Reincarnation

› thirty-six: prey.

❝roses aren’t ashamed

of thorns,

nor is the sun

of its flames.

for darling

there are wars

you need to fight

to save yourself.❞

— sonia motwani.

———

I can’t focus on this right now.

Stuffing the broken flute in your uniform’s inner pockets, you turn around and head over to Genya—who, thankfully, was still alive.

But I’m not sure how much time he has left…

Kneeling beside him, you place a hand over his arm, grasping it gently.

“Genya,” you whispered, eyes softening at the sight of his tears.

I never got to make it up to you properly…

The corner of his lip twitched into a weak smile. “(Name), I...I just want to say th-thank you. Even if...if you didn’t show it, I could s-see it in your actions. L...let’s go out for donburi when we can, o-okay?”

A thick lump formed in your throat, making it difficult for words to come out of your mouth—instead, you nodded, grasping his arm tightly.

I’m sorry I can’t cry for you.

You looked down at your hand to see he was beginning to disappear—his body turning into dust, just like a demon’s.

Your eyes widen, hand withdrawing from his body out of shock—like a demon, he was disintegrating.

“W—what…?”

A loud cry came from behind you, enough make your ears ring from the suddenness of the yell.

Sanemi pushes you to the side, cradling his brother’s body close to his chest, sobs wracking his body.

“What’s happening to him, dammit?! His body is crumbling away! Shit, shit!” He cried, hands trembling.

You bit the insides of your cheek harshly, drawing blood—the metallic taste filling your mouth.

You didn’t care that Sanemi had pushed you—he’s panicked. He’s afraid for his brother, who was slowly withering away in his arms.

He’s watching his only living relative die before him.

“‘Nemi, I’m sorry...back then, I’m sorry I blamed you. I’m sorry...I was just a pain.” Genya whispered, his speech a bit broken.

“You were never a pain! Never! Don’t die—you can’t die before me!” Sanemi shouted, his voice shaky—his protective walls beginning to crumble before him.

“Thanks for watching...out for me…”

“Fuck—you call this watching out for you?! Fuck!”

“‘Nemi, I...wanted to take care of you. Like...you always tried to take care of me...we felt the same, we’re brothers...y’know?”

By now, Genya’s body had almost entirely crumbled away, only parts of his face left.