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"So, you're really not going to Furin with us?"
Sako leaped into the air, hopping three steps ahead. "What the hell?!" He whirled around to yell, "why are you sneaking up on me?!"
Kaji shrugged, putting his hands in his pockets and falling in step with Sako who was stomping away from him.
"Stop following me," Sako hissed, staring determinedly at the road ahead. He quickened his pace to gather some distance between himself and Kaji.
Kaji swirled his lollipop in his mouth, chipping away its edges with his teeth. "Just wanna talk with you," he mumbled, easily catching up with Sako.
Still fuming, Sako attempted to increase his pace again, but Kaji kept up, walking leisurely beside him. It started feeling like a game of tag—Sako would speed up and Kaji would catch up each time.
"Why won't you–" Sako turned around to snap at him but Kaji took the opportunity to sling his arm around his.
"Let's go to the river," Kaji yanked at his arm, prodding him to come along.
"What?"
"The river," Kaji reiterated, the lollipop clacking against his teeth as he spoke. "Let's go."
"I'm not going to the river."
"I'll push you in the river."
"You'll get in trouble," Kaji said, picking up a rock and examining it, "I can't swim."
"That's better." Sako jibed, watching Kaji throw the stone against the water currents. His hands held the headphones Kaji had entrusted to him.
Kaji counted the number of times the rock jumped against the water before finally succumbing to its fate. "Seven skips!" He beamed, "did you see that Sako-chan?"
"Don't call me that." He muttered. The sentence lost its heat long ago, now mellowed to a useless habit.
Kaji came back to his side, plopping down beside him, a little too close for comfort. He pulled out a new lollipop out of his pocket and started unwrapping it. Sako watched him put it in his mouth, mindlessly humming to himself watching the sunset, sitting under the bridge. His headphones were still clutched in Sako's hands.
As much as Sako hates to admit it, he doesn't actually mind the proximity. Kaji was the first person he'd dare to call a friend. He still remembers the timid little boy Hiragi introduced him to. Who he later found out was not as timid as he looked. A little gremlin is what was behind that babyface.
Unlike with Hiragi, there was no wall between them. Hiragi has always been someone greater than him, someone he'd follow after, not stand beside. But he could stand beside Kaji. Talk with him, fight, or just sit together without uttering a word.
After Hiragi left him behind, he was expecting to become a stranger to Kaji as well. He was going to Furin so naturally, Hiragi needed him more. There shouldn't have been a reason for him to stick around with Sako.
But Kaji didn't abandon him. He kept himself attached to Sako like a leach. A source of annoyance and maybe, a little comfort.
"Ne, Sako-chan," Kaji tugged at his sleeve, "have you ever kissed someone?"
"What?!"
"Have you kissed someone?"
"N-no, why are you even asking that?!" Sako leaned away, repulsed.
Kaji shrugged in response, turning his gaze back to the water. "Some boys in class were talking about it."
Sako relaxed a little. "About kissing?" He asked tentatively.
"They said that's what they do in high school."
"They kiss…?"
"They date ," Kaji emphasized, "and then they kiss."
"Why does it matter?" Sako's face was heating up more and more as the conversation progressed. "Unless…" he hesitated before asking, "you– you wanna date someone?"
Kaji getting into a relationship wasn't exactly a foreign idea. Despite his lack of social skills, he was quite popular. Sako should know, he had been approached many times by girls asking about Kaji. His stomach felt uneasy at the thought of Kaji dating someone.
Kaji hummed, pondering over the question. "I haven't really thought about it," he rolled the lollipop on his tongue, "but if I do, then I should know about it right?"
"I-I suppose?" Why are you even listening to your classmates?! He wanted to ask, but instead went with, "why do people even kiss? It doesn't have any purpose."
"Hmm, you're right." Kaji nodded, "the whole thing is weird, or maybe people are just weird."
When Kaji didn't elaborate, Sako didn't press further. Still, he couldn't entirely get rid of the sense of discomfort he was feeling.
"Do you think Hiragi-san has kissed someone?" Kaji spoke after a stretch of silence.
