Chapter 10:
Day 7

Daybreak. The sun shone and crept through the windows of their dorm. Yukio stood by the mirror finishing up his neck tie as he was all ready to go, he needs to go to Mephisto's office once again, and later on the exorcists teachers will gather for deliberation of students. Glancing back at the still sleeping Rin, walking over to the smaller, he shook his shoulder. Rin opened his eyes halfway to a blank stare as he was still not fully awake, but conscious nonetheless. Yukio said softly that he'll leave for a while and be back later. The latter nodded and smiled pulling the back of Yukio's head giving him a quick kiss on the lips. Then went back to sleep as soon as he closed his eyes again. Yukio brushed the blue hair gently with his hand before leaving, feeling those soft tresses.

He felt the swift early morning breeze as he walked through the campus of the academy. The melancholic emotion eating it's way in his heart as he is very much aware of the end of his fairy tale. But he will accept. His decision is firm.

He knocked on the door to the principal's office and entered as he heard the demon's voice permitting him to.

"Top of the morning, Yukio-kun~" Mephisto greeted with that smile of his.

"Morning." Came an indifferent reply nevertheless, it's still polite

"Do you know why I called you?"

Yukio shrugged crossing his arms, "Most likely to talk about my gift's soon closure."

"Yes yes~ I will be giving you some guidelines." The clown principal kept his gaze fixed on the young exorcist as he continued, "So as soon as the clock tower strikes twelve midnight tonight I will be returning everyone's original memories~ Mind you, also at that time, Rin-chan will become unconscious."

"What do you mean by unconscious?"

"Well since he has been the one that is implanted with too much altered memories, I will...how you say this... Reboot his mind. To turn it back as it was~"

'As it was...'They will be back to being normal brothers again. No more limitless affection and love. But he can't get his feelings known; he put on his smile and nodded. "I understand. Thank you for your gift, Pheles-san."

Mephisto is pleased that his gift is very much appreciated, "It's no problem. Make sure his safe at home before midnight, we don't want him falling unconscious somewhere dangerous, would we?"

"Of course not, I'll keep that in mind. Anything else?"

The clown principal hummed thinking staring straight into Yukio's eyes. He caught something and smirked, "Nothing much really~ I just hope I warned you beforehand to not create... important memories. Such as…oh I don't know... love maybe?"

Yukio's smile disappeared and turned into a leer,

"Ohohoho~ So I am right? You've fallen for Rin." He continued eyeing the young exorcist "Must be difficult for you. Rin will forget about your affairs, leaving only you with the memories and feeling." Mephisto, the demon he is, still felt a little pity for him as he could see the intense sadness and longing in those eyes, no matter how he tried to cover it. 'He must have really loved him.' Though love isn't exactly something he is most interested in, but he knows the feeling of disappointment in losing something that's dear. With a sigh, he looked at Yukio seriously, "Oh how I feel bad about this. I could make amends though."

Mephisto offered the first option, which was to not change things to the way it was and continue this forever. Rin will continue to live loving Yukio. It sounds very promising. The latter refused that wonderful offer as he did not want to continue living a lie and change a lot of things for his own selfish reasons.

"My my, you turned down the best offer I could give. Trust my words, I will not let anyone know about the severe changes we made. Are you sure you don't want it?"

"I am." A part of him wants to accept that offer so badly. He needs Rin. Yet he knew better than to continue living in his own dream come true.

"oh alright. Then my second and final amendment I could bestow is that you will also lose your memories of this week."

Yukio closed his eyes,

'Forget our love?'

Truly, this week is the most eventful in his life. He has never felt so complete. The time spent with Rin gave him immeasurable happiness, one that he would sell his soul for. Then again, that happiness is meant to be short lived as it was bound to end soon which will bring great agony.

Is he really ready to endure such pain?

Evening came unnoticed. Yukio got home and is greeted by the alluring scent of what is obviously Rin's cooking (along with Ukobach's help of course) he went inside the dining hall and is filled with food, lots of delicious looking and smelling dishes, most of it is seafood like the younger promised. Rin ran over to him with that bright smile of his,

"Welcome home!" He took both of Yukio's hands in his and pulled him towards the table. They sat opposite to each other. Yukio thanked and praised the wonderful dinner making Rin blush and saying thank you.

