[Just wanna stay alive]

[toremainbehind]

[It was just an ordinary day.

He was just working at his uncle's bar as usual, cleaning the glasses and maintaining the orders for delivery. He's given up on trying to kick Mikoto out when he comes over right after school, well aware how his best friend likes to come and sleep on the couch before opening hours start.

On the radio, he idly listens to another report on a famous couple after discovering they were soul mates, and he scoffs softly to himself.

Soul mates.

It's rare to find them in their world, but when found, it's suddenly as if the whole world changes. People make such a big fuss about it, and it slowly grates on his nerves.

Mikoto himself was unimpressed.

He accompanies his friend, though, when he receives a call about Mikoto's 'stalker' being in the hospital, curious as to who this person is to be so determined to go after the grumpy redhead. He waits for Mikoto go in first before following him.]

Comments

[preciousmemories]

[That's a kind of odd reaction...Tatara tilts his head, hand falling back onto his book.]

So, you don't care what I call you? [Usually people do...Even with this soul mate business, jumping straight to using his given name feels kind of weird. He thinks he's something like four years older. Maybe he'll just be Kusanagi...

It's so weird having someone care about him when this is only their first meeting. Weird, but...kind of nice.]

I don't... look for it? [Except this time he kind of did.]

[toremainbehind]

It'd be better for us to get to know each other first before we're on a first name basis. [Because this is just—weird.

Izumo studied Totsuka for a moment, a crease forming between his eyebrows.

This kid...no wonder why he follows mikoto like a puppy. Somehow, just the thought of it bothers him as something tugs on his heart.]

At the rate you're going, you might keep ending up back here. [He might sound a little exasperated, but he can't help it. If this kid is his soul mate, and keeps on following Mikoto, chances are that Izumo will end doing his best to keep him out of trouble, too.]

[preciousmemories]

Right? So Kusanagi-san it is!

[They'd probably weird everyone who knows either of them out really quickly if they just started using each others first names right of the bat anyway, not that Tatara really has many people who'd notice.

Nothing about this situation isn't weird, honestly...]

I hope not! Hospitals aren't fun. [Even if they are heated and give him food and have actual people who are worried about him. Maybe that's why they're weird.

But King visited him and brought his soul mate along and--it's probably actually Kusanagi-san who told King in the first place.

A thought barely occurs to him and then he is holding out a hand uncertainly. It isn't so he can shake hands, but...how Kusanagi-san reacts is up to him.]

[toremainbehind]

How old are you?

[He can't help but be curious. Totsuka looked just like a middle school student, so it's caught his interest as to how exactly this kid wounded up being such a bullied one.

This is too weird.]

Maybe if you stay out of trouble, you won't come back here again.

[Which brings along the question as to how he had managed to get the call concerning Totsuka being in the hospital. The kid has never been at the bar before, that's for sure.

But then Totsuka is holding out his hand.

There's a tug towards it, and he's barely thinking before he reaches out to take totsuka's hand in his.]

[preciousmemories]

14, until February. What about you?

[That's because he is a middle school student, Kusanagi-san. A middle school student who doesn't belong to any group and just goes between people and hobbies.

He laughs slightly.]

I've never been very good at staying out of trouble though.

[Sorry, he isn't exactly good about having a sense of self-preservation. And...Kusanagi might not like the answer to that.

He shifts his grip until he can lace his fingers through Kusanagi's, smiling brightly.]

Nice to meet you, Kusanagi-san. [Or, soul mate.]

[toremainbehind]

I'm 18. Birthday is on April 10th.

[The irony of being born on Valentine's Day, though he suspects Totsuka has never celebrated it before.

He shakes his head.]

Then both you and Mikoto are going to give me headaches.

[He has enough self-preservation for them all, but he doubts it's enough.

But when Totsuka lace their fingers together, he can't help but smile in return.]

I wish our meeting wasn't in a hospital.

[preciousmemories]

So you're going to graduate high school soon?

[He is 18...Tatara knows he can't afford to go to high school, but he wonders if this was as much education as Kusanagi-san wanted.

He's gotten gifts from many people before on the day though! Some he wasn't sure if they were obligatory chocolate, birthday gifts, or another type of chocolate...But not anything like Izumo probably means.]

Trouble finds King more than it finds me...I think.

