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The night is still young. And a cry brushed as unimportant as the cicadas hums that filled the ears of bystanders. Neither party expected this to happen, and that was a truth only Kohaku could accept. Was it not but only his fault this happened?
“Kohakucchi-san!” The innocence in Hiiro's voice could make Kohaku's skin crawl like the legs of a centipede. He truly, and in all honesty, didn't want this to happen.
Unsuspecting at the time, Kohaku greeted the older with a soft smile. “Do ya need somethin’ Hiiro-han?” How badly Kohaku wishes he could be of importance to him. Did he cover his desperation up well during this interaction? And it didn't matter in the end.
Hiiro wanted to hang out. That's all. Conflicting schedules blurred the lines of when they could meet, but the pair made room. Escaping the busy and stressed environment of ES.
“Hiiro-han, why'd ya wanna hang out with me and not Rabu-han?” Kohaku finally asked. Not that he didn't want to be with the redhead, only he craved the validation and love Hiiro's explanation would give him.
Love.
Kohaku and Hiiro didn't talk to each other much but Kohaku knew for certain what he felt was love for him. He wanted the affirmation Hiiro would give with his explanation.
“Aira-san had a pretty 5 meeting that he couldn't skip out on. And I've been meaning to hang out some more with you!” Hiiro says, before stopping and grasping both of Kohaku's hands. Really — this was such an overused love trope.
And Kohaku couldn't help but fall more and more in love with it.
“Kohakucchi-san! I know we don't interact much but I shall make it my goal to befriend you truly by the end of our date!” He threw around words like that as if they were not meaningful. As if they didn't send mixed signals to the pinkette. As if Kohaku didn't so desperately grasp every word Hiiro said, craving his affection like a moth to light. And that's because it was true.
Moths were usually overlooked with their prettier counterparts. And who really knows why they're so attracted to light. Maybe in the world of darkness, they clung to something so much they would become vulnerable for it.
“Date!? Hiiro-han we aint on a date!” Kohaku said, almost harshly. He didn't mean to lash at him. This whole interaction has gone for far too long, and the prospect of Hiiro thinking and treating this like a date would kill him. The rough exterior he so carefully spent years building was collapsing.
Not so much of a moth now, Kohaku thought.
The moonlit atmosphere was cool, almost dreamlike. Hiiro and Kohaku walked and chatted occasionally, pointing out pretty flowers or the different stars that illuminated the beautiful night sky. (And the light of Kohaku's phone trying to look up different star patterns to impress the older one when he wasn't looking).
“Kohakucchi-san! Look at those flowers, they remind me of you!” Hiiro interrupted Kohaku's sentence about whatever. This guy… But he couldn't get mad, Hiiro was really cute. Turning his head to look at where Hiiro was eagerly pointing at. It was a small bush of pink flowers that enveloped a street lamp– likely planted there by the city.
“Here, let me get some for you! I would make a flower crown like I did for Tori but there aren't many” Hiiro thoughtfully picked what he deemed, the prettiest flowers, for Kohaku. Tying them with a stem, making a small bouquet for the pink haired boy. With a bright smile, he handed it to him, proud of his work.
“A-ah! Thank ya Hiiro-han! Though ya really didn't hafta… now it feels like I gotta make something for ya” Kohaku smiled and took the flowers, gently placing them in his pocket.
Though the peace soon continued. The two laughed and talked. It was nice to just talk and relax after a long day. Though the nats and mosquitoes were a nuisance– nothing would really ruin this for Kohaku. He was on a ‘date’ with his crush. Though it would be a shame if anything came out of it.
Kohaku knew that if any of his family members were to know, well besides the young master, found out he wanted to court an Amagi. He would be screwed to say to the least.
As Hiiro talked about his day, Kohaku was lost in thought. Being in a relationship with Hiiro would mean Hiiro finding out about his past actions. With Double Face and his family. How would he react? He wouldn't be afraid– he doesn't seem like the type to get scared from something like that.
