Someday, I'd love to meet the other me - Yukito in Clear Card episode 4.
I would also love it if that happens. Let's see if we can make that happen in this story at least.
A tall and handsome young man in his mid twenties was working in a research lab one summer afternoon, when the phone in the pocket of his lab coat buzzed once. He waited to finish the procedure that he was performing, before removing the disposable gloves from his hands, and retrieving the phone. There was an unread text message under the name of Tsukishiro Yukito.
Going home early today, the short message said. Kinomoto Touya scrunched his brows. Deciding that he had enough research done for the day, he proceeded to the room next to the laboratory to enter the data of the observations for the day, before changing the lab coat for a normal jacket and heading out. He waved a casual goodbye to the colleagues he met on his way out and ignored some of the glances of a group of undergraduate girls near the elevator. Once outside, he headed for the station located in the next block to take the train home.
Touya took his phone out to see if it had received another message once he was on the train, but there was none. Fortunately for him, the train was not too crowded, so he got a seat for himself. The seat next to him was also empty. On many of the days, his best friend since high school would be sitting beside him on a ride home like this, chatting about something, munching on some of the snacks that he would have picked up on the way out. He would usually be hungry by afternoon, and sometimes sleepy. It amazed him that his friend managed to both eat and fall asleep within that short half an hour train ride back home, often using his shoulders as a head rest. However, it was still a relief to know that this fatigue was not induced by depleting magical energy, but by the stress of graduate school. Time really flew by when he was with Yuki, Touya thought. They had already completed college, and were on the track to complete their doctoral degrees at the university in less than a year's time. His younger sister who seemed to be in elementary school only yesterday was set to start her sophomore year in college the coming semester.
However, Yukito had decided to return early from the university on that occasion. They were in different departments at the university, with Touya doing his doctoral thesis on analytical chemistry and Yukito on theoretical astronomy. Therefore, it was not possible to see each other much outside the lunch hour. However, they always tried to synchronize their time of arriving and leaving the campus as far as their schedule and work requirements would allow. But on that day, Yukito left without checking with him first. It troubled Touya a bit. His friend still had occasional phases when he doubted the reality of his existence and everything around him. During those times, Touya would steadfastly be beside him. Conversely, Touya himself had phases when he would be worried sick about his younger sister's safety as she dealt with dangerous magical forces. Through those phases, his friend would comfort him with the assurance that Sakura was becoming stronger, and could control her powers better than ever. As more time passed, and his little sister continued to grow more powerful, and he had fewer and fewer occasions to worry for her safety. Besides, as his own powers returned gradually, he could sense that the brat from Hong Kong had himself become a lot more powerful. He went to the same college as Sakura, and as much as he despised that kid, he could not help but admit that the boy loved his sister truly, and would always protect her. That did not mean he would not resent him snatching away his role as his sister's protector for the rest of his life.
Once he got off the train at Tomoeda station, Touya retrieved his bike from the bike park and started biking towards their neighborhood. He knocked at the door of Yukito's house once he reached it. The door opened after a few seconds, and the boyish face of the young man he loved appeared on the other side. Yukito did not change much in all these years, and from his appearance one would guess that he was probably a year or two older than Syaoran, Sakura and Tomoyo.
"Toya, I knew you would come here," Yukito said sweetly, but his smile did not appear as bright as usual.
"Yo, what was the hurry to return home?" he questioned.
"I was tired Toya, and I didn't want to interrupt your work, I am sorry," Yukito said as he turned back to walk inside.
Touya closed the door behind him, and wrapped his arms around Yukito's shoulders as he approached him from behind, "Baka," he said.
"Toya, your hands smell of ammonia," Yukito scrunched his nose, trying to free himself.
"I had worn gloves most of the time, and also washed them with soap before I left, you know," Touya released the smaller man, bringing up his hands near his nose. He did not get a strong smell of the said chemical. Yukito was really sensitive when it came to such pungent chemical smells, while he had become habituated to them. Sometimes he wondered if Yuki's heightened senses were due to the nature of his true form.
