Work Text:
11:48 p.m.
Mondo headed out of the flower shop, holding a bouquet of sunflowers. The golden petals were like little suns, as bright and warm as that one disciplinary committee member. He smiled to himself, thinking it would make a great gift for his lover on New Year's Eve.
As Mondo walked to where he parked his motorbike, he noticed a couple nearby. They were chatting with intimacy, holding hands, probably waiting for New Year's Eve to watch the fireworks together. He heard the guy say something, and then…
Boom!
The girl standing next to him trembled, screaming in panic. The guys's head had exploded, colorful pieces of glitter flying out like a small fireworks display.
The biker stood there for a while, then clicked his tongue. He held the bouquet in his left hand, hopped on his motorbike, started the engine, and sped off to Kiyotaka's house. On his journey, he was reminded about the news he had seen at the beginning of Christmas: a contagious disease was spreading rapidly in the city. If people lied, their heads would burst immediately.
He had almost gotten used to this kind of scene. Every day on his way to school, he would come across one or two headless bodies lying dormant, with pieces of firecrackers and glitters scattered all over the road.
He sighed, feeling a hint of distrust in today's society: everyone always deceives each other, just to receive the irreversible consequences. However, he also felt relieved when he thought of Kiyotaka - the strict disciplinary committee member. He reminisced about the time when they had a sauna endurance competition at Hope's Peak, the moment when the two of them were not afraid to open up to each other about the past. Mondo realized that his feelings had blossomed from that. He knew Kiyotaka was a straightforward, upright person. Besides, the two of them had been dating for more than half a year, so deception wasn’t a word in their dictionary.
Mondo continued to speed up, driving towards Taka's house. On the way, he passed a few couples on the road. They talked about something, and one of them had their head explode. The scene repeated itself over and over again, lighting the surroundings before New Year's Eve. Mondo didn't bother to pay attention, and he just continued heading straight until he arrived at Taka’s house.
He parked the car neatly in front of the gate, took his phone out of his pocket and dialed Kiyotaka.
"Hello? Is that you, bro?"
The biker smiled, but deep down, his heart was pounding so hard that it felt like it was about to jump out of his chest. He was having a hard time containing his excitement.
"Yeah, it's me. Go to your balcony."
Taka frowned in confusion, but still followed the biker’s words. He stepped out onto the balcony, wearing white pajamas, contrasting the starless night sky.
“Mondo? What are you doing here?” He raised his eyebrows in surprise when he saw Mondo below.
“Nothin’. Just wanted to see you.” The biker smiled, holding up the bouquet of sunflowers he had just bought. “I bought ya something.”
The prefect’s crimson eyes widened in surprise, but he smiled back.
“Thank you so much, bro. My dad won’t let me go outside. You already know why.”
“Yeah, I understand,” Mondo replied. He looked at the time on his phone—it was only a minute until New Year’s Eve. He raised his head, admiring the person he loved the most.
Taking a deep breath, he spoke up:
“Taka, I love you!”
Mondo carefully observed the other’s reaction. He saw Taka hesitate for a moment, then beamed - a smile that was more than beautiful in Mondo’s eyes.
“I love you too, Mondo!”
…
Boom!
The fireworks were sent off, one after another, igniting the sky at the exact moment the clock struck midnight.
But what Mondo was looking at wasn’t fireworks.
He saw Taka’s smile, now shattered into tiny glitters.
Mondo stood in silence in the yard, looking up at Taka’s balcony. It was glowing golden, its hue similar to the sunflowers in his hand.
So bright and warm.