The inexplicable heat you taught me again today 

Falls down my cheeks as tears 
Now that we have intertwined our respective feelings 
A new dawn comes.

- Ambiguous; GARNiDELiA

Chapter Eleven: Clashing Ideals

"No!" The witch suddenly shouted. "Don't stop me. Don't follow me! You'll..." Todomatsu wiped his tears as he looked up. "You'll give me the wrong idea that you will...you will love me back. So please...don't."

Silence mediated between them as the witch just stood there. He waited for something that he fervently hoped from the priest.

Please...
Karamatsu nii-san...

Won't you completely stop me?

Todomatsu started walking towards the seminary's rooms, his heart still pounding loudly as he passed through the numerous pews. He let out a small laugh. Pathetic. He won't chase you. He doesn't and will never look at you that way, the witch thought as he walked through the aisle.

It hurts.
It fucking hurts.

When he finally reached the exit to the church, he immediately ran towards the seminary's basement where his things were kept. As he opened the door, he was welcomed by the darkness and solitude of the room. He muttered a small fire incantation to light it up. He let himself fall on the pile of random dresses and started sobbing loudly.

"Why?! Why does he need to know?!" Todomatsu shouted, punching his makeshift pillows. "FUCK!"

He knew it.
Yet why did he confess?

Todomatsu knew that his love was unrequited but the surge of feelings that coursed through him was excruciating. It was as if his heart was clenched tightly until it exploded, left neglected, and utterly defeated.

Karamatsu is a priest. He has his celibacy. They were both men. Lastly, he knew very well that the priest only saw him as a brother but why did he expect something?

Why did he expect Karamatsu to stop him?
Why did he expect Karamatsu to grab him, pull him into a hug, and kiss his trembling lips?
Why did he expect Karamatsu to love him back?

Because he's an idiot.

The muffled weeps of the witch didn't stop for good five minutes. Alone—on top of the pile of his dresses. He honestly never felt emotionally tired as this in his whole life but he deduced that he deserved it.

"WHY DID YOU LIE TO ME?!"

"I'm sorry..." Todomatsu mumbled as he gripped the clothes under him. "I'm sorry, Karamatsu nii-san..."

He stood up, wiped his tears, and finally started to pack his things into a huge bag. For the last time, he knew that he needed to keep his promise to Karamatsu that he'll leave this place even though it pains him to do so.

A while after he finally finished packing his stuffs. He was about to carry his bags when he heard a knock on the basement's door.

There wasn't supposed to be anyone coming here.

Panic rose in Todomatsu's chest as he slowly walked towards the closed door. Shit. He had enough of this day's revelations. He can't afford to face any other more people of the church.

He waited for a few moments until that person knocked again; although, this time, it was a patterned series of knocks.

Todomatsu's eyes widened.
Holy shit.

The witch wasted no time and immediately opened the basement's door. There stood someone who's exactly in his expectations.

He mumbled another curse for the umpteenth time today.

The man in front of him waved as he fixed his yellow tie, looking right at Todomatsu's pink eyes. "Seems like I came in the right time. How are you, Todomatsu?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Why to fetch you, of course." He smiled, his brown pupils glinting in the dark as he fixed his cufflinks. "Seriously, this kind of clothing suits me, don't you think so?"

"W-Wait. Fetch me? What do you mea—"

The tall man stepped inside the basement, glancing at the old shelves which are now empty. "You're leaving this place, right? I just came to escort you back to our home." The brunette frowned as he dragged his index finger over the dusty shelf. He blew the dirt off his finger afterwards. "You know, just like before."

The younger witch bit his lips as he looked down the ground. Well, sure, he didn't know where to go now but he hadn't expected that this man would come over to 'fetch' him.

The younger witch sighed. "I...I can't leave yet." Idiot. You have nowhere to go.

The man raised his eyebrow at that response. "You absolutely have nowhere to go. Hell is not the place for you nor does Heaven."

Todomatsu gritted his teeth. "I'm not planning on going to any of those places."

"Ha. Really?" The man sat at the dusty couch. He leaned forward and interlaced his fingers in an interrogating manner. "Tell me what your plan is then, Todomatsu."

"W...Well—"

"Taking refuge under that goddess in the river?"

