In the dimming twilight of a desolate park, a young Ayato Akiyama, scarcely more than a wisp of a boy, swung alone on a rusty swing. His legs barely reached the ground, the swing's chains creaking in protest with each push.
The memory of countless bruises and aching bones was etched into his past, a testament to the harsh realities he had known. But on this evening, as the sun dipped beneath the horizon, a change was set in motion that would forever alter the course of his solitude.
A breeze stirred the air, carrying with it the tinkling sound of laughter. Ayato's gaze lifted, his young eyes widening slightly as a vision materialized before him. A girl, with silver hair that gleamed like strands of moonlight, skipped into the park. Her eyes, a vibrant shade of crimson, held an undeniable spark of curiosity and warmth.
"Hi there!" she chimed, her voice a melody that danced through the air.
Ayato blinked, caught off-guard by the sudden intrusion. He hesitated for a moment before offering a tentative nod.
"Hey," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of surprise.
The girl's smile widened, radiating an infectious enthusiasm. "My name's Hoshino Agawa. What's yours?"
"Ayato," he replied, his tone cautious but tinged with curiosity.
Hoshino's silver hair caught the dying light, creating an ethereal halo around her. "Ayato, let's be friends!"
Ayato's guarded exterior showed the first signs of cracking. A friend? It was a concept he had scarcely dared to entertain.
"Friends?" he echoed softly, the word feeling foreign yet oddly comforting.
"Yeah!" Hoshino beamed, her eyes alight with determination. "Friends play together, right?"
He nodded slowly, a tiny smile forming on his lips, like the first rays of dawn breaking through the darkness. "Yeah, I guess they do."
And so, as the sun dipped lower and the world around them faded into the embrace of night, Ayato and Hoshino embarked on an adventure of innocence. Their laughter echoed through the empty park, a stark contrast to the solitude that had once defined Ayato's existence.
"Look, Ayato! I can swing really high!" Hoshino exclaimed, pumping her legs to soar through the air. Her silver hair trailed behind her like a comet's tail.
Ayato's laughter mingled with hers as he pushed his swing higher, the chains creaking in protest. "I can go higher!"
Their voices merged in a symphony of shared joy, a melody that drowned out the memories of bruises and pain. In that fleeting moment, Ayato's world was filled with the promise of companionship, a beacon of light that dispelled the shadows of his past
.
As the stars blinked into existence overhead, casting a shimmering tapestry across the night sky, Ayato's guard faltered when Hoshino's innocent curiosity broke through his defenses.
"Hey, Ayato," Hoshino's voice carried a gentle concern, "why do you have those bruises?"
Ayato hesitated, his mind racing for an explanation that would shield his past. "Oh, um, I'm... my name's not Ayato. I'm Kaito," he mumbled, his gaze shifting to the ground.
Hoshino's brow furrowed in confusion. "Kaito? But you told me your name was Ayato..."
Ayato offered a sheepish smile, his fingers tracing patterns in the dirt. "Yeah, I did, didn't I? I guess I just thought it sounded cool to have a different name."
Hoshino's curiosity seemed momentarily satisfied as she accepted his explanation with a nod. "Alright, Kaito! Let's keep playing!"
As their laughter rang through the park once more, Ayato clung to his fabricated identity, a shield against the painful memories he yearned to keep hidden. In the midst of their innocent camaraderie, a fragile bond formed—a connection between two young souls, each carrying their own secrets and hopes for a brighter future.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Ayato and Hoshino's laughter continued to fill the park, their games and adventures becoming a cherished routine. Yet, just as swiftly as their friendship had bloomed, a shadow fell across their moments of joy.
...It all came to a sudden end when Ayatos family had to move cities so he never got the chance to return to that park. (A/N: sniff sniff im runnin outa tissues...)
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Ayato pov:
After the entrance ceremony, the courtyard buzzed with the energy of a new day, students milling about with a sense of purpose. I navigated through the crowd, the ebb and flow of voices blending into a distant hum. Beside me, Kazuya Ishigami sauntered with his characteristic nonchalance, his grin ever-present.