[He laughs, wanting to scratch the back of his head but not wanting to let go of his hand.]

It could've been better, but it worked out somehow, right?

[toremainbehind]

Yeah, but college isn't on the agenda.

[College has never been a plan; he's seen many successful people forgo a college education in his young eighteen years of life.]

He's a trouble magnet.

[Tilting his head, he watches Totsuka carefully.]

I suppose.

[preciousmemories]

Ah...

[No college. So he's not going to leave after high school. Huh.

Trouble magnets apparently attract other trouble magnets and people who want to keep them safe, if they're anything to go by.

He'd found someone else he doesn't want to let go off--that means it worked somehow, even if it was completely unexpected. He's liked sitting here talking like this, but...]

Shouldn't you go? Isn't King still waiting for you?

[toremainbehind]

Did you want me to go?

[He's honestly curious because, well— he might help Totsuka at least attend high school.

It's like a chain effect.

Izumo blinks, remembering Mikoto and glance at the clock hanging on the wall.]

It's fine. Mikoto is probably already on the hunt for the guys who did this to you.

[preciousmemories]

If you don't want to, you don't want to.

[Besides, he's literally just met him. He doesn't feel like really has any right to tell him to do or not do anything unless it's things like "don't follow me" or ask him to get some kind of food rather than another. Even though they are soul mates.

Tatara blinks at him a moment later, and tugs slightly on their joined hands.]

Really? It was fine though, he didn't need to. [Sorry Izumo, this isn't something he gets mad over. But, if he's going to stay, he could move to the other side of the bed so Tatara isn't crossed over himself to hold his hand.]

[toremainbehind]

It feels weird to just leave you like this.

[More like, he feels like he needs to stay by Totsuka's side.

He blinks at the tug and follows it, moving to sit on the other side of the bed.]

He likes you, and if this is because of him, he feels guilty since you're not a fighter. [Not like him and Mikoto, anyway.

Izumo reaches out to gently move some of totsuka's hair away from his face.]

[preciousmemories]

But, you can come back later. I'll probably be here for a while...and you'll see me when I'm out.

[He does have a broken foot in a weird sling thing so it's elevated in addition to his broken arm.

There's no way he wouldn't find them, now that it isn't just King who is interesting. Still not sure how to feel about the whole concept, but he likes Kusanagi already. That's enough.]

Hmm...well, I'm definitely not a fighter!

[He makes a small confused noise when the hair's brushed out of his face, tilting his head to look at Izumo better.]

[toremainbehind]

If you're intent on following Mikoto [and confirm our soul mate status] then I'll see you a lot more.

[Izumo himself is still unsure about this. The concept has always been strange to him.

How does one exactly deal with this?]

No kidding. Do you know any basic self defense at all?

[He looks slightly flustered and pulls his hand back.]

[preciousmemories]

We'll see each other a lot more, then!

[Partially because of Mikoto, but now he's curious about Kusanagi--and if the things they're told about soul mates are true.

Presumably by talking with the other person...]

I know...several ways to fall and what plants you shouldn't pick on a mountain?

[That's definitely not what he means. The answer to the question actually being asked is a resounding no, unless Izumo counts the falls.

...now he's more confused, but he won't mention it.]

[toremainbehind]

Hm, you're not allowed in the bar, though since you're underage.

[He wonders how Mikoto will handle the news. It's only been the two of them for a long time now, so having another person added to their duo might not be so bad.

The capability of approaching the topic is lacking.]

That doesn't count.

[He doesn't quite understand why he did that himself, and it's confusing. He just furrows his eyebrows a little as his eyes lower down to their linked hands.]

[preciousmemories]

[He half-pouts, letting out a small huff.]

Both of you are too!

[Legal age is 20 in Japan, Izumo. He knows that much, just as he knows that many don't follow it.

It's not like he's interested in alcohol anyway--he's seen what alcohol and gambling can do to people, thanks to his father.

He laughs, shoulders shaking slightly.]

Yeah.

[Their hands are a good place to look, rather than studying this boy's face. It's comfortable, even though he hasn't held hands with many people before.]

Did you think about it? The possibility of finding a soul mate. [He's curious, and well...this way they'll talk about it. It's no longer a mere possibility, if this oddness was for both of them like it seems like it is based on how Kusanagi reacts to him.]

[toremainbehind]

[He laughs.]

