Un musicien parmi tant d`autre

Le poète des temps gris
On Tuesday it’s was an unbelievably rainy day, I don’t think it stopped for even an hour. I feel extremely cranky today, I surprised I haven’t jumped at someone’s neck yet. I stand behind the marble counter at Ren’s cafe and once again the girls all seemed to have gathered around me. This is by far the most annoying place I have ever worked at, especially since I have to be in the same room with the redhead for even longer. I’m starting to regret accepting working here. I wish I weren’t so poor.

I guess, I shouldn’t be complaining, I’m to one that had the stupid idea to move here. I didn’t accomplish anything by coming here I should have just stayed in Japan; where I had everything I could desire. Anything... except the thing I needed to fill that painful gasp in my heart or to chase the loneliness and the insecurity away, not that I have found anything of the sort here.

“Yuuri kun!” one of the girl whined dragging my attention back to my work.
“What?” I asked rudely.

“Do you like animals?” she asked. Where the hell did that came from? Soon the girls began to get hysteric and to shoot the most annoying question.

“What’s your favourite colour?”

“How was your previous school like?”

“Would you date me?”

Even though I may give them a glare that could scare the living **** out of a famished tiger they only get more and more annoying. Since apparently I get ‘even more sexy’ when I’m angry. Are these women to sense any danger at all? I rub my temple as the loud voices are starting to make my head pound.

“Yuuri kun, your hair looks so soft! What kind of hair dye do you use? Can I touch them?” asked the blond girl.

“No!” I snapped.

“Aw, please?” she asks again. Can’t they see me shaking in rage?

“Misses, would you like to be seated?” asked a soft and mellow voice behind them. Thankfully, they finally stopped squealing and giggling to turn their attention toward the one that spoke. I was just about ready to punch a girl.

“Ah! Kuro kun! We didn’t even see you there!” exclaimed the brunette turning to the emotionless boy.

“No wonder they didn’t see you, even these girls are taller then you!” I said in attempt to mock him. However, he ignored my offensive comment; just like he usually does. My face turned into a scowl. He’s still as unpleasant as ever. I don’t think I can ever get used to that.

Nevertheless, the annoying crowd had settled down the moment he offered to find them a table. It only took him a few minutes to seat the young harpies and take the orders. He came back to the counter to give them to me.

“Here you go Inoue kun, these are the girls’ orders. They all want mocha with extra topping except for the blond one who takes hot chocolate.” He said mechanically.

“I know!” I snapped. “They come here every single day! I know what they want!” I lashed out at him. How dare he humiliate me like that. He just thinks he’s so much better and makes a fool out of me. I could have done it myself! “What is it, you don’t have enough of just annoying me you have to my job in my place too?” I asked slamming my fist down upon the marble counter top.

“I’m sorry.” He simply says. Like always he’s just as nonchalant, he won’t look up at me either. He’s actually looking down on me; just like I was some kind of annoying child.

“You can shove your apologies up your ass! I was doing just fine before you interfered!” I shouted knocking over a tray of empty glass in my outburst. Gasps came from the clients and the glasses shattered on the tile floor sending millions of shards sliding across the ceramic. “Look at me when I talk to you!” I yelled but he just stares at the floor unfazed by my violent behaviour. He doesn’t care. He doesn’t even care enough to get angry at me. He hates me just as much as I hate him. The only difference between the two of us is that I’m not hunting him like he does. He’s not constantly thinking about like I am. I think about him so much, those eyes, why can‘t I ever get him out of my mind? “I wish I had never taken the stupid decision of coming to Canada!” I shouted.

“What was that noise?” A panicked Ren asked coming from the kitchen. He gasped as he saw the glass scattered everywhere. “What happened here he asked glaring at me. I looked the most culpable since I was still red and shaking with rage.

“It was an accident Ren kun. We’ll pick it up immediately.” The redhead said. My eyes widened for a moment; I couldn’t believe what he just said. That brat lied to the Okama in order to take the blame off my shoulders. He must know Shindou would make me pay the glass intentionally. Why?