Sako visibly flinched at the mention of his name. "Who cares about that?" He grumbled and pulled his knees to his chest, resting his head on them.
"I was just wondering…" Kaji faltered. He started digging up the mud with his fingers to avoid Sako's gaze.
"Do you– do you wanna find out?" Sako whispered after another stretch of silence, hoping Kaji wouldn't hear. But Kaji's head immediately snapped up at him. His eyes mirrored Sako's dilemma.
"Find out what exactly?" Kaji asked cautiously.
Sako hesitated again. He wanted to ask the same question. Did he want to know about Hiragi or— "how to kiss?"
Kaji stared at him stunned. He kept blinking at him without speaking. Sako didn't return the eye contact, opting to stare at his feet, embarrassed. If his face wasn't already red, it would have been now.
"Okay let's do it," Kaji finally pulled out of his stupor to respond.
"W-what?!"
"Huh? Aren't you the one who asked?"
"I mean–" Sako had no argument left, he did ask him. "How are we– how are we even going to do this?! It's just weird!"
"Hmm…" Kaji looked at him sharply causing him to gulp and shift away. "How about this?" Before Sako could ask him to elaborate on what ‘this’ was, Kaji had already taken out his lollipop and shoved it into his mouth.
Sako sputtered and spat out the lollipop, watching it fall on the ground, looking disgusted.
"Why did you throw it away? It was the last one I had!"
"Why did you put it in my mouth?!"
"That's what people do when they kiss don't they?"
"That–" Sako paused, unable to refute his logic. Kaji was really getting on his nerves today.
"How about we just get to it?" Kaji suggested nonchalantly, moving closer to Sako.
Sako stared at him dumbfounded. The audacity of this guy. "Fine," he agreed anyway. After all, he was the one who asked him in the first place.
Kaji scrambled close to him, sitting right in front of his face. He took Sako's face in his hands and moved closer.
"This okay?" He asked, trying to ensure Sako's comfort.
Sako nodded, not trusting his words at the moment. Kaji was close, too close , and Sako was afraid he could hear the heavy sounds of his heartbeat.
Kaji, however, didn't seem to notice his heart trying to break free from his chest and moved to close the distance. Sako instinctively held his breath when he felt Kaji's lips on his. His mind reeled with emotions, and the sudden rush of blood shooting towards his head didn't help.
The taste of peaches from the lollipop that was still lingering in his mouth felt more amplified by the kiss. But by the time his mind caught up, Kaji was already pulling back, leaving behind a peachy aftertaste.
"So?" Kaji asked immediately, looking slightly out of breath but not as bad as Sako. His cheeks dusted pink.
"It was fine," Sako muttered, not actually certain if his lack of experience was something to be trusted. "You can kiss people in high school."
Instead of the cheery expression he was expecting, a rueful gaze welcomed him.
"I don't want to kiss someone if Sako-chan isn't there," Kaji said sullenly.
"I'm not helping you find someone to kiss if that's what you mean," Sako argued. Kaji huffed a laugh and gently bumped his forehead against Sako's, gazing into his eyes with a complicated expression.
"Sako-chan, you're so dumb," Kaji smiled bitterly at him and pulled back just as fast as he had moved closer. For a split second, Sako saw Kaji’s eyes clouded with grief before it was gone. The moment passed so quickly that Sako didn’t have enough time to decipher it.
Why did you look at me like that?
He wanted to ask.
No words came out.
"Sako," Kaji's voice stopped him in his tracks. "So you came today , huh?" His name never sounded more foreign.
"This has nothing to do with you." He snapped, irritation bubbling in his chest.
"Then I'll ask something that does… why didn't you come with us to Furin?"
Sako's entire body shook with inundated rage. Why are you asking that now? He clenched his fists and faced the ground, face distorted in a painful expression.
"Because I'm not like you." You're more important than me. "Because it looks like he doesn't need me. He told me that I didn't need to follow him anymore." I'll just end up as another stranger to him.
"Oh, that…" Kaji whispered, "well he said the same thing to me too. 'You don't need to follow me anymore.'" He recounted.
