Archive of Our Own ^beta

"I promise you'll be impressed! Ya will see just how much we've all improved and you'll be soooo sad ya left you will be begging to be let on the team again!"

"I'm sure of it."

"So you'll come?!"

"No."

"Come on 'Samu!"

"Look, I have better things to be doing."

"No ya don't! We are literally right here, just come in, sit down, it'll be fun! For old times sake?" his twin spoke in his usual loud, expressive tone. His eyebrows furrowed in a way, making it seem he was about to give up.

Osamu sighed.

"Fine, but if I get hit by the ball one time I am leaving."

His face lit up. "I knew it! You want to come back!"

"Don't put words in my mouth!" he shouted out, watching Atsumu run the other way to get changed.

It's only been a few months since Osamu officially quit the Inarizaki volleyball team and things have been.. hectic. Mostly Atsumu, berating him about how he's throwing away years of experience and skill over a 'minor setback'; but every now and then, he'll see the others talking about the affect on the team and such.

More than not, it only made him feel guilty. But it was for the best, and he shouldn't go back just to make his previous teammates happier. It's not like his absence is really impacting the team either way. They've got Atsumu and Kita, and everyone else. And they're all great. If anything, him leaving was better for everyone! It pushed the others to try harder.

But, here he was, heading inside the gymnasium, per his brothers request, to watch them play.

Pushing open the door, he was met with the warm air contrasting with the cool winter day. The sounds of the ball bouncing off the floor for the countless time echoed through the room as suddenly, he felt all eyes on him.

He stepped in, scratching the back of his neck uncomfortably.

"Osamu, it's good to see you here." Kita smiled at him.

"Yeah, hey. I'm only here to watch, if that's okay. 'Tsumu kept bugging me about it."

"Ah, is that why he's late again?"

"..yeah." he shot the others an awkward grin, only getting an understanding nod as they all went back to warm up.

It didn't take long for the blond to burst through the door, making quite the entrance. A bit of scolding later, and he melted into the team naturally.

Osamu quietly made his way to the bench, sitting down near the coach. He could feel an intense aura surrounding the man. His palms started to sweat. Has it always been this hot in here?

"You're here to watch, huh?" he spoke.

Osamu nodded.

"Well, I hope you still feel a part of this team. We're always working hard to improve."

"Yeah, Atsumus been telling me." the boy was finally able to relax his shoulders.

"Is that so? He's been late a lot recently." his voice sounded contradicting. Like angry, but worried? Well, whatever. This wasn't his business anymore.

The silver-haireds eyes followed the ball, imagining his own movements with each action. It almost seemed like he still had it in him. To win.

Only now could he truly tell. They're a team. They work, they move, they play as one. It felt near mesmorising. It's as if time stood still, the ball - an orb of light uniting all these different people. Each pass and each sprint, each jump and hit was the rhythm of the game.

"It touched the floor!"

"Did not!"

"It literally bounced back!"

"I saw it, it didn't touch the floor!"

"Bro, it bounced back up!"

"'Samu, you saw it, right?! It didn't fall!"

"Huh? It obviously fell to the floor."

"He's no help!" Atsumu spoke to his teammates, turning to face them instead of his twin while shaking his head.

It almost felt like there was something, something that prevented the ball from actually falling, but there was nothing there.

He sighed. Not his business, does not concern him.

A sudden shiver ran down his spine. How cold was it? He pulled his sleeves down, putting his hands between his legs to warm them up. The guys might get sick playing in such temperatures.

For the rest of the practise Osamu only observed. He was getting bored, as he shifted his attention to his surroundings.

Something felt off. He couldn't tell what, but the place wasn't how he remembered it.

Strange.

In the end, he chalked it up to the lack of sleep.

"How was it? You wanna get back into it now, don't ya? Yeahhhhh, ya do." Atsumu put his hands behind his head, a satisfied smile on his face.

Practise was over and the twins were walking back home, just like they used to, some months ago.

"You smell, please take a shower when we get home."

"Yeah, okay, whatever!"

Osamu stopped walking, suddenly.

"What's up?"

"Did you feel that?"

"What?" he tilted his head to the side.

"The wind."

"Jesus, are you on edge about some wind?" he rolled his eyes.

"It was strange, no?"

"Not really."

What was the point of asking Atsumu about it, exactly? It wasn't like he'd be able to tell. That damn smooth brain of his.

On top of that, he was also annoying! All Osamu wanted was some peace and quiet, to think and ponder. But no. Not while 'Tsumus around.

"Did you know Kita finally found his soulmate?"

"Did he?" the gray-haired spoke, uninterested.

"Yeah, and you know what the most shocking part was? He was shocked!"

"..is it Aran?"

"Yeah! He was genuinely surprised! I thought he was only pretending to be all stupid! But anyway, they've started dating. They're cute, I guess."

"Good for them."

"Yeahh, I bet me and Omi would be better tho."

"For sure."

"Stop doing that!"

"Doing what?"

"Pretending to be interested in what I'm saying!" he whined, and to his own nature, without a reply he kept on talking. "Come on, don't ignore me!"

Osamu rummaged through his bag, trying to find his keys. Eventually, he did, and the two went inside.

"Or do, that's fine too!" Atsumu yelled out while heading to the kitchen. How tiring.

He opened the door to his room, unable to wait any longer to fall face first on his bed and waste the rest of the day that way.

Though as it creaked open, his attention fell to the curtains which swayed in an unusual way, as if.. as if the room was windswept.

It would've stayed on his mind for a long while, as things recently have, but this day felt so incredibly long it felt like his brain couldn't take it anymore. So, he fell face first on his bed, and.. stared at the ceiling.

He tossed and turned, unable to drift into a much needed slumber. Everything since he entered the gymnasium has felt so off. It was weird.

By the time he had given up trying to fall asleep, as he ripped open his eyes, it'd already gotten dark outside. Out his window, he could see the snowflakes falling from the sky. The rooftops of the houses nearby were covered with a small amount of snow.

It wasn't often it snowed there.

The shadows danced around, drooping in unnatural ways, as the moonlight shone into his room with a ghostly seam. Osamu could see the orbs of dust floating around, twirling in a pirouette. At times, he wished he could stay in these moments forever. Not sad, not happy, not particularly interested or aware of his surroundings. Just being there. Alone, without a mind.

The boy tilted his head back with a groan. At this point, he might as well do his homework, maybe study a bit if he has the energy, or just waste time on social media.

He lazily made his way over to his desk, turning on his lamp and putting on some music.

His head snapped to the side. What was that?

By the lamp, beside the desk, he saw what seemed like.. a person.

Were the sleepless nights catching up to him? Was the insomnia taking up a bigger effect? It wasn't strange for him to see figures or bugs in the corner of his eyes, but this? This was new. It looked real.

You could see the window through the almost transparent, pale skin which was smooth in the light. Chest exposed, full of scars and bruises. A skinny build.

He shook his head. As if.

The barely working pen glided across the lined paper, quiet music played in the background. His handwriting was beggining to get shaky, slowing down the writing. His breaths got slower and deeper, heartrate losing velocity. Gradually, it all began to fade away. His vision went black and he felt himself lose consciousness.

He was dizzy, unable to tell wether his eyes were closed or open - it was that dark. A black space, which seemed to stretch out to infinity. Eternal emptiness, as it appears.

A light, like a glowing silhouette had shown up, far away. What is that?

Reluctantly, he started to head near it. He couldn't tell what he was walking on, he couldn't tell what was going on. But he knew the glowing figure was getting closer.

A bright white figure, stood still in the distance.

As he got closer, he could tell. They had a skinny, masculine body, ribs nearly showing. Scars covered most of it - chest, arms, hands. Hair was dark, Osamu couldn't tell what color it was. Short, messy.

Their face felt just out of reach though.

Just as he was about to mutter out a greeting of some sort, the person began to turn around. Their body twisted and turned, falling to the ground. They looked up, at the gray-haired in front of them. But as soon as he layed eyes on the mysterious, glowing figure - there it was. His room.

He didn't get to look at their face, he didn't get to see who it was.

He felt uneasy. What even was that? A dream, or maybe a vision?

Osamu wasn't one to dream. In fact, over the years his insomnia had gotten so bad, he barely ever slept. So, naturally, dreaming was out of the question. It was around two years ago when he simply stopped having them. But from before that time, his memories felt foggy and unclear.

So was it a vision? Is that even possible?

He scoffed. Visions.

"I think I had a dream." he spoke, leaning against the doorway to his brothers room.

"Really?! Man, I didn't think ya even had a soulmate!"

"Yeah, me too. But it was weird. Black space, some ethereal looking figure. And then as it turned to me, I woke up."

"Shit, that is weird." Atsumu leaned back on his chair. "Did you see their face?"

"No, it was for barely a split second I got to look at it."

"Damn, tough luck. Couldn't be me though, guess who's coming over next week." he shot the other a cheerful grin.

Osamu only sighed, rolling his eyes before leaving, returning to his own room. That's what he gets for telling his twin about something for once.

Dreams are shared amongst soulmates. People destined to be together, romantically or not, will share dreams. So as Atsumu would have nightmares to talk to his 'Omi-omi' about, who too had the same ones, Osamu only had actual dreams as a kid, and had figured out his soulmate isn't anyone he currently knows.

At first, they had come to the conclusion that Osamu didn't have a soulmate. But as on a particular day he suddenly remembered an old dream, it was clear he did have one. But nothing explained the experience at hand.

Sure, some people didn't mind living on without ever seeing the one they are destined to be with, but Osamu wasn't one of them. He wanted to know.

Unfortunately for him, there was nothing he could do about it at the moment. If he were to start having dreams again, it should start with him actually sleeping, which would mean taking his medication, which also meant feeling even more tired during the entire day. And he couldn't have that, since it would bring down his school work and that was the only thing he had going for him.

The whole week was simply tiring. His thoughts always managed to wander off to that night. What did it mean? Who was that? Questions he would have answered sooner than he thought, but later than he hoped.

"Do ya know anyone who had a dream like a week ago with a glowing white figure in a black space?"

"..no? I thought you didn't like, ever dream?" Sakusa raised an eyebrow.

"So did I." the boy brushed his hand through his hair with an exhale.

As much as he hated to admit it and hell, he'd rather die than admit it to Atsumus face, the silver-haired twin envied the other a lot. The way he met his soulmate was so.. conventional. At a volleyball tournament, back when Osamu himself still played. Apparently before then, the blond had been messaging Sakusa all the time. So when they got to meet in person, it was when they actually spoke up about their dreams and to nobodys surprise, they were soulmates.

But no, it couldn't be the same for the other twin. No dreams, first time in years he has one and it's straight up weird and confusing.

He hated it.

What he hated near the same amount though, was the uneasy feeling he's had for a while now. Almost like he was being watched. Not by a person, but by.. an entity. Something with no bad intentions, just observing.

As the blond dragged Sakusa to his room, Osamu made his way to the kitchen. It was a friday evening and he had barely eaten the entire day.

He decided on making himself some food. Preparing the pan, he turned around to get seasoning. In the window, it being dark outside and the light making it basically a mirror, he saw it. The figure from the dream. Not glowing or bright like then, but.. normal. Only thing off was that it was almost transparent.

Osamu froze, staring daggers into the figures eyes, who seemed to have noticed.

"Shit, you can see me?" it asked.

"...yeah."

And then, silence. Neither moved, eyes wide, staring.

Surely, he had gone insane, right? What else could it be? He hadn't slept in so long he was hallucinating. It had happened before, maybe this time he was just more stressed than usual.

The figure sat on the counter, shirtless but wearing a pair of black sweatpants.

Osamu turned around. There it was.

"..are you real?.." was the only thing he managed to ask.

"I mean, depends on what you count as 'real'. But technically, yes."

"..okay."

He got the seasoning out a cupboard nearby, bringing it back to the stove. His body was tense, the figure felt like a magnet. If he looked, he couldn't look away.

"You, uh.. not gonna question it any more?.."

"Should I?"

"Most people do."

"..I don't really think you're real."

"Fair."

Well this was fucking awkward. No wonder Osamu has no friends. He can't even talk his own hallucination properly.

"..ya want some?"

"No, thanks. We can't consume anything." the entity spoke like that was the most obvious thing ever.

"..right."

"I can go, if you, uh, want me to."

"It's alright."

The boy sat down to eat. Eyes still wide, unable to pull them away from his food.

"So.. how are you?"

Was it seriously trying to have a conversation?

"Creeped out. How about you?"

"..I'm good. Your brother is making out with some black haired guy."

"I figured."

"..yeah... Are you just like, good with me being here?"

"I have not yet considered the fact you may not be a figment of my imagination."

"..cool. Well, I'm Suna."

"Osamu. Are you like, a spirit?" he finally managed to drag his eyes up to meet the entity.

"Well, maybe? I'm a ghost. You know, dead, but tied to this world to make amends with whatever is keeping me here."

