Black Saint - Arc 2 - Chapitre 20
Title : Black Saint
Arc 2 - The Meaning Of That Happiness
Chapitre 20 - Hope
Author :
zeon_avalanthe
Rating : PG-13 (For languanges in some chapters)
Genre : AU ; Angst
Pairing : YamaJima ; NakaChii ; OkaYama ; more will come as the story evolves..
Disclaimer : Everyone knows that I don't own any of those boys, sadly..
Summary for Arc 2 : Another meeting, another parting.. When the heart was on the verge of breaking down completely, could he still find the true meaning of happiness ?
Author's Note : Please ignore my sucky summary like usual~ The second arc's name and main plot was actually inspired by Honey L Days' song, The Meaning Of That Happiness, which then I used as the title of this arc.. Hope you'll like it~
~~~Arc 2 - Chapitre 20 - Hope~~~
"Yuu-kun, what is this ?!"
The 7 years old boy jumped in surprise at the sudden shriek coming from behind him. He turned around and found Sister Sofia gaping at the paper he was working on before.
The little boy looked apologetic as he approached the older woman slowly.
"I was bored. I ran out of books to read, so I picked Ken-kun's things from his desk and try answering the questions on the paper." He looked down on his feet. "I'm so sorry for being naughty."
The woman just gasped as she took the boy by the arms without words and half-dragging the boy the the caretaker's office.
"Sister Maria ! Look at this !" She flailed as she showed a rather old-looking woman the paper. "Yuu-kun said he did these all !"
For a minute, the old woman focused her gaze at the paper before her eyes turned to Yuu's direction.
"Yuu-kun, was everything Sister Sofia just said true ?" The woman kneeled in front of the boy and asked softly.
Nodding his head, Yuu bit his lower lip in guilt. "I'm so sorry. I promise I won't steal Ken-kun's things again."
A look of surprise flashed for a moment on the kind woman's face before she turned it into a gentle smile. "Well, stealing is indeed a bad thing and you have to keep that promise of yours to never steal things again. Not only from Ken-kun, but also from other people, okay ?"
"Okay." He nodded his head softly.
"But both Sister Sofia and me was not angry by the fact that you stole, Yuu-kun. We are more interested in how you solved the problems here." The woman asked again.
"Uhm, I remember reading a book about it, so I thought that was it." Answered the little boy innocently.
"Don't you find university books a little bit too hard for you ?" The woman inquired.
"No. I love numbers so I found the book interesting !" He then grinned widely after knowing that the Sisters are not actually angry at him. "I just love books so I think I love every kind of books."
"I see." The woman nodded. "Yuu-kun, is it okay if I give you this kind of paper again next time ? With different questions from different subjects of course. So you will not only find numbers, but also many other things."
The boy nodded his head enthusiastically. From his one experience working on that paper, he just loved it. The challenge of answering things without peeking into the book, the interesting questions which never failed to amazed him, he just loved it.
"Of course, Sister. I'm excited to do it again."
***
"This boy is a genius."
Sister Maria fidgeted on her seat. She knew the man would have said that.
"But I still think that he's still a little kid."
"A 7 years old who managed to get a hundred in every test paper meant for university student." The man cut her off. "Admit it Sister, he's a genius."
"But there might be changes. Don't you think it's wise to wait for a little bit longer and watch how he's doing ?"
"Okay. We will wait for another year or two." The man nodded his head. "But I want to see this boy as soon as possible. Is that okay ?"
"Yes." She answered in a defeated tone. She'd hope the man would wait until at least the boy hit his puberty. To let the boy have times to enjoy his childhood like the other kids. She doesn't want the boy being confined to a place and forced to grow up faster. But she could bargain again later. For now, she is content in knowing that the man before her gave the boy a year or two to spend as a normal child.
***
"Is this the boy ?"
Sister Maria nodded as she gently ushered the boy to come out from behind her.
"Come on, Yuu-kun. Greet Kitagawa-san properly." She cooed him.
"Hello, Yuu-kun. I'm Kitagawa Johnny. Nice to meet you." The man smiled warmly and it erased the doubt and fear on the boy's heart completely as he finally moved himself from behind the security of Sister Maria's body and face the old man properly.
"I'm Yuu. Nice to meet you." He bowed politely which is answered by another smile by the man.
"I hope we can get along soon."
***
"Massu ! Massu, wake up !"
The bundle from under the blanket just grumbled and ignored the boy's hands on his body as he buried himself deeper into the bed.
"Massu !" The boy shook the sleeping boy's body harder. "Come on !"
"What is it, Yuu ?" The boy called Massu finally sat up from his position and stared at the younger boy sleepily.
"Listen, you remember the man from years ago ? Uhm, Kitagawa Johnny-san ?" The boy said in a hurry.