"But that's just what he thinks. It's not what I think. I don't care what people say to me. I'll always stick by him. I'm the one who decided to go to Furin." The hint of desperation in his voice went unnoticed by Sako.
However, the slight gasp he let out at the revelation, and the evident displeasure didn't escape Kaji's eyes.
"Then that makes you a dumbass."
He spun around, stomping away from Kaji.
Why did you become a stranger as well?
"Hey, stop the fight! The boss gave orders to retreat!"
The sudden announcement caused mayhem amongst the fighting members. Everyone froze in their spots to process what was happening.
Banjo was still kneeling next to the river when his squad members went to get him. Since nobody wanted to go against Endo's orders they begrudgingly retreated, carrying Banjo with them.
Sako watched the entire situation in a daze, trying to wrap his head around what was happening.
The Norishi and their squads were retreating. They won?
Sako turned around to look at Kaji leaning against the bridge railing. He looked too exhausted and beat up to be standing. Sako would know, he had been protecting him until a moment ago.
The moment their eyes met, a sense of relief was conveyed. Kaji stumbled towards him as Sako swooped in to catch him before he lost his footing.
"Stop moving, you dumbass." He scolded, taking Kaji's arm and putting it around his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around Kaji, careful not to disturb his injuries.
"You're the dumbass," Kaji mumbled, leaning his head on Sako's shoulder.
Before Sako could counter they were interrupted by Inugami.
"Sako-san, what should we do?" Sako noticed how all eyes were trained on him, waiting expectantly. Oh , he realized, now that Choji and Togame were away, he was the one left in charge.
"Gather up everyone and return to the town," he told Inugami. Kaji's steady presence beside him was the only thing keeping him from stumbling over his words. "Check on the injured and get them medical attention. Make sure no one is left behind."
"Yessir!" The Shishitoren members' voices echoed across the bridge. They started gathering the fallen members and began retreating.
"You guys go ahead," Kaji told Enomoto and Kusumi, who were hesitating. "I'll catch up with you later." They nodded, giving Sako a final glance before turning away.
"Lemme help you!" Inugami offered to Kusumi who nodded politely and took his hand. "You can lean on me as well, I'll carry you both!" Inugami told Enomoto who gave him a short laugh and politely declined the offer. Once they were a decent distance away, Sako and Kaji started their slow shuffle towards the town.
"So…" Kaji started speaking as they crossed the bridge, "you kissed anyone in high school?"
Sako's steps faltered as he forced down his reflex to shove Kaji into the river below them. "What the hell, Kaji?!" He hissed at Kaji's face. "We met after so long and that's the first thing you ask?!"
"I was just curious…" Kaji drawled, glancing at Sako who refused to meet his eyes. "So… did you?" He prodded.
"No," Sako replied instantly, still looking away. "Did- did you ?" He added hesitantly.
"Nah, I didn't have anyone to practice with."
"Oh shut up," Sako finally looked at Kaji, his cheeks and ears tinted red.
"It's true!" Kaji insisted with a carefree smile. His eyes, however, had the same wistful look they held years ago. "I did say I don't wanna kiss anyone if Sako isn't there."
"What does that have to do with me?" Sako hissed loudly, ignoring the jab in his chest hearing his name. "I'm not gonna help you find someone anyway."
Kaji dragged out a sigh. "You're still so dumb," he shook his head. "I said, I don't wanna kiss anyone," locking his eyes with Sako, "if Sako isn't there."
Kaji watched Sako turn those words over as realization slowly dawned on him. Suddenly that complicated look in Kaji's eyes started making sense.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Sako whispered. His voice wrapped in guilt made Kaji feel uneasy. Maybe he shouldn't have told him.
"I didn't think it was necessary," Kaji admitted. "Even if I did, you were always looking at someone else. I didn't want to get in the way."
Sako didn't have an answer for that. Even if he did say something he wouldn't be able to salvage the damage he had caused.
But… there was still something he still wanted to know even after all these years. Where did he stand in Kaji's eyes?
