[Task☆Eight] The Only Thing I Have Left To Guide Me | Open
To think that this awkwardness had probably been mutual for a while… who could guess a simple apology was all that had been required all this time? Just a tiny bit of understanding and some sincerity. Still, hearing Akihito say that takes weight off his mind and heart. He hadn’t realized how nervous he was until some of the ensuing silence gave him the opportunity to hear his own heart beating like crazy. In fact, as soon as Akihito said the words ‘apology accepted’ almost without him realizing, Kiyoyuki heaved a huge sigh of relief. And it really was. A relief. Thank god.
“You were wrong but I can’t say I was blameless. I probably… I mean, we probably just rubbed each other the wrong way and brought out the worst stuff. It’s. Water under the bridge. But I… really have to say… I’m, um… I’m so glad.. I’m so glad we can talk like this and be friends… really so glad.”
His eyes sting a little and he turns them to the floor. God, he’s not going to cry over this, is he? Why does this mean so much? Maybe it’s proof. Proof of something better, proof he’s something better. It makes his mind wander sometimes, too. To Tetsuo. It often goes to Tetsuo. He never really lets the dead escape his mind. Tetsuo had been kind of close to both him and Akihito. Had he ever wished they’d gotten along? Had he known about the drama at all? Would he be happy now? Maybe he would. He hoped so. All you could do was hope these days. But maybe that was enough.
“P-play… games? Really? I’d… I’d love to! Geez that’d… that’d sure be surreal, you’re right!”
Imagining it is a weird thing. But he blinks as Akihito’s voice seems to change a little. Oh. This was serious. If it was serious then the seiyuu would respect that and treat it seriously too. It was about… Kyo? To be honest, Kiyoyuki was still a little confused over that. It’d happened so quickly, it seemed so surreal, so out of this world and yet… it was hard to deny it as the truth. Hopefully he was just somewhere happier. Better.
“… You mean Otonomiya-san, right? … Are you sure? I mean… yeah. I know his voice and I can do it but…”
Will that make Akihito more upset? After they’d come this far and they’d finally made amends would things crumble again if he heard his friend’s voice? … No. That wasn’t the case. This Akihito was different right? He was stronger. And Kiyoyuki was stronger too. Even if things backfired things could always be repaired. If he believed in that to the very end… then whatever Monobear did couldn’t harm him. Not anymore. Because it was different now. He was different now.
“No. I mean… I can do it. I will. Don’t worry. Give me a second.”
Kiyoyuki tries on a smile and takes a deep breath.
“【’Be well, my friend. These are tenebrous times. Such solemn despondency does not become you. Take heart in the better days. You are not as alone as you think, Akihito.’】”
Akihito was.. incredibly relieved. This was an odd feeling in a place like this. He was making real friends.. he wasn’t scared anymore. Now that it was just down to these for kids, people who we was really becoming friends with.. he didn’t feel like he had anymore reasons to be afraid. He’s never felt this safe, even before getting locked in this place.
But tears fell from his eyes as he got to hear one last message from Otonomiya... hopefully the last of them.
“......Y-yer really good at that, y’know? Ya even use big silly words, like he used t’...” the smallest of chuckles escaped him as he said that. That eloquent way he spoke.. sometimes Akihito had to sweet clue what that guy was even saying, but in the end he always understood. He felt like he could just fall apart, but something else held him together..
Kyo Otonomiya... his first friend. They had their ups and downs, and hell, Akihito could have been a way better friend to him.. The last time they talked before his death, Kyo had to slap him in the face after losing it. If only he could have made things better.. less stressful for Kyo instead of harder. He always made things harder.. but now, instead of dwelling.. he wanted to change that.
“Thanks, man.. Yer way better at doin’ voices than I thought, that was spot on.” He sniffed, wiping his eyes. “I-I needed that.. I really wanna try an’ not be th’ guy people have t’ keep consoling. I’m gonna try an’ be more like Bro and Chief... I wanna stop worryin’ everyone an’ upsettin’ people. Y’know.. like what I did t’ you. Shame it only took ‘til we had four people left fer me t’ come t’ this decision, huh?” He wiped his eyes, trying to calm down and regain his composure.
“No more Mr. Crybaby fer me~ Now let’s go play games! I still got th’ one ya signed fer me when we first got here! That things gonna stay in mint condition! While we’re at it, ya were close with th’ Chief, right? I can tell ya all about th’ gaggle o’ girls he keeps locked up in his room. Huhuhu~” He shoves his hands in his pockets, strolling toward the dorms.