"Yeah. Why ?" Massu nodded while rubbing his eyes to rid of the sleepiness away.
"He came before, and told me that he'll be taking me to someplace tomorrow !" Yuu shrieked in panic. "What should I do, Massu ? I don't think I will ever meet that guy again. And with how he was asking me, and with Sister Maria's passiveness at it, it's as if he's going to adopt me !"
"It's good, right ? Means you're going to have a real family. Usually adults only wanted babies or toddlers, so consider yourself lucky." Massu told the boy and readied himself to return to sleep when Yuu shrieked again, tears forming on his eyes.
"But I don't want to be adopted ! It means I'm going to leave you guys behind !"
"Oh, Yuu. You know what ? Just sleep here tonight with me and we'll talk about it more in the morning." Massu shook his head as he pulled Yuu along with him and covered him with his blanket. "Worry not. I'm not going to let anything happen to you." Whispered the older boy before he drifted off.
***
"Kitagawa-san ? Where are we going ?" Ten years old Yuu asked carefully, afraid to offend the old man.
"Some place." The man smiled shortly before he returned his focus on the road.
"I-I can still come back, right ?" He looked up, eyes shining with hope and fear.
"Of course." The man nodded happily. "Let's just say that this place we're going to is some kind of a school. You have to go there everyday to study things. And by the end of the day, you will return to the orphanage. Of course there will be holidays too."
"Really ?" Yuu's eyes widened, sparkles coould be seen on the brown pairs. And when the man nodded his head once again, the little boy sighed in relief. "I'm glad. I thought that you will take me away from everyone." He muttered quietly.
A crisp laugh coming from the old man's mouth at the innocent statement.
"Of course not, Yuu-kun. In case you didn't know, I'm the founder and also owner of 'HOPE'. Now it wouldn't make sense for me to take you away from everyone else, would it ?"
***
"So, what did you do with Kitagawa-san ?"
Yuu grinned widely as he glomped Massu who is currently watching some random TV show happily.
"He took me to this place where there are lots of things I don't know. He said it was something like a school or the like. He told me that I have to learn everything from there since today and on. Just now, I was taught to operate this huge machine and it was soooo fun. Massu should come with us too sometimes." He giggled as Massu's hands start tickling his sides, a trick the older boy always used whenever he glomped at him a little bit too much. Leaning back, he grinned wider at the soft smile Massu gave at him.
"I don't know. Unlike you, I don't really like studying things, especially complicated things. And from the look of it, you have to go through many complicated things and I will be sure to hate it." The older boy pat his head as Yuu made a small pout. "But you tell me things you experienced there. I would like to hear those."
And when the smile return to the younger boy's face, Massu broke into a laugh.
***
Yuu couldn't helped but staring blankly at the man before him. It'd been four years since he was first introduced to the facility and now, this kind old man just blow the bomb for him.
"I don't understand. What are you talking about, Johnny-san ?"
A sigh erupted from the tired-looking old man's lips. He leaned on his chair and closed his eyes.
"As I've said, the reason you were invited here into this facility, was to be nurtured and educated to be my successor in the future. As you can see, there are other kids beside you as well. And you might recognized some of them. You, along with other kids in this facility are the kids I chose from 'HOPE' to learn about this truth. Some of them are a full-pledged adults already, the most possible candidate to replace me soon. But you, you are one of the brightest kid I've ever know. So I have no doubt, that when you're old enough, you will be the one who took this position." The man narrated softly, eyes opening in the middle of his speech.
"But-"
"But that would be years later. When you're all grown up and ready. I just thought that you need to know. Because, I don't know, I just thought so. It's an instinct, I suppose." The old man smiled kindly at him. "I know this is hard to you, but you have to know this, Yuu-kun. And please, keep our conversation a secret for the time being."
***
"Yuu ? Aren't you going to the facility ?"
Rolling to his side, the 14 years old boy just shook his head faintly. There's no way he could ever return to that place after knowing the ugly truth behind it, behind this whole place. Sighing, he made a small smile toward his closest friend.
"I'm feeling a little sick, Massu. Can you help me to tell the Sisters about this ?"
"Oh, okay then." The older boy nodded before rushing out of the room, shouting at the Sisters and got a scolding in return.
Yuu sighed as he pulled the blanket over his head. Closing his eyes tight, he could still hear Kitagawa's words resounding at the back of his mind. Feeling frustated, he then throw the blanket away, and trudged down from his bed and into the bathroom to wash up. A little over 5 minutes later, he returned to the room and quickly ran toward his closet to change. And as he's about to take off his sweatshirt, Massu came.
"Yuu ? What are you doing ? I thought you're not feeling good ?"
"Shh !" The boy shushed him to keep quiet, at the same time signaling him to come closer. "I lied." And when Massu widened his eyes in disbelief, he hushed him again. "I know it's not good to lie, but I'm really tired of everything, Massu. I just needed a break. Is that too much to ask ?"
