Kakyoin felt the cool crisp fall air on his face. He was glad he brought a jacket with him. The moon was bright and full, and the stars glittered in the sky, it was very peaceful. It was almost like that night… No! He was not going to think about that. Now was not the time. He had a mission to do. He headed out of his yard looking forward, putting the brief thought out of his mind. He pushed open the gate to the white picket fence and closed it with a gentle click. He started walking down the dirt path into the nearby town.
They had only been here for a few months, so he didn't know anyone that well. But it's not like he made an effort to make friends either. He wasn't the best at starting a conversation with people. His dad typically did most of the talking for them. The only individuals from the town he considered "friends" were the librarians. The brothers that owned and managed it had been nice to him. A lot of people didn't talk to him. He was an outsider to their town after all. He was the quiet kid that didn't speak to anyone. Always going about his business briskly, then leaving.
He made his way through town and immediately made a beeline towards the library. He opened the door, triggering the bell to ring to announce his presence. The young boy reading a manga at the counter snapped up and smiled.
"Hi, Kakyoin! I'll go get big bro." The young boy got up from his seat and headed towards the back of the library.
"Hey, Boingo," Kakyoin replied. He and Boingo were very similar. Boingo didn't like to be without his older brother Oingo, especially in front of other people. Kakyoin was almost the same way with his dad. He remembered coming in there for the first time. He had just arrived and wanted to find the library to get familiar with it and to obtain some books. When he first went through the door Boingo immediately looked up and ran for his brother to come help. He almost seemed scared of Kakyoin. After Oingo came in with Boingo clinging to his leg, he explained Boingo's wariness of strangers. They didn't get a lot of visitors except for people they've known all their life. Kakyoin could understand why Boingo felt that way.
The more he kept visiting and checking out books, the friendlier and more open Boingo became. He would occasionally even talk to Kakyoin. They would normally just have a conversation about comic books and manga they enjoyed. Somedays they would just read together in the plush chairs in the library. He would love to do that today, but he didn't exactly have time.
"Hello, Kakyoin. What do you need?" Oingo had finally returned from the back of the library with Boingo in tow.
"Oh! Um, I have some books I need to return," Kakyoin responded, being brought out of his thoughts. "I also wanted to procure a couple of new titles, if you have anything you'd recommend." Kakyoin unzipped his backpack and retrieved the books. Kakyoin then handed them to Oingo to check-in at the counter.
"Little bro, can you go find Kakyoin some books?" Oingo requested. Boingo nodded and disappeared into the bookshelves. "You got through these quickly," Oingo observed, "What have you been up to?"
"Not much, to be honest. With the cold weather starting, my dad and I aren't spending as much time outside. I have been blazing through my stash. Plus my dad's also going to be gone for at least two days, so I need some books to keep me company." Kakyoin didn't mean to ramble, but he didn't get to talk to other people often. He always thought he overshared. "Sorry. You probably didn't need to hear all of that."
"Don't apologize, it's okay," Oingo assured. "What are you currently reading?"
"The town legend you recommended," Kakyoin replied, "It's really intriguing."
"Glad you liked it. Do you believe it?" Oingo questioned after he finished putting the returned books on the cart to be put away later.
"I haven't gotten that far yet, but considering it is a legend, probably not," Kakyoin commented rolling his eyes. It was called that for a reason. It was a legend, not a true story. "What? Do you?"
"Absolutely," Oingo declared matter-of-factly, with a serious look on his face, "Why do you think people don't go into the woods at night, or for that matter, are out in the town. No one goes out at night." Kakyoin was skeptical, to say the least. He could only guess from what Oingo said, it was probably some fictional monster that everyone had an irrational fear of. Nothing more than a boogieman. Kakyoin didn't believe in monsters, even after the incident in the woods.
"Alright." Kakyoin wanted to dismiss Oingo's superstition, but he didn't exactly have the energy or time to debate with him on the issue.
"Here you go. Do these work?" Boingo returned with several books in his hands. Kakyoin looked through the stack. There were a couple of classics, some newer novels, and a comic book he hadn't heard of before. They would do the job.