"Those lab soaps are awful. Use mine in the bathroom," Yukito said.
"As your highness wishes," Touya joked as he headed to the bathroom, where he found a lavender scented hand soap ready on the counter. He smiled softly. Yuki was still a delicate person with delicate tastes after all.
When he returned to the living room, he saw Yukito sitting there with his laptop open before him, seemingly working on his thesis, "Toya, will you have dinner here? I have some,-" he started.
"No, I had written on the board that I will be back for dinner tonight. I just came to see you," the taller man interrupted his freind.
"You just saw me at lunch," Yukito smiled.
"Yeah, but–," Touya paused. "Everything okay, Yuki?" He asked straightforwardly.
"I guess I have been spacing out, huh?" Yukito looked up at his friend's face through his round glasses. Touya sat down beside him, and lightly touched his shoulder.
"Tell me, Yuki," Touya said.
"I have been thinking, Toya," Yukito replied slowly. "We will both finish graduate school in a matter of months, and then what?" he asked.
"Have not decided yet, have you?" Touya asked the man he had been with for almost a decade.
"There are other stakeholders when it comes to my decision," Yukito replied, his eyes gazing down.
"Yue," Touya said.
"Yes, and also yourself. You had been wanting to go to the US for post doctoral research right?" Yukito asked.
Touya realized that his friend had seen him looking at the websites of different foreign universities on his laptop, and caught on. "I would not go anywhere without you," he smiled. After all the time that they had been together, did Yuki still worry that he would leave him behind one day? Silly Yuki, Toya thought.
"That is what worries me. After all, it is your dream," Yukito quietly stated.
"I won't deny that it is. But we had another dream Yuki, the one involving us always staying with each other. I refuse to give that up," Touya said.
"You might regret it one day," Yukito said.
"Yuki, you know better than that," Touya turned his face away, a bit hurt by this time. Yukito immediately reached out and held his hand.
"No, you won't. I know. I am sorry. It is I who will hate myself for standing in the way of the dreams of the person I love the most," he told Touya.
"Yuki, I won't have you saying–," Touya started but Yukito did not stop there.
"No Toya, please listen to me. For too long you have bound yourself to a person whose very existence is fake. My memories, my background, my family, all of it. I never had a childhood or anyone to care for me. My grandparents were but a figment of my imagination, fabricated by magical powers. The only family that I ever have known was yours, Toya. I mean, I don't even know why I am Tsukishiro Yukito," he broke into a small sarcastic laugh. "Someone must have kindly picked that name for me; since I had no family, they must have been so very generous, ne Toya?" he paused.
"Yuki, this type of sarcasm does not suit your character," Toya gave him a displeased look.
"Then tell me Toya, what can such a fake person like me give to you?" Yukito said.
"Your name," Touya said the first thing that came to his mind without thinking much.
"What?" Yuki asked, trying to process his friend's strange reply.
"Your last name; the name of the family you never had; I was hoping that you could give it to me someday if you like, so that you can have a real family, if you still believe that Sakura, dad and myself do not already think of you as our own," he paused briefly, blushing a little. "And I quite like the name Tsukishiro, so I would like it to be mine someday," he added.
"Toya, you–," Yukito started with wide eyes, but he was interrupted by the sound of the phone ringing.
"Geez, who the hell calls at landline numbers nowadays," since Yukito kept sitting transfixed in his spot, Touya got up to answer the phone.
"Moshi moshi," the tall young man said when he picked up the receiver.
"Touya-kun," the shrill feminine voice at the other end of the line pierced his ears.
"Akizuki," Touya gritted his teeth in mock anger, but this was probably the first time in his life that he actually welcomed an interruption from the magical being who was Yue's counterpart. "You could have dialed Yukito's cell number. Why are you calling here?" he asked.