"Hey, Aa-chan," Kazuya's voice interrupted my thoughts.
"There's an art exhibition at the city museum this weekend. I heard they've got some incredible pieces on display. You in?"
My eyebrows lifted slightly, surprise momentarily flickering in my eyes. "An art exhibition? You're into that stuff now?"
Kazuya shrugged, his grin widening. "Yeah, why not? I've been trying to broaden my horizons. Plus, I thought it might be cool to check out some art with a buddy."
My lips quirked into a half-smile, my skepticism veiled by amusement. "You? Broadening your horizons? I never thought I'd see the day."
Kazuya chuckled, playfully nudging me. "Hey, I can surprise you sometimes."
Little did Kazuya know that my connection to art ran far deeper than he could imagine. Morpheus, the enigmatic artist known for his masterpieces, was my alter ego—an artistic persona shrouded in secrecy.
The morning sun cast long shadows as Kazuya and I navigated the corridors, our steps leading us to the heart of the art institute. The bustling crowd of students gave way to a sense of purposeful calm as we approached our respective classrooms.
My heart quickened as I entered the room, my gaze instinctively seeking out a familiar figure. There, among the sea of students, stood Hoshino Agawa, her presence an ethereal reminder of a past I had cherished. I observed her from a distance, my gaze tracing the delicate curve of her profile.
Our eyes met for a fleeting moment, a brief exchange that held no recognition. Hoshino's gaze lingered on me for an instant, but then she turned away, her attention drawn elsewhere.
My heart wavered between disappointment and relief. I hadn't expected Hoshino to recognize me, but a part of me had hoped for a glimmer of familiarity. As the bell rang, signaling the start of the day's classes, my gaze remained fixed on Hoshino, a silent promise echoing in my heart.
Whispers floated through the air like delicate petals on the wind. Boys and girls alike exchanged hushed words, their voices filled with awe and admiration.
"Have you seen Hoshino Agawa? She's like a living work of art."
"I heard she's from an influential family. She's practically a princess."
Kazuya's eyes sparkled with mischief, his voice a playful whisper. "Man, Aa-chan, did you hear? The whole school's buzzing about Hoshino."
I rolled my eyes, my lips curving into a half-smile. "Yeah, I've noticed."
Kazuya let out an exaggerated sigh, his hand theatrically pressed against his forehead. "Oh, fair Hoshino, the muse of our dreams! Will you ever cast your icy gaze upon us mere mortals?"
My expression remained unchanged, my cool demeanor unfazed by Kazuya's antics. "You watch too much TV, Kazuya."
Kazuya's devilish grin tugged at his lips as he leaned in toward me. "Hey, Aa-chan, did you hear? Seems like Hoshino's family is even giving the almighty Kirishima Corp a run for their money."
My outward demeanor remained composed, my eyes narrowing slightly as I absorbed the information. A subtle pull of my heartbeat, an almost imperceptible change, betrayed a deeper reaction beneath my cool exterior. The Kirishima name held a significance that resonated within me, though I concealed it with practiced ease.
Noticing my seemingly unchanged expression, Kazuya exclaimed, "Come on, Aa-chan, live a little! Embrace the drama!"
My lips quirked into a wry smile, my gaze briefly flickering toward Hoshino before returning to Kazuya. "I'm fine just observing from a distance."
Kazuya playfully nudged me. "Sure, sure. Just remember, keep staring like that, and you'll be the star of your very own romance drama."
My amusement deepened, a genuine subtle smile painted my lips. "You've got quite the imagination."
As the banter continued, my gaze inadvertently drifted toward Hoshino once more. Her cool demeanor and graceful presence seemed untouched by the attention she garnered. My heart stirred, a mixture of curiosity and something deeper, like a distant echo of a memory.
But just as I was about to begin another monologue in my head, the sound of classes starting filled the air, accompanied by the entrance of the teacher. Politely, I took my seat at the back of the class beside the window, the outside world serving as a temporary escape from the enigma of Hoshino and the echoes of my past. (A/N: kukuku the protagonist seat!…..…i had to use my privilege)
And so, as the teacher's voice began to fill the room, I settled.