“Is anyone hurt?” asked the dark haired Okama. The brat shook his head to reassure him. “Thanks God! Please pick it up as quickly as you can so no one steps in it.” Shindou asked. The creepy faced boy nodded and headed back store to fetch a broom. The boss went back to the kitchen now that he knew his clients and employees were safe. Nomi shot a quick glance at me, I could have sworn a glared flashed upon his childish feature. It wouldn’t be surprising. I know he saw the whole scene and it’s normal that he wouldn’t like the way I treat is elder sibling. Nevertheless, he didn’t say anything and went back to work.

The redhead came back seconds later with a broom and began to pick up my mess. Yet again he didn’t even bother to send a glance my way. I grit my teeth in frustration. I hate not being able to tell how he felt or what he was thinking. This boy is completely unreadable. I hate being the only one being uncertain!

“Let me handle this!” I scowled ripping the broom away from his frail grasp.
“Be careful.” He said.

“Oh! Shut up, will you?” I barked at him. “Why the hell didn’t you tell Shindou I threw them on purpose?” the question came out a hiss, no one could miss the aggressiveness in my tone. I was pushing the shards around violently, not really paying attention to what I was doing.

“You have enough problems as it is.” He replied. Problems?
“Don’t talk about problems like you know me!” I shouted. “You don’t even know the last thing about me!” I added. We’ve only known each other for two weeks and our relationship has been nothing but glacial.

“Look at what you’re doing, you’ll end up hurting yourself.” He said ignoring my previous question.

“Stop ignoring me!” I shouted as I bent down to pick up one of the larger pieces. I was so distracted by our argument that I pick it up the wrong way causing the shard to slip in my hand. The sharp object made a large gash from the tip of my thumb all the way to the middle of my palm.

“F**k!” I cursed loudly as I dropped the shard causing it to break into even more pieces. I winced in pain clenching the wound with my other hand. A small hand suddenly grabbed my wrist.

“Keep your hands to yourself!” I snapped. He’s not intimidated one bit and he pulls my hand toward himself to get a look at the damage. “No! Don’t look, it’s fine!” I shouted but me the time I reacted he had probably already seen it. It’s was on the same arm. That arm that I didn’t even bothered to hide before. But I didn’t want him to see it. He wouldn’t understand it. An emotionless boy like him could never understand why I did it!

It’s as if time had stopped around the two us. I paled as he silently stared down at the large white scar across my wrist. My mouth goes dry as I try in vain to find a credible answer. There was no way I could hide it; it was obvious how I got this scar. However, I never thought it could be so painful to hear him say it aloud.

“You tried to kill yourself.” He said in a voice that seemed more emotionless than usual. This painful statement that I was so hard to forget about, he just comes right out and shove it in my face. Why does he have to invade my personal space? Why does he have to bring out all my mistakes?

I’m preparing myself to hear the words many others have said before, ‘coward’, ‘weak’. I found myself dreading to hear these words coming from this boy’s mouth. Out of all the people who discovered about this part of my past I’ve never feared their critics as much as I fear his.

Has the words never come I raise my head to look up at him. I frown in attempt to hide my discomfort. However, my frown becomes surprise as my eyes met directly with a pair of mirror images of mine. Exceptionally his eyebrows arched slightly into a frown.

“What are you staring at?” I growled. “Yes, I tried to kill myself. And you know what? F**k off! It’s none of your business!” I snapped, I’m so enraged I just slammed my fist in the redhead’s face, making him lose his balance and stormed off before I see his reaction. I could have sworn I heard a soft ‘Inoue kun’ from him but I never looked back to confirm. I don’t want to see his reaction, a boy with a good family like him would never understand!

I stormed out of the cafe and into the pouring rain as I was still wearing my uniform. I ignored the biting cold rain that beats around my face and soaks trough my cloths. This was by far one of the most irrational decision I made since I moved here. I run out in the opposite direction from my house and into an unknown part of town.

I curse the day I decide to enrol in this stupid school. How could I have thought that things would have changed? Why did I have to look up in his mismatched eyes that day? I knew this birth defect would only bring me bad luck.

