the world at large
Yousuke had a spare room. It wasn't really much, just enough to have a bed and a dresser and a couple of other things, but it was serviceable. He always meant to clean out his boxes from initially moving into the flat from the space, and then maybe nab himself a roomie. Split the rent, you know? He was just as stingy as he always was and half of 80000 yen a month could really add up. Besides, being alone at this age kinda sucked, right? The company would be nice.
He never expected that Souji would be the one to move in.
First off, the kid was a genius-- and someday he was gonna teach geniuses. There's no way he'd settle for some vocational school out here in the sticks. He was meant for the big city and their fancy colleges with sliding glass doors and lecture halls to fit 500. They were fine with cheering him on from here. They still saw him all the time (Japan's really not that big you know) and they were still best friends, and it was best for him to be where he was.
He was sharp, quick, strong, so bright he shined, and it was hard to look him in the eyes, for fear of going blind. When Yousuke thought about him, there was always bloom in the foreground, a mist of reverence and the patina of nostalgia. Once it filled him with jealousy, but now it was just a quiet kind of awe. He liked to bask in his glow. They'd sit together at the table and he'd remember when their backs were pressed together in battle, and he'd never felt more invincible.
It was weird when Souji left him a text saying that they needed to talk. But he didn't worry. Even when he heard the tone of his voice, he didn't worry. Something like that-- it wasn't possible. They were young and... Well, they were young! And Souji, he'd be the absolute last person, there was no way...
For the few weeks in-between, it felt like he was carrying his own little tumor around with him wherever he went. It was impossible to forget. The world suddenly felt finite, and he was distressingly mortal. But that wasn't the worst of it. The though of losing him, of all people, was what weighed him down. Whenever he called, he didn't know what to say. Their mails were depressingly short. He was too afraid to ask about anything. His health, mind, body, or heart... What kind of best friend was he?
The one that let their best friend with cancer move in with them, apparently.
There were all sort of circumstances that lead up to it. Everyone knew Souji's parents were non-existent in the emotional support area, and in the city he was basically alone. It was between semesters, so there was no school forcing him to stay. There was a hospital here, and blood relatives along with friends for life. It was so obvious even the doctors recommended it.
And so, Yousuke jumped on the opportunity to redeem himself and be a God damn best friend to his number one bro. Everything else could wait, including his own emotions and reservations. And he wouldn't take no for an answer.
So now, the room was clean. There was a spare bed he was able to coerce out of his parents, a dresser, and a shelf. He crossed his arms over his chest and nodded in self-approval once last time before heading out, getting in the taxi he'd called and taking a trip down to the station. They were going to get him all moved and settled in, and then start their battle on a whole new enemy.
He never expected that Souji would be the one to move in.
First off, the kid was a genius-- and someday he was gonna teach geniuses. There's no way he'd settle for some vocational school out here in the sticks. He was meant for the big city and their fancy colleges with sliding glass doors and lecture halls to fit 500. They were fine with cheering him on from here. They still saw him all the time (Japan's really not that big you know) and they were still best friends, and it was best for him to be where he was.
He was sharp, quick, strong, so bright he shined, and it was hard to look him in the eyes, for fear of going blind. When Yousuke thought about him, there was always bloom in the foreground, a mist of reverence and the patina of nostalgia. Once it filled him with jealousy, but now it was just a quiet kind of awe. He liked to bask in his glow. They'd sit together at the table and he'd remember when their backs were pressed together in battle, and he'd never felt more invincible.
It was weird when Souji left him a text saying that they needed to talk. But he didn't worry. Even when he heard the tone of his voice, he didn't worry. Something like that-- it wasn't possible. They were young and... Well, they were young! And Souji, he'd be the absolute last person, there was no way...
For the few weeks in-between, it felt like he was carrying his own little tumor around with him wherever he went. It was impossible to forget. The world suddenly felt finite, and he was distressingly mortal. But that wasn't the worst of it. The though of losing him, of all people, was what weighed him down. Whenever he called, he didn't know what to say. Their mails were depressingly short. He was too afraid to ask about anything. His health, mind, body, or heart... What kind of best friend was he?
The one that let their best friend with cancer move in with them, apparently.
There were all sort of circumstances that lead up to it. Everyone knew Souji's parents were non-existent in the emotional support area, and in the city he was basically alone. It was between semesters, so there was no school forcing him to stay. There was a hospital here, and blood relatives along with friends for life. It was so obvious even the doctors recommended it.
And so, Yousuke jumped on the opportunity to redeem himself and be a God damn best friend to his number one bro. Everything else could wait, including his own emotions and reservations. And he wouldn't take no for an answer.
So now, the room was clean. There was a spare bed he was able to coerce out of his parents, a dresser, and a shelf. He crossed his arms over his chest and nodded in self-approval once last time before heading out, getting in the taxi he'd called and taking a trip down to the station. They were going to get him all moved and settled in, and then start their battle on a whole new enemy.