Chapter 11 – Yuuri's birthday
Saralegui's POV
I watched Wolfram walk inside the room and stand there waiting. I looked at my watch, which showed the time we still had to get ready for the surprise party that Murata and I had arranged along with the other students. I was glad that they were willing to help out. I really wanted to see Yuuri's happy face again. Yes, the Yuuri that I knew was full of smiles and happiness back then, in Shinmakoku. It's true that he smiles a lot these days, but I can see the emptiness in his eyes.
That time, we lived in a country that was very beautiful and peaceful. I was invited to Shinmakoku to attend his coming of age party. As the ruler of a small country in Shimaron, I was glad that I could come to celebrate his coming of age. I've known Yuuri ever since his birth; he was like my own brother. Murata, who was known as the Great Sage, also played with Yuuri and Wolfram. I guess I have to be thankful to Shinou who united us together once again. Even though that incident was a great blow to Yuuri… no, it wasn't just him; all of us grieved over it.
That day should have been joyous for him, but it didn't go as we had hoped. Even I hadn't been able to do anything, as my troops were not very powerful at that time. I regretted it, but it's much too late already, so what I have to do now is to make Yuuri at least smile again, and gain back what he had lost. To at least learn who he actually is. It's kind of sad that I'm the only one who remembers exactly what had happened…
I looked up when I saw Wolfram come out of the room.
"How is it?" I asked.
Wolfram nodded with a smile.
"He is still sleeping peacefully," he replied, and looked at the Antoine and Alford who had just arrived at the front door.
"Let's just hope that everything will be okay and that he will be very happy," Murata said, encouragingly. All of them nodded.
"Then, Wolfram, you have to keep it a secret so that he will come to the party, okay?"
"Of course!" Wolfram huffed at them.
"Yuuri… Yuuri." Yuuri moaned as he turned to his side, slowly opening his eyes to see Wolfram's face so close to him.
"What? Wolfram.. what are you doing…?"
"What am I doing? It's time to wake up, wimp!" Wolfram stood up straight, frowning.
"Eh? Where did everyone go? Are they gone already?"
"Yes, you are the only one left. Don't worry, they are still being briefed about today's schedule. Now go take a bath!" Wolfram commanded him, watching Yuuri quickly get off the bed and walked toward their wardrobe to pull out some clothes.
"Ah, Yuuri, why don't you wear black clothes?" Wolfram asked when he saw Yuuri picked the orange one.
"Huh? Why?"
"I think black suits you more." Wolfram smiled when Yuuri's face turned scarlet.
"Uh, if you say so…" Yuuri mumbled, taking some other clothes while keeping the orange one in his hand.
Wolfram stared at Yuuri who had just come out from the bathroom, fresh and clean. He left his black top unbuttoned over his orange shirt. Wolfram couldn't help but gaze at the boy in front of him with awe. He blushed when his eyes met Yuuri's. Yuuri smiled at him, blushing a little as well when he noticed Wolfram did. He ran his hand through the back of his hair, fidgeting.
"Emm… shall we go?" he asked, snapping Wolfram out of his daze.
"Eh? Oh, yes! Let's go!" Wolfram quickly grabbed his hand and led him outside their room.
Yuuri opened his mouth in surprise when the wolf suddenly grabbed his hand. They walked to the elevator like so Wolfram unaware that Yuuri was blushing a bit at his warmly wrapped hand. Yuuri looked at Wolfram curiously when he pressed the 'up' button of the elevator instead of going down to the lobby.
"Where is the briefing room, Wolf?" Yuuri asked when the elevator door opened.
Wolfram walked in followed by Yuuri, pressing the 6th floor button.
"It's in the bigger room of the teachers," Wolfram mumbled, eyeing Yuuri with half a smile.
"Anyway, I heard today is a special day for someone…" Yuuri looked at him questioningly before realizing that it was him Wolfram was talking about.
"Oh…" Yuuri looked down, pretending that his shoes were more interesting than any other thing right now.
Wolfram eyed him, puzzled by the reply. 'Is it really okay to hold a party for him? It doesn't seem that he is happy about his birthday.' Wolfram gave a soft tap on Yuuri's shoulder.
"I just want to say, happy birthday, wimp." The wolf stared at Yuuri's black eyes which gleamed with sadness.
