Covert Operation - 04

He should’ve sent Nobu a message. He should’ve captured that Northerner and gotten this war over with. He should’ve checked his wounds but he did nothing. Yoshiro did nothing as well except provoke him too far. He felt like he wasted another opportunity---he did waste another opportunity, the second chance. Nobu was going to kill him and really see him as a traitor if he knew what windfall befell him but as promised, “You did not see me there. I was not there. You never saw me there. This never happened. This never happened.”

“What are you thinking?”

He gulped and calmed himself up but when he turned to his former lover, his confidence dropped. He managed a weak, “Nothing.” He smiled uneasily and wondered what it was about him that still made him speechless.

The man smiled and licked his lips, “Have you really lost your desire for me, Kazuki? Why is it you still flinch around me?”

He sighed and silently cursed his brother for pairing him with his former lover. Just why of all the warriors he could pair him with, he paired him with his old flame. What a considerate older brother. He gulped and prepared a bright smile for his former.

“I don’t desire you anymore, Hyuk. Get over yourself.”

“You say that without conviction. Do you really mean---”

He wouldn’t dare stand another second with him. He walked away; the man, of course, followed behind. He focused on staring at the colorful clothes, lanterns, and stalls rather than cutting clean with his former. He looked over his shoulder and saw those begging, brown eyes. Ah, so he was guilt-tripping now? The man might’ve remained silent but his stare spoke for him. It annoyed him but for civility’s sake, he endured him…till he couldn’t.

He lashed out, “Why can’t you understand? I no longer desire you.”

Hyuk gulped as the man tried to stop his tears; he saw that but all it did was irritate him even more. Try to be as polite as possible; the man was on the verge of tears, something he didn’t know the soldier was capable of. What would Nobu do---never mind, that man wanted nothing to do with relationships. Anyways, just be polite, don’t let those tears fall, it’d be too embarrassing.

Now, it was his turn to clear his throat. He turned to Hyuk once more, “I no longer desire you---“

“So you’ve never loved me. Is that what you are saying, Kazu?”

His hand recoiled so he kept it deeper into his sleeve, “Please don’t call me by my nickname.”

“What should I call you then?”

“First name is still alright,” he closed his eyes, “But the thing is, please stop trying to make sense of everything. You cannot bring what we shared back. It’s gone.”

He thought of all the previous lovers he had and wondered why they clung to him when he broke it off. Not all but most of them did. He was sure it wasn’t his status but it was still something about him he couldn’t figure out. Did he play with emotions too easily? Did he get bored easily?

“Kazuki, I just wanted an explanation why you threw me off suddenly. You aren’t happy with your wife but still---“

“This conversation is over. I don’t want you and that’s all there is to it.” And just like that, he walked away. Never mind whatever Nobu said or would do. He wouldn’t want to spend another moment of his life with someone he wanted to discard. He couldn’t feel remorse or regret; just a strange empty feeling in his chest and it was more unsettling than pain or sadness. Yet he knew cutting Hyuk off wasn’t the reason.

...

Yoshiro smiled, looking at the setting sun. It masked everything with a beautiful crimson. A few minutes more and the fireworks festival would start. He felt satisfied that it has been hours since he left his guardians’ side. He shuddered when he remembered the close encounter he had with that Southerner. Thank the gods that Southerner is such a fool or else, he would have been the sacrificial lamb by now!

He walked closer to the sea. The docks were the closest but safest place to see the fireworks. The technicians would stand and light only a few meters away from the onlookers. He figured he should find a good spot before the crowd would pour in. The cool ocean breezed on him. He smiled as he wondered what was beyond this island and to that Mythical Land of the West. He has heard many things about it and often had fancies of going there but knew it could only remain as fancies. The West is known to be hostile, the East secretive. Besides, both North and South discouraged such travels. The West had too many ideas deemed dangerous to their society.

He felt the cold sink into him. He drew his outer coat closer to his body. He felt a man’s presence beside him. For curiosity’s sake, he looked to his side and froze. He met with the Southern Crown’s eyes. He quickly turned away but the image of those glowing red eyes remained. He sometimes wondered if the Southerners---if that Southerner was human. Just how did he find him? Did he even respect tonight’s festival?

Yoshiro had planned this night only for watching fireworks, not for war, not for murder. This festival was said to be sacred and all acts of war could be postponed. However, the other side didn’t feel the same way. He furtively peered over his shoulder and felt anxious.

The man smiled at him, “It’s getting colder, isn’t it, Northerner?”

He wet his throat and steeled himself, “Not that cold compared to my home, Southerner.”

Nobu chuckled then shrugged, “Ah, is that why you are a cold person? I heard it’s always cold up in the Northern palace grounds.”

He scoffed and feigned a smile, “You shouldn’t expect people you almost murdered to be warm to you.”

“Speaking of warm, the South is warm. Our palace is always warm. It’ll do you good, Northling.”

Northling. He twitched and raised his eyebrow at Nobu. The man only smiled at him, rather too friendly but barely resembled his younger brother’s warm smile.

“I refuse the offer, Nobu.”

“You can’t refuse; I didn’t offer. I am going to drag you all the way there.”

He raised both eyebrows then frowned. The man kept smiling; that stupid smile started to irritate him but what can he do? Draw a sword? No, not that he didn’t bring one, but he knew his skills were nothing compared to a more seasoned, older swordsman like the Southerner. And they were in a public place. Starting a riot like this would do no good unless the region’s governor sided with the South. In that case, Kaisen’s soldiers looked out for him and any hostile actions he’d make and reason it for capturing him.

He simply smiled, “Then fight me.”

Great, he remembered the man’s younger brother. It was the same words he used to taunt him. How was it so easy fucking around with the young one’s mind but this man? He had no chance. The fear of dying flashbacked each time he was or saw Nobu. It drained all his confidence away. The man didn’t plan to go through all that ritual, sacrifice him. His plan was just to kill him directly.

Irrational, he calmed himself. If Nobu killed him, the South should pay a huge price in accordance with one of the established rules. He gulped; what now? Nobu was still beside him and that distance between them could be easily covered with a sword. He’d be good as dead, then. Same as usual, he took a step back. Nobu took another towards him; he wouldn’t let go of his prey that easily, he understood this. Another step immediately mimicked.

This is ridiculous, he thought that they were in some sort of dance that would lead to his death. That was it for him; he turned his back and ran as fast as he could. Disgraceful, yes, but if it saves his life, his father from worrying whether his only son remains alive, then he shall run.

Nobu didn’t draw his blade in time. He sighed and watched as his prey ran away. Well, there’ll be the next time and he’d make sure he’d capture that damn Northerner.