They began eating. Yukio glanced at the boy in front of him every once in a while taking in everything. In only a few more hours, it will end. For the last time, he just wants to have Rin in his arms and nothing more. No love making, he didn't want their last moment to be mere bodily pleasure. Just Rin close to him. That's more than enough.

After finishing their meal, the twins went to their room with Yukio grabbing a change of clothes preparing for his bath. He noticed that Rin put on his jacket hoodie and changed to more outdoor fitting shorts

"You are going somewhere?"

"Yes. I'm going over to the other guy's dorm, I really need to return the notes I borrowed from Bon." he replied slipping in his already pre-tied sneakers.

Yukio narrowed his eyes, "Are you sure? I mean it's already 9 pm."

Rin nodded and headed to the door, "He has a test tomorrow, and he needs it." with a smile he added, "I'll be back real quick I promise."

"Alright, but you don't need to rush, I don't want you getting in any accidents. Just be sure you'll be back by 11 pm tops."

"Sure." He waved then left the room.

Something tells Yukio that he shouldn't have let Rin leave as it decreases their time spent together, but a little bit of distance might help to lessen his soon to come pain.

Rin knocked on the door that he recognized to be Bon's sharing it with Shima and Konekomaru. He heard the familiar voice of Shima saying 'come in' and he did quietly, he didn't want to just barge in someone else's room. When he got in, there was no one else in the room except Shima who was lying on the bed reading some magazine not even caring to whoever he let in their room.

"Uhm...Shima-kun. Where's Bon?" Hearing that voice, the pink haired quickly peered under the mag and saw it is Rin. It's clear he's delighted to see the smaller. Seating up straight and tossing the magazine to his pillows, grinning at the visitor,

"Oh Bon's not feeling well so Konekomaru brought him to the infirmary and is most likely to be obliged on watching our good friend."

Rin's shoulders slumped and frowned, "Bummer, and I even made an effort in returning these." holding up the folder of compiled notes. Shima walked over to him and took the notes,

"Don't worry your efforts won't be in vain, I'll give these to him tomorrow."

"Yeah, make sure you slap them to his face." they laughed, then stopped with Rin already bidding goodnight and bye. He was about to go out the already open door when Shima pushed the door close. The smaller boy looked up at him curiously with furrowed brows.

Shima looked away and scratched his chin with his index finger, "You see... It's kinda lonesome being alone so... mind if you stay for a while?" he smiled at him.

Rin tilted his head to the side pondering or whether should he or should he not accompany his friends. Glancing at the clock, he saw that there's still half an hour before Yukio's curfew for him. Grinning at the taller male, he replied, "Alright. But just for a while, okay?" The latter nodded.

They both settled on the bed as it was more comfortable than the floor. After a few rounds of playing cards, chatting, and laughing all the while, Rin looked at the clock again. 10:12 . A few more minutes till his curfew, if he leaves now he'll make it with minutes to spare. So he got up,

"Hey Shima, I have to go now. I had fun, thanks!" He smiled at the pink haired, he felt a little uneasy as he noticed that Shima is staring quite intently at him. Deciding that it's just his imagination, he turn-tailed to leave when he felt a strong grip around his wrist and pulled him to the bed.

Blue eyes widened, and a red blush made its way in his cheeks being pinned down on the bed by the older boy, "...Shi..ma..-kun?" his voice came soft like a whisper that was replied only with silence as the hazel eyes just continued to stare at him.

The half demon gave a nervous chuckle, oh how he wish this is just a prank of some sort. "Come on Shima, stop playing around-"

"Rin." He inched his face closer to Rin's.

The said boy's face turned serious still with a blush, he doesn't like this joke anymore. "Let me go, I need to go home n-"

"I like you, Rin. No. Scratch that, I LOVE you, Rin. You're so funny, kind, sweet, and cute. I like you very much."

He didn't know how to react, and just stared incredulously at his classmate who leaned down further pressing his lips softly on his placing a chaste kiss. Rin tensed feeling the kiss got intense and gasped, Shima took that opportunity and slipped in his tongue tasting that hot wet cavern.

