[Fic] The Other Side (one-shot) Part 1
Title: The Other Side
Pairing: Akame
Rating: PG-15?
Disclaimer: None of them belongs to me...T___T
Genre: AU,Romance,Angst
Summary: It all starts with a simple encounter. But as time passes,Jin slowly realizes that Kazuya is not what he looks like...
Warning: DEATH OF CHARACTER
The Other Side (part 1)
It is a foggy day. The streets are almost empty, which is weird, but no one cares to find the reason why. The wind is cold, colder than usual. Stronger, too.
Jin curses as he walks through a dirty alley, clenching his coat tighter around his body. He is sure he is lost, but he doesn’t want to admit it yet.
“The moment I find it, I’ll kill you, Ryo.” He mutters to himself as he takes a small piece of paper out of his pocket. He checks what’s written on it for the 10th time and looks around.
“No street with such a name…” he mumbles. Where the hell is that house anyway? Why did his best friend had to move here? There’s nothing interesting. No clubs, no big stores, no clean roads, nothing. What could have caught Ryo’s attention?”
It takes him another hour to finally admit his defeat and start searching for someone to ask for directions. Easier said than done. No one is walking around.
“What the heck is wrong with this neighborhood? It’s still morning, there should be people around!” he lets out frustrated. He keeps wandering around aimlessly. He’s decided not to call Ryo. He doesn’t want to hear his voice making fun of him for getting lost. Again.
It’s not something new. Jin is used to getting lost. It has been happening ever since he was little. And he always ended up in trouble. Fights, mostly. He always carried a bruise or a scar.
Drown in his thoughts, he barely hears the sound of someone playing the piano. He stops, trying to focus on it. It’s a sad, uncanny melody which creeps him out at first. But he finds himself unable to protest. He is attracted to it. He follows it like hypnotized, with slow but steady steps.
And then he notices. A small shop at an unusually dark corner. That’s where the sound is coming from. Jin doesn’t bother to check what kind of shop it is, he just enters.
A dim light welcomes him. There’s a sweet smell in the air, but Jin can’t tell what it is. He takes a quick look around before finally turning to the right direction.
There’s a boy there, playing the piano. He’s got blondish hair, but Jin can’t see the rest because the boy has his back turned on him. His slender fingers are running up and down on the keys, creating the melody that drew Jin there. His clothes are white and loose.
Jin decides to talk to him then. He clears his throat and takes a step forward.
“Um…excuse me…” he says hesitatingly. The boy stops and turns around slowly, gazing at him. His honey-colored eyes meet Jin’s, who feels something twitching inside him.
And then the boy smiles at him.
“Good morning, sir. Can I help you with anything? What instrument would you like to buy?”
“Eh? Ah…” Jin finally takes a more careful look at the content of the store. He can see musical instruments everywhere, mostly pianos, violins and other instruments for classic music. He bites his lip.
“Actually, I…I wanted to ask you something…” he replies shyly and the boy smiles even wider.
“What is it, sir?”
“Well…my friend moved here a couple of days ago…I promised I’d go visit him, but I lost my way. I was wondering if you could tell me where this road is…”
And he shows him the paper. The boy shoots a glance at it.
“Of course I do. It’s actually pretty close. Just turn left as you exit the store, walk past the house with the blue door, then turn right and you’ll be there.”
There is something in his voice that sends shivers to Jin, but he can’t explain what it is. He looks at the boy again. He is really handsome, yet Jin can feel something weird on him, something hard to describe.
“Ne…what is your name?” he asks before he is able to control himself.
“Why would you like to know, sir?”
“I don’t know.” Jin blurts out, suddenly feeling like an idiot. “I just want to.”
The boy tilts his head, as if trying to see through him. He narrows his eyes, reaching his hand out to touch Jin’s hair.
“Kazuya.” He whispers. “Kamenashi Kazuya.”
“Kazuya…” Jin repeats. “It’s beautiful. It suits you.”
“Thank you, sir.” Kazuya grins, letting his hand fall down. “And yours?”
“Jin.” He answers in an instant. “Akanishi Jin.”
“I hope I was helpful then…Akanishi-san.”
“Very much. Thank you.” Jin says, finally cracking a smile as well. Kazuya bows.
“Have a nice day, Akanishi-san.” He says as he sees him off. Jin nods, walking quickly. As he turns at the direction he was told, he notices many people walking past him. They enter Kazuya’s store, one by one. Jin keeps walking for two seconds, then turns around again, curious to see what they’re doing.
The store is empty.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
“Cut the crap, Jin.” Ryo laughs as he offers him another beer. “Maybe you were dreaming. Maybe they went too much inside the store. They couldn’t have vanished into thin air.”
“But I turned around almost immediately! They were too many!”
“Ok, ok. They became invisible, alright?”
