Chapter Text
The sunrise was beautiful.
The sun slowly rose from the east, dyeing the sky in a rich golden glow. The dark night sky slowly retreated in front of the light, making the sky a beautiful gradient of golden, purple, and blue –
The stars were starting to fade away, swallowed by the sun’s brightness.
There were a few clouds in the sky, thinly spread like pink cotton candy, like brush trails on a canvas. Below them, birds were flying, crying –
“Good morning, Iwamine-sensei.”
Kazuaki came in the next day to find Shuu sitting by the table, reading a book. There was a pot of tea next to his book, steam still coming out of its spout.
Shuu looked up to him, with the brightest smile Kazuaki had ever seen coming from Shuu.
It was almost like an idyllic picture out of a cliché novel; a handsome young gentleman, sitting behind a desk, reading a book and serving tea for his guests with a smile.
“Good morning, Nanaki-sensei,” he greeted, “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?”
Kazuaki couldn’t help but feel lost.
He felt as if Shuu wasn’t actually there, and the bird sitting in front of him was just an imposter. Or maybe some kind of angel had possessed Shuu’s body…
Yes, that must’ve been the case. Shuu would never greet him the way he just did – the world would have ended before that could happen.
“You seem to be in a good mood today, Iwamine-sensei.”
“What do you mean? I’m always in a good mood.” Shuu poured some tea into a cup, “Would you like some mango tea?”
Am I dreaming? Is all of this actually happening? He wouldn’t say a single word yesterday –
“Is your head alright, Iwamine-sensei?”
“Why, of course it is,” Shuu replied – he didn’t seem offended at all. “Why do you ask?”
“You’re acting… strange.”
Shuu poured some tea into another cup – “No, I’m acting quite normally.”
Okay, Iwamine-sensei, if you’re really acting normally, you would’ve asked for my head in exchange for that cup of tea.
“What are you standing around for? Grab a seat.”
Kazuaki sat down in front of Shuu, still slightly concerned, as Shuu slid over a cup of tea to him.
“I’ve been reading your book – Book of the Thieving Magpie,” Shuu began, “It’s a very interesting book. It starts of simple and mundane, but becomes really interesting.”
“I can bring you the sequel,” Kazuaki said, “There are three books total.”
“Ah, no wonder it felt kind of hanging,” Shuu said with a smile. “I would appreciate that.”
“Have you read the other books?”
“I haven’t read the Poe story collection yet, but I think I’ll get to it in a few days.”
They spent the whole day talking about the books Kazuaki lent.
Shuu actually was able to make good conversation – Kazuaki doubted anyone had ever seen this side of him save for Ryuuji.
“I really appreciate your company, Nanaki-sensei.”
Shuu waved his hand as Kazuaki was leaving.
“Thank you for taking care of me.”
Kazuaki would be lying if he said the whole situation wasn’t creeping him out, but it wasn’t like he didn’t enjoy it.
Maybe if Shuu can cope and start looking at life positively, Kazuaki would be able to do that, too.
Now he started to feel bad for ripping up the picture. Maybe he didn’t need to do that to knock Shuu back to his senses – “time heals everything”, so maybe all Shuu needed was a bit more time and patience to clear his mind –
Things are changing now, he thought. Hopefully for the better.
~
“Don’t look at him.”
Shuu was lying on the ground now, blood oozing out of his forehead.
Leone threw the gun he had just fired from on the grass, next to Shuu’s hand.
Shuu’s eyes were open, staring blankly into the distance. That had always been the look in his eyes for a while now, since the incident last month –
As if he was staring into the distance, waiting to be saved. But that salvation never came –
And yet, he seemed… almost peaceful.
“Sakazaki, I said don’t look at him.”
Yuuya closed his eyes and turned around.
I’m sorry.
~
“Good morning, Iwamine-sensei.”
Kazuaki didn’t forget to bring the sequel of the book as he promised. He walked into the room to find Shuu’s wheelchair parked by the window as usual –
- but Iwamine Shuu was nowhere to be seen.
Perhaps that's only normal. Iwamine Shuu is no longer part of this world, after all.