Hikaru's eyes grew wide with shock as the resonant, deep voice echoed through the air, sending a chill down his spine.
At the same moment, he felt a sudden, sharp sting bite into his wrist, as if an unseen force had clamped down on him, jolting him from his thoughts and anchoring him in the urgency of the moment.
It really felt like the bones in his wrist were being crushed to powder.
In most cases, he would've conjured up a sharp blade of ice, its glistening edge ready to slice through any approaching enemy.
But in that moment, he was too unsettled, a whirlwind of confusion clouding his mind and dulling his senses.
He felt the firm grip suddenly pull him upward, and his heart raced as he tried to focus on the person before him—was it a man?
The stranger's fingers were wrapped tightly around his forearm, a mix of urgency and determination evident in their hold.
A soft hiss of pain escaped Hikaru's lips as the rough fabric of his shirt pressed unforgivingly against his unhealed scars due to the stranger's grip, the stinging sensation radiating through his body.
"You're a lot more fucking heavy than you look." The masked person growled in irritation, shifting their other arm to grip Hikaru's waist.
As Hikaru braced himself, he felt his entire body being pulled toward the bridge, where the masked opponent seemed poised to make a decisive move, ready to drop him onto the unforgiving surface.
The air crackled with tension, leaving Hikaru wondering what would happen next in this unfolding confrontation as his body hit the ground.
Hikaru's frosty blue eyes widened in surprise as he glanced up at the obstacle that had interrupted his attempt—only to be met with the striking visage of a clock.
The figure before him was shrouded in an enigmatic aura; not a trace of their skin or body shape was visible, cloaked instead in fully black clothes that were typical of people around his age.
Their height was imposing, suggesting a powerful presence, and Hikaru felt a flicker of uncertainty.
Despite his instinct to assume this figure was male because of the height, the world of online fashion had introduced him to countless tall and ethereal women, each captivating in their own right. This individual was a mystery, a blend of time and form, leaving Hikaru both intrigued and bewildered.
"Do you have a face?" Hikaru blurted out his question, a rush of warmth flooding his cheeks as the realization of his actions washed over him.
The stranger's reaction was immediate; they let out a small noise that resembled a stifled choke, their eyes widening in surprise through two holes in the face of the clock.
Then, without warning, they doubled over, laughter erupting from them like a storm, their hands slapping against their knee in a fit of uncontrollable hysterics.
"Do I.. do I have a face? Do you realize what you just asked me?" The clock-faced figure's voice wavered with unrestrained amusement, as if they were on the brink of tears from the sheer hilarity of the question posed.
Intricate gears whirred softly within the face of the clock mask.
"I-It's really not that funny! It was a genuine question!" Hikaru insisted, his voice quieting as he turned his face slightly, striving to conceal the deep flush spreading across his cheeks.
A wave of embarrassment washed over him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he must have appeared really stupid for even considering such a question.
The weight of his vulnerability hung heavily in the air, amplifying his discomfort as he averted his gaze, wishing to vanish and drop dead.
"I can talk, can't I? If I didn't have a face, I wouldn't have a mouth either." The person responded with a calm simplicity, their laughter gradually fading into soft chuckles as they composed themselves.
They straightened up, smoothing out their clothes and taking a deep breath, the remnants of their amusement still dancing in the air.
"That's like, common sense, I fear."
"What's your gender...?" Hikaru leaned in slightly, his voice a soft whisper as he considered his words carefully. With a thoughtful expression, he decided to ask a more normal question, one that felt like an icebreaker amidst the charged atmosphere.
"And wait, who the hell even are you? How did you get in? Nobody else knows about this place!"
The figure regarded the situation with a hint of amusement, and Hikaru wouldn't be surprised if their lips were curving into a subtle smirk.
With a casual motion, they tugged their hoodie down a little, exposing the graceful contour of their Adam's Apple, which moved slightly as they spoke in a low, relaxed tone.
"Hate to disappoint, but I'm actually a dude. As for your second question, it's really not that important."
Hikaru furrowed his brow, irritation flashing in his eyes as he crossed his arms tightly over his chest.
