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Its been a long time since I've been to that place and I think I've finally let go the things that happened there, Yoshiki thought to himself.
As always Yoshiki's mood dropped at the thought of the past and the things he had to experience in Kubitachi, the village grew up in until his best friend disappeared and the village became to much of a traumatic place for him to stay. After all how could he stay in the place haunted by the memories of his childhood best friend who left without a trace aftertrying to carry out the duties of the IndoU family.
Anyways, that's in the past, and Yoshiki has convinced himself that he's gotten over the disappearance of his closest friend and has built himself a new life in Tokyo, where he is now going to school and studying entomology, which as Hikaru would call it, 'bug science'. Hikaru always thought it was boring but Yoshiki found it interesting. Its been 5 months since Yoshiki had moved out or Kubitatachi without a trace which is ironic since the reason he left was his best friend doing the same thing. He couldn't bear to have any more connections to that village so he also cut off his connection to his family and haven't spoken to them since. He was always good at looking after himself so this didn't bother him that much.
"Yoshiki"! Asako yelled across the halls of the year 12 classes, snapping Yoshiki out of his thoughts.
Yoshiki slowed down and started walking with her in the hallway towards class. He dropped her off at her class where she sat down with her best friend Asako, and Yoshiki walked to the library where he figured he would spend his free period studying. The library was pretty empty due to most people being in class so he sat down and did some work. He struggled with seeing the paper as his long bangs covered his eyes and needed to be cut. If he were at home he'd wear the clips Hikaru gave him for his hair so he could study. Those clips were some of the only small parts of home he brought with him when he came to Tokyo.
Yoshiki smiled at the memory of the day Hikaru gave the clips to him because in that moment he felt seen and worthy of the kindness of others. Oh how he missed the times when Hikaru was still around and he knew that he has to let go but he just cant. That's why he ran away. He'd always been planning to move away, but as soon a Hikaru died the whole village got into his buisness even more and wouldn't let him mourn in peace, and he hated that more than anything. Thats also why he liked the city, because it was easy to be a stranger.
Once again Yoshiki snapped back into reality and realised it was time to go home. He took the train home silently to his apartment, which was 45 minutes out of the city. If Yoshiki could move closer the city he would, but being the only person supporting him financially, he couldn't afford to live closer. His apartment was small with a single bedroom, a couch, a bathroom and a kitchen. Unfortunately, today was one of the days where Yoshiki had to go to work. He works at a small family owned restaurant that helped him when he had first moved to the city and had no one to go to.
Once at the restaurant he went to the back and put his apron on and then went out to serve the customers. As usual just took the plates out and gave customers their food. This, like everything in his life felt routine and was never anything new. The late nights at the restaurant in order for him to have enough to live by himself, going to school tired and studying once he got home. Yoshiki was tired from the week and just ready to go home once his shift ended when all of the sudden his manager came up behind him.
" hey Yoshiki can you do one last order for me?" he asked out.
Yoshiki nodded and walked out past the kitchen. As he walked through the door he heard a familiar voice that he couldn't remember who it belonged to but it was enough to make him stop in his tracks. He then snapped back into reality and realized he has a job to do, some people just have voices like that right?
Yoshiki checked his watch and walked out when he heard the sudden, loud gasp and he snapped his head up to look at the white haired boy in front of him with wide eyes and a wide open mouth. But this wasnt just any white haired boy, this was Hikaru.
Hikaru, the boy who died not too long ago in the summertime, the boy who left Yoshiki with nothing. And he was standing right infront of Yoshiki.
Yoshiki just stood there waiting to wake up from this overly realistic dream.
"Hikaru...?"
"Yoshiki."
Before he could think Yoshiki pulled hikaru into a hug, there was so much he wanted to do but not enough time in the world to say it all. I mean what are you supposed to say when your dead best friend comes and appears at the resturaunt at the end of your shift?
Before Yoshiki knew there were tears swelling at his eyes as he pulled away from the white haired boy and placed his hand on his cheek, just to make sure he wasnt dreaming.