"Call me Nakuru," there was a girly laughter at the other end of the line. "It is you whom I wanted to talk to. I had to take my chance since you always disconnect the line whenever I call you. I thought you might be here," she laughed again.
"Well, What do you want?" Touya asked.
"Is Yue-san alright?" Nakuru or Ruby Moon asked. "He has not called Eriol in days," she elaborated.
"Have not seen him in a while. Though, haven't heard of any problems either," Touya answered.
"Good," the small sigh that left Nakuru's mouth did not escape Touya's ear even over the noisy telephone line. "And your powers?"
"They are none of your concern. Now, good night, or rather morning," he said and placed the receiver down with a thud, thinking about the time difference between the two countries. He turned back to see that Yukito had moved to stand behind him. His hand rested on the wall beside him, and there was a serene expression on his charming face. Normally Yuki would have protested against his rudeness to Akizuki and insisted that he called her again to apologize and see if she had anything more to say. Instead, he just stared at him, with something in his eyes that even Touya could not quite read despite being with him for so long. Damn, Touya thought, a very small part of him regretted having said his earlier words to Yukito, but for the most part he felt relieved to have conveyed them.
"Kinomoto Touya," Yukito finally said. "Did you just propose to marry me a moment ago?" he asked with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. Again, something that was rare for his personality.
"I wouldn't be asking you to adopt me when I already have a dad, would I? How else would I get to have your last name?" Touya tried to crack a poor joke to cover up his embarrassment at the situation.
"And you are serious?" Yukito blinked.
"Have I ever been otherwise with you? But I do not mean it immediately. Right now, there is no way, I understand, but eventually; you cannot tease me about it until that time, alright? And please do not insist on inviting that damn Akizuki," Touya gave a jumbled response.
Yukito smiled warmly. He walked up right to the taller man, and leaned against his chest, placing his head on his shoulder. His hand reached up to clutch the lapels of Touya's jacket. "You always find a way to make me stay, isn't it Toya?" he said softly.
"Yuki," Touya encircled his beloved with his strong arms.
"Still, it is quite surprising to me," Yukito giggled lightly. "I had always imagined that you might ask me to become a part of your family some day, not the other way round," he said.
"It could work that way too, but I would rather give you something that you have always regretted not having since the day you found out about it," Touya said.
"Yes, Mr. Tsukishiro," Yukito's muffled laugh could be heard again.
"Hey, no teasing you have to promise," Touya said somberly.
"Can't do that sorry, but I will try," Yukito raised his bright amber eyes to the face of the man who had been with him since the they were high school students and had kindly welcomed him to his heart and his home.. "We will always be best friends, right Toya? I mean I would want my husband to also be my best friend," he said.
Touya noticed that he was not the only one embarrassed, for a pretty color had appeared on the pale cheeks of the young man he held in his arms. He leaned his face down a bit and brushed the gray bangs from Yukito's forehead to firmly press his lips there. Yuki looked so adorable, he simply could not resist, and did not care if Yue took offense in that simple form of affection. "Of course," he replied. "You know Yuki, my dream of us going to the US for our postdoctoral careers is linked to my other dream of having you in my life," he said.
"What do you mean?" Yukito asked.
"Yuki, it is not just about the career opportunities that we would have. In that country, we could legally marry each other and enjoy all the rights that any other married man and woman has, you see? There is nothing that I want more than to lawfully call you my husband one day," Touya explained.
Yukito's eyes sparkled. "I understand," he said. "It would be a dream for me too," he said. "But how can I take away Yue-san from the place where he is supposed to be? I don't think that I have that right," he said.
"Ah, that is something that we will have to figure out," Touya said.
"But when? I know you said that we should wait, but for how long Toya? It has been so many years. You have fully regained your powers, but we did not find a way," Yukito said, desperation evident in his voice.
"I really wish I had an answer to that," Touya replied. "But at present, I don't know. However, I am willing to wait even if I grow into an old man in the process," Touya replied earnestly.
