C R E S C E N T S

A N D

C I G A R S

The night looked so much better with a full moon.

In all honesty, that was Kaya's thought. People would mostly tell that it looks better because the full moon gives more light — much like a spotlight apart a dark vicinity. But for her, it meant so much more than just a light glimmering against her hair, more than just a light that kept stretching its hands to reach where she is.

This light gave her company in the midst of all the chaos the world has offered.

The world turns everyday and you would wonder why you haven't felt it turn at all. School would often explain it as gravity, and some use of the earth 'slowly turning' so it won't be felt. However, it was different for Kaya.

Because the day her parents died, she felt the world turn upside down.

So she questions why; why everyone looked so ignorant when the world all around her turned so wild.

- - -

Staying awake when all you wanted was to fall asleep definitely wasn't easy. Kaya was deprived of this slumber. She finds it hard to close her eyes and enter an area of concord, wherein temporary — she'll be distant of her nightmares, of everything keeping her awake.

She motioned for an employee to come over, "Po-san, would you mind taking over? I kinda need a little break."

Po, or Pogako, responded with a teasing smile, "You're not gonna go for a smoke, are you?"

"Why would I ever?" Kaya dramatically gasped, "I just asked for a break and I feel so attacked."

"Just so you know, we don't mind. If that's what you need to feel fixed, then we have no right to take that from you."

Kaya only mustered a smile in return.

Customers were gone as soon as they came once the clock striked twelve. Students would be home, and those who haven't left yet were only regulars. They were lounging around the store sharing laughs with the employees, being well acquainted with each other. Kaya was, in agreement to Pogako's statement, smoking outside the store.

She noted that Katsuki didn't come. Not at day or even at noon. And this night, the alleyway held no signs of ablaze ferocious red eyes.

Yes; she'd admit she felt down about that. She expected him to come even though she always teased him about every little thing. Even if she was some annoying 'woman' or 'bitch' as he labeled her.

"Won't your customers feel so fucking irked by all that damn smoke you're puffing, woman?"

Although taken back, Kaya lets out a low chuckle, "Speak of the devil and it will appear,"

She faced the blond, "Nice to see 'ya, Katsuki-chan."

"The feeling's not mutual, shitstain." Was all he said before heading towards the double doors of Yoake. For a brief moment, Kaya heard the lively crowd inside when the door opened slightly. But the noise died down as quickly as it came, and she heard the erringly silence engulf the night once more.

The vividly lit up aphotic lavender neon sign of the Yoake that stood out in the dark, empty alleyway and the smoke from her cigar that danced like wildfire kept her from realizing that she was alone. She chose to be separated from the rest because the longer she spent time with them, the more she caught up to the fact that she didn't belong. That everything she was feeling was nothing but a fictitious, scorching plastic.

Her thoughts run wild and they seemed to go on forever. And thankfully, a rigid placing of a ramen cup in front of her halted these unstoppable thoughts for a while.

She was about to follow up with a tease against Katsuki, but she was cut off.

"Don't," He growled, "Just fucking don't."

She ignored that and whistled, "I knew I was so irresistible."

"Irresistibly irksome." He countered, "The damned place is so noisy, I actually questioned if I was in a convenience store or a night club."

Kaya cackled, "Both?"

"For fuck's sake, shut up."

"Yeah, how about no."

Katsuki really attempted to throw the whole ramen cup at her. But decided not to, and kept his sanity at bay; if it still was. Receiving no response, Kaya only shrugged and continued talking.

"The moon's nice tonight."

Nothing but violent slurping of noodles.

"You look nice tonight."

At Kaya's sudden statement, Katsuki really almost threw his ramen cup. He would, but he was kind of choking a little due to the surprise.

"What the fuck, Kaya."

Instead of firing back, her eyes sparkled and she squealed, "You called me Kaya and not bitch or woman! Or shitstain, but, yeah. Achievement, right? I'm making some kind of progress and I'm quite proud," She hummed and nodded.

"The acquaintances shell is cracking, I can feel it. This is a breakthrough!"

"I will fucking sew your mouth shut one day."

"That day's not today, my friend."

He scowled and his gaze shifted to the pack of cigarettes Kaya had put on the table moments ago.

"Oh yeah. I forgot to ask why you were smoking all the time."

Kaya saw it odd for him to be interested in things like her addictions. She wouldn't call it a severe addiction, but for some reason, she can't just really stop smoking. Whenever she's troubled — and because she always is, she needed the cigarettes.

"Why'd 'ya ask?"

He continued to slurp his noodles as he shrugged off the question.

"Ah, well. Er, I don't have a specific explanation for it. My dad always smoked, I saw him doing it when I was really young and keep a secret: I tried out a cigarette at age four to five. I don't remember when exactly, but yeah."

"Four to five? Damn, I knew you were deranged."

"I am not deranged, I feel insulted."

"Sure you do."

She waved her hands in front of him, "Hello, I'm a human being. I can feel fucking insulted, thank you."

"Oh fuck, you're human?" He scoffed, "Well damn, what do you know, you learn something new everyday."

"Shut up."

Yes, the night definitely looks so much better with a full moon.

- - -

a / n ; please leave a review of what you currently think of the story so far if it wouldn't be much of a trouble !! i'll try adding more chapters then ~