"Yeah, Boingo. These will be great. Thank you." Kakyoin smiled down at the kid, who seemed very proud of himself for selecting satisfactory books. Kakyoin handed them to Oingo for him to check them out. They all sat in silence while Oingo completed his job.
"So can you stay to read today?" Boingo interjected, finally breaking the quietness of the library.
"No, I'm sorry. I have more errands to run, and then I have to get home to help my dad." Kakyoin saw the disappointment in the kid's eyes and had an idea. "Tell you what," he started, "I'll come back and read with you tomorrow. Okay?"
"Okay!" Boingo agreed happily with a smile. Oingo finished and handed the books back. Kakyoin set his bag on the floor and delicately organized the books to fit inside.
"Alright. I need to go." Kakyoin stood up to leave slinging his backpack over his shoulders. He put his hand on the door handle and waved goodbye. He started down the path until someone yelled for his attention.
"You'll come back tomorrow right?" Boingo shouted. He had run out of the library to catch up with Kakyoin. His brother was calling out to him to come back inside.
"I will!" Kakyoin responded and Boingo looked almost convinced.
"Promise?" He inquired, pleading with puppy dog eyes. Kakyoin softened and smiled.
"I promise I'll come back." That finally convinced the young boy, as his brother lifted Boingo up onto his shoulders.
"Come on, little bro, Kakyoin needs to go, and we need to close." After saying their goodbyes, Oingo and Boingo went back to the library, leaving Kakyoin alone again. He continued heading down the road to the general store. This was going to be harder. Kakyoin wasn't as friendly with the owners. The brothers were easy to interact with, but anyone else in the town didn't even feel the need to give him the time of day. He stepped up to the doors and gave himself a little pep talk of sorts. It would be okay. All he had to do was go in, find the bullets, pay, and then leave. It would be a piece of cake.
Kakyoin quietly entered the store and started his search for his dad's bullets. He went to the back of the store to the counter where they were sold. He rang the bell to alert an employee to unlock the counter and to make his purchase. One of the owners of the general store came to help.
"What can I get you Kakyoin?" Rubber Soul asked slightly annoyed with a fake smile. Kakyoin didn't have the best relationship with the rest of the town.
"I…" Kakyoin hesitated. Act like Dad. "I need to buy a pack of bullet number five." He pointed to the bundle of bullets that had a bright neon label with the number five in black marker. He tapped his foot nervously as Rubber Soul reached up to grab what Kakyoin needed.
"Anything else?" Rubber Soul still wore his grinning facade that now looked more like a smirk.
"No thank you." Kakyoin was getting antsy at this point. He just wanted to go home.
"Alright. I need your I.D." Kakyoin reached into his wallet and retrieved his I.D. He handed it over for Rubber Soul to examine. After inspecting it thoroughly, he gave it back with no further questions. Kakyoin put the money on the counter and put the bullets in his bag.
"Thank you. Have a nice night." Kakyoin was happy to leave.
"You're welcome." He left the store quickly, relieved to get out of the awkwardly silent store. He didn't notice the other employee walk up to the counter to converse with her coworker.
"What does he see in that kid?" a feminine voice commented, starting to light a cigarette while she sat on the counter.
"Beats me, Mariah. But whatever he wants, he'll get. Who are we to question his tastes." Rubber Soul put the money in the cash register. "Besides, it's not like you had a chance anyway." He was back to his arrogant self, now that no one was in the store. "Are you sure you're not just jealous?"
"I'm not jealous of some brat." Mariah elbowed Rubber Soul, which made him fall back behind the counter. "I just don't get it." She took a long drag and let the smoke out.
"I still think you're jealous," Rubber Soul wheezed behind the counter. His pride was hurt more than anything though.
"Whatever. I still think you're annoying." Mariah then turned to watch the redhead swiftly walk down the road to his house. What a naive idiot. He doesn't even know how special he is. Anyone would kill to be in his position.