Chapter 24: Something Genuine

Moonlight fell upon the quiet streets. Attempting to breathe life into the bland concrete. Beside me, Yata nervously peeked from the corner of the storefront. His eyes dancing in relief as he looked at Ray reconcile with her Mom. We had stayed because he insisted on doing so.

Dragging my eyes to the dimly lit scene, my chest fires at the sight. The tears that gently stroke at their cheeks. While hiding from the feeble moon's touch. A delicate orchid had bloomed in the light of their affection. Something vividly warm; something genuine.

But that meager firework soon grayed out. Slowly, the once beautiful orchid faded into nothing. Seeing as the curtain fell on their play, I tap Yata's shoulder gently. Making sure he doesn't get startled.

"Enough prying, how about we go to your house now?" My hands silently tracing eager words. As my lips mimicked the usual eager grin. Yata's eyes sang earnestly as he nodded. A gentle smile resting on his lips. His fragile, genuine warmth filling me with joy.

He is truly something genuine, Yata. From his feeble voice, to his frantic heart. He is the spotlight that shines on the bland play I lead. The one actor who remains true to his own self in this fickle theatre.

Yata moved ahead as I followed behind, dragging my feet over the sidewalk. Just like how I followed his faint voice out of that sea of recorded noises. While he thinks I helped him, that isn't true. When I saw him, I saw something different, not another scripted personality. Something genuine, and I wanted to be a part of that.

Seeing his feeble back dance in front of me, I felt something creep up my lips. With it, a warm sensation streamed through me. Falling victim to it, I rushed at Yata. Wrapping my arm around his neck, I felt the need to shout at the top of my lungs.

"THANK YOU!!" An echo roared through the street. Tainting silence with noise. Yata frantically covered his ears as he cowered away. A small chuckle leaves my lips.

"WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!" Is what I read from his savage flailing. I'm thankful that you gave me something genuine in the shape of our friendship. But if I were to say that, I'd genuinely blush to a grave. So looking at the dancing emerald stars in his eyes. I laugh and say:

"Nothing," A soft voice slipping out my lips as a smile stuck upon them. Yata's cheeks turned red in a frantic mix of everything imaginable. Finally, letting out a sigh, he turned on his heel. Ignoring me as we walked along below the starry sky.