Author's Rant: Thank you for taking time to read and review ^^! I really really love it when I open my mail and FF's messages come ^3^.
…I intended to post this at Halloween but I'm going to be really busy that day with tests and all so I decided to post this while I still have time…it's 30th here already…so just see this at my early Halloween treat ^^!
Beware of OOC-ness, AU, my shitty English (…I'm too lazy to reread it xD) and uhm…ghosts?
Disclaim: Nooooooooooo~! I don't own anything!
"Where are we going now?" the ghost asked curiously as they walked on a crowded street, a few kids in Halloween costumes ran past them, laughing loudly.
"The Arcade?" Kaito chirped cheerfully. He wasn't really afraid people might call him mad, because people were too busy with their lives to see what the others were doing, really.
"Huh? What are we doing there?" a blink.
"Playing games~! What else? Not exactly what we do on a date but well, who care~?"
"Right."
Flashing the ghost another charming grin, Kaito almost forgot and took the ghost's hand to drag him forward.
…they couldn't touch.
When they were inside the gaming building, Kaito looked around thoughtfully and the ghost stood beside him, letting his blue eyes wander around.
"Okay~, we're playing Hockey~!" Kaito proclaimed cheerfully after a moment, startling the ghost out of his observant.
"But I can't touch anything. Don't you remember?" the ghost reminded him and Kaito rolled his eyes.
"Photographic memory here, sweetie~," and he tapped a finger to his head to emphasize his point.
The ghost only shook his head in amusement, "Okay then. I can watch though."
"Who say you're watching?" Kaito raised an eyebrow, "You're playing~! I'm supposed to make this day fun for you!"
"How?" an eyebrow was raised in amusement.
"Just watch, Ghost-san," Kaito grinned then processed to tap on a boy's shoulder who was standing beside the Hockey table.
"Hey," he greeted, the boy looked at him questioningly, "I'm Kaito. And would you like a match in Hockey?"
"Oh," the boy blinked before a confident grin tugged at his lips, "I'm Kantarou! And you're on!"
The two of them soon stood on each side of the table; Kaito looked over to the ghost then whispered loud enough for only the other to hear.
"Just place your hand through mine, and move it to where you want, my hand will follow," he winked, "I'll lend you my hand today."
The ghost blinked then a look of realization appeared on his face.
"Oh…" then his lips quirked up at the corner, "Can you move in time with my hand though?" he challenged.
Kaito's eyebrows raised up, looking at the ghost like he had just said pig could fly...well, if he tried, Kaito was sure he could do that! The other only rolled his eyes in respond.
"Hey, hurry up! Start the match!" their opposite, Kantarou, was it?, yelled impatiently.
"Are you ready?" Kaito asked and the ghost nodded, he seemed really eager, his eyes narrowed in concentration. Good.
"He's going down," the ghost-boy said then both he and Kaito shared a smirk. The game quickly started soon after that and Kaito's hand moved perfectly in time with the other's hand as he used his reflex and brain to guess where the ghost would move to. He had to admit, the ghost had pretty good reflex.
The match quickly ended in matter of minutes with Kaito, or should I say, the ghost won completely.
"...You're really good at this," Kantarou scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"Nah, you just need more practice," Kaito grinned cheerily, glancing at the ghost who looked really content and the said ghost grinned at him when he noticed so.
"Hey, can we play again another time?" Kantarou asked determinately, making both Kaito and the ghost blink.
"Hm..." Kaito tapped his chin thoughtfully then a cheerful smile appeared on his lips, "This day next year, we can play again."
"Huh?" Kantarou blinked in confusion and Kaito only patted his shoulder before walking off.
He was sure that the ghost understood the meaning of what he had said.
And the ghost indeed did but Kaito didn't notice that he stiffened and didn't follow him until he turned his head back to look at the other questioningly.
"Ah, I'm coming!" the ghost said then ran to catch up with him hurriedly.
"Okay~, we're going for a movie!"
"Movie eh?"
"Yah, a horror movie!" Kaito grinned, "You won't be scared, will you?"
The other rolled his eyes, "It's just movie."
Kaito merely grinned but said nothing otherwise.
xxxxxXxxxxxXxxxxx
They, or exactly, Kaito bought two tickets much to the ghost's confusion.
"Why did you buy two?" the ghost-boy asked as he followed Kaito to their seats, "I mean I can just go in without ticket, y'know."
"I know," Kaito shrugged carelessly, "But I don't want someone to sit through you right next to my seat, geez, that'd be disturbing."