"Right. What is keeping you here?"

"I'm not sure. Your memory starts fading much quicker when you're dead."

"..yeah, makes sense."

"You still convinced you're hallucinating?"

"Kinda. Can anyone else see you?"

"No, unless they actually believe I'm here, which is really rare. Surprised you do, yet are convinced I'm not real at the same time. It's nice though. It's been a while since I got to talk to someone."

"..I can imagine. So what? Have you been dead a century?"

"What? No, it's been a few years." the ghost.. smiled. He smiled. A small, shy, gentle smile.

"..so, you're not like evil? Not gonna posses me?"

"I'll think about it."

"That's nice."

Finally, Osamu was able to let his shoulders drop and body relax. The tension has been lifted, although the uneasiness still lingered in the air.

"Well, uh, I'm going to bed."

"Sure. Goodnight, Osamu." the ghost replied.

"..goodnight."

The boy made his way into his room, changing into a plain, dark gray t-shirt and some lighter sweatpants. He sat down on his bed with a sigh. What a strange day.

He couldn't help but wonder, was the ghost really real? Did he actually exist, or was Osamu just losing his mind? How was this even possible? Do ghosts exist? Was that who was watching Osamu? Was he in the gymnasium that day, where maybe Osamu somehow caught his attention? Why? How? What's he up to right now? It kinda feels like letting a stranger roam your house.

So many thoughts were running through his head. He couldn't sleep.

The lonely night seemed to slow down the time as his eyes stuck to the ceiling, almost as if in a daze. All this soulmate, dream stuff was complete bullshit. Ghosts were bullshit. It all was bullshit.

He sat up, shaking his head. If he lets his mind race like this, he won't wake up, ever.

He quietly walked over to the bathroom, the new moon letting in no light to brighten up his path.

He squinted, turning on the light. Osamu leaned on the counter in front of the mirror, looking at his own reflection. His eyes were dull and tired, with dark, deep eye bags. His eyebrows furrowed in a way that made him look like a child on the verge of tears.

The door creaked open behind him.

"You alright?"

It was Suna. He's still here.

"Yeah, I'm good." he rubbed his eyes, running his hand through his hair.

"Can't sleep?"

"..yeah." he sighed, turning around to face the ghost.

Sunas eyes were a cold sage color, upturned and half lidded. He looked at Osamu in a way like a cat would look at a fish just out of reach. A longing gaze, stretching out in vain. Too far. It'll be gone soon. Osamu didn't understand it. Did he want to?

"How did you die?" his voice just above a whisper.

"..I.. made a choice, to leave behind the mortal realm. It was my own wish." the being avoided eye contact, tilting his head down just a bit, as if he wasn't too keen on talking about it.

"..oh. I'm sorry.."

The light flickered. Suna did too. The atmosphere was tense and the air around the two felt choking.

Only the buzzing of the lights could be heard, it was as if the entire world was dead quiet.

"You look tired." he spoke up, his eyes searching Osamus for any discomfort of his presence.

"I am."

"I think you should head to bed, even if you can't sleep."

"Yeah?"

"It helps more than you think."

"No, yeah, I know. I have a lot on my mind. You're really real? I don't think I'm creative enough to make up an entire ghost with a backstory." he shifted his weight, looking lazily at Suna, who was leaning against the wall.

"Yes, I'm pretty real, but if you keep asking me that, soon you won't be real."

Osamu grimaced in a lighthearted way. "Fine, sorry."

"Honestly though, your reaction was really.. tame, comparing with some others I've witnessed, especially. Believe me, some people are fucking insane. I had a pot thrown at me once. Like really? A pot? I'm not even fully visible?"

"A pot?" he chuckled, quietly.

"A pot. Another time this guys dog kept circling me-"

"Animals can see you?" his eyes widened and his mouth was left agape.

"..yeah, I kinda thought that was a known fact. Trust me, cats aren't big fans of staring at the wall, but they do enjoy staring at transparent dead humans wandering around."

"...holy shit."

"You.. you didn't know that?"

"Suna, it feels like my whole life was a lie."

"Yeah, I believe you on that one.."

Osamu was trying to comprehend just how many times there must've been ghosts in the house when suddenly, a person appeared in the doorway by the barely open door.

"Are ya talking to yourself?"

"'Tsumu?"

"Stop hogging the bathroom for yer youtube makeup tutorials, I need to piss!" he whisper screamed at him. Bet he thought he was hilarious.

"Did you know animals see ghosts?"

Atsumu furrowed his eyebrows, stopping his attempt of pushing the other out of the room. "Did ya think I was joking when I kept telling you this like a year ago?"

"Ya talk nonsense a lot!"

"Oh shut up and get out!" he managed to push him out, slamming the door in his face.

He shook his head, his attention instantly falling to Suna by the other wall, with an amused look on his face.

"I swear he's a liar." Osamu pointed at the door, only getting a quiet snicker in return.

"No, I know, you're the self proclaimed better twin."

"I am, definitely."

"Definitely."

"Are you siding with him right now?"

"I'd never."

"This is funny to you, isn't it?"

Suna only smirked at the remark.

A few seconds in silence passed, more so waiting for Atsumu to leave the restroom for them to continue talking. But, alas, he was taking his precious time.

"Do ghosts need sleep?"

"No. We can sleep, but we don't require sleep to function."

"I wish I was a ghost."

"I mean, there isn't much to do, really. I wish I was still alive."

"..would you have done things differently? If ya like, suddenly started over."

"I'd like to say yes, but I'm not sure. I don't remember what my life was like. All I know is it was my choice to leave."

"Yeah, I think I get that, maybe. Do you get to see your dead family? Ancestors and those types of things?"

"Only people I actually knew when I was alive. Some of them, they look.. horiffying, genuinely."

"How come?"

"The form you resurrect in as a ghost is the form you took on during your last moments alive. So many people I know had died in brutal ways."

"Oh, shit, that makes a lot of sense. You look fine tho?"

"..yeah, it didn't leave any physical effects."

Pills don't leave marks, after all.

"What do ghosts even do?"

"I'm not sure. Try make amends with something, haunt people, I can't really tell you, I don't know. Me personally, I like to sneak into peoples houses and open cabinets and tilt things over. Your brother was actually my most recent victim."

"That was you?"

"He's fun to mess around with. Like saving that ball, last week I think. It was funny."

"That was you?"

"Yeah, I knew you noticed it."

"I did." he tilted his head back with a soft laughter.

"I generally enjoy fucking around with people."

"I can tell. Hey, will you be here tomorrow?"

"I will probably be here for much longer than I'd like to. So, yes."

"We are so pranking 'Tsumu."

With a mere glance you couldn't tell, but the look in the brunets eyes softened, in a way. It must get lonely.

"Yeah." he nodded.

"Anyway, I think I'll be okay for the night. I'm going to sleep. Goodnight."

"Sleep well."

Next thing Osamu knew, he was a little boy, running through a house, dragging along a smaller girl by her hand.

He jumped up and down, pointing at the calendar. January 25th.

The laughter of the kids was smile inducing, as Osamu could see a middle aged woman stood nearby with a wide grin on her face.

The room was of a standard lower-middle class family. There were a few balloons and banners around, clearly decorated for a boys birthday party. There weren't many people around, besides the woman and a man who came out of the other room, carrying a cake.

They started singing Happy Birthday, as the boy, whos shoes Osamu was currently in, gasped. The younger girl started cheering beside him.

The cake was a baby blue color, with seven lit candles placed on top of it. The writing was in purple, displaying everything normal for a childs birthday. But what caught Osamus attention was the name. Sunarin.

Seriously, have dreams always been so unclear?

He groaned, seeing the sunlight peaking in through his window. It was daytime. He actually slept.

With a stretch, he got out of bed, heading to the bathroom. He felt as if he was forgetting something, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"My god, do ya always need to hog the bathroom?" his twin burst through the door, elbowing Osamu - who was brushing his teeth - to the side.

"I don't hog the bathroom, you're the one with a weak bladder!"

"You sat here for like twenty minutes last night with the door not even fully closed, taking to yourself!"

"Oh, yeah. I did." that's what he had forgotten. Suna.

"Fuck you mean 'oh, yeah, I did'!?" he let his arms drop, in a motion which basically said 'I'm so done with your bullshit, if I could abort you, I would'.

"Do we know a Sunarin?"

"Huh?"

"Someone named Sunarin?"

"I don't think so, I don't know. Why?"

"Don't worry about it." he spit into the sink, washing his hands once more before wiping them on a towel and leaving the room.

Osamu made his way over to the kitchen, deciding to make himself a meal. And maybe even making Atsumu breakfast, if he feels like it.

His eyes scoured the fridge, stopping on the carton of eggs. He cracked one open right above the pan which he already prepped. (how does one make an omlet??)

He put the remaining eggs in the fridge, turning around again only to be met with none other, than the ghost himself, Suna.

"Jesus fucking christ can ya stop doing that?"

"I find it hilarious, actually."

"I bet you do."

"You know what else I find hilarious?"

"Surprise me."

"The fact that nobody else can see me and you look like a lunatic right now."

Ah, fuck.

Osamu slowly turned his head to the doorway. It was like dragging out the moment would make it go away. Or so, well, he hoped.

In all his concerned glory stood a tall, curly, black haired guy.

"It's.. not what it looks like?.." Osamu gave him a weak smile. The sound of Suna failing to hold in his laughter felt like ringing in his ears.

Sakusa stood still, unsure of what to do. Surely, he was thinking something along the lines of 'what the fuck is wrong with this guy?'. And Osamu couldn't even blame him.

"Want breakfast?" he offered, as a last attempt to take the attention off the fact he just looked like he was talking to himself.

"No, thanks." he replied, finally taking a step forward, going to wash his mug.

The gray-haired only glared at Suna, who seemed to be enjoying the whole situation.

"Hey, do you know a Sunarin?" Osamu asked.

Sunas eyes widened.

"I don't think so. Sounds more like a nickname than a name, though."

"..it does, doesn't it?"

Sakusa only hummed in reply. Osamu hadn't thought of the possibility that it might not be someones actual name. That makes this a lot more complicated. How's he meant to find someone by their nickname?

Suddenly, it came to mind. Suna..rin. Sunarin. Could it be the ghost which is currently sat on the counter beside Osamu? He'll need to ask about it later. Maybe not when there's anyone else around, this time.

"What's your full name?" he suddenly spoke up, closing the door behind him as Suna fell to Osamus bed.

"Do you want me to be honest?" he hesitated.

"..yes?"

"Sunarin, that was a nickname my family called me. I don't remember my full name, but when I heard you mention it in the kitchen earlier, it brought back some memories. I think, if I could manage to remember my full name it might help me figure out why I'm still here."

"Oh." the boy said with an exhale, sitting down by the other.

"..yeah.. How did you hear of it anyway?"

"..I had a dream... Of a birthday... January 25th, that's today." he turned over, looking at Suna, expectantly.

But the other didn't say anything.

He looked.. distant. His gaze was somewhere far, far away. A hint of sadness lingered in his eyes, mixed with uncertainty and a feeling of loss.

It was as if he wasn't really here.

His lips were slightly apart, his breathing was just barely steady.

Osamu watched as his chest rose up and down. It was so silent, he swore he could hear his own heartbeat. And probably Sunas too, if he still had one.

He wished to say something. The boy didn't like the heaviness of the atmosphere and the lingering wave of sorrow. But he didn't want to push Suna. If he needed silence - to think, to process, anything at all - Osamu would give him silence.

And in silence they sat, for a few minutes, until Suna seemed to snap back into reality.

"You okay?" Osamu asked, having noticed.

"..yeah, I think so. I'd be turning seventeen today."

It took a few seconds before the other replied. "Hold on, wait here."

Osamu stood up, rummaging through one of his drawers and quickly leaving the room.

If it was his birthday, it should be celebrated. Even if just for a little while.

He got a candle out of a different drawer and a small cupcake out of the fridge. Truthfully, it was Atsumus. But it's not his birthday so it's fine.

He lit the candle, sticking it into the cupcake and quickly made his way back into the room, closing the door once again.

"Happy birthday, Suna. If I would've known earlier, I could've made ya something." he held it out on a plate in front of the ghost, who was staring back at him with a look of surprise and adoration.

"..thank you..."

"Are you crying?" his eyes widened. That was certainly not the reaction he expected.

"..no." he sniffled, rubbing his eyes. "Sorry, I don't think anyones wished me a happy birthday since.. man, I don't know."

"Don't worry." he gave the other a warm smile.

Suddenly, it was as if Suna got whiplash.

"I have a sister." his eyes grew wide and his body tensed up.

"Huh?"

"I.. I can't remember her name, but she's a few years younger than me. She was the one in the dream you had last night."

"I remember her, yeah. Dark brown hair, like yours. I can't remember her eye color."