“Very funny.” Jin sulks.
“Come on! I didn’t invite you here to talk about spooky stories! How does my apartment look?”
“Cute.” Jin pouts, taking a sip of his beer. “Although I still can’t believe you came to live in such an awful area.”
“It was the cheapest I could find! You know I got fired, how was I supposed to pay expensive rent? I’ll start searching for a job tomorrow.” Ryo replied, gulping down his own drink. “What about you?”
“Me? I’m perfect, thanks. I’m not fired yet, if that’s what you wanna know.”
“Yet? Why is that?”
“My boss hates me. I swear that if he had the chance, he’d kick me out in a second. But he’s in need for someone to order around, that’s why he keeps me.”
“Do you work tomorrow as well?”
“No, I-“ Jin starts but is cut off by the loud sound of a thunder.
“Just great.” Ryo comments, looking out of the window.
“No way! The last thing I needed is rain! How am I supposed to go back now?”
“Calm down, you fool. It may stop in a while.” Ryo tries to make him relax. The thunders keep coming, one after another, soon joined by raindrops. Jin sighs.
The rain doesn’t stop. Night falls, but it only makes things worse. The streets are flooding.
“You an always stay here.” Ryo suggests, knowing Jin will accept. He is too tried to go against the rain.
Two hours later, Jin still finds himself unable to sleep. Even though he’s covered with two blankets, he can feel the cold around him. It’s strange, because he has never felt like this. He feels warm inside, like the cold can only reach his skin. He tugs on the blankets tighter, pressing himself to ignore the abnormal temperature. His eyelids are heavy, yet he still feels uncomfortable. It’s not the couch’s fault, he’s slept like this before. He also knows the rain has stopped. He can’t explain why it is so cold around him. A feeling similar to fear is floating in the air around him.
He shakes his head, forcing himself to get a grip.
“Rubbish.” He murmurs. “Just sleep, you idiot.”
And he eventually does. In his dreams, he thinks he hears someone screaming though. Then someone calling his name. A pair of eyes appears in front of him. Tears are running from them. Bloody tears.
Then someone screams his name again and Jin shoots his eyes open, breathing heavily. The sun is rising.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Jin doesn’t leave his house for the next two days. He has a weird feeling bugging him every time he walks past a window in his apartment. When he looks in the mirror, he thinks he sees his eyes different than usual.
He can’t explain what’s going on and it drives him mad. He knows it has something to with that Kamenashi boy. How old is he anyway to own a shop? A strange one, but a shop nevertheless.
It doesn’t take him more than another day to decide to pay a visit to him. He is afraid that he won’t be able to find the store again, but his legs lead him surprisingly well back there.
He stops a few meters away. He can hear a melody again. It’s happier than the first one, but it still has a dramatic tone in it.
Kazuya is wearing the same clothes. His back is turned on Jin again. The latter can’t help but admire his abilities. He’s really skilled. The melody pierces through his heart, he can’t fight it. He walks closer, touching the boy’s shoulder hesitatingly. Kazuya’s fingers freeze.
“Welcome back, Akanishi-san.” He says kindly as he turns to him with that same attractive smile and Jin can’t help but wonder how he knew it was him. “Is there anything I can do to help you?”
“You still remember me? You have a very good memory.” He notices, withdrawing his hand.
“No, I’ve got really few customers.” Kazuya replies gently. Jin raises an eyebrow.
“And what about those people that came in when I left? They were too many to be called “few”.”
Kazuya’s eyes widen for a second. He looks at Jin as if he sees him for the first time, inching closer.
“You saw- ah, nothing, forget it. No, they weren’t customers. They only came to check something.”
“Like what?”
Kazuya’s lips form an enigmatic smile and he doesn’t answer. He paces calmly to the center of the room, glancing at Jin.
“So? What is your business here? Wanna buy something?”
“No.” Jin says firmly. “I actually…heard you playing the piano. You’re splendid.”
“Thank you very much, Akanishi-san.”
“Just call me Jin. You can’t be much younger than me. How old are you?”
It’s an easy question with an even easier answer. Yet, for some reason Kame takes his time to reply. His eyes are scanning Jin in a way that gives the one in question chills.
“21.” He mumbles.
“See? Two years younger. And don’t look at me like that, it freaks me out.”
“Sorry.”
“So? What were you playing?” Jin inquires. “I don’t think I’ve heard it before.”
“It’s my own inspiration.” Kazuya explains. “It happens all the time, I can’t control it.”
“Really?”
Yes, there is definitely something fishy around Kazuya. And the more time passes, the more Jin wants to decipher it.
“Can I try too, then?” he suggests, looking deep into his eyes for any changes. To his surprise, Kazuya nods.
“Sure. Do you play the piano as well?”
