Intro
For every one of them, it had taken different lengths of time to recall who they used to be. Guren was the first. He woke up one night, sweaty, mind clouded with nightmares, and there was blood on his hands. He soon realized that the child he adopted was, still his son. He sat by Yuuichiro’s bed and watched him sleep, hoping that maybe there’s a means to an end. Maybe in this new world, where Yuu was his son, things could go right. He didn’t sleep that night. A dark shadow cast itself upon him.
It was Yuuichiro’s 14th birthday when he saw it. Waking up to Guren half yelling and yanking the blankets off. He pulled his binder over his head and then his usual clothes to follow. At school it was if a heart attack shook him; all his memories coming back at once. He ran as far as he could from the building. Silent tears were shed. For what, he wasn’t sure. Mika. When Guren received a phone call later that day, he could only assume what had happened. But it was Yuu’s choice to return home. 12 am and scratchy knocks on the door. Guren answered to a bruised boy with a blotchy face. A simple hug. Full of admiration and love and all the caring he could offer.
“You’ll always be my son,” and the the night ended (painfully).
Yuu did his best to adjust after that. But he started getting into trouble, picking fights whenever possible and his school was left clueless at the sudden outrage of behavior. It wasn’t as if he was a stellar student to begin with, but this agenda was not one they wanted to deal with. Guren sent him to martial arts classes but nothing stuck too close to him until he picked up a sword. It was like breathing. He laid his weapon next to him in his sleep. Guren never asked, but it was obvious that Yuu was lonely. He had never managed to make any lasting close friendships.
By the time Yuuichiro was sixteen, he was on a few different medications. “Mood stabilizers” they said. Guren hated taking him to those places but it wasn’t like he had much of a choice.
It was in the past year or two that Guren started to know what was missing. It wasn’t that they talked about “the past” but he distinctly could remember the day he met Yuu. The raven haired child was sitting next to a blonde kid on the playground. They weren’t talking, they just sat next to each other, swinging themselves. According to Yuu’s foster family, that child was close friends with Yuu, and one of the only people he allowed near himself.
“Demon child” the other kids called him.
But after Guren took Yuu in, this friend disappeared. Yuu must have been around 7.
Yuu must be lonely. He must miss his comrades.
Yuuichiro continued with his life. He stayed away from people for the most part. He picked fights when he could. But he felt empty, like nothing attached him to this world. Looking up at the bright blue sky, he so often thought about death.
________
It was a bright Sunday afternoon and Guren was urging Yuu to leave the house. No, none of your bullshit, Yuu, he said. You’re going to leave the house and get on with your life. Stop being so fucking mopey.
He figured that Yuu might as well find some sort of useful reading material, seeing that he’d read through the countless texts Guren kept around the house. It wasn’t like Guren could keep a 24/7 watch on him either. Being a police officer kept him relatively busy.
To the library it was. Yuu sulked while he walked over. Even though he had just gotten a new binder and felt especially flat today, he hated being ordered to do things. His hair was especially untidy and hopeless.
Down into the many rows of the ACed building….left, right, left, right. Yuu was starting to get excited by the number of books. He held back his enthusiasm, trying not to look overeager. Soon, he found himself in some sort of crevice that seemed rather old. It was filled with classics, all bound rather odd, and Yuu loved it. Maybe in his old life he didn’t like reading, but now he thrived on it. It’s not like there was anything else to do. He leaned up to the wall, turning his neck to get a better look at the titles when BAM! a large stack of books hit him and toppled his short body over.
“What the fuck?” Yuu uttered looking as confused as a newborn puppy, books all around him. This is not his definition of fun.
A blonde haired boy wearing the most ridiculous outfit in the world emerged from behind the stack, muttering to himself.
“Ah, you’re pretty, so I think I’ll help you up”
Yuu saw red. His anger exploded like hot steam from a kettle. Taking the boy’s friendly outstretched hand, he stood up and punched him in the face, as hard as he could.
“Who the fuck do you think you are? Deciding who to help up?” he hollered.
But it was to his surprise that as Mr. Fancy Pants staggered back, he didn’t get upset. He didn’t even….fall over. He simply held his cheek and giggled.
“Your reaction is so funny” he continued that annoying laugh, “It’s just like something Yuu-chan would do”
First he’s laughing at me? And now? Yuuichiro freezes up at the mention of that nickname. Nobody in the world should know it. Maybe it’s just a coincidence. But it’s before anyone can gather their thoughts that a library staff member rushes over to them and screeches that they must leave asap.
____
Standing outside in the sweltering heat is not one of Yuu’s favorite activities. His binder feels sticky and disgusting and he can feel all his clothing peeling on him. Yuu takes a look over to the blonde weirdo. He’s got a button down on, tucked into trousers, boots, and fucking suspenders.
“Who the fuck taught you how to dress? You look ridiculous?” it came faster out of Yuu’s mouth than he intended.
The boy pulls on his suspenders and giggles. “My name’s Mikaela. Who’re you?”
Yuu gives him a funny look. Like he just said that it was raining blood.
“I only know one Mikaela, so you are not allowed to be Mikaela”
“I’m sorry….but I can’t change my name” The boy looks kind of sad. Yuu wishes he didn’t say that.
This Mikaela runs a hand through his hair - blonde curls that seem to look incredibly soft. “It sure is hot out. I just moved here and I wasn’t expecting the weather to be so bad”
Yuu folds his arms. He can’t believe that he’s actually talking to someone. “It’s always gonna be hot here. Welcome” Why would someone wanna live here??
Mikaela gives him a gentle smile and Yuu nearly sputters. Who the fuck can make facial expressions like that? “Ah, yeah I read the weather reports. I don’t like the heat...but I came here to find someone” Someone important….
Now he’s slightly intrigued. Who could Mr. Sunshine possibly be looking for? “Good luck, buddy. Everyone who lives here sucks ass”
Mikaela giggles at this and Yuu wants to be revolted. Wants to be. “Well you don’t seem too bad. What was your name by the way? Please call me Mika”
Yuu’s brain is telling him to tell this person to go fuck himself and walk away but he feels like responding for once. “My name’s Yuuichiro. My dad calls me Yuu”
He wasn’t looking at Mika but he turns his head and sees that the blonde’s eyes have widened and it looks like he’s recognized something.
“What? What are you looking at?” Yuu demands.
“Do you remember me, Yuu-chan?” Mika asks gently. Yuu’s eyes flicker with recognition and his heart almost stops. Mika? Mika? Mika!