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Shu's feet hurt as he continued to run.
His headdress had fallen midway through, and his white kimono was stained with dirt. His feet, and sandals were far from pristine, having to navigate the woods to get out of the ceremony. He didn't know where he was, or where he was going.
All he knew was he wanted to get away.
He stumbles on his footing as he trips over a branch, tears welling in his eyes as he apologizes to his family for running away. He didn't want to be married. He didn't want to be tied down to another family just for a dumb union he could care less about.
He wanted to be free.
He wanted to continue being a sorcerer, going on missions and exorcising evil spirits with a wave of his magic. To hell with becoming a traditional wife to whoever that guy was- he didn't even know him!
Shu gasps when he finally sees a road at the end of the dirt path. He rushes, and finally takes a deep breath when he gets out. The sky finally cleared above him as the moon lit his surroundings. The road had a railing, preventing people from falling off the steep cliff that was on the other side of it. Shu leaned against said railing, finally letting his tears flow as he sobbed loudly into the night.
With his face covered, he doesn't notice a car coming to a stop just beside him, too busy crying into his hands. It was only when a hand tapped on his shoulder did he jump, and look up at the owner.
It was a man with blonde hair, and purple eyes. He wore a white suit with a giant fluffy coat over his shoulders. The hat partially hid his face, but Shu could see the concern in his eyes.
"Are you okay?" An accent. He wasn't from here… a foreigner out this far?
Not trusting his voice, Shu shakes his head as tears silently fall from his eyes. The blonde man looks panicked, looking awkwardly behind him, and saying something that Shu couldn't really understand. The man faces him again, and asks:
"Do you want a ride? We're heading back to the city if you need a lift."
"...Where?"
"Back to Tokyo. I'm leaving for a flight to another country."
Shu looks at his options. He couldn't really go back home anymore, not when he's practically been disowned due to his actions. Could he really trust this man as well? He might be lying about going to the main city.
He might as well take the chance, right?
"Okay."
"Pog!"
What an odd person.
He climbs into the sleek car, and notices more people in black suits. They sat in the front, all wearing lion masks that partially hid their faces. The man himself sat beside Shu, but put distance in between them to not invade his personal space.
"Can I have your name?"
"Oh, uh… it's Shu."
"Pog! Mine's Luca. Your English is really good for someone out in the countryside!" His compliment seemed genuine, and his smile was kind. Shu found himself smiling along with him. "What're you doing out in the streets, though? It's dangerous."
Shu's smile faltered, biting his lip as he said, "I ran away…"
Luca nods slowly, "From home?"
"From a wedding."
"Oh."
There's silence in between them before Luca asks again, "Are you gonna go back?"
Shu shakes his head, "I doubt it… I don't think I can face them anymore."
Luca hums in understanding, then hesitatingly asks, "What're you gonna do now?"
"I don't really know. Be an independent sorcerer or something."
Luca gasps, perking up and moving closer to Shu, "You're a sorcerer?! Like… magic, and stuff?"
Shu leans back, but there's an amused smile on his face, "Something like that, yeah."
As they make their way to the city, Shu shows him his powers. Flames sparking at the tips of his fingers as magenta fire dances around them. He explains it doesn't burn anyone or anything unless he wants it to, and even lets Luca touch it- to which he does so with glee.
They reach an area with more lights, and pedestrians walking on roads. With that, Shu is so sure he's out of the country, and far, far away from his home.
"By the way, what's that bump on your leg?" Luca asks after some time. He points at the odd bump, poking it lightly, then taking his hand back when it dips at his touch.
Shu chuckles, moving his kimono a bit to the side to reveal a small pouch he tied around his waist. As he does so, his leg is bare, and Luca has the decency to look away until Shu covers himself up again.
"Just my clothes. I planned to run away on my wedding night, so I packed this while the maids were looking away." He opens the pouch, and sure enough, fancy-looking clothing is in there complete with shoes and golden accessories.
Luca whistles, "You must come from a noble family."
Shu shakes his head sheepishly, "I suppose we are."
Shu looks out the window, watching as they enter the bustling city of Tokyo. It's much more than what he's imagined, only having come here a few times in the past, but the scenery always takes his breath away.
The blinding lights, the colorful people, the shops, and tall buildings? It's so much more different than the countryside.
From afar, he recognizes the airport terminal, and he realizes this is where he has to part with the nice man. When they arrive, they both exit the car, and it drives off, leaving the two of them, and two more suited people.
"...Do you have anywhere to go?" Luca asks after a moment of silence.
"Unfortunately, no." Shu looks at the ground bitterly, but shakes his head, "I'll somehow find a way to-"
"Come with me, then."
"Excuse me?"
Luca clears his throat, grabbing his hat to partially hide his face, "I mean come with us. Yeah. We could use someone like you, you know?"
Shu tilts his head, wondering what he meant. Luca comes closer to him, whispering, "I'm from the Mafia. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier."
His eyes widened, looking at Luca with shock. Then again, he had an inkling that the man was doing something dangerous- how could he not when he sees the specs of negative energy floating around his body?
"You can always say no if you think it's too dangerous," Luca offers, but his eyes narrow to the side, "But you might wanna be careful though, since other people have seen—"
"I'll go with you."
"—you with me, and-... huh?"
Shu repeats, giving him a small smile, "I'll go with you. I have nowhere else to be, so please allow me to stay with you a bit more."
Luca looks a bit shocked, but a wide grin stretches on his face, "POG! Come on, then! We'll be late to our flight!" and grabs Shu's hand, dragging him inside the airport.
"H-huh? Our flight? But I don't—"
Luca looks back and winks at him, and that's all Shu needs for him to return his smile, and eagerly walk beside him.
Shu whispers in Japanese, subtly bowing to Luca as he’s dragged throughout the establishment;
"Please take care of me."