“I used to.” Jin admits. “Haven’t played for a long time.”
“You can do it.” Kazuya encourages him. “If it’s you, I know you can do it.”
The statement makes Jin’s heart skip a beat. What is wrong with this person? How can he be so friendly? How can he make Jin feel safe and uncomfortable at the same time? And why does he even care in the first place?
Kazuya is right, though. As soon as his fingers come in contact with the keys, all of his knowledge comes back to him. He starts playing a song he can’t remember. He just lets himself surrender to that familiar sense.
And it is so beautiful that he almost doesn’t recognize Kazuya’s fingers on his, helping him with some notes he can’t recall.
“The dance of flames and shadows in the street…” he whispers without knowing why. It’s a song he used to play back in middle school, though he’d never managed to learn the lyrics. How can they slip from his mouth so easily now?
“Make poetry nobody's ever heard…The weight of loneliness stands on your feet…”
Jin’s eyes open widely in an instant as he turns to face Kazuya. The boy keeps humming, running his fingers on the keys along with his.
“How do you…who are you?” Jin lets out with a hoarse voice. “What is this place?”
When Kazuya meets his gaze, Jin is surprised to see all the gentleness gone. Only sadness is nesting in his eyes.
“You better go, Jin.” He confesses quietly. “It’s the best you can do. Don’t come here again…”
His voice can barely be heard and that’s what scares Jin the most. Even though his heart fights it, his mind takes complete control over his body and he finds himself out of there in no time. As he runs, he notices a big amount of people heading towards Kazuya’s store. When he turns around, they are gone again.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Curiosity is something Jin never managed to handle. Thus, it always surpasses emotions such as fear or caution. A week later, his steps lead him out of that place again. That is the point where he begins doubting his strength. He wants to know more about Kazuya, yet his mysterious personality forces him to keep a distance.
He hasn’t considered the piano tone, though. His weakness. The trick to lure him in.
It makes his heart melt. It’s even sadder than the first one. Full of despair. He doesn’t know how he is able to understand that, but he knows he’s right.
Kazuya is waiting for him this time. He is sitting next to the piano, with the same white clothes. It doesn’t take long though for Jin to realize the scar at his right wrist.
“What happened to you?” he asks carefully, craving to get closer.
“I told you not to come again…” Kazuya whispers, eyes fallen on the floor. “This is so wrong…”
“Who are you?” Jin asks again, taking a hold of his left wrist. It’s warm, but at the same time, frozen. “What’s wrong with those people? How do they disappear so quickly? Tell me!”
“I can’t tell you.” Kame responds weakly. “You have to go away…it’s dangerous if you stay here…”
“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me.”
“You wouldn’t believe me. Even if you did, you would be scared.”
“Try me.”
Kazuya finally raises his chocolate eyes to look at him. They’re like a huge lake, one that drags Jin into its depths, without caring if he’ll survive or not.
“Don’t.” Jin whispers, kneeling in front of him. “Don’t look at me.”
“Jin, listen…”
His soft voice is nothing compared to the latter’s soft lips on his. He doesn’t make a move to push him away. It is meaningless.
It’s as if Jin knows exactly what to do to keep Kazuya in his hands. His kiss becomes even more tender as his fingers get lost in the boy’s hair. He can feel thousands of butterflies dancing in his stomach. He surrenders to bliss when Kazuya kisses him back, tugging on his clothes and Jin can’t help but think that it’s like kissing an angel.
The kiss deepens as seconds pass and for a few moments Jin thinks he can hear someone playing the violin. He closes his eyes, gently pressing Kazuya’s face more onto his.
And that’s when he feels something wet between their lips.
He pulls back, eyes fixed on Kazuya. He gasps, seeing a tear sliding down his beautiful face. He stays still for a minute, unable to decide what to do. There are so many questions he wants to set on the young man, yet a stinting pain in his chest halters him from doing so.
He hates the situation. He hates the fact that he doesn’t know what to do, what to say. He hates Kazuya’s tears and the fact that he doesn’t reveal more about himself.
He loves Kazuya’s existence though.
And this is something he can’t and doesn’t want to fight.
“Are you ok?” he finally speaks as he brings his finger to Kazuya’s cheek, brushing the teardrop away.
“I’m sorry, Jin…”
“Sorry? For what?” Jin is baffled.
“This shouldn’t have happened…” Kazuya replies, panting suddenly. “It’s the worst thing that could happen to you…”
“Ok, you know what? Enough. Spill it, what are you? What’s wrong with this place?”
“Promise me you won’t tell a thing to anyone. Otherwise I’m not telling.”
“I swear.”
Kazuya doesn’t speak immediately. He sits on the floor, stroking his scar. Jin imitates him, waiting patiently. Deep inside, he thinks he knows the answer already. He could be wrong, though.