"It would be so cruel to have your life ruined that way because of someone like me," Yukito drew back and inhaled sharply. His eyes shimmered with a mist of moisture. He opened his mouth, about to follow up his previous sentence with some more words, but suddenly his eyes closed and his head fell back. A pair of glowing white wings enveloped his slender form soon and when they unfurled again, in his place stood the moon guardian in all his glory, white wings spread out, silver hair pooling at his feet, arms crossed on his chest, and a tiny scowl on his beautiful face.
"Hey long time no see?" Touya greeted his best friend's other form.
"I am not obliged to pay you a visit," the cold and husky voice replied.
"Why do I have the pleasure of your presence then, Yue-sama?" Touya jested. .
"The mawkish dialogs that you too were exchanging were getting on my nerves. It was like sitting through the performance of a poorly written medieval tragedy. I would have had a headache if I was capable of it," Yue replied.
"Well, I am sorry if I offended you. But I have some right too, when it comes to Yuki, you know," Touya answered with a frown.
"I know. You have more right over him than myself or anybody else. That is why, I do not wish to stand between the two of you anymore. That is all I wanted to convey to you,"
"Well. you don't really have a choice do you? After all, you are the true form, so you are always present within Yukito. But thanks for the consideration," Touya replied half-heartedly.
"I do have a choice. I can choose to erase my existence," Yue replied brusquely.
"What do you mean by that?" a look of confusion crossed Touya's face.
"It simply means that I do not wish to exist anymore," Yue answered in an even tone.
"Yue! What the hell are you talking about? I think I had made it clear that I would not allow you to take Yuki away from me. And didn't you promise to protect Sakura when I took your powers? Did you not give me the word that you would protect Yuki and yourself? How dare you say that to me when I told you that I would be destroyed if anything happened to Sakura or Yuki," a livid Touya shouted.
"Impatient and emotional creatures, that's how you humans are," Yue turned his face to the side dismissively, facing away from the man before him. "I never said that I will take Yukito with me. He has a right to exist, he has earned his place all through the years, I won't deny him that. And I have kept my word, I have done my best to protect your sister whenever she needed me, but now she is powerful enough to not need my protection any longer. It is only I who wishes to go and it would be the best for everybody," Yue explained.
Touya did not seem reassured in the least bit, "Yue, what makes you think that you don't have the right to exist too? What are you talking about? Suicide? Euthanasia? Well, I don't care what it is, but I am not having any of that, and neither would Yuki or Sakura want such a horrible thing," Touya was still furious.
"Concepts like suicide and such do not apply to beings created purely from magic such as myself. I was not born, and hence I won't die. I won't feel anything the way mortals do, which includes the pain and the regret that accompanies a mortal's death. I was created for a purpose, and when that purpose is complete, it is only natural that I should cease to exist," the moon guardian said in an emotionless voice.
"That still does not justify such a thing," Touya answered, his face stern.
"Don't be irrational," Yue snapped at that point.
"You are the one who is being irrational here, Yue. Didn't I tell you earlier, that you are easy to read, much like Yuki? Despite how cold and distant you want to make yourself appear, I can easily tell that you have a heart, and a soul. Your heart is not that of a human, and yet it pains, am I right, Yue? Yuki says he feels just a bit of that pain sometimes. Is your pain so unbearable and the weight of your memories so heavy that you do not wish to exist anymore? You make it sound like you are taking a rational decision for the benefit of everyone else, and probably that is how you convince yourself as well. But in reality, all you want to do is run away from your pain, and seek salvation in the realm of non-existence. Well, this Clow Reed seems to have been a very mischievous person, and I would love to smack him in the face if I could, but I am sure even he did not intend to create a coward who ran away from his problems," Touya said confidently, with a small smile on his lips.
