Kareta Zakuro
Act two.
Ahikiko looks up at the same sky that was screaming through his window, clouds drifted by in pale whiffs and shapeless smoke. He listens to the stop lights click as they change color, the cars drifting by, the swoosh of the younger kids whistling, and the distant putter of his heart beating against his ears. Today is about to happen and continue on like any other day.
"U-U-Us-sagi-san, I told him; I couldn't help it, I had to…"
Stepping into the sun, Ahikiko looks at the black car awaiting him. Strangely enough, he didn't recognize the chaffer, or the car. The doors open, revealing Isaka, sitting with his arm out stretched: an offering to a broken soul.
"Ahikiko, how are you on this beautiful day?" he chirps, his eyes glazed over with the same sadness everyone seemed to be sporting. Before the author could hand over an answer, Takahiro and Aikawa walk through the double doors of his house, dragging their feet.
The silence echoes in everyone's ears as Takahiro, Aikawa, Ahikiko, and Isaka venture on in the back of the car. Birds chip and sing outside, the sun smiles, and the four adults wait in silence.
"We're here," the man from the front says as he opens the door. The four stumble out, staring at the long set of stairs that await them. Not a sound could be heard as they walk silently up the steps, opening the door, revealing a dark box, surrounded by flowers. Inside Misaki's green eyes are closed, his hair set in place, and his face as pale as the moon.
Ahikiko stops half way through the door; his eyes are fixed on the body of the boy he loves more than the sun itself. Peacefully laying there, with flowers fixed around him on stands, in pots, and with plaques glaring in the dimmed light.
Today was here.
"Misaki! Stop!" But it was too late.
Ahikiko feel his chest tighten, seconds later, a hand is placed on his back. Aikawa is standing there, her eyes puffy and glazing over. "It can only get better, Sensei," she mumbles against the silence of the hushed room.
Slowly, hours went by. People come and go. People bow and bat their eyes. They offer condolences and shake hands. Some look at Ahikiko standing beside Takahiro and Manami for a long while, judging and sizing up the situation; no one knows what happened.
Just as they had come, the visitors leave with perhaps more grief than they came with. Misaki continued to look rested, peaceful against the white cushions and flowers.
…
Ahikiko punches the wall as soon as the door shuts. He misses the smell of his cooking dinner, seeing Misaki's hair pulled back as he stirred the rice, the flutter of his heart when he saw Misaki's face turn red with embarrassment.
'Baka-Usagi.'
'But I'm all out of Misaki!'
The phrases and memories rush through his head. The viewing is over. Tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow he has to say goodbye forever. Tears well up in his eyes, but he ignores them. He slumps up the stairs to sit in front of his computer. The words will not come out today. His fingers are numb and his heart's cold.
A/N: I know this probably isn't like a Japanese funeral, or viewing, but it was more relatable, I hope. This was only supposed to be a one shot, and I'm making it into this ordeal about who knows what…. The italics are a , I'm sorry this is so short T)T