"Kaji, tell me honestly," Sako started, leaning closer to Kaji. His breath faltered as he blurted the question, "if I had gone to Furin with you, would you have fought as hard for me as you did for them?"
Kaji brings his hand up to loosely cup Sako's nape, tugging him close. Their noses brush against each other softly, and Kaji's gaze bore deeply into Sako's eyes. "Even if you didn't come to Furin," Sako gulped at the proximity, resisting the urge to pull away. "I'd still fight to death for you."
Sako was left speechless. He was never good with words anyway. So he did what he thought would best convey his feelings. He leaned closer but stopped a few inches short, giving Kaji a questioning look.
"It's alright," Kaji nudged him, "go ahead."
With Kaji’s consent, Sako closed the small gap between them, pressing their lips together. He was transported back to their final year in middle school, when he kissed Kaji for the first time under the very bridge they were standing on top of. He hoped to experience that same feeling, the lingering taste of peaches, except–
He tasted blood.
Sako pulled back immediately. Spitting out the gnawing metallic taste, he wiped his lips with his sleeve to see residuals of blood coating his sleeve.
Kaji, noticing his actions, used his own sleeve to wipe his mouth. "Ah, looks like most of this has dried out," he mumbled looking at his blood-stained sleeve.
Kaji chuckled to himself. He was about to joke about the situation when he saw Sako's panic-stricken face. From this close, he could feel his uneven breaths.
"Sako–" Before Kaji could even get his words out, Sako was already dragging him off the bridge and next to the river. He half-carried him down the stairs and stopped at the bottom.
"Sit here," Sako commanded, gently shoving Kaji on the stairs.
"But–"
"Sit." Sako hissed through his gritted teeth, tightening his grip on Kaji's shoulder until he complied.
Kaji sat down on the stairs watching Sako trudge shakily towards the river. He looked around for something before ducking his right hand into the river to his elbows. He wrung out the excess water and sped back to him.
He took Kaji's face in his empty hand and used the wet sleeve he had pulled up to his fingertips to wipe his face. Kaji flinched at the cold touch but slowly eased into it, letting Sako wipe away the dried blood.
Sako was frantic in his approach. He was breathing raggedly and wiping his face while his entire body trembled. When the blood splotches wouldn't completely disappear he got more anxious and rubbed harder.
"Sako what–"
"Don't." Sako tightened his grip on Kaji's jaw, "don't. call. me that." he spat out through his chattering teeth.
"But isn't that what you–"
"Don't make me a stranger!" He yelled at Kaji's face, voice dripping with desperation.
Kaji pulled away, taken aback by his outburst. Sako was now clinging to his collar trying to catch his breath. Looking closer Kaji could see the unshed tears tracing his eyes.
Kaji put his hand on Sako's trembling ones in an attempt to console him, but Sako withdrew faster. He looked at the red patch still remaining on Kaji's cheek.
"Need more water," he murmured to himself and took off to the river again.
"Wait–" Kaji attempted to get up, realization finally hitting him. But his battered body dragged him back to the ground, and he fell heavily back against the stairs, letting out a groan when he hit his wounds.
The adrenaline that had been keeping him going was wearing off and he was starting to feel the full intensity of the wounds he had acquired. He twisted around to get himself in a seated position when he felt something in his pockets.
Sako rushed back to Kaji and kneeled in front of him. "Hold still," he held Kaji's face again, wiping away whatever redness remained. Cuts and bruises still adorned his skin but he was looking much cleaner.
Unlike what he had been expecting, Sako's anxiety was only aggravated further seeing those wounds. He scrunched his face in pain, his lungs feeling heavier and the taste of blood refusing to leave his mouth.
Before he could attempt to do anything else, something was shoved into his mouth. He tried to spit it out but Kaji held strong. "It's alright it's a fresh one this time," Kaji whispered, careful of his tone.
It took a moment for Sako to realize what was happening. Slowly as he regained his senses, he could taste a familiar flavor. He let the lollipop stay as the taste of peaches washed away the metallic aftertaste.