"Brown. Her eyes were brown. She hated when I got into volleyball because I'd spend less time with her. But she hated it even more when I stopped playing."

"You played volleyball?"

"Yeah, but I quit because I got into some bad coping habits and, you know."

"..yeah, I know. Some of your memories are returning, yeah?"

"I think so."

"Okay, tell me more about your sister. She would be happy to see you again, right? I could try find where she lives, if you haven't seen her where you used to live."

"That.. that'd be nice. When I died, the first thing I did was go look for her. But I was so confused and in so much pain because of my passing, I didn't go see her right away. I don't know how much time passed until I did decide to finally go back home. I saw her. She was crying and looked sickly pale. I didn't see anyone else there, not even my mom."

"Your dad?"

"He passed away when I was fourteen. My sister, she was younger than me. It was by three years. I never did get to see her go to the same high school as me."

"What high school did you go to?"

"Inarizaki. I had just made it to my first year. It was a bit before the second semester when I passed."

"So you died at.. sixteen? Fifteen?"

"Yes, probably."

"Right, wait." he pulled out his phone.

Everything seemed to be happening so fast. Suna was regaining his memories. Perhaps Osamu could help him figure out why he's still tied to the mortal realm. He hoped he could.

"..Rintarou?" the silver-haired uttered.

"..that... That's my name."

His breathing seemed to get more and more shallow. Osamu wasn't sure of wether it was in a good or bad way.

"Ritsuko. Suna Ristuko. That's my sister. I always called her Ritsu and she would call me Rin.. Oh... Osamu, I miss her so much.." his head fell to the others shoulder.

He couldn't feel the weight of his head or the warmth of his skin. All there was, was a slight breeze. There didn't need to be anything more.

Osamu gently put his hand on the others back. Not that he could actually feel where it was. For all he knew his hand was going right through the brunets body. But it didn't matter at the moment. Not much did.

The air seemed to loosen up. They could breathe.

"I'll help you find her." he whispered.

"..thank you."

"Make a wish?" he held out the still burning candle on the cupcake. Suna smiled.

A few seconds passed without a word, until the ghost nodded to himself, blowing out the candle.

"..I didn't think that'd work."

"I'm a ghost, not a projection. Take it as like.. wind."

"Right.."

The conversation died down. Osamu could tell the other was still pretty deep in thought and he didn't want to disturb that.

He put the plate down.

"How can you help me find her?"

"I could try searching online, like I did to figure out your name. Otherwise, just asking around, I guess."

"..okay. Facebook?"

"You sure you didn't die a century ago?"

"Shut up. That's the only place people actually use their full names, no?"

"Often, yeah. I guess you have a point, then."

"See, my brain still works."

"Uh huh."

Suna leaned on the chair, behind Osamu who was now at his desk searching up the sisters full name.

Not much came up, only social media accounts of people with the same name and such. Until he scrolled down a bit further.

Midnight Mishap: Car Strikes Young Girl, Prompting Emergency Response.

The gray-haired wasn't sure of what to do. Surely the article couldn't be about her.

Reluctantly, he clicked on it anyway.

His eyes scanned over the text, looking for a name. And there it was - Suna Ritsuko. Thirteen year old girl. Dead.

He stared at the screen for what felt like decades. Did Suna see it?

The stillness set over the two. There wasn't much to do, besides wait for the others reaction.

One part of him hoped it wouldn't come. Maybe Suna would blurt out something along the lines of 'oh shit that can't be her' followed by the explanation on why. Cause even though they barely knew eachother, Osamu still cared about the ghost. He couldn't really put into words why, but it was this feeling in his chest that told him to not leave the ghosts side. To care for him.

"I need to find her."

"What?"

"I'm going to go search for her. If she's dead, I'll be able to see her and she will see me."

Osamu was now facing Suna, who was suddenly fidgety, restless. It made him worried.

"Right now?"

"Yes, I'm sorry."

"No, It's okay. I get it, family is important. Just promise me you'll be careful." Could ghosts even get hurt?

Osamu held out his hands, palms upwards, fingers beckoning.

He noticed Suna relax, just a bit, before placing his hands with the others.

The boy couldn't explain what in his braindead mind convinced him to do this, but it worked out as a faint blush spread over his face.

"Goodluck. I'll.. be waiting for you, when you eventually return. I hope." he gave the ghost a shy but affirming smile.

"I'll be back, I promise."

Their faces slowly inched closer, eyes locked in a mutual gaze. The brunet could almost feel the others breath on his skin as the air got unbearable, the anticipation building.

Their lips were so close, yet so far. Osamus heart was pounding and it felt suffocating, just how close they were. He wanted it so much, the cold of the ghosts lips on his own. They both did.

And for a moment, they almost forgot that they were different.

Almost.

The warmth returned as Suna pulled away, his eyes dull. Regret hung in the air.

"Goodbye, Osamu. Until we see eachother again." he spoke in a soft tone, just above a whisper.

The silver-haired boy watched as Suna dissolved into the shadows and the familiar breeze vanished with.

The room suddenly felt like it lacked something. His presence.

But there was nothing he could do about it anymore. Suna left, he will be back, and for now Osamu was on his own, again.

He stretched out his arms above his head, trying to relax his body. He swiftly decided that it's no use slouching around. He should focus on his work and whatever, just like before he met the ghost.

Time seemed to drag on, making days feel like weeks and weeks feel like months. It was full of hope. Will Suna come back with his sister, happy? Osamu thinks Suna deserves to be happy. But at the same time he dreaded his return. What if things went wrong? So, so wrong they won't ever be able to lock eyes with one another ever again? Osamu liked Sunas eyes. They brought a feeling of home, warmth. He liked making eye contact with him.

Usually, Osamu hated eye contact. It was awkward and unsettling, in a sense. But he made an exception for Suna. He was different.

The boy placed his elbows on his knees, covering his face with a distressed motion. Holy shit. He missed Suna.

He missed being scared by the other, appearing behind Osamu as he turned around for barely a second. He missed feeling the cold he grew to love when he entered the room. He missed their late night talks and constant making fun of Atsumu. He missed the ghostly touch. He missed the ghost boy.

It wasn't even like he's been gone for long or like they were super close, yet the silver-haired couldn't help but wish he hadn't left. Was it selfish to think that way?

Yes, it was. So he shook his head as if trying to get rid of the thought, taking in one last deep breath before entering his school.

It was colder than he remembered. Osamu slumped, shoving his hands deeper into the pockets of his school jacket and tilting his head down - trying to savour any bit of warmness still left in his body.

"'Samu! Stop leaving me behind!" an annoyingly familiar voice called out.

"Stop yelling, I'm tired."

"Yeah, I can tell! Your under eyes have gotten really dark, I'd be worried for you if ya weren't my brother." Atsumu exhaled a sigh, finally having caught up to his twin.

The other only shrugged. Usually he'd pick a fight with the blond over the last part, but honestly, he just wanted to go home. Lay down, sink deep into his mattress and keep sinking until he couldn't breathe.

The boy couldn't concentrate - couldn't pay any attention to his classes. He rested his head on his fist. In the other hand was his pen - the same one, almost put of ink.

Osamu sketched lines into his notebook, trying to make something of them. He wasn't too interested in art, nor did he possess any talent for it. It didn't bother him when the eyes looked a bit off, the nose was just not right and the hair parted in the center of his face looked strange in every way.

It usually didn't bother him, but when it came to something he set his mind to - which in this case was a drawing of the entity that's been on his mind as a constant buzzing - it was upsetting to see himself fail. So he tried again, and again, scribbling over the mistakes and getting increasingly aggressive. Until he pressed down his pencil so hard the lead snapped, flying off to god-knows-where.

A perplexed expression clouded his face. He wasn't like this - irritated, frustrated, with a sense of sadness lingering in his eyes. He was supposed to be the collected, concealed one. Osamu wasn't the one to get visibly mad. Osamu wasn't one to let his emotions get out of hand, and yet.

His elbows landed on the desk with a muted thud, fingers grazing his forehead as he buried his face in his palms, slouching down. The world seemed a bit too much and what didn't help one bit was his twin, marching into the classroom.

"'Samu, if I see ya sulking, I'll kill you!" he announced, taking the attention of every student still in the room, before even entering. It wasn't long before his eyes fell to the twin sat alone in the back, who was, in fact, sulking.

Atsumu leaned on the desk, resting his head against his own shoulder. A scowl plastered on his face. "Seriously, what's been up with you lately? I swear you always have that dumb look on your face. It's like ya saw a puppy get kicked."

Osamu groaned in response.

"Wanna come watch us practise later?" he slipped into the seat beside, placing his head on the desk, his eyes meeting Osamus.

"No."

He frowned, "But it was great last time!"

Osamu stared at him blankly, with an almost melancholic gaze. His eyes looked drowsy.

To no reply, Atsumu sat up straight with a sigh. There felt to be a pit in his stomach. "Do whatever you want." he mumbled, getting up and heading out.

The gray-haired furrowed his brows. Atsumu had gone out of his way to check up on him, invite him to practice, but Osamu just.. blocked it out. Why was he like this? Atsumu was trying. Genuinely, honestly trying.

He pressed his forehead against the desk. Man, did he hate himself.

He put his things back into his bag, picking it up and tossing it over his shoulder. He was so getting out of here.

"Where are ya off to?"

Has he not left yet?

Almost out the door, nearly outside, the voice he'd grown up with shouted out. He didn't need to hear his name to know who it was if it was the same guy he'd just spoken to a few minutes ago.

"I'm leaving."

"Does ma know?"

"..she will." which in other words was a way to say that she does not, but will figure it out eventually, wether he likes it or not.

"Why're you leaving?"

"I feel sick."

"No you don't."

"I do."

"'Samu, what's wrong?"

"Sore throat." he lied.

"You know that's not what I meant."

"Headache, too."

"Why do you keep doing this?"

"I don't understand what you mean."

"You do. 'Samu, I'm not stupid and neither are you. Tell me, what's going on?"

"I feel unwell, I told you."

"Why do you never open up to me? I know you're not just sick." his voice was getting louder. It felt like ringing in Osamus ears.

"You don't know shit."

"I'm your twin! I've known you literally our entire lives! I know when somethings bothering you, and I want to help you, but you're being so stubborn."

"I don't need your help."

"You don't want my help, 'Samu! There's a diffrence! We're family, we're supposed to share this kind of stuff! Yet all you do is push me away!"

"I can handle it on my own, can't you get that through your thick skull?!"

"You're not handling anything, you just wallow in your own sadness all the time!"

"Wallow?! You think it's that fucking easy? You have no idea!"

"Then tell me!"

"I can't, Atsumu. It's not something simple and I can't explain it, not even to myself. Just drop it." his tone fell quieter, suddenly aware of the small crowd of students around the two. Swarming like moths around a lamp.

"I can't 'just drop it'! You're my brother, I care about you!.."

"I'll figure it out on my own! Just let me be, please." he felt tears swelling up in the corners of his eyes.

Not here. Not now.

The Miyas stared at eachother for what felt like a million lightyears. So silent, you could hear a pin drop. The air felt strangling, the tension was anxiety inducing. It was like they couldn't breathe.

Atsumu wore a puzzled expression on his face. Like something was telling him to keep prying - right here, right now; and something else was telling him to oblige with Osamus wishes. 'Just drop it'.

Osamus knuckles have went white at that point, hands clenched in fists by his sides.

"Fine." Atsumu spoke up, releasing the breath he'd been holding without even knowing. He let his shoulders drop, his eyes full of.. Osamu couldn't tell. But something was there.

He looked at the blond for a few more seconds - which absolutely felt like ten hours - before turning his head and leaving.

It was silent. He expected his mind to be rushing with thoughts, voices, urges, but there was nothing. He felt numb.

The tree leaves drooped over him, whispering nothings into the blue, the road seemed to last an eternity and the sun was sealed away by the deep, dark clouds. The distance looked almost foggy, uncertain. It all seemed dull and lifeless.

The cats he usually saw on his way home were nowhere to be seen and the birds in the sky were absent.

Wind whooshed in unfamiliar ways and the grass swayed as if it didn't quite fit in.

It felt as if he'd just stepped onto a long deserted planet. He was all alone. He felt all alone.

As Osamu got home, he was finally able to relax, pushing his head to the wall. He shut his eyes, seeing swirls of color. His body felt weak, arms down by his sides as he let them hang there.

What was wrong with him? Why was he acting like a child?

Perhaps all he wished for at that moment was for someone to hold him, to tell him he'd be okay, to look at him and say 'I get it'. Maybe that person could be Suna. Or maybe that was wishful thinking. He just didn't want to feel lonesome anymore. Did it even matter?

After all, people often hung around Osamu just to get closer to Atsumu. The blond was always more liked. He was social, easy to talk to, charming, funny, everything Osamu wasn't.

The silver-haired was.. weird, to put it simply. Reserved, blunt... People didn't really bother getting to know him.