What shook him out of his thoughts was Hiiro stopping. It felt like the world stopped too. “Kohakucchi-san. We're being followed” Hiiro said.
“Are ya sure? This is sudden. why would someone follow us in specific” Kohaku said. Too lost in thought to even sense if someone was in fact following them. Then he heard it. Footsteps that failed to be quiet. He shuddered, it felt like bugs were crawling on his skin.
Why were they following them in specific? They continued to walk. Hiiro was strong– he's been doing martial arts since he was a kid and he's in SHIN. Kohaku was a raised assassin, and he thinks he's pretty strong. They would be fine.
Right?
“Kohakucchi-san!” Kohaku didn't even get a turn to look at his friend when he felt the tackle. It wasn't just one person– it was three people. His face was being pressed onto the concrete, stealing a glance to see Hiiro in the same position. One person pinning them down to the floor.
How could a night so peaceful and relaxing go to this?
When Kohaku woke up, his body felt weak. He couldn't even sit up without feeling like he's going to throw up. His head was throbbing and he was in the forest. Besides him was Hiiro in the same state, yet still unconscious.
“You're Oukawa Kohaku. Where's the other one?” He felt his face grow pale. He was going to die. His body drugged, and no weapon for him to defend himself with. These men, in all black, were going to kill him because of Kohaku and Madara's actions.
“What do ya want?” He tried to sound strong but his voice was shaking. “Let him go” he added. It was futile, he knew they weren't going to let Hiiro go. But a small light of hope was still in him.
That's when he noticed the shine of a blade.
“Kohaku..?” Hiiro softly said, voice groggy from just gaining his consciousness.
The men only laughed at Kohaku's plea, they walked towards Hiiro.
“Kohaku-san. Are you okay? Who are these people?”
He felt his lip trembling. The words on the tip of his tongue but his voice was nowhere to be found and his mouth was dry.
Hiiro struggled under their grasp, his wrists were pinned down to the floor and each man was laughing at Hiiro and Kohaku.
“Oukawa, do you seriously think we're going to let him go? He's already a witness. Maybe he should go first, so you can see what we'll do to you.” They said
No matter how much he tried, Kohaku couldn't control the tears that fell. “No.. please don't hurt him– leave him alone!”
The red head struggled, too weak to fight back. That was until they lifted Hiiro's shirt and pierced the toned skin. Kohaku screamed.
Stop it. Stop it. He shouted at them to leave Hiiro alone, to let him be. But Hiiro seemed to have died almost instantly. They sliced his stomach, blood pooling out. With each slice and puncture more of Hiiro's likelihood to live decreased.
“Let this be an example to you and your friend. We'll be back. Your fate is gonna be worse” they laughed, before leaving to seemingly get more things for Kohaku's torture.
No. He wasn't going to die like that. He would die, his own way. But certainly not in cold blood. He faced the sight– finally getting some sort of energy.
“Hiiro-han..” Kohaku's voice croaked out, hoarse from screaming. Tears fell down his soft skin. He should feel sick, it's a disgusting and grotesque sight. A boy so dear to him, his organs displayed like a work of art for the insects to see. The forest floor below them soaked with blood– like a song calling for the maggots. Kohaku helplessly stared at the once full of life boy in front of him.
No Kohaku thought. He crawled to Hiiro's lifeless form, his mind reeling in his surroundings. I won't let it end like this. The pinkette grabbed loose organs, stuffing them back into Hiiro's open stomach. The metallic scent is bitter to him but sweet to the flies hovering over the lump. Could this mess of tendon and sinew even be considered human anymore?
I can fix this. I can fix this. But could he? His hands covered in blood and tissue, with every shove of an organ, blood leaked more and more. In the heat of the moment Kohaku realized the patheticness of his actions. The once beautiful boy whom he cherished is now a mess of meat and bone. He felt something poking his palm. It dawned on him. Kohaku screamed, scooting away from the scene and gagging. Was that his ribcage!? Sure, he's seen blood and gore. But this was different. He felt like he was going crazy. Maybe he is– maybe this truly was his fault for tainting Hiiro with his filth.
