Am I wrong to take the schedule of two years studying Science? They gave me LOTS to think about. And LOADS of assignment to deal with. And TONS of reports to write after the experiment. They LOVE making so many hard exam in a row, causing my brain to froze and kills its own cell. It's already late at night, but I want to finish this, even there's a test tomorrow…
Disclaimer: *insert a disclaimer, claiming that I own nothing*
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Ch 18: Death
There was once a happy family…The father is a nice man who cares for his family so much. His wife is a loving mother. They only have one son, but they love him. He loves his parents. And they love him back. It was a happy little family…
Life goes around, up and down. The happy family still love each other just like before, even when the rough part of life, come and topple them over. They have each other and face it all with a smile.
So came the death…
…
It is another one of those beautiful days when you can't expect anyone to holed up inside their house saying that they don't want to come out. Sadly, Neku is very exceptional. In this kind of day, he prefers to stay, sulking inside his house rather than playing around like teens his age outside. How he could play in rainy days are intriguing even to Shu.
He, however isn't a guy who will stop when he saw his friend determined face. He grabbed Neku's hands and pulled the teen outside of his apartment while telling him that it's a crime to waste such good day. Neku doesn't like it at all. He made a face between irritated and anger. Shu shrugged it off, prodding him toward a restaurant. It isn't crowded, the lines aren't long for a meal.
"What do you want?" he asked the sulking teen beside him. Neku shot an angry glare, pulling his scarf to meet his mouth and said nothing as reply. Shu puffed his cheeks. He tapped the counter impatiently, waiting for Neku to surrender and just say his order.
Five minutes, Neku still glaring.
Ten minutes, the cashier girl has yawned twice and scratched her head. Neku still pursed his lips.
Fifteen minutes, Neku finally gave away and said "Fries" as his long awaited order.
Shu smiled at his result, telling his order at the cashier who whispered a "…Finally…" under her breath. Neku reached for his wallet, but stopped when he saw Shu paying all the stuff from the corner of his eyes. Neku tugged his friend's arm with questioned look on his face.
"That's for talking something in your sulky little day…" Shu grinned.
…
The death comes, fast like a mantis claw, unexpected like the Northern winds. It took its first victim. The mother of the family let out her final breath on the cold winter air.
…
Maybe he never tells Shu of how important he is to him. Neku isn't known for his inspiring words, he's known for his bitter remarks. Shu should've known that, and he thought the teen doesn't need sweet words. Just as long as he paid attention to what he said and replied to his question. That's all Shu needs. And that's exactly what Neku gave to him
Shu always says that Neku is his friend, but he never says it back
Until now, he never says that Shu is his friend.
…
Death turns its target to the father. He wasn't quick this time. He patiently dug his claws at his victim. Slowly, but surely, with each stab painfully torture its victim. The innocent son watched as his father breath's getting weaker and weaker… as drips of medicine can save him no more and everyone shook their head at his condition. And as the son sat beside his father weak body, waiting for his father to be healed.
The death laughed while his hand finally took the father's life completely. And the son was left…to mourn alone by himself…
…
It was a fight that no one in the class would expect to happen.
Neku and Shu, fighting like cats and dogs. Over a very simple matter.
Shu forgot about his promise in Sunday to stop by Neku's house and discuss their homework as usual. But it's not without a good reason. He has explained to Neku that his sister was sick and their parents were out all day for some kind of work. Neku however was angry, because in Monday, they have a test in which Shu has promised to teach Neku about. He yelled at him for breaking the promise.
Usually, Shu plays the straight man, the cool head who let it slide, but not this time. The exhaustion of taking care of his sister finally exploded inside his head. He slammed his desk, his chocolate eyes glinted in rage. He pointed at Neku and shouted, "That's enough!"
Neku's eyes widened in utter shock as Shu tried to calm his breath. "You're so egoist, Neku!" Shu continued, "…I…I don't like that!"
Everyone in the class was stunned, their mouth agape. Shu huffed, lowering his hand from Neku, "I'm tired, Neku…dealing with you is exhausting!" Neku gritted his teeth, holding a curse from being spilt, his fist clenched tight.
The brunette stared at him with the rare glare, the glare of a furious Shu. There was a complete silent as Shu panted heavily from the anger. All of their classmates gulped, they never see Shu in rage. It is scary to know how even the cheerful Shu can explode like this. "Can't you leave me alone…?" Shu finally said. His sight fell on the floor, shoulders trembled. When someone tapped him, he croaked out a "Leave me alone…" and shied away.
Neku was frozen. He looked at Shu who has retreated back to his seat, shivering like a kitten under the rain. Shu never says harsh words let alone rude things. It is not in his dictionary. It is not a match with his personality and Neku knows Shu too well. He is a gentle teen which would never hurt other's person's feeling.
And somehow, it hurts a little when Shu said that. Neku doesn't know why, but it saddened him to see Shu avoiding him all day in school and after school. He rushed home without even glancing at Neku.
It's so…sad…
…
Without touching the son, death has changed him significantly. From the innocent kid he used to be to bitter and moody. His eyes always flashed blankly or sometimes in rage. He snarled at others, unwilling to trust anyone around him. He never shares his sadness, keeping it all bottled up inside himself.
Death only watched as the son made his way toward death himself.
And he laughed again…
…
Shu realized how childish he has acted and how Neku will hate him because of this. No, he won't! Neku has to know that he's at fault… no, he isn't, Neku just lonely. His mind contradicts each other. For once, he pitied himself from having one Neku Sakuraba as a friend in life.
But it's not before his hand moved to write on a piece of paper that he noticed he can't stay angry with Neku for a long time.
