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Narumi Gen was a liar according to Hoshina Soushirou. A big liar who always act like a brat, yet for some reason he found himself enchanted by that childish side of Gen. He wanted to be closer to him, so he did it. Whenever he had free time, he’d go visit the Ariake base and spend time with the captain. From then on, the two of them became closer than rivalry friendship.
Soushirou wanted more than just work buddies or rival, he wanted to be Gen’s most important person. After two years of his attempt to impress Gen and get into his heart, he confessed his feelings toward him. A simple ‘Spend the rest of your life with me’ was said right after they neutralized a horde or honju and yoju. To Soushirou, the sight of Gen’s red face from embarrassment was a beautiful one. He couldn’t get it out of his mind. The two of them decided that they’ll get married once they succeed in neutralizing No. 9.
However, fate told another story, a rather cruel ending for them.
The battle against No. 9 who have absorbed Shinomiya Isao was hard, harder than any of them could’ve imagine. Even with suit No. 10, Soushirou still find himself being cornered along with Kafka and Mina. They were overpowered. Despite all of that, they were almost successfully destroy its core.
That was until No. 9 launched an attack toward the direction of Soushirou and Gen. It was fast, too fast for Soushirou to dodge. He’d be dead, or should’ve been dead. Narumi Gen, he decided to take the damage for the both of them.
He lost half of his body, from his abdomen to his legs, a horror sight for the rest of the Defense Force. To see their strongest combatant succumbed to No. 9, it was devastating. Hoshina Soushirou only saw red. He fought harder than he can ever imagine, fiercer, more desperate. Not only him, but the rest of the Defense Force as well.
Blinded by rage, Soushirou almost became No. 9’s next target. However, Gen, who surprisingly still alive after taking the damage, used his bayonet to fire a shot to deflect it’s attack and let the other three strike its core.
It was over, the battle was over.
Soushirou rushed to Gen’s side, cradling him into his embrace. His mind was a mess, not knowing what to do and afraid of what’s coming. He could see Gen’s breathing became more erratic by seconds. It was almost time.
They have to be separated. For the first time, Hoshina Soushirou was afraid of farewell.
“I’m sorry,” Gen gasped for air, “seems the wedding must be cancelled.”
“Shut up.” Being desperate, Soushirou held Gen even tighter. “Stop talking, we’ll get you to be treated.”
“Don’t be an idiot, I’ve lost half of my body. Let’s have a chat—”
“I SAID SHUT UP!!”
Gen noticed it, tears were streaming down from Soushirou’s eyes. He lifted his right hand, wiping the tears from his cheek. “I’m sorry…”
“Just shut up…you’ll get better.”
There was nothing after that, no more snarky remarks from Narumi Gen. He just smiled, leaning against Soushirou’s chest for comfort as his consciousness drift away. Slowly, yet surely, his body became colder by seconds in Soushirou’s embrace.
Narumi Gen, killed in mission.
The funeral was grim. Soushirou couldn’t focus, even Souichirou felt devastated. It was the first time he ever seen his brother that lost. There were no tears, but he could tell his brother was second away from breaking down.
“Sit somewhere else.”
“Soushirou—”
“Sir,” Kafka interrupted, “may I?”
Souichirou sighed in defeat. “Take care of him,” was all he said before he left.
Kind as usual, Hibino Kafka. Soushirou could see that his entire right arm already turn into kaiju arm, considering it to be lucky.
“Vice captain,” he called, handing over a bottle of isotonic drink and an onigiri to the mourning Soushirou, “you haven’t eat anything.”
“I’ll be fine.” Hoshina tried to smile, yet it was hard.
Smiling on the day of Gen’s funeral was harder than masking his annoyance in Kafka’s desire to replace him. He just couldn’t do it, too impossible. He clutched on Gen’s uniform jacket like his life depend on it. Soushirou’s desperation was too visible to everyone’s naked eyes.
Soushirou swore the funeral last forever, yet in fact it wasn’t longer than two hours. He didn’t go back to his base with Mina, instead he went straight to Gen’s office. Even without words spoken, he knew from Mina’s gaze during the funeral he was allowed to take some time off.
When Soushirou opened the door, the sight of trash bags and Gen’s unopened Yamazon boxes still there. Normally, he would’ve complaint and clean the trashes, but he wasn’t feeling like it. He sat on Gen’s messy futon, staring blankly at the room. His eyes landed its gaze at one particular box.
The box was written with ‘for wedding!’ on it, so he immediately grabbed it and tear it open. Inside, there was an expensive monstuki and a box of ring. He suddenly remembered something, that for the past few months Gen didn’t even buy any new merchandise except for some DLCs for his game. Not only that, he also saw him eating half-priced food more often than usual. His mind kept playing memories before the disaster, but soon got distracted by the notification on his phone.
When Soushirou checked it, it was from Gen’s number. Confused, he opened the message:
To: Shitty Bowl Cut
Subject: For my shitty bowl cut of a boyfriend.
Yeah hi, if you read this then I’m dead already and Hasegawa sent this in my place. Simple, right?
No, it’s not that simple. Writing this took a lot of courage from me, scaring me to the point I trembled when I wrote this. However, as much as I wanted to stay positive, I just couldn’t stop thinking for the worst scenario. After all, we’re about to face No. 9.
I have two things to say;
1. DON’T DISCARD MY COLLECTIONS I’M BEGGING YOU!!
2. All of my stuff belongs to you, even my phone.
Soushirou, I know that you said you’re rich and we can afford wedding. However, I still wanted to give you something valuable. Remember when we were talking about that montsuki you want but it’s not in the store? I actually got it with the help of the store owner along with the ring. The ring pop? Yeah, it was my attempt to measure your ring size. DON’T CALL ME PATHETIC OKAY?!
I’m so sorry that the wedding needs to be called off, but you have to live your life properly now that we have eliminate all kaijus. In the next life, I’ll make sure to meet you and date you again. When that time comes, make sure that you’ll be proposing to me like the gentleman you claim to be, then I’ll be more than happy to be Hoshina Gen.
Soushirou cried, he wept harder than he was during the funeral or Gen’s death. His arms were holding the montsuki and ring box close to his chest. He kept calling Gen’s name, praying that this was just a nightmare. He laid down, becoming a sobbing mess as result of suppressing his grieve. He couldn’t care less if any of the First Division people hear his cries, all he wanted was to hold Gen close.
Hoshina Soushirou, for the first time felt at loss. He didn’t know how to live his life to the fullest without Narumi Gen in it. However, for the sake of his love and sacrifice, he’d have no choice but to do so. That way, perhaps the gods will grant them a second chance in life.
In a world without kaiju, a world where they could be happy together.