Massu fell quiet as he saw the desperate boy who tried to suppres his tears in sympathy. Sighing, he then proceeded to help Yuu pick a shirt and asked, "So, where are we going today ?"
***
Laughing their hearts out, both Yuu and Massu tried to tell each other to stop as they walked closer to their orphanage. But when sound of panicked people rushing, and huge smoke staining the dark blue sky, the two of them quickly frowned and walk faster.
And what a surprise it was when the unbelievable sight came into view.
"What the- Sir ! Sir !" Massu ran over the nearest firefighter, Yuu towing behind him. "Sir, can you please tell us what happen ?"
The man looked at them with a frown. "And you are- ?"
"We're the occupants of this orphanage. Please, tell us what's going on."
In a flash of second, the man's face turned into that of symphathy.
"Boys, it's a good thing you went out. This-" He hesitated for a moment. "A bomb suddenly exploded from this place and one other place, which soon set a fire. We managed to put the fire down, but we still have no luck in finding any survivor. I'm so sorry boys." He gave them one last look before he turned his body around to leave.
"Wait !" Yuu called out, halting the man's steps in the process.
"Can you-" Swallowing the lump which is forming on his throat, Yuu pushed himself to continue. "Can you please tell me where the other place is ?"
"It's a few blocks away from here. A big research facility. It was a loss that those high-tech machines were all destroyed but, it was even a bigger loss to find no survivor from that place."
And as the man finally left, Yuu fell to the ground and cried. He could feel two warm hands wrapped around his small figure as he keep on crying.
***
Massu frowned as he stared at the stiff back of his bestfriend. After the unfortunate event which was happening to 'HOPE' orphanage, they were brought to different orphanage nearby. And when Massu felt a little uncomfortable into moving to a brand new place, Yuu had taken the biggest blow.
Ever since that day, he could no longer see the smiles and laughters which are usually a common traits of the younger boy. He had turned serious, and cold, and lonely. He's now someone Massu could not recognize. Never once did he talked back at him even when Massu tried to make a conversation between them. And it had hurt. Badly.
The older boy had thought Yuu as his very own younger brother, and held him dearly. He loved to see Yuu's happy face, and hated it when the boy was feeling down. He accepted all of his playfulness, and would hear to any of his random stories. And he didn't mind. Because he loved the boy from the depth of his heart. And it hurt when the one you care the most ignored you like this.
So when one day, exactly one month after the incident as Massu counted it, Yuu suddenly came to him and asked him to accompany the boy to some place, he couldn't bring himself to reject. He was starting to think that perhaps, the boy had decided to come over it and return to who he used to be.
But here he was, walking slightly behind him in a cruciating silence. The boy refused to talk, and won't answer his questions whenever he asked something. He didn't even know where the boy led him, but everytime he thought of leaving, he just couldn't.
When he's in his deep thought, Massu didn't realized that Yuu's journey had came to a stop. And he almost bumped into him if not for his quick response to stop himself before it happened. He looked up and see his surroundings. He never realized it that Yuu had brought him into a more deserted district since he was too engrossed in his thinking. And now, they stood before an old looking two-storey house.
"Come on." Yuu signaled him to follow the younger boy inside. Without even knocking, Yuu confidently wandered around the house and into the second floor. He walked forward to the end of the hallway, and start opening the door. From the firm look on his eyes, it's as if the house is his own.
As he followed suit and into the room, he was shocked to see many screens planted on the wall on one side of the room. While the rest of the corner of the room filled with machines he could not recognized. He could only watched in awe as Yuu walked into the single chair in front of the panel control and push a button which soon activated the system. He squinted his eyes as he watched each and every screen displayed different people from different places.
"Yuu, what is- ?"
"I found this place a couple of days ago. When I used the internet and hacked into the facility main system. The place might be destroyed, but the system did not."
For the first time in their life, this would be the very first time Yuu ever showed sign of adulthood, speaking in a calm and graceful manner like that.
"I don't understand." He shook his head.
"Me neither." Yuu sighed tiredly. "But Johnny-san expected me to succeed his crown."
"What crown ?"
Yuu turned around and looked at him in the eyes. And Massu could clearly see the tiredness and maturity showed in his.
"There is a world aside from the world we're in. A much more darker world than we could ever imagined. A world called the underworld." He closed his eyes for a moment before continuing. "It's a harsh world where people chased after each other in the name of death. Where people became heartless and killing is an everyday meal. And this said world, had just recently lost it's king."
And as Massu try to add one into one, a realization hit him and he gasped in surprise.
