Forget-Me-Not
By: AtomicKokoro
Storyline
A question is brought up around the table at the Russian Sushi restaurant. Mikado and Masaomi gladly answer Anri and Saki's question, only to trail deep down into Memory Lane.
…
Before You Read
I think this is so cute! And I also remembered Masaomi dyed his hair blond, not that it was his natural color. How could I make such an idiotic mistake? I'm sorry, Masaomi-kun!
On with the story!
…
Chapter 2
Red Hyacinth – Play
I don't think I'll ever forget our first school days.
Honestly, if it weren't for you, I might have stayed shy my whole life. Even when you made a complete fool of yourself, you still laughed. The games we used to play, pretending we were travelers, explorers, adventures around the world...
I don't really ever want to return home, Masaomi. I want to see all the world. Have so many adventures! And I want you there with me.
…
"Mysterious...Mikado," Saki repeated, biting her lip as though it was the funniest and weirdest thing she had ever heard and could not believe it. "Really? He is far from mysterious."
Masaomi shook his head. "No, he is such a complete mystery to me. Even today."
"I don't think I'm that unreadable, Masaomi," Mikado said, but Masaomi insisted upon it. "If anything, you were unpredictable. Don't you remember those games we used to play?"
"Oh, ha ha!" Masaomi laughed. "Yeah, I remember that!"
"Did you play fantasy games or something?" Mikado asked. "'Fear not, my fair lady! I will be your knight in shinning armor, and I will rescue you!'" The mocking was far from accurate, but it was never meant to be.
"So, he was always a skirt chaser," Anri chuckled, playing with the straw of her cup. Mikado nodded. "I'm not surprised."
Masaomi chuckled and turned to Mikado. "I'll never forget the first game we played."
"Me, neither. Those first couple of days were ones to remember, weren't they?"
…
It was the first recess. Some children had the courage to ask others if they wanted to play a game. Others were still lingering in corners, alone and afraid. Mikado was one of the latter, hiding near the door of the school. He didn't want to be with the other children. What if they didn't like him? Who would want someone who would rather read than play video games to play with?
He glanced at his shoes, then up only to find a pair of hazel orbs before his own sky blue ones. Mikado gasped, startled and backed into the door. He blinked twice to realize those orbs belong to a blond boy who was way too close for comfort, but Mikado couldn't seem to find a way from him. "You're Mikado Ryūgamine, right?" the boy asked. Mikado nodded slowly, unsure. "I'm Masaomi Kida!"
Mikado blinked and, again, nodded slowly. "Mar...velous Mas'omi..." he whispered.
"Yup!" Masaomi stood up straight, and Mikado could see two more children behind him; Ai and Hideaki from earlier. "You have a cool name, Mikado! It sounds like something out of a Manga or something."
Mikado blushed. "Um...thank you."
There was a long, awkward silence. "You don't talk a lot, do you?" Masaomi sighed, folding his arms. Mikado shook his head. "Well, come play with us, then! You look so lonely standing here. C'mon, Emperor*! Let's go." Masaomi grabbed Mikado's hand and started dragging him away from the door, almost tearing Mikado's arm off.
Mikado protested and tried to keep Masaomi from throwing him into sunlight, but Mikado just wasn't strong enough. Ai and Hideaki followed behind them, exchanging unsure looks. Eventually, they reached the dead middle of the play area. Mikado was less then comfortable with it. "Let's play pretend!" Masaomi suggested. No one said anything. "Geez, you guys are really quiet... I know! Ai, you can be the princess. Hideaki can be the horse! I'll be the knight in shining armor, and you," He pointed to Mikado. "can be the Dragon."
"D-Dragon?" Mikado stammered. "Why do I have to be the Dragon?"
Masaomi made the motion of unsheathing a weapon and stanced as though he were ready for a fight. "Because you need to learn to be scary!" he said, waving his pretend sword around. "and there was no other spot. Trusty steed! Let's go save the princess!"
Most of the recess was spent with Masaomi running around, pretending to slay invisible beasts while Ai, Mikado, and Hideaki stood there uselessly, watching him fight. It wasn't long before the bell rang and Masaomi, still with much energy, ran inside. Mikado, Ai, and Hideaki simply walked in. With no one else to trust, they followed and sat beside Masaomi in the large circle ready for another game.