Todomatsu gasped. "How did you know?"

"Nothing escapes my eyes..." Atsushi rested his back at the couch, looking fancy. "...especially if it's about you, Todomatsu."

Here he goes again.

"I told you countless times not to go back here anymore but alas, you're as stubborn as ever. And now, look at what happened to you.

"Also, think about the possibilities..." Atsushi finally stood up, putting his hand on Todomatsu's shoulder as he leaned forward on his ears. "...who do you think is the creature who knew about your little secret and at the same time is really close to that priest?"

Todomatsu's eyes widened.
No, it can't be...

Atsushi chuckled. "Why don't you go ask him yourself? I'll go back later and lead you back our home, yes?"

"Choromatsu nii-san wouldn't do that! We had an agreement! He promised... He pro...mised." The witch stammered, looking bewildered at Atsushi—the latter giving him a condescending smirk. He quickly ran towards the door, not minding how he hit the older man's right shoulder in the process.

Atsushi just sighed as the younger one's footsteps slowly faded as he picked up all of Todomatsu's belongings, lifting them with relative ease. He noticed a silver cross necklace that lied on the floor; probably one of the priest's gifts to Todomatsu. It was buried under all of Todomatsu's clothes.

He temporarily set down everything as he crouched down to pick up the accessory. After a few moments of inspecting it, he promptly crushed the pendant in his hand. Atsushi threw the poor thing on a side, not caring about what Todomatsu would spat at him.

"You don't need that." Atsushi picked up Todomatsu's belongings again. He muttered a teleportation spell, redirecting himself to the isolated land of their race. It will take him a few minutes to travel, though.

He closed his eyes, remembering all of Todomatsu's happy smiles whenever Atsushi saw him with the priest. Moments later, it was replaced by the sobbing face of the young witch when he talked to Karamatsu earlier.

"I said I love you!" Atsushi's eyes widened at the confession. He wanted to step right in front of the two of them but he stopped himself. "Ever since I came back, I realized how much I missed you. How much I yearned for you. How much I adore you..." The brown-haired witch turned his back away from the scene.

"Tch." He gritted his teeth in annoyance.

The void where he traveled through finally disappeared, revealing a wonderful landscape that is their home. Atsushi eyed the huge arc that served as the barrier from outsiders—cutesy designs adorning the said infrastructure. It reminded him of a certain witch.

"Why the long face, Atsushi-kun?" A voice suddenly snapped him from his thoughts. He looked below him, seeing a small-framed girl that wore a cute dress from what he guessed was Todomatsu's. "And wow, that's a lot of baggage. Can I help you?"

"Oh, Chibimi." Atsushi smiled at her. "No need. I can't let a lovely lady carry my things."

"Well, okay. Welcome back! I'll be going back inside." Chibimi cheered as she passed through the arc and reunited with her blonde best friend.

"How much...I love you." Todomatsu's voice from that scene rang inside his head once more as he carried the bags. His grip to it unconsciously tightened at the memory.

Damn it.

Atsushi walked through the arc and was promptly greeted by the villagers, spouting compliments on how he looks great as usual today. He just smiled at them, his mind still occupied by the confession of Todomatsu to Karamatsu.

Most importantly, you don't need him in your life.

__________________________

The sun was covered by dark clouds and slightly strong winds blew as Choromatsu was just lying down the grassy ground, his eyes closed as he pondered on what he shall do.

It's been hours since Todomatsu had left and he regained his divine powers. The goddess had also tried to practice some of the skills he learned before. It was weaker but he guessed that it was just because of hangover of it being removed from his body.

It was then he suddenly heard a loud yell from the heavens that made him open his eyes, gawking at the fast-approaching figure above him. The goddess immediately stood up, dodging the creature just in time. He caught a sight of bright yellow, which is now lying on the ground, heaving ragged breaths.

"O-Oi...Jyushimatsu?!" The goddess immediately went beside him.

"Choromatsu nii-san!" The angel sat up, holding the goddess's shoulders. "Are you all right?!"

"I should be the one asking you that!" Choromatsu raised his right hand on Jyushimatsu's scraped elbows. "Be careful next time, won't you?"