"Are you saying that you- That Kitagawa-san- That-"
"Yes, Massu." Yuu nodded his head. "Johnny-san was the previous king of this underworld. A shadow leader. A world won't stay as a world without a leader. So the first king, who also happened to be the founder of the underworld itself, created an existence who shall ruled all the resident of the underworld under his shadowy hands. An existence he called 'The Neverwhere'. "
Yuu stood from his seat and slowly approaching the older boy.
"It's called 'The Neverwhere' because it ruled the world from behind the scene. Assisting the confused resident into the right path. Creating rules that they cannot cross. From the residents' eyes, 'The Neverwhere' is like an independent informant who could feed them things they wanted to know, a helper who would bring them light when they're lost. And that belief had created trust from the residents. That by following 'The Neverwhere' would lead them into good. That by abiding to his rules would grant them success. And that was what the first king wished for. And from this, he felt content. But as days passed and the bright day turned gray, worry started to grew within him. Of what the underworld would be when he no longer lives."
A soft smile formed on Yuu's lips as he leaned on the wall and stared at the dark ceiling.
"That was when he decided to look for a successor. Someone who could succeed his beliefs. And in search for this person, he set a rule to his own self. 'To search for a bright and trustworthy individual, with a dark past which built his/her personality'. At first, I couldn't comprehend his way of thinking, but in times, I finally understand why."
"Why ?" Massu whispered carefully.
"Because from a dark past, you were forced to accept the situation you are in and live through it. Because from a dark past, you were forced with a harsh reality and face it. Because from a dark past, you were forced to see things in a different way. From a darker point of view." Yuu narrated sadly. "And it made you for who you are. Just like us."
Massu sighed in defeat as he too leaned back on the dirtied wall.
"So you're going to take the crown now ? If so, then what you are going to do ?"
"I want you to work with me, Massu. You're the only one I can trust and ever cared about. I can't afford to lose you." At the unsaid question hanging by the air, Yuya gave a small chuckle. "From the previous incident, I've come to a realization that being 'The Neverwhere' or even being unconsciously associated with it, is not a safe thing. For those who knew the real purpose of 'The Neverwhere', they drooled over the position, thinking that they could take over the underworld with it. That's why people chased after 'The Neverwhere' and tried to steal the crown. The last incident, was a prove that it had gone a little bit too extreme. And when I took over the crown and have 'The Neverwhere' returned to the surface, the attention would soon be focused on this existence all over again. And then both of us will soon be in a danger. That's why, keeping close with each other is safer."
"But I can't..." Massu shook his head, voice strained. "I don't want to be involved in this kind of conflict. Yuu, you knew how much I hated it. Ever since my parents died from a brutal conflict that we weren't even involved in, I've came to despise it. So I'm sorry, but I can't."
"I figure as much." Yuu sighed deeply. "I understand. And I respect your decision. But allow me to advise you, if you ever wanted to return to the society, you should change your identity over. It's the least thing to do to keep you safe, but I hope that would suffice."
"I will." Massu smile as he pat Yuu's head gently. "Thank you."
Yuu just smiled back while shaking his head softly. "Shall we go back ?"
Massu responded with a nod as both he and Yuu walked out of the room.
"Hey, Yuu." He called out as they reached the stairs.
"Hmm ?"
"I might won't be able to help you much in this battle of yours, but..." He bit his lower lips, hesitating the words he was about to say.
"But- ?" Yuu frowned.
Releasing a deep breath, Massu decided to just spill it. "But if you ever got tired with that kind of life, you know you can always come to me. I will always welcome you with open arms."
Yuu broke into a smile as his eyes shone with gratefulness. "Thank you." He said softly before he resumed his track out of the room.
The two of them walked back to the orphanage and start packing their things in silent agreement. And when midnight came, the two of them looked at each other, and nodded their heads in encouragement. Tonight, they will start a new life. As someone new.
"The moment we stepped out of this place, I will no longer be Tegoshi Yuya, and you will no longer be Masuda Takahisa. Are you ready for that, Massu ?" Yuu glanced back and saw Massu raised an eyebrow at him.
"Who is Massu ? I never knew that guy." Massu commented dryly. "From now on, call me Junichi."
A small laughter erupted from the younger boy's lips. "Where did that came from ? A TV drama ?"
Massu just shrugged it off. "I watched this amazing drama and found the character named Junichi cool. So..."
"I can't believe you." Yuu shook his head in disbelief. "Well, so just Junichi ?"
The older boy nodded his head in agreement. "Just Junichi."
"Well then, 'just Junichi', let's go." Yuu raised an arm, in which the older boy took confidently.
"Let's go."
And so the two boys left. Leaving their past behind them. Leaving their identity behind them. And into a future only time could tell.
~~~End of Arc 2 - Chapitre 20 - Hope~~~
I should've posted this yesterday, but for a reason, my internet was dying on me last night.. So...