His gaze shot up toward the other man, a mixture of frustration and challenge evident in his posture. "And your name?" Hikaru took a deep breath, his heart racing as he steeled himself for the challenge ahead.
He knew he had to compose himself and confront the invader with determination this time.
Confrontation had never been easy for him; it always filled him with a sense of unease, making his palms sweaty and his body fill with discomfort.
Before him, the masked man loomed, shrouded in an air of mystery that seemed to hang between them like a thick fog. It felt as if the stranger were weighing his options, contemplating the risk of unveiling his true identity.
The seconds stretched painfully, each one marked by Hikaru's mounting anxiety.
Finally, the masked figure broke the silence, his voice surprising in its calmness.
It was almost casual, as if he were discussing the weather rather than replying to an interrogation after he broke into someone's residency. "Just call me Kasai. My last name is none of your business.
Hikaru's frustration deepened with each passing moment, his temper simmering like a pot left unattended on the stove.
The sharp sting on his forearm from Kasai's unforgiving grip earlier throbbed in rhythm with the persistent ache in his hand, a painful reminder of the thorns that had torn his skin just moments earlier.
His mood, already teetering on the edge, spiraled further down as he replayed the events in his mind.
He had been on the brink of succeeding at his attempt, tantalizingly close to achieving his goal, but now this man had stepped in and shattered his hopes.
Anger boiled over as he began to come to his senses, and without thinking, he exclaimed, "Why did you even save me?!"
Hikaru's eyes brimmed with tears once again, glistening like dew on a fragile petal as he fought to maintain his composure.
The lump in his throat tightened, a familiar sensation that weighed heavy on him.
It was a challenge for him, especially with how sensitive he was. "There's no way in hell I'm gonna let someone die like that, not on my watch. Besides, I would be dead meat if someone found out I let the kid of some big hotshot die."
Hikaru stood frozen, a wave of astonishment crashing over him as he processed Kasai's unexpected response.
Alarm bubbled within him as he realized that Kasai had indeed recognized him, despite the fact that he didn't even know what Kasai's real identity was.
Doubt clawed at Hikaru's insides—how could someone claim to know him so easily? "You know who I am…?" Hikaru stammered, his voice barely audible against the rising wind, which tugged at his blazer vest and brushed the scattered leaves around them.
As droplets of rain began to fall once again, he was only full of uncertainty.
"No, of course not, I just heard it from a little birdy." Kasai shot back while beginning to lift his mask so that the lower half of his face was visible, his tone laced with a sharp edge of sarcasm.
With a slight smirk playing at the corners of his lips, he added, "Oh, and of course I recognize you. Your face is plastered all over social media like some kind of celebrity. In a way, I guess you kinda are one, aren't ya? Son of a ruler? Seems like one big position."
Hikaru couldn't help but feel like that was a play on Kasai indirectly calling him a son of a bitch.
"You don't seem to be from my clan, and you don't look like one of our citizens either. You need to get out of our territory before my father finds out, and gets pissed."
Hikaru responded without hesitation, his mind swirling with suspicion.
The man's relentless sass grated on his nerves, yet a deeper feeling tugged at him—a reluctant sense of gratitude.
He couldn't shake the recent memory of Kasai's life-saving intervention, which had come at a moment when Hikaru had entirely snapped. Despite his irritation, Hikaru didn't want Kasai to die.
After all, he had saved his life, whatever the reason might've been. "I could give less than two flying fucks about what the old man says. Not to brag, but I'm probably stronger than him and his army combined." Kasai replied with a self-satisfied smirk, his energy buzzing with a mixture of amusement and arrogance.
Hikaru studied him carefully, uncertain whether the man was genuinely confident in his assertions or simply bluffing. He didn't know if he should laugh. The way he leaned back, arms crossed, radiated an air of decisiveness that actually made Hikaru almost doubt his own instincts. "Those are rather bold words from someone who just broke into my home." Hikaru replied as he hastily wiped away the remnants of tears that still glistened on his cheeks from earlier.
He wanted to conceal the vulnerability that had overtaken him moments before, determined not to be seen as weak.
"I did save you, so you do owe me one. Mind keeping this a secret?" The other man finally pulled up the remainder of his clock-face mask, a playful glimmer in his eyes as he flashed Hikaru a wink.