"Umm… thanks…" Yuuri gave him a half-hearted smile.
"You don't seem happy about it." Yuuri quickly shook his head.
"No, thank you, I mean it. Thanks… Wolf." Yuuri gave Wolfram a firm look, who snorted at his expression.
The elevator door opened along with a chiming sound and they both stepped out. Yuuri followed Wolfram to the room where they were supposed to have the briefing; or rather, the surprise party.
Yuuri stood before the door and watched Wolfram used the spare card. The tittering sound came out and Wolfram looked at Yuuri.
"You go in first," Wolfram said with a smile.
Yuuri nodded and walked inside the room without any suspicions, pushing the door open. He gasped when he heard a loud sound from a firecracker and shouts from the dark room.
The lights were up and now he could see all of his friends and teachers greeting him, saying happy birthday. He saw Antoinne and Saralegui holding the birthday cake on the plate together. Murata was waving out at Yuuri to come inside the room and Saralegui was patting his back as Wolfram pushed him inside, both hands on Yuuri's shoulders.
"Eh… all of you…" Yuuri stared at all of his friends, completely surprised. They were all grinning at his expression. Murata stepped forward, smiling at his best friend.
"Do you like it? We made this party for you, Shibuya. I… we want to see you at least smile once in your birthday." Yuuri stared at him but then he looked at Murata sadly. He looked at the cake that was now on the table behind Antoine and Alford.
"I…" Yuuri spoke up, eyes wandering to all his friends; he bit his lips. "Thank you guys, for the surprise… really… thank you." Yuuri smiled at all of them.
"Now that Yuuri is here, let's start the party!" Saralegui shouted and they all laughed.
Laila and Flurin gave the knife and plate for Yuuri to slice the cake.
"Here, make a wish." Flurin smiled as Laila lit the candle.
Yuuri stared at it, eyes closed and not really wishing for anything. He opened them after a brief moment. As he raised his eyes, he met Wolfram's, who stood in front of him, smiling. Yuuri's eyes drifted at the crowd before him. His friends were all smiling at him, waiting eagerly to clap their hands as soon as Yuuri blew the candle.
Yuuri's eyes went back to the candle flames. He felt scared… he didn't know why, but he did. And it had always happened to him whenever he celebrated his birthday. Because… there was a fire… and a huge explosion and screaming. Yuuri's eyes widened as his breathing became heavy. He started sweating once he noticed the feeling of fear and darkness in the crowd. Wolfram noticed the changes on his features.
"Yuuri?" he asked, now feeling concerned as Yuuri took a step back from the cake that he was supposed to blow. Saralegui nudged Murata when he heard Wolfram. The others stopped smiling when they noticed Yuuri moving away, face looking terrified.
"Yuuri, are you okay?" Wolfram asked, now moving to his side, raising his hand to touch Yuuri's arm. Yuuri flinched at the contact; he batted Wolfram's hand away, gasping sharply. Wolfram blinked in surprise by the reaction he received.
"Yuuri, listen…" Wolfram started but Yuuri quickly shook his head.
"Don't… come near me…. Or else you'll die. Everything will be ruined!" Yuuri shouted as everyone stared.
The crowd looked at each other, murmuring. Yuuri winced when he felt a pang of sadness all over him. He saw it; his birthday cake was ruined, everyone was screaming and running away. He saw a huge fire not far from the castle building. He was not sure where he was, but what he remembered was that the cake, the presents, and the guests were all ruined. He was so terrified that he was sure he didn't want to remember it anymore. That only present left was the one on his chest, the golden-winged brooch from that boy who was precious to him. He couldn't remember it clearly but all he knew was that the boy was related to his missing and unwanted memory. He then decided to keep the brooch as a treasure.
"Yuuri.. Yuuri!" Wolfram shook him, snapping him out from his thoughts. Yuuri stared at those concerned emerald eyes, realizing what had just happened. He was crouching before the table and clutching his head, which suddenly started hurting, memories invading his mind. He realized what he had just said and did to his friends and classmates.
"Can you stand?" Densham asked in concern and Yuuri slowly nodded. Both Densham and Wolfram helped him up. They both let go of him when they knew Yuuri could stand on his own.