When Kazuya finally decides to confess, his voice has that mysterious tone again. Jin gulps.
“I’m…cursed.”
Three words, three simple words that make Jin’s blood freeze in his veins. He stares in disbelief, struggling not to laugh. Why does it sound so funny? Why does it sound like a fairytale?
Then again, Kazuya himself looks as if he’s been come up from a fairytale, with such magical features.
“Cursed? What are you, a ghost?” Jin cracks a smile. He is dead worried inside though, especially because Kazuya looks more than serious. His eyes are filled with gloom.
“Something in between. I’m neither alive, nor dead. I’m cursed…to stay like this.”
“Ok, now I have freaked out.” Jin says in shock, moving closer to touch. “But I can feel you! You look perfectly fine! No one can tell you’re not alive!”
“Then take a look at this.” Kazuya replies, fishing a pin fallen a few meters away. He drives it in his finger, ignoring Jin’s yelps. He buries it as deep as he can, then pulls it out with as force as he has.
“Do you see any blood?” he asks, brining it close to Jin’s eyes, so he can have a better look.
Two whole minutes pass and Jin still hasn’t managed to make out even the tiniest drop of blood. He looks up to Kazuya, who smiles dejectedly.
“Do you believe me now?”
He nods before having the time to think about it. He takes Kazuya’s finger in his mouth, licking it in an attempt to detect the taste of blood. His efforts go to waste.
“It’s unbelievable…” he whispers. “How…”
“I can’t move on.” Kazuya voices out bluntly. “And all those people you saw…they’re the souls of the dead. They come to me either from Heaven or Hell to ask about their beloved ones, here, on Earth. That is my job. To inform them about the people they care about.”
“How is that possible?”
“I sneak into people’s eyes.” Kazuya continues. “That way, I can look at them and check how they are doing. I have to be careful though, because if I get distracted, their eyes will turn into mine…”
Everything sounds out of mind, but it’s the last statement that finally allows Jin to make a logical statement.
“You were inside my eyes too, right? I saw it when I looked at the mirror…”
“Mirrors are dangerous.” Kazuya admits. “I can’t fight them. People’s reflections make me weak. It’s like I’m splitting my strength in two. I can’t always control myself, so I prefer to leave the person before it turns to a mirror. You were an exception though. It was the first time I had lost control completely…”
“Because you can fall in love.” Jin nudges him. “You have feelings, like all human beings.”
“I can’t fall in love with you and you can’t either. Not with me. It’ll only bring you disaster…”
“I can’t battle with my own feeling and I don’t intend to so.” Jin suddenly pouts, rushing to close him in his embrace.” I’m…scared. More than you can imagine. But…”
Maybe it’s because he still has difficulty in digesting it. Maybe it’s because of the kiss. Maybe he has gotten drunk without liquor. Whatever the case, Jin acts like a spoiled brat and refuses to let go of Kame. He can’t explain why it feels like a vital need, but he knows that’s the way it is.
“You put your life in danger.” Kazuya warns him again. “You never know what happens once you meddle with those of the other side…”
“You’re not on the other side. You’re in the middle.”
“Jin…”
“I can’t explain it, Kazuya. I have fallen in love with something that can destroy me any time. But I can’t fight it…and I’m pretty sure we met each other for a reason.”
Though it’s obvious Kazuya shares the same feelings, his face only darkens more. The sweetness is gone from his features, giving its place to guilt.
“I just hope we won’t have to go through this…” he whispers. Jin doesn’t listen to him though. His eyes have rested on the violins on the left side of the store. There are indeed people standing there, playing.
“Are they…are they ghosts?” he asks hesitatingly. Kazuya follows his gaze to see what he’s talking about.
“Yes. They usually do that to help the souls of the people who have just died to move on more easily. See the blond girl sitting next to them? She’s the one that has to move on.”
Jin nodes, averting his gaze off the girl, who seems really unwilling to receive any help and just keeps playing with a pendant around her neck.
“I just want one chance. I know I can make things work out, Kazuya.” He pleads with a broken voice. “Even if you don’t want to, the thought of you won’t stop haunting my dreams. It’s the first time I’ve fallen so badly in love and ironically, I can tell it’s real.”
“Yeah, since you’re not afraid of me dying…” Kazuya taunts.
“Hey!”
“Only one.” Kazuya surrenders. “Only one, you hear me? If you or I screw up, it’s over.”
“Ok.” Jin smiles. “You’re the beginning of my new life, Kazuya. I just know something is changing from now on.”
He almost runs out of the shop, humming a joyful song that can’t reach Kazuya’s ears. Because the boy just can’t be happy.
“Your beginning and your end…” he whispers with sorrowful eyes. “I shouldn’t have fallen in love with you…”
part 2 here: http://chained-akame.livejournal.com/24398.html
Pairing: Akame
Rating: PG-15?
