His eyes scan the sunset, face drenched in a sweet, child-like smile. He raises his finger to the horizon. “Look, Shinobu… There are doves flying out there.”
I twine my fingers in his, forcing tears from my eyes to see his doves. “They’re lovely, Mitsuru,” I reply, my voice huskier than I wish it to be.
He gives me a sure grin, so innocent. “Doves are a sign of peace. I know things’ll be better soon.”
I crease my lips into a mirroring smile, not meeting his eyes. I do
not have the heart to tell him they are seagulls.
Breaking Point
“Don’t say it, Mitsuru.”
“Why not??” His voice was filled with pent up frustration, anger. I knew the reason.
“You know why not just as well as I do.” My voice was cold, solid. Calm.
“Damnit, you just can’t dictate to me everything I want to do!” He was near his breaking point now.
Mitsuru, forgive me, I breathed inwardly. “As a friend, I should tell you when you’re being a fool. These things pass.”
“I’m not being a fool!! I really–”
I cut him off. “I’m leaving.”
As a friend, I couldn’t let him make his worst mistake.
Engaging Literature
“This is the worst section of translation ever,” Mitsuru declares firmly, falling backwards onto the floor.
I move my bed curtain slightly to see the page. “You do know what this passage is about, don’t you?”
“Of course not. I still can’t read ancient Chinese, despite this class.”
“This is a very famous passage in Chinese romance literature,” I inform him, scanning the page.
“Hurray. How exciting.”
I’m on my bed; he’s on the floor. I lean over him until my lips are
inches from his, his wide eyes gazing into mine. “It would be if we act
it out.”
Espresso Love
The coffee slid down Shinobu’s throat warmly, rich and bitter and black. Mitsuru had ordered a hot chocolate with whipped cream, which he was just now getting. Kazuya was ordering a tea. Shun stood in line behind him, hopping up and down.
"Sugar, no cream, here you go," said the girl behind the counter. Kazuya sat down next to his blond sempai.
Shun rushed forward to order. “Hm… something I’ve never tried before…”
“Perhaps someone should monitor what he orders,” Shinobu suggested, but it was too late. Shun bounded back.
“Well?” asked Kazuya.
Shun beamed: “Espresso!”, took a sip, and…