"Sako-chan," Kaji took Sako's face in his hands, coaxing him to sit down. "You're not a stranger," he whispered against his ears, pulling Sako in an embrace.
Sako let out the sobs he had been holding in against Kaji's shoulder. He could finally breathe.
Kaji soothingly rubbed Sako's back, slowly feeling his breathing even out. Once he was certain that Sako had calmed down, he pulled back just enough to be able to face Sako. Kaji cupped Sako's face and caressed his cheeks.
"Sako-chan," he whispered, watching Sako's eyes flutter. "What happened back there?"
Sako sucked in a breath, his head hung low. "Back there… I asked you to fight for me but–" he paused, the nauseous feeling returned. "That would mean you will– you will have to become that again." He shakily exhaled the air that won't reach his lungs.
"All because of me. There would be blood. Too much blood." He fisted Kaji's hoodie where he was holding him. "I was only thinking about myself," he sniffled, "just like what happened with Hiragi-san. I still haven't grown. I'm still just like–"
"Sako-chan," Kaji interrupted. He continued caressing Sako's cheeks as he spoke, "I wanted you to come to Furin with me. I wanted to be together with you for these three years." He admitted softly, "but, weirdly enough, I was more relieved when you said you wouldn't come with me."
Sako gasped, pulling away to gape at him. "You didn't…?"
"I wanted you to come with me," Kaji reaffirmed. "It's just that… You would follow Hiragi-san and… I wanted you to look only at me." He admitted. Sako attempted to interrupt him but Kaji quickly grabbed his hands and held them close.
"I really admire Hiragi-san, and I know you do too," Kaji looked down at their intertwined hands, "I never regretted following him. But I do regret not trying to stop you that day… I let you go. All because I didn't want to lose you after going to Furin… I still ended up losing you anyway," Kaji let out a bitter laugh.
"Sako-chan," he finally looked at Sako's face, "if you are selfish, then what does that make me?" Kaji's guilt-ridden eyes clawed at Sako's chest.
Instead of replying, Sako rested their foreheads together, accidentally poking the lollipop stick on Kaji's face. He pulled it out of his mouth and shoved it in Kaji's, watching his face turn into a darker shade of red.
A sense of déja vu washed over him with the roles now reversed. He watched Kaji sputter and try to pull away but he held him close.
"A dumbass," Sako whispered against Kaji's reddened cheeks, "that's what it makes you."
"Y- You're the dumbass–" Kaji accuses as Sako pulls up to his feet.
"Come on, let's go." Sako offered him his hand, "we can talk about this later, you need medical aid first."
Kaji couldn't argue with that. There was just one small problem. "Sako-chan, I can't get up. Everything hurts."
Sako looks at him warily before heaving out a sigh. "This is why you should know your limits, idiot." He kneeled before Kaji with his back facing him. "Hurry, get on. I'll carry you there."
Kaji carefully moved to climb his back, slowly letting his weight fall on Sako. "Thank you, Sako-chan. You're the best!"
"Shut up or I'll throw you in the river," he retorted, getting up with Kaji on his back. Kaji had his arms wrapped around his shoulders with his head resting near Sako's neck.
"By the way Sako-chan, why didn't you use your handkerchief? You always carry one with you."
Sako looked at his red sleeve in horror. "I… didn't think of it."
"So overthinking and no thinking are your default modes, huh?"
"I really will throw you in the river."
The walk was slower with Sako carrying Kaji's weight but not awkward. Kaji's headphones were with Kusumi so he resorted to humming random tunes, much to Sako's annoyance.
"Sako-chan," Kaji stopped his humming to speak out the doubts that were clouding him. "Are we okay?" He whispered hesitantly. "What will happen now?"
"I don't know," Sako admitted, slowing down a little. "But…"
"But…?"
"I won't run away. Not again."
Kaji let a smile slip onto his face, burying his face in Sako's neck. "Sako-chan, you're a dumbass."
Sako's protests fell deaf on his ears. Maybe after all this while, a part of him still wanted to have Sako close. Despite everything, it has always been Sako for him.
Yeah…
He's right.
That does make him a dumbass.