"Enough," Yue hissed through his teeth. "You have spoken enough," his voice cracked just a little bit. "It's useless to speak to you anymore on this, I am changing back," he said.
"Wait," Touya reached out trying to grab his hand, but Yue had already started transforming back. Touya sighed. When the transformation was complete, innocent amber eyes gazed at his face.
Yukito could easily see the look of distress on his friend's face. "Should I ask what happened?" he asked gently.
"That damn Yue! He appeared just to tell me that he wishes to disappear for our sake," Touya almost growled.
"Disappear?" Yukito blinked his eyes.
"He says he wants his existence to be erased while keeping your form intact, so that the two of us could be together," Touya elaborated.
Yukito gasped audibly, his hand reaching up to cover his mouth. "That's not what I ever wanted, why would Yue-san think something like that? It makes me feel like an awful person." he said.
Touya extended his arms and placed his hand on Yukito's shoulder. "Yuki, that's not how you are, and Yue knows it well enough too. He knows that you would never want such a thing, and neither would I, regardless of how much I want you," he said.
"Toya we would never be happy with our lives if we stand by and watch Yue-san make such a sacrifice for our sake," Yukito said plaintively.
"Sacrifice my foot! That Yue is such an escapist. He is just using us as a pretext to get what he wants. I will never allow him to succeed in that plan," Touya said firmly, his voice betraying his anger at the situation.
"Why do you think he wants to disappear, Toya?" Yukito asked in a feeble voice.
"I think that now that Sakura has grown stronger, and has that Hong Kong brat with her all the time, she does not need his protection anymore, which makes him feel that his existence is somewhat useless. He told me something which implies just that. And also –," Touya paused.
"And also he carries the burden of Clow-san's memories, and that indescribable pain that accompanies it. His heart is probably overwhelmed by it," Yukito completed his friend's unfinished sentence. Through his frequent interaction with Keroberos, Yukito had obtained bits and pieces of the information about Yue's strong attachment to Clow Reed, and had shared some of his findings with Touya at times. He did not care if his true form hated him for trying to dig into his past, for it was necessary to help that lonesome soul, something Yukito had been determined to do right from the beginning.
Touya nodded in understanding, "that guy has lost his purpose in living in every way, even though he will never acknowledge it," he said.
"Do you think that we could help Yue-san find a purpose in this world, Toya?" Yukito asked hopefully.
"A purpose? Like what?" Touya questioned.
"You know, when I was about to disappear all those years ago, I wouldn't have cared that I would no longer exist, had it not been for you. Your friendship, your company and your love made me want to continue living. And it still does the same job to this day. I cannot even think about leaving you or this world anymore," the other young man answered quietly.
"You mean if Yue could also love someone, he would not want to cease to exist so easily?" Touya said.
"Yes, that would be ideal," Yukito finally smiled. "Although, it need not even be a romantic relationship. It could be a close friend, a dog, a kitten, a horse, flowers, a hobby, volunteering for the underprivileged, or really anything that would make him want to keep living, and not leave; just someone or something that takes away the loneliness he has buried deep within himself," he said in a desperate voice.
"I don't know. Does he not care for Sakura and Keroberos already in some way? Yet he wanted to leave them? I think he is just being selfish," Touya answered.
"He does, I am sure. However, Sakura-chan and Yue-san are not each other's number one person, despite what Clow-san intended. I guess the two of them, Syaoran-kun, you and I have collectively ruined Clow-san's plan," Yukito laughed a little.
"Serves him right. Preposterous of Clow to think that he can control people's emotions like mere puppets," Touya said scornfully.
"My point was that Yue-san needs to find someone or something that he needs and that needs him back. Something that will occupy the number one spot in his life," Yukito went back to the topic.
"I suppose it might work. But I am not sure how it would happen, when all he does is keep dwelling in the past and wallow in the memories of a dead magician," Touya said.
"Then we have to bring him back to the present," Yukito said with a smile. "I think I have an idea. Tell me Toya, how is Yue-san like?" he asked?
