitsuba beamed softly, his smile brighter than the rising sun. There was a bittersweet feeling to the scene. But Mitsuba stumbled, the camera slipping from his grip. The pink haired boy swore “Dammit!” And walked off the train station to grab it.
The prized object was in the middle of the metal train tracks. He leaned over to grab it, lingering too long. Kou’s ears picked up on a whistle and shouted for Mitsuba. Reaching for his hand. Mitsuba froze, a deer caught in the literal headlights. Kou’s breath caught his tears already welling up in his blue eyes.
Mitsuba’s skull caught against the train. His mouth was poured with the metallic taste of blood and his neck immediately twisted.
Kou felt hollow and empty inside as he watched the train ram into Mitsuba.
The moment seemed slow and all Kou could do was watch. Rooted in place as his best friend died once again. The train rammed into the boy, twisting his seemingly tiny frame. And as swiftly as it came, it left. Not even stopping for the boys.
Kou fell onto his knees in despair, hugging the broken boy to his chest as he rewound time yet again. He had failed yet again.