However, what bothered me the most was why did it have to be him? Why did his opinion scare me so much? Why is he always on my mind? He ignores me all the time and he looks down on me. So why am I not back in Japan already?
“He doesn’t know anything about me!” I shouted punching in a nearby brick wall in attempt to relieve some frustration. I obviously injured my severed hand even more but I didn’t really pay any mind. Thoughts of the redhead cloud my mind and my earlier headache only aggravates.

I slide down the wall in desperation; the rain only seems to get heavier. It beats down on me as if it wanted to bury me in my shame. I clench my fist in frustration only causing the blood to ooze out even faster.

“He could never understand.” I repeat to myself yet again. He couldn’t understand how lonely and desperate I felt at that moment. He has so many good friends, he wouldn’t understand that whatever I do and whoever I’m with I can’t get rid of the lonely feeling. There is no one I can really trust.
As I calm down a little I finally realise I’m in a completely different part of town. I’ve never been here before. Who’s bright idea was it to just run off in whatever direction? I don’t really need an answer to that. I sigh and lean my head back against the wall and let the November rain beat again my already cold skin.

I groaned loudly and ruffled my hair in attempt to shake the water out of them but only become wet just as fast. I hung my head in defeat. What am I suppose to do now? My hand hurts too. I look down at it, the blood is being washed away as soon as it comes out. I’ve hit that wall pretty damn hard! It hurt as I flex my finger but I know from experience that it’s not broken. I think I’ve punched him really hard. He didn’t really deserve that. After all, he covered for me at the café.

I feel like an idiot. I’m so busy contemplating my severed hand to noticed the rain as stopped falling on me. However, I can still here the heavy drops drum against the deserted streets. I frown as I come to that realisation. I look up in curiosity to find a flower-patterned umbrella over my head. My frown deepens as I follow the short arm to find out he’s the one holding that umbrella.

“What are you doing all the way out here you’ll get soaked.” I said, my voice was harsh but not as loud as I intended. He silently crouches down to be at eye level with me. Like earlier his mismatched eyes were stare right into my glaring ones. His bottom lips his split and bleeding, it’s really swollen too. As his lips parted slowly my heart rate speeds up again. My earlier fears are revives and I bare myself for the cruel words.

“I’ll save you, Inoue Yuuri.” He says slowly, his voice is soft and clear. It’s only loud enough for my ears. I’m release a breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding in. That was by far the last reply I expect from him.

“What are you talking about?” I asked. What did he want to save me from? Did he think I was depressive and I would try to kill myself again? “How do you plan on ‘saving’ me?” I asked. I was in complete shock from the tenderness in which he approached me. I can’t believe that after all I said to him in the past to week he was able to come up to me and say something like that. How could he say these words without a moment of hesitation? His statement sounded like he was offering himself to me. As he says these words it puts me incredibly at ease.

I could not understand how these three simple words could instantly calm me. The phrase ran through me mind again and I felt safe. It made me feel safer than I ever did in my life and I didn’t feel as lonely anymore. How could this small and frail boy make me feel this way?

“Let’s get you out of the rain before you get sick.” He said cocking is head to the side gently. He stood up and held put his small hand for me to take. I slapped it away.

“You ignored my question!” I growled.

“My house is only a few minutes away from here.” He said starting to walk away.

“You ignored me again!” I yelled as I jumped up to my feet. I quickly caught up to him. He lifted his umbrella higher to invite me under it.

“Do you seriously think I’ll walk beside you under a flowery umbrella?” I asked cockily even though I was cold and soaked to the bones. He didn’t allow me to chose and came closer to me to be able to shelter the both of us. I growled at him but stayed under the flowery roof. I think he must be even more stubborn than I am!

“Do you pity me?” I asked breaking the peaceful silence that had settled.
“No, I don’t. I really care for you Inoue kun.” He said gently, I never took the time to realize how soothing his voice was. “After all, you’re still here aren’t you?” He asked.

“Yuuri.” I said, he looks of at me in confusion. “If you plan on ‘saving’ me you might as well start by calling me by my first name.” I said shoving my hands in my pockets nonchalantly.

“Yuuri then.” He said nodding to himself. The house was only a few minutes away. It was almost a shame to end the first peaceful moment we ever had. He opened the door to let me in and left the drenched umbrella next to the door.

