Flicker (Volume 2)

Year 232X.

"..."

"Well, putting aside the spud, what did you think about that?"

"The lecture?" Natasha asked, tilting her head.

"Yes."

Natasha rested her palm against her jaw, contemplating. "Hmmm, good question. I believe it was quite..."

"Insightful?" Kaito interjected.

"Yes, that's it! Insightful." Natasha nodded with a smile.

"But I must say, these speakers from the Kingdom of Bharata always seem to carry a spark of profound wisdom, don't you think, Kaito?"

"Yeah," Kaito replied, his voice distant.

"It really does make you question..."

"Whether the life we live is real..."

"Or just an illusion," Kaito murmured, his thoughts drifting as he fixed his gaze on the now-empty stage where the wise speaker had once stood.

"..."

"There you go, thinking deeply again."

"!"

Natasha suddenly slapped Kaito on his broad back with a surprising force, jolting him back to reality.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"Oh my, what's this? Did I get stronger, perhaps?"

"Stronger, my ass! You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

"Kaito, how could you possibly accuse a frail, innocent maiden like myself?"

"How unthinkable!"

"Innocent? More like feral," Kaito scoffed.

Enraged, Natasha grabbed Kaito by the collar and yelled, "You looking to die?"

"I was joking, I was joking! You're definitely the most beautiful, charming, frail maiden. Please forgive this fool for being so blind" Kaito pleaded with hands clasped together in mock sincerity.

"Hmph. As long as you understand." Natasha turned away, pouting. 

"Haha, shall we head over to lunch then?"

"Yes, that would be great, hehe."

"..."

The two strolled to the lunch hall, blending seamlessly like ordinary students. Yet, their presence carried an unspoken authority wherever they went. They other students knew that disrupting their daily lives came with consequences, whether due to their family influence or the widespread belief that they were in a relationship. Though not true, neither denied nor argued against it, secretly cherishing their bond.

But deep down, they both hoped it could one day become something more.

"..."

"Wow, that was great!"

"Nothing beats a warm chicken katsu curry on a hot summer afternoon."

"But you are sweating!"

"Seriously, you're such an odd one, Kaito." Natasha sighed, shaking her head in mock disappointment.

"Shall we take an afternoon walk in the school gardens?"

"Yeah, good idea, Natasha. Otherwise, I'll definitely doze off in class again."

"Honestly, what to do with you? Fufufu."

"..."

They wandered into the school gardens, surrounded by vibrant summer hues, the hum of cicadas, and the gentle warmth of the sun. As they strolled, captivated by the scenery, Kaito suddenly reached out and firmly held Natasha's hand.

Startled, Natasha exclaimed, "K-K-Kaito!?"

"What's wrong?"

"..."

"Natasha, I..."

"I..."

Kaito, still haunted by his failure to confess a year ago, had finally gathered the courage. The regret of that bittersweet finale of his middle school life clung to him every day.

Why was I so stupid? 

What did I not muster up the courage? 

Why could I not just tell her that I loved her? 

What if I did ask her out, would she have said yes? Or would she have turned me down? 

These questions replayed like a broken record, gnawing his mind.

Before starting high school, he had made a vow. Once summer returned, he would seize the chance.

And that moment was now.

He was ready to risk it all.

Natasha's rosy cheeks glowed vivid red, betraying her composed demeanour, as her heart raced in anticipation. She had longed for this moment, praying it would return ever since that bittersweet day. Each interaction with Kaito only deepened her feelings, making it harder to bury them

Alas, her wish has finally come true.

 "..."

"I have something to tell you," Kaito began, his voice trembling. "Something I should've said a year ago."

Natasha's eyes sparkled with joy, and she too, did not want this moment to slip, with a jubilant smile, she replied, "Kaito, I too, have something to tell you!"

Their eyes met with each other, firmly locked with a silent understanding. It was mutual.

"!"

But just as they were about to solidify their new relationship, the school bell rang.

Startled, they quickly looked around at the students flooding back to class. Embarrassed, they avoided each other's gaze, pretending to be oblivious.

Kaito, however, maintained his resolve. He looked Natasah in the eyes and said, "Meet me 'there' after school."

Natasha flustered yet excited, raised her arm awkwardly, and stammered, 'Y-yes! Will do!" She didn't need to ask where, she already knew.

The two walked back in silence, their faces flushed, unable to exchange the easy banter they once shared.

Their former relationship was now coming to a close.

They could no longer see each other the same way.

They both knew.

One last hurdle remained.

"..."

The final school bell rang, echoing louder than ever to the ears of Kaito and Natasha. Their hankering had heightened their senses. 

Feeling the rush of adrenaline, Kaito bolted from his seat, outpacing his classmates to the door. Glancing at Natasha, he gave a subtle nod.

I will be waiting. 

Startled by the unspoken message, Natasha nodded back eagerly, three times, her excitement barely contained.

This affectionate exchange, unsurprisingly, didn't escape the notice of Natasha's female classmates. Intrigued and brimming with mischief, one of them teased, "Oh my, Natasha! Heading somewhere with your boyfriend, are you?"

"Tell us, tell us! Don't be shy!" 

"No wonder, she's been bubbly all afternoon." One added with a grin.

"Have I?" Natasha replied softly, her cheeks glowing as she cupped her hands over them.

"Yes! Now spill it!"

"Maybe another time!" she laughed nervously, grabbing her bag and rushing to catch up to Kaito.

One of her classmates let out a playful whistle, exclaiming, "That's the look of a girl in love, for you."

"Ahh, Beatrice, when will it be our turn? When!"

"I don't know, Jeanne. I really don't know..."

"..."

Kaito bounded up the stairs, effortlessly skipping several steps at a time. His hidden athleticism drew awed glances from other students in the hallway, but he paid them no attention. His focus was singular, his destination clear.

The rooftop.

A place often used by students to share their feelings, but for Kaito and Natasha, it was far more significant. It was on a rooftop where their connection had first begun to blossom, and now, it would also be on a rooftop, where one chapter of their relationship would close, paving the way to something new.

A poetic justice.

"..."

Kaito paused before the rooftop doors, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves. Slowly, he pushed them open.

"..."

The rooftop was empty.

Kaito scanned his surroundings to be sure. Satisfied that he was alone, he walked toward the edge of the safety barrier, where the world seemed to stretch infinitely before him

What greeted him was a canvas of serene beauty...

Blue skies.

Mellow sunset.

Feathered whispers.

Smiles, free from the weight of the world.

"..."

Will this scene last forever?

Or...

Will it all...

Fade away soon...?

Kaito stood there, captivated, his thoughts drifting with tranquil scenery.

"!"

A sudden black-and-white distortion rippled through the vivid sky, tearing it apart for a fleeting moment. The warm hues of the sunset flicked and wavered, like an old projector struggling to maintain its image.

Kaito froze.

He blinked rapidly, rubbed his eyes, and even pinched his cheeks to confirm he wasn't hallucinating.

The steady hum of the breeze faltered, and the distant chirping of birds diminished, as though the world itself was slipping from its grasp.

Wait... Did the sky just flicker...?