It was always Atsumu this, Atsumu that, and nothing to say about the other.

He didn't mind it, really, but time went on and peoples opinions didn't change, and eventually it inevitably got to his head.

He didn't matter.

The sentence rang in his mind like a plague, echoing persistently, louder and louder and louder.

The tears he choked down earlier were resurfacing, falling to the ground like little rain droplets. He shouldn't cry, there was nothing he could do. So what if he was so lonely it was killing him from the inside, so what if it felt like everyone hated him even though he knew they didn't, so what if he felt like the worst person on gods green earth, so what if he felt so empty it seemed like nothing could fill that void in his chest, so what if he never felt like he was good enough, so what if he was so fucking insecure it overshadowed every accomplishment he achieved, so what if he felt such immense guilt from running away from his troubles, so what?

That's just who he was - a critic, a failure.

And there it was the thoughts, the voices, the urges.

He didn't want to be here. He didn't want to stay.

But he had to. For Atsumu, for his parents, for Suna. For the team he was once a part of and the kids who once looked up to him.

He grasped at his hair, trying to tug away his consciousness. He wished he could just stop.

By then he was crouching, head still pressed to the wall. Eyes shut firmly, knuckles pale again. Tears gathered by his jawline. Nothing felt real.

He just wanted to be okay.

He just wished he was gone.

The day passed by agonisingly slow. Osamus mother was annoyed at him for skipping and the tension between him and Atsumu was just off-putting. It felt like at any moment a huge fight would break out. No words were shared between the twins, not even petty looks.

An entire night of staring at the ceiling, his mind rushing, later, and Osamu found himself squinting at the sudden light in his previously dark room.

"You'll be late." Atsumu spoke, his tone not as expressive as usual. The other couldn't help but wonder if he was feeling okay.

"I'm not going." Osamu groaned.

"Ma will be pissed again."

"I know."

"..alright."

And with that, the light vanished and the door was closed as the silver-haired listened to the decreasing footsteps leaving the house.

The boy had a history of missing classes when he didn't feel that well. It wasn't the classes or studying that simply upset him there. In fact, he studied just the same at home. It was the everlasting feeling of being. Around people, in a big building, always being perceived - every aspect of it. He couldn't deal with it. So like a little bitch, he stayed out of school and only came back when he felt.. better. -ish.

He spent a few more hours laying around before finally forcing himself out of bed. He needed to get something done if he's already skipping classes.

He sat down, flipping open his books and proceeding to stare at them blankly. What was up with him? Unable to process any information and study in general. Would he be better off in school right now?

No. All he needed was to clear his mind.

So, quickly, he changed, grabbed a snack and left the house to go on a walk. Not procrastinating, just getting some fresh air.

The sky was clear, the warm rays of the sun made their way into the forest, shining through the leaves. You could see the melting snow as February set in full. The birds were chirping and the little bugs were getting ready to crawl onto the surface.

As the wind raced through the trees, Osamus thoughts wandered back to a certain ghost. He missed him.

Something caught his attention in the corner of his eye. A cemetery.

If Sunas dead and is from around here, shouldn't he be buried somewhere near by?

Osamu swiftly looked away, considering his options. Surely, nothing could go wrong if he just went to walk around for a little bit, right? He might look a bit strange, but it's not like many people go out to cemeteries on a Tuesday morning.

Reluctantly, he made his way downhill through the grass, to the entrance.

The air felt.. thin. Ghostly, even. The atmosphere was peaceful and quiet, not a person in sight. Thankfully.

It was serene, a somber undertone present. He kinda enjoyed the eerie feeling.

The graves were tidy and taken care of, for the most part. A few even had tall, elaborate stone monuments by them. The family names were carved out carefully, paying attention to the smallest details.

Some had a few blown candles in small jars, burned areas covering most of the top. Places for flowers were mostly full, yet it was inevitable one or two would be empty.

It wasn't long before his eyes caught the so familiar name. Suna Rintarou.

His grave was.. messy, overgrown, nearly. It was obvious nobodys visited it in a long while. A year, at least.

No candles, the flowers had wilted what seemed like decades ago, the name was barely legible and it just seemed vacant. Abandoned.

Maybe Osamu should come tidy it up sometime.

He tilted his head to the side, eyes scanning over the area.

Suna.

It's Suna.

Back against the grave, knees by his chest, arms over his face. His dark brown hair and pale skin, black sweatpants which seemed just a bit too loose on him.

What was he doing? Wasn't he supposed to be searching for his sister? Was he unsuccessful? Should Osamu go talk to him?

The boy couldn't make out the look on the ghosts face, but with the way his shoulders jerked and hands clenched around his knees, there wasn't much to tell.

Time seemed to drag out as he watched Sunas every move. Wouldn't he be sat at his own grave? What was going on?

The air felt thick with questions, yet at the same time it felt almost comforting to know the ghost was just like a real person. Though he is a real person. Was.

He knew he should go, knew he should leave and wait for Suna when he's ready to come back. But his eyes couldn't pull away.

It felt near hypnotising, mesmorising. He simply could not stop staring and he wasn't sure why.

A shiver ran down his spine as he closed his hands in fists, trying to warm them up without moving.

He wanted to take that extra step, let his voice shout out his name and pull him into a tender hug. But he knew he shouldn't. If Suna wanted Osamu there, he would've let the boy know.

Hesitantly, he shut his eyes before turning around and going home. Maybe he should stop by again soon, though.

Back in his room, it was even worse. He couldn't focus or even think about anything besides the sight at the cemetery. Why was Suna crying?

At that point, he'd repeated that question multiple times and still, he couldn't come to a conclusion that made sense. The possibilities seemed endless. Hell, just a few months ago he didn't even believe in ghosts, and here we are.

He almost flinched when he heard the door click. Atsumu must be home. He didn't even realise just how much time had passed.

Osamu listened as his twin made his way over to the kitchen, promptly opening the fridge and closing it again after a minute or so. His footsteps could be heard nearing Osamus room. He sighed, mentally preparing himself for whatever he has to say.

"Have you not eaten yet?" the blond leans against the doorway, crossing his arms as his bag hangs off one shoulder.

"..no."

Atsumu frowned, furrowing his brows.
"Look, I'm sorry for lashing out at you yesterday. At school, especially."

"Ya look as if it's hurting your ego to say that."

"Shut up."

They stared at eachother for a second. Two, three, four maybe. Osamu let out a breath.

"It's okay."

"I still want you to tell me what's going on. I think I have a right to know, as your older brother. I'm worried for you."

"You are not older than me."

"I lietrally am."

"No."

"Yeah!.. But really 'Samu, please tell me."

"Perhaps."

"The fuck you mean 'perhaps'?" he scoffed, in a lighthearted tone. The tension was easing in.

"..I have a ghost friend. He's gone now, for a bit, and I miss him."

"..huh?"

Suddenly, Atsumus face was clear of any empathy. Instead, it was replaced by every emotion a person who was thoroughly confused could feel at that moment. Rage? Humiliation? Utter disbelief? All of the above, plus more?

"I hate ya."

"I'm being honest."

"No you're not."

"..yes, I am."

Atsumu raised an eyebrow. "No way."

"Yes, way."

"Have you been taking your meds?"

"Oh shut up, ya know I stopped taking them months ago. I'm not hallucinating, though I did think I was at first."

"'Samu, you're telling me you can see ghosts and ya expect me to believe that?"

"A ghost. Just one. Suna is a great guy."

"Next thing you'll tell me is that you're in love with it."

Osamu rolled his eyes. "Fine, don't believe me, but just wait until he's back and your candle can't stay lit for more than two seconds."

"Yeah, whatever!.. Go eat, also." said Atsumu before dissappearing behind the wall. The other could only sigh.

The next day came quickly and the silver-haired twin stayed home from school again, dreading to see his mom later.

But today was different. He actually had plans.

So as soon as he heard those footsteps he'd grown to recognise leave, he got out of bed, changing and getting a snack before departing as well.

This time, it was straight to a small flower shop not far from the Miya household.

Upon entering, it seemed almost deserted. Not one person in sight, besides - who Osamu presumed was - the owner. It was an old lady - a good two feet shorter than him, with a warm look on her face. He didn't enjoy the fact that their hair colors were nearly identical.

The atmosphere inside the shop was welcoming. Flowers were cluttered in every corner, painting the place in various colors. Butterfly pins covered the walls, some vintage lanterns placed around.

That was when Osamu realised he had not a single clue about flowers.

"Having trouble picking out the right ones?" the old woman asked. Her voice was sickly sweet.

"Uh, yeah. What could I get for someone who is special to me? Like, really special. And I want them to know that they can.. see me, whenever they wish to, because I'll always welcome them, no matter what. And for them to know I'm here for them, that'd also be cool."

"For a lucky girl, perhaps?"

"..not exactly, but.. something like that."

The woman hummed in reply, making her way over to a corner of the store. Hidden away by some black roses was a vase, in which were placed some flowers Osamu didn't know the name of. All he was sure of, was that they were gorgeous.

The flowers were little and delicate, fragile almost. The stem was slender, a warm cold color. Surrounding the base were small, needle-like leaves, a grayish tint to them.

The blossom itself was tubular, bell-shaped, with four distinct lobes. The color was an off-white, contrasted by the green of the stem. The petals gently curved outward, each lobe symmetrical. Within the tubular form he could see frail stamens and a pistil.

"These are white heather flowers. Finding them in the wild is seen as a sign of good luck and is believed to bring positive fortune to those who come across it. Although they're not native to Japan, I think being given one is just as much of a good luck sign as finding one in the wild. They are also associated with protection against negative energies or misfortune. It is said to have a guardian-like quality, bringing security to those who receive it. In some cultures, it's seen as a sign of admiration, as well."

Osamu had to admit, they were beautiful and the meaning behind them was endearing.

"Three of those, please. Ah, and also.. something to give to a dead relative of a friend. A young girl."

"How about some white chrysanthemums?" she moved, now to a different corner. "They symbolise purity and honesty, along with the white color being a symbol of innocence. They're often seen in funerals, representing mourning and condolences to the departed. These flowers also indicate sympathy and remembrance."

The flowers weren't big, but not too small either. They had sturdy stems, the dark green leaves, which were lobed around the edge, arranged alternately along. The nearly tubular petals were a gentle white, layers of them placed in a dense, globe-like formation. At the center of the chrysanthemum was a prominent disc, a yellowish sort of green. Composed of tightly packed, tiny florets.

"Yes, that's good. Five."

The woman smiled at him, getting his order and placing the flowers together neatly. He payed, giving the owner a 'thank you' and heading out.

The air was a bit colder than the previous day, Osamu could've sworn it started snowing at some point. He tugged down on his jacket, hands inside the pockets.

As he walked down the same path in the forest, he could hear the rustling of the leaves and the whistling of the wind.

He hoped Suna was doing okay.

The grave looked just like how he had left it. Untidy, abandoned and in general pretty sad looking.

He crouched down by it, placing the white heather flowers on the area specifically made for putting them. Three flowers.

He rested his chin on his knees. He wished Suna was with him right now. He missed his sharp, cold sage green eyes. His slight smile, the way his lips perked up and the corners of his eyes crinkled up. His laughter. His voice. God, his voice.

The breeze brushed past Osamu as he made his way over to where Suna sat yesterday. He could tell now. Suna Ritsukos grave.

Seriously, he should clean up both their graves.

He put the flowers down, taking one last look at them. He wondered if Sunas sister would like them.

His eyes scanned over the entire cemetery once more, but there was no sign of the ghost. Not that he was looking for him. Just being respectful.

With a faint sigh, his hands travelled back into his pockets, body shuddering against the cold.

The world seemed almost lively today, ironically so.

He stood still for a few moments before leaving and going home. The walk was exhausting, yet he couldn't tell the reason. But it didn't really bother him. Until he instantly collapsed on his bed once he was back, missing another day of what should've been a regular day at school.

As he rubbed his eyes, yawning, the post nap disorientation set in. Suddenly, he had no clue of where he was or what time it was, or even what day it was. All he knew was that it was pitch black outside and he was in jeans and a hoodie, tangled amongst his blanket with half of his pillows on the floor.

He groaned, searching around the bed for his phone. Getting frustrated, he ran his hand through his hair in a distressed motion before sitting up and turning on the lights.

It felt like staring right at the sun - so goddamn bright, it almost burned. (over exaggerating, obviously.)

Eventually changing and finally locating the phone, he checked the time. The screen displayed the numbers 3:44.

He rubbed his temple. God, was he starving, but everyone was asleep and he couldn't make any noise.

Quietly, or well, meant to be quietly, he made his way over to the kitchen, to make a sandwich or something. Just to get some food and retreat to his room.

His eyes instantly fell to the figure sitting on the counter.

As drowsy as Osamu was, he couldn't help the smile creeping up on his face.