“I’ll go get towels.” He said removing his shoes; I nodded. I noticed he was completely soaked as well; he must have been looking for me for quite a while. He went upstairs for a moment and came back with a load of towels. When he handed me one I started to dry myself silently.

“This should be big enough for you to where while your cloths dries off.” He said putting a large black sweater on the armrest of the couch. “I’ll just go change upstairs.” He said disappearing into the staircase.

While he was gone I removed all my wet cloths and tossed them in a corner. I dress only in my boxers and the black sweater. I`m surprised at how large the sweater is, it fits me perfectly. I doubt it’s his. Perhaps it’s his father’s but I don’t know if they live together. I haven’t seen him around the last time I came. I rolled the left sleeve side as up as I could not to bleed all over it.
When he comes back down he’s wearing a pair of black sweat pants and a grey sweater as large as the one I’m wearing. It almost goes down to his knees. As he wear the hood over his head his mass of read head is shoved into his face. These huge cloths only make him seem tinier.

“Are those your clothes?” I asked.

“Yeah, I guess big clothes are more comfortable.” He mumbled taking my wet clothes from where I had tossed them to put them in the drying machine. “Do you want tea?” he asked, I nodded and groaned in agreement.

“Isn’t your brother back yet?” I asked as I sat down at the table.

“I think he’s still working.” He said as he plugged in the kettle and toke out the cups and teapot. I glance at the clock, it was a quarter to five, and we shouldn’t be done working yet. Shindou will probably be mad tomorrow. Kurorimi set some medical supplies on the table and sits on a chair in front of me.

“Would you give me your hand?” This time he as the decency to ask.

“Yeah.” I replied. He takes my large hand in his pale ones; I almost flinch at the coldness. His hands are about one of the only things that are masculine about him; he has thick joints and long fingers, they`re a bit calloused too. I assume it`s from playing the violin. He gently washed the wound, disinfect it and applied a thick layer of smelly gauze before wrapping it up in a bandage.

“How’s your lip?” I asked looking away, I didn’t really like to sound like I was concerned but it’s the least I could do.

“It’s a bit sore but it’s fine.” He said with a nod. I’m glad I didn’t hit him harder, I could have broken his jaw or a few teeth. It’s weird though because I don’t usually hold back when I hit someone.

“Thanks, I guess.” I said a bit hesitantly, these words sounded weird coming out of my mouth. I’m not used to people doing things for me since I live on my own.
“You’re welcome.” He said as he was putting the supplies away, his voice began to sound awfully raspy. “I’ll go get the tea.” He stated. As he was in the kitchen, I could hear him cough loudly. When he came back, he handed me a cup of fragrant tea in a delicate Asian cup.

I think that must have been the longest conversation I’ve ever had with him without raising my voice. We calmly drank tea; he’s very silent except for an occasional coughing fit. I still ponder upon what he told me earlier. ‘I’ll save you.’ I don’t think he looks down on me like I first thought, when we talked earlier I felt like he treated me as an equal. Since he doesn’t talk a lot or show his emotion I assumed it was because he hated me but if he really did he would have never gone through all the trouble of coming after me.

I am pulled out of my thought as he’s over taken by a violent coughing fit that caused him to drop his cup and spill his tea on the table. He used his shaky white hands to cover his mouth.

“Are you alright?” I asked, I flinched at how painful it sounded.

“I’m fine, don’t worry. I’m probably just catching a cold.” He said as he inhaled sharply in attempt to regain his breath. I know I shouldn’t worry, not when I have all these hateful feeling toward him. It’s not like we’re friend anyways.
“Sit down, I’ll pick it up.” I said as his was going to get up to clean his mess, but I don’t want us to be enemies.

“I swear it’s fine, I can pick up my own mess.” He argued. He’s already done a lot for me today. I might be rude as hell but I’m not ungrateful. I know that he doesn’t have to take care of me like he does. I know from experience that a person’s affection is not a given.

