Crush - Volume 2

"Did you really break up with him?" Hide asked as he watched Natsuo wipe disinfectant on the cuts caused by his cat, who was now growling under the short-legged table. Natsuo's lips quivered as he tried to keep his tears in check. He busied himself with cleaning the deep scratches, focusing on the physical pain to distract himself from the emotional one.

Natsuo had driven straight to Hide's and stood behind his doorstep with a wriggling cat in his arms. He had been so overwhelmed with emotions that he hadn't even noticed the wounds the cat had smeared on his arms. Hide had opened the door to find Natsuo standing there, eyes swollen from crying and his face streaked with tears.

Hide's apartment was one modest bedroom with a futon, a small kitchenette, and a tiny bathroom. He had made the best of the limited space, but it was clearly designed for one person and not two.

Natsuo had explained to Hide what had happened after his ultimatum, how Jiro's emotions had spiraled out of control. Natsuo had tried to remain calm, but Jiro's outbursts had pushed him to the edge. He had finally decided to leave, unable to watch or listen to him any longer.

"Did he really do that to you?" Hide asked as he nodded at the bright red marking on Natsuo's wrist.

He didn't reply but the troubled expression on his face said everything. Hide stood up and took a small bottle of bourbon, offering it to Natsuo.

"I know you don't drink, but I think you could use one."

Natsuo hesitated for a moment before he finally reached out and took the bottle from Hide's hand, bringing it to his lips and taking a few gulps. The alcohol burned his throat as it washed down, but it also soothed his aching heart.

"Thanks for letting me come here..." Natsuo said shyly and gave the bottle back.

"Anytime. I'm glad you came."

Natsuo smiled weakly and looked around. Seeing his friend's encouraging face, Natsuo began to feel slightly more secure knowing he had someone he could rely on in difficult times.

(Later that day)

Natsuo was becoming more relaxed as the whiskey took effect. There was still sadness and anger in his heart, but the alcohol dulled the sharpness of his pain and diminished his feelings. Despite the heaviness in his chest, he felt lighter with his flushed cheeks.

Natsuo began to tell Hide everything that had happened to him and Jiro. He recounted the pain they had endured, the exhaustion that had become a part of their daily life, and the fear of being discovered by their enemies. He shared the moments of despair and hopelessness, but also the glimpses of love and courage that had kept them alive.

Sometimes tears flowed from Natsuo's puffy eyes as he described his story. He had been holding in his thoughts and feelings for ages, but now they were finally beginning to surface. Hide placed an arm around him and squeezed, offering him support and encouragement. A breath of relief washed over Natsuo as he finally released all of his trapped emotions.

Natsuo had finished the bottle of whiskey and his fatigue had set in with his daily dosage of antidepressants. His eyelids grew heavy and his speech began to falter as he spoke about going to a hotel with Miso.

"You can sleep here," Hide said with a smile as he already helped Natsuo to the bed, tucking him in and listening to Natsuo's sleepy whispers about Jiro changing his mind. He stayed with him until he fell asleep, watching him with fondness in his eyes.

Hide stroked the long hair strands off his face, his thumb lightly caressing Natsuo's forehead. He let his finger travel across his cheek, still damp from tears, before reaching up to his lips. His breath brushed against Natsuo's skin as his thumb moved around his bottom lip.

The sound of Natsuo's phone vibrating startled Hide and he quickly pulled his hand away, suddenly aware of how close his face was to Natsuo's. He took a deep breath, allowing his heart to calm down, and picked up the phone to see who was calling.

Seeing Jiro's name on the phone made him scoff. He was irritated that Takuya had the nerve to call him, after all the suffering he had caused. Hide shook his head in disbelief and set the phone down, letting it remain unanswered.

(Later that evening)

Hide was surprised by the sudden sound of rapid banging coming from the door. He got up from the bed and rushed to the door, yanking it open to discover a familiar figure standing outside, illuminated by dim street lights.

"I know he is here," Jiro stated, his heavy eyes flashing with determination as he stepped forward, pushing Hide aside and striding into the apartment.

Hide sighed and let Jiro wander around, checking every corner but not finding anyone - except for the hissing cat under the table, growling threateningly at her other owner.

"His phone is here and his car is parked there. What the fuck did you do to him?" Jiro growled.

"He was here, but he already left," Hide admitted. Jiro's eyes welled with disbelief and he grabbed Hide's shirt with both hands, pulling him closer and staring into his eyes with a piercing gaze.

"Where did he leave?" He hissed, his voice full of anger.

"Getting away from you, of course," Hide scowled.

"Bullshit," Jiro grunted with a violent stare in his eyes and leaned forward.

"Tell me the truth or I'll knock your fucking teeth out."

"Are you sure this is going to get you back to him?" Hide asked, making Jiro's face turn into an emotional storm.

"Look at you, Takuya. You are a mess," Hide said as he saw Jiro's pale and sweaty skin, his breathing choppy as he gritted his teeth in frustration.

Jiro released Hide from his grasp and his shaking hands ran through his face as he exhaled deeply.