The dark messy hair, half-lidded eyes that pierced right through the silver-haired, the posture identical to the shape of a banana and the unimpressed look he always wore.

"Hi." the ghost spoke up with a grin so faint Osamu thought he was imagining it.

"I missed you." he hated himself for letting that one slip.

Sunas eyes widened, just a little bit. "I missed you too..."

They stared at eachother for a few minutes, possibly. Osamu couldn't tell. He wasn't exactly sure of what to say, either. He wanted Suna to update him, on everything. Has he found his sister? How was she? Could Osamu meet her? He had so many questions.

But the ghost was silent, leaving them unanswered.

Time seemed to still. In the depths of the morning, only the beating of a heart could be heard.

He would've given up everything to hear the others thoughts. His chest fell and rose in a steady rhythm and his gaze stayed glued to Osamus.

Slowly, Suna shifted his position, lowering his head and closing his eyes with an exhale. Will he finally say something?

Anticipation rose in Osamus body.

"Sorry."

Huh?

"I didn't find her." he continued.

"..why are you apologising to me?" he tilted his head to the side.

Suna only looked down again. "I... I don't know. I was gone for so long and for no good reason."

"No, Suna, it's okay. I'm sorry that you didn't find her. I know it must be hard."

And silence again. The tension felt rough and the atmosphere merged into the quiet of the moment. It felt like the lump in Osamus throat had travelled to his chest. His heart felt like it had thin needles stabbing into it. The feeling of discomfort seemed to intensify by every soundless second.

"..I saw the flowers."

Their eyes met again.

"I think they're beautiful. I'm sure Ritsu would love them too.." a soft smile played on his lips as he averted his gaze once more. Why did he keep doing that?

"I'm glad." Osamu whispered. "..can I hug you?"

A puzzled expression washed over the others face. "But.. I'm a ghost."

"So?"

"You can't actually touch me."

"That's fine."

The brunets eyebrows furrowed. He gave Osamu an almost pained look before nodding.

In a melancholic moment, Osamu reached out to Suna, longing for the soft breeze. He felt the ghostly touch on his back, sending shivers down his spine.

It felt so bittersweet, knowing Suna was right here with him - in his arms, in an embrace, but so far away, in a different world. Yet somehow, he could tell just how Sunas skin felt on the other side. Fragile and a bit rough to the touch, but soft and genuine at the same time.

It was almost perfect - standing in the moonlight that let itself in through the window, along with the silence of early morning, when everybody else was lost in dreams.

It was almost perfect - how he felt Suna fully relax into the touch, feeling his cold, gentle breath at the nape of his neck. It was a feeling of safety. Security. Home.

He wished for that moment to last an eternity.

It was almost perfect. It would've been, if it weren't for the pain and sorrow and the heaviness they felt.

But it didn't matter at the moment. They were together, and there was nothing more that either of them could've asked for. If it were up to them, the world would stay still just so the two could stay like this for a little longer.

But sadly, that simple connection could only last for a moment. So in the hushed minute that followed, they reluctantly released the embrace. The ghosts ethereal touch lingered, a faint mark on Osamus skin - like a fading echo. A heavy silence hung in the air, filled with unspoken words.

"You look tired." Suna spoke in a mutter.

The silver-haired could only smile warmly. "I am."

"Couldn't sleep?"

"Just woke up."

A breathy laugh escaped Sunas lips.

"..do ghosts need sleep?"

"You've already asked me that before."

"I thought your memory starts fading much quicker when you're dead?" he mimicked.

"Not that much quicker." Suna grimaced.

But noticing Osamu stare at him expectantly, he felt as if he had no choice but to answer again.

"We can sleep, but don't require it to function."

"Yeah?"

"What are you trying to get at?" he raised an eyebrow, unsure of what Osamus implying.

"Sleep with me."

"..sorry?"

Suna was barely able to stifle a laugh as Osamus cheeks reddened, processing what he had just said with a facepalm and a few curse words under his breath.

Cringing internally, he mumbled some more nonsense before running his hands over his face in a moment of self-pity.

"Sorry, that's not what I meant."

"I know, but if you're down..." Suna teased, clearly enjoying making the other feel flustered.

"Shut up!.. What I meant to say was that, like, wouldn't it be nice to fall asleep.. together?.."

"You couldn't have phrased that more awkwardly." he ridiculed, yet the tone in his voice was nothing short of playful.

Osamu buried his face in his hands with a groan, obviously flushed. Suna could only chuckle.

"Yes, I would like to sleep with you." he gave the long-awaited answer, making Osamus face get even more red.

"Don't say it like that!" he almost cried out. Maybe Suna was the only one that could make the boy lose his cool after all.

Before Osamu knew it, the two were laying in his bed next to eachother. Comfortable silence fell over them.

"Do ya feel cold? Like, ever?"

"Not really, no. But I don't feel warmth either. Why?"

"Just wondering."

"Ghosts don't feel.. much."

"What do you feel?"

Suddenly, he could tell Suna felt like Osamu was asking him to confess everything he's ever felt. But maybe Osamu didn't mind. Was it his curiosity or something else, he couldn't tell.

"I'm.. not sure. I guess I do feel warmth, only sometimes. Rarely ever."

"When?"

"Stop prying."

"Come on." he turned to face the brunet, who was staring at the off-white ceiling. It was now that the boy really, truly realised just how pretty the ghost was.

Though he was translucent, Osamu could still tell the exact shade of green his eyes were. Not green like the deep forests or polished emeralds. Green like dirty paint brushes in art class, middle school drawings of shitty landscapes and stupid portraits. Green like small pebbles he'd kick along the path on a bad day, laced with both cold and warm tones. Green like the lake water on a foggy, cloudy summer day, when it was too cold to go swimming.

"I guess.. around.. some people I feel.. warmth."

"Really?"

"Yeah... Like, maybe.. sometimes around you."

A tender smile graced Osamus face.

Suna finally looked over, turning his head to his left. Their eyes locked. He couldn't help but smile too. Was he feeling that same warmth now? Osamu wondered.

"I wish you had like, ya know, a physical body."

Suna smirked. "Yeah?"

"Don't give me that look, Suna."

"No, tell me more." he turned his whole body to face the other.

"..no."

"Why do you wish I had a physical body, 'Samu?"

Osamu only furrowed his eyebrows. He was well aware he had lost this one. Yet the sound of Sunas laugh made his gaze soften. God, he loved his laugh.

"I think it'd be interesting. Maybe ya could finally put a shirt on."

"You're acting as if you don't wear the same thing everyday too, except you can change. I can't."

"At least I wear a shirt though."

"Not my fault I used to sleep without one. Letting my body breathe and stuff. Maybe if you did that you'd get rid of that stick up your ass."

"It's a crucial part of my personality, Rin."

"Yeah, maybe your personality could use a few less splinters, Osamu."

"You don't want me too smooth, do you?"

"Smooth is overrated. I'll take the rough edges."

"So, stick stays."

"Stick stays." he said with a sigh. Osamu could feel the freezing breath on his face.

It felt as if the distance between them was closing in, even though neither were actually moving. The heat of Osamus body was colliding with the chill of Sunas.

They wished they could close that gap. More than anything, for the distance to be gone.

So that's what they did.

Suna leaned in, subtly. But it was enough for Osamu to take notice. He took the initiative and closed in.

A spectral breeze ran through the room as their lips met. A fusion of realms. A kiss between the seen and the unseen. The pale moon cast a comforting glow over them, highlighting every moment of that blurred a line between these separate worlds. Defying the barrier between, time stood still.

The shadows danced around the room, the dust particles spun in pirouettes. There was nothing that could possibly disrupt the flow of the world in that moment. It was perfect.

The feeling sent shivers down the gray-haireds spine, as his lips moved in sync with the others. The touch was full of yearning, longing. Osamu felt a deep connection, a familiarity of some sort, and he knew Suna could feel it too.

It was the feeling of coming home after a long day and getting to relax. Like working hard on something that payed off. Expecting the worst and getting the best.

It was the feeling of relief.

Relief, that Suna feels the same way. That he made the move. That they were in this together. That he could finally express everything he's hidden away.

It was so silent, all that could be heard was the pounding of Osamus heart. It was right. This is what they were made for.

Osamu inched closer, instinctively trying to reach for the others neck, only to feel that slight breeze instead.

But it didn't make him want this any less. Not much, but even the coolness against his lips was enough.

And he knew Suna felt the exact same way.

Quite like soulmates.

Soulmates.

As the boy and the ghost slowly and reluctantly pulled away, gazing into eachothers eyes, a faint reminder of their connection lingered in the air. Silence filled the reappearing gap between them. The atmosphere held a delicate tension - the understanding that their realms were never meant to overlap.

And yet, the feeling of that kiss remained, leaving both with a shared moment which could only last for so long.

The look in their eyes was one of hope. Faith for them. An unspoken promise - lock with the key thrown away.

Sunas lips were just barely parted, his breathing shallow. His face seemed full of affection, adoration.

Osamu smiled.

"I think you should sleep." the ghost spoke up in a whisper, averting his glance yet the barely visible grin on his lips remained.

"I think you should sleep."

"Yeah, I guess I might miss it."

"..have ya not slept since you died?"

"I did.. once or twice."

Osamu grimaced.

"I don't wanna hear anything from you."

"Fine, that's fair. But really, sleep."

Suna hummed in agreement. Yet as Osamu watched him get comfortable, he draped his blanket over the ghost, before doing his best to subtly wrap his arms around Suna - to the best of their limitations - and only then drifting off into a slumber himself.

And with a beating heart and a heartfelt grin, they lingered in the embrace of dawn, savoring the warmth of the shared kiss - a quiet promise of love that transcended the realms of the present and the beyond.

For in their hearts, they hoped their love could last forever.

Osamus eyes fluttered open, greeted by the gentle caress of the afternoon sunlight streaming through the open curtains.

He could feel the warm blanket cradle his body as he stretched out his legs.

The memories from the night returning, he suddenly sat up straight, looking around. There was nobody else in the room.

With a sigh, he fell back on the bed, sinking into the mattress. These newfound feelings fluttered in his chest as a blush covered his face. The kiss.

A cool feeling still lingered on his lips, as if fresh. He couldn't help but hope it was.

Strangely so, he felt actually rested. This might've been the best sleep of his life. Undisturbed and comfortable. No waking up every hour and not being able to fall back asleep.

He reached out for his phone, dreading to see the time. And rightfully so, since it was just after 3PM. He was glad his mother worked till late, because if she were to know about this... Let's just say, it wouldn't end up good.

Maybe around half an hour of aimlessly scrolling through social media later, he put down his phone on his chest, looking at the ceiling. Where'd Suna go?

Sure, it wasn't like he lived here or anything, but usually he'd be hanging around nearby.

Osamu shook his head. Suna had his own life. Or, well, maybe not life, but something similar, anyway. Osamu didn't need to know his every movement. He just wanted to wake up next to him.

He sat up again, forcing himself out of bed this time. He should really get back to school soon.

He quickly made himself some breakfast and got to doing his school work from the last few days. And by 'doing', it mean he completely half-assed it. But hey, it was good enough for now.

"'Samu," Atsumu spoke, making the other nearly flinch. "Ya need to go back to school tomorrow."

"..yeah, I was thinking I should. How come, though?"

"You know, there's a super important test tomorrow and I just wouldn't want ya to miss it!"

Osamu narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "No."

"What do you mean 'no'?!" he whined.

"Tell me the actual reason."

"That is the reason! God, is it so weird to look out for ya?"

"'Tsumu."

"..it's an English test." he said, defeated.

Osamu sighed. "Ya need help with it, don't you?"

"Maybe."

"And what? You're too busy to study?"

"Oh come on, ya know I won't learn anything overnight! Plus, Omi is coming over tomorrow and I need to tidy up."

"You'll owe me one."

"Thanks 'Samu, yer the best!" he beamed before taking off.

Guess that confirms it. Tomorrow, Osamu will go back to school and will need to put up with teachers scolding him because of skipping, again.

Usually, that worried him, sometimes pushing back his return even more. But this time, all that was on his mind was Suna.

He'll go back to school no problem. But seeing Suna again? After that night? He both anticipated and dreaded it. The anxiety was rising with each thought. But besides that, he wondered where Suna had even gone.

Maybe he regret it? Maybe there was some ghost rule against kissing the living? Maybe this entire time Suna was only a hallucination? Osamu had no idea of what to think. Anything could be possible, for all he knew.

The day passed by quickly, mostly because he woke up late. But studying kept him occupied too, together with mentally preparing to see his mom, who tends to get quite.. angry, once he announces he'll be returning to school. You'd expect for her to be happy, but all he gets is snide, passive aggressive remarks.

Eventually evening came and all he had left to do was shower, brush his teeth and head to bed to mindlessly consume media on his phone.

But as he was brushing his teeth, the door to the bathroom just a bit open, in the mirror - his own reflection, a shiver ran down his spine. He knew that feeling.