"Nn..haa.." The older smirked hearing Rin's moans and trailed down to his neck, kissing and licking that milk white skin,

Rin pushed on Shima's shoulder though his strength is abandoning him now and could only produce a light nudge. "nngh~… Shima… ahh..s-stop!..aah~" he breathed harder as a hand began groping his chest. "No, please…! I..ahnn~…I love someone else!" The ministrations finally stopped. Shima looked straight into Rin, he doesn't like rejections.

"..Who?"

He bit his lip unsure if he should omit that he has an intimate relationship with his brother, "Promise me you won't tell anyone else…"

Shima snickered at how adorable Rin is asking to keep it a secret, "Alright, I won't."

"…My onii-chan…"

Light brown eyes widened then narrowed back, "Okumura-sensei? A love affair with your older brother?"

He nodded meekly not looking at the boy on top,

The latter chuckled under his breath, "How cute, you really think he loves you like that?" Finally the raven haired whipped his head glaring at Shima,

"Yes! He does! …we…we made love!" Tears are already starting to form through the corner of his eyes,

"Oh? So it has already gone that far? Oh well, it's expected after all."

"…expected?"

"Yeah. Okumura-sensei is smart, and you're too innocent. He's just using you Rin. Your body, face, and voice are so perfect he just couldn't get his hands off. I bet he takes you as many times as the situation allows."

Rin's eyes widened as the realization hit him. They have had done it almost everyday since that night of their confessions and acceptance. Blue eyes traveled from one direction to another as his breathing got heavier. Was all that they had together was a lie? Yukio is only using him for fun? His eyes went back to Shima as the boy spoke again,

"One day he'll get tired of you, and leave you all alone and find another plaything. Won't be hard for him too, he could sway anyone with his charm."

By now the smaller is already sobbing, Shima hugged him and whispered softly, "Don't worry, I'm not like him. I really love you."

He doesn't know what to believe in. Yukio really loves him, right? It's all real, right? He won't leave him. What they did was love. They'll always be with each other forever...right?

Real...

...Love...

...Always...

...Forever.

Nothing will change. Nothing. Yukio loves him. And he loves him too, very much. But something tells him that there was one thing that will change. That one thing that will crumble everything down to nothing. He abandoned his negative thoughts and just have faith. Faith in what they have is real.

'It's real...'

He stopped weeping and calmed himself. "You're wrong." Shima pulled from the hug and stared at those intense blue eyes. "Yukio onii-chan loves me. He's not going to leave me."

"Rin..?"

Rin pushed him off and got up from the bed leaving Shima there sitting. He held Rin's wrist stopping him from leaving. "You're just going to hurt yourself if you stay with him."

"If you really love me at all you'll just let me go and let me prove myself wrong! I'm not going to stay away from him just because I believed your words without knowing it for myself!" He said in a desperate tone.

Shima let go if his wrist and sighed, "Alright.." He can't believe this. Seems like Rin really loves Yukio. No chance anymore. "But I'm here for you. I love you."

The smaller weakly nodded and bolted out of the room, running his way to the dorm. He needs Yukio, he needs to hear him say that he loves him and this is real. Desperate and in the verge of agonizing, that's what he is now. He barged in the front door looking around for his onii-chan desperately. He climbed the stairs only a few steps as he was stopped seeing Yukio go down.

"ah Rin you're back, I was about to fetch you." He smiled gently at his younger brother unable to see the traces of crying through the dimly lit area.

"Onii-chan..."

"Hm? Something wrong? You sound tired, go upstairs and take a rest."

Rin nodded deciding he'll just ask tomorrow, or probably just forget all about his doubts and confusions. The attempt to walk past the older was halted as Yukio wrapped his arms around his brother,

"Rin, will you sleep with me tonight?" That is his final wish, to have Rin in his arms for the last time.

'Sleep with me?'before he could think of whatever that could meant, hoping it isn't what he think it is, Yukio's phone rang. He let go of his smaller brother and excused himself heading for the dining hall to take the call privately. Rin is left there at the staircase still with that heavy feeling in his heart that just won't go away. Anxiety fills him along with the mix of doubt on his brother. He shook his head and decided that he would ask about these matters that bug him, of course not directly asking about the 'using him only' details.