"He is distant, and reserved," Touya answered.
"I would have guessed so, But what I mean is what does he look like?" his friend asked again.
"Almost unrealistically perfect, I would say. He looks like a piece of sculpture, like something that can only be created artificially to be flawless, in order to be admired from a safe distance," Touya replied candidly.
"Does that mean he looks like a human? Not like Kero-chan?" Yukito asked inquisitively. He had neglected to get that information from Keroberos thus far.
"I have not seen the true form of that plush bear if he has one. But Yue is pretty much a human in appearance, once he makes those large wings disappear that is. Although, I would still say that his hair is way too long to be realistic-," he was interrupted by his friend's voice.
"That's perfect. To-ya, all we need to do is free Yue-san from his past memories and bring him back to the present," Yukito's expression turned jovial in a moment.
"Huh?" Touya asked. "What's your plan, Yuki?"
"I want Yue-san to experience living in this world as I have, Toya. I want him to go out and interact with the world in his true form," Yukito answered. "If he looks like a human even in his true form, it is all the more easier," he said gleefully.
Touya smiled. This is why he loved Yuki so much. The young man had such a deep empathy for everyone around him, something that had touched him profoundly. "I am not sure if that reclusive guy would find it agreeable though. He will dismiss me if I try to convince him," he said with a chuckle.
"I know, and you are not good with words, Toya. So, leave the task of convincing him to me," Yukito suggested.
"Well, you cannot really meet him, and he heard your plan anyway, and is probably cursing us both right now," Touya said.
In response Yukito pulled his friend's hand. "I know what I am doing Toya, it doesn't matter if Yue-san knows already. Come with me," he led the young man to the living room. Taking his cell phone from his pocket, he handed it to him. "Please record a video for me Toya," he requested.
Touya nodded, "Got you." For the next five minutes or so, he recorded Yukito speaking to the camera. When Yukito was done with his small speech, he took the phone and connected it to his laptop. A video of him speaking popped up on the screen.
"Just make him watch the video okay?" Yukito said, as his pale hands worked on connecting a headphone to his laptop.
"I shall try my best, but your other form is such a stubborn guy, and proud to add to that," Touya replied.
"I am sorry for all the trouble we both cause you, I will be changing now," Yukito smiled. A moment later the transformation was complete and before Yukito's open laptop sat Yue, his face neutral, yet irritated.
"You left without saying goodbye. Sorry, we had to call you back," Touya chuckled.
"Why are you both so concerned about me?" Yue asked coldly, pinning the young man before him with his sharp pale blue eyes.
"Yue, for so many years you have seen me from within Yuki. If something were to happen to me, wouldn't you be concerned at all?" Touya asked.
The delicate lips on the pale face turned down a bit. "I suppose I would," Yue answered.
"Then think of our concern in the same way," Touya said. "Now if you could please watch the video Yuki wanted you to see –," he started.
"I already heard all that he had to say, and it makes no difference to me. I have seen the world through Yukito's eyes all these years. I have no such attachment which can hold me back," Yue stated flatly.
"Ah, yes, you have seen the world. You have seen Yuki's world through those empty eyes of yours. It is the same as watching a movie that tells the story of a different person. You did not really experience anything on your own, other than the magical stuff you assisted Sakura with. How do you know that the world is not worth living in if you do not give it a chance?" Touya said.
"I do not wish to partake in futile endeavors," Yue responded.
"Yuki told me it was not my job to convince you, and he was damn right. My job is to make sure that you watch the video, and I am going to make sure that I do that," Touya said, as he moved to pick up the headphone lying on the table, and place it on the silvery head of the young man seated at the table. "Don't you dare change back until it is finished, because each time you do, Yuki will recall you. I know my best friend that much, he will not let you escape so easily," Touya glared at the moon guardian. He quietly hoped that Yuki's words would do the job. Unlike him, his friend got along with everyone really well, and due to his amiable personality and politeness, people mostly had a hard time turning down a request from him.