"I… I'm sorry" He raised his head to look at all of his friends, who were now concerned and worried. "You guys can continue the party without me… I will take some fresh air." He gave a soft smile and headed for the door.
Murata was about to speak up but Saralegui quickly halted, him shaking his head. Wolfram sighed when the door closed.
"That bad, huh?" Wolfram spoke up, looking at Murata and Saralegui.
"I don't understand, what he was saying?" Alford stepped forward, still staring at the door.
"'You'll die'? He means us? It seems like he really had a bad birthday," Antoine muttered, fidgeting.
"Yes, he really had it bad," Saralegui sighed, brushing his bangs out from his eyes.
"That's why we want to make him smile." Murata's glasses glistened.
"You guys know the incident?" Flurin asked as soon as she heard what Saralegui had said.
Sara looked at her and nodded while Murata just frowned. He felt like he should have known something further… No, he actually remembered a little bit of it… but… Wolfram broke his thoughts before he could start thinking further.
"I'll go and check on him…" Wolfram quickly ran out the door in search of Yuuri.
"I wonder if we are making a mistake for having this party," Laila asked in worry.
"That's not your fault, everyone!" Densham spoke up to the students who were grieving.
"Now, let von Bielefeld cheer him up; meanwhile let's eat the cake and continue the schedule we have for today. Come on, don't grieve over the food!"
Wolfram wondered where the double black might be. The first thing he needed to check was their room… and there he was, as soon as Wolfram opened the door. The balcony window was open, and Wolfram saw Yuuri leaning against the stone railings. He slowly closed the door and took off his shoes, then walked inside and approached him in silence. The wind blew his hair gently as he made his way to the balcony. He stared at Yuuri's back for a moment and felt a familiar feeling as he watched the way he leaned against the barrier.
"Yuuri," he called him, not expecting Yuuri to actually turn around to face him. Wolfram made his way beside him and looked at his face, Yuuri's eyes back to staring at the clock tower not far from their hotel. He was sure that Yuuri wasn't really focusing on the clock tower; his mind was everywhere but there. Wolfram sighed, and patted his back softly.
"Wimp," he muttered and Yuuri change his view to Wolfram's direction. They stared at each other for a moment before Wolfram smiled at him.
"Care to tell me why you acted like that?" He didn't take his eyes off from those black orbs, so enticing.
Yuuri blinked and focused on Wolfram's smile, then resumed his gaze at the clock tower.
"I'm not sure if I remember it clearly but… this brooch… is from a very important person when I was little. He gave it to me as a birthday present."
"Shinou?" Wolfram asked.
Yuuri shook his head. "No, not Shinou. I don't remember his name, but I know he was blond as well. This is the only present left; the others and the cake were ruined."
Wolfram stared at him… because strangely, he recalled it. His eyes were gleaming with the memory.
"There was a birthday cake. Everyone was laughing. They were all so happy and I had mountains of presents. And all of that was ruined in a blink of an eye. Everything was shattered by the fire. I can't remember where and what the cause of the fire explosions was but I'm sure it had something to do with my birthday party. It was like a war. I got separated from the boy who gave me this brooch and Shinou lost his life because of me!" Yuuri gave a hard sobs. Wolfram watched him in full sadness, his eyes glassy with tears, shaking his head as an image flashed in his mind like a movie. He remembered the panic and desperation. Yuuri's sobs made him remember the sadness he was feeling greatly. He brought his hand to his mouth, fully remembering the scene.
'Is it him?'
He remembered giving the brooch to the King, and Wolfram's eyes widened at the scenes from the dream he was having. The King in a blue dress and ribbons, the golden-winged brooch and the pledge he gave him on the palm of his small hand. So he did give it to him… To… Yuuri? It wasn't just a dream? Wolfram eyes stared at Yuuri's sad figure. 'Yuuri… Yuuri…' He choked on a sob as he blushed at the memory. That time, he was mocking the King because of his blue dress that Wolfram's mother had made him wear. 'Oh, please, let it be true…' Wolfram heard him continue. 'But why? How could he lose his memory? He can't even remember me… That time.. was his coming of age party wasn't it?'
"I thought, if I don't celebrate my birthday anymore then I will never remember it again. The big loss I was having that time. I don't want to lose anyone anymore." Yuuri closed his eyes, trying to hold back his tears. His eyes and his face felt hot.