Yukio went behind the counter and leaned on it with his hand rested on the surface while the other held the phone. It was Mephisto that's calling. He kept nagging Yukio to choose the first request which is to let everything stay the way it is, the demon really feels guilty about how it all turned out. But the young exorcist's decision is firm.

"Are you sure Yukio-kun?"

"Yes."

"Really REALLY sure?"

He's starting to get annoyed at the persistence of the principal. Why can't he understand that a life full of lies is not worth living no matter how wonderful the lie is?

"Very sure."

"Won't you miss your intimate moments?"

"Of course I will. But Rin's body won't be enough for me to stay with him." It's not, because it's not all he's after. Reality is what he craves. It's what he needs. Continuing in this lie will hurt them more. He couldn't help but wonder... what if after this Rin would eventually fall for him too? He'll be so happy. But is it possible?

No.

In Rin nii-san's eyes he'll always be the younger brother, who he would protect from the monsters and defend from the bullies, just like how it always has been. It's their history. History repeats itself in a never ending cycle. Would love really push through and intervene in that cycle?

All Yukio wanted, was for his love to be returned. He would give anything to have it, but if the cost is Rin himself, he'll have to think twice about that. For sure Rin nii-san loves him and would do anything for him, but asking for his love in a different way is too much. If ever he did agree to it, it's only because he is obliged to not because it came from his heart. Forcing him something is the last thing that Yukio wants.

No chance at all.

Is it so much to ask for that? For Rin's love?

A sight of a dark figure swiftly passed by the doorway followed by a loud slam from the front door woke him up from his grimacing thoughts.

Rin?

Yukio's thoughts panic as his heart raced. Ending the call, he slipped the phone back in his pocket without even saying good bye to Mephisto and dashed out to run after him.

Rin ran and ran. With what he heard, everything became clear to him. Yukio doesn't love him, all he wants from him is pleasure. Truly he's stupid to even think that his brother, his brother, would return his feelings for him. Why can't he press in his thick skull that brothers can't love each other like that? How could he even love Yukio in that way? Because he has always been there for him. He was his only true friend. He takes care of him unconditionally. Secretly, he fantasized that Yukio loved him back... all those years... daydreaming in his wake. And just when he thought that this dream is real. It shattered. Leaving him with nothing and no one. Without Yukio, who would he trust? Who would he run to?

"Don't worry, I'm not like him. I really love you."

Shima.

Yes. Shima is the one that really loves him. Not Yukio. He would be there for him.

Rin stopped across the street facing the boy's dormitory where Shima and the others stayed. His blue eyes stared up in to the windows knowing that their room was on that side of the building. Pinpointing where the room is, he felt relieved that the lights are still open. He's still awake. He could turn to him. A silhouette of who he recognized as Shima sat by the window.

Once again, his hope is challenged... another silhouette appeared, a woman, there's another person there. Just a friend, maybe? But this late? What's happening? The two shadow figures came too close. Rin knew what's happening now. He couldn't believe it... another betrayal from someone who claims that he loves him.

'No...'

All of this is too much. People kept lying to him over and over again,

"Rin!" He turned and saw Yukio running up to him at the distance. Not him. Rin doesn't want to see someone like him, a liar, a user, a selfish bastard that only thought of himself. Overwhelming emotions flooded in him and made him flee away once again from the person that brought him so much pain when all he did was love him.

Yukio desperately ran after Rin. This isn't what he wanted. What did he do wrong? Fear and panic engulfed him when the smaller male came close to the railroad and the sound of the train whistle alarmed them both. Rin stopped and his eyes widened seeing the headlight of the train getting nearer and nearer bounding to collide with him. He closed his eyes tight not being able to move out of the way anymore.

Right now, dying isn't so bad, he thought.

'A life without Yukio would be empty...' It's an enigma how he is still devoted to him even though how he's been hurt. Perhaps he really is too innocent to know how to let go. Then, a sudden harsh tug on his arm made him gasp as it got him out of the way just in time. The speeding train whipped pass the two. Yukio panted heavily still holding onto Rin's arm, thankful that he caught him just in time. Realizing who it was that held him, Rin pulled his arm free and attempted to escape again only to be caught by the wrist again making him turn back to the green eyed.