"He is coming back here, right? I'll just - "

"No, Takuya," Hide cut him off, lowering his voice and showing his black eyes glow with intensity.

"You get the fuck out of my house."

"You know that I have beaten people twice your size," Jiro said, taking a menacing stance.

"Go ahead on try," Hide sighed.

Jiro's face fell in defeat as he accepted that he had no chance of getting an answer from Hide. He slowly backed away, his shoulders slumping in resignation as he realized he was not going to get any closer to finding Natsuo.

"I'm sorry that I treated you unfairly... but please let him know that I want to talk to him. So much has happened to us - "

"I know, he told me everything," Hide stated as he lit a cigarette.

Jiro swallowed, his throat tensing as he watched Hide take a long drag of his tobacco.

"But one thing was weird... he seemed to think that you saved him from the yakuza. But that wasn't really the case, was it?" Hide asked as he blew out a cloud of smoke.

A smirk grew on his slender face as he continued.

"I mean, you were the one who got him into this mess in the first place. It was you who sent yakuza to find him on the streets. Does he know that?"

Jiro breathed shallowly, his stomach knotting as Hide's words sank in.

"Maybe I should tell him that," Hide proposed.

"How could you possibly know anything about the yakuza?" Jiro snorted, eyeing him disapprovingly as he crossed his tattooed arms.

"I have educated myself. They don't just pick up homeless minors off the street, do they?"

"He knows I had hidden motives for him and we have talked it out," Jiro reminded him with a frown.

"But does he know you were the one who put grown men after him to beat and drug him?"

Jiro fell silent, averting his gaze as Hide's words took hold of him. Shame and guilt boiled inside him as he knew he couldn't deny it.

"I would rather tell him this than your pitiful plea. Now, get out before I need to call the police and let them know that the ex-yakuza burgled my house," Hide said as he opened the door for him.

He couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy for him after Jiro bowed down pleadingly. However, he wasn't interested in helping him in any way.

"Take care of Miso... he really likes that cat for some reason," Jiro whispered in a low voice as he headed out.

"And don't waste your time waiting in the parking lot. You may get pity from Rei, but not from me," Hide reminded him as he slammed the door shut.

He glanced at the leather-covered phone on his futon, grabbing it and opening it with a symbol he had seen its owner use. He saw several call attempts from Jiro, but he erased them all with a blank face. A text message appeared as he was about to put down the phone.

A deep sigh escaped his mouth as he read about Jiro's apology and how he was willing to do anything or go anywhere to make things right. He deleted it without a second thought, closed the phone and put it back on the futon, happy to have the guy out of his sight.

But he couldn't trust that the ex-con would actually listen to him. He took his coat and cigarettes before heading outside to see if he still needed to call the authorities.

(A while later)

Natsuo returned with Miso's supplies from the local pet store. His head was heavy after drinking the whiskey, but a couple of hours of sleep after a restless night had managed to clear his mind enough to go to the shop. He needed air and alone time to think anyway, so he decided to take a walk around the block to clear his thoughts.

The stars seemed shrouded in gloom clouds like his thoughts. He couldn't help but wonder if he had made the right decision in giving Jiro an ultimatum. There was no doubt to Natsuo that Jiro would have chosen him and that he would submit to treatment without resisting. He wished Jiro had been more open with him and expressed how he was feeling, instead of hiding his struggles behind an aggressive act.

His head hung low and his shoulders slumped in disappointment as he kicked a pebble in frustration.

No matter how difficult it would be, he knew that he had to take a step back and remain objective. He wanted to apologize, but he was afraid that he would be too easily swayed by Jiro's charm and fall into the same cycle again. Despite how much he wanted to believe that his relationship with Jiro could still be saved, he was determined to be firm and not be misled this time.

As Natsuo was walking, he noticed a figure on the dark horizon whose wide back and black jacket looked familiar. His eyes squinted as he tried to recognize its features better, but it was too far away.

Hide appeared from behind, smoking a cigarette and helping Natsuo with his bags.

"I've got an idea. We could stay at my big brother's place, it's much more spacious and he isn't even at home anyway since he is always working," he muttered through a puff of smoke.

Natsuo thanked Hide for his kindness, but he knew that he had already burdened him enough.

"And besides... I have Miso," Natsuo said as he glanced at the supplies he had bought for her.

"It's fine, you got her a new litter box. My brother is a great guy, I'm sure he doesn't mind at all. I could drive us there with your car," Hide said as he nodded toward the black sedan in his driveway.

"Do you mind if I get some medicine?" Natsuo asked, recalling the antidepressants he still had in the kitchen.

"My brother is a doctor, so he can get them for you. Just give me the name."

Hide's plan was finally accepted by Natsuo after his persistent arguments. The two of them quickly made their way to the apartment building to retrieve Miso and Natsuo's smartphone.

Natsuo's heart sank as he saw the blank screen of his phone. He had hoped that Jiro would have reached out to him, but it seemed that he had resigned himself to his fate. His eyes remained fixed on his phone until he heard Hide's voice calling him out.

"I've got the cat. Are you ready to leave?"

He forced a low smile as he walked after his friend, who suggested they get drunk so they would forget all their worries...