Disclaimer: None of them belongs to me...T___T
Genre: AU,Romance,Angst
Summary: It all starts with a simple encounter. But as time passes,Jin slowly realizes that Kazuya is not what he looks like...
Warning: DEATH OF CHARACTER
The Other Side (part 1)
It is a foggy day. The streets are almost empty, which is weird, but no one cares to find the reason why. The wind is cold, colder than usual. Stronger, too.
Jin curses as he walks through a dirty alley, clenching his coat tighter around his body. He is sure he is lost, but he doesn’t want to admit it yet.
“The moment I find it, I’ll kill you, Ryo.” He mutters to himself as he takes a small piece of paper out of his pocket. He checks what’s written on it for the 10th time and looks around.
“No street with such a name…” he mumbles. Where the hell is that house anyway? Why did his best friend had to move here? There’s nothing interesting. No clubs, no big stores, no clean roads, nothing. What could have caught Ryo’s attention?”
It takes him another hour to finally admit his defeat and start searching for someone to ask for directions. Easier said than done. No one is walking around.
“What the heck is wrong with this neighborhood? It’s still morning, there should be people around!” he lets out frustrated. He keeps wandering around aimlessly. He’s decided not to call Ryo. He doesn’t want to hear his voice making fun of him for getting lost. Again.
It’s not something new. Jin is used to getting lost. It has been happening ever since he was little. And he always ended up in trouble. Fights, mostly. He always carried a bruise or a scar.
Drown in his thoughts, he barely hears the sound of someone playing the piano. He stops, trying to focus on it. It’s a sad, uncanny melody which creeps him out at first. But he finds himself unable to protest. He is attracted to it. He follows it like hypnotized, with slow but steady steps.
And then he notices. A small shop at an unusually dark corner. That’s where the sound is coming from. Jin doesn’t bother to check what kind of shop it is, he just enters.
A dim light welcomes him. There’s a sweet smell in the air, but Jin can’t tell what it is. He takes a quick look around before finally turning to the right direction.
There’s a boy there, playing the piano. He’s got blondish hair, but Jin can’t see the rest because the boy has his back turned on him. His slender fingers are running up and down on the keys, creating the melody that drew Jin there. His clothes are white and loose.
Jin decides to talk to him then. He clears his throat and takes a step forward.
“Um…excuse me…” he says hesitatingly. The boy stops and turns around slowly, gazing at him. His honey-colored eyes meet Jin’s, who feels something twitching inside him.
And then the boy smiles at him.
“Good morning, sir. Can I help you with anything? What instrument would you like to buy?”
“Eh? Ah…” Jin finally takes a more careful look at the content of the store. He can see musical instruments everywhere, mostly pianos, violins and other instruments for classic music. He bites his lip.
“Actually, I…I wanted to ask you something…” he replies shyly and the boy smiles even wider.
“What is it, sir?”
“Well…my friend moved here a couple of days ago…I promised I’d go visit him, but I lost my way. I was wondering if you could tell me where this road is…”
And he shows him the paper. The boy shoots a glance at it.
“Of course I do. It’s actually pretty close. Just turn left as you exit the store, walk past the house with the blue door, then turn right and you’ll be there.”
There is something in his voice that sends shivers to Jin, but he can’t explain what it is. He looks at the boy again. He is really handsome, yet Jin can feel something weird on him, something hard to describe.
“Ne…what is your name?” he asks before he is able to control himself.
“Why would you like to know, sir?”
“I don’t know.” Jin blurts out, suddenly feeling like an idiot. “I just want to.”
The boy tilts his head, as if trying to see through him. He narrows his eyes, reaching his hand out to touch Jin’s hair.
“Kazuya.” He whispers. “Kamenashi Kazuya.”
“Kazuya…” Jin repeats. “It’s beautiful. It suits you.”
“Thank you, sir.” Kazuya grins, letting his hand fall down. “And yours?”
“Jin.” He answers in an instant. “Akanishi Jin.”
“I hope I was helpful then…Akanishi-san.”
“Very much. Thank you.” Jin says, finally cracking a smile as well. Kazuya bows.
“Have a nice day, Akanishi-san.” He says as he sees him off. Jin nods, walking quickly. As he turns at the direction he was told, he notices many people walking past him. They enter Kazuya’s store, one by one. Jin keeps walking for two seconds, then turns around again, curious to see what they’re doing.
The store is empty.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
“Cut the crap, Jin.” Ryo laughs as he offers him another beer. “Maybe you were dreaming. Maybe they went too much inside the store. They couldn’t have vanished into thin air.”
“But I turned around almost immediately! They were too many!”
“Ok, ok. They became invisible, alright?”