“Shut up.” I said. “Who’s fault do you think it is you’re catching a cold?” I asked rudely grabbing the empty cup out of his hand. ‘Not friends’ doesn’t sound quite right. I do yell at him most of the time and I always try to pick up a fight with him but he does let me sit with him at lunch. We work at the same place and he covers for me when I do something stupid. That’s not something neither an enemy or an a simple acquaintance would do. Maybe we did become friends without really realising it.

“Here, have mine.” I said pushing my cup toward him. He accepts it with a nod. I took the cup to the sink and used a dirty dish cloth to pick up the mess.

“Kuronii!” It startled me as that voice came from the front door; it ran all the way and arrived in the kitchen breathless.

“Nomi chan.” The redhead said as a salutation.

“Kuronii!” repeated the boy jumping at his brother’s neck.

“Kuro chan, I’m so glad you’re here! Your brother told me you suddenly left the cafe and he didn’t even know where you were gone to.” Amy said walking through the doorway with some grocery bags.

“I’m very sorry mom.” He said politely. I feel somehow ashamed; I had never spoken so politely at my own mother.

“I was so worried; I even came to pick you up so you wouldn’t have to walk in this rain.” She explained. She indeed looked very worried. I felt a pang of guilt at that.

“Something came up and I had to leave early.” The brat said.

“I bet you didn’t even wear your coat, your voice sounds awful. You’re catching a cold aren’t you?” She asked biting her bottom lip. “And what happened to you face?” She asked.

“Nothing, I’ll be fine mom.” He said cocking his head to the side. His mother looked frustrated at the lack of answer. He was starting to have difficulty breathing since his kid brother’s grasp was chocking him.

“Opps, sorry Kuronii.” The blond said finally noticing. He lets go of his elder and turned to me. “Oh! You found Yuurinii on your way back.” He stated.
“Yuuri kun. I didn’t even realized you were there. Are you staying for supper?” Amy asked but Kuro answered her before I had the chance.

“He’ll have to stay a little while, we got stuck into the rain and his clothes are in the drying machine.” He explained.

“Is that so? Then it would be a waste for him not to eat with us!” Amy said cheerfully.

“Yeah, I guess I can stay.” I said not even bothering to suppress a smile. The family atmosphere here is charming; I can’t help but smile when I come here. I think I might have missed that can of attention in my life.

“Wonderful! Come help me out Nomi chan!” She said happily dragging her youngest boy to the kitchen.

“It’s nice when you don’t frown.” The redhead said. I turn to him as he rest his head on top of his crossed arms.

“What was that!” I asked, like always I’m already bearing my teeth at him.
“A compliment.” He simply said suppressing a cough. He wasn’t looking at me but was following his mother and brother with his eyes.

“A compliment?” I questioned dumbfound. This was far from any answer I could have expected. A blush creeps up to my face.

“Yeah, a compliment.” He repeated.

“Don’t give me compliments like I’m some kind of girl, Kowai Kao Kuro!” I shouted raising my fist. It frustrates me just how easily that comment of his made my heart flutter. Kuro simply looks at me and cocks his head to side.

“Don’t look at me and cock your head to the side like that. Are you making fun of me?” I asked almost growling at him.

“He’s happy.” Nomi said coming up behind me.

“What?” I asked turning to the blond boy.

“Let just say; when Kuronii cocks his head to the side like that it’s his way of smiling.” The boy said grinning like a satisfied fox.

“Smiling?” I questioned in surprise, I turn to the brat and he does it again. I can’t suppress the blush that comes up to my face. I sit down and scratch my head with both hands in frustration. “You’re doing something creepy again Kowai Kao Kuro!” I accused; Nomi laughed aloud.

“You boys sure are lively tonight!” Amy said while chopping fresh vegetables. Even though I’m embarrassed as hell I can’t stop myself from laughing as well. I’m starting to enjoy this place way to much. We have long suppers and spend almost two hours at the table eating and chatting. It sure changes from the silence and emptiness of my tiny apartment.

As I am ready to leave, the goes to the laundry room to get my dry clothes and leaves me in to watch a couple of pictures in the living room. One of them shows Kurorimi with his father. A tall Japanese man from whom he seemed to inherited most of his facial traits, except maybe for his smile and lively glitter. Kuro is nothing but an infant however; his expression is still the same. I’m very curious about this man.

