(Minato was going home because his work was done so Shimizu was standing in front of the cafe to see off.)
I wave my hand toward Shimizu, "See ya." I whisper.
He waves as return.
"And take care of yourself." He smiled.
"Only don't do anything stupid, you know I am always here to hear anything, Minato."
I turn around and start walking because I can't tell the main problem I am facing. It would make everyone sad. I don't like to see my closest person cry for me out of pity or love.
STEP… STEP…
I start walking to the alley where only I can go, that path should be hidden at any cost—the path of death.
4 hours ago.
Minato was being hugged by Shimizu, when I got out of the bathroom. His hands were trembling.
I take my hand to hug him back—hesitately.
I can see my bloody hand while Shimizu was busy in a hug, I took my hand into my pocket to take my hanky to wipe the blood from my hand.
Shimizu sniffling in my shoulder—mumbling.
"You… nghh… You scared me." His voice was bitter.
I push him a little—to our personal space.
I wiped his eyes—looking at his eyes, directly. I smile, "Are You Baby."
He poke in my cheek and hold my hand where I was wiping his tears with his other hand.
"You, Dummy. Why don't you—hic—don't understand me." His voice was so thin to hear because of crying.
He held my hand and dragged me to the sofa, and sat—looking at me like I was trying to say something but wasn't able to put it in his mouth.
He looked at me—confused.
"Sit. Minato."His voice was rough.
"Oh!!" Without wasting more time I sat on the sofa beside him.
"Can you explain yourself?" He looked at me—not cheerful. Not sad. Not anger but a serious one.
I smile, "Hm… yeah."
"You know I have always been sick since childhood."
His look became warm, "Then why would you bring the childhood now. I am asking about the incident before."
"You know when you are not even answering back then. I think something would happen to you. You know I get impatient when you don't answer, it makes me uncontrollable."
"Wait—" I tried to explain, but he cut me off again.
He grabbed my shoulder—not roughly but firmly.
"Why don't you start answering my question—I am becoming more impatient. Why are you always trying to hide something?? Why are you even hiding?? You know I am always here for you—only for you. Please… Explain. YOURSELF." He looked at my face—covered in sweats.
"TELL. ME. NOW." He shouted.
Suddenly he grabbed my shoulder and started shaking me—firmly.
"TELL ME. TELL ME. WHY ARE YOU SILENT." He shouted again.
I was staring at him… how can he shout at me… me!!—I never saw him like that—never.
I was just speechless. My hands were trembling in horror.
But I am smiling—I don't know why just… To secure myself or../
I take a deep breath and hold his arms. I smile, "Calm down. I am not going anywhere."
I take in my embrace—I know he sometimes gets impatient but he never reacts like that…
He hugged me back—trying to calm down. His voice was trembling, "You… al—always make me… sad…"
After calming while in embrace.
I was stroking his hair and started explaining, "You know I am sick… but at that time I can't answer you because—." My brain was not working on what I could say.
"I was wearing earbuds… that's all… I was on call." I mutter—I don't even know what I am saying. I just said, Think about who came to my mind first.
He mumbled, "Call. Earbud. Can't hear. When I am shouting." His body starts trembling.
I push him to see his face.
He was…
He was laughing—he grabbed his stomach.
He grabbed my shoulder, "Minato." He made a serious look.
"Please stop making a perfect lie." He laughed. "You are telling me you were wearing earbuds and talking to someone on the phone—in full volume, impossible. Plus you can't hear my shouted while your hearing… even if I say something on my own you can hear and you are saying you can't hear"
"I think you have to see the ear doctor." He smiled.
"Ahh~!" I smile.
"You… Why always catch me… just one time get along with my lie—acting is also allowed." I pout.
"Okay!! Okay… Ha ha ha." He laughed.
"You jokes and lies never get old huh." He looked at me. "If you don't want to tell me so don't tell me but take care of yourself."
"I tell you I am sick—that part was true, believe me." I whisper.
"Okay. Let's go back to work now." He smiled.
He stood and gave me his hand to take it. First I just stared at him—confused.
The atmosphere of the room became calm—glowing by the light of the sun… bright… Smiling in the sun. Shimizu.
"Come on, take it, I am going to die while waiting." He whispered.
His voice was so smooth and surprisingly his voice now and before when he was shouted at me are whole parallel… how it is possible.
I hesitantly took his hand—he tightened his grip on my hand… started dragging me—smiling.
"Now… forget everything that happened here and just look at the future." He states.
I nod.
Then we go back to our routine. I was standing at the counter. Greeting while Shimizu asks for the order—everything because he doesn't want to make me do something that makes my health bad.
That way we spend the remaining time.
<
I was in the street—walking, calmly.
I sigh.
"Huh… Finally my work is done." I mumble.
Suddenly… I notice something fall on my head. I look upward. It is snowing.
I spread my arms, "Huh… too early."
"The first snowfall." I smile. I look forward to my journey. I don't care what's gonna happen to me, now. I am gonna face it. But I was still confused how Shimizu, a gentle and cute person can act like that.
How he shouted at me—it really scared me.
I sigh.
And start walking to my home… sorry house—without a word.
TO BE CONTINUED.