In the art of deception
Observation
Understanding
Is key.
Coincidentally
Loners and cynics
Excel at these grounds.
Thus
They can make themselves
Appear
And disappear
Figuratively
A powerful asset
Yet
With a fatal flaw
That is
More often than not
A timid personality.
Confidence
Either a weapon
Or a hindrance
In the hands
Of a mastermind
Or a fool.
It would be plausible
To analogize
A cold glass of water
Condensation flowing down
To his mental state
Cold
Sweat
Perhaps tears
He may soon find out.
The grand table
Soon filled
End to end
With relatives and guests
From two families
And many more faces
He could not care less about.
Across him
two figures
He knew
The stench of deception
Lies
And more lies
Conclusion.
Like candy, some men are sweet.
And covered in plastic.
In this case
A goddamn feet of thick plastic.
This may explain
Why such people
Always bail out
In the heat of the moment.
Plastic melts in heat.
He would love to set this one on fire.
The wine glasses were filled
And he eyed the dark red liquid
With suspicion
For no real reason
Or perhaps
From an inner voice
Yelling madness.
Everyone stood up.
"Apparently, we have a new guest with us tonight. Hikigaya-san, if you will."
He may have caught
A heart attack
At the mention of his name
As two dozen eyes
Bore holes into him.
He looked at the sir Yukinoshita.
Is this man trying to kill me?
Charily, He raised his glass.
"A toast. To those who has seen us at our best. And at our worst. And couldn't tell the difference!"
Perhaps he had spoken too loud
Or emphasized the last part
With a faint trace of sarcasm
Because beside him
And all around
Faint chuckles
But not of mockery.
Everybody raised their wine glasses to this.
Thankfully
The excessive
Spotlight on him
Dimmed
And he slowly sat down
Resisting the urge
To crash into his chair.
"That was an excellent speech right there, Hikigaya-kun."
He could only huff a reply
As he imbibed the cold water
To sedate his nerves.
"So. tell us more about yourself, Hikigaya-san."
The two Yukinoshitas
Intently looked at him
And the little ice queen
Even the prince
And his royal family
Aimed stares at him
Pinning him in a crossfire.
For fuck's sake.
"Well, for one. Haruno right here, found me in a miserable gutter in life. One thing led to another and here I am. Lovely, isn't it?"
He could not tell
Whether the answer was automatic
Or he was experiencing
Throes of madness.
His answer was snappy
And laced with sarcasm
Yet it incurred
Humorous laughter?
Even the sly devil
Cheeks hinting a bit of red
Giggled.
The true test
Of a man's character
Is how he handles
Jokes about himself.
Source: me.
"That's quite some background. And what about your family? Do they also live in this 'miserable gutter in life'?"
Now what is a man's character
On handling jokes
About his family?
He gritted his teeth.
Do not break the mask.
"Not quite. Consider it a straw hut, by your aristocratic standards."
The noise died down
And the air
May as well have been gas
Risking explosion.
Even the devil woman
Looked at him
With a troubled smile
Peach eyes
Telling him to stop?
Realizing the acid
In his words
Swiftly defuse
And prevent a deadly firefight.
"But hey. There's food, clothing and beer. All the essentials."
Even he
The cynic
Chuckled at what he just said
And the men too
Laughed.
Who was he kidding?
Beer. Such a blatant save.
Alcohol works like a charm
An appeal
To men.
Such are men.
"You look well dressed. I recognize that suit..."
"Burberry, Gray 36."
"Excellent choice."
Unbelievable.
Did he just buy his ruse?
Yumiko, thank you.
Apparently
He was doing too good of a job
Pretending
To be one of these
Rich assholes.
All he had to do
Is spew out
Exquisite bullshit.
"Doctor Miura?"
"What?"
What?