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Yoshiki’s head feels heavy. The sun’s rays blare into his eyes from the window. Hikaru’s face glows as it’s bathed in the light. Through his dark bangs, Yoshiki stares at the clock on the wall. The day is almost over; he can finally go home soon. Kaoru is going to want to go to a festival this summer, he already knows that. Why can’t their parents take her? He’s got better ways to spend his break. If Hikaru went too, though, he wouldn’t mind as much.
He’s broken from his thoughts when he’s violently shaken.
Bright blue eyes fill his view, “Yoshiki! Quit spacin’ out, will ya?” Asako continues to shake him as she shouts. “Cut it out, you’ll give him an aneurysm,” Yuuki, the saint that she is, yanks Asako off of him. Yoshiki turns his gaze back to his friends. “You doin’ alright man? You haven’t really talked all day,” Hikaru’s voice drips with concern and Yoshiki nods, “Mhm, just tired. I wanna go home already.”
Maki sighs, “I get that, man. It’s so hot, I wanna grab some ice cream. Why are we forced to suffer through hell?” He whines as he leans against the wall. Yuuki rolls her eyes, “You’re all dramatic. Spending a few more minutes in here ain’t gonna kill ya.” Asako giggles, “I dunno, looks like it’s gonna kill Yoshiki!” Yuuki and Maki look over to see Yoshiki swaying, Hikaru hastily supporting him before he can fall. “You sure you can handle the bike ride home?” Hikaru’s worried face looks over Yoshiki. Yoshiki silently stands and nods.
“So anyway,” Maki speaks up, “What’re y'all doin’ this summer?” Asako excitedly jumps up, “My family’s goin’ to a museum! It’ll be full of skeletons and other creepy stuff!” Yuuki gives a small smile, “I’ll be at the beach.” Maki grins at them, “Ah, sweet! I’m doin’ a training camp for baseball,” He looks up at Yoshiki, “What about you man?” Yoshiki shrugs, “Dunno. Probably run errands, go out for ice cream.” Then, the bell rings. Everyone in the classroom scrambles to grab their things and rushes out the door. Hikaru stands in the doorway, waiting for Yoshiki.
As the two walk together, Yoshiki looks at Hikaru’s face. “You wanna come over this weekend? I got a new game to try out.” Hikaru turns to face him, “Nah, I’m busy then. I’m headin’ up to the mountains.”
Yoshiki tilts his head to the side, “What for? Aren’t ya scared of goin’ up there?”
Hikaru is silent for a second, before he contorts his face into a ridiculous expression, “It’s a secret!” Yoshiki can’t help but burst into laughter at the site. “Shut the hell up! Quit makin’ that stupid face!” Hikaru gives a cheeky grin as he continues to walk down the hall.
When they get on their bikes, Yoshiki questions him. “Seriously, what’re ya doin’ in the mountains?” Hikaru looks straight ahead, “I told ya, it’s a secret,” His voice is flat. Yoshiki frowns at that, “My best friend, who hates horror movies and bein’ in the woods, is goin’ in the mountains for the weekend for a reason he won’t tell me.” Hikaru gives an exasperated sigh, “Fine, if ya really wanna know. I’m doin’ my family’s ritual this weekend.”
Yoshiki’s eyes widen. “You mean the one your daddy told you about?”
“Yeah.”
Hikaru’s voice is nearly a whisper.
They ride in uncomfortable silence. The wind blowing past Yoshiki’s ears and the turning of the gears on their bikes only makes the air around them tenser.
“Lemme change the subject, what’s that new game ya got?” Hikaru turns to him with a wide grin on his face, his voice cutting through the noise. Yoshiki’s face lightens as he responds, “It’s that new Master + Master game. The one where Kon fights Hisa.” Hikaru’s body tenses with excitement, “Huh? Lucky! You better wait to play that together!” Yoshiki smiles, “Of course I’d wait.” He wouldn’t do anything without him. “Don’t go off gettin’ a girlfriend in that mountain.” Hikaru laughs nervously in response. “As if, ya know I’m never gettin’ one.” Yoshiki glances over at him, “What was it you told me about doubting myself with that sort of stuff? You’ll get a girl, grow up with her, and get outta here so ya don’t gotta worry about that mountain.”