Hikaru's eyes widened at the touch he hasn't felt in months and he pulled him back into a hug, Yoshiki sobbing into his shoulder.
Just being able to be with eachother once again was everything they both didn't know they needed.
Once Yoshiki had stopped crying, some millions of other emotions he didn't know he was keeping came up. First he felt relief, then confusion and most of all anger. Why hadn't Hikaru told him that he was alive all this time. Yoshiki had spent so many hours mouring what wasn't dead.
Before he could even begin to form a question for his friend Hikaru spoke up.
"I guess I owe you an explanation then...", He said, while awkwardly scratching the back of his neck.
Yoshiki nodded, still speechless. Even the sound of his voice was enough to make Yoshiki feel safe again.
"Come back to mine." Yoshiki mumbled, grabbing Hikaru's wrist with a firm grip despite his shaking hands. It was more of a demand than a request, so Hikaru obliged.
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Yoshiki was silent the whole walk to his home and never let go of Hikaru's wrist, with the fear that he would dissapear once again.
Once inside the house Yoshiki let go of Hikaru and he observed the mark on his own wrist, it was a bright pink and he was sure that it would bruise soon. But despite that he remained a little impressed at his friends strength, how hard was he holding onto me? He thought to himself before realising there were more important things to be worrying about.
"So... What do you want to ask me or should I just explain the whole thing to you"? Hikaru shifted his weight between his feet.
Yoshiki felt the tears in his eyes threaten to come back but he resisted. He walked towards Hikaru and before he could think, grabbed the collar of his shirt and spoke.
"WHERE WERE YOU", He lashed.
"...."
"I THOUGHT, NO I KNEW YOU WERE DEAD FOR 6 MONTHS, EVERYONE DID AND THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN YOUR'E ALIVE?".
Hikaru always knew it would be hard to explain to Yoshiki that he was alive after what he experienced after coming back to the village and the looks he got. Explaining to everyone what happened and how he survived was definitely.
"yeah, well I'd been looking for you too". Hikary blurted out, suddenly not being able to hide his anger as well. "I spent the last 5 months looking all over Tokyo for you, at most times i beleived i would never be able to see you ever again, You had it worse but it was still hard on me."
This shut Yoshiki up.
"You ran away, but you did it too well because no one knew where you were. No one." He gasped, tears now running down his face. "We weren't the only ones suffering you know."
A hint of relisation hit Yoshiki's face before quickly disapearing again and turning into sadness.
"I dont know where you went, and you owe me an explanation some other time" Yoshiki sobbed, letting go of his grip on Hikaru's shirt. "But you have no idea how happy I am to be with you".
"Same here" Hikaru sniffled. He put his arms out for a hug but was instead greeted with Yoshiki ruffling his hair, just like he always used to back when they were both in kubitachi.
"Stay here for the night, there's no trains at this time and I don't want to lose you again".
This earned a nod and a smile from Hikaru before tackling Yoshiki onto the couch.
"Hey! Thats not how this is supposed to work!" Still Yoshiki was pinned down despite his attempts to get out.
"Hahaha" Hikaru laughed, I guess i did get stronger!"
Hikaru then teased Yoshiki, Which was the perfect oportunity to turn the tables as Yoshiki swapped positions with him, pinning hikaru down on the couch.
"Aw no fair, I thought I won for sure".
"Better luck next time" Yoshiki smirked, then letting go of the boy.
Despite not seeing each other for ages they still felt extremely comfortable around each other, after all they had been best friends their entire life.
"Where can I sleep, I'm tired" Hikaru yawned next to Yoshiki.
"You can go in the couch or the bed I guess".
"I'll go to the bed" Hikaru yawned before flopping onto the bed and immidiatley falling fast asleep.
Them sleeping next to each other wasn't uncommon but Yoshiki couldn't help but wonder if it would be weird considering how they haven't seen each other in so long. Yoshiki decided not to overthing it and layed down next to the white haired boy, feeling so content that at least he was here with him.