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| CATASTROPHIC |

CHAPTER ONE : AKAZA Part Two : Uneasy Company

SYNOPSIS : A night of uneasy peace turns haunting when Akaza’s quiet devotion reveals one truth — he never plans to leave.

The broken glass was easy to clean, and the window was sealed with rows of duct tape. It's not the best cover, but for what I have, it'll have to do for the time being.

And with Akaza settled in for the night, I handed him a spare pillow from my closet. He held the blanket, the one that fell to the floor, with surprising gentleness.

He murmured something softly, but I didn't need to hear what it was. Gratitude.

I felt a little bad for making him sleep on the couch. But I couldn't find it in myself to offer the second bedroom. It felt too invasive for him to be in there.

To real. To wrong.

So after bidding an awkward goodnight, I slinked back into my room. Locking the door behind me, I jumped back into my pyjamas, and my uniform was thrown somewhere.

Lying in bed, tucked under the sheets, with my own blanket pressed to my nose. I couldn't fall asleep.

Each time I felt sleep tugging at my eyelids, easing my racing heart. My rambling thoughts snatched it away, and I was back to where I started.

The worst part of all was that I could still feel him. Akaza's presence was leaking through the crack of my door, pressing on the walls and invading my room.

I licked my lips. I could hear him. Pacing the length of the hallway, the faint creaking of the floorboards gave him away. How he'd linger just outside the door. He was like a guard dog, or worse, a wolf waiting patiently for his time to strike.

But eventually, between worrying and listening. Sleep couldn't evade me long enough as I dived into it. ----

Digging my face into the pillow, I breathed deeply, only to sigh out, content.

The sun leaked through the gaps of the curtains, like liquid gold; it bled onto my face.

Whining, I felt exhausted. More than I've ever known in my life.

The thought of getting up never crossed my mind. That was how good lying here felt. So warm and inviting, the mattress was happy for me to remain. And if it were up to me, it'd be forever.

And then, as if an aeroplane took a swan dive, smashed right into my face, I remembered.

Lurching up from my bed, the springs squealed, speaking in a hushed tone. "Akaza..."

'No way, no fucking way!' Snapping my head to the door. 'How could I forget!?'

Rolling over onto my back, I kicked the blankets off. Standing to my feet, I almost slipped as I wrangled off the one bed sock that clung to my foot. Its partner was buried somewhere under the quilt.

My hand fumbled with the lock, and at that familiar click, I yanked the door open.

Rushing out of the room, it all seemed so normal.

But as I skidded to a stop. Slack-jawed, my eyes shifted from the couch, then to the floor, and there was Akaza.

Seated cross-legged on my rug, it was like he sat there all night.

I couldn't help but gawk. I knew he was here, but I still didn't expect it. I thought he'd be gone. Like some fever-dream melting away with the sunrise as I woke.

But he hadn't.

He's been sitting in my living room, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

And already, his gaze was locked on me.

He didn't look tired. He looks alert, unreal in that uncanny valley type of way. He doesn't look human.

"G... Good morning," my voice wavered as I mummbled automatically.

Akaza looked peaceful as he replied. "おはよう, (YN)." His tone was oddly light, almost cheerful. His eyes never wavered from mine.

"... Right," my voice cracked. Just now remembering that he didn't really speak English.

I nodded my head, like it was the most sane thing in the world. I spoke again. "Wait here."

And I was off, walking back to my room as I fetched my phone.

Returning, Akaza hadn't moved. Still staring at me from his spot on the floor, I logged into my phone and opened Google.

It kind of hit me then, Google Translate was going to become my lifeline. A thread that'll sit between sanity and whatever absurd thing you'd call this.

Google's voice filled the air in place of my own voice. "You stayed here all night? | 一晩中ここにいたんですか?"

With a grin and a firm nod of his head, Akaza tapped the floor with his painted knuckles.

"Yes." He answered, his English was clipped. But the proud look on his face just added to the emphasis: Right here. This place.

All I could do was nod along.

Typing once again into my phone, I asked him. "You didn't sleep on the couch? | ソファで寝なかったの?"

He shook his head. "No," as he continued. "Don't..." He paused, searching for the words. He looked a little frustrated when he came up empty.

"You don't sleep." I filled in the blank. And at that, his brows settled, nodding, satisfied that I knew what he was talking about.

I had no other words for him. Not because I didn't have questions, I had many--too many. But because I didn't want him to confirm my suspicions.

My tongue darted out again, lapping over my crusty lips. My gaze wandered from his unrelenting ones.

"Alright..." I paused.

Opening my mouth to speak, but closing it as I rubbed my arm.

"I'm... going to have breakfast. Do you... Want to join me?" I asked, pointing towards the kitchen.

