Silence
Takashi Morinozuko / OC (Ai Haninozuka)
Silence. Silence was always safe. I had never felt uncomfortable with silence. But, the silence that followed Mitsukuni and Ai's most recent fight was deafening.
"Mitsukuni." I looked to Mitsukuni.
"Ai." I looked to Ai.
Both seemed set in their ways. They wouldn't even sit near each other. That is, Ai sat in her usual corner of our host-club sofa and Mitsukuni sat at the other end. This was enough to worry the others as well. On a normal day, the two couldn't be separated. Ai would be whining, Mitsukuni would be giggling, and the Host Club would be at our normal chaotic peace.
All of this silence was caused by one measly cherry. As always, Mitsukuni's lunch included a variety of desserts. Today's course included a Cherry Upside-Down Cake. Everything was fine until it was down to the cherry. It had been decided that it would be divided evenly amongst them; yet, somehow the cherry was gone and Mitsukuni didn't get a bite. Big, fat tears rushed down his cheeks and snot dripped from his nostrils. I rushed with a handkerchief but he refused.
His bottom lip quivered, but Mitsukuni held in any sobs. He wore the deepest frown I had ever seen, and his arms securely folded against his chest. Ai didn't show much sentiment on the matter, but I was sure the silence must have affected her to a small extent as well.
I loved them both. I could say that now. That was the feeling I felt when thinking of those two. But I could never love Mitsukuni the way I loved her. And I could never take a side in these instances when either of these people's tears could be incentive enough for me to charge an army.
"Ai." I pled with Ai.
"Mitsukuni." I pled with Mitsukuni.
To no avail.
It lasted like this for the remainder of the day. I felt an aggravation simmer in my chest. I scanned the room of our Host Club that afternoon, and no one looked happy. The guests were uncomfortable and the hosts were restless. This had to end.
"That's it!" My voice boomed in the silence. "You two will sit together and speak together and make amends together! This silence is childish, and I will not put up with it!"
I was wrong. This silence was much worse. Two sets of teary eyes peered up at me. My heart had never felt so tight. I swallowed repeatedly, yet I still couldn't voice the continuation of my thoughts.
Mitsukuni was gone first; and then Ai followed shortly after. My hands clawed at my scalp as I felt the regret sink deep into my bones. I couldn't tell you how long they were gone. Time always seemed to stop without them by my side.
The wafting smell of cherries drug me out of my reverie. I looked up to see my two masters, a smile on both of their faces and a Cherry Upside-Down Cake with not one, not two, but three cherries. They thought it was the cake that made me smile so wide.