Came lunch time, and Masaomi was still going on about slaying the Dragon (Mikado) and saving the princess (Ai) with his trusty steed (Hideaki). Of course, everyone just remained quiet while Masaomi talked. He spent more time gabbing than he did eating his food, which cause him to stuff half his lunch in his mouth when break was over.
The day ended quickly and Mikado was just about ready to walk home when he was tapped on the shoulder. He turned and jumped when he saw golden eyes nose-to-nose with his own. He tripped over himself and stared up at Masaomi, who smiled. "You know," he said. "I like you."
With that, Masaomi turned on his heel and walked away, probably in the direction of his home without even helping Mikado to his feet. Mikado got up and brushed himself off. Masaomi wasn't half-bad, either.
…
The following day was almost the same as the last; more name games and more fantastical adventures. The only difference, this time, was that Masaomi actually tried to "slay" Mikado. This cause Mikado to yelp and run away from the "knight".
"Come back here, scary Dragon, and fight me!" Masaomi yelled, chasing Mikado around the field. Mikado eventually ran out of the breath and energy and slowed to a stop. Masaomi the proceeded to jump on Mikado and pin him to the ground. "I got cha!"
Mikado just laid there until the teacher pulled him off and scolded him for playing so roughly. Masaomi pouted until the teacher left then turned and smiled at Mikado. "Fun, right?" he asked. Mikado simply sighed and followed Masaomi back to Ai and Hideaki, who had spent the time talking to each other.
…
Later, when lunch came, it hadn't been much different, either. Masaomi went on about how he successfully slayed the "Mikado Dragon" but had yet to save Princess Ai, who looked less than thrilled at the idea. Mikado could imagine her fear that Masaomi would jump on her, too. It made him giggle.
Masaomi stopped for a moment when Mikado giggled, smiled, then continued.
…
The next day, they finally were learning. "A is for Apple," Ms. Kyouyo said as she pointed to the giant, capital "A" on the blackboard. All the children sat on carpet, watching the teacher, repeating what she said.
Masaomi had, from this point on, decided learning was not fun. Beside him sat Mikado, nervous and quiet when repeating the teacher while Masaomi yelled it out monotonically. The pepper glanced up at his friend, who sat tall on his knees while he himself hunched over his crossed legs.
There was a moment before Masaomi felt the blue gaze on him and turned to Mikado. Mikado looked away, blushing, then slowly glanced at Masaomi again.
Masaomi smiled.
…
Mikado had been half-way home when he was tapped on the shoulder. He turned around and jumped back when two very close hazel eyes invaded his personal space. Mikado backed up a step, then looked Masaomi up and down once...twice, then smiled. "Hi, Mas'omi-kun," he mumbled quietly.
"Mi-kado!" Masaomi cheered before jumping up and getting out of Mikado's space. "Come over and play!"
Mikado blinked stupidly. "To your house?" Mikado asked, finally straightening himself out to face Masaomi properly. "You mean you're parents won't mind?"
Masaomi shook his head. "Nope! They let me do whatever I want!"
Mikado glanced around nervously, wondering if anyone was finding the loud brunette annoying. No one seemed to care, so he continued the conversation. "Okay. I'll ask my parents." Masaomi walked with Mikado back to his home. Masaomi waited outside until Mikado came out from the house and met with him outside. "My parents said it's okay," he said.
"Alright!" Masaomi cheered again and ran down the street towards his own house. "Come on, come on! Hurry up, Emperor!"
Mikado huffed and ran after his friend.
…
"This is my father's barn," Masaomi said, dropping his backpack by the door. "He won't mind if we play in here."
Mikado stepped in and looked around. The barn was large, damp, and somewhat dark. It didn't look like a fun place to play for just the two of them. He turned around. "Why didn't you invite Ai and Hideaki?" he asked.
Masaomi shrugged. "I like playing with you better." There was no difference. They all stood there and watched him play on his own. Or maybe it was when Masaomi jumped on him was when Masaomi decided Mikado was more fun to play with. Or maybe...
Masaomi must have noticed the puzzled expression on his face. "You're mysterious, Emperor," he said, leaning in close to Mikado, their noses almost touching. "I want to know what you're really like."
Mikado stared back and, slowly, he smiled.
…
After Notes
*Mikado literally translates into Emperor, which Masaomi calls him by as a nickname.