“Very funny.” Jin sulks.
“Come on! I didn’t invite you here to talk about spooky stories! How does my apartment look?”
“Cute.” Jin pouts, taking a sip of his beer. “Although I still can’t believe you came to live in such an awful area.”
“It was the cheapest I could find! You know I got fired, how was I supposed to pay expensive rent? I’ll start searching for a job tomorrow.” Ryo replied, gulping down his own drink. “What about you?”
“Me? I’m perfect, thanks. I’m not fired yet, if that’s what you wanna know.”
“Yet? Why is that?”
“My boss hates me. I swear that if he had the chance, he’d kick me out in a second. But he’s in need for someone to order around, that’s why he keeps me.”
“Do you work tomorrow as well?”
“No, I-“ Jin starts but is cut off by the loud sound of a thunder.
“Just great.” Ryo comments, looking out of the window.
“No way! The last thing I needed is rain! How am I supposed to go back now?”
“Calm down, you fool. It may stop in a while.” Ryo tries to make him relax. The thunders keep coming, one after another, soon joined by raindrops. Jin sighs.
The rain doesn’t stop. Night falls, but it only makes things worse. The streets are flooding.
“You an always stay here.” Ryo suggests, knowing Jin will accept. He is too tried to go against the rain.
Two hours later, Jin still finds himself unable to sleep. Even though he’s covered with two blankets, he can feel the cold around him. It’s strange, because he has never felt like this. He feels warm inside, like the cold can only reach his skin. He tugs on the blankets tighter, pressing himself to ignore the abnormal temperature. His eyelids are heavy, yet he still feels uncomfortable. It’s not the couch’s fault, he’s slept like this before. He also knows the rain has stopped. He can’t explain why it is so cold around him. A feeling similar to fear is floating in the air around him.
He shakes his head, forcing himself to get a grip.
“Rubbish.” He murmurs. “Just sleep, you idiot.”
And he eventually does. In his dreams, he thinks he hears someone screaming though. Then someone calling his name. A pair of eyes appears in front of him. Tears are running from them. Bloody tears.
Then someone screams his name again and Jin shoots his eyes open, breathing heavily. The sun is rising.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Jin doesn’t leave his house for the next two days. He has a weird feeling bugging him every time he walks past a window in his apartment. When he looks in the mirror, he thinks he sees his eyes different than usual.
He can’t explain what’s going on and it drives him mad. He knows it has something to with that Kamenashi boy. How old is he anyway to own a shop? A strange one, but a shop nevertheless.
It doesn’t take him more than another day to decide to pay a visit to him. He is afraid that he won’t be able to find the store again, but his legs lead him surprisingly well back there.
He stops a few meters away. He can hear a melody again. It’s happier than the first one, but it still has a dramatic tone in it.
Kazuya is wearing the same clothes. His back is turned on Jin again. The latter can’t help but admire his abilities. He’s really skilled. The melody pierces through his heart, he can’t fight it. He walks closer, touching the boy’s shoulder hesitatingly. Kazuya’s fingers freeze.
“Welcome back, Akanishi-san.” He says kindly as he turns to him with that same attractive smile and Jin can’t help but wonder how he knew it was him. “Is there anything I can do to help you?”
“You still remember me? You have a very good memory.” He notices, withdrawing his hand.
“No, I’ve got really few customers.” Kazuya replies gently. Jin raises an eyebrow.
“And what about those people that came in when I left? They were too many to be called “few”.”
Kazuya’s eyes widen for a second. He looks at Jin as if he sees him for the first time, inching closer.
“You saw- ah, nothing, forget it. No, they weren’t customers. They only came to check something.”
“Like what?”
Kazuya’s lips form an enigmatic smile and he doesn’t answer. He paces calmly to the center of the room, glancing at Jin.
“So? What is your business here? Wanna buy something?”
“No.” Jin says firmly. “I actually…heard you playing the piano. You’re splendid.”
“Thank you very much, Akanishi-san.”
“Just call me Jin. You can’t be much younger than me. How old are you?”
It’s an easy question with an even easier answer. Yet, for some reason Kame takes his time to reply. His eyes are scanning Jin in a way that gives the one in question chills.
“21.” He mumbles.
“See? Two years younger. And don’t look at me like that, it freaks me out.”
“Sorry.”
“So? What were you playing?” Jin inquires. “I don’t think I’ve heard it before.”
“It’s my own inspiration.” Kazuya explains. “It happens all the time, I can’t control it.”
“Really?”
Yes, there is definitely something fishy around Kazuya. And the more time passes, the more Jin wants to decipher it.
“Can I try too, then?” he suggests, looking deep into his eyes for any changes. To his surprise, Kazuya nods.
“Sure. Do you play the piano as well?”
“I used to.” Jin admits. “Haven’t played for a long time.”
