It was only natural that he would live his life serving royalty; his mother served as a cook, and his father served as a gardener. They both lived in the castle, so it was fate to end up just the same – though he didn’t think he would be hired as the prince’s personal servant. He would not say that it was…completely pleasant. The prince was sarcastic, and harsh with his words; too observant and too straight forward for his own good. One would not wonder not many lasted as his servant, as it could get on one’s nerves eventually.
That didn’t mean he would give up on him though.
Because even if he was like that, “Yamaguchi” stuck long enough to see more than one side of “Tsukishima”, coming to realize that he was not at all the rotten prince the others deemed him to be. In their spare time, they would end up taking walks and chatting idly about reptiles and constellations, about other servants which they would snicker about together. He didn’t think he could act like this with royalty – but the things they were doing, it was called ‘friendship’, right?
In time, it had gotten to the point he believed that he could lay down his life for him, not because it was his duty to protect the prince – no, he would do so because he wanted to, because he wanted to protect him more than anything else.
IN HIS SECOND LIFE, he was a doctor.
And “Tsukishima” was his patient.
When he met “Tsukishima”, he was confined in his bed, unable to stand without putting a great deal of effort. To see a sight like this was common for the dark haired male, but it didn’t mean that it didn’t affect him any less. Determined to cure the unknown sickness, he would visit every day to monitor the young blond, put on a genuine smile to reassure him that they were making progress in finding a cure. It was slow, but it was something.
During those days of talking, and examinations, “Yamaguchi” found himself growing attached to the blond whom he found out was quite the sarcastic one. Even then, his motivation to work even harder did not falter. He’d work himself day and night to find a cure. “Tsukishima” would wonder why, when he had given up on himself and his survival – but the doctor would only smile back with great hope that he would save his life.
“I’ll save you, I promise!”
However, reality states that not everyone can end up with a happy ending.
Four months later, “Yamaguchi” lost time and failed to do what he had promised the blond… and he was left weeping on the empty bed.
IN HIS THIRD LIFE, he was an assassin.
And “Tsukishima” was his target.
The target for today was someone that he didn’t know, though from the information given, he was a business man, a low-key billionaire—- and somehow someone else would greatly benefit if he were not around any longer.As a trained assassin, he was not supposed to care about anything else aside from his job, to finish it as precisely and quietly as possible. But oh – he didn’t expect this.
Right in his viewfinder, he found him and watched him: the bespectacled blond clad in a business suit and surrounded by security guards. It was a little funny how easily he could aim and pull the trigger, and show how purposeless those men around him were. But watching “Tsukishima”… he felt a little strange. The longer he watched, the more his heart raced, and his hands shook. Perhaps it was hesitance, perhaps it was fear, but he didn’t know why. This has never happened before.
Taking a deep breath, he focused on the male, adjusting what needed to be adjusted until—-Bang!
He misses.
This sent the guards into a panic, surrounding the young business man and covering him back to safety, while “Yamaguchi” escaped with a failed mission. Was that on purpose? He would like to say… no, it was not. But it was. Why? He didn’t know.
He wouldn’t say that he truly regretted this despite the consequences he knew he would face now that he made them aware someone was out to get “Tsukishima”. Things will be harder for anyone else who would do the same since he had messed up.
But at least…a promise was fulfilled, even if he didn’t know it.
I’ll save you, I promise.
This was the least he could do.
IN HIS FOURTH LIFE, he was a superstar.
And “Tsukishima” was his manager.
Life as a performer was not easy with his jam-packed schedule with little time to rest. It was a wonder how he was still able to look good in photo shoots – but then again, that was why Photoshop existed. Perhaps he would not have been able to juggle everything that he had, if it weren’t for the tall, glasses-wearing blond he called his manager. Admittedly at first, he thought that they wouldn’t have worked out; he didn’t believe that he would be into this kind of business, not with that attitude of his.
He was proven wrong though. Every decision that he’s made for him has been anything but bad. If anything, he owed his success to him.
“You know, I’m really thankful…that you’re my manager… I don’t know where I’d be…without you…” He hummed, already half-asleep in the car after finishing his second concert for the week. Perhaps he was sleep-talking, but it didn’t mean that it was untrue, “My next song will be made…for you… about you… I…” – And he passed out before he could say anything else.
A few weeks later, he was able to write a song and release the single a few months later.
( Coincidentally, it was a love song. )
#1 on the charts. Won as song of the year. Record labels, marketers and fans came flocking.
Everything was a shock, overwhelming. He really did owe his success to his manager.
IN HIS FIFTH LIFE, he was a baker.
And “Tsukishima” was his supplier.
Meeting him for the first time, there was a familiarity between them that they couldn’t shake off, eventually leading him to ask the blond, “Have we met before?” It felt as if they had. Perhaps they did at some point in their life, perhaps in their childhood, or in their teenage years - only to encounter again today. He felt that wasn’t the case though – but it was for the best not to dwell on it.
They were quite the opposites in terms of personality, he realized, but that did not seem to hinder their growing friendship. In the end, “Tsukishima” was a good man in his eyes – he’s grown fond of him, even.
Every week, he and the blond would meet, and he would have prepared nothing but the best strawberry shortcake for his consumption.There was no better feeling in the world than to watch him eat what he had made and hear him say, “it’s delicious, as always” despite the stoicism in his voice. It would send a warm pleasant feeling in his stomach and he would grin stupidly at him, and reply with his usual “thank you”.
One day he was asked if he had any secret ingredient he added, as “Yamaguchi” always mentioned that it was special. Much to the blond’s dismay, the freckled male could only laugh in response with the cliche, “It’s a secret!” –Which was a lie.
