toremainbehind | [Just wanna stay alive]

[Just wanna stay alive]

[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.]

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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.

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.

Is it?

[He is curious about totsuka's life, wondering if the kid has any friends at all.

How optimistic; izumo just likes to be realistic most of the time.

But Izumo still manages to give Totsuka a smile, placing a hand of top of his head before finally leaving. Time to go find his best friend.]

[No, he kind of didn't.

Tatara nods at the question, finishing the movement only a moment before Kusanagi-san touches the top of his head.

But then he's actually gone, and Tatara sits there staring at the door for a moment before picking his book back up. Sure it's warm, but hospitals are really boring...]

[The next day comes rolling around, and after school and whatnot, Izumo comes back to the hospital with a bag in hand.

He figures Totsuka might get bored being stuck on bed rest, so he hopes he can find some way to get rid of that boredom.

After getting clearance from the nurses, Izumo knocks on the door leading to his hospital room.]

You can come in!

[He's reading the same book, but...it looks like he's not as far in the book as yesterday. Did he move backwards? Or did he restart? (He restarted, after finishing it.)

Even though Kusanagi-san said he was going to come back the next day, Tatara wasn't quite sure when (or if he actually would), so the first thing he'll see is Tatara being way too excited because someone actually did what they said they'd do.]

You seem quite excited.

[He eyes the book curiously, just to see what kind it is, before he sits next to Totsuka.

Holding up the bag, Izumo looks a bit sheepish.]

I brought you something, though I'm not sure if you'll like them.

Well, Kusanagi-san is the only one who doesn't work here who came in today.

[And, you know, he came back. That's reason enough to get excited.

The book appears to be a compilation of several different fairy tales and mythology. Who knows why he's reading it though...

Tatara's eyes widen, his good arm sliding to the side with the book.]

You brought me something? [It's a feat when his father comes home, how is he supposed to react to being given something when it isn't his birthday?]

There's no one else?

[...That's...worrisome.

But he nods, opening the bag and taking out a few more books, including some puzzles that he can manage with one hand.]

Yeah, just some things I thought would help you not stay bored while you're in here.

Yeah? It's usually just me where I live.

[His father isn't exactly around, and he's got no siblings (and his father's wife left long ago).

Tatara stares when Izumo takes out the books and puzzles. If he didn't realize there was something "off" about Tatara's life, he probably realized it now.]

Thank you, Kusanagi-san. [It's more than he's been given in a long time, really. And it doesn't really have anything to do with school!]

No one else lives with you?

[That's alarming. Izumo might not have a happy childhood either, but at least his uncle was still there for him.

The gratitude throws Izumo off, but he doesn't show it on his face; the fact that Totsuka is even happy about this says something about his life in general.]

Ah, you're welcome. I didn't know what kind of books and puzzles you like, so I just grabbed whatever I could find.

Ah, no...Kind of? My father isn't home often.

[He technically doesn't live alone...but he kind of does, since that man is gone so frequently. But he's not really going to get into that when he can look at the books and puzzles instead.

It doesn't even matter that he isn't really interested in some of them; he's going to be really interested soon, most likely.]

They look interesting! [Maybe they'll spark a hobby apart from mountain climbing and picking herbs to make pathetic salads with.]

[Izumo looks like he wants to pry, but he won't.

Family matters aren't issues he'd want to address unless really important.]

Do they? [Ranging from simple romance novels to mystery, and puzzles like sudoku and basic puzzles, Izumo just thought it'd be enough to help Totsuka power through.]

How much longer until you can go home?

[They'll have to be addressed someday, but not for now. Maybe not until they figure out the soul mate thing or his father dies. One or the other...]

Yeah! I don't think I've read any of them or done these puzzles before.

[He's honestly excited to look through these, smiling as he reaches over to grab one.

Oh. That. He tilts his head.]

I think they said that I'll be able to go home as soon as I can walk with a crutch. But I think they also said something about needing to talk to my parents about continued treatment?

