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When the clock struck eight at night , a familiar sound decorated the air of a certain restaurant in tokyo , a rather small and cozy one where only two people worked , serving the same number of tables .
Only one of which was occupied while the other remained empty , almost as if it was waiting for a particular reservation .
Amber eyes found the entrance right away , as if knowing what to expect .
Faintly , an imaginary cloak spread about the atmosphere , dimming it , leaving only one sense intact and prominent in the relative silence .
The bell dinged , introducing a customer who walked inside in such a way like the place was his , a home of sorts . A few more deliberate steps and he claimed the table meant for him , the way it should .
The shop owners made no move to verbally welcome him . They didn't hand him a menu or even take an order , for a good reason . It was also why they asked no questions and showed no sign of confusion when he passed them a fleeting look , a
Silent Message only the three of them understood .
The couple sent him a smile that he didn't catch , one laden with an emotion not many possessed in our world today . Their gaze lingered on him for a while before they started preparing a meal for two .
It wasn't long before the other customers finished eating , paid for the food , and left with a promise of coming back soon , a well deserved praise . His wife appreciated it . He did as well but it showed more on her features . Happiness looked good on her , he noticed .
They have been married for years , spending almost every second next to each other thanks to their humble business , in his eyes at least . Sure , sometimes they argued and fought , but within a day or two they'd talk it out and reconcile .
Point is , they had each other , a blessing life denied some .
Sadness rippled in his eyes at the notion . But there was nothing he could do about it . If the world was his , if he had a saying in it , life would have been much different .
In the meantime , he could only wish .
That train of thoughts prompted a sigh out of his mouth .
Well , he'd better focus on cooking . He told himself , ousting away such negative thoughts .
A bout of energy ran up his spine , seemingly out of nowhere , drawing a soft chuckle from his dear wife . Hearing her voice helped encourage him even more , if that was possible .
The noodles were going to taste like heaven without doubt .
When he was finally done , ready to serve it , she called his name .
" Akatsuki . Wait , Let me do it ."
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That guy .. How long has it been ?
12 years .. ?
Up till now , he's always showed up every night ,
making his visit a daily routine .
I still remember the first time we met , the four of us .
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" Same as yesterday . "
He said with a lovely tone that I couldn't help smiling as I began collecting the ingredients .
Polar opposites they were , in appearance and personality . They had me fascinated , admiring them from afar .
Unfortunately , We didn't get to interact much with the silverette , probably because socialising wasn't his thing ..
But everything changed in the blinking of an eye .
After a few more days of love came pain and we saw him no more ..
We didn't think much of it at first until his friend pushed the door open and trudged inside alone , soaked in rain , refusing warmth .
" Nothing has changed . Please , a meal for two . " He'd claimed , robbing words from us .
He's been crying , we could tell , anyone could , because he didn't bother hiding it . He never did .
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Them being close friends no longer stood .. The passing years convinced us .
The amount of dedication he put to keep a habit of the routine they shared every single day for the past 12 years must be exhausting .
As an outsider , I don't know much about him . Actually , I don't even know his name . Where the heart is concerned , however , saying that I know him would be an insult .
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" Akatsuki ."
Ruka's voice pulled me back to reality . I felt alarm in her tone , worry and dread too .
" What is it , darling ? " Getting worried myself , I set whatever I was doing aside and inched closer to her , my words coming out a soothing whisper .
" It's 9 o'clock already. We are closing soon .. Do you think something bad happened to him ? "
My entire world turned negative at that .
Something bad ?
Something bad ?
A clear mantra repeated in my head , very so that it scared the hell out of me . It wasn't a gut feeling but a literal phrase ringing in my consciousness with such a loud resonance . What's even more terrifying , in a voice not my own .
I couldn't have known such a thing was but the beginning .
I didn't have a chance to do anything because in the next moment , my supposed mind and body took orders from someone else , dare I say a force .
How and when I ended up standing by the door was beyond me . I could only stare back at her in what had to be confusion , an ample amount of it until I noticed something else crawling , numb and paralyzing . I had a name for it . We all do.. But for good reason , we never want to face them .. and yet I threw her a rushed swirl of reassurances over my shoulder as my body took off , already knowing where to go .
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Afterwhich , nothing mattered , nothing I went through to reach my destination seemed worth mentioning other than the fact I shouldn't be able to know .
I shouldn't be here but I am .
My hand rose up towards the knocker out of their own volition . And then it all crashed down on me , shock and realization . I took a step back and waited , wondering if I should leave right then right there or not .
My body chose for me and it chose to wait .
No answer came though .
Well , if it comes down to this .
I let out a sigh and kneeled , searching under the doormat for a spare key .
At that point I wasn't even surprised or creeped out by my actions . I didn't have time to question what was happening and a part of me preferred not to .
Whatever entity possess-led me here vanished the exact moment I twisted the keys , finally opening the door .
Or so I imagined until that sight greeted me .
" Zero ! " His voice replaced mine once more and I scurried my way in , gathering the said in my arms .
Zero .. My other half .
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A/n :
Confused ? If so , worry not , the extra chapter will clear it out .
The four characters share a complicated relationship that I'll address and explain in the next installment . I hope you look forward to it .
It would be great if you guys enjoyed this random idea I got inspired for recently and started working yesterday , which is why it might lack something or things quality-wise . lol ehem
Any ways , tell me what you think .
My sincerest apologies for my loyal readers .. I know I get sidetracked a lot by new ideas but I'm trying my best so wish me luck !
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Yours truly .
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