Anyway, comments are appreciated everyone~ XD
Arc 2 - The Meaning Of That Happiness
Chapitre 20 - Hope
Author :
zeon_avalanthe
Rating : PG-13 (For languanges in some chapters)
Genre : AU ; Angst
Pairing : YamaJima ; NakaChii ; OkaYama ; more will come as the story evolves..
Disclaimer : Everyone knows that I don't own any of those boys, sadly..
Summary for Arc 2 : Another meeting, another parting.. When the heart was on the verge of breaking down completely, could he still find the true meaning of happiness ?
Author's Note : Please ignore my sucky summary like usual~ The second arc's name and main plot was actually inspired by Honey L Days' song, The Meaning Of That Happiness, which then I used as the title of this arc.. Hope you'll like it~
~~~Arc 2 - Chapitre 20 - Hope~~~
"Yuu-kun, what is this ?!"
The 7 years old boy jumped in surprise at the sudden shriek coming from behind him. He turned around and found Sister Sofia gaping at the paper he was working on before.
The little boy looked apologetic as he approached the older woman slowly.
"I was bored. I ran out of books to read, so I picked Ken-kun's things from his desk and try answering the questions on the paper." He looked down on his feet. "I'm so sorry for being naughty."
The woman just gasped as she took the boy by the arms without words and half-dragging the boy the the caretaker's office.
"Sister Maria ! Look at this !" She flailed as she showed a rather old-looking woman the paper. "Yuu-kun said he did these all !"
For a minute, the old woman focused her gaze at the paper before her eyes turned to Yuu's direction.
"Yuu-kun, was everything Sister Sofia just said true ?" The woman kneeled in front of the boy and asked softly.
Nodding his head, Yuu bit his lower lip in guilt. "I'm so sorry. I promise I won't steal Ken-kun's things again."
A look of surprise flashed for a moment on the kind woman's face before she turned it into a gentle smile. "Well, stealing is indeed a bad thing and you have to keep that promise of yours to never steal things again. Not only from Ken-kun, but also from other people, okay ?"
"Okay." He nodded his head softly.
"But both Sister Sofia and me was not angry by the fact that you stole, Yuu-kun. We are more interested in how you solved the problems here." The woman asked again.
"Uhm, I remember reading a book about it, so I thought that was it." Answered the little boy innocently.
"Don't you find university books a little bit too hard for you ?" The woman inquired.
"No. I love numbers so I found the book interesting !" He then grinned widely after knowing that the Sisters are not actually angry at him. "I just love books so I think I love every kind of books."
"I see." The woman nodded. "Yuu-kun, is it okay if I give you this kind of paper again next time ? With different questions from different subjects of course. So you will not only find numbers, but also many other things."
The boy nodded his head enthusiastically. From his one experience working on that paper, he just loved it. The challenge of answering things without peeking into the book, the interesting questions which never failed to amazed him, he just loved it.
"Of course, Sister. I'm excited to do it again."
***
"This boy is a genius."
Sister Maria fidgeted on her seat. She knew the man would have said that.
"But I still think that he's still a little kid."
"A 7 years old who managed to get a hundred in every test paper meant for university student." The man cut her off. "Admit it Sister, he's a genius."
"But there might be changes. Don't you think it's wise to wait for a little bit longer and watch how he's doing ?"
"Okay. We will wait for another year or two." The man nodded his head. "But I want to see this boy as soon as possible. Is that okay ?"
"Yes." She answered in a defeated tone. She'd hope the man would wait until at least the boy hit his puberty. To let the boy have times to enjoy his childhood like the other kids. She doesn't want the boy being confined to a place and forced to grow up faster. But she could bargain again later. For now, she is content in knowing that the man before her gave the boy a year or two to spend as a normal child.
***
"Is this the boy ?"
Sister Maria nodded as she gently ushered the boy to come out from behind her.
"Come on, Yuu-kun. Greet Kitagawa-san properly." She cooed him.
"Hello, Yuu-kun. I'm Kitagawa Johnny. Nice to meet you." The man smiled warmly and it erased the doubt and fear on the boy's heart completely as he finally moved himself from behind the security of Sister Maria's body and face the old man properly.
"I'm Yuu. Nice to meet you." He bowed politely which is answered by another smile by the man.
"I hope we can get along soon."
***
"Massu ! Massu, wake up !"
The bundle from under the blanket just grumbled and ignored the boy's hands on his body as he buried himself deeper into the bed.
"Massu !" The boy shook the sleeping boy's body harder. "Come on !"
"What is it, Yuu ?" The boy called Massu finally sat up from his position and stared at the younger boy sleepily.
"Listen, you remember the man from years ago ? Uhm, Kitagawa Johnny-san ?" The boy said in a hurry.
"Yeah. Why ?" Massu nodded while rubbing his eyes to rid of the sleepiness away.
