Chapter 1: ..Why Is This Man Caressing Me..?
CHAPTER 1: ..Why Is This Man Caressing Me..?
“..Hey..are..you alright?” A guy asks Yuko, visibly concerned. He starts walking towards Yuko. Yuko stands stiffly, with a distant stare. Slowly hyperventilating, fast, sharp, and shallow breaths. His heart starts racing, while an overwhelming feeling of dread falls over him. “..I’m alright. I just feel dizzy, sir.” He mumbles in a lie, then looks up at the guy in terror. His expression changes, and he stumbles back.“...I don’t know…what to do.. I can’t..he’ll..” Yuko crouches down, and grabs his head in frustration. He's trembling violently. Slowly, but surely, tears start forming in his eyes.“..Sorry, I'm rambling. Aren’t I..?” Yuko wipes his eyes frantically. The guy kneels down in front of Yuko, and gently grabs Yuko’s face, to face him. He looks at Yuko’s tear-stained face. “Hey, It’s alright! You’ll be okay.” The guy smiles softly, and comfortingly, but Yuko can still see the concern in his eyes. It starts drizzling, and the sky is dark, except for the bright stars and shiny moon. He sits down in front of Yuko, and wipes under Yuko’s eyes gently. “..If ya want, I can stay with you for however long you want.” The guy reassures. Yuko calms down slowly, then stops hyperventilating. (Why’s this man…) The guy leans in close, his hand still on Yuko’s face. Caressing under Yuko's eye with his thumb. He cups Yuko's face, his thumb smoothing over his damp cheek to wipe away his tears. (..Caressing me..?) Time skip, a week after. Convenience store door opens. ”Welcome back, Yuko. Your usual perhaps, sweetheart?” An old chinese woman asks sweetly. “Yes please.” A just below average sized guy with light brown hair, and big gold, honeydew eyes replies, with a polite smile on his face as he sits down on one of the store's chairs, with a towel around his neck. The bright hot sun beams across his face. “It’s a hot day, isn’t it Yuko?” She forms small talk while making Yuko’s order. “Indeed it is, ma’am.” He sighs tiredly, sitting in front of the counter. He wipes the sweat off his forehead. (At least the air conditioner is working today.) Yuko sits back in his chair, as a cold glass of lemonade sits in front of him. The cup is sweating. “Don’t be shy now. Take it.” She offers with a gentle smile, as she pushes the cup towards Yuko. Yuko smiles shyly, and scratches the back of his head. “Thank you, but..I didn’t bring extra change on me.” He states. She laughs. “Don’t be silly, dear. It’s on the house.” She assures. “Really? Thank you very much!” He exclaims, before sitting back up and drinking it. The old lady finishes his order. “No problem, sweetheart.” She smiles and slides a sandwich to him. Shortly after, a guy walks in, and sits at the front, right beside Yuko. The old lady smiles at him politely. “My two usuals are here. Let me get you your drink, Kazuki. I’ll be right back.’’ She says before walking to the back. Yuko sips his drink, awkwardly glancing at the guy sitting next to him. (He comes here every day. And he’s not sweating at all! Is he even human? It’s like a thousand degrees outside!) The guy catches Yuko staring at him, then smiles politely. “Hello. Is dere somethin’ wrong?” He asks calmly. Yuko spits out his lemonade out. Then quickly wipes his mouth. “No sir! Sorry for staring!” He says. (Wait..) “Do you..visit this place a lot?” He asks. “Well, I don’t live ’round here..but I come here often. So I'd say yeah.” He replies, slightly confused. (It’s the guy from the park. But..) “Do you..not remember me?” “...” “Ah’m sorry, am I suppostuh…?” Yuko smiles and shakes his head. “No. Don’t worry about it. It’s fine.” He says. “Ah’m really sorry!” Kazuki apologies. “No worries!” Yuko get’s shy. The old lady comes back out. “Aw, I’m happy you two seem to get along with each other.” She smiles. “Yuko, this is Kazuki. Kazuki, this is Yuko.” Yuko finishes the rest of his drink, and stands up quickly. “Alright, well...it was nice meeting you, Kazuki! Have a very good life, bye!” He speeds out the door, completely forgetting his wallet and phone. “Wait! Your phone! You-” (He’s gone. How strange. Did'I do somethin' wrong?) Kazuki glances at the old lady. “I didn't do somethin’ wrong, did'I?” He asks worried. She shakes her head with a reassuring smile.“Don’t worry about it. He’s just shy. He’ll open up some time.” She states. {Ring...ring} “Oh, it must be Ruby. Kazu dear, will you please return Yuko’s wallet?” “Wait but I-” “Okay thanks sweetie.” She runs to answer the phone. Kazuki sighs, and chases after Yuko with his wallet and phone. Yuko stops in the middle of no where, and puts his hands on his knees. He’s panting. He reaches for his wallet, that has his inhaler for his asthma, but can’t find it. Before he can start freaking out, Kazuki catches up with him, and hands his wallet and phone to Yuko.