Chapter Text
“Oh? What are you taking a picture of? The sky?”
“Who knows… something important to me… maybe?”
Kou stared down at the picture of his back. He didn’t know what Mitsuba had taken a photo of at the moment, but now that he did, he felt his heart break in two. Again.
He collapsed into his bed, hand hovering over the image.
It hurt.
It really did.
He’d just lost a friend of his.
Why wouldn’t it hurt?
But why the hell did it have to hurt that much?
He let tears roll down his face. He didn’t need to hold back his pain anymore. He was alone in his room. Teru nor his dad would sympathize with him; Spirits were meant to be exorcised, after all.
But Mitsuba didn’t deserve to disappear like that.
I’m so sorry, Mitsuba. You died so young. You’ll never be able to grow up and be whatever you wanted.
His head was throbbing, throat tight. He curled up slowly.
I’m sorry I couldn’t save you. I was powerless against Tsukasa— No, I wasn’t powerless against him. I never had that power to begin with.
He shut his eyes right, trying so hard not to let out a sob. He didn’t want his family to know what had happened.
I’m so sorry for everything. That you were ignored for being too ‘plain’, and were picked on for just being yourself.
He choked back a sob.
I wish I could’ve done something for you when you were alive.
I wish I could’ve saved you from your death.
BEEP BEEP BEEP!
Beeping…?
BEEP BEEP BEEP!
Kou opened his eyes slowly, looking at the table beside his bed.
BEEP BEEP BEEP!
I thought I threw that alarm clock away…?
He reached to tap the button at the top of the digitalized alarm clock and turned the machine off. He let out a long sigh. His head still felt heavy from the day before.
As he sat up to get out of the bed, he looked around and realized Mitsuba’s camera was missing from the spot on his bed it was before he fell asleep. He felt panic arise in him.
“Crap..!” He cursed under his breath, checking under his blanket, pillow, and bed. It was nowhere to be found.
It’s okay, Teru-Nii probably just came in here and put it somewhere.
He looked back at the alarm clock.
He probably placed that in here too. I have been waking up later.
He stretched to the point he shook, exhaling softly.
‘Kay, I need to get dressed then get breakfast ready…
As he reached out to fix his bed, he looked at the sleeve on his arm. It was a green shirt. He had been wearing a yellow shirt with a lion on it when he had gone to bed.
“What…” He shook his head. Surely it was because he changed his shirt last night and merely forgot. He had a weird sense of deja vu. He tried to shake it off as he approached his window, reaching to open it.
When he did, the sight caused him to stumble back in surprise.
It was snowing.
In the middle of March.
Panicked and confused, Kou reached to grab his phone from the nightstand.
What the hell is going on today!?
As he was about to unlock his phone, he realized that the date was different than what he thought. It read ‘7:02 Tuesday, November 23rd’.
What……the hell!?
When he had fallen asleep, it was March 23. Now it’s November?
He sat at the edge of his bed, staring down at the lock screens display. He couldn’t believe it.
Was he supposed to believe he’d gone back in time, or that he’d imagined everything up to last night?
He decided that he’d discuss this with his family.
~~~
Well, that was absolutely pointless.
Kou let out a groan as he walked in the frigid temperatures. His breath was warm enough to form a cloud of white, which faded away slowly.
They pretty much just called me crazy! They could’ve at least let me talk about it more… I should’ve burnt their food.
Kou hissed, remembering how his family had simply dismissed the idea and refused to hear him talk about it.
Ratejou gripped firmly in his hand, disguised as an umbrella, he thought about it all.
I couldn’t have dreamed all of that, right? Nene-Chan and Hanako-Kun, there’s no way I made up that.
His breathing hitched.
And what happened with Mitsuba…
Would it really be that bad if I dreamed that? Mitsuba will still be alive, right?
He held his staff close to his chest.
But there is absolutely no way I dreamed any of that. Snap out of it Kou!
He shook his head violently, and suddenly bumped into something. He fell back, hitting the ground with a loud thud.
“Hey! Watch where— Erm…” He rubbed his head, hearing the familiar voice from above. He opened his eyes wide, not looking up yet. “Are you okay, Minamoto-Kun?” A hand was held out in front of him.
He finally looked up. He was greeted by a familiar face.
It was Mitsuba.
He was alive!
Kou resisted every urge in his body to start crying or to embrace the other. He grabbed their hand to pull himself up.
“Mitsuba..?” He mumbled in disbelief. Mitsuba eyebrows raised.
“You remember my name? I didn’t think you would, it’s been a while.” He let out a soft chuckle, his fingers tapping together.
“Yeah…” Kou said lightly, then cleared his throat. He needed to act normal.
“Do you want to walk to school together?” Mitsuba asked, pulling the softest smile he could. Something Kou wasn’t used to seeing due to his true personality. “We could catch up on some things.”
“Yeah.. Yeah, that sounds great.” He gave a smile, a smile of relief. As they started to walk together, and Mitsuba started to talk about whatever it was, Kou finally understood what was going on… sorta.
I feel I don’t get it exactly, but, as far as I’m concerned…
I’ve been given a chance.
A chance to save Mitsuba.