He cried, and cried. It was a pitiful sight, this wasn't how their night was supposed to go. Hiiro had such a bright future and Kohaku ruined that. And in a way it ruined Kohaku's future as well. He doesn't want to be in a world without Hiiro– if he had been brave enough mayne Hiiro could've known about Kohaku's feelings for him. But alas that couldn't happen.
It reeked a lot. He was covered in dirt, sweat, blood, and tears. Wiping his tears, Kohaku faced the sight he didn't want to see.
Kohaku stared at the pile of meat. With shaky hands he took the flowers Hiiro had so thoughtfully picked for him and one by one plucked the head to place on Hiiro's face. He really didn't want to see his face– so beautiful. Of course he was, he was an idol. Hopefully he said goodbye to Rabu-han and Rinne-han. His death would affect them the most. Kohaku thought.
His purple eyes snapped towards a metallic shine beside Hiiro's corpse. The knife used to slice him up as if he was a piece of meat for the butcher. That's what these people think of them– that's what Kohaku thought for so long when he was still in Double Face. That his actions would never have consequences because his victims were just pieces of rotten meat.
With ragged breathing, the younger picked up the knife. He glanced at it, and then at the person whom it was used on. Those men would be back. Anytime now, going to torture him for the filth he's done. He never meant to hurt Hiiro. Tracing his finger lightly across the sharp blade, with a face filled with different conflicting views. Maybe it would be best if…
Hurriedly, Kohaku unbuttoned the bottom buttons of his shirt. Tracing his stomach with the wet blade. Strangely, he was relaxed. Kohaku was finally at peace with this choice. Hiiro-han didn't graduate… never got to perform on stage with his unitmates… never got to find love… I don't wan’ ta do any of those things if my actions led him ta die and never do them as well with me. Kohaku thought, gently stroking his red curls. He made up his mind.
Gently, Kohaku struck the blade into his soft flesh. He shut his eyes tightly, mustering up the pain. Usually he'd be grossed out by the cleanliness of dirty knives but. It was different because it was Hiiro.
He let out a soft gasp. Retracting the blade, letting his blood spill out like a fountain. Before stabbing himself once more. He didn't get to be an idol– why should I be one while he's left to die in vain? Kohaku dropped the weapon, too weak to hold it any longer. His vision went blurry. The pain was strong but Hiiro's death was worse than his.
Kohaku fell to the ground and held Hiiro's hand. His breathing grew heavier. The pinkette’s vision grew fainter and the hum of cicadas grew louder. Until it went quiet.
.
When Kohaku opened his eyes, he wasn't in pain. Well, his whole body felt numb. He heard crying in the distance- and once his vision finally focused he saw the sight in front of him. ALKALOID and Crazy:B, as well as the members of Kohaku and Hiiro's respective clubs were surrounding something.
It was only then Kohaku realized he was dead. Looking down his body was translucent, seeing his body was left with the gaping cut in his stomach, which revealed his own organs. His hands were covered in blood… Hiiro's blood…
He looked around, walking towards the group of grieving friends and most importantly family. Everyone was crying. Madara, Tsukasa, Aira, and Rinne took this the worst. Tsukasa lost a family member. Rinne lost his brother and a close friend. He doesnt think he was able to say goodbye to either of them. Maybe he should have laid down on the teasing. Madara knew one day Double Face’s actions would catch up to them, but he never thought it would be Kohaku to be the victim. Was this his fault? He's sure it was. Aira lost two friends, one whom he met online and the other he met as an idol. His closest friends were brutally killed- did he have anyone left?
Kohaku felt like crying. Suddenly feeling pressure on his shoulder, he turned around and saw Hiiro. Covered with flowers and organs hanging out of his stomach.
“Kohakucchi-san do you want to go on a walk with me?” Was all he said.