A certain blonde prince
Plagued his mind
Haunting him
Like a shadow
If the cynic
Stare closer at a mirror
He began to see
The monster
Masked
Reflection
Mirage
Illusion.
Do not forget.
When fighting monsters
Do not become one.
All this time
Aimless chase
For genuine
Something worthwhile
Real.
Fail to see
He had become
The creature he hated
A creature
Of stagnancy
Mirrors and clones
A monotone painting
Ever so constant
Unchanging.
By pressing for a mere friendship
He was hindering
Natural progression
Refusing to allow
The flower
To bloom.
If he does not allow
The rose to bloom
It will die.
"Hikigaya-san. Are you alright?"
A warm hand on his shoulder
Pulled him out of a void
Bring him back
To his senses.
"Y-yeah."
"Yumiko-chan is a nice girl."
He swallowed
Guts twisted
His skin crawled
At the ominous words.
"That is why you must be compassionate with her."
"But how? I-I can't..."
His eyelids shut tight
A tear squeezed out
He was on breaking point
But not from grief or panic
Instead
Stricken with fear.
An idiotic saying
The sky is falling down.
Now, he may have an idea.
The sensation
Of hell about to break loose
Chaos bound to explode
Sky falling down.
"Such is youth. Puppy love. Sugarcoated words translating to drunk desires and wanton delights."
With a gloved hand
The sage took off
Her iconic red hat
Allowing thin gray locks
As if an elder angel
Swaying to the wind.
"Romanticism. A poetry of love, lust and sex. And like a poem, ending with a period."
Either this woman
Poking at him
Goading him to fall into the abyss
Or guiding him
Through a treacherous path.
"Hikigaya-san. As you said, all things come to an end. It could end differently. Yumi-chan is a foolish girl, that I must admit. Friendships last longer than romantic relationships. Unless you intend to marry her, it will inevitably fall apart."
"I can't tell if that is consolation or provocation."
She giggled
But not in mockery.
"I know you love her too. Perhaps it is still not apparent that you need her as well, but in the end you must decide."
"To forfeit this friendship we have built so far?"
"Do you now understand why I cannot simply abandon my works?"
Once again, the cynic was in check.
"You worked hard, made sacrifices. Now, you must choose whether to keep what you have or go all in. Either way, you will lose some, gain some."
"This is not a game."
"Of course not. That is what makes it so exhilarating."
He inwardly grimaced
Perhaps this woman
Another sadist
Spectator
Of a bloody gladiator fight.
"Don't get me wrong. It is certainly no fun, especially for you. To think, a cynic such as you. Caught in the same trap the people you gawked at fell victim to. Ironic, is it not?"
"Very. I am not having a good time."
"You said it yourself. We always have a choice."
"What should I choose?"
From a nonchalant visage
Morphed
Into one of disgust
Jade green eyes
Bore holes behind his head.
"How pathetic. Hikigaya-san. Asking for advice is one thing. Asking for a course of action is another. One step lower from your poor standing."
She shook her head
Definitely mocking him
A condescending smirk on her lips
While he was stunned
Struck square
The words hit home
Sharp woman.
"F-fine. Sorry. That was my blunder."
"Do not be sorry. Be better."
Once again
A sweet smile
Yet he cannot tell
Difference.
From a razor sharp critic
To a motherly figure
Peculiar woman.
"There is no right or wrong choice on this one. However..."
He listened intently
A student
To a sensei
Albeit machiavellian
Promising wisdom.
"Whichever choice it is, be sure not to regret it."
"Do not regret..."
He lurked on the words
Like a hunter on a bog
Once again
In a swamp of lies
Fog of presumptions
Perhaps now
Truth was on sight.
Take the shot.
"Although I wouldn't mind having a great-grandson."
"What do you mean by that?"
It was a menacing tone
Filled with suspicious backdrops.
"It means exactly as it is."
She stood up
So did he
Part ways
Wave away
Silver hair and red coat
Memorable contrasts
Of a certain sage.
"Have a good evening, child."
