I woke up the next morning with a soaring migraine. The events of last afternoon watered down in my brain, finally sinking. I felt groggy of all things, and in dire needs of a beer. Choromatsu decided to book out early, as everyone crowded in the front yard to see him off. I didn't, of course, not feeling the need to. I closed the blinds and drew the curtains to hide my shame.

It's not that I was being an asshole, but more that I couldn't accept this. Choromatsu leaving would become a domino effect for us, and we knew that.

There would be no need for screwing around for us, knowing that we have "responsibilities" to live out.

But no one would feel it as hard as I did. No one. It was a promise. That we wouldn't leave, we turned away from the harsh spit the world gave us.

A promise, that I wouldn't have to bear being alone.

I stiffened, moving to my usual position on the floor. I hated the prickling feeling up my spine once Choromatsu left, for good. I sensed...almost dreadfulness as I heard faint footsteps up the stairs.

"Probably might be Ichi and a cat again..." I mumbled, dismissing this.

I heard the door fling open, much rougher than I expected. The steps grew heavier, filled with purpose of some sort.

"Ah, Ichi if you're mad about the cat snacks I didn't eat the--"

I felt the sharp sting of rolled up newspaper on my left cheek.

"Ungrateful bastard! Why didn't you go to see him?!" A voice roared up in my ears.

A bruise formed where the mark was made. I turned slowly to meet the voice, hearing my heartbeat in my own ears.

I found that the voice belonged to Todomatsu, and not Ichi like I thought. He was fighting tears I saw, his hands curled up tightly.

I touched the bruise delicately, feeling a white-hot anger shoot through me like electricity for a moment.

"Why the hell did you just do that? Are you freakin' stupid?" I yelled back.

"You know why! You know everything! So why?! Why didn't you--"

Suddenly, I tuned out of everything he was saying. I felt like something else, something I locked up for a long time took hold of me. Before I passed out again, all I remember seeing was..

...Blood.

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