Hikaru's cheeks flushed a deep crimson, heat flooding his face as the implications of the gesture sank in.
What the hell is this guy doing?
Hikaru's embarrassment deepened when he took a closer look at Kasai, realizing that he appeared to be around his own age, heightening his self-consciousness in an instant.
In an attempt to alleviate his embarrassment, he hurriedly fumbled for a response, his mind racing as he tried to figure out how to reply. "Whatever! Fine. Just don't do that.. thing again. It's weird, bro."
I never realized someone could be so irritating.
Hikaru thought to himself, a weary sigh escaping his lips as he leaned back against the bridge's railing to peer up at the sky. The weight of frustration settled heavily on his shoulders, and he ran a hand through his tousled hair, staring blankly at the rain clouds.
Each remark from Kasai felt like the buzz of a mosquito, gnawing at his patience and making the atmosphere feel thick and suffocating. "At least state your reason for being here." Hikaru added, a steely edge creeping into his voice as he noticed the silence hanging between them.
He straightened his posture, trying to project an air of authority while his frosty blue eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Kasai.
The tension in the air felt thick, and the weight of unspoken words lingered, urging Kasai to respond.
"That's none of your business, shortie."
Kasai lazily replied, pushing his hood back to reveal his shimmery black hair as he tilted his head up toward the vast expanse of the sky.
"What's so interesting about the sky? Just looks as polluted and boring as usual, in my opinion." Hikaru felt a surge of frustration boiling within him as he stared at Kasai, who smugly refused to comply.
The tension crackled in the air between them, but Hikaru took a deep breath, determined to infuse a warm, friendly, yet authoritative tone into his voice, hoping to break through the wall of the other man's defiance as he ignored Kasai's question about the sky.
Every word was carefully chosen, aimed at softening the standoff, even as his irritation simmered just beneath the surface.
"With all due respect, sir; I just wanted to kindly remind you that our rules regarding entry are established to ensure everyone's safety. Unfortunately, only family members or authorized individuals with an appointment are allowed to enter. I'd truly appreciate your cooperation in this matter. Engaging in unauthorized entry is unlawful. While I sincerely appreciate your assistance in saving my life, I must request your compliance with the legal framework. Failure to do so may compel me to consider more drastic measures."
Hikaru mentally grimaced, a wave of frustration washing over him. He hated the thought of using the professional speech pattern that his father had taught him when he was a kid; it was like stepping into his father's shoes, a burden he hadn't asked for.
The stark contrast to his usual easygoing manner felt bizarre, especially with this guy looking to be around his own age. It didn't even sound right compared to his normal speech.
Hikaru found the shift in tone oddly uncomfortable, as if he was shedding a part of himself just to maintain a facade.
Much to Hikaru's dismay, Kasai appeared completely unfazed.
With a nonchalant air, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a bright, colorful lollipop, immediately freeing it from its clear wrapper.
With a casual flick of his wrist, Kasai popped it into his mouth, clearly savoring the sweet burst of flavor while letting the shiny wrapper flutter to the ground carelessly, ignored and abandoned. "Drastic, my ass," Kasai retorted, a hint of amusement in his voice.
He casually reached into his pocket and pulled out another lollipop, its vibrant colors catching the light through the plastic.
With a playful flourish, he held it out toward Hikaru. "Lollipop?" It seemed to be cotton candy, its pastel hues swirling together in a whimsical dance that promised a sweet escape. Hikaru couldn't help but be intrigued by the tempting offering.
Cotton candy anything had always been Hikaru's favorite, but he wasn't going to let himself be bribed into stepping down, as delicious as the candy looked. "I'm serious."
"And I am too." Kasai shot back at Hikaru with a playful smirk, the corners of his lips curling upward in a way that was both frustrating and charming.
His eyes sparkled with mischief, adding an extra layer of annoyance to his teasing reply.
As Hikaru readied himself to conjure a ball of snow to hurl at the annoying bastard's face, he suddenly froze, sensing a shift in the atmosphere.
A loud rumbling reverberated through the air, and ominous growls echoed around him.
He looked up just in time to see streaks of lightning dance across the sky, hinting at the chaos that was about to unfold.