notes: 天 : ten no ryuu, 地球 : chi no ryuu, CCD : CCD era

(05/21/06 : 21/50) 天

Kamui would be the first to admit that relationships were not his strength. Given half the effort, his tended to sour or fall apart--often horrifically. As such, his avoidance of others was natural.

But Nokoru, like Subaru, was different. Against his will, they'd insinuated themselves into his life and heart--made him dependant. But, unlike Subaru, Kamui wouldn't lose Nokoru to something spoilt. He wouldn't watch passively, this time, as things crumbled before his eyes.

Swallowing his pride, he finally pulled Suoh aside, knowing that resolution started with them.

"Takamura-san, tell me... what he was like, as a child?"

05/22/06 : 22/50) 地球

He'd long accepted his station in life, with its underscored meaning and meaninglessness. Nothing material in this world was his, but that which he owned he wielded with deadly accuracy: Choice, Heart, and Sight.

He chose to embrace his fate, when others wouldn't. He had the strength to separate himself--to catalyze a revolution, in both soil and the hearts of men. He unlocked intricacies of unrealized Wishes... of desires he'd never have the luxury of entertaining.

Denial? He knew too much, for that.

He caught his own eyes in a passing mirror, then looked away when they turned violet.

(05/23/06 : 23/50) CCD

The board office was unusually quiet, the week following the kindergarten-elementary division dance. The president, for once, seemed entirely oblivious to the enduring scandal and busied himself with paperwork, humming gently. He appeared content, under his secretary's watchful eye--almost disturbingly so. Even with his injuries, after so many days, there just had to be trouble brewing.

Suoh rested his pen, looking across the room deliberately, "Kaichou."

Almost immediately, the sounds of papers shuffling stopped. "Hm?"

"Have there really been no new cases, recently?"

"Who knows?" Nokoru wondered, smile sly. "Besides... it's not the same without you by my side."

(11/12/05 : 24/50) 地球

"...Really?" Fuuma drawled, tone betraying none of his annoyance.

"Nakano, Ikebukuro," Satsuki returned, factually. "Taken by the Sakurazukamori and yourself, respectively."

The Angel leader frowned internally, finding the unguarded interest and unsolicited information unwelcome. He did not make light of it, however--wouldn't give Satsuki the satisfaction. He merely shrugged, pushing the stubborn remains of his own humanity down, into that quiet space in the back of his mind. Wishing he could suffocate it.

"It's better that way," he smiled, serenely. "He got to honor his parents before the End. Those who die later... will have nobody to mourn them."

(05/25/06 : 25/50) CCD

"...Never speak to me again."

The president's smile faltered. Behind him, Suoh and Akira eyed each other, just as upset by this shift in script. No woman had ever refused his attentions before.

"I... beg your pardon?" Nokoru pleaded, confused.

"Who do you think you are?" she snapped. "To treat everyone so lightly, to give five minutes of your smile, to encourage when there's no hope... you're cruel. If everyone is special, Imonoyama-san, then no one is special. If you can understand that, please... never speak to me again."

Ironically, when she left, part of Nokoru's heart disappeared with her.

(11/14/05 : 26/50) 地球

"With all due respect, I think you already have the answer. You just want to be coddled."

Of all the people he'd expected to lecture him, the Sakurazukamori was not one of them. With his unfocused, mismatched eyes and studied indifference, the Sumeragi held an air of impenetrable distance about him. Like his predecessor, it was a comfortable presence to be in. But today's script was flawed. Those eyes were too keen, that tongue too sharp. And he wondered if he'd somehow offended his Angel by considering his current situation desirable.

"No one wants to be lonely," Subaru concluded, passionlessly.

(05/27/06 : 27/50) CCD

Suoh was confused. Staring at the hand resting over his own, he tried not to examine the reasons.

"Kaichou... I don't understand. Are we being disbanded?"

Nokoru offered a smile that was barely that--more an apology for interrupting Suoh's paperwork than a reassurance. "Of course not. Our doors are always open for those actively seeking help. For now, I just... need a chance to get caught up on that dreadful backlog."

Suoh only nodded, knowing the fib but unwilling to contradict him. Instead, he tangled their fingers and squeezed, wishing he was someone who could offer miracles. Or hugs.

(03/20/07 : 28/50) 地球

"Whatever gave you the impression that I'm lonely?" Fuuma challenged, smile soft and dangerous. The building stirred beneath their feet, in underscore and contrast of his inviting tones, groaning thunder. Subaru, however, appeared unimpressed; instead of answering, he crouched on the ledge, observing the destruction. Dull eyes swept over the chaos, but quickly settled somewhere directly below them. Piqued, Fuuma peered down into the crowd, brows drawing and pupils flaring abruptly as Keiichi resolved from the blur.

The other teen stood apart, his Wish stark even against the desperation. Fuuma cursed.

"...Nothing," Subaru concluded, to the empty space beside him.

(06/25/07 : 29/50) 天

"Kamui-san?" Nokoru greeted his visitor from behind the usual stack of paperwork with the usual grin. After several seconds with no response, however, his pen idled--along with his smile. Looking into that unreadable expression, he felt something akin to dread. "Is something the matter?"

Forever happened before the boy rounded his desk, wordlessly pulling him into a hug. Nokoru stiffened, because Kamui was never so forward. But that insistent embrace, with its familiar strength and warmth, quickly overtook him. And for a moment, that affection was all he wanted...

But Kamui flinched away suddenly, leaving him cold.

"Earthquake... Fuuma."

(06/25/07 : 30/50) 地球

Everything came so fast that it was hard to know what was happening or why. One moment he was standing still and calm, mesmerized by the debris hurtling from the sky and the next... the sun eclipsed and gravity escaped him. He nearly cried out then but paused, eyes widening when he recognized Monou, back arched protectively and arms wound tight around him.

"Do you want to die?" He sounded angry, but all Keiichi heard was the fear--real, honest emotion. Finally.

He grinned suddenly, uncaring. He was so happy. He embraced Fuuma and let his laughter shake them both.