Beachside Poetry (Open to anyone)

As he read the story that Hikaru had shown him, he couldn't help but smile slightly and mutter "Its does serve him right, if you think about it." Before his smile faded and he hoped that Hikaru didn't hear what he said. He then realized what Hikaru had said about how the arcana reflected his life and replied with "Well, it's always good to have a bit of mystery in your life, isn't it?" and chuckled to himself afterwards. He then sighed and scratched the back of his head before saying "Sorry to bring up your shadow again but.... if....when you are taken into a parallel universe and encounter your Shadow Self, don't worry. I'll come to help.... and if I don't, I will explain it to you the next time that we meet."

He looked at Hikaru and tried his best to smile, reassuringly before he enthusiastically asked "Oh! Do you know of any shops nearby where I can buy a mobile phone? Also, which model do you think I should buy?", unaware of how weird his sudden change in attitude could seem.

It was for a brief moment, but the smile and cheerful expression on Hikaru's face quickly turned into a gloomy expression, his eyes gazing far off into the horizon.
"Yeah, my past is a bit of a mystery... for certain reasons. The point is, I just want to leave it behind. I don't want to bother anyone with it. It's not just you, Alex; nobody knows the full story, not even Kumiko. And... I intend to keep it that way."

Hikaru quickly regained his positive demeanor, though his once pleasant green eyes seemed to turn into jade eyes, beautiful in color but void of emotion.
"I appreciate your help, Alex. Truth be told, I'm scared to death of whatever the heck this shadow me is. But I won't let it beat me. I'll stand strong... Just like I always have.

Listening to Alex's request for a cellular phone, Hikaru quickly jumped to his feet and invited Alex to walk with him through the street until they approached a small tech shop in the corner of the street. Technology devices ranging from printers to high-tech laptops and accessories lined the racks, but Hikaru's interest was focused on the man standing behind the counter organizing new accessories on the displays.
"Garett! Hey, bud. Listen, do you have any simple upfront-pay cell phones available?"
"Like always, Hikaru. The ones on that rack are available for 10000 yen. A bit pricey, but I'd say it's well worth the cost. Who's your buddy here?
"A good friend who needs a... new cell phone. Last one met an unfortunate end. 10000, you say?
Hikaru swiped the phone from the hook and pulled out his wallet, handing 10000 yen to the clerk and having him open the box to retrieve the phone. Hikaru opened the phone first, entering the registered number into his contacts before giving it to Alex.
"Well, here you are. What do ya think? Pretty nifty?"

As they walked outside of the shop, Alexander marveled at the phone in his hands and looked at Hikaru, smiling and saying "Thanks...this is awesome, Hikaru. So, how much do you want me to pay you back? 10000 is a big number, after all." As they walked away from the shop, Alexander, with the help of Hikaru, set up his phone before placing it in his bag, looking up at the sky as it began to rain and muttering "You've been pretty open about nearly everything about you...and I've just sat quietly, never contributing. I'm sorry about that. I should probably tell you the whole truth about me... albeit, I'm not sure to tell you now, or when your dreams get even more vivid, over the phone."

He sighed, acknowledging the fact he had hit the point of no return. Whether he left Hikaru, who would probably be asking himself what Alexander meant, hanging onto that or whether he told him later, Alexander knew he couldn't turn back and act like he had ever said this. He then turned to Hikaru and said "I'll just leave it up to you." The brown haired boy then looked towards the sky and muttered "Pathetic Fallacy... When the emotions of a creature align with the emotion portrayed by a certain aspect of nature... That fits here, don't you think?"

Alexander looked back towards Hikaru and smiled slightly, the usual spark that he had in his eyes had returned, before chuckling to himself and saying "Enough with all that stuff, anyway. Hikaru, when the dreams get really clear or vivid or whatever, or when you get a feeling it is near the time that you're going to get kidnapped, just call me, ok. We can come up with some sort of plan." He then sighed a sigh of relief and looked at the people passing by, who had taken no notice of their conversation at all.

