Kokichi looked s bit more at Shuichi, refusing to make a noise.
The whole, 'question', seemed so...
Terrifying.
Shuichi took that as a note to continue, "What is going on with you?"
"I thought I asked you before, to leave me alone with that subject.." Kokichi muttered.
"T-that's not what I mean.... I.. I mean, your arms." Shuichi signaled his head that way, "I won't force you to talk about issues, or the reasons you get into panic attacks.. Or how you cough when you get stressed, and sprint off into a random direction.."
"So... you actually do notice things about me, huh.." Kokichi laughed slightly, bringing his gaze towards the sky.
"Look.. I have a good idea of what you are doing, and I'm here for you if you need it." Shuichi gently placed his hand onto Kokichi's shoulder.
Then the butterflies.
Which seemed to sleep, awoke, and flew around his body, making him warm and happy.
But he could feel the butterflies in his lungs taking affect.
The bees pollinating the flowers which grew in him.
"Shumai, how can I go to you when you are the reason behind most of my issues?" Kokichi asked.
Shuichi looked over, incredibly nervous, "W-what? I- I'm your issue?"
It seemed now that the words Kokichi let lose were actually offensive.
"I-I don't mean it like, that! I.. Saihara- I- I don't know. If I could tell you, I would. But... I'm afraid." Kokichi grabbed onto his bandanna and fiddled with it.
Shuichi stayed silent, watching Kokichi and giving him a chance to continue.
"I.. I guess I like you. And, I m-m-m.." Kokichi coughed a bit, the flowers growing more and more. This wasn't the time.
If Shuichi declined this confession....
Kokichi is..
Over.
Dead.
No more.
"I messed up. I cut my string, and got punished for it all. I am overstressed. I- I'm stuck. I shouldn't be talking to you about it, since depending on what you say and do, you can make it worse or better for me." Kokichi rushed through, he found his hands moving around like hell, "I- I.. I don't know.."
"You cut your string?" Shuichi asked.
Kokichi could only nod.
Tears were ready to swim out.
For hells sake, Kokichi could swear they probably were.
Kokichi wasn't a pretty crier.
Shuichi remained silent for a moment, "So..."
"We're soulmates, Saihara." Kokichi finished the thought.
Shuichi walked closer to Kokichi, and brought him closer to his body.
Just a simple hug.
A hug that with no words..
Helped him feel safe.
Happy..
Free of stress.
All the butterflies flew high in his stomach, struggling to be let free.
But this can't be right..
Shuichi doesn't like him.
That won't change a thing.
This isn't a proclamation of love.
This is life.
But what is wrong with having a bit of happiness now and then?
The happiness could be crushed faster than it appeared.
Shut up...
Allow me to live in this moment.
With the simple gesture...
Kokichi cried into Shuichi's shirt.