Akaza looked confused at first. His eyes trailed after my arm, and where I pointed.

He nodded. Standing up to his full height, he waited, and so did I.

The back of my neck burned as I realised Akaza was waiting for me to lead the way.

"Oh, uh... okay then." Taking the lead, I stepped into the kitchen, and the switch between wood and tiles was notable under my bare feet.

Akaza trailed along, quietly observing, watching my every move as he stood. Not close enough to be in the way, but near enough that it caused me to shift uncomfortably.

I shifted back and forth, preparing my breakfast as I whisked the eggs and milk together.

At the stove, there was a clicking sound, then flames sparked to life. With a glob of butter on my spoon, I dumped it in the pan, following it soon after with the scrambled eggs.

The soft sizzle filled the silence. I didn't know how to feel about this, about him.

It was strange for sure. How domestic this all felt. I'm making breakfast, with a demon standing by. It was hard to keep my eyes down, but my curiosity won, and I looked over to Akaza.

'No surprise there.' He was still watching me. Quietly, intently. Like a cat tracking every movement. He seemed a little rigid as he watched, like he was waiting for something to leap out and attack.

It was unsettling, but so long as he doesn't get into a fight with my toaster, we'll be fine... I hope.

Shaking my head, my attention returned to the pan.

Once the eggs were cooked and the stove was switched off. I paused at the counter and the plate in front of me.

My eyes locked back to Akaza. He was already at the table, making himself comfortable on one of the chairs.

I was suddenly struck with a problematic thought. 'Can he... eat normal food?' I tried to recall my knowledge of the show and the manga. But I couldn't remember seeing or reading anything about it.

'I guess it's better to be safe than sorry.' I concluded, pulling out another plate, I moved one of my slices of toast onto his. Halving the eggs.

Abandoning the dirty dishes, I kept a mental note for myself to deal with them later.

Picking the plates up, I made my way over to the table. The steam curled from the food in lazy wisps.

“Here,” setting the first dish, I slid it in front of Akaza. “I made Breakfast.” Stunned, he lifted his head from the food to me, and then back again. His brows knitted together as he spoke. “たべ…もの?”

I bit back a laugh. The way he said that word, he sounded so unsure. It was as if he were testing it rather than stating it. Like it felt foreign even in his own mouth.

"Yes, it's breakfast. Food, for you. You can eat it.” Setting my own plate down, I tapped on my phone, unlocking it as I thumbed the keyboard.

That familiar flat, robotic voice spoke. "It's breakfast, you can eat it. | 朝食ですから、食べてもいいですよ."

He tilted his head at that, and then he smiled. It was small and almost childlike as he responded.

“Thank you." He spoke those two words carefully. His accent thick; however, it was easy to pick up.

I smiled back, relieved. Maybe this was progress?

But then that smile vanished. His expression softened, apologetic as he spoke up. "No..." Pausing, he searched his mind for the correct words to use.

My own smile dimmed. Then Akaza continued. "... Cannot."

Going back to my phone, I typed out a new question. "You can't eat it? Why not? | 食べられないの？なぜ?"

At that, Akaza looked up from the plate.

There was a weight in that look. Something ancient and tired. Then slowly, he raised one hand. Tapping two of his fingers against his chest. “Demon.” He said it so simply.

I looked down. I already knew that, but for whatever reason, hearing him confess what he was aloud made my stomach twist.

"So... just people then? | それで...ただの人間ですか?" The question hung in the air as Akaza’s expression didn’t change.

But his eyes softened, voice dropping to a near whisper.

“I do not… now.” His accent is heavy, then after a beat, he follows. “Not you.”

My heart fluttered at his words. But I didn't know if that was supposed to be comforting or terrifying.

At the conflicted look on my face, Akaza pushed his plate aside, leaning forward, his eyes were steady. Like he was trying to be reassuring.

"No hurt." He spoke slowly, then he pressed his hand against his chest. "Promise."

Staring at the demon next to me, I knew he meant it. Every word.

And that unnerved me a bit. I forced a smile, though we both knew my raging pulse betrayed me. It was quiet after that.

We both didn't speak for a heartbeat.

Akaza's plate was going cold as I poked at my food. But trying to keep the mood light. I typed something in and held the speaker towards him.

"Does this mean you can’t eat it, or just don’t fancy my cooking? | これは食べられないという意味ですか？それとも、私の料理が気に入らないのですか?"

At those words, Akaza stared at the glowing screen. And then, as if it just came out without warning, he laughed. It was short, a bit rough; even I wasn't expecting it.

Akaza spoke slowly, unsurely--as if he wasn't confident he was using the right words. "You... funny."

