𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐠𝐨, 𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐬. a him that had died long ago once held the keys to every little hidey-hole in yumenosaki. he, too, had longed to sequester himself away at any chance grown tired of being chased down by the throng of peers, children, even elders who looked to him for guidance. intent on becoming a self-made pariah, unwilling to be seen as the face of wisdom. the demon hadn’t missed it once since sacrificing his role as top dog. though, he did still wish for some of these perks. these days, finding a place to hide, even outside of yumenosaki, seemed impossible … the security of a quiet, dark room was all he could ask.
even when he had discovered he was not the only one who could sneak away, that had not discouraged him. in the least, the unwelcome guest ( or was he perhaps the unwelcome one ? ) did not chase him for anything beyond company. did not chase him at all, seeming far more concerned with running away than he was with clinging at rei’s side. it was invigorating. perhaps it was the thrill of the hunt, the chase ? as strongly as he opposed being seen as a figurehead, he found himself nearly wishing that ayase-kun would look upon him more, call his name more, depend on him more …
❝ ayase-kun, were you lonely ? ❞ sing-song, his voice fills the room with that low, sweet timbre. small box of cards is waved in his hand, a greeting, as tall body begins to slide into the room. the vampire and its shadow sidle along the wall, the barest reaction to such scant light. silent footsteps give him he illusion of a ghost, but that is hardly his territory, is it ? leave that honor to the other. ❝ i knew you would still be awake. won’t you entertain this ancient creature ? i wish to join you, perhaps we can play a game. ❞
never in his life will he ever know peace from the various rumours that spread of the sakuma brothers. their terrible misdeeds are no secret to the rest of the school and the rest of the world, or so if feels, for he’s spent most of every waking and sleeping hour holed up in this rooms and his vents that it’s all he can remember. what else he knows of his childhood, he pushes far down into the depths of his mind, knowing that they will haunt him if he lingers on them for too long.
right now, he only wants what simple solace he can get from rei. he is a calm person, or so he has observed, one whose presence washes over everyone like the weight of a heavy blanket. at first, mayoi had thought it suffocating and damning, not one to prefer being around those who had the power to suck the very truths out of the room. but they have since spoken : though frequently, it has never been for long, before mayoi would scurry back to the vents and hide himself again. but he’s found rei to be far more sustainable to have around than he’d ever realised. rei wasn’t mean, wasn’t as wild as he had once thought. wasn’t one to grasp some flaw of mayoi’s and tug.
❝ i wasn’t lonely, ❞ he says softly, as though admitting such a thing would put the onus on rei to stay for long. it’s the last thing he wants. he adjusts himself, pulling a knee up and curling in around it, in practice to make himself appear as small as he can. ❝ but i appreciate the company … you’re welcome to join me if that’s really what you want. ❞