“Ya forgot dis.” He smiles politely. Yuko’s cheeks slowly flush a bright red. (That’s one charming smile.) He thinks to himself. "Thank you, Kazuki. And sorry for making you chase me down.” He mumbles an apology as he reaches for his inhaler from inside his wallet. “No worries!” Yuko takes a few puffs from his inhaler. “Umm..I was wonderin’.. ..when you ran away, is it cause I said somethin’ weird? Ah’m not sure how tuh act, or what tuh say. Ah just moved beck tuh Fukuoka a week ago, so I’m not used tuh the people here.” Yuko puts his inhaler in his pocket, and shakes his head. “You didn’t say anything wrong, don’t worry about it.” He says reassuringly. ‘‘Dat’s a relief. Ah’m glad ah’m not doin’ anythin’ wrong.” (That accent..) “Where did you travel from?” Yuko asks. ’’Ukraine. I’m half Korean, Japanese, and Ukrainian.” Kazuki replies. (That explains it.) He thinks to himself. “Well..” Yuko takes his wallet from Kazuki’s hand. “It was a pleasure meetin’ ya, Kazuki. I should get going though.” Yuko turns to walk away, but before he can take another step, Kazuki grabs his arm back. “Wait. I…” He pauses. “Do I know you from anywhere?” He asks nervously. Yuko shakes his head in a lie. Kazuki smiles, and let’s go of Yuko. “Right, sorry ’bout dat, Yuko.” He laughs awkwardly, as he scratches the back of him head. “Do you like being in Fukuoka, Kazuki?” Yuko asks. Kazuki nods with a polite smile. “Yes.” Yuko fiddles with his wallet. “..That’s..good.” He mumbles. “I..should get going. Have a good evening, Kauki.” Kazuki nods. “You too.” Yuko takes his leave, and heads towards the park he always goes to. (My heart..) His cheeks flush a light pink. (...Is beating so hard right now.. Why..?) He stops at the swings at the small park he always goes to. Just like when I first saw him here. One week ago: Yuko was walking around the park, then hid behind a tree the moment he realized someone was there. There was a handsome, tall guy around 19-20 years old. Dark brown hair, dark blue and green eyes, fine skin. All alone on the swing, during the late evening. Yuko peaks from behind the tree. Their eyes meet, and his heart starts racing. The guy smiles at Yuko, and Yuko’s heart beats even faster as he feels the warmth reach the side of his face. He looks away quickly. (That’s one charming smile he's got.) Yuko pulls out his inhaler, and takes a few puffs. (I…need to get back home.) He starts rushing to the train station. "I can't believe he didn't remember! Not like it really matters." He mutters before crouching down, and hiding his face by burying it in his hands. (I recognized him from the convenience store. And..now that I think about it, I haven’t thanked him yet for calming me down during my panic attack.) He peaks through small gaps through his fingers, then stands up, and starts walking to the train station. (I need to go back to school.) He thinks to himself, trying to forget about Kazuki. (I should have enough money by now to pay for my tuition by now, I’ll just have to work extra shifts.) He reaches the train station, and gets on the last train for the evening. He sits down, and eventually falls asleep. An hour later, he woke up to realize he was laying his head on someone's shoulder. He sits up straight. (Oh shit.) “I’m sorry, sir.” Yuko awkwardly apologizes. The middle aged man gives a wide polite grin that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Don’t worry about it.” The man replies. “Where’s a pretty boy like you going so late at night?” He asks. “Home.” Yuko replies, not suspecting a thing. The guy scoots closer to Yuko. “All alone? That’s pretty dangerous for a cutie like you to be riding a train alone at this time of night. You seem pretty young too. How old are you?” He asks again. “18.” Yuko replies, scooting away. The guy grabs his wrist. “No need to be scared darling. I don’t bite. Plus, we’re all alone anyway. The train’s empty. No one’s gotta know.” He leans in close to Yuko. “W-wait…. ..What..?” (Is he being for real right now..?) Yuko backs away, but the guy grabs both his wrists, and pins him to the seats. Yuko’s heart starts racing, and his hands start sweating as he tries to get away. There’s no use, because the man is much bigger than Yuko. But before the man can do anything, someone boards on the train, and catches the creepy man midway. And
