Echo Of The Past

He could feel him. He could hear him. He felt he was trying to take control of his own body... Until now, he had never let him do it. He couldn't, and he didn't want it either. But why did Atsuya try so hard to do it ? Why was his voice still ringing from his head ? Why couldn't he leave him alone for two seconds, even when he was trying to focus on the lesson before him ?

Shirou sighed, and tried to ignore his brother's voice so that he could concentrate on reading the passage, the one which the professor was reading aloud. But he knew it well... Atsuya was too stubborn to give up.

"Shirou, answer me."

He massaged his forehead discreetly, biting his lower lip to keep from swearing. He always caused a horrible migraine that intensified with each of his words. Shirou was no longer sure whether possessing Atsuya's personality was a blessing, or simply a curse ready to haunt him for as long as it could. Shirou swallowed, and raised his hand feverishly. The teacher stopped short.

"Yes, Fubuki-kun ?"

"I'm sorry to stop the class, but... could I go to the infirmary, please ?"

He felt all eyes on him. He could hear the annoying murmurs of his comrades, apart from his two teammates who stared at him with worry. The adult stared at him for a moment, before gently nodding, understanding.

"Of course. Stay there as much as you want."

"Thank you Sensei."

And his chair scraped the floor as he got up, gathering his belongings in his bag. And that done, he eagerly left the classroom, without a glance at the other students. Not of shame, but seeing them could push him to kill them all on the spot. Shirou squeezed the strap of his bag tightly, and took a quick step towards the front door. He knew that what he was doing wasn't the best thing to do. But this building was too stuffy, and everything that came under his eyes got on his nerves. He needed to go out. Atsuya spoke again.

"Now you can answer me without any problem."

"Leave me alone, Atsuya."

He shuddered as he went outside, seeing the snow slowly falling from the cottony clouds that covered the sky. No risk that something could happen. He could go home with no problem.

"What audacity, Shirou ! I didn't know you would leave school without permission."

"What the nurse prescribes will not help you to shut up."

For brief seconds, silence reigned in his mind. And Shirou was happy to enjoy it. It was so rare that the other couldn't say anything, that the other was caught in his own game...

The sound of the snow under his feet was the only thing that broke that almost disturbing silence. Even his surroundings were silent. Walking in the snow was pretty pleasant...The smell of the fir trees filling his nostrils, the snowflakes stinging his skin by its sudden coldness, the light but chilling breeze desperately trying to freeze his limbs, the mass of white powder rising up to his knees, as if trying to help this breeze to imprison him and prevent him from continuing. But at the thought of the reassuring chalet, the rocking heat of his blanket, his hot chocolate with six marshmallows filling his body with an even stronger heat, but so sweet at the same time... And tranquility. This moment of loneliness which, at times, was delicious, like a dish difficult to find, precious for its rarity.

Shirou swallowed, and suddenly felt guilty for wishing for such a thing when he was lucky enough to...

"I'm sorry, Atsuya."

The other didn't answer. He inhaled, then exhaled, and while looking ahead, he continued.

"Atsuya, please... Answer me."