DISCLAIMER: I do not own Kagerou Days or any of its characters.
HOHOHO, yeah, sorry...I'm being a lazy writer again zzzzz. I've been so sucked up in my own little problems lately, and they're haunting me in my dreams. I haven't gotten any good sleep since 'that' dream (I will never enjoy my summer vacation because of this). I couldn't even focus on my stories ;-; Yeah,yeah I'm really sorry. I'll get serious with my fanfics now.
Btw, thank you, 'Zavvy' for correcting me xDD I'll fix that chapter immediately! I'm really really really thankful when you pointed that out, sorry btw. My mind tends to drift off somewhere else when I'm writing =u= so my mind's 'dictionary' goes loco.
"Ayano, I'm gonna have to leave soon...that's why I'm asking if you want to leave this world too." Kuroha lowered his head. He didn't know Ayano that much, they weren't really close, but he couldn't stand thinking that he'd leave someone behind in this cruel world.
"Why do you have to leave?" Ayano asked blankly, obviously attempting to avoid his question.
"I can't be separated from Konoha." Kuroha scratched his neck awkwardly. Technically, I AM Konoha.
"Then why are you here?" Ayano continued.
Kuroha swallowed, "I didn't want to leave just yet."
Ayano chewed on her lower lip, "And why's that?"
He sighed, their conversation was beginning to sound pointless. He noticed how Ayano had directed the topic away from his question, but he played along anyway, "Look, I can't leave you here, okay?"
Ayano stared at him, her eyes red and puffy from crying. Kuroha knew that she wanted to go back, but she was scared of completely losing control of her powers. She was scared that she'd hurt her friends.
Kuroha shrugged, Ayano was quite hard to deal with, "I've been here longer than you, so I know more about this place. I picked up a few tricks here and there."
Ayano cocked her head, looking mildly interested.
"You can connect to the real world through dreams." Kuroha looked at his hands, they were starting to disappear. His whole body was becoming transparent.
"Why are you telling me this?" Ayano asked. Her scarf was covering her mouth, so her voice came out a little muffled.
Kuroha rubbed his palms together, "Just in case you change your mind..."
"I already told you, didn't I? ...I'm not coming back." Ayano replied coldly, although her eyes showed how much sadness she was suffering from.
Kuroha gave her a small smile. I wonder if...Konoha could smile, too?
"I'm not gonna let you hurt your friends, I promise." With those words, he vanished, leaving Ayano stunned. Did he really mean that?
She didn't know if she could trust him, but what is this feeling...why did she suddenly feel so light...why did things suddenly have a positive side...Am I happy?
She lifted her hand and touched her lips. She felt her lips curving upwards, she was smiling. It felt rather new to her, despite being the bright girl she was back then. Never had she smiled truly after entering this world. She thought she'd left her smile behind. A smile that brightened up everyone's mood. A smile that covered up everyone's solitude. A smile that hid her own pain.
But now, it's back. She was smiling. She felt happy.
Thank you.
'This Mekakushi Dan is really weird,' thought Hibiya as he watched the rowdy group. 'I bet Hiyori would love to meet them'
Hibiya wasn't sure about how he felt after separating from Hiyori. Something from the back of his mind told him that it was their farewell, and Hibiya had accepted that. Bye, Hibiya-kun.
The memory of their meetings were etched in his mind. He'd never forget the moments he spent with Hiyori.
"Hey, Hisiya-kun." Momo greeted, patting Hibiya on the head.
"It's Hi-Bi-Ya." He growled. Momo had been calling him the wrong name for the umpteenth time this day, "Oba-san, should I wear a name tag for you?"
A nerve popped on Momo's forehead, "Who're you calling Oba-san?!"
"You guys are too noisy," Kido chided while flipping through the telephone yellow pages, "What do you want for dinner?"
"I want pizza!" exclaimed Kano, hugging Kido from behind. Immediately, Kido spun around and kicked Kano in the face.
"Pizza sounds nice." Seto said with a friendly smile.
"What's a pizza?" Mary and Konoha asked in unison.
"Oh, uhm, how do I explain this...er, it's bread with tomato sauce, topped with cheese, vegetables and any other toppings you like, sort of." Seto smiled sheepishly.
"Wah...that sounds delicious." Mary's eyes sparkled as she tried imagining what a pizza looks like. On the contrary, Konoha kept a neutral face.
"Eh, I was craving for barbecue right now." Momo wailed, plopping lazily on the couch. Konoha's ears perked up.
"What's a barbecue?" Konoha asked.
"Err, let's see...it's a grilled food on a stick?" Momo shrugged. Now, it was Konoha's turn to have sparkly eyes as he imagined how barbecue would taste like. Momo glanced at Hibiya and gave him a questioning look.
"I guess he doesn't know much about foods?" Momo chuckled awkwardly.
Hibiya felt beads of sweat run down his neck as he thought of an excuse, "A-Ah! Y-you see, he's little bit of an airhead."
"That's mean." Momo pouted. Hibiya scoffed in return.
"Umm, okay. Shintaro, are you good with pizza and barbecue?" Kido asked, turning to Shintaro.
Shintaro didn't answer. Ever since Konoha and Hibiya came, he'd been very silent. It didn't help that Ene still hasn't come back. Shintaro just kept on staring at Konoha. He had so many questions rumbling in his mind. He was so confused.
"...Shintaro?" Kido repeated. Shintaro noticed that everyone else was looking at him, including Konoha.
"I'm not hungry. Uh, I-I'll go get some fresh air." With that, Shintaro got up and left. He needed time to think, time to settle things in his mind.
The wind in the night was cold, it gave him goosebumps. He couldn't imagine how dead he would be if he didn't wear his jersey.
This jersey...Ayano liked this jersey.
He smiled sadly as he reminisce about his good times with Ayano. Shintaro-kun looks good in a red jersey!
But it's so hot. I don't like wearing jerseys.
But it really suits Shintaro-kun!
I don't like red, too.
Red is a nice color!
I don't want a red jersey.
But a red jersey fits Shintaro-kun.
Fine, I'll get a red jersey.
'Ayano, I never win in any of our arguments, no?' thought Shintaro, brushing his hair with his hand.
"Shintaro, the others are looking for you." Shintaro turned around and saw Konoha standing a few steps away from him. Again, he was staring at his dull red eyes. The feeling came back. He felt like he was seeing Ayano through Konoha's eyes.
"You...how did you know my name?" Shintaro asked, referring to the first time they met. He remembered how Konoha said his name with slight familiarity.
"Kido and the others mentioned your name." Konoha replied simply, but Shintaro knew he was holding something back.
"Is that all?" Shintaro spoke in a serious tone, but it was clear that he was pressing the topic. He wanted to know more.
Then he saw Konoha's eyes flash gold.
Shintaro blinked, Konoha's eyes were red again.
"Onii-san, there you are!" Momo cried, barely able to breathe, "Don't just...don't...run off like that!"
"I'm sorry. Let's head back." Shintaro looked away from Konoha and apologized to his sister. Konoha, whatever it is that you're hiding from me...you can't hide it forever. Your eyes...Ayano...
Short chapter ;-; gomen gomen, I'm saving the best scenes for the next chapters xDDD And so, Shintaro is finally catching up. Oh Konoha, just spill the beans already and tell him that you met Ayano! And Kuroha sure is more expressive than Konoha, huh? Oh whatever, I'll see you guys again in the next chapter!
Me: Ayaaanoooo, don't lose control ;-; Fight it, rise above it! (Gods Eater Burst, Dr. Oguruma reference totally intended)