"He came before, and told me that he'll be taking me to someplace tomorrow !" Yuu shrieked in panic. "What should I do, Massu ? I don't think I will ever meet that guy again. And with how he was asking me, and with Sister Maria's passiveness at it, it's as if he's going to adopt me !"
"It's good, right ? Means you're going to have a real family. Usually adults only wanted babies or toddlers, so consider yourself lucky." Massu told the boy and readied himself to return to sleep when Yuu shrieked again, tears forming on his eyes.
"But I don't want to be adopted ! It means I'm going to leave you guys behind !"
"Oh, Yuu. You know what ? Just sleep here tonight with me and we'll talk about it more in the morning." Massu shook his head as he pulled Yuu along with him and covered him with his blanket. "Worry not. I'm not going to let anything happen to you." Whispered the older boy before he drifted off.
***
"Kitagawa-san ? Where are we going ?" Ten years old Yuu asked carefully, afraid to offend the old man.
"Some place." The man smiled shortly before he returned his focus on the road.
"I-I can still come back, right ?" He looked up, eyes shining with hope and fear.
"Of course." The man nodded happily. "Let's just say that this place we're going to is some kind of a school. You have to go there everyday to study things. And by the end of the day, you will return to the orphanage. Of course there will be holidays too."
"Really ?" Yuu's eyes widened, sparkles coould be seen on the brown pairs. And when the man nodded his head once again, the little boy sighed in relief. "I'm glad. I thought that you will take me away from everyone." He muttered quietly.
A crisp laugh coming from the old man's mouth at the innocent statement.
"Of course not, Yuu-kun. In case you didn't know, I'm the founder and also owner of 'HOPE'. Now it wouldn't make sense for me to take you away from everyone else, would it ?"
***
"So, what did you do with Kitagawa-san ?"
Yuu grinned widely as he glomped Massu who is currently watching some random TV show happily.
"He took me to this place where there are lots of things I don't know. He said it was something like a school or the like. He told me that I have to learn everything from there since today and on. Just now, I was taught to operate this huge machine and it was soooo fun. Massu should come with us too sometimes." He giggled as Massu's hands start tickling his sides, a trick the older boy always used whenever he glomped at him a little bit too much. Leaning back, he grinned wider at the soft smile Massu gave at him.
"I don't know. Unlike you, I don't really like studying things, especially complicated things. And from the look of it, you have to go through many complicated things and I will be sure to hate it." The older boy pat his head as Yuu made a small pout. "But you tell me things you experienced there. I would like to hear those."
And when the smile return to the younger boy's face, Massu broke into a laugh.
***
Yuu couldn't helped but staring blankly at the man before him. It'd been four years since he was first introduced to the facility and now, this kind old man just blow the bomb for him.
"I don't understand. What are you talking about, Johnny-san ?"
A sigh erupted from the tired-looking old man's lips. He leaned on his chair and closed his eyes.
"As I've said, the reason you were invited here into this facility, was to be nurtured and educated to be my successor in the future. As you can see, there are other kids beside you as well. And you might recognized some of them. You, along with other kids in this facility are the kids I chose from 'HOPE' to learn about this truth. Some of them are a full-pledged adults already, the most possible candidate to replace me soon. But you, you are one of the brightest kid I've ever know. So I have no doubt, that when you're old enough, you will be the one who took this position." The man narrated softly, eyes opening in the middle of his speech.
"But-"
"But that would be years later. When you're all grown up and ready. I just thought that you need to know. Because, I don't know, I just thought so. It's an instinct, I suppose." The old man smiled kindly at him. "I know this is hard to you, but you have to know this, Yuu-kun. And please, keep our conversation a secret for the time being."
***
"Yuu ? Aren't you going to the facility ?"
Rolling to his side, the 14 years old boy just shook his head faintly. There's no way he could ever return to that place after knowing the ugly truth behind it, behind this whole place. Sighing, he made a small smile toward his closest friend.
"I'm feeling a little sick, Massu. Can you help me to tell the Sisters about this ?"
"Oh, okay then." The older boy nodded before rushing out of the room, shouting at the Sisters and got a scolding in return.
Yuu sighed as he pulled the blanket over his head. Closing his eyes tight, he could still hear Kitagawa's words resounding at the back of his mind. Feeling frustated, he then throw the blanket away, and trudged down from his bed and into the bathroom to wash up. A little over 5 minutes later, he returned to the room and quickly ran toward his closet to change. And as he's about to take off his sweatshirt, Massu came.
"Yuu ? What are you doing ? I thought you're not feeling good ?"
"Shh !" The boy shushed him to keep quiet, at the same time signaling him to come closer. "I lied." And when Massu widened his eyes in disbelief, he hushed him again. "I know it's not good to lie, but I'm really tired of everything, Massu. I just needed a break. Is that too much to ask ?"