"Rin! Stop running! You almost got killed!"

"What does it matter!" He struggled away from the grip and backed off a little from Yukio. "I...I don't matter to you..."

Yukio looked at him disbelievingly, "what?"

"All you wanted is my body, then you'll get tired of me. Yukio onii-chan doesn't love me the way I do. All I am to you is just a plaything that you'll abandon once you find someone new, you won't stay with me. I heard you talk over the phone...the words came from you," Tears are already falling from those blue eyes as he trembled slightly, "I thought what we did was making love... but it was just sex..."

What will he do now? Here, standing in front of him, is a breaking Rin all because of him. Everything is crumbling down. It felt like his heart is beating out of his chest, from what? Pain? Exhaustion? Dread? Nothing seems apparent now. So this is where his lust brought him. But a part of him screams it's not lust that took over. It was fear. That's right, he's afraid, afraid to lose Rin.

Yukio stared at him longingly, "No...It's love...Every time I kiss you, touch you, hold you in my arms, it feels like time is ticking slowly and how I wish it would just come to a stop so that I could have you forever. I'm afraid to meet the end of my time with you and it led me to take things fast and ended up hurting you. I just love you so much that I don't know what I'm doing anymore..."

The clock tower rang signalling there's only a minute left till midnight. Tears trickled down gently on his cheeks. So it ends like this,

...60 seconds...

"I'm sorry."

Rin couldn't believe it, his onii-chan is also crying. He hurt him too? Yukio loves him, yet he doubted it and said harsh things, "No...no...I..I didn't mean to.." He grabbed his head with both hands, clenching it tight, utterly confused now, "I said mean things to onii-chan. I'm so sorry!" Rin sobbed hard closing his eyes he could feel his face is wet from tears, his mind and feelings is fighting each other, "...I'm a mess..."

"No," Rin looked up feeling Yukio grab his wrists taking it off from his hair. He's smiling so warmly at him, "You're perfect. Maybe that's why I can't have you."

...48 seconds...

"But I am yours! And you didn't have to rush, we have a lot of time left, years even. We're gonna be with each other for the rest of our lives. And we'll be happy... sure there will be problems, but it will be fine, because we have each other...right?" It sounds childish, he knows, but it's true. He loves Yukio, and Yukio loves him too, so there's nothing to be sad about now, is there? Everything should be fine now from here on out. Everything. Because he has him.

Yukio warily shook his head, "I wish it would be like that,"

He couldn't understand why is Yukio being so negative, doesn't he trust that he will remain true to him? "But I love you, I really do."

... 35 seconds...

Those words are wonderful indeed. To see and hear Rin say that to him is something he would die for. Soon, very soon, Rin will forget about that.

Forget.

He never thought that word is more painful than the word 'death'. All the happiness and feeling of being complete will be gone in an instant. Nothing will be left. Just him living on with the yearning for his brother. Only watching from a safe distance to keep their chaste bond of brotherhood. It's sad to think that this is their final moment, outside in the cold night, unruly from the running and sobbing. Chest aching from the pain.

Rin searched his brother's face for answers for what he really is feeling. All he could read is gloom, even from that smile. "Yukio...nii..." He needs to know what's wrong,

...20 seconds...

He cupped his cheeks gently and closed the distance between them, for the last time, a final soft kiss. Rin closed his eyes feeling the warmth of his brother's lips against his, holding Yukio's wrists not wanting to let go, "Rin..." Yukio pulled apart and rested his forehead against his. It's unfair how this ended so soon. He shouldn't have accepted Mephisto's gift, but Rin is worth every bit of mistake he did. Rin is worth everything to him. Yet, it's already time,

"...goodbye."

Rin's eyes opened distancing his head a little letting him gaze at Yukio directly. "wha-what?"

"You can't hold on to me forever."

Yukio looked at him with such a serene expression that still paints agony, "I love you so much, Rin."

I could try to hold on to you...

...but I'm not the one who's going to let go...

Everything suddenly turned dark to Rin as soon as he heard the clock tower stroke midnight.

..

...It's you.

END DAY 7

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