Hikaru doesn’t answer.
The two of them get closer to the ice cream shop, “Hey, why don’t we stop by? It’ll probably be the last time we hang out before I go.” Yoshiki stares at Hikaru in shock before he asks, “Are ya leavin’ tomorrow?” Hikaru stops his bike, “Yeah, guess I’m a jerk for not tellin’ ya sooner.” Yoshiki walks to the door, “Just be careful up there. Come right back.” Hikaru jogs up to him, “Man, you’re so cryptic sometimes, ya know?”
The two get their ice cream and sit on the bench outside. It instantly cools Yoshiki’s body, giving him temporary relief from the heat. Hikaru, who normally devours his food, leisurely licks at his cone. Yoshiki feels something fluffy between his legs. He looks down to see a large, white cat purring against his calf. “Mince-aniki!” Hikaru’s eyes light up as he reaches down to pet the cat. The chubby cat quickly hisses and extends its claws. Hikaru yelps as he pulls his hand away before he can be scratched. “Why do ya always try to pet him? You know he doesn’t like ya,” Yoshiki blinks at him, reaching down to pet the cat’s head. Hikaru laughs, “Ya never know, maybe he’ll change his mind someday!” Yoshiki rolls his eyes, turning his focus back on his ice cream.
When they finish, Hikaru starts walking to his bike. Yoshiki stands still, staring at him, not knowing what to say. Hikaru feels eyes on him and turns around, “What’s up? You feelin’ alright, Yoshiki?” Yoshiki swallows hard. “Yeah. It’ll be weird, not seein’ ya this weekend,” He scratches his neck, avoiding eye contact. Hikaru forces a laugh, “C’mon, don’t get all sentimental on me,” Hikaru’s smile fades. “I’ll stop by first thing in the morning, okay? And I’ll be back the Monday after.” Yoshiki silently nods before getting on his bike. “I’ll ask mama to let ya stay with her if things get too hard. Try not to miss me too much, alright?” Hikaru’s grin is back on his face. “You too,” Yoshiki responds before riding off.
…
Yoshiki runs through the woods, his breath labored. “Hikaru!” He hoarsely calls out with no response. It’s too dark. Between his own sweat and the heavy rain bearing down on him, he’s drenched. Lightning occasionally strikes nearby, scaring him into moving further. The trees crowd him, making him feel claustrophobic. Yet he feels so alone at the same time. Between the hard rain and the thick trees, he can barely see or hear. His throat hurts and his legs ache, yet he keeps climbing, he has to keep going.
He has to find Hikaru.
He’s been gone for nearly a week. Where is he, he’s supposed to be back by now. He promised he’d come back. He can’t leave him alone now. He promised that he’d see him again. Yoshiki can’t be alone. What if Hikaru’s all alone? With the rain beating harshly onto his frail body. He should have never let him go, if he just begged Hikaru to stay, he would have.
Yoshiki continues to scream his name to no avail. His running comes to a stop when he sees a grotesquely shaped tree. Something colorful flashes in the corner of his eye. Looking down, Yoshiki finds a familiar shoe.
Attached to it is Hikaru’s body.
Shakily, Yoshiki brings his hands to Hikaru’s face. It’s cold and solid, even the blood from his wound is hard. It nearly feels like stone.
Hikaru’s gone.
He’s not breathing. He’s dead. He’s not coming back. He died up here, all alone.
Stumbling, he runs down the mountain, into a member of the search party. “Hey, you’re not supposed to be out here, kid,” The man looks down at him. Yoshiki feels his eyes burn. The man’s expression is sympathetic, “C’mon, I’ll help ya get home. You friends with the missing kid...” The man continues to talk, yet Yoshiki doesn’t hear him. His head is filled with noise of what could have happened to Hikaru. The burning in his eyes trails down his face as the man grabs Yoshiki’s hand and guides him back down the mountain. He wants to scream to be let go, that Hikaru is gone, that there’s no need to continue looking. He wants to yell out Hikaru’s name just one last time. Yet he can’t bring himself to say a word. He’s scared, he’s terrified.
What will he do without Hikaru?