[He'd probably be able to go home today, if his father showed up. Maybe he could ask if they'd let him substitute someone else...or maybe he just needs to prove that he'd be reliable enough to remember everything on his own. He is just fourteen, but he can remember to take medicine and things...]

[Only question is how to address this soul mate business without having it sound awkward?

He smiles slightly at the excitement on totsuka's face before it gradually faded as he listens about his father.]

You don't sound too keen on the idea.

[And frankly, neither does he.

He's never even run into this father of totsuka's, so it makes him concerned as to whether or not this man really loves Totsuka as much as he should.

Izumo would offer, but then again, he's not sure if he can be counted on as reliable.]

[By being Tatara and having no shame, clearly.

He shrugs, looking at the book he'd grabbed--it's one of the romance ones.]

I'm not sure where he is, and I don't think being home alone with a broken arm and leg would be a great idea.

[It's not like his father is a bad man, just...probably wasn't suited for being a father, for all he adopted Tatara when he and his wife had found him.

Wait, what if...?

Tatara leans forward, smiling again. It might be a weird idea but--]

Do you think they'd let you help? Since they make such a big deal about soul mates.

[Tatara and shame don't go together at all, really.]

No, it's not. You need someone to be with you.

[Even Izumo has his uncle to help, and Mikoto, whenever his friend felt like it.

But he blinks when Totsuka leans forward, a bit taken back when he voices the questions.]

Well...it's a possibility. I'd feel better if I can keep an eye on you, at least. [He ponders a bit.]

I'll try asking your doctor if it's okay for me to take care of you.

[Yeah, shame is for people who aren't him. Embarrassment on the other hand, that is something he knows.]

Then it's definitely safer to be with Kusanagi-san! Even when father's back, he doesn't stay for over a month most of the time.

[And Tatara thinks it'll probably take more than a month for his arm and leg to heal completely. Though, as soon as his arm is better everything will be easier.

Which might mean that he's staying with Izumo for a while, but...they'll definitely get to know each other, if that's the case.

If the doctor gives it the okay, anyway.]

...Wouldn't it be just easier to move in?

[There's a brief pause as he considers what he just said.]

Just so that itd be easier to keep an eye on you.

[At this rate, Totsuka might as well move in. It'll certainly help ease Izumo's nerves better.

Izumo's not going to complain; he's got no reason to, anyway.]

Let me ask the doctor then and get the okay.

[...they're really bad at this "let's see how this thing goes" business. Second day and they're seriously considering moving in with each other--because that's better than letting Tatara go back to the empty house with broken bones.

Tatara rubs at the side of his face.]

If you're okay with that. [Not that he thinks he'd have said it if he wasn't okay with it, but... He's okay with it as long as Kusanagi-san is, and no one ever said communication wasn't important.]

I think there's a pager button in here somewhere, if you don't want to talk to him alone.

[Right now, it appears to be more like 'let's wing this'.

Whoever said too fast was too fast?]

I certainly don't mind.

[Izumo certainly doesn't have anything against it.

But he nods, and starts looking for the pager.]

[Neither of them are uncomfortable with it, so they just go for it. It's not a bad way of going about it, but hopefully they'll actually get along when they're living together.

After a short time of watching Kusanagi-san look around, Tatara lets go of the book and reaches out to the table next to him.]

You'd think they'd leave it where I can reach it... [It's on the table, but they apparently thought his arms were longer than they are.]

[Getting along is the important part; though the soul mate thing might influence their decisions a little more should they start living together. It's not a healthy way to go about it, but it'll work for now.

His eyes shift over to the table, and he immediately reached over to get it.

At least he's tall enough.

Without another word, he pages the doctor, waiting for the man to come in.]

[Not exactly the best decision, but better than the other option at the moment. They'll keep dealing with things as they come.

It's not like Tatara really knows any other way of living.

And then Kusanagi-san pages the doctor and he thinks back as to why and--]

Do they have a test or something to prove soul mates? Or do they just take people's word for it?

[He never really payed attention to that, and now it's...kind of important, he thinks.]

[At this rate, it'll end up being their motto.

He blinks, almost reeling back.]

I'm...actually not sure. I've never paid attention to it before.

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