He made sure to hurry up. He needed to go see if Suna was back.

But before he got the chance to, he felt a pair of ghostly arms slip around his waist.

As Osamu swiftly looked up, in the mirror he could see Suna - his chin rested on the gray-haireds shoulder. On his face was a look that could only be described as despondent.

They stared at eachother in the mirror.

"..you alright?" Osamu asked.

The ghost only hummed in reply. The other couldn't tell if it was a yes or no. But perhaps it didn't really matter, since be definitely didn't look alright.

He finished brushing his teeth before turning around to face the brunet.

Sunas eyes, clouded with a mixture of sadness and hesitation, met Osamus concerned gaze once again. He could tell something was up, something Suna wasn't sure about sharing.

"What happened?"

Suna shifted, uncomfortably.

"You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to. But I'm here for you, Rin."

"I... I found her." he finally admitted, his voice a whisper. The boy sensed the weight of his words, a conflicted look in his eyes.

"That's good, right?" he questioned, even though he knew there was more to come.

"Yeah, but.. something isn't right. I think..." he drifted, struggling to find the right words, "I think she's fading."

"Fading?.."

"We aren't immortal. We're only souls that are trapped here. We are let go once we make amends with whatever is keeping us here, or..."

The room seemed to grow quieter as Suna hesitated, the tension pressing in on both of them.

"..or what?" he spoke in a whisper. The silence felt deafening.

"Or we dissapear. As if we were never here to begin with. Our souls fade away." his gaze seemed to be full of tears ready to spill, but it was like he refused to cry. "I can't let that happen to her, Osamu. She died because of me and now she won't even get her peace."

Osamu could feel the guilt gripping at Sunas soul, the pain in his eyes and the absolute torment he felt.

"No, don't say that, Rin. I'm sure it wasn't your fault."

"Why do you think she was wandering around on a highway on a random night? It was because she got to discover my body, she got to basically witness it all! It was my fault. It was my suicide that drove her to her death only a year later." the tone in his voice was getting louder, more aggressive by the second. He couldn't bare to look Osamu in the eyes.

"Look at me."

"Osamu, I..."

"Look at me, Rintarou."

Osamus firm, yet gentle tone cut through the emotional storm that was the ghost. Reluctantly, he locked eyes with the boy.

"We'll find a way to help her. You're not alone in this, and neither is she."

His words were like a spell, allowing Sunas tears to spill. He chocked down a sob as Osamu pulled him into a tender hug, his hand grazing the ghosts back in a soothing motion. Osamu could feel the tears dampen his shirt.

The white light above shined over the two in a gentle embrace, casting an ethereal glow.

It was silent. So much, that the only sounds that could be heard would be the uneven breathing and the buzzing electricity.

It felt.. serene. The type of calm that comes during the night, after a storm. The type of calm you know won't last long because the storm will return. The night is not yet over and dawn is not yet upon us. But it will be.

Yet Osamu couldn't shake off the sunken feeling in his chest. He knew there wasn't much he could do and he was aware that the chances of him actually being able to help Sunas sister were low.

But he had to try. He had to do something.

That night, they layed in Osamus bed side by side, soundless. Neither were sure of what to say or even if there was anything that should be said. Though both were against the idea of going to sleep. Maybe in fear that this tranquil atmosphere would be gone in the morning, or that the shared moments would stay behind.

They stared at the ceiling Osamu had become oh so familiar with. What was he gonna do? He had to save Ritsuko, but how? Why does he keep making these promises he can't go through with? Was it selfish for him to say that just to make Suna get false hope?

He let out a deep exhale, trying to brush off his thoughts. It'll be fine.

The boy turned to his side, mangling his body with Sunas. The cold was a nice contrast to Osamus pacing heart. He finally let his eyes shut, his breathing steadying as Sunas ghostly touch ran through Osamus hair.

"Hypothetically, let's say you promised to save a ghosts soul. How would you do it?" he asked, hands clenched in the pockets of his jacket.

"What the fuck, 'Samu?"

"Hypothetically."

"I don't know. Do like, some rituals or something. Bring 'em back to life."

"Would that work?"

"Do you hear yerself right now?"

The twins walked the rest of the way without a word. The tension seemed.. unusual, perhaps?

Osamu felt stuck. He had a promise to keep but he didn't know how. Would his teachers think he was going crazy if he asked them? Likely.

He had no one to turn to. And it wasn't like he could straight up tell Suna about it either.

So he turned to the one that stayed by his side even during his darkest times - the internet. A strange place where people were out of their minds batshit insane and delusional.

A worrying amount of results came up as he searched something along the lines of 'how to save soul from dissappearing', ranging from older YouTubers that made clickbait content, to video game refrences, to an entire WikiHow page (which in Osamus defense seemed awfully demonic in a way it was definetly made as a joke).

Scrolling through the bizzare websites, there seemed to be nothing that caught his attention or even looked remotely legit. Osamu couldn't save Sunas sister.

As his classes passed, some slower than others, the school day eventually came to an end. The sound of the bell indicating that class is over sounded like a choir of angels at that moment. Until the short-lived peace wore off and he was met with a translucent silhouette stood outside the building.

He wasn't sure if he could face Suna, knowing he dissapointed him and the ghost wasn't even aware of it yet.

But he had no choice. What's worse than giving someone false hope, is leaving them alone in a time of need. Acting like you didn't bother trying.

"Hey, Rin." he spoke quietly, careful to not attract any attention.

"Hey. Sorry, I wasn't doing much and decided I could come see you here."

"That's alright, don't worry."

Suna hummed in reply. They walked by eachother, breaths synced. Osamu could feel his cold gaze lingering on him.

"You okay?"

"Uh, yeah."

"You sure?"

"Kind of."

"What's on your mind?"

The boy was reluctant to answer. He didn't want to worry the other, or make him feel like he couldn't trust Osamu anymore. But there was no other option at that point. It was like Suna could see right through him.

"Your sister," he spoke in a hushed tone "do you really think it's your fault she died?"

Maybe Osamu really was the more staright forward twin.

Though his eyes stuck to the ground, he could still see the others body tense up at the mention.

The rustling of dry leaves could be heard, along with the distant chatter of other students. The cloudy, gray sky hinted at light rain. There was not a peek of sunlight to warm the boys jittery hands and freezing face. He couldn't feel his ears. His mom was right - should've taken ear muffs.

"I think it is."

"I disagree. It's not."

"Why do you think that?" he huffed, letting out a near laugh. Though behind it there was only sorrow and hopelessness.

"You didn't cause it. It was a tragedy that happened by pure accident. It's not your fault."

To no reply, he continued.

"I think, if that happened to me - you know, say I was in your place and 'Tsumu was in your sisters, I'd feel the same way. It's a normal reaction - guilt. But there wasn't anything you could do about it. So it isn't your fault."

"..deep down, I know. I know there was no way for me to save her or- or do anything. But it's just so.. consuming. And I.. I couldn't even recognise her as a ghost. But she recognised me. She found me."

"A sibling bond is unbreakable, I like to believe. It might be the subconsicious fear of losing Atsumu, but I really think it's true."

"I thought she would resent me. For going so soon. But though I could barely see her face, I could still feel the tears running down her face as she hugged me."

"..wouldn't you rather be spending these moments with her?"

"What do you mean?"

"I can't figure it out. I don't know how I could possibly help save her soul."

"I know."

"What?"

"There isn't anything you can do. It's too late."

"And you're.. okay with that?"

"No. I really, really hate myself. But like you said, there isn't anything I could do now."

"..I'm sorry."

"Look who's the one blaming himself now." a small smile plastered across his face.

"Shut up." he stifled a quiet laugh.

The tension had been eased, settling over them in comfortable silence. Osamu wasn't sure of it at first, but now he's glad Atsumu fucked off to practise. This time alone with Suna ended up being really calming, and it cleared his head a bit. The same could be said for both of them.

It almost seemed as if they fit together like two puzzle pieces. Just right.

But as the days turned into a relentless cycle of school, dread, and a feeling of helplessness, Osamu noticed a growing distance in Sunas eyes. Each passing moment seemed to carve deeper into Sunas resolve, and the weight of the inevitable departure of his sister cast a shadow over their shared moments.

He could tell - there was a storm in Sunas brain. So many thoughts running through his head all at once, with not an instant to spare. Not a minute to let him relax and not a second to let him catch his breath.

Osamu wished there were words that could express his concerns. Actions to let the other know that they're in this together. Yet all that came from him were indirect hugs in the comfort of the night and delicate glances when he wasn't looking.

The routine continued on and time passed with a muted blur. The pressing tension was growing and anxiety rose. But there was not anything either of them could do besides accept it. Accept it and move on.

Suna spent a lot of time away. Osamu didn't mind. Because Suna was spending that time with his sister. He knew that. So why did his room feel so empty without the ghostly presence? Why didn't he feel this sense of comfort and serenity he felt around Suna, even when he was really stressed? Why didn't he enjoy not having to subside into his sweater when Suna looked over his shoulder to take a peek at what Osamu was reading?

Why did he feel so cold as he woke up alone, even though Suna was a literal, constant breeze?

That was the first thing Osamu noticed this morning in March. A Monday, first day of the week that he dreaded again, and met alone.

As much as he hated this repetitive routine which felt so dull, there were always the mornings and evenings he spent together with the ghost. Leisurely lying around in eachothers arms, midnight talks and quiet walks home after a long day at school. He loved those little moments they spent together.

But as the sun painted the sky in warm hues, there was no ghost to point at the window with a faint smile on his face.

Suna was gone.

Osamu got ready for the day before scouring the apartment in a rush. Yet there was no sign of the ghost.

What happened? Did he go on a spontaneous walk? Did he float away into ghost world? Did he kill himself somehow? Can ghosts die again?

He shut his eyes with a groan. Think reasonably, Osamu.

"Get yer ass over here before the teacher kills us both for being late! God, why am I being the more responsible one?" Atsumu put his hands over his face with a scowl.

"Stop yelling, dumbass."

"Who pissed in your cereal this morning?"

Osamu sighed. "Suna dissapeared on me."

"Your ghost guy? You're still hung up on that? Maybe it's because you took your meds last night."

"I didn't. Also, he's not a hallucination and is actually real, not that I'd expect your atom sized brain to comprehend that."

"What? But you told ma you did."

"I say a lot of things, plus, she worries."

"Of course you do." Atsumu rolled his eyes.

"Fuck off, I don't wanna hear it from you."

The blond mumbled something under his breath, basically proving Osamus point.

Math wasn't the way he would've preferred to take his mind off Sunas abrupt disappearance, but it did work for a little bit until he came to a sudden realisation. It must be Sunas sister.

Why else would he leave without a word? Something happened, and it might have to do with his sister. Did she fade away?

He decided he was gonna wait another day before coming to any conclusions. If Suna isn't back by the end of Osamus classes the next day, Osamu will go look around for him. And some fresh air is always good. Not that he really cared about that.

The following day, he had spent the previous twenty-four hours biting at his nails and picking at his skin. But as his last class came and went, stepping out of the building proved dissapointing as no ghost was seen.

With a sigh, he picked up white Japanese camellias from the nice old lady and made his way to the graveyard he had come to find just like last time.

It always seemed like the place was calling out to him.

Heading over to Sunas grave, just to check up for no reason whatsoever, he saw that familiar figure. Not by his own grave, but, once again, by Suna Ritsuko.

But this time, he picked a different option.

"Fuck, you scared me." the ghost jumped back as he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Sorry, didn't mean to. Ya alright?"

"..I mean, not.. not really." he looked down, almost like in shame.

"..Is she, you know?.." Osamu crouched down beside the other.

"Yeah." he sighed.

Osamu put down the flowers carefully.

"Not for me, I assume?"

"No, but I can get you some too, if you'd like."

Suna hummed in reply, putting his head on his knees. He was looking at the grave almost longingly, a sense of numbess in his eyes. He must really love her.

Osamu couldn't even begin to imagine what it was like losing your sibling. His whole life, Atsumu was pretty much attached to him at all times. They came into the world together and it seemed like that's how they would leave it, too.

He couldn't relate to or truly understand what the brunet was feeling, but he could try. He's felt depressed and numb and hopeless, but he wasn't sure of what was going through Sunas mind at the moment. How could he, when all there was, was a meaning gaze?

The wind, gentle yet persistent, rustled through the branches of the tall trees surrounding the cemetary. A solemn atmosphere hung in the air as sunlight fought for dominance between the hazy clouds. The slender blades of grass swayed to the melancholic rhythm of earth and shadows danced around the gravestones like the silence of memories.

In this dance of light and shadow, the air held a delicate balance between the chill of lingering winter and the promise of impending spring. Osamu couldn't help but wonder if this was for the best or for the worse.

The passage of time was certain and he only hoped it would come with endorsement and resilience. It isn't easy to get over an event like the one at hand, but he knew Suna could do it. He believed in him, and he was sure his sister did too.