I'm a bartender, and the only employer at the bar at the moment. [Since his uncle apparently is useless when it comes to the bar.

Good. Izumo wouldn't want Totsuka anywhere near alcohol, anyway.

He continues to stare down at their hands, feeling as if something inside of him felt complete. It's strangely familiar yet satisfying.]

Honestly? No. I actually found the idea to be...ludicrous. [He says the last part carefully as he wants to make sure he didn't accidentally offend Totsuka if he believes in this kind of thing.]

[preciousmemories]

That doesn't excuse King...

[If there was an exception made for King, another can be made for him, clearly.

Tatara laughs, the smile lighting up his entire face while he shifts his thumb over the side of Izumo's hand.]

It sounded really silly, right? Even though people talk about it all the time...The idea that someday you'd meet someone and then everything would just-- [He waves their joined hands rather than letting go. He's really not sure what word he wanted to use.]

But, I think it should take work. Like a friendship, right?

[Just, maybe easier than some of them. And maybe not just a friendship.

That's as close as he'll probably get for a little bit to saying that the oddness he hasn't ever mentioned matches what they've been told. They seem to be on the same page about that already.

Congratulations, this small 14 year old who is apparently your soul mate is already unbelieving of this kind of fairy tale.]

[toremainbehind]

Mikoto does whatever he wants. He keeps coming back even after I kick him out.

[That feeling is nice, though. He's had a couple of girlfriends in the past, but none of them ever made him feel so much at home before.

He shakes his head when Totsuka waves their joined hands.]

I agree. It's better to take it one step at a time before we jump into this whole...soul mate business. [It'll certainly be best to get to know each other better

This kind of fairy tale is a little hard to believe, but his eyes shift to the clock and then down at their hands again.] I have to go now, but I'll come back tomorrow to check up on you.

[preciousmemories]

That sounds like King! Would it really be bad if I went to the bar?

[He could...help cook, or something. He knows how to cook and clean at least.

Tatara's had nothing like that. Mikoto was the first person he was even somewhat interested in, and then this happened. He guesses his father will be kind of happy--he's found people he didn't want to let go off, even if they aren't about the same age as him.]

Yep! It'll work out somehow.

[It might be interesting to see how long it takes before Mikoto realizes, if Kusanagi doesn't just tell him.

He slowly lets go of his hand, keeping his hand there even though he's no longer actively holding Izumo's.]

Then, I'll see you tomorrow!

[toremainbehind]

If you come, then it'll have to be before the bar opens.

[Izumo...wouldn't protest to Totsuka helping out. At least he'll be doing something productive, unlike Mikoto who just likes to sit around and take a few naps here and there.

But he gives a slight nod.]

Let's just not rush into this.

[If it's Mikoto, he might already suspect something, but won't confront them about it until one of them tells him first; chances of that are unlikely.

When Totsuka lets go of his hand, Izumo slowly releases his hand in return.]

Be sure to rest, okay?

[preciousmemories]

When does the bar open?

[He will be very helpful, okay. Okay. Definitely going to help rather than just sit nearby and watch; that's not as interesting usually.]

Yeah.

[Wouldn't be mentioned until they figured things out themselves--it's not like people are actually ready when they meet their soul mates. How could they be?

The entire thing is somewhat different for everyone. Has to be, since it's supposed to be a complementary part.

Tatara laughs again, actually separating their hands to gesture at his leg.]

It's all I'll be able to do for a while!

[toremainbehind]

Usually around 9pm.

[Izumo would appreciate the help, actually.

He's still trying to wrap his head around this, trying to understand how this could've happened, but the soul mate business is a tricky one, and he'll have to figure it out another time.

His eye twitches a bit, mostly with him holding back the urge to punch the kid in the head himself like what Mikoto had done earlier.]

Alright, then I'll see you tomorrow.

[preciousmemories]

That's a couple hours then!

[Between the end of school and the opening of the bar. That's enough, he thinks. He doesn't exactly have much else to do apart from school when he gets out of here.

Look, there's no point in being gloomy about being caught in the hospital when he can't do anything to get himself out faster. He's gotta look on the brighter side of things.

It's almost the same thing he said a little bit earlier, but Kusanagi-san hasn't actually gone to leave yet...He repeats it anyway.]

See you tomorrow, Kusanagi-san.