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Yoshiki's heartrate spikes, he's seeing double (he thinks), as he stands in front of the hole that threatens the entire village. Right in front of him, standing face to face like a mirror. One, his beloved friend, the one he misses and mourns every day, every hour, every minute and painful second. Hikaru is there, right in front of him like he's dreamed many times before, sometimes in a warm reunion, mostly in cold, humid nightmares.
The other, a perfect reflection of his dear one, the monster that selflessly played the role to fulfill a wish for the dead. The monster that Yoshiki still doesn't understands fully but desires to get to know, little by little as they live together for as long as his life-span will allow. Whatever lies ahead, he knows he wants that future to include the monster that resembles his own flawed self, certain that together they will have freedom and acceptance.
His one and his second facing each other, the mirror showing cracks in the copy's damaged neck, arms and legs, they face each other with introspective care, two strangers made up of one individual.
''Hikaru'' is the first to talk, with an awkward, innocent laugh -Sorry about your watch, it kinda broke when well, uh it's a long a story but this crazy company cut your body...yeah uh, sorry about that too- his voice gets smaller in embarrassement.
Yoshiki is crying, trembling he gets closer to the pair unable to speak he tries to hug Hikaru, he senses a warm, familiar presence but isn't able to grasp him. What remains of his friend no longer has a physical form.
-Yoshiki, man don't start crying so miserably like that, that's the one thing I didn't want to happen, hey stop!- Hikaru attemps to clean his tears, failing as well, his hand going through Yoshiki leaving though, the afterthought of a loving brush.
A moment later, Yoshiki finds the strenght to speak up -I always liked you Hikaru, I liked you so much, it hurt. I always felt it was wrong, that I shouldn't feel like that towards my friend... Towards another man, I felt ashamed but I'm not sorry, I loved you I really did! I only wanted to be with you it...-Yoshiki starts crying again, completely heartbroken-it's all I wanted, I really wanted you to live a happy life, why did you have to go? I will remember you always until my last breath...Seriously WHY ARE YOU SMILING?!- Yoshiki's emotional breakdown is met with a stupid grin.
-I thought so, you liked me like that huh...I'm flattered Yoshiki you are a very cool guy, you are handsome too if only you weren't so gloomy hahaha!-his laugh is forced, his face blushed.
He resumes, a serious tone this time-I considered it, I really did, I thought about it many times, under different circumstances I know things would have worked like in those romance movies, still it was just a fantasy. It couldn't be real for me, Yoshiki, I had to follow my family's tradition for everyone's safety, yours included! I had to marry and carry on the tradition with my children...In the end I failed at both my duty and at making you happy. I thought I would be content as long as you lived a happy life, away from the village, when I died I regreted leaving your side the most... That's why I kinda sent this guy-he gestures ''hikaru''- so emm,how did he do?-
“hikaru” giggles and poses with his thumbs up expecting Yoshiki's praise, he looks like a puppy wagging its tail waiting for its owner to throw a stick for them to catch.
Yoshiki snorts between tears -he was a pretty convincing immitation, he only tried to kill me a few times...though I also tried to kill him... He's definetly not human but is fun being with him I used to feel conflicted for feeling happy of meeting him, knowing that his existence was your request...is a relief. He is not you, he will never be you but he's become important to me...I like him- he admits, shy but no longer able to hide his expression behind long bangs.
''Hikaru'' is beaming, proudly jumping around like a kid -I like Yoshiki too!- his eye slightly leaking his true form due to the explosive emotions.
-I see...! huh? KILLING?- Hikaru yells, his ethereal form growing paler, not being able to handle scary stuff even in his after-life.
In a very caotic way, Yoshiki and “hikaru” summarize all the events ever since his death, despite the unorganized re-telling, one thing is easy to understand for Hikaru: his wish had caused a lot more harm that good.
-Yoshiki, it wasn't my intention to make you go through all that, you too...Nonuki-sama? Or whatever but I'm sorry for putting you through such unfair treatment and then even being targeted by that company ugh just sorry!- he bows apologetically to them both.
-Nonuki? Mmh I'm not sure if that's my name, it's alright though, making wishes come true seems to be in my nature, it's my thing- “hikaru” reassures him.
-What will happen now?-asks Yoshiki in a faint wishper, knowing the answer already in his heart.
Hikaru smiles, he looks content and speaks with confidence -I will go. For real this time-
He directs his words to “hikaru” then -Will you return my body, please? You listened to my dying wish I'm thankful but I think it's time for me to die... And for you to be live your own life.”
Yoshiki can't help start crying again-We'll meet again right, Hikaru? Once I die let's meet again do you promise?- he desperately gasps for air between sorrowful cries.
-I hope that time isn't soon Yoshiki, live a long life and then come tell me everything about it, be happy Yoshiki, allow youself to be happy yes?- Hikaru sees his friend nod, his face a crying mess.
This is how it should be, Yoshiki will cry him, suffer and mourn his loss, then little by little he'll overcome it, move on and make new friends, fall in love even, grow up and experience a life-time worth of experiences, he will suffer other losses and each time start again. That's life.
Trying to focus his vision, Yoshiki cleans his tears, he sees his dear friend facing his mirrored image, he blinks, next his friend is facing the monster as the lifeless body, the corpse, lies in the ground, cold like a stone, like when Yoshiki found it 6 months ago.
-Goodbye Yoshiki, I'll see you later- Hikaru disappears, leaving behind his body as he enters the hole to finally put an end to the tragedy.
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Yoshiki cries, cries and cries, he doesn't know how many time has passed, but he still cries as he holds the body of his dear Hikaru, he hugs the lifeless corpse until he feels dizzy from crying so much and his eyes sting, unable to produce more tears.
It is when he calms down that he realizes that “hikaru” has been conforting him all the time, petting him with his liquid-like true form. The monster is unable to speak in his true form but, perhaps due to their mixing, Yoshiki is able to make up his emotions and words, he's stubbornly saying “I won't leave Yoshiki's side!”.
Yoshiki lifts and carries the corpse in his arms, determined to offer Hikaru a proper passing ritual, a funeral with all their friends and family, All of his loved ones mourning him and celebrating too, the fact that he was once alive and loved. He walks followed by the monster, lost in his thoughts and emotional turmoil.
The monster picks up leaves from the trees as they walk back to the village, he picks a bunch then throws them in the air, then picks them back and repeats. “Is he playing?”, thinks Yoshiki. He keeps walking, his arms sore but still holding the corpse firmly. Yoshiki contemplates the body's face, looks peaceful as if sleeping.
After some time walking in silence Yoshiki faces the mosnter with a gentle smile and asks -How should I call you now? You need a new name-
The creature doesn't respond with words but an unfiltered wave of happiness travels through Yoshiki's body as the creature slithers around him, this form doesn't have a face that he can distinguish, yet he knows it is smiling.
/Thanks for reading!.