Jyushimatsu closed his open mouth as he stopped Choromatsu's right hand. "I can't believe you did that, Choromatsu nii-san. Where did I go wrong on guiding you?" The angel hugged Choromatsu's right arm, looking down the ground.

The goddess's eyes widened for a moment but then he immediately looked away, slowly tugging his arm. "Jyushimatsu, I—"

Jyushimatsu tightened his grasp on the goddess's arm as he raised his head up—sad yellow eyes meeting bewildered green ones. "Why did you sacrifice your power just for that devil?

"I allowed you to be friends with him but this is going too far!" Jyushimatsu exclaimed. "Sacrificing your power for a devil like him. You can't acquire that ability again! What if something happens to you? You won't be able to heal yourself!"

"Jyushimatsu, calm down!" Choromatsu pulled his arm, stronger this time, and then he grabbed the angel's shaking body. "I will be all right. I know what I'm doing—"

"You even made an agreement with a witch!"

"He's not just any witch! He's not that bad compared to what you told me!"

"A witch is a witch no matter what you say! They are evil! They sided with the devils during the war. They fought the Heavens. They tricked the humankind—"

"Don't you dare badmouth our race to anyone when you don't know the whole story, you fucking angel."

Both of the heavenly creatures turned immediately to the source of the voice. There stood a furious Todomatsu in his usual church clothes that's now so dirty due to unknown reasons.

Jyushimatsu stood up, glaring at Todomatsu. "You—"

"It's you, right?" Todomatsu walked towards the both of them, still maintaining the menace in the atmosphere. "It's you who told Karamatsu nii-san about me."

"Jyushimatsu?" Choromatsu finally stood up, looking alternately to the both of them. "Told Karamatsu...about Todomatsu?"

"That's right. It was me."

"Why did you do that?!" Todomatsu shouted. "Everything is shattered now! Karamatsu nii-san hates me! I won't be able to go back to how we used to be..." The witch trailed off, his voice cracking at the thought.

"Did you think that I meant harm?" Jyushimatsu muttered. "All this time, you lied to him. You tricked him that you're still the same as before..."

Choromatsu gingerly reached for Jyushimatsu in an attempt to stop him from emotionally blaming Todomatsu. "Hey, that's enou—"

"Do you think Karamatsu nii-san will be truly happy living in a life full of lies just because of your selfishness?"

"Jyushimatsu, that's enough!" Choromatsu interfered. "Don't put all the blame to him! You're destroying him!" The goddess wore the gloves that Todomatsu gave him as he walked towards the young witch. "Todomatsu, I'm sorry about tha—"

Todomatsu slapped Choromatsu's hand away before he can even finish speaking. The witch immediately ran away from the place, leaving both heavenly creatures in a heavy and silent mood.

Choromatsu was the first one to break it. "Jyushimatsu, I can't believe you did that...I mean, you're always been so cheerful and happy around people."

"Don't ever meet up with a creature of the opposite races again, Choromatsu nii-san." Jyushimatsu opened his wings. "From now on, you're prohibited to have any contact with any of them—devils, witches, reapers."

"Jyushimatsu, you know that I can't follow tha—"

"Don't make me use my powers on you...please." Jyushimatsu looked down. "I'm only making some measures to prevent you from being hurt."

"Osomatsu is in danger! I can't let him—"

"And you're going down to Hell again to save him?!" Jyushimatsu shook his head. "No. I'm not letting you. After giving up your healing ability just to see Osomatsu, I'm not letting you risk yourself again."

"You're basically imprisoning me, you know." Choromatsu frowned.

"If that's what it takes to keep you safe, then I'll do it." Jyushimatsu smiled as he slowly lifted himself up in the air. "See you then, Choromatsu nii-san!" The angel waved at him happily from above before ascending quickly.

Choromatsu felt a shiver snake at his back as he lied down the ground once again, looking at the now clear blue skies. It quickly changed—like him. A lone thought just occurred in his mind after that conversation.

Jyushimatsu is terrifying.

___________________________

"I swear, Osomatsu, you're getting me killed by your father." Ichimatsu clicked his tongue in annoyance as he sat on his working table. "I'm not gonna ask how the fuck did you get out of that prison because I know that Tougo didn't put a lot of guards on you and even put you in a shitty prison." The reaper flapped another page on the book that he was reading. "What is it this time?"