"Be back when you're ready, okay?" Osamu whispered. His words appeared to be carried away by the wind.

Suna glanced at the silver-haired. His eyes seemed to carry a silent gratitude, a look that says 'thank you for being patient with me', along with a raw sense of pure sadness.

Sunas features seemed softer in the daytime. Pale, chapped lips, slightly downturned; eyebrows just a bit furrowed.

"Yeah."

Osamu gave the other a gentle smile before carefully standing up and leaving the cemetary. He looked back a few times - for no reason. But Suna sat in the same place with his head lowered.

Osamu wished he could stay by Sunas side at all times. Always there for him - to comfort, hug, kiss, just about anything. But what Suna needed now was space. Alone time. And Osamu was going to respect that. But it wasn't his fault he missed Suna like an attached dog.

The cycle of school, school, study, stress, school, repeat, went on and on. It seemed endless. And yet now, there was no time for him to relax with a certain someone at the end and start of the day.

Besides that, the best time for the insomnia to come back, was of course, when he felt like he was losing his goddamn mind. So one extra step got added to that cycle - stare at the ceiling.

This routine was beggining to feel more and more familiar. It was as if he had traveled back in time to some of the most depressing times in his life.

What was different now though, instead of only self-deprecating thoughts, they had been accompanied by wondering how Suna was doing. Which was arguably worse, because with that came guilt.

Maybe if Osamu was better, he could've saved Sunas little sister.

He shook his head as he brought his gaze up at the mirror. He looked worn out. Like an old toy that's been rotting in his room since god knows when.

The dark brown color was starting to sprout, revealing its roots against the dull gray he had dyed his hair just however many months ago.

His eyes seemed drowsy, dark eyebags underneath. A slight frown was plastered across his face.

He pulled up the sleeve of his t-shirt. His arms looked lanky. Has he been eating enough?

He touched around, flexing his muscles. He wondered if that was actually muscle or just the bone. He really let himself go.

Osamu groaned, leaning against the sink. He was wasting his teenage years. Supposedly the best years of his life and he was, what, being sad in his room and avoiding his problems the entire day? What a life.

The boy genuinely felt like giving up. It was so draining - all these thoughts, concerns, worries. It was like his mind was a tornado. Not that he was too sure of how those worked, but it seemed pretty excessive.

If someone were to ask him how long it's been since he left Suna to mourn, he could honestly not be able to tell. The days felt like they blended into one long, long day. Maybe it was a week, maybe two or three, or hell, it could be a month or perhaps just two days.

His sense of time has deteriorated so much that he's certain about ten minutes passed since he was staring at the wall just yesterday(?) morning. It was an hour and a half, and Atsumu ended up barging in to shout at him. Rightfully so, but still.

It felt like his life was a mess. Nothing felt real. It was as if he was only observing how his life went on. Osamu was only a spectator of the world, watching through the eyes of the body.

His life was such a mess, that his twin took on the temporary role of being the mature one. It felt bewildering, now that he thought about it. Osamu needed to get his shit together now.

In a feeble attempt to pull himself together, he decided on making some time in his day to work out or go for a run or even spend time cooking - a hobby he had long since abandoned.

With newfound determination, and the fortunate absence of his piss-haired brother, he put on some indie music (everyone cheer for Spotify premium) and let himself get lost in the whirl of the moment.

In the cozy corner of his kitchen, he deftly shaped rice into neat triangles, crafting onigiri with a rhythmic precision. His hands were moving with practiced grace, fingers lightly dampening the rice to prevent sticking. The room was filled with the savory aroma of nori and rice as the song played in the background, setting up the pace.

Once the rice was meticulously shaped, he delicately encased it in a thin, edible layer, adding a subtle layer of flavor and completing the seamless creation of his respectable handheld masterpiece.

As he completed each delicate piece, Osamu couldn't shake the nagging guilt that accompanied his attempt to find a semblance of normalcy. The echoes of Sunas grief lingered in the back of his mind, a constant reminder that lifes mundane routines had a bittersweet quality when contrasted against the backdrop of loss.

Days blurred into nights, and his attempts at reclaiming a sense of normalcy became a balancing act. The routine of school, work, and fleeting moments of respite continued, but the hollowness lingered. The once vibrant onigiri-making ritual became a silent testament to the duality of life, where the mundane collided with the profound.

In the quiet moments, as the boy stared at the neatly shaped food, he wondered if this semblance of routine was a lifeline or a distraction. The echoes of Sunas gaze, the slight tremble in his voice, his shaky movement, it all remained in the back of Osamus mind like a persistent shadow. Growing and expanding and enveloping everything in its path. Slowly, but surely.

He was sure it would go away. Everything eventually does. But it didn't seem to fade as time passed and the worry he felt only got stronger.

So after about god knows how long, Osamu made his way back to the cemetery. Which was not his intent at all, for sure. He zoned out and there he was in front of the place! Not his fault.

Besides, he swore to give Suna the space he needed. But something in his chest, deep within, was itching and clawing to go and see him. Just for a little while, to ease his mind. And it appears he did just that.

It took him a longer time to see Suna this time, but he noticed him nonetheless. Instead of his usual slouching, crouching or sitting position though, he was lying idly. Arms and knees folded, he seemed so.. fragile.

His breath was even and his eyes were closed shut. He almost looked peaceful, like a dog asleep.

Osamu crouched down beside him. The ghost almost blended in with the stone underneath, as if seeping through the ground.

Sunas eyes slowly opened, revealing those sage green eyes Osamu couldn't help but adore.

"How are you feeling?" he whispered.

Suna only let out a quiet groan in reply with a furrow of his eyebrows. He turned his head away, shifting his body upwards.

"Do you think it'll rain today?" the brunet asked in a hushed tone, eyes glancing up at the overcast sky.

"Maybe."

"I like the rain. I think I did as a kid, too."

"Yeah, same here."

"Do you think.. do you think I'll ever get to see her again?"

The question hung in the air like a lost hope. Osamu watched as Sunas chest rose and fell over and over again,

"I don't know. But I think if there's a chance, you should hold onto it."

"Is there?"

"Anything could happen."

Suddenly, the gentle patter of raindrops began to resonate, creating a delicate symphony against the backdrop of the cemetary.

"..maybe." he exhaled with a soft smile. One so vague, you wouldn't be able to tell at a glance.

The rain fell on the silver-haired, dripping down the hair strands in front of his face and on to his pink-stained cheeks.

His legs were starting to feel numb and his hands were near frozen.

"You know, I.. wanted to be alone. But I'm glad you came by." he spoke up again.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"I'm glad, too."

Suna turned his head, finally locking eyes with the other.

In that moment, the unspoken words between them held more weight than any conversation they had shared before.

This was real. Raw and true. It wasn't Osamu watching the events lay out through the eyes. This was Osamu as a whole.

"You'll get sick like this."

"I'll be fine."

"I'm sure Atsumu would be pretty pissed if you woke up all snotty."

"He'll survive. His boyfriend might not, though."

"Seriously, go home. You'll get soaked in the rain and catch a cold." Suna expressed with a slight chuckle.

"Yeah, I guess you have a point." he looked up, blinking on instinct as a raindrop landed on his skin.

He stood up with a sigh, his hand wrapped around the strap of his backpack.

"I'll bring an umbrella next time." Osamu said, the statement sounding more like a question, as if asking Suna for permission.

"Yeah, you should." he smiled.

Osamus lips curved into a genuine smile, a rare sight in the midst of their shared grief. The rain continued to fall, creating a gentle rhythm around them.

"I'll make sure to remember that," he replied with a subtle warmth in his gaze. He took a step back, glancing at Suna once more. "Take care of yourself."

"Not much to take care of, really."

"You know what I mean."

"..I do," he sighed "you too."

"Deal." he grinned at the other for the last time before turning to leave.

The journey back was a quiet one, thoughts swirling around just like the rain. He couldn't quite shake the remaining worry for Suna, yet a slight comfort blossomed within, knowing that even in times like these, genuine connections and understanding could still be found.

Osamus steps echoed in the empty, downpour-soaked streets as droplets raced down his clothes to his shoes. Silver strands of hair clung to his forehead, dampened and starting to curl in the persistent rain.

He thought back to the last time he really got to stay out in a weather like this. It must've been when he was eight or nine.

Running through the puddles in old, rubber boots their mother had to pull out of the gutter for them. Heads covered by cheap, vibrant yellow raincoats, hoods coming closer to falling off entirely with each sprint.

Laughs and giggles could be heard between the boys as they jumped up and down, splashing dirty water all over one another, and later getting into stupid fights about it.

Half his life ago, he was just a kid being a kid. Without a worry in the world.

Maybe another half later, he'll be happy again. Not as a kid, but as a young adult with his life together. Or, at least getting there.

The door creaked open slowly as he entered his room. He dropped his bag by the desk before falling face first onto the bed. So goddamn tired.

He let the silence envelope him, sinking into the familiar matress. Osamu let out a deep sigh, feeling the weariness seeping into every muscle.

Days turned into weeks, and the rhythm of school and life continued its relentless pace. Osamu found himself in a routine that felt oddly stable yet perpetually on the verge of crashing down. He maintained the delicate balance of visiting the cemetery, checking in on Suna and attempting to grasp the semblance of normalcy.

The city seemed to be waking up from the cold slumber of winter - the days got longer and the sun rose earlier.

It was like the world was coming back to life.

And it almost seemed that way with Suna too.

Their 'hangouts' became more frequent, he returned to staying around the Miyas' apartment again, his joyous laugh rang through the room like sunshine peaking into a dim building. The corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled and the way his lips turned slightly upwards at the sight of a sunrise spoke volumes which words could never capture.

It all seemed to be going well. Great, even.

But Osamu noticed the way the door no longer creaked as Suna made his way into a room, the curtains didn't sway at his presence, the candles around him didn't immediately go out, Atsumu didn't get chills as Suna passed by and his reflection in the mirror was just barely visible.

He often found Suna staring into the void, lost in a realm that others could not perceive.

It was as if the echo of his laughter was an attempt to drown out the silence of the unspoken words that lingered within the ghostly presence.

Osamu caught those fleeting glances, the moments of distant contemplation that hinted at a mind wrestling with more than it let on. Despite the shared smiles and seemingly lighter atmosphere, the worry still clung to the edges of his thoughts.

Maybe he was paranoid, unable to let himself be happy. Incapable of accepting that things were getting better and looking for signs to prove that it was all so bad.

Or maybe it was the truth.

Was he protecting himself from potential pain, or was he imprisoning his own chances at genuine contentment?

This reality persisted, questions didn't leave his mind even at this fleeting moment, when his lips were pressed against the ghosts.

With their breaths intertwined, he yearned for this connection to last forever. Perhaps neither of them were truly happy, but as long as thet had eachother, it didn't really matter.

It was like reality ceased to exist in that shared moment. It was only them in the entire universe, leaving only the gentle rhythm of their breaths and the chill of the connection they had formed.

The kiss held a promise - a promise to navigate the complexities of life together, embracing the uncertainties with open hearts.

In the soft glow of the room, Osamu found warmth in Sunas presence.

There was a familiarity in the exchange, a dance between the ethereal and the living. It was a kiss marked by a quiet assurance, a blending of two souls that had learned to communicate beyond the limits of the physical world.

Still, that urge to wrap his arms around the brunet, push him closer and have him in his embrace remained, yet there was nothing he could do. This was the best he was gonna get.

And he didn't mind it, because as long as Suna was by his side, everything seemed hopeful.

Even that faint touch he felt on his cheek and the closed sage green eyes he saw in front of him. The lips moving in sync with his own and the soft texture of the ghosts hair falling on his face.

Only the slightest breeze, and Osamu liked to think it was enough.

And it was, as they gradually pulled away.

The atmosphere retained a tranquil energy, lingering with the echoes of their intertwined spirits. There was a quiet acknowledgment in their gaze, a shared understanding that transcended the need for words.

But on their faces were only furrowed eyebrows and sorrowful eyes.

A sense of dread set into the air, with persisting urgency. They both knew. Their connection, though profound, was also fragile. It was a dance between two worlds, and the boundaries were as elusive as the whispers of the wind.

The silver-haired could feel the storm going through the others head. He could see the distant reflection in his green eyes and the way the corners of his lips were subtly turning downwards.

"What're you thinking about?" he finally managed to ask, his voice just above a whisper.

Osamu observed as his words brought Suna back to reality, shifting his eyes over to Osamus.

After some hesitation, he spoke up.
"Do you.. think we're soulmates?"

"What?"

"You know, with the whole dream thing... The one you had on my birthday, it was a memory of mine. That other one, in this.. black void place."

"That was you?"

"Yeah. That night was the first time I ever got close to you."

"I stopped having dreams around.. two years ago. When- you died..."