“You can do it.” Kazuya encourages him. “If it’s you, I know you can do it.”
The statement makes Jin’s heart skip a beat. What is wrong with this person? How can he be so friendly? How can he make Jin feel safe and uncomfortable at the same time? And why does he even care in the first place?
Kazuya is right, though. As soon as his fingers come in contact with the keys, all of his knowledge comes back to him. He starts playing a song he can’t remember. He just lets himself surrender to that familiar sense.
And it is so beautiful that he almost doesn’t recognize Kazuya’s fingers on his, helping him with some notes he can’t recall.
“The dance of flames and shadows in the street…” he whispers without knowing why. It’s a song he used to play back in middle school, though he’d never managed to learn the lyrics. How can they slip from his mouth so easily now?
“Make poetry nobody's ever heard…The weight of loneliness stands on your feet…”
Jin’s eyes open widely in an instant as he turns to face Kazuya. The boy keeps humming, running his fingers on the keys along with his.
“How do you…who are you?” Jin lets out with a hoarse voice. “What is this place?”
When Kazuya meets his gaze, Jin is surprised to see all the gentleness gone. Only sadness is nesting in his eyes.
“You better go, Jin.” He confesses quietly. “It’s the best you can do. Don’t come here again…”
His voice can barely be heard and that’s what scares Jin the most. Even though his heart fights it, his mind takes complete control over his body and he finds himself out of there in no time. As he runs, he notices a big amount of people heading towards Kazuya’s store. When he turns around, they are gone again.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Curiosity is something Jin never managed to handle. Thus, it always surpasses emotions such as fear or caution. A week later, his steps lead him out of that place again. That is the point where he begins doubting his strength. He wants to know more about Kazuya, yet his mysterious personality forces him to keep a distance.
He hasn’t considered the piano tone, though. His weakness. The trick to lure him in.
It makes his heart melt. It’s even sadder than the first one. Full of despair. He doesn’t know how he is able to understand that, but he knows he’s right.
Kazuya is waiting for him this time. He is sitting next to the piano, with the same white clothes. It doesn’t take long though for Jin to realize the scar at his right wrist.
“What happened to you?” he asks carefully, craving to get closer.
“I told you not to come again…” Kazuya whispers, eyes fallen on the floor. “This is so wrong…”
“Who are you?” Jin asks again, taking a hold of his left wrist. It’s warm, but at the same time, frozen. “What’s wrong with those people? How do they disappear so quickly? Tell me!”
“I can’t tell you.” Kame responds weakly. “You have to go away…it’s dangerous if you stay here…”
“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me.”
“You wouldn’t believe me. Even if you did, you would be scared.”
“Try me.”
Kazuya finally raises his chocolate eyes to look at him. They’re like a huge lake, one that drags Jin into its depths, without caring if he’ll survive or not.
“Don’t.” Jin whispers, kneeling in front of him. “Don’t look at me.”
“Jin, listen…”
His soft voice is nothing compared to the latter’s soft lips on his. He doesn’t make a move to push him away. It is meaningless.
It’s as if Jin knows exactly what to do to keep Kazuya in his hands. His kiss becomes even more tender as his fingers get lost in the boy’s hair. He can feel thousands of butterflies dancing in his stomach. He surrenders to bliss when Kazuya kisses him back, tugging on his clothes and Jin can’t help but think that it’s like kissing an angel.
The kiss deepens as seconds pass and for a few moments Jin thinks he can hear someone playing the violin. He closes his eyes, gently pressing Kazuya’s face more onto his.
And that’s when he feels something wet between their lips.
He pulls back, eyes fixed on Kazuya. He gasps, seeing a tear sliding down his beautiful face. He stays still for a minute, unable to decide what to do. There are so many questions he wants to set on the young man, yet a stinting pain in his chest halters him from doing so.
He hates the situation. He hates the fact that he doesn’t know what to do, what to say. He hates Kazuya’s tears and the fact that he doesn’t reveal more about himself.
He loves Kazuya’s existence though.
And this is something he can’t and doesn’t want to fight.
“Are you ok?” he finally speaks as he brings his finger to Kazuya’s cheek, brushing the teardrop away.
“I’m sorry, Jin…”
“Sorry? For what?” Jin is baffled.
“This shouldn’t have happened…” Kazuya replies, panting suddenly. “It’s the worst thing that could happen to you…”
“Ok, you know what? Enough. Spill it, what are you? What’s wrong with this place?”
“Promise me you won’t tell a thing to anyone. Otherwise I’m not telling.”
“I swear.”
Kazuya doesn’t speak immediately. He sits on the floor, stroking his scar. Jin imitates him, waiting patiently. Deep inside, he thinks he knows the answer already. He could be wrong, though.