"I'm just passing by~" Osomatsu grinned as he threw the necklace that Todomatsu gave him, promptly catching it as it fell. "Maaaaaan, I want to see him already."

"Lovesick fool." Ichimatsu smirked as he faced the devil who was lying on his bed. "You look and sound gross."

"Coming from you? Really?" Osomatsu chuckled. "You don't understand. He's so—"

"Lovely? Adorable? Lovable?" Ichimatsu interrupted.

"All!" Osomatsu sat up.

"Why a goddess of all the creatures that exist?"

"There are no boundaries when it comes to love, Ichimatsu!" Osomatsu hummed, nodding his head at the same time. "We're different but that's okay. We'll fill each other's fault...well, mainly on my side...but!" The devil grinned. "The fact that we love each other is enough!"

"Stop that litany, please. You awfully remind me of someone." Ichimatsu spat as he returned to the book that he was reading. "So? When are you leaving?"

"Hmm... Now seems a great time!" Osomatsu gripped the necklace. "Seriously, why your room? Todomatsu sure has no taste when it comes to these things."

"Just get the hell out of here—oh, wait."

Osomatsu turned to him. "What is it?"

The reaper sighed. "Never mind. I can manage on my own."

"You're being weird again. Oh well—" Osomatsu threw the necklace on the ground, successfully breaking it into pieces "—bye bye~" Osomatsu waved his hand as he was enveloped by black smoke, completely hiding his whole body. Moments later, the smoke disappeared—so did the devil's body.

Ichimatsu removed his glasses and changed his clothes into his normal black robe. He yawned as he sat in his room for a few moments, gathering all the power that he'll need to go to the human realm.

Ichimatsu grinned as he casted a teleportation spell upon himself, his figure slowly disappearing in the darkness of his room.

"You're being a pain in the ass so I guess it's time to face you, Mr. Stalker."
_______________________

Osomatsu stretched his limbs as he finally arrived at the familiar vast land not too far from the river where Choromatsu resided.

Colorful summer flowers welcomed the devil's sight as he arrived at the realm so he decided to pick some—the mix of the red flowers and green grass reminded him of their colors. He put it at one of his pockets.

He honestly never felt this kind of yearning before. It was even stronger than his wish to have a proper father figure when he was a child; stronger than his desire to accomplish his goal to take down the former king.

It was...more innocent.

Osomatsu smiled as he walked past the tall grass of the land, a gentle breeze of wind blowing at his direction.

He suddenly remembered how worried Choromatsu was when he was imprisoned in Hell a week ago. Oh boy, the goddess's lovely face will be forever etched in his mind. He would be willing to sell his soul to the devil just to see it again.

Oh, wait.
He's the devil here.

"Oh, I know!" Osomatsu smacked his right fist over his left palm, signalling an idea. The devil chuckled playfully as he approached the riverbank. A genius, that's what I am! Osomatsu nodded while grinning. He can't wait.

Oh, there he is.

Osomatsu picked up a dry branch not too far from him. He smiled as he crouched down and stuck the branch under the hem of the goddess's robe. He slowly lifted it up, peeping at the goddess's legs.

So white—

Osomatsu suddenly heard a panicked shriek above him. Osomatsu laughed as he looked up, only to see an indignant and severely blushing Choromatsu.

The next thing he knew was that his face met the dirty ground along with a wet sensation accompanying it.

"W-W-What are you doing?!!!" Choromatsu shouted in a scandalized tone, pulling his robe down with all his might. His other hand was raised into the direction of the other creature that invaded his privacy. His eyes widened upon seeing his assailant, blushing a deeper red than what he had now. "Y-You?!"

"You're...still violent...as ever." The devil coughed as he attempted to stand up. "Using your power like that. And what's with those gloves? They look ugly—"

"O..somatsu." Choromatsu muttered. "It's you...right?" He slowly showed an expression of relief, smiling at the devil. "You're...safe."

"Of course I am!" Osomatsu rubbed his finger under his nose as he lifted himself up, just in the right level with the goddess. He fished out the flowers from his pockets, only to find out that they were destroyed by his shenanigans earlier. The devil quickly turned his back to the goddess, fixing the flowers in at least a presentable manner. He sighed as he faced the goddess again—blushing as he laid out his right arm in front of Choromatsu. "H-Here. A present."

