Adrian made his way through the crowded streets, weaving between hurried pedestrians and the occasional umbrella that bumped against his own. The towering buildings of Shibuya loomed above him, their glass facades reflecting the grey skies and the colorful array of advertisements that lit up even in the dull afternoon light.
The mall was a sprawling structure, with multiple floors dedicated to everything from fashion to electronics. Adrian slipped inside, grateful for the warmth and the relative quiet compared to the bustling streets outside. The scent of fresh coffee and baked goods wafted from a nearby café, mingling with the crisp, clean smell of new clothes from the surrounding shops.
Adrian moved with purpose, his eyes scanning the various storefronts. He needed to stock up on some essentials, especially since trips to the city were rare for him. He made his way to a store that specialized in winter clothing, picking out a few items to help him through the colder days ahead. A thick, navy-blue scarf caught his eye, and he added it to his basket along with a pair of gloves and a new pair of socks.
Next, he headed to the electronics store. His phone was running low on storage, and he figured an external memory card might be a good investment. The store was bright and orderly, with rows of gadgets displayed under pristine glass cases. After a brief consultation with a salesperson, he selected a memory card that would give him plenty of space for whatever photos and files he might accumulate.
After gathering everything he needed from the mall, Adrian decided to stop by a convenience store before heading back to Nichitsu. The convenience store was small but well-stocked, with narrow aisles filled with snacks, drinks, and other everyday items. He picked up a couple of bottles of water and, after some deliberation, grabbed a few packs of Vermi's favorite cat treats. As he approached the counter, he also requested a phone credit top-up, which the cashier quickly processed for him.
The rain had lessened by the time Adrian left the store, but the sky remained overcast. He made his way back to the train station, his bags weighing slightly heavier with his purchases. The platform was relatively empty, and Adrian found a quiet spot to wait for his train, which would take him back to the quiet, isolated comfort of Nichitsu.
The train ride was uneventful, the rhythmic clattering of the wheels on the tracks lulling Adrian into a state of calm. By the time the train pulled into the small, nearly deserted station at Nichitsu, the day was already giving way to evening. He stepped off the train, the cold air biting at his cheeks as he began the walk back to Evergreen Manor.
Once inside, the familiar silence of the manor greeted him. He set down his bags, briefly sorting through them before pulling out the cat treats. Vermi was already at his feet, rubbing against his legs in anticipation.
"Alright, alright," Adrian muttered with a small smile, tearing open a packet of treats and placing them in Vermi's bowl. The cat immediately began eating, purring softly as Adrian watched.
He left Vermi to his meal and headed to his room, changing out of his city clothes and into something more comfortable—an oversized sweater and a pair of soft, worn-in pants. As he sat on the edge of his bed, he felt a wave of tiredness wash over him, but he knew he couldn't rest just yet. Yuuji was waiting.
Adrian grabbed the new scarf he'd bought, wrapping it around his neck as he prepared to leave again. The cold was sharper now that night had fallen, and the manor was even more foreboding in the dark. He took one last glance at Vermi, who was now lounging on the couch, content and well-fed, before stepping out into the night.
The walk to the old park was quiet, the only sound the crunch of snow underfoot and the occasional rustle of the wind through the barren trees. When he reached the park, the sight that greeted him was almost otherworldly.
Shirou stood under a lone streetlamp, the soft glow casting long shadows across the snow. His appearance was as ethereal as Adrian remembered, yet there was an air of melancholy about him that hadn't been there before. Shirou's long, white hair cascaded down his back like a waterfall of silk, glistening faintly in the dim light. His pale skin was almost luminescent, contrasting sharply with the intricate patterns of his robe, which was a blend of delicate whites and silvers, adorned with swirling floral designs that seemed to shift with every movement. His eyes, deep and dark, held a sadness that made Adrian's heart ache.
As Adrian approached, Shirou turned to face him, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. But it didn't reach his eyes.
"You came," Shirou said softly, his voice carrying on the cold night air.
Adrian nodded, his breath visible in the frigid air. "Of course, I did. What's going on, Shirou? You sounded... off."
Shirou's smile faded, replaced by a somber expression as he looked down at the snow-covered ground. "There's something you need to know, Adrian. Something I've kept from you for a long time."
Adrian felt a chill that had nothing to do with the weather. He stepped closer, his eyes searching Shirou's face for answers. "What are you talking about?"
Shirou took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly as they clutched the fabric of his robe. "It's about us, about what happened back then. I've been hiding the truth from you, and it's time you knew everything."
The gravity of Shirou's words hung in the air, and Adrian's mind raced with possibilities. What could Shirou be hiding? And why now, after all this time?
"Tell me," Adrian urged, his voice barely above a whisper.
Shirou looked up, meeting Adrian's gaze with a mix of fear and resolve. "You remember the night we got lost in that mall? There's something you don't know, something I've kept hidden for years..."
As Shirou began to speak, the memories of that night came rushing back to Adrian, but this time, they were tinged with an eerie sense of foreboding.