Wolfram stared at him, trying to compose himself from crying as well.
"Can't I…"
Yuuri opened his eyes to look at Wolfram's face, full of sadness. He watched Wolfram take a step forward and undo his brooch. The brooch shining by the touch of his hands which make him smiled at the warm of maryoku when he touched it. Yuuri stared at Wolfram's sudden smile, which seemed different than usual. It was somehow… mixed between happiness and sadness. Wolfram's hands trembled as he held the brooch.
"Can't I become the boy you had lost? I… He has blond hair and so do I. And I won't die, Yuuri… Because I'm strong enough to protect you now," he said, putting the brooch on the railing and then taking something out from his trouser's pocket.
Yuuri looked at Wolfram with wide eyes; hearing those words somehow made him relieved. What surprised him more was the other brooch Wolfram pulled out from the box inside his pocket. It was a one wing brooch, a figure of a phoenix's wings engulfed in magic fire.
"Wolfram…" Yuuri whispered, letting Wolfram set the brooch on his chest.
Wolfram gave him a firm smile. "Now you don't have to be scared of losing someone anymore. Because I'm here, and I won't die, Yuuri," Wolfram said, slowly leaning into him, giving him a warm hug, pulling him closer. "And you must be happy on your birthday from now on." Wolfram's eyes watered when he hugged him, he felt like he couldn't even hold his tears back as he bit his lips hard. He screwed his eyes shut, his whole body shaking as he tried to hold back all of his emotions.
Yuuri opened his mouth and closed it again, feeling the warm hug the blond was giving him. For a brief moment, he was unsure of what to say. He felt the warmth of this embrace; it had been a long time since someone held him this close… this warmly… His heart ached at the nostalgic feeling. Yuuri brought him closer, feeling Wolfram stiffening at the return hug.
Wolfram's tears slid down when he felt Yuuri holding him back. Yuuri… Please remember me, wimp…
"Wolfram… are you crying?" He heard nothing until Wolfram scowled.
"What, I'm not, wimp!" Wolfram scoffed but did not let go, brushing his tears on Yuuri's shoulders.
Yuuri chuckled when he felt the wetness on his shirt.
Wolfram wiping his tears like that, how ironic and so unromantic. Gosh, they were not even together, but this… this hug made him happy and he did not want to let go. Yuuri was happy that Wolfram listened to him enough to cry for him. He tried to muffle a laugh as Wolfram slowly raised his head to glare at him.
"Don't laugh, you wimp!" Wolfram's face turned red when he heard Yuuri laughing louder. He felt relieved now that Yuuri was cheering up though.
"I'm sorry… it's just that… remembering what you said previously, it's kind of funny to think that you are armed with guns or pistols like a bodyguard," Yuuri said, half lying; he took a deep breath to calm himself down.
"What the hell? I don't use guns! I use sword!" The wolf huffed and crossed his arms in front of his chest. He couldn't believe what Yuuri had said just now, he couldn't even remember if he wielded a sword! Yuuri grinned at him.
"Sword eh? Pretty cool… I can picture that." He chuckled when Wolfram closed one eye and let the other stare at him in disbelief.
"Whatever, wimp! Come on! Now we have to go back to everyone!" Wolfram said, and started heading out the room.
Yuuri stared at his back and couldn't help but to smile. "Wolfram."
Wolfram stopped and turned as Yuuri approached him.
"Thank you…" Yuuri said, smiling as he whispered in Wolfram's ear.
Wolfram stared at him and felt his face getting warm when he felt the soft murmur. "Umm.. hum…" The wolf mumbled, nodding slightly before turning his head away. He felt Yuuri walk past him to the door, and watched him silently. His heartbeat thumped quickly. Cupping his mouth, Wolfram closed his eyes and recalled the soft whisper against his ear.
"Yuuri, damn you…" he muttered, face blushing furiously. Now that he remembered and knew who Yuuri actually was, those kinds of affectionate gestures had a different meaning for him. The black-haired boy remained before the door, looking at him curiously.
"Come on, Wolf…?"
"Yes yes… you wimp!"
"I'm not a wimp!" Yuuri yelled, frowning at the nickname. Wolfram chuckled when he heard him reply. It was the same Yuuri.