Hikaru smiled as Alex set up his phone, glad to see that his friend could quickly keep in touch. Hikaru was uncertain if he could really call him if he were to be abducted, but if he could speed-dial him, perhaps there would be time. When Alex offered to repay the price of the phone, Hikaru shook his head.
"No need. My father's pretty generous with the spending money. Dad's a pretty wealthy businessman. So, no need to pay me back. Think of it as a little present from me to you."
As Alex expressed his worry about not being fully open to Hikaru, he couldn't help but frown a bit. Hikaru believed that Alex wasn't telling him the full truth for his protection, so he shouldn't feel guilty about it. Hikaru also had a large part of his life that he prayed wouldn't have to return to light.
"No need to worry, Alex. I think it'd be best if you tell me later. I suppose I want it to feel like a birthday present; once this whole 'Shadow" business is over, I can relax and hear the whole story. As for your contribution, you don't need to worry about it; your secrets are respected by me so long as you respect mine. After all, I've got... a rather unfortunate past, and I'd prefer not to speak of it. I just want to leave it behind. But what I've told you before is fine to divulge. Ask me any questions, so long as they don't have to do with... the past."

Hikaru hadn't realized that his expression had suddenly shifted into a solemn, depressed face that reflected just how badly his past was to remain abandoned. He found himself looking at Alex with those same eyes of worry and concern Kumiko had given him earlier.

"No. Stop thinking about that, Hikaru. It's in the past. You have friends. You have a family. You won't be losing them. You... you shouldn't lose them. You can't go back to being alone. It will be all right."

Hikaru had to shake himself out of that depressing state; it didn't reflect his nature at all, and Alex might have been startled by his change, so he returned to his happy-go-lucky expression and continued to walk alongside Alex.

"I suppose I do have one question for you, and you can answer vaguely if you want. Do you have a family, Alex? I'd like to know as much of you as I can."

The young Velvet Room Attendant scratched his head, saying "This ties in with what I was gonna tell you...but, I'll leave it at this. Depending on your point of view, I could have many siblings and only a father or I could have no siblings and no parents. I personally go with the latter." After he said these words, he looked down at a puddle and began to think about what he had just said. Was that really what he thought? He usually would think the former view, but he didn't think when he said it so... was that what he naturally thought? He then began drifting into thoughts of what his shadow would be like if he had one, and what he held deep behind the usual smile he wore. He then gulped and turned back to Hikaru. "So... do you want me to continue, or leave it at that?" he sighed.

"Wow... There really isn't a lot he can tell me without spoiling something. Just who is he? Is he... adopted like I am? Is he not so open to calling his family as they feel they are? But, more importantly, do I feel the same way? No. Not at all... I think. Kumiko's always been the best big sis I could ask for. Why would I think of her as anything different?

Hikaru scratched his head as he contemplated this, but quickly remembered that Alex was asking him a question. He casually shrugged and accepted what Alex could give him.

"If you don't want to say anymore, don't feel pressured to. So, you have a pseudo-family of some kind? I... suppose I could get behind that. They're related to you, but not in the typical family way. That can be understandable.

It's getting a bit late, so I should probably start heading home. But before I go..."

Hikaru stopped walking and extended his hand to Alex in the form of a fist. He held it there, hoping he knew that he was asking for a fist bump.

"Here's to our futures and the battles of life to come! Whaddaya say?"

Alexander smiled and bumped his fist with Hikaru's, "Yeah. We're a team. When you go missing, I'm gonna be the first to find you...but if we have any doubts...we're gonna have to get this friendship of ours to grow quickly." He then chuckled before waving as Hikaru began to leave. "Tell Kumiko to call me if anything weird happens regarding you! If she requires an explanation, I'll tell her! Oh, and bye!" Alexander shouted, before walking out of the alleyway and walking back to the area where the door to his home resided.
"Bye for now...But hopefully, not for the last time....my friend."

[END]

As Alexander hurried off to wherever he lived, Hikaru found himself looking back at the mysterious boy. There was plenty Hikaru didn't know, and that lack of understanding was gnawing at his thoughts. But, with friends like Alex, he felt that no matter what happened, there'd be a way to solve it. He kept a mental note to take his advice and call Alex should anything come up.

Hikaru spun on his heels and continued his leisurely stroll back home, looking to the lovely setting sun that blew its orange aura across the waves.

"Bye for now, Alex. If I'm still alive to see another sunset like this, I want to see you sitting next to me again... as my friend. Yeah... My best friend."

[END]