Let Us Dance Among The Stars

Chapter 4

The awkward silence of the night was seemingly uncomfortable for Mikage and Mamiya. Mikage thought he was hallucinating again. However, he couldn't resist for a second that he thought Mamiya was real; Mamiya's beauty in front of the moonlight and among the roses was the epiphany of Mikage's inner desire. Was this the place Anthy told me I should be? Mikage asked himself mentally. Mamiya...Mamiya...Mamiya.

"Are you feeling ill, Souji? Are you alright?" Mamiya asked Mikage as he resumed watering his roses. Mikage seemed that the Mamiya he once knew and loved was different than the one he saw before him. Mikage's eyes narrowed at the younger boy and decided to find out why he was here after Mikage was alone for all these years. Mamiya caressed the black roses first, as Mikage stopped next to him. He looked up at his sempai and smiled a dead smile.

"Why are you here, Mamiya?" Mamiya didn't understand the question proposed.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean why are you here, in Ohtori? You died so long ago. Tell me why you are here, Mamiya. Are you a simple illusion like the rest?"

Pause.

"I am, after all, your Rose Bride, why should I not be here?"

"Answer my question," Mikage gravely said. Mamiya's smile disappeared a little.

"The rest?" asked Mamiya playfully.

"I don't quite remember them, but I assume they were once students of this institution. It is funny that I don't remember them. I seem to know that I must relate to them somehow, someway." Mamiya's smile returned. Mikage almost forgot that he was losing himself on the subject. "Never mind about that, answer my question, Mamiya."

"Yes, I will," Mamiya answered submissively. Mikage was now becoming cross. "I am I, that is it. There is nothing more." His dead smile began to seduce the depths within Mikage's mind; sanity was bleeding away from him as he looked at the boy that he loved so longingly. Calming himself enough, Mikage tried this third degree one more time.

"Mamiya...are you...real? Here with me physically? If I touch you, will you vanish? Will you break apart?"

"Like your heart?" he added. Mamiya resumed with his roses. "I'm real, if you want me to be. For the others, I'm not sure if I should tell. It is simple. The illusions you have seen are merely their left over memories, forgotten remembrances."

Mikage's anxiety was repleting. His fear was getting the best of him. Don't tempt me, Mamiya, he thought to himself. Don't...don't! It was then and there Mikage knew he really, utterly, completely, and absolutely loved Mamiya with all his heart. However, why did he feel like he was going to kill him where he stood?

"Of course...if you are curious about why they and I are----"

"SHUT UP!!!!" Mikage screamed. He jumped onto Mamiya, his watering can flying against the starry sky. Mikage's hands gripped around Mamiya's neck as Mamiya looked terrified and desperate for air. "WHAT DO YOU KNOW?!?!" Mikage threw himself and Mamiya to the ground, smashing rose after rose. "IT WAS YOU WASN'T IT?! YOUR WITCHCRAFT HAS BEEN CONJURING UP THOSE MIRAGES TO HAUNT ME!! YOU'RE THE REASON WHY I'VE BEEN ALL ALONE FOR SO LONG!! IT WAS YOU WASN'T IT?! WASN'T IT? IT WAS YOU!! YOU JUST WANT TO SEE ME ALONE AND SUFFERING? IT WAS YOU! IT'S YOUR FAULT!! IT WAS YOU..........it was you......." Mikage grip began to lessen. He looked down at the panicked, but emotionless, Mamiya who know bore Mikage's heavy, salty silver tears on his cheeks. Mikage looked so helpless that he broke down in his tears as he hanged on top of Mamiya. Mamiya licked his tears tenderly and kissed his eyes softly. "You and I promised each other that we would always be together and look at the stars forever. That promise is broken now. I...I will never see the stars like I used to remember them. Never again." More tears flowed. "You don't know how much I missed you, Mamiya. I've missed you...only you. I don't know anymore...I just...don't know."

Mamiya slid Mikage's head onto his lap. He gently stroked Mikage's cheek and head; Mamiya realized that he was just as lost and lonely as he was. Mamiya wanted to cry, but no tears would come out. He left Mikage to wither in his torture and tears as he walked to a deserted area in the garden. There, Mamiya groped a long ax and held it over Mikage's head.

It was lifted.

"Mamiya," Mikage whispered.

It fell.