When Kazuya finally decides to confess, his voice has that mysterious tone again. Jin gulps.
“I’m…cursed.”
Three words, three simple words that make Jin’s blood freeze in his veins. He stares in disbelief, struggling not to laugh. Why does it sound so funny? Why does it sound like a fairytale?
Then again, Kazuya himself looks as if he’s been come up from a fairytale, with such magical features.
“Cursed? What are you, a ghost?” Jin cracks a smile. He is dead worried inside though, especially because Kazuya looks more than serious. His eyes are filled with gloom.
“Something in between. I’m neither alive, nor dead. I’m cursed…to stay like this.”
“Ok, now I have freaked out.” Jin says in shock, moving closer to touch. “But I can feel you! You look perfectly fine! No one can tell you’re not alive!”
“Then take a look at this.” Kazuya replies, fishing a pin fallen a few meters away. He drives it in his finger, ignoring Jin’s yelps. He buries it as deep as he can, then pulls it out with as force as he has.
“Do you see any blood?” he asks, brining it close to Jin’s eyes, so he can have a better look.
Two whole minutes pass and Jin still hasn’t managed to make out even the tiniest drop of blood. He looks up to Kazuya, who smiles dejectedly.
“Do you believe me now?”
He nods before having the time to think about it. He takes Kazuya’s finger in his mouth, licking it in an attempt to detect the taste of blood. His efforts go to waste.
“It’s unbelievable…” he whispers. “How…”
“I can’t move on.” Kazuya voices out bluntly. “And all those people you saw…they’re the souls of the dead. They come to me either from Heaven or Hell to ask about their beloved ones, here, on Earth. That is my job. To inform them about the people they care about.”
“How is that possible?”
“I sneak into people’s eyes.” Kazuya continues. “That way, I can look at them and check how they are doing. I have to be careful though, because if I get distracted, their eyes will turn into mine…”
Everything sounds out of mind, but it’s the last statement that finally allows Jin to make a logical statement.
“You were inside my eyes too, right? I saw it when I looked at the mirror…”
“Mirrors are dangerous.” Kazuya admits. “I can’t fight them. People’s reflections make me weak. It’s like I’m splitting my strength in two. I can’t always control myself, so I prefer to leave the person before it turns to a mirror. You were an exception though. It was the first time I had lost control completely…”
“Because you can fall in love.” Jin nudges him. “You have feelings, like all human beings.”
“I can’t fall in love with you and you can’t either. Not with me. It’ll only bring you disaster…”
“I can’t battle with my own feeling and I don’t intend to so.” Jin suddenly pouts, rushing to close him in his embrace.” I’m…scared. More than you can imagine. But…”
Maybe it’s because he still has difficulty in digesting it. Maybe it’s because of the kiss. Maybe he has gotten drunk without liquor. Whatever the case, Jin acts like a spoiled brat and refuses to let go of Kame. He can’t explain why it feels like a vital need, but he knows that’s the way it is.
“You put your life in danger.” Kazuya warns him again. “You never know what happens once you meddle with those of the other side…”
“You’re not on the other side. You’re in the middle.”
“Jin…”
“I can’t explain it, Kazuya. I have fallen in love with something that can destroy me any time. But I can’t fight it…and I’m pretty sure we met each other for a reason.”
Though it’s obvious Kazuya shares the same feelings, his face only darkens more. The sweetness is gone from his features, giving its place to guilt.
“I just hope we won’t have to go through this…” he whispers. Jin doesn’t listen to him though. His eyes have rested on the violins on the left side of the store. There are indeed people standing there, playing.
“Are they…are they ghosts?” he asks hesitatingly. Kazuya follows his gaze to see what he’s talking about.
“Yes. They usually do that to help the souls of the people who have just died to move on more easily. See the blond girl sitting next to them? She’s the one that has to move on.”
Jin nodes, averting his gaze off the girl, who seems really unwilling to receive any help and just keeps playing with a pendant around her neck.
“I just want one chance. I know I can make things work out, Kazuya.” He pleads with a broken voice. “Even if you don’t want to, the thought of you won’t stop haunting my dreams. It’s the first time I’ve fallen so badly in love and ironically, I can tell it’s real.”
“Yeah, since you’re not afraid of me dying…” Kazuya taunts.
“Hey!”
“Only one.” Kazuya surrenders. “Only one, you hear me? If you or I screw up, it’s over.”
“Ok.” Jin smiles. “You’re the beginning of my new life, Kazuya. I just know something is changing from now on.”
He almost runs out of the shop, humming a joyful song that can’t reach Kazuya’s ears. Because the boy just can’t be happy.
“Your beginning and your end…” he whispers with sorrowful eyes. “I shouldn’t have fallen in love with you…”
part 2 here: http://chained-akame.livejournal.com/24398.html