"Right," the ghost nodded understandingly and he didn't exactly want to sit through anyone…it'd be really disturbing, as Kaito had said.
It was fun, really when the movie was funnier than scary, it was called something like 'Fright Night' or whatsoever it was, Kaito could careless about it. Because all he could remember after the movie was a weird, pleasant feeling in his stomach, and the ghost's snippy, dry comments about the movie or how he rolled his eyes when the movie got too ridiculous.
Why was the ghost bothering him that much?
…as he had told himself, even if the feeling was mutual, it could get no where…
He was supposed to give the ghost a good time here! Focus, Kaito!
"Sooo, Ghost-san, do you want an ice cream?" Kaito asked cheerfully, keeping his best grin on his face. They were just walking aimlessly, just enjoying each other's company and the slight cold wind of the beginning of winter.
"No, thanks," the other boy answered absently, his eyes followed a bird that was flying far, far away from him.
"But ice cream is the best! Everyone likes it!" Kaito whined, his eyebrows furrowed together childishly.
The ghost sighed and Kaito thought he wasn't going to answer until a quiet mumble reached his keen ears.
"…Not when then can't touch or taste thing…"
…Kaito, you idiot! You are supposed to make him happy, not unsetting him!
"Right! The weather is cold too! Who would want to eat ice cream in this kind of weather, right?" Kaito laughed awkwardly and pulled his coat tighter around himself to prove his point.
And right then, a little boy, wearing a simple long-sleeved shirt and shorts, ran past then, laughing happily with an ice cream in his hand.
Kaito groaned and the ghost snickered in amusement.
They walked silently after that, until Kaito couldn't take the silence any more.
"Y'know, there's a girl in my class claimed that she's witch, crazy huh?" Kaito started, folding his arms behind his head.
"Why crazy?" the other replied, amusement clearly in his voice, "You're talking to a ghost and you don't believe in witches?"
"…Right," Kaito groaned, "My life is surrounded with all supernatural beings…I'm wondering if I got to see a real werewolf or vampire one day…"
"You might," the ghost nodded thoughtfully, "I hear they're real."
Kaito made a small sound of distress at the back of his throat, making the ghost chuckle.
"So, anyone interesting down there?" Kaito asked when he had gotten over his small moment of distraught. The ghost put one hand in his pants' pocket while the other rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Well, other than your father, there's girl around my age that doesn't remember her name like me…We call her Haibara since she's really cold and dry and gloomy too…" the he turned to Kaito seriously, "But I tell you, she's Satan's spawn herself."
Kaito blinked, and blinked some more before bursting out laughing.
"Is she that bad?"
"You can't image," the ghost groaned, "She always talks in riddles and says things that no one understand…And she's a sadist, seriously," Kaito raised an eyebrow at that but said nothing otherwise, "She enjoys seeing people squirm for her own amusement…"
The ghost trailed off then let out a fond sigh, "But I have to admit, she's a genius…and kind of a nice friend…" yes, Kaito could see so since the ghost talked about her so fondly, as if he was talking about someone really closed to him. Kaito wondered idly if she was anything special to the ghost…
"So, is she here visiting her loved one too?" Kaito asked curiously but then he instantly knew something was wrong as the other stiffened.
"I'm sorry!" Gah! Kaito! How stupid can you get? That girl doesn't remember her name then how the heck can she know who's her loved one?
"Nah, it's okay," the ghost said dismissingly then looked up to the sky, and Kaito felt his heart twisted as pain and sadness were shown clearly in those blue eyes.
Silence claimed around them, each lost in their own worlds.
xxxxxXxxxxxXxxxxx
He had to admit, it was the greatest time he had ever had since the day he had died. Chattering with Kaito was nice since it had been a long time since he got to talk to someone around his age. Well, it was relaxing until he stupidly brought Haibara up. It wasn't Kaito's fault that the atmosphere was so tense, it was his own fault, why the heck did he talk about Haibara anyways?
Back in the Graveyard, Haibara was the only one that was the same age of him but she…
…She had disappeared, becoming transparent and fading away, right in front of the Graveyard's occupants.
She had smiled in her last moment because they all knew that would happen as for a ghost without a name was meant to fade away, to cease to existence if he or she couldn't remember his or her name in within two months.
And 12 days ago was Haibara's last day. Yes, she was Satan's spawn but she was his friend too, someone he could rely on and everyone down there's family.
