Sleep arrived
As late as he had
It was almost noon
Awaken
A new day
Aftermath
Ongoing fallout.
Hunger was a sensation
Once in a while
He pondered.
Without it
Food
Cannot be
Appreciated.
Cold
Bland
But sufficient.
Everyone else
Had gone
Punishment
For a late riser.
Aphorism held true
The early bird gets the worm.
Step
Outside
Go
About his day.
The sun
Concealed
An icy veil of gray
Slight precipitation
Reminiscent
The day after
The storm.
He would pay
A due visit
To a certain
Fiery woman.
Northern winds
Sighing through trees
Analogize
The remaining leaves
Like people
The strongest
Hang on
Before
An inevitable
Fall.
Another glimpse
Iconic red coat
In the midst of gray
Piercing contrast
Jade green orbs
Gazing at him.
"Hello there, Hikigaya-san."
"Good morning, Miyako-sama."
Subtle tensions
Wafting
Like a cold mist
Around them.
"Where are you headed?"
Hesitation
Yet with vague reason
If revealed
It would be sharing
Distasteful news
Adding more gasoline
Altercations
To the proverbial fire.
"To a friend."
"In a hurry now, are we?"
"I am going to visit Yumiko."
His statement
Certainly piqued
Her interest.
"Speaking of which, I did see Yumi-chan yesterday. Seems like she was running from something."
"You did?"
Raising an eyebrow
It dawned on him
Either
This woman was a seer
Or misfortune
Struck him again.
"How could I not. The view from that bench in the park oversees the path you two take."
By now
The two
Side by side
Walking
A quiet day
Desolate streets
Chilly winds.
He sighed.
"You probably should know that Yumiko is... unwell, to say the least."
"Caught a cold?"
"Erm... no. I think visiting would do her good."
Silent intervals
Whistling air.
"Miyako-sama. You seem enthusiastic about seeing her."
"That... tends to happen when you have not seen someone in a long time."
Silence
Choking
Skepticism and assumptions
Between the two
Between the lines
Underlying secrecy.
Only a matter of time
Before the cat
Breaks out of the bag.
"Something bad happened."
Understatement.
"I thought so."
The sage
Letting out a breath
Icy frost
Dissipating
So did tensions.
"What did I tell you about being compassionate?"
Her voice
Calm
Yet
Traces
Darker tones.
Bringing him
Another thought
Up until now
Responsibility
Had yet to be
Delegated.
"What happened was beyond me. She tried to harm herself."
Abrupt halt.
"She did what?"
"Cut herself. But I got to her just in time. She's fine now."
"Ah, Hikigaya-san. straightforward as ever."
Kneading her temples
Visible irritation
Certainly
Unpleasant disclosure.
"What do you think drove her to do that?"
"Love."
Answer
Without hesitation.
It was crystal clear.
Love.
Human desires
Affection
For attention
Innate passion.
Volatile
Unstable
In some cases
Deadly.
Literally. Figuratively.
She who falls in love, slips.
Watch your step.
She simply chuckled at his answer.
"Love... love makes a fool out of everyone."
"True."
Quiet agreement
Subtle
But both
Contemplating.
"You will pity her."
"Pardon me?"
Shaking her head lightly
Adjust the scarlet felt hat
And he knew
The type of
Faint smile
When one
Observe a person
Fall into a trap.
He will not pity her.
He respected
Saw her as an equal
The fire queen
And the cynic
On fair ground.
But now
Just as he had planted
Seeds of doubt
The sage
Sowed her own
Provocations
Into the mind
Of the cynic.
"She who attempts suicide is the most pitiful of all."
The cynic was dead silent.
"You will love her."
The sage,
"Because you pity her."
Unveiled,
"Miura Yumiko."
Another cynic.