With an exasperated huff, Yue clicked on the play button on the screen before him. On the screen, appeared the familiar face of a charming young man with skin as pale as his own, but with a cheerful expression which could not have been more different than the solemn expression that perpetually characterized his appearance.
"Yue-san," the face on the screen smiled brightly and bowed a little. "Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to convey my words to you. I know that you don't want to be held for long, and thereby, let me come straight to the point. Yue-san, the human world is not perfect, as you might have observed. Nevertheless, I cannot but appreciate the fact that there is still kindness, hope and joy to be found in this imperfect world, and I am ever thankful that because of you, I got to experience all that, and I ardently wish you could do the same. Sakura-chan, Kero-chan, Toya and I care for you very much, and while we cannot change what Clow-san had or had not done in the past, it troubles us all to see that you still dwell in the past. That is why Yue-san, I want you to take some time to explore the world as your true self, and I am sure that before long, you too will realize what I mean," Yukito's face in the video paused a bit at that point, and Yue narrowed his eyes. "Yue-san, I have wanted to meet you someday, ever since I learned about the duality of our existence. If there is magic powerful enough to erase the existence of someone as powerful as yourself, then there might also be magic powerful enough that can make us meet face-to-face as two separate persons, don't you think so?" Yukito's face on the screen continued. "I always knew that you were kind, and I appreciate that you thought about our happiness, but the way you suggested may not be the right one. Yue-san, before you take any decision, my humble request is that you give yourself ample chance to experience life. Perhaps the antidote of your pain is right before you and you do not even know it. I would be happy to make time for you to do that. Please allow yourself to experience the world as Yue, and not merely observe it through Yukito. Please live, and not simply be alive. That's all I had to say, thanks for your time," the man on the screen bowed again as the video came to an end. Yue suppressed a small sigh. There is only one type of magic which could separate our shared existences, and it has already disappeared from this world, he thought. Nevertheless, the words struck him somewhat differently than it did when he heard them while the video was being recorded. The face on the screen seemed to be directly looking at him, and he could see the earnestness in Yukito's eyes as he spoke.
"Well?" Yue heard the deep voice of the man who loved his other form.
Yue lowered his head and his silver bangs shielded his blue eyes from view. "Once a week," he whispered under his breath. Somehow, he felt that the look of disappointment and sorrow did not fit on the cheerful young face that was speaking to him a while ago through the video. If that is what made his guileless other form happy, then so be it. He could endure everything a bit longer.
"What?" Touya asked, perplexed.
"I agree to live in the real world in my true form for one day a week for an entire year. After a year from now, I shall decide if this experience of living that my other form is so fascinated with is really worth it or not," Yue raised his eyes and replied in his usual stoic voice.
"That's a start, I will let Yuki know," Touya said, relieved that the suggestion was not entirely dismissed by the proud man.
"I am going back then," Yue answered. When Yukito reappeared, he met the smile in Touya's eyes.
"Toya," Yukito edged closer to the other man. "Did it go well?" he asked anxiously.
"About as well as you could expect," Touya answered, placing a hand at the back of Yukito's head. "Yue gave us a timeline, although he agreed to the plan," he stated.
"A timeline? What sort of timeline?" the gray haired youth asked.
"He has agreed to live as his true form for one day a week for an year before he decides if the experience called life is worth his effort," Touya replied with a frown.
"I see," Yukio quietly responded. "Don't worry Toya," he wrapped his arms around his friend cheerfully. "A lot can happen in a year. The two of us became close friends within a month, remember? Tomoyo-chan and Sakura-chan have been best friends since almost the day they met. I am sure everything would work out fine," he said, as he leaned against his companion's arm, with a peaceful expression on his face.
A bit longer chapter to make up for the delay in updating. Please let me know how it is going so far, and any thoughts on what could happen.