He, along with all the ghosts, had watched and seen her off until she completely disappeared. Haibara had smiled her rarely true, warm smile and thanked everyone for the time she had stayed with them. It was sad, really sad, everyone still mourned for her even now… And then, all the ghosts were going to lose their second youngest member because that day, 31st October was his last day.
He would fade away soon, as soon as the clock chimed 0:00 like the poor Cinderella had to leave at midnight. But then, the prince found her and they lived happily ever after. However, this was not a fairy tale, this was real life and real life didn't have the word 'happily ever after'. He could never see Kaito again after this night…
…If only they hadn't met…
He was ready to leave, preparing to disappear, he had no regret and all but meeting Kaito gave him a 'loved one' to see at every Halloween. Kaito gave him the desire to continue to exist, to live as a human or a ghost, anything was fine, as long as he could still see Kaito.
He had never believed in 'love at first sight'. To him, two persons had to at least know each other a year or two before becoming boyfriend and girlfriend. Then he did, he went against his own belief to fall hard for someone he barely knew. But what would it do for him since they could never be together?
He didn't even know how Kaito felt about him. Didn't know if Kaito saw him as a troublesome ghost or a friend and if Kaito even lo-liked him or not. He dared not use the word 'love' since he couldn't be sure and for how long had they knew each other that he could utter such strong word?
But to be honest, he wanted the last one to be true, wanted Kaito to like him but another part in him didn't want that. Because he was going to fade away, and if Kaito did like him, Kaito'd be the one that was hurt in the end since when he had faded away, he wouldn't feel anything anymore, happiness, sadness or pain. Kaito was the one that would be left behind, the one that would suffer the most.
If Haibara was there, she would regard him with her cold yet somehow warm eyes then tell him that he was an idiot for that exactly what he was.
Chuckling to himself, the ghost startled Kaito out of his thought. The messy hair boy hesitantly looked over him curiously which he replied with a shake of his head.
They finally realized that it was too quiet. Looking around, Kaito could see that they were in a park it was really dark, he wondered why he didn't notice it sooner.
His eyes then widened and hastily, he held up his watch to see what time was it.
23:25…
"Oh…" the ghost said as he leaned over Kaito's shoulder to see the watch, "Only around 30 minutes huh…?" Well, every fun had its end and he did think that he had enough but still, he wished that he could last more or the time could just freeze right then…maybe in the last minute, he could remember his name? And so he could still exist and see Kaito again next year?...But that only happened in fairy tales or some cliché movies, really…
"Ghost-san," the seriousness and urgency in Kaito's voice made him nervous for some unknown reason, "Please follow me, I want to take you to this place."
"Okay."
xxxxxXxxxxxXxxxxx
Soon enough, they found themselves stood on the rooftop of the Clock Tower. Kaito sighed and closed his eyes to feel the wind, it made him feel like he could fly, high and far…
Besides him, the other let his blue eyes wander over the city at night. It was a breathtaking scene.
The lights of the buildings glittered and shimmered in the dark, like there were hundred and hundred of fireflies, it was simply beautiful.
Neither of them said anything but they somehow shared the same dream of a fantasy world, where they could be free and not need to worry about trivial things and where they could be together.
They both stood in silence, perfect silence, only the sound of the wind and the rustle sound of Kaito's clothes flapping in the wind could be heard. For a moment, they didn't dare to move or say anything, as if they made a smallest sound, the dream world would shatter and they would be left with the harsh real world…
How long had he known the ghost? Around a few hours and yet, Kaito felt like they had known each other for years as they shared a lots of thing in common, like they were good old best friends.
And any moment now, the ghost would have to leave…but he would come back next year, right?
Kaito cheered up a bit at the thought, that's right, they could meet again, but it still depended on the ghost if he wanted them to meet again or not…
He hated it, but it was the time for the dream world to end.
Turning to look at the other, Kaito's breath caught in his throat.
The ghost's eyes were closed and he was smiling the smile that wasn't sad or content but rather, his smile was somewhere between those. He looked so calm, so still, like he wasn't there at all, like…
"Hey," Kaito cleared his throat uneasily and smiled weakly as the other turned to look at him questioningly.
"So…how was today? Did you have fun?" he asked and when the ghost smiled and nodded, Kaito felt like he had won the entire world.
"So, uhm…" he shifted nervously, "Will you come to see me next year too?"
And Kaito stopped breathing altogether when the other looked away…did that mean that the ghost didn't want to see him again? Please, please tell him no…
"I'm sorry, but I can't," the ghost replied quietly and Kaito felt like, like…
He didn't know what to feel anymore.