A small silence mediated them but the goddess's chuckle broke the awkwardness. He carefully reached for the flowers, smiling at the devil's embarrassed expression. "Thank you and welcome back, Osomatsu."

The devil shyly smiled as he faced the goddess. "I'm back."

"Things had been quite chaotic here," Choromatsu said as he crouched down to re-plant the flower using his powers. "Todomatsu...he was found out."

"Found out?" Osomatsu removed his blue top coat and used it to dry himself. "By who—oh, shit." Osomatsu's eyes widened in realization. "By the priest?"

Choromatsu nodded solemnly.

"Damn..." Osomatsu trailed off as he laid down the grass, his back leaning at a tree. "Where is he now?"

"I don't know." Choromatsu shook his head as he sat opposite to the devil. "He ran away when he confronted Jyushima—oh my God."

"Choromatsu?" Osomatsu stood up. "What happened? Why are you panicking?"

"Jyushimatsu, last week...he...prohibited me to see opposite races." Choromatsu looked at Osomatsu worriedly. "He...might hurt you."

Osomatsu didn't react for a moment but then he broke out a loud cackle. "Sshhh.." The devil smiled as he lifted his hand to comfort the goddess. "Don't worry, I'll be able to prote—holy shit! Choro—?!"

The devil was immediately shut up on the swiftness of a sudden attack. Osomatsu calmed himself as he glared at the figure in front of him—a baseball bat stopping any of his physical movements. "You're an angel but you can do that to your fellow heavenly creature?" Osomatsu looked at his side where Choromatsu was violently thrown. Please be alright. He gritted his teeth in annoyance, bringing his gaze back at the unimpressed creature in front of him. "What do you want?"

"Stay away from Choromatsu nii-san." Jyushimatsu smiled, still looking calm despite the obvious rage in his yellow pupils. "Choromatsu nii-san is alright. Just unconscious. I didn't intend to hurt him."

"You do know that I won't leave Choromatsu," Osomatsu said in a low voice. "No matter what you say, I will never abandon him."

"Have you ever thought that you're gonna be the reason of his death if you continue these actions?" Jyushimatsu asked, his posture still not wavering. "Choromatsu nii-san might die because of your carelessness."

"As long as he's with me, he'll never get hurt."

"Even though you're wanted in Hell?" The angel's smile never faded in the whole ordeal. "Because of you, Choromatsu nii-san did a lot of dangerous things, even sacrificing his power just to see you. Have you ever thought of that?"

Osomatsu's eyes widened.
Fuck. He knew it.

"That idiot Todomatsu." He whispered, internally sighing. "Look, I have no ill intentions to Choromatsu."

"See? You only think about yourself. You selfish devil! You don't belong here!" Jyushimatsu finally snapped. "You'll only bring disaster in Choromatsu nii-san's life and I would certainly not allow you to do it." The angel finally moved, lifting his bat and preparing to attack the devil. "I must protect Choromatsu nii-san from the likes of you." He finally swung his bat, aiming at Osomatsu.

The devil gasped in shock he saw the weapon approaching him. What the hell...

"It's...broken?" Jyushimatsu heaved heavy breaths because of the built up tension. He turned around, gawking at the creature that welcomed his eyes. He gritted his teeth. "You..."

The creature smirked at the angry angel not too far from his place. "What a sight to see: an angry angel. This trip is sure worth it."

"What are you doing here?" Jyushimatsu spat, glaring fiercely.

"Well, I thought of giving my stalker a visit." The reaper smiled, his purple eyes looking right through Jyushimatsu's yellow ones. "How does it feel to see me right in front of your very eyes? Are you thrilled to see me after all these times you'd seen me in that small screen of yours in Heaven?"

"Surprised, yes, but not in any way thrilled by your appearance and interference with an important business."

The reaper chuckled as he twirled his scythe in front of him. "Sorry, not sorry, Jyushimatsu...was it? I'm pleased to meet you, my stalker."

Jyushimatsu threw the sliced bat beside him. God, this was worse than any winter he experienced in his whole life. The angel sighed in annoyance.

"The feeling is not the same, Ichimatsu."