Massu fell quiet as he saw the desperate boy who tried to suppres his tears in sympathy. Sighing, he then proceeded to help Yuu pick a shirt and asked, "So, where are we going today ?"
***
Laughing their hearts out, both Yuu and Massu tried to tell each other to stop as they walked closer to their orphanage. But when sound of panicked people rushing, and huge smoke staining the dark blue sky, the two of them quickly frowned and walk faster.
And what a surprise it was when the unbelievable sight came into view.
"What the- Sir ! Sir !" Massu ran over the nearest firefighter, Yuu towing behind him. "Sir, can you please tell us what happen ?"
The man looked at them with a frown. "And you are- ?"
"We're the occupants of this orphanage. Please, tell us what's going on."
In a flash of second, the man's face turned into that of symphathy.
"Boys, it's a good thing you went out. This-" He hesitated for a moment. "A bomb suddenly exploded from this place and one other place, which soon set a fire. We managed to put the fire down, but we still have no luck in finding any survivor. I'm so sorry boys." He gave them one last look before he turned his body around to leave.
"Wait !" Yuu called out, halting the man's steps in the process.
"Can you-" Swallowing the lump which is forming on his throat, Yuu pushed himself to continue. "Can you please tell me where the other place is ?"
"It's a few blocks away from here. A big research facility. It was a loss that those high-tech machines were all destroyed but, it was even a bigger loss to find no survivor from that place."
And as the man finally left, Yuu fell to the ground and cried. He could feel two warm hands wrapped around his small figure as he keep on crying.
***
Massu frowned as he stared at the stiff back of his bestfriend. After the unfortunate event which was happening to 'HOPE' orphanage, they were brought to different orphanage nearby. And when Massu felt a little uncomfortable into moving to a brand new place, Yuu had taken the biggest blow.
Ever since that day, he could no longer see the smiles and laughters which are usually a common traits of the younger boy. He had turned serious, and cold, and lonely. He's now someone Massu could not recognize. Never once did he talked back at him even when Massu tried to make a conversation between them. And it had hurt. Badly.
The older boy had thought Yuu as his very own younger brother, and held him dearly. He loved to see Yuu's happy face, and hated it when the boy was feeling down. He accepted all of his playfulness, and would hear to any of his random stories. And he didn't mind. Because he loved the boy from the depth of his heart. And it hurt when the one you care the most ignored you like this.
So when one day, exactly one month after the incident as Massu counted it, Yuu suddenly came to him and asked him to accompany the boy to some place, he couldn't bring himself to reject. He was starting to think that perhaps, the boy had decided to come over it and return to who he used to be.
But here he was, walking slightly behind him in a cruciating silence. The boy refused to talk, and won't answer his questions whenever he asked something. He didn't even know where the boy led him, but everytime he thought of leaving, he just couldn't.
When he's in his deep thought, Massu didn't realized that Yuu's journey had came to a stop. And he almost bumped into him if not for his quick response to stop himself before it happened. He looked up and see his surroundings. He never realized it that Yuu had brought him into a more deserted district since he was too engrossed in his thinking. And now, they stood before an old looking two-storey house.
"Come on." Yuu signaled him to follow the younger boy inside. Without even knocking, Yuu confidently wandered around the house and into the second floor. He walked forward to the end of the hallway, and start opening the door. From the firm look on his eyes, it's as if the house is his own.
As he followed suit and into the room, he was shocked to see many screens planted on the wall on one side of the room. While the rest of the corner of the room filled with machines he could not recognized. He could only watched in awe as Yuu walked into the single chair in front of the panel control and push a button which soon activated the system. He squinted his eyes as he watched each and every screen displayed different people from different places.
"Yuu, what is- ?"
"I found this place a couple of days ago. When I used the internet and hacked into the facility main system. The place might be destroyed, but the system did not."
For the first time in their life, this would be the very first time Yuu ever showed sign of adulthood, speaking in a calm and graceful manner like that.
"I don't understand." He shook his head.
"Me neither." Yuu sighed tiredly. "But Johnny-san expected me to succeed his crown."
"What crown ?"
Yuu turned around and looked at him in the eyes. And Massu could clearly see the tiredness and maturity showed in his.
"There is a world aside from the world we're in. A much more darker world than we could ever imagined. A world called the underworld." He closed his eyes for a moment before continuing. "It's a harsh world where people chased after each other in the name of death. Where people became heartless and killing is an everyday meal. And this said world, had just recently lost it's king."
And as Massu try to add one into one, a realization hit him and he gasped in surprise.
