The train is as full as it can be, being this close to each other weirdly feels comforting.
Kaede's in front of me, basically already squishing me because of how tight it is. People are talking silently to each other and a soft laughter can be heard from the far corner of the train.
"Kaede," I called out in a silent voice. "What's your answer?"
Kaede still in a daze didn't reply to what I brought up.
"Kaede Yamato," I whispered, followed by a flick to his forehead.
"Oh sorry, what is it?" He replied in a soft voice.
...
"It's nothing."
Yesterday, Kaede wasn't as he normally was but today he seems cheerful again. We got inside the morning train and his mood suddenly changed.
Looking around, student couples are everywhere. Full of emotions.. they're full of love. Something both of us lack to feel normal.
"Hey, let's eat lunch.. Heyyy.. Hibiki!" Haru's loud voice yelled out in my ear. "Who are you even staring at?"
He looked in the direction that I was looking at and Kaede was there.
"You don't really stare at me like that you know," He said as he showed his annoyance by tapping my head.
"You don't have to yell, this isn't even your class," I replied while pinching his nose.
"Okay nevermind that, let's go have lunch," Haru took me by the hand and led me outside the room.
Haru always seems happy whenever he's around me, but I don't know why. I'm basically like a dull puppet with no emotions. But here he is going through the trouble of stuffing my face of food.
"Here!" He said as he stuffed my mouth with the third whole muffin.
"I wonder, how long has it been since we're in a relationship," I asked as I tried to swallow the remaining muffin in my mouth.
"I don't know either, which means it's been a while. Say Hibiki, when you smile at me like what you're doing right now, is it just acting or is it genuine?"
"Hmm.." I replied after I flicked his forehead. "You shouldn't be asking people personal questions suddenly like that but.."
"But?"
"I guess it's acting. I can't feel anything."
"I see.. I'm sorry about that," He said as he massaged my hand as he always does.
"Do you know why I fell for you Hibiki?" He asked me but I was much more fixated with the tall men coming to approach us.
The ones with bats are mumbling something to themselves while some of them are pointing a finger at Haru.
"Haru.. let's go. Don't look back."
⁰-⁰
I woke up to a weak body, hot and sweaty even though the window is wide open. I guess this time I dreamt of what happened last week.
He was about to say something important not for those people to come for him.
I got ready for school and got out a little earlier than when I usually go. And here I am, sitting at the end of the slide thinking about the past few weeks.
"Where is his room," A loud voice from behind the park's comfort room can be heard. Interest piqued, I quietly approached the voice. "We just have to.. talk. With him a little."
"Who knows what you will do to him," Another voice responded.
Thwack
"What the hell.."
"A punch in the face isn't enough? Now talk."
The second person seems to be trying to avoid this person but with each question asked and each punch it takes.
It didn't take long before he was forced to answer everything. Interestingly, all the questions were about people in our class.
I entered class early and left my bag on my desk. While running towards Haru's room, I can feel that that man, wasn't gonna be safe anytime soon.
"Haru?" I called out as I opened the door.
He was there, sitting at his desk listening to music. I approached him and stood in front of his desk.
"There are these people trying to find yo-"
"Haru?" Kaede called out as he entered the room. "Could you come with me for a second. Some people are waiting for you."
"Hibiki, you should come back to your room. Class is about to start. I'll just talk to these people that are looking for me," Haru told me as he walked towards the door.
I looked at him as he left in a hurry. I also looked at Kaede who is now standing outside the door.
It doesn't feel right but I let Haru leave. I unconsciously took his pen that is on his table and followed him outside, only to see him being surrounded by tall men while walking away.
"Haru?" I called out.
But all he did was look back at me and give me that usual smile. It didn't look like he seemed happy, it was as if he was already dead inside.
I looked back behind me to see Kaede still standing there, also looking at Haru with a worried look.
"Why are you here?"
"Well.. I was about to go inside the classroom when I saw you leave in a hurry. I followed you only to see.. those men outside the room."
"And?"
"They forced me to call Haru out," He responded to me while avoiding my gaze. Looking guilty about what he did.
I looked back towards the direction where Haru left.
"Don't worry, I know him. He'll be alright. He better.. Let's go to class."
⁰-⁰
Golden hours seem to have become common these days. Beautiful rays of light gleams inside the train as we sit here going back home.
Kaede, who is resting on my shoulder looks exhausted again. We barely even did anything today in class since it's the last day today. He didn't look very relaxed the whole day either. He must've felt uncomfortable with what happened this morning.
"Hibiki, what's that song you're always humming?" He suddenly asked.
"I'm sorry, did I wake you?" The rays of sunlight hit his face making him close his eyes again.
"No, it's fine."
I'm glad that it seemed to be helping him relax but even I.. don't feel very good right now too.
I tied my long hair in a messy bun and rested my head against his head.
I stopped humming and looked outside the train. Looking at the golden hued sky reminded me about Haru's unbreakable promise.
"When the Sakura trees bloom in full again, it's a reminder that we'll meet again under their pink colored leaves. If one day I break this promise..." That promise wasn't his first though.
It has been a few days since Haru's gone missing. His family, friends and I have done everything we could to try and reach out to him. I even tried to come to his apartment but to no avail.
He promised that we'll meet again no matter what.. under the Sakura trees. I'd only want to intentionally come see the Sakura trees for him.
⁰-⁰
A Sakura leaf touches my face as I stare into space.
Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, having a picnic like I do. But in my eyes, the world right now looks colorless, dull and.. dead.
A familiar scent suddenly came from behind. I looked back and Kaede was there, crouching behind me.
"Are you trying to scare me?" Kaede looked surprised but laughed it off.
"I wouldn't be able to anyway," He replied while laughing as he sat down beside me.
His child-like laugh never changed throughout the years.
"How did you find me?" I asked.
"You do know that you stand out from other people right? I was just walking around and saw you. Oh also, your hair is getting pretty long now," He said while he combed through my hair with his hands.
I made him a peanut butter sandwich in the meantime.
...
"So.. where's your boyfriend?" He asked after taking the sandwich I made.
"He's.. still missing," I looked into the distance. The birds just above us on a branch made a twitting sound.
I checked my phone again for any messages but there was nothing.
"Um, Kaede-"
"Oh, uh Kaede, is that you? and Hibiki too. I'm sorry if I'm interrupting," A girl in our school uniform approached us.
Silence filled the place, the girl. Waiting for an answer.
"I'm so sorry if I'm being rude right now but can I borrow Kaede just for a few minutes?" The girl asked while reaching out her hand to Kaede.
"It's fine," I responded softly.
Kaede, like a confused puppy, follows her as she holds his hands to lead him.
As they leave and fade into the distance, I caught a glimpse of her face. Looking as if she already knows the answer she'll get.
Looking back into the scenery that's seemingly painted by the gods, a soft cold breeze gently pushed back my hair.
"Another confession huh?"
A few minutes passed and Kaede, looking uncomfortable came back and sat down beside me, without saying anything.
"What happened?"
"It's nothing, just something important about school," He replied with a sigh.
"I see."