The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot
Chapter Six: You are Second Hand Smoke
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, except the story.
Mountain Rain: Okay, I admit it. I acted rash and stupid to Teletha. Now she (or he) is going to get an apology. First, I will state my reasons on why I say that Arima is "psycho". Arima was abused as a child. All of you know that. Since his father was so harsh, a mental problem could have been the reason. If that's so, Arima could have it hiding in his genetic code somewhere, just waiting to pop out. The abuse could have caused it, too. A tragic breakup could cause the disease or whatever you like to call it ("pyschoness") to arise at the surface.
I'm sorry that I was so mean to you. I'm sorry you were so polite. I'm sorry I couldn't understand half of your review. I'm sorry I'm not going to take your advice. I'm sorry I will publish my stories when I want to. I'm sorry I will not wait to read the entire series of manga. I'm sorry I won't even wait to see all of the episodes of the anime. I'm sorry that if all the authors on FF.net did that, none of the stories that are actually worth reading would be published. I'm sorry you had enough time on your hands to give Arima Soichiro an in-depth character analysis. I'm sorry, but Arima is not a real person. I'm sorry you protect him like he is a real person. I'm sorry I'm not going to stop my references to Arima's insanity. (Arima is crazy. Arima is crazy.) I'm sorry you are so attached to Arima. I'm sorry you didn't even know how I was going to end my story, and yet you assumed that I would have Arima kill Yukino. I'm sorry that if you annoy me again, I will have Arima kill Yukino. I'm sorry I'm so mean. I'm sorry I can't be nicer. I'm sorry I have to thank you for reviewing. I'm sorry FF.net is so bad at expressing sarcasm. I'm sorry this is so long. I'm sorry I stole the "I'm Sorry" bit from SPIN magazine.
Happy now?
~
"Miyazawa…."
Yukino shivered. That wasn't Arima's voice. Something was definitely wrong. She looked up into his eyes and noticed his usual sparkle was missing.
"Come with me," he growled, grabbing her arm and pulling her to her feet. At first their feet moved slowly, as if they were afraid to move faster. Yukino followed him loyally. She stared at the back of his head and began to hope he was only kidding.
Walking wasn't fast enough for the voice. It wanted the deed to be done as soon as possible.
Faster. You must go faster.
Arima's legs started to move faster. His hold on Yukino's arm tightened after she tried to squirm out of it. She kept trying to keep up with him, but Arima was faster than she could handle.
"Where are we going?" she breathed.
"Quiet," said the voice, taking Arima's voice.
Leaves fell through Yukino's hair as they hurried through the wooden area of the old park. Night had fallen, so Yukino relied on moonlight to help her weak eyes determine their location. A sharp branch scraped Yukino's arm and caused a drop of blood to run down her pale white skin. She bit her lip to suppress a yelp. The amazing show of stars in the dark sky was no comfort to Yukino.
Meanwhile, the voices were waging war on each other.
Don't do this, Arima!
You can't stop him. I've taken complete control.
You can't do this! Didn't you see the fear in her eyes?
Then everything has worked out perfectly.
Remember the time she said she'd rather be with you than study?
Feelings change over time.
What about when you showed her how much you loved her on that day in your room?
The cloudy look in Arima's eyes began to clear up.
She loves you so much.
His vacant expression disappeared.
You love her, too. How could you let that doubtful voice become a monster? How could you let it take over your senses?
His legs slowed until they finally came to a stop. Yukino stood confused and gasping behind him.
No….
The evil voice became silent.
Arima was scared to turn around. He did, however, and saw the frightened look in Miyazawa's eyes. A wave of guilt and regret washed over him, threatening to drown him.
So he ran. He ran from her and let his hollowness fill with pain. Yukino was on his tail, though, and she refused to let him get away without telling her what his deal was. For a good while he kept running with only one intention: to keep the consequences of wrongdoing beyond his control at bay. The belief that if he could keep moving his legs he could escape entered his mind.
A tree root tripped him. Arima fell to the ground and caught himself with his hands. Yukino stood in front of him and bent down.
"What is the matter? Why did you take us out here? Why—"
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry…." A tear fell from his face to the dirt below. It created a dark circle of emotion, spilled by a shadowed face. Arima refused to look up at Yukino. He just kept spilling his almost silent guilt.
Yukino, however, would not stand for it. She wanted answers and she wanted them now. He was not going to chicken out on her.
"Soichiro!" she called out clearly, her voice ringing in Arima's ears. When he would not lift up his head, she held his chin up so they saw eye to eye. Her eyes asked that he would give her the answers she searched for in his eyes. His eyes implored the forgiveness that he so strongly felt he didn't deserve.
The answers lay hidden behind the pangs of regret. Understanding found its way to Yukino's brain. The feelings he felt were shared through the bond shared only by lovers. Forgiveness may have been a dream in Arima's mind, but it was very real in Yukino's. Her eyes took on a glow similar to the one when she first slid her hand into his. Her pink lips curved into a comforting smile. Instantly, a new outlook of hope took over Arima's mind.
She slowly tilted her head forward to meet Arima's lips. He returned the kiss lovingly, and he was sure that no matter what, things would be all right. After all, if love can be shown through a simple gesture like holding hands, then mercy can be communicated through an innocent kiss.
~ End
Mountain Rain: Out of character. It's so out of character, it's abstract. I should make stickers that say "I Write Out Of Character Character-Driven Stories" and stick it on my forehead. That ending was the biggest piece of sugary dookie that I've ever written. I was originally going to have Yukino almost dead and scared to death, and THEN have her kiss Arima. Of course, I softened up a bit. How could I do that to our beloved couple? (Very easily, actually.) Heh. Well, the chapters are too short and the story is insufficient. So, for those of you who wanted to know the future titles of chapters never written, here they are.
"You are calm and reposed.
Let your beauty unfold.
Pale white, like the skin stretched over your bones.
Spring keeps you ever close.
You are second hand smoke.
You are so fragile and thin.
Standing trial for your sins.
Holding onto yourself the best you can.
You are the smell before rain.
You are the blood in my veins."
— Brand New, The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot
It's a beautiful song. You should go listen to it. Ja ne, minna-san.
