“Kyuichi.” A woman’s smile was barely visible in the fading daylight. A stream of oranges and pinks overtook the sky above her as she waved.

“Kyuichi.” A man appeared beside her as though someone blinked and he was just there, holding her hand. He held out his other hand, smiling next to the woman. The sun continued to fade away, the horizon swallowing the last signs that the fiery orb ever appeared in the sky that day.

The scene flashed and a small child ran across the stretch of grass, giggling as he hurried to the man and woman. His name sent a surge of energy through him making him run harder, his little feet pounding the ground. “Mommy, Daddy.” He jumped into the woman’s arms, but he suddenly staggered back and fell to the ground instead of into her warm embrace.

The woman and man loomed over him, glaring as the sky was swallowed by nothingness. The large eyes stared in horror at the evilness in the two faces causing tears to well up. “Kyuichi.” The sound of his name was empty and emotionless. The man disappeared, leaving only the woman. “Do you want to know a secret?”

“Kyuichi.” The small boy snapped his head, twisting slightly to see the man now behind him. “Do you want to know the truth?”

The child shook his head, wanting to cry but too terrified to let the tears fall. “Do you Kyuichi?” he looked back to the woman whose voice became louder. “Do you want to know what you’ve known all along?”

“Don’t hide, son. Don’t be a fool. You know the truth.” The man yelled even more, making the boy grip his knees to his tiny chest for security. “You know!” His voice was like thunder to the small ears, the boy folded them down with his hands.

“You Know!” The woman shot at him and the ground seemed to shake. The boy started to cry and buried his face into his legs.

“Accept the truth. You know!” The crash of the voices were too much for the little ears as he began to feel an icy coldness sweep over him.

The feeling was unbearable. He felt as though he was slowly dying, feeling his lungs tighten to force the air out, his mouth gasping as his throat choked, his heart shrivelling into dust. He pulled his head up and the image of his parents shook uncontrollably as his sight jumped rapidly about until everything vanished. “Stop it.” He screamed, piercing his own ears. Tears soaked the pink cheeks. “I know. I know.”

“I know.” Kyuichi’s eyes shot open and he stared at the ceiling, breathing in deeply. “I know that you don’t love me.” He rolled to sit up and looked around the apartment, finding no one else. No shoes were left by the door, only his own sitting crookedly with his jacket piled nearby. “No one loves me. Because of you, mom and dad, I know the truth. I know that love...doesn’t exist.”

Kyuichi had his arms wrapped around his head resting on top of his desk. He watched coldly at his classmates giggling and smiling to one another. His mind felt so exhausted he wanted to sleep, but knew he wouldn’t be able to. The dream had kept him from a peaceful rest, but also buzzed in his mind irritably that he wouldn’t be able to relax and drift into sleep. He just sat alone watching some girls giggling to a stupid joke a guy was telling them. “Idiots.” Kyuichi rolled his head away bored of what he saw.

He stood and began to leave the room, knowing there was nothing to do but watch his classmates flirt like the morons he thought they were. “Why did I even bother coming today? Oh that’s right, that bastard Seika took off again, so I had nothing else to do.” He scowled to himself, stalking through the hall. Kyuichi’s eyebrows arched when he glanced at a couple acting sweetly to one another. ‘Another pair of idiots. Does the entire world really think love exists? It’s nothing but some stupid idea they put into their minds to make life seem more bearable. Love does nothing but bite you in the ass in the end, cause it’s not real.’

Kyuichi was lost in his thoughts he didn’t notice the person walking towards him. “Ah. Kyuichi.” He paused to the sound of his name, looking blankly at the person before him. “You came today.” Murai had been shocked to find the other boy a few feet from him as he had walked down the hall and didn’t know what to say when he just suddenly blurted out the name.

“You again.” Kyuichi shoved his hands in his pockets and looked away, trying to show disinterest. “At least you’re not walking into me.” He walked off.

He stopped as a hand grabbed his arm, turning to find Murai once again interrupting his random stroll. Murai stared at Kyuichi, his mouth opening, but unable to voice proper words.

Kyuichi fully turned to look the other boy square in the eyes. “What exactly is it that makes you feel the need to pester me so much?”

Murai’s eyebrows rose, the words harshly snapping his mind back to normality. “What is your problem?” He began to stare back with as much attitude, leading to a death staring contest. ‘I haven’t even done anything. I barely even know him.’ Murai’s focus fell into the cold color of brown in Kyuichi’s irises. He barely noticed his expression soften as the brown consumed his complete attention.

“If you keep bothering me, you’re going to become one.” Kyuichi’s eyes narrowed, sending a menacing look to Murai.

Murai’s brow pinched as he looked away, rubbing the back of his head. “You are impossible.”

Kyuichi half laughed, half sneered at the boy averting his gaze. “Stop wasting my time with this crap. If you stop me again it better be for a good reason.” He turned once again trying to make his leave and go somewhere alone. This time Murai simply watched the blond boy walk off, avoiding the eyes of passing students who happened to observe the two in what was half an attempt at a conversation. A muscle pulled lightly at Murai’s mouth and he turned as the smirk slowly became prominent, but faded quickly when he looked ahead of him.