The critical mistake became known the moment the other’s enthusiasm vanished in the breadth of a moment. His heart rate accelerated, adrenaline increasing all the more at having been caught red handed. Error could not be afforded when it came to something of such high importance as this and yet strength had wavered and created a myriad of problems that, knowing Shintaro, would not be permitted to simply go away. How frustratingly irritating, though that had attracted the blond’s attention in the first place.
The extent of the NEET’s anger had never once been witnessed so when hands roughly gripped singed palms, the wash of overbearing agony that flooded his senses immediately caused the illusion to disappear entirely. Throbbing intensely, so much so that it took everything in him to continue breathing properly, it apparently made his body more easily manipulable as the older maneuvered their exhausted forms out of the hazardous fumes and into a better environment. While the air was still heavy with the heady aroma of smoke, it was immensely more healthy in comparison and finally allowed the two to suck in lungful after lungful of clean oxygen.
In Kano’s case, bearing with the constant pressure against sensitive flesh was more highly prioritize. As he was longer masquerading as another it was crucial that some semblance of control was held over his emotions, if only to lessen the dramatization that was sure to come. It was an intelligent move as he found himself subjected to the brunt of the other’s egotism, the heedless shouts of concern directed at him proving to be wasted words as nothing was capable of changing the prevaricator’s mindset.
It was truly impossible when this numbing pain was so very familiar.
A plethora of excuses, of relatively harmless white lies, could be formed without much difficulty. In this case though, the believed truth that’d fueled his actions was given instead. ”It’s only natural to want to save your family more than anyone else in the world. I tried so hard to give you that, but it looks like it only made you mad.” Feigning nonchalance despite the evident strain it took, the tone used was airy, unconcerned, containing but a trace of disappointment. It was directed at himself more than anything else for having been incapable of performing until the curtains closed, for allowing what lay beneath the mask to be disclosed for even the briefest of moments.
Something like that would not simply suffice it seemed, blistered flesh no sooner lifted in such a way that the severity of the burns could be seen. The belittling was received without complaint, gaze remaining level with that of the enraged young adult rather than waver or avert. Kano was more than aware of what the wound entailed and would not deny the accusations nor refute the anger that was so justly warranted. Mouth remained closed as silence prevailed, the lack of a verbal defense seemingly out of character since the blond always strove to keep the image of a man unable to dwell in quietude.
It was almost as though he was reflecting on his actions, and in a way he was. It was not regret for shielding the truth, but rather for causing unpleasant emotions to fester within Shintaro. If he had only concentrated more instead of letting relief dull the urgency to do so, this never would’ve come to pass. He’d made a mistake again. Amending it, fortunately, was something he was well versed in.
“Something like this isn’t important,” he began, treading lightly at first, the released hands purposely left upright as if to emphasize such. “I was able to do what you wanted me to without a problem, wasn’t I? If you’d known it only would’ve made things worse than they already were.” That was undeniably true as the elder would’ve been hesitant to risk the blond acquiring greater injury, and as a result they both would’ve met sure death.
“Something like this, it’s really nothing. I promise.”
Determined to prove so, perception was altered now that he was collected enough to do so. In place of a full body transformation did the burns seemingly vanish, smooth skin all that remained to the naked eye. “Good as new!” Tone distinctly chipper, the bright smile was a bold move as the other’s temper needed no additional incitement. To carelessly disregard the serious injuries as if they were nothing more than simple scrapes would cause further disagreement, but it was how he’d always lived.
A way in which to conceal well deserved marks had always been sought after as a child, and the Deceiving Eyes had given him the ability to do just that. Allowing the telling wounds to be noticed had only ever brought about confrontation, the misunderstandings causing undesired anguish to those most important. It was much less painful to deny something irrefutable, to smile through the pain and take the blame upon himself.
It was fitting as the source of the unhappiness, the reason for the misery of those around him, was always himself.