Suna hummed knowingly in reply, not moving to avert his gaze. It almost seemed longing, like reaching out for something you know you'll never reach.

In truth, Osamu hadn't thought about soulmates much, ever. It wasn't his priority as a kid and since he stopped having dreams altogether, he simply didn't want to think about them.

"I kinda figured it out a while ago. It just seemed strange to me." he smiled, though his eyes were full of pain, "maybe we really are destined to be, though."

Suna moved his body, now facing the ceiling while lying on the bed.

Osamu wasn't sure of what to say. He didn't expect it. Looking back on it now, it's pretty obvious. Yet still, he couldn't entirely comprehend that.

"Rin, you're my soulmate... That explains a lot."

"You think so?"

"Don't you? It makes so much sense now, everything. You know, for some time I didn't think I had a soulmate at all."

"I mean, technically you sort of didn't."

"I guess so, but now.. you're here."

The ghost turned his head, eyes locked with the others.

He smiled. This time, a small, genuine smile played on his pale lips.

It felt like time stood still, suspended in the weight of their revelation. It was as if the universe had woven their paths together, creating a tapestry of shared dreams, memories, and the intricate dance of their souls.

Osamu found himself caught in a swirl of emotions - amazement, disbelief, and an odd comfort that came with the acknowledgment of being connected to Suna on a level beyond the tangible.

The atmosphere shifted, and the room seemed to hold its breath.

Sunas gaze lingered, searching Osamus face for a response. Meanwhile, the boy was trying to piece his thoughts together, searching for words that could articulate the complexity of whatever he was feeling.

It was good, right? He had a soulmate, and it was Suna.

So why was the feeling of anxiety creeping in, a subtle unease settling in the corners of his mind? He was glad it was Suna. His soulmate, Suna. But his heart was aching, as if knowing it wouldn't turn out well.

"I'm happy. That it's you." Osamu managed to mumble, averting his gaze downwards, though with a reassuring smile.

But it seemed like the ghost knew that questions still lingered in his mind as he stayed silent, awaiting for the other to continue.

"What if I.. died, would that change anything? As in, you know."

Sunas heart seemed to drop at the words, his eyes widening, just barely noticeably.
"'Samu, I... If you died just for me, I could never forgive myself for taking so much away from you. You have so much ahead and so many opportunities and.. don't do what I did."

"It just, I.. want to be with you. You mean so much to me, Rin."

"I know. You mean a lot to me too, which is why I want you to be happy. And you won't be if you're stuck in the world as a lost soul, searching to make amends with something for eternal peace. You have a life to live and memories to make. Do everything you could ever think of, achieve every dream and make each wish a reality."

Heaviness hung in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken pain that lingered within his eyes. The gravity of the situation settled between them, a reminder of the complexities their newfound understanding introduced.

Sunas response was a poignant mix of sorrow and determination, his voice carrying the weight of lived experiences and the bittersweet acceptance of the past.

The realization that their connection was a rare and precious thing, but it came with its own challenges, lingered in the air.

The silver-haired boy reached out, fingers gently brushing against Sunas ethereal form.

The look shared between the two felt heavy, suffocating. The vulnerability of their bond hung in the air like a delicate thread, fragile yet resilient in its existence.

Osamus fingers stayed in the space where Sunas body met the intangible. It was a touch that transcended the physical, a connection that surpassed the boundaries of the tangible world.

"You make everlasting happiness seem achievable." he whispered.

"Not like this."

His words seemed to echo in a somber tone, with sorrow in his eyes and breathing just a bit too hitched to be calm.

The room seemed to shrink, enclosing them in a space of shared emotions. So silent, you could hear the heartbeat between breaths.

"I wish things were different," Suna confessed, his gaze lingering on the silver-haired boy, a silent plea for understanding.

Osamu nodded, the ache in his heart mirrored in his eyes. The ghostly presence seemed to shimmer, caught between realms, and the room held the traces of an unspoken melancholy.

In the delicate dance between the living and the ghostly, they found solace in the connection that defied the boundaries of their separate worlds.

Suna shifted his body again, back to facing Osamu as he moved closer to the boy, burying his face at the crook of Osamus neck.

Osamu wrapped his arms around the ghostly figure, holding onto the intangible presence as if trying to anchor it in the realm of the living. The room, once a witness to their intertwined spirits, embraced the quiet intensity of the moment.

And in the hushed stillness, the gray-haired boy held on, fingers tracing ethereal contours with a gentle touch. As if through sheer will, he sought to make the ghostly embrace more substantial, defying the limitations that separated their existence.

He reluctantly closed his eyes, wishing for the closeness between them to last forever. But as he did, it almost seemed like Suna faded away, together with his own consciousness.

In the velvety darkness that followed, a surreal world unfolded before him. Colors danced and shapes morphed, carrying him into a dreamscape where reality and fantasy intertwined seamlessly.

Yet, amid the dreams vibrant landscape, a sudden plunge into darkness jolted him. A disorienting stillness settled, and he found himself standing in a familiar black void.

Not a thing in sight, only the dark abyss.

Until his eyes fell on a certain figure in the distance.

His breath hitched and eyes widened. Not a thought was in his mind as he didn't waste a second before running towards it.

He felt his lungs tighten in his chest and his legs were starting to go numb. But Osamu didn't care as the void seemed to stretch out to eternity.

The figure was sat on the ground, back turned to Osamu. His bare back, the messy dark brown hair, those same black sweatpants - was it who Osamu hoped it was?

It felt as if he wasn't able to move, like sprinting in place. He needed to get Sunas attention, but his voice was soundless.

He didn't have time to think about what was going on, where he was, or anything that should've be important to take note of at that moment. His vision was clouded, and all he could see was Suna.

But he seemed just out of reach.

It was as if Suna had only come to consciousness as his body jolted and his frantic movements became apparent.

He started looking around urgently, and it wasn't long before his gaze fell to Osamu.

The eyes, the expression, it was him, undoubtedly.

"Osamu," Suna mouthed, his voiceless words echoing in the emptiness.

As the distance between them closed, Osamu felt an inexplicable force pulling them together. The void seemed to waver, a ripple in its fabric, and in the next moment, they were close enough to feel each others presence.

Immediately, his arms wrapped around the brunet, embracing his warm body. Sunas form, once intangible, now yielded to the embrace, and Osamu felt the solid reality of his presence for the first time.

Sunas skin felt fragile and a bit rough to the touch, but soft and genuine at the same time. It was like touching a memory, a vivid recollection brought to life.

For a moment, there was no past or future, only the present they shared in the boundless expanse of the dream. Osamu held onto Suna, unwilling to let go, as if fearing that the dream would slip away like sand through his fingers.

Time lost its meaning as they clung onto eachother, suspended in the surreal landscape of dreams. The void, once a symbol of separation, now bore witness to the union of two souls that refused to be confined by the limitations of reality.

Suna pulled away, grasping Osamu by his shoulders. In his eyes was a pressing look of unease, ache. He seemed torn between the desire to stay and the inevitability of departure.

"I'm sorry," Suna whispered, his voice carrying a mixture of longing and reluctance.

"Suna..." his name seemed to echo in the void.

"I'm sorry." Suna repeated, his eyes reflecting the ache of unspoken truths.

Before he really got to consider what he was doing, Osamu put his hands on the back of Sunas neck, pushing him close and letting their lips collide.

It met with a soft, lingering pressure, creating a fusion of sensations - the delicate touch, the taste of anticipation, and the subtle dance of breaths intertwining.

The passion of the moment seemed to freeze the time in the void as the two souls were united. Their eyes closed, and their lips remained pressed together while their hands were entangled in a warm embrace.

The atmosphere felt full of raw emotion. The feeling of the moment was almost too much to bear, as if the connection between the two was too powerful.

The embrace that followed the kiss was comforting and familiar, as if they both were at home in each others arms. The world around them no longer mattered.

They hesitantly broke the kiss, staring into each others eyes, their hearts beating wildly with passion and adoration.

"I'll miss you," Osamu breathed, leaning his forehead against Sunas. Tears appeared to form at the corners of his eyes. "I don't know if I can go on without you."

"I'll be with you, always." Suna whispered, a promise that transcended the confines of dreams. Yet, both knew that the dream would eventually fade, leaving Osamu alone in a realm where Sunas presence was but a fleeting memory.

There was a smile on his face, though the tears were unmistakable in his eyes. The duality of their emotions echoed in the abyss, a poignant reminder of the ephemeral nature of their connection.

"Live to the fullest, for me."

"I will, I promise."

The brunet let out a breathy laugh, as he could no longer contain his tears.

And as his form began to waver, Suna pressed one last tender kiss on the others lips. It was a silent farewell, filled with unspoken words and the weight of an eternal bond.

The void seemed to tremble, as if acknowledging the profound goodbye between two souls destined to part ways. Their lips lingered in the touch, a silent exchange of emotions that transcended the boundaries of dreams.

"I love you."

As Suna started to fade, the echo of his last words remained imprinted on Osamus lips.

"Rin, no..." the gray-haired cried out, trying to cling on to any part of Suna, as if that would prevent the inevitable.

It was like trying to grasp smoke slipping through his fingers. The ethereal nature of the dream refused to yield to his desperate attempts to hold on.

"I love you too," Osamu whispered through the fading shadows, leaving him alone with the weight of those three words that held an entire universe of emotions.

As Sunas form dissolved into the emptiness, the void trembled once more, absorbing the remnants of their shared moments.

In the vast darkness, the boy grappled at the echoes of their shared moments, grief pouring out in silent sobs. The void, now devoid of Sunas presence, mirrored the hollowness in his heart.

It almost felt like a part of himself had disappeared.

Now, this black, empty space served as a bittersweet memory etched into Osamus consciousness for all eternity.

Their first and last real kiss, their first and last real hug, their first and last touch.

The void called back to him once again before the sight materialised into the so familiar room.

Tears were dry on his face and his heart was beating wildly with ache.

The stark contrast between the dreams intensity and the quiet reality hit him like a wave and he found himself grappling with the sudden emptiness of the room. The lingering sensations from the dream still played on his senses.

It seemed as if the universe had lost another star. Now in the sky, an empty space could be seen, just like in Osamus heart.

Nothing that followed felt quite real. Every silence was deafening and every moment seemed like a hollow reminder of what the ghost and the boy once shared.

It was like Sunas absence cast a shadow over Osamus life, a shadow full of melancholy.

The air resembled a solemn melody, each breath resonating with the memories of a dream that now felt both vivid and distant.

The ordinary world felt foreign, as if the vibrant colors had faded to grayscale in Sunas disappearance.

Every mundane detail carried the weight of their moments together, and the once-familiar surroundings seemed like fragments of a puzzle missing its crucial piece.

Osamu moved through the world with a sense of detachment, almost like a ghost himself in the realm of the living, haunted by the echoes of the dream that was so painfully real.

He smiled when expected, laughed when prompted, yet the sparkle in his eyes had dimmed. The vibrancy of the world around him seemed muted, and the weight of his mind was pressing down.

As time marched forward, he found himself caught in a delicate dance between the past and the present, a silent yearning for a dream that remained just out of reach. The world continued its motion, but for him, it was as if time had become an endless loop, replaying the symphony of a love that transcended the boundaries of reality.

The warmth of summer only accentuated the coldness within, and the festive lights of winter failed to dispel the shadows that clung to his thoughts.

And before he knew it, January had come in a whisper, bringing with it the haunting memories of Sunas presence. The winter air carried a bittersweet chill, reminiscent of shared moments that now existed only in the corridors of his thoughts.

Osamu stood at the foot of the grave, flowers in one hand and a cupcake in the other. The familiar name was etched in the stone.

The cemetary was as quiet as he remembered it, covered with a serene blanket of snow and a cold, foreign breeze.

He knelt down, placing the flowers gently on the grave, and then the cupcake, the same one to a year ago.

The boy retrieved the lighter from his pocket, lighting the candle atop. The flame flickered within the winter day, dancing like a fleeting echo. His breath formed small clouds in the air as he took a moment to silently reflect.

Osamu sat in silence, the cold seeping through his clothes, yet the warmth of the candles glow enveloped him. The gravestone bore the weight of memories, and the cupcake, a symbol of a tradition shared with Suna.

His gaze lingered on the flickering light, lost in thoughts that transcended the boundaries of the wintery landscape.

"I miss you, Rin," he whispered, the words escaping into the stillness of the graveyard.
"Make a wish."

Osamu closed his eyes for a moment, taking in the quietude of the area. He thought of a wish, a silent plea that echoed in the depths of his heart.

And as he reopened his eyes, he watched as the flame was extinguished by the wind. A soft, gentle breeze, that seemed near intimate.

He let a slight smile play on his lips before taking a final gaze at the gravestone. Reluctantly, he stood up, the snow crunching beneath his shoes.

And as Osamu walked away, he carried with him the known voice of the wind, as if it were calling out his name in a silent whisper.