Kanro sat alone on the bench, deep in thought while Aki decided to grab some food.
Feeling uncomfortable sitting on the bench while doing nothing, he decided it was time to visit Shiki's grave. As he made his way to the cemetery, he sent a message to Aki: "Aki, I left. Don't bother looking for me. I need to be alone."
Upon arriving at Shiki's grave, Kanro's emotions overwhelmed him. "Yo! It's been a while," he began, his voice trembling. "I think I miss you," he continued, as tears started to fall from his eyes.
His heart ached as he stood there, his memories flooding back. "Shiki, you were always there for me. Why did it have to be you?" he whispered, his tears mixing with the soil below.
Unbeknownst to Kanro, someone was watching him from a distance, hidden behind a tree. This mysterious observer remained silent and still, their eyes fixed on Kanro's every move. Before he left, the observer smirked, muttering to themselves in a low, malicious tone, "It won't be long now. You're walking right into my trap."
Kanro continued to pour out his feelings, his voice choked with emotion. "I remember the day we first met at the orphanage. You were the one who made me feel like I belonged, like I had a family. We promised each other we'd always stick together, no matter what."
"But why are you there, Shiki?" he said, looking at the grave.
**Flashback Scene: The First Meeting**
The rain poured heavily on the rooftop of the old, worn-down orphanage. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and the children inside huddled together, finding comfort in each other's presence.
In a dimly lit corner, a young boy with disheveled hair and tear-streaked cheeks sat alone, his knees drawn up to his chest.
His name was Kanro, and he had just arrived at the orphanage that day.
Kanro felt a deep sense of loneliness, wondering if he would ever find a place where he truly belonged.
He had been moved from one foster home to another, never staying long enough to form any real connections. The pain of abandonment weighed heavily on his small shoulders.
As the other children continued to chat and play, another boy, slightly older, with a warm and inviting smile, noticed Kanro sitting alone. This boy was Shiki, known for his kind heart and ability to make anyone feel welcome.
Without hesitation, Shiki approached Kanro, holding a small loaf of bread. "Hey there," he said softly, extending the bread. "I'm Shiki. You must be new here. Are you hungry?"
Kanro looked up, his eyes filled with uncertainty and mistrust.
He had learned not to rely on anyone, but there was something genuine about Shiki's smile that made him hesitate.
"I... I guess," Kanro mumbled, averting his gaze.
Shiki's smile didn't waver. Instead, he crouched down to Kanro's level and gently handed him the bread. "It's okay. You don't have to be alone. We can be friends, if you want."
The sincerity in Shiki's voice touched something deep within Kanro. For the first time in a long while, he felt a flicker of hope. Slowly, he reached out and took the bread, allowing himself to be led to where the other children were gathered.
As they sat together, Shiki introduced Kanro to the group and made sure he felt included in their activities. The warmth and camaraderie that Shiki extended to Kanro began to melt away the walls he had built around himself.
"What's your name?" one of the children asked.
"I'm Kanro," he replied softly.
"Nice to meet you, Kanro!" Shiki exclaimed. "Do you like playing games?"
Kanro hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, I guess."
Shiki's eyes lit up with curiosity. "What kind of games do you like?"
Kanro thought for a moment before answering. "I like chess," he said quietly.
"Chess? That's awesome!" Shiki said with genuine enthusiasm.
"We have a chess set here. Would you like to play a game with me sometime?"
Kanro's eyes brightened at the prospect. "Really? I'd like that."
"Great! Let's all play together," Shiki said, encouraging everyone to join in their various games while making a mental note to play chess with Kanro later.
As they played, Shiki stayed close to Kanro, ensuring he felt comfortable and included. "You're really good at this, Kanro!" Shiki praised him with a smile.
Kanro couldn't help but smile back, feeling a sense of belonging for the first time. "Thanks, Shiki," he said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude.
Later that evening, after the activities had ended and the children were preparing for bed, Shiki and Kanro sat together in a quiet corner.
"Hey, Kanro," Shiki said, breaking the silence. "If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here for you."
Kanro glanced at Shiki, surprised by his kindness. "Why are you being so nice to me?"
Shiki shrugged with a gentle smile. "Because everyone deserves a friend. And I think we could be great friends."
Kanro's eyes welled up with tears, touched by Shiki's words. "Thank you, Shiki. I've never had a friend like you before."
Shiki placed a reassuring hand on Kanro's shoulder. "Well, now you do. We'll look out for each other, no matter what."
From that day on, Shiki and Kanro became inseparable. Shiki's kindness and unwavering support helped Kanro open up and trust again. They shared their dreams.
"You know, Kanro, when I grow up, I want to be a police officer. I want to catch bad people," Shiki said to Kanro. "What about you, Kanro? What do you want to be?"
Kanro thought for a few minutes and then said, "A detective, I guess," his voice unsure.
They also shared their fears. "Stop it, Shiki! I'm scared of worms! AHHH!!" Kanro screamed, running away from Shiki.
"HAHAHAHA, you're so funny," Shiki laughed as he chased him.
"You're in trouble if I ever find out what you're afraid of, Shiki! If I ever find out—" Kanro started, but Shiki interrupted him.
"Sorry, but there's nothing," Shiki said.
"Ehhh, that's not fair!!!!" Kanro exclaimed loudly.
They also shared their hopes. One evening, Shiki asked, "What do you hope to do when we're older, Kanro?"
Kanro smiled, thinking about their future. "I hope we can work together, solving cases and making the world a better place," he said.
Shiki nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! We'll be an unstoppable team. Nothing will stand in our way."
"Yeah, we will," Kanro whispered softly.
"Did you say something?" Shiki asked, turning to him.
"Nah, it's nothing," Kanro replied.
"Then why are you smiling?" Shiki inquired, a teasing glint in his eye.
"I'm just happy, that's all," Kanro said, smiling wider.
Minutes passed in silence before Shiki finally broke it with a question. "Hey, Kanro, why don't you cut your hair?" he asked, staring into the distance.
"People might mistake you for a girl," Shiki had laughed, ruffling Kanro's locks.
It took a few moments before Kanro replied. "I just can't,...." he said softly.