Misfortune
Yuki made his way down the deserted sidewalk. It was late, too late for a high-class young man such as himself to be out. That's what Mother would say... Yuki thought. He stopped at the crosswalk, waiting for the signal to turn. The harsh artificial lights of the city illuminated a figure at the corner of the block across the street. A startlingly familiar figure, actually. Could that be...? Yes, he recognized the features now, the black suit, the dark hair covering the left eye. There was even a cigarette hanging out of the mouth. It was definitely him.
The traffic signal turned green and Yuki strode quickly across the crosswalk. The mad had his back to Yuki but he turned when he heard the quick footfalls on the concrete.
"Hello Yuki," Hatori greeted the college graduate, "It's been awhile."
"Almost a year," Yuki said, trying not to show his resentment towards the man. "What are you doing here?" he asked, to break the silence.
"I live here," the doctor gestured to the house behind him, "We moved in a few months ago." We being him and Mayu-sensei, Yuki knew.
"What about you?" Hatori asked, "Are you still living in the same apartment?" Yuki nodded curtly. He didn't like where this conversation was going.
"And how is Kuragi-san?" Yuki had known that question was coming.
"She fell ill... and no one could cure her," Yuki looked down at the sidewalk, studying the uninteresting pattern of the shadowed concrete. Hatori was silent for a minute, surprise winning over his usually neutral face.
"I'm very sorry," he said gravely, watching Yuki with empathy. The young man's head shot up and his eyes flashed. Hatori was taken aback by the hostility the other's gaze held.
"You should apologize," Yuki said harshly. His fury was finally overflowing and now that he had started, he couldn't stop.
"You saw her so many times! At New Year's and at Tohru's birthday! You must have known she was getting sick, why didn't you say anything?" Hatori sighed and looked down the street, then back at Yuki.
"I can honestly say that I had no idea she was sick. I can't be a doctor all the time." The regret was clear in his voice.
"You could have contacted me, checked in, something!"
"Do you honestly think I would do that? You're not a child, Yuki, and you don't need anyone to look over your shoulder. Especially not me, when we're barely related and there would be no real reason for me to do so."
Yuki stood there silently for a moment. He could feel the last of his excuses, the last of his defenses, sinking away leaving nothing but grief behind.
"You're right," he said mechanically, "I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize," Hatori said almost harshly. He flicked the butt of his cigarette into the nearby gutter.
"I should go home," Yuki muttered and started back down the street.
"Yuki." He stopped, not turning back.
"If you ever need anything... you know you can call."
"I know."
He continued back towards his empty apartment, the grief threatening to consume him. No, it had already consumed him. He would have to live with the loss.
Hatori stood at the corner for a long time after the former rat was out of sight. Despite what he had said, he did feel partly responsible for what had befallen Yuki's fiancé. But that was useless. Guilt and blame wouldn't change what had happened. He should just accept it and move on. And he would, once Yuki had done the same.