Gazing at him, his lips were curled into a gentle smile; I wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing. But seeing him grin like that again, it was surreal, to see him looking so... human.

Smiling back, my cheeks felt a bit warm as I evaded eye contact. A little bashful, I spoke up. "I try to be, it makes it easier to deal with, well--this."

Akaza's stare softened, dulling at the edges that made his stare so sharp. It was clear he didn't understand exactly what I was saying. But he seemed to understand the tone.

I chuckled shortly, feeling more awkward now as I took a small bite from my toast. He looked at me with a fondness that didn't belong in a creature like him.

I ate a little quicker when that look didn't fade.

When I finished, all that was left were crumbs as I picked up my plate, along with his untouched one. Akaza rose from his spot, once again trailing after as I carried both to the sink.

"Well then, I guess I'll just have to make you something else." I teased, smiling towards him as I emptied his plate into the compost.

"You... make food... for me?" He spoke, quieter this time, curiously as if he had never heard someone say that.

I laughed, and this time, it was more lively as I turned the tap on.

Tilting my head to look back at Akaza, I tapped away at my phone.

"I'll cook for you until you leave. Though I can't make any promises that my food will be any good. | あなたが帰るまで、料理は作りますよ。でも、美味しいかどうかは保証できませんけどね."

He laughed again, more openly as he seemed to think about it for a moment.

Then he smiled again, but it wasn't that soft, gentle smile. It was slow and unsettling as he spoke. “Then… means I stay.”

Turning to face away from him, the smile on my face flattened.

The way he said it, it felt less like an arrangement and more like a vow. ---

As the hours bled from morning to afternoon and night. I tried to function like normal.

Small chores and tasks that required little effort. Lazing around either on the couch or at the table, until I grew bored of flicking through YouTube and Tumblr.

But as I moved about my space, it was becoming apparent how... clingy Akaza was.

It didn't matter where I went. To the living room, kitchen, second bedroom, or even the bathroom. He'd wait at the door, or sit, or just stand there. Just waiting, watching.

He was like a puppy. A very dangerous and powerful puppy. But a puppy nonetheless.

At one point, when I stepped out of my bedroom. Dressed and ready for the day. I wasn't expecting him to be right in the middle of the hall. He didn't even flinch when I bumped into him, or when my frightened squeak slipped from my lips.

He just tilted his head, wearing that calm smile, with that freaky fondness in his eyes.

"Why would you stand there? You startled me!" I had huffed at him, frisking my phone from my pocket.

"Don't do that! You almost scared the life out of me, you know that! | そんなことしないで！死ぬほど怖かったよ、分かってるでしょ!"

At Google's dull voice, Akaza blinked, then his expression softened. He almost looked guilty as he stepped back. Mumbling, "sorry..."

It made me pause, and then pout.

'My God. For a demon who broke into my home and refuses to leave, he's guilty for startling me, but not breaking my window?'

I wasn't exactly amused by it.

But he never approached unless beckoned or asked. He would just stare at things, never touching them. I think he's a bit frightened to touch anything in this place.

He didn't really speak or ask questions unless I asked them first. And that's where I began noticing it.

His evasiveness.

At one point in the afternoon, I was sitting on the couch. A steaming cup of tea and my Kindle in hand. He stood off to the side. I could feel his gaze; it was boring a hole into the side of my head.

Sighing, I placed my Kindle down. "Akaza," calling his name. I looked at him. "Why don't you just sit down? This couch is big enough for the two of us."

I bit back the exasperated groan at the confusion that pulled at his face. Patting the space next to me, I tilted my own head, waiting for him to take the invitation.

The confusion eased, turning to recognition. He was reluctant at first, but soon his heavy feet padded the floor, and he joined me on the couch.

Settling stiffly, the way his back sat straight, how his shoulders squared, and even the way he rested his arms caused me to snort.

"Don't tell me you've never sat on a couch before?"

He didn't answer as he got more comfortable, in that stiff: I don't know what I'm doing, kind of way.

I shook my head. It was unbelievable as I paused.

"Hey, Akaza. I... I have some questions." My phone was already in my hand as I began typing.

From his spot on the couch, he leaned a little closer.

"How did you get here? | どうやってここに来たの?"

His eyes narrowed, like the question itself made him uncomfortable. He took a moment, thinking of the words and how to say them.

It was deliberate when he spoke in English. "Not... sure," he stopped. Then started again. "Sleep... then wake... here."

Frowning, I repeated what he told me. "Wait, you fell asleep then woke up here, in my house or someplace else?"

Akaza nodded his head; the look that shadowed his expression was unreadable. But his eyes showed something. A mix between amusement and another emotion I couldn't place.

