***

He was an explosion amongst sparkles. A fire amid mere sparks.

***

Mai was used to hearing whispers all around her, and they just grew louder ever since.

Like waves rolling on the shore, they never stopped coming, hitting the sand with a loud sound, dragging everything back to the sea. Ever since she was young, Mai had learned to keep her ears shut and eyes closed, only speak when being spoken to. The murmurs thrived refusing to be ignored until they are as loud as a shout, at that point, she would numb her senses—holding unto what she knew were real; the facts. A desperate act that she'd rather not do, she hated being helpless.

In the whirlwind of time, she had grown to brush past the whispers that ring through her ears. They dimmed down into mumbles and blur together into an obscure buzzing; like the sound of bees flying through a bed of tulips and daisies. She learned to only let people who can erase the sound from her life, people like Haruki. She also learned that the voices that rumbled and hummed as they refused to be disregarded weren't from the people around her.

They lived inside her head; like parasites.

That was why they were harder to ignore, harder to swallow as they were white bitter pills that remained sitting on her throat. They  felt like thorns that jabbed on her throat and pricked on her eyes; and her tears fell because they hurt.

And then there was him.

He was an entity louder than the whispers that echoed inside. He was a violent roar of thunder, splitting apart the whispers and catching her attention faster than lightning. He was as stubborn as those voices, yet he never held a single ill intention towards her, never failed to keep her smiling—he was a pristine existence in her somber every days. He succeeded in winning her over and over again, an achievement nobody has ever made.  He was an explosion amongst sparkles. A fire amongst mere sparks.

Mai greeted the morning sunlight with a throbbing headache. She rubbed her eyes blearily, knowing that bags with purplish colors will be there when she looked into a mirror. Climbing down her bed, she shivered at the icy cold floor, then she splashed her face with water inside the bathroom. Mai walked out of the bathroom with a fresher face albeit not as glowing as they used to look (Haruki's words, not hers). After successfully losing the youthful glow she apparently possess, she skipped past the breakfast tray next to her bed, and walked out of the door.

The hospital's corridor, despite how early it is, is bustling with all sorts of diversions. Nurses are walking with their heels making loud thumps against the ceramic floor as phones rings every few minutes, this very ordinary things helped her ease the drumming inside of her skull. They muted down her thoughts from racing against each other and falling into one another.

"Oi, morning."

Mai snapped out of her reverie, eyes blinking the pain away. Fuuto stood in front of her, dressed in a casual shirt and khaki pants with sunglasses resting on his nose bridge, seeing the familiar scowl on his face—she smiled. She looked at her hands that are resting on her lap, realizing the way she was still dressed, a white nightgown she forgot to change out of from. Mai cursed under her breath, slapping her cheeks twice, with a light flush on her cheeks, she scrambled to her feet at once. Noticing her concern, Fuuto was quick to chuckle, a big fat smirk evident on his face, he had known by heart that she was someone who would roam around the hospital ground with her mind amongst the clouds.

"I-I should hurry back, shouldn't I?" Mai laughed dryly, already taking quick steps before Fuuto could reply, he followed behind anyway. "Anyway, why are you here so early, idiot? Wait! Don't you have school? Are you skipping class!?"

"Shut up, god, you're so loud!" Fuuto grumbled, covering his right ear where Mai was, "And for your information, today is a freaking Saturday, school is out, loser."

"Oh really," She put a finger to her chin, digesting the words before shrugging, "Well, I guess days don't really matter anymore if you're me."

Fuuto cast a look towards her and Mai could feel the intent feeling of a stare washing over her—but she ignored him, knowing full well of what he meant to say without words. As they reached her chamber, Mai instantly raided her closet, looking for a decent something to wear. Before landing a choice, she turned her head to the person stretching almost too casually on her bed, face buried in one of her throw pillows—a pink, flamingo embroidered one with sparkles around it. The boy stopped in a haste letting go of the pillow but refusing to face her, Mai cracked a wolfish grin, snickering as Fuuto stayed still.

Still laughing, Mai slid the chair of her vanity as she sat on it, brushing a piece of hair away from her face. Fuuto finally faced her, elbows supporting his head as he leaned nonchalantly. Mai resumed on doing her makeup, not sparing even a glance his way.

"Oh, speaking of which, where are we going anyway?" Mai questioned as she shrug, "If you tell me, I might as well get dressed for the occasion."

With a chuckle, Fuuto rose up, smiling and proudly showing his pearly whites. Mai could only shook her head at his usual display of swelling ego and full serving of pride. She was in way too deep to protest—and even if she could, she still wouldn't change a single thing at all. Fuuto continued his speech, hands brushing his hair away from his face free from their usual cover-boy-slash-idol look.