Once outside the room on their way to the party, Yuuri latched his hand with Wolfram. He smiled when Wolfram squeezed his hand back.
Wolfram was gazing over the dark blue sky out on their room's veranda. The moon was glowing brightly; he sighed. Summer was going to be over soon, here, on earth. Wolfram was having a mixed feelings about what had happened today. It was very different from what he had imagined.
'Shinou… what should I do now? Yuuri doesn't seem to remember everything… what is happening here? I can't understand it!' he whispered frustratingly to his brother inside him.
Shinou gave a smile when he heard Wolfram. 'All you have to do is make him remember you and who he was in our country. Though it's going to be hard, Wolfram. But I know you can do it.'
Wolfram sighed when he heard him; he was not helping at all. How can he tell Yuuri about such thing in this kind of world where magic doesn't even exist? He returned to the room and silently opened the door. As he got inside he heard Yuuri murmuring something in his sleep and turned around, facing his side and frowning, as if in pain. Wolfram closed the door of the balcony and walked toward the bed, watching him in concern.
'I wish I had a different fate to choose.' And he blew out the candle. He looked up to see everyone cheering and applauding for his wish to come true… and then that incident happened. The boy who stood before him was wretched, blood coming from his head.
Yuuri snapped his eyes open, sweating furiously. He sighed when he realized that it was only a dream. It was one of the reasons why he didn't like making wishes on his birthday.
"It's my fault…" he whispered to himself in the middle of the dark silent room.
"What fault?"
Yuuri was surprised when he heard Wolfram's voice. He looked at the door that led to the balcony. Wolfram was watching him, and his eyes seemed to glow a bluish color. Yuuri stared at him as if he had seen a ghost. His figure was unusual, and for a moment Yuuri was sure that the one standing before the balcony's curtain was not Wolfram. But when he blinked, the weird features were gone. Wolfram walked toward the bed, the moonlight slipping through the slightly opened curtain.
"You were having a nightmare?" Wolfram asked as he slipped into the bed, flipping the blanket.
"More like my forgotten memory."
Wolfram laid down, staring at the ceiling. "Yuuri, did you lose your memories? Or was it because you wanted to put it behind you that you forgot?"
"I… I don't know…" Yuuri blinked in wonder at the fact that he was forgetting his childhood memory.
Wolfram stared at him for a moment before turning his back to him. "Don't blame yourself, Yuuri," he muttered. Yuuri watched him in silence, then lay down once again, putting the back of his hand on his forehead.
"I made a wish," he said, not caring if Wolfram was listening or not. The blond opened his eyes when he heard him but didn't turn around, listening quietly.
"I made a wish for a different path for my future. I don't know what path I was wishing for that time exactly, but I was sure hoping for something very different that could change my life. And I got it… My birthday was ruined, and now I have a different life because I never wanted to celebrate my birthday anymore…"
Wolfram turned around to face him. "But now you should celebrate it, Yuuri. You have to make a wish because whatever happens, you can't change the past and you can't only look backwards and keep blaming yourself. It happened for a reason, it must have Yuuri. What you should think about is what's happening right now, not the past, not the future." Wolfram put his hand on top of Yuuri's, on the pillow. Yuuri's face lit up softly.
"Yes… Yes, you are right."
On the other bed, Murata smiled at the words Wolfram had said. He really did know what to say to Yuuri. He was glad that the both of them met somehow. He opened his eyes when he felt Saralegui circling his arm around him, pulling him closer. Murata gasped when his face was only an inch closer to him.
"Umm Umeboshi…."
"W-w-wait… wait Sara! I'm not Umeboshi! Let go!" Murata pushed him away as best as he could. Both Yuuri and Wolfram heard him and snickered slightly.
"Night, Yuuri," Wolfram muttered.
"Aah, night Wolfram." Yuuri smiled at Wolfram's closed eyes. Today, he had shared something he had never told anyone before. Why it was to Wolfram, he had no idea, but he knew that Wolfram would never mock him nor laugh at him for his bad past. And somehow he knew that he could walk forward if Wolfram was with him.
"Thank you.."
Wolfram moved closer to Yuuri and muttered a soft 'yes' to him, his warm breath kissing the palm of Yuuri's hand.
TBC