Licking my lips, the balm tingled on my tongue. "Wait, hang on--" my fingers danced on the keyboard, "so did you wake up in my house, or someplace else? | それで、私の家で目覚めたのですか、それともどこか他の場所ですか?"

Akaza didn't answer for a moment, then he tapped his lips.

Knowing what he wanted, I pressed the mic icon on the screen, holding it to his lips, he spoke into it.

"どこか別の場所 | Some where else."

My confusion only worsened. Staring at the writing, I mummbled. "Some where else?"

"Wait, where did you wake up? Was it close by, far--do you remember where? But then, how did you know where to find me? | ちょっと待って、どこで目覚めたの？近くだった？それとも遠くだった？どこか覚えてる？でも、どうして私の居場所が分かったの?"

Akaza looked a little overwhelmed.

"Sorry." I smiled crookedly at my mistake. Only now reflecting on how rude that was. But Akaza didn't speak. Those questions left a long, heavy silence over us.

I could tell Akaza was someplace else. For the first time since he's arrived, he looked away from me. His jaw tightened, but his tone remained level, calm when he finally replied.

"Feeling." It was quiet when he spoke it, "pulling. Home."

My brows furrowed, wondering about its meaning.

"A feeling? Like it was pulling you to my apartment? | 感覚？まるで私のアパートに引き寄せられているような?"

Akaza's face scrunched at that. He looked annoyed, like what I asked was wrong, and he shook his head.

"Home. You, home." Pointing at me, not a single doubt was held in either his eyes or words.

A chill crawled down my spine. My breath shuddered. "But..." My fingers flew across my screen.

"How does that make any sense. You don't even know me. | それがどういう意味だっていうの？あなたは私のことを知らないじゃないですか."

Akaza's head tilted; that annoyed look on his face grew. He murmured something under his breath in Japanese.

Then, that annoyance slipped away, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. "Know," tapping his temple with his finger. "Here." He then reached for my hand, taking it in his.

My breath hitched. His hands were warm. Strong and hardened from a lifetime and then some of training. He pulled, guiding as he placed my hand on his bare chest, where his heart lay.

"And... here."

I felt my entire body seize up. My brain raced, then short-circuited as our eyes were locked.

Those eyes. Like fractured glass of blue and yellow, stared at me. Nothing but the truth shimmered within. The words he spoke, the feeling, it was true. All of it.

But it left me wondering, what did that even mean?

"So what?" My voice trembled, barely above a whisper. "You just... just woke up here? Appeared in my world, because I felt like..." The word died on my tongue. I couldn't accept that. Couldn't believe it.

Akaza didn't respond. He just gazed into my eyes, as if lost in something beyond himself. Watching with that same intensity, as if every second he had in this world, he had to spend it memorising every flicker of my expression.

I slipped my hand out from under his. It tingled with warmth as I typed out one last question.

But I paused.

Hesitating. 'Do I really want to know the answer to this?' Taking in a deep breath, I did. I really did.

"What do you want from me, Akaza? | 私から何が欲しいの、猗窩座?" Google's voice, ever dull and robotic, voiced my question.

And he didn't speak. Akaza continued to gaze deeply into my eyes, reading every emotion and saving it.

It was quiet. Uncomfortably quiet. The clock in the corner ticked painfully loud, but my heartbeat pounded far louder. It felt like this moment was drawing on.

Then finally, his lips moved. "Stay." He said it with such care, it was almost too soft to hear.

It was as if my heart took a swan dive off the tallest building in Adelaide. Hanging on only by a fraying rope. I waited for Akaza to elaborate. To explain in more detail what he means. But he didn't.

I didn't even realise that his hand had moved. Craddling my cheek in his palm, his eyes burned.

It wasn't quite like affection, and wasn’t hunger either. It was something between the two.

And when he turned his head away, he pulled back his hand from my cheek. Settling back into the couch.

It just hit me. I was trembling.

Slowly, I sagged in my spot. The Kindle and mug of tea sat forgotten for a long time.

I still don't know why he's here. However, it was becoming painfully clear to me that Akaza--

He wasn’t planning to go anywhere. ----

It wasn't until later that night. After tea, where Akaza didn't touch his plate, the dishes were done, and I had gotten ready for bed.

All bundled up under my sheets, knowing that my door was locked tight after checking it twice.

I could still faintly hear Akaza; he was moving through the living room. Where the floorboards in the hallway creaked as he approached. Watching, waiting, adjusting.

I wasn't sure who was adapting; was I or he? I didn't know anymore. But as I started drifting off, it hit me.

Akaza lied to me.

CHAPTER ONE : Akaza -> CHAPTER ONE : Akaza Part 02 : Communication | Part 03 : Strange Lessons

: MASTERLIST :

PROLOGUE : Part 01 of 01

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