Chapter 2: Choice
A week later.
"Shuurei..." Ryuuki called, his voice strained. Slowly, he bent down and laid a branch of sakura in front of the grave. He lifted a hand to clean the words on the stone -
Kou Shuurei
Ryuuki held up a exquisite necklace up in front of the grave, and whispered to the stone in front of him, "Hey Shuurei, do you remember what day it is? It's your birthday, remember?"
The man gently swayed the sakura shaped necklace, "I began making this last month. Sakura is your favorite, isn't it? Why don't you get up and take a look?"
Please, Shuurei. Please return and tell me you like my present.
A gust of wind blew past, stirring some fallen leaves in its way. The necklace swayed with the wind, but remained in Ryuki's hand. Ryuki finally broke down and knelt on both knees, sobbing uncontrollably.
Being a king without you is torture. Shuurei, should I just go with you?
"You......do you really think so?" behind him, a familiar voice ringed.
Ryuuki turned around and saw Hyou Riou emerging from behind a sakura tree, staring right into his eyes.
"If you really want to go to her......" the younger boy sighed, "there is a way."
Ryuuki stood up immediately, dropping the necklace onto the ground.
Thunder could be heard faraway, and soon, raindrops started to fall, faster and faster, until both of them were soaked. The cold liquid soaked into the soil, making it soft and muddy, half burying the necklace into its embrace.
"What should I do?" Ryuuki finally said as he looked up, water dripping from his face.
Hyou Riou continued, "The way is......die with her."
The younger boy handed him a bottle of liquid, and said, "The substance inside will lead you to her. In other words," he paused, "it is poison."
"Shi Ryuuki, King of Saiunkoku, will you take the poison and follow her, or will you stay to be the good king you promised?" Hyou Riou bore into the empty eyes of the king, seeking for an answer. The answer he was looking for.
Ryuu...
Ryuuki took the bottle, flicked the lid, and gulped it all. The substance tasted like fire, burning up his body from within.
Shuurei, I'm coming. You have something to tell me, don't you?
He dropped the bottle as he writhed in pain, falling onto the ground in a loud thud.
Happy......nineteenth birthday......
Ryuuki lifted his lips, his smile decorated with tears and rain.
As Hyou Riou stared at the motionless body in front of him,he sighed.
"Is this what you wanted? By killing Shuurei, did you get what you want?"
Behind him, Jyuusan-hime dropped to the ground, and finally, broke into tears.
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