Let's talk, CAT's mural at 4 P.M
Shu
…
The death welcomed the son. His bitter face hinted a fear. The deep fear lies within himself finally resurfaced. The fear of death… That has been piled since his mother's death. He feared it. From the moment he tasted it, he was afraid of it.
How sudden it will come to welcome him? When will it come?
It's frightening…
…
Neku ran toward Udagawa district. He's late. Terribly late. Thanks to his mother usual scolding-after-school, he was late. His phone rang once again when he pierced through the sea of people. He cursed when he saw the ad-screen showed "4.30 P.M".
Shu promises to wait in Udagawa at 4 P.M and he just screwed it. He has given him a chance to talk but he failed him miserably. Neku hoped deeply that Shu's still there, waiting. He doesn't mind getting scolded afterward. He just wants to meet Shu, that's all.
…
He's late…
Shu has sat down by the mural, hugging his knees for warmth. The cold autumn air was too cold to his comfort, he might need some extra warmth. There's a shop near Udagawa, he knew it sells some beverages, perhaps he could buy some. He could treat Neku to one as well, Neku can't stand cold and will be shaking while talking his ears off about how cold the weather is. Last winter, Neku refused to play in the snow and locked himself inside his apartment. It took Shu's beg and three coats that Neku finally get out from his base to walk with him outside.
He chuckled, how long has he known Neku? The orangette doesn't like crowds as well, when there are many people, Neku prefers the long way around to avoid them.
There's the store, he looked to the left before crossing the empty street. The heater from the shop welcomed him warmly. There are few people browsing through the rack for foods and some searching around books corner. He went straight to the tea section, grabbing two tea bags, plopping it to the paper cups available on the corner. Pouring down hot waters inside both cups, he whistled.
It's already fifteen minutes before 5 P.M. Neku rarely comes late, except if he is REALLY angry.
Sighing, he put out a few coins to pay and grabbed for two lids. It will take three minutes for the tea to finish so he waited inside, watching his tea turned darker.
Where's Neku?
…
The time comes sooner than he has expected. The death pulled him from the life he hates but longs. Life slipped from his grasp as tears rolled against his cheeks. He screamed, kicking and struggling to be freed from death's grip, but no… The grip is firm, his fate has been sealed.
That time, he belongs to death…
…
Neku arrived near Udagawa at 4. 48 P.M. Panting, he looked around for Shu. There are only businessmen in suit running, probably to go home after their day of hard-working. He leant onto his knees, catching his breath. Well, Shu said he'll wait in CAT's mural, deeper in Udagawa.
"NEKU!"
He flinched, the voice came from across the street. It is Shu who then frantically waved his hand while the other hand held two paper cups carefully placing it in such way so it won't spill its content. Neku waved back, smiling, silently thanking for Shu's patience.
Shu ran toward him, smiling as well, cheerily calling his name. Just in time when both hear the fateful horn. It's all happened so fast, sound of car braked, crashed, and a body flying. Teas poured out from the cups as they rolled, hitting Neku's feet soundlessly. Every single eyes turned toward the street, gasping or just staring. Whispers turned into buzzes. Buzzes turned into shouts. They yelled for someone to call ambulance or whatnots. Neku fell to his knees, staring at the phone in his palm. Useless, it's all too late. He won't be save, no one could save him…
He felt tears trailing down his cheeks, but he's not even bothered to wipe it. He let it slide, like Shu. Let it slid down his cheeks, to his chin and dropped to his knee. Everything looked blurry, he trembled.
At last, he hasn't told Shu that he was his friends…
…
Time took us back, to that time…to that time of life when all is free. When all is fine and time was smiling. When death hasn't existed. When life blooms like flowers. When peace stays to watch over people.
When world is new to life
…
It's as if everything is just a dream…
He woke up, feeling empty. And then he said to himself that maybe, it's all only a dream. Shu is still alive, waiting for him in the class. He'll greet him warmly and probably groaning about their homework. After that they'll talk, just like usual. Shu will talk while he listen and reply. Then they'll go home or maybe pay the CAT's mural a visit. Even that at school he found no Shu, he said to himself that maybe Shu stayed at home today from flu or something. Even that his teacher said that Shu was in critical condition, he told himself that Shu will be alright. Even when the next day, his teacher came inside the class, obviously after crying and said that Shu has passed away last night, he convinced himself that it was all…just a…dream. Even that he watched Shu's funeral, Shu's mom crying and his classmates mourning, he said that it was a dream and when he woke up, Shu will be there.
But no…deep down, he knows it isn't a dream.
This is real…not a dream…
…
A young teen was smiling when Shu arrived to the unknown place. He was pale, so pale that Shu thought he's a living corpse, but he isn't because he could touch him. The teen's eyes glistened excitedly as he pulled out something from him. It was a note. Followed by another note, and another and another and another. The notes flew around, playing their different sound in such harmony that made him smile. It is familiar, so close to his heart.
"This is your song…" the teen said
Shu closed his eyes… it's so peaceful.
…
"One pure song contributed to Shibuya…" Joshua sighed. He desperately in need of such song. And they are rare. Not all people with great song have values in soul. And not all valuable souls have great songs. This song's owner is one of those who have beautiful song but normal souls. That's why it was hard to be found when people already are being contaminated by unnecessary things.
He frowned, how Shibuya has changed a lot lately. To his horror, she's getting worse
…
We all know that, it's all began with a…little…happy family
…
Wait a minute, did I kill Shu too fast?
Darn, I killed him with three sentences! Well, next Wednesday, I'll be updating the next chapter, with or without review!