"Today, apples, we are going to the beach!"

Mai swore, at that moment, she had dropped her precious most beloved lipstick to the floor.

***

The red headed girl cursed internally at the absence of her hair tie around her wrist for her hair was blown wildly by the wind like a halo of scarlet. The sand slipping through her toes felt warm yet comforting at the same time. Aside from that, it was a particularly beautiful day, yellow sunlight shone over her as waves crashed against the shore. She opted for a sunflower patterned sundress along with white bow strapped sandals that she discarded in the car rather than getting it dirty with sands and wet with seawater, also an olive bomber jacket she left with her sandals (Fuuto insisted, incase it got chilly, he said.) Mai rested her chin on her knee, hugging her legs closer to her chest.

"What are you thinking about?"

At the soft voice interrupting her, she looked up, green clashing with amber as they darted to what he held in his hands—two cones of sorbet, one orange and the other one a cliche apple flavored scoop. Mai rolled her eyes as Fuuto chuckled, handing her the orange one as per her request. She thanked him anyway, licking the sweet treat away.

"What took you so long, huh, pretty boy?" Mai stretched her words, sending a teasing glance his way, that she was sure he had caught with great amusement. He also perked up also at the new improved nickname.

"Well, I was having a hard time choosing between green apples or the ordinary kind of red apple," Fuuto laughed, as the girl next to him delivered a low jab to his side, earning only another laugh, "It's true!"

Mai didn't reply, only smiling at his rare display of pure utter joy, freed from the pressure of his image and reputation. He was blinding beneath the blazing sun, rivaling only the light itself in her eyes, she was glad to see this part of him even only once. Unconsciously, she continued to stare, cheek pressed against her knees as she leaned in closer. Fuuto tensed next to her but not resisting as he sighed the comfort of her next to him is something he had grown used to—something he would not be able to let go that easily.

"Apples?"

Mai hummed in response. Fuuto continued, eyes gazing the sea in a relaxed manner. He hummed a low tune, perhaps a new song he was working on, she listened to it nonetheless, his voice alone was enough for her to listen. The area was empty, almost deserted which means it was perfect for someone like him to go and run around without a single worry. Their thighs are brushing against each other and shoulders bumping in a reassuring way. His warm voice in the air along with the crashing of the waves, she closed her eyes, the headache in her head milden.

"Fuuto?" Mai called, eyes still closed and the boy hummed back this time, his singing had ceased and now he was quiet in an almost tranquil way, "Can we go get some more ice cream?"

Fuuto chuckled into the sky, arms circling around her shoulder and hugging her close, "God, I love you."

***

They didn't stay until sunset—Mai wanted to, considering it was one of the things in her bucket list, Fuuto insisted they'd go next time—Mai was never the one to make promises, because she was not someone who would break them. Words like 'next time' or 'in the future' are words she would never use, Mai never promised things that she was not sure about. But he was brave enough to promise her that, and she will hold on to his words. For once, she really wanted to believe him.

"You know," Mai started, hands tracing patterns on the window of the car, rain pouring outside like a storm, "I suddenly remember a song from way back then."

"It was about two people; deceiving each other as they go round and round around a topic—it's love, actually. They lie to each other, convincing each other that they were in love," She trailed off, "I used to think that it's fruitless, but, somehow, now I kind of understand it a little better."

—kind of like the predicament we're in, that's why—are the words left unsaid.

Fuuto opened his eyes gingerly, listening to her remark unconcerned, "What are you trying to say, apples?"

Mai hummed, head leaning against the cold glass, the distinct sound of rain sounded like the ticking of a clock as they continued on without a stop. Fuuto went back to sleep, eyes closing shut. Without anyone to listen, Mai resumed her thoughts:

"Nevermind, I was talking to myself."

"Oh, actually, I just remembered," Fuuto exclaimed, one eye opening as Mai raised her shoulder in a startled motion, "Ukyo-nii invited you over for dinner and Ema supported him too."

Mai chortled, "You're still weak against her after all."

Fuuto groused, cheeks lit with a tint of red as he dozed back to sleep, taking a yes as her answer to the question. Mai gave away a laugh one more time, the pressure on her shoulders evaporated almost instantly. The ride back home was filled with silence—the comforting kind.

She was sure that now, anywhere he might be, will be her home.

"Oh, and dinner will be hotpot." Fuuto added.

Mai let out another airy laugh, looking forward to experience that warmth one more time.

***

author's note

hiya! another update from yours truly~

i hope you like this chapter and don't forget to drop by in the comment section and vote this chapter!! <3

sincerely, seira