"Are you saying that you- That Kitagawa-san- That-"
"Yes, Massu." Yuu nodded his head. "Johnny-san was the previous king of this underworld. A shadow leader. A world won't stay as a world without a leader. So the first king, who also happened to be the founder of the underworld itself, created an existence who shall ruled all the resident of the underworld under his shadowy hands. An existence he called 'The Neverwhere'. "
Yuu stood from his seat and slowly approaching the older boy.
"It's called 'The Neverwhere' because it ruled the world from behind the scene. Assisting the confused resident into the right path. Creating rules that they cannot cross. From the residents' eyes, 'The Neverwhere' is like an independent informant who could feed them things they wanted to know, a helper who would bring them light when they're lost. And that belief had created trust from the residents. That by following 'The Neverwhere' would lead them into good. That by abiding to his rules would grant them success. And that was what the first king wished for. And from this, he felt content. But as days passed and the bright day turned gray, worry started to grew within him. Of what the underworld would be when he no longer lives."
A soft smile formed on Yuu's lips as he leaned on the wall and stared at the dark ceiling.
"That was when he decided to look for a successor. Someone who could succeed his beliefs. And in search for this person, he set a rule to his own self. 'To search for a bright and trustworthy individual, with a dark past which built his/her personality'. At first, I couldn't comprehend his way of thinking, but in times, I finally understand why."
"Why ?" Massu whispered carefully.
"Because from a dark past, you were forced to accept the situation you are in and live through it. Because from a dark past, you were forced with a harsh reality and face it. Because from a dark past, you were forced to see things in a different way. From a darker point of view." Yuu narrated sadly. "And it made you for who you are. Just like us."
Massu sighed in defeat as he too leaned back on the dirtied wall.
"So you're going to take the crown now ? If so, then what you are going to do ?"
"I want you to work with me, Massu. You're the only one I can trust and ever cared about. I can't afford to lose you." At the unsaid question hanging by the air, Yuya gave a small chuckle. "From the previous incident, I've come to a realization that being 'The Neverwhere' or even being unconsciously associated with it, is not a safe thing. For those who knew the real purpose of 'The Neverwhere', they drooled over the position, thinking that they could take over the underworld with it. That's why people chased after 'The Neverwhere' and tried to steal the crown. The last incident, was a prove that it had gone a little bit too extreme. And when I took over the crown and have 'The Neverwhere' returned to the surface, the attention would soon be focused on this existence all over again. And then both of us will soon be in a danger. That's why, keeping close with each other is safer."
"But I can't..." Massu shook his head, voice strained. "I don't want to be involved in this kind of conflict. Yuu, you knew how much I hated it. Ever since my parents died from a brutal conflict that we weren't even involved in, I've came to despise it. So I'm sorry, but I can't."
"I figure as much." Yuu sighed deeply. "I understand. And I respect your decision. But allow me to advise you, if you ever wanted to return to the society, you should change your identity over. It's the least thing to do to keep you safe, but I hope that would suffice."
"I will." Massu smile as he pat Yuu's head gently. "Thank you."
Yuu just smiled back while shaking his head softly. "Shall we go back ?"
Massu responded with a nod as both he and Yuu walked out of the room.
"Hey, Yuu." He called out as they reached the stairs.
"Hmm ?"
"I might won't be able to help you much in this battle of yours, but..." He bit his lower lips, hesitating the words he was about to say.
"But- ?" Yuu frowned.
Releasing a deep breath, Massu decided to just spill it. "But if you ever got tired with that kind of life, you know you can always come to me. I will always welcome you with open arms."
Yuu broke into a smile as his eyes shone with gratefulness. "Thank you." He said softly before he resumed his track out of the room.
The two of them walked back to the orphanage and start packing their things in silent agreement. And when midnight came, the two of them looked at each other, and nodded their heads in encouragement. Tonight, they will start a new life. As someone new.
"The moment we stepped out of this place, I will no longer be Tegoshi Yuya, and you will no longer be Masuda Takahisa. Are you ready for that, Massu ?" Yuu glanced back and saw Massu raised an eyebrow at him.
"Who is Massu ? I never knew that guy." Massu commented dryly. "From now on, call me Junichi."
A small laughter erupted from the younger boy's lips. "Where did that came from ? A TV drama ?"
Massu just shrugged it off. "I watched this amazing drama and found the character named Junichi cool. So..."
"I can't believe you." Yuu shook his head in disbelief. "Well, so just Junichi ?"
The older boy nodded his head in agreement. "Just Junichi."
"Well then, 'just Junichi', let's go." Yuu raised an arm, in which the older boy took confidently.
"Let's go."
And so the two boys left. Leaving their past behind them. Leaving their identity behind them. And into a future only time could tell.
~~~End of Arc 2 - Chapitre 20 - Hope~~~
I should've posted this yesterday, but for a reason, my internet was dying on me last night.. So...
Anyway, comments are appreciated everyone~ XD