"Ah, that's okay! I understand if you don't want to see me again!" Kaito laughed, his voice wavered and a shaky grin was on his face, "I'm not really a good company, I know that, real-"
"That's not what I mean!" the ghost interrupted, his eyes narrowed in frustration, and was that pain in his cerulean eyes?
Kaito blinked, his grin dropped, "…No?"
"…It's just that…I can't see you anymore," the other looked away again then let out a sigh.
"Why?"
"Kaito…I'm going to cease to exist."
For a moment, everything was stilled, Kaito's brain tried to process his new knowledge and then, his eyes widened in horrid.
"W-what do you mean?" he asked shakily.
"…A nameless ghost is not meant to exist, Kaito," the ghost explained, closing his eyes while doing so, "Within two months since the day they died, if they still can't remember their names, they disappear. And today is my last day"
"Then all we need is to find your name, right? I'll tell you the names and you see if that's your name, okay?" Kaito said hastily, the ghost couldn't disappear, he just couldn't because Kaito would never let that happen!, "Subaru? Shindo? Daisuke? Or Yamato? Is it Haru? Or is it Kindaichi? Akihito?..."
The ghost felt like crying as his heart ached painfully while Kaito babbled desperately, listing all the names he could think of out. He wanted to hug the messy hair boy so badly but he knew it'd be fruitless since they couldn't touch and he couldn't do anything at all.
"It's enough, Kaito," he said quietly but it was still enough to stop Kaito's panic prattle.
"But Ghost-san, we have to struggle til the end! You can't give up now!" Kaito yelled out, and in his blind panic, his hands shot out, intended to grab the ghost's shoulders and shake him until he came to his sense and maybe he would remember his name?
But instead, he grabbed at thin air, making him stumble forward, right through the ghost.
Everything seemed to freeze as Kaito regained his footing, they were standing back to back then, their bangs shadowed their eyes.
"…I'm sorry, Kaito…But this is our farewell," the ghost-boy finally broke the silence with his quiet voice.
Kaito took in a sharp breath, then let it out shakily.
Again, silence followed after that.
And it was broken once more by Kaito's shaky voice.
"…A kiss," he breathed out, "I want a good bye kiss."
The ghost turned around to look at Kaito's back in amusement, "…I thought you said you didn't love me or anything like that?"
Didn't turn around, Kaito let a weak grin spread across his face, "Well, but I didn't say I wouldn't fall for you, did I?"
"I tell you this," he continued, managing to make his voice sound stable and cheerful, "I'm not homosexual, not heterosexual either…" and he finally turned around to grin cheekily at the ghost, "I guess that I'm you-sexual."
The other blinked, "I never knew there's 'you-sexual'."
"Ah well, I'm a Kuroba, meaning everything relates to me is all surpassing human-level~."
The other boy let out an amused sound and Kaito smiled softened.
"So…a kiss?" he asked again, shakily and hopefully.
"…We can't touch…" the ghost said, looking down almost sadly.
"I don't care. So, will you?" Kaito replied determinately and his heart nearly melted when the other boy nodded slowly, a faint blush adorned his cheeks prettily, making him look more human and less deathly. And Kaito found himself staring, carving the image into his mind, he would never forget this, never in his life.
"Well?" the ghost asked impatiently and Kaito snapped out of his stupor to blink stupidly.
"Well what?"
"Aren't you going to close your eyes?" the ghost-boy shifted embarrassingly, "…It's…uhm, embarrassing if you keep your eyes open…"
"Ah…" Kaito said and a soft smile tugged at his lips as he closed his eyes.
And then, he could feel the other lean in closer and closer.
They couldn't touch, he knew, he wouldn't feel the other's lips against his. But he could pretend, pretending that they were kissing, sharing an intimate act.
The clock chimed 0:00 and he didn't know anything anymore…
xxxxxXxxxxxXxxxxx
Kaito woke up to stare up at his room's ceiling dazedly. He was still wearing his yesterday's clothes but he didn't know or when he had got home and got into his bed.
His room was lift up brightly and the birds chirped happily outside.
Everything had happened like a dream, a happy yet sad dream that left his heart ache painfully. His vision blurred as tears pickled at his eyes because the thing he still remembered, and would never ever forget, before his memory went blur was…
…The feeling of cold yet soft lips pressed attentively against his.
Xxxxx End xxxxX
….Eh well, what do you think about this last chapter v^^?...Damn….I'm a happy-ending sucker…how did it turn out like this D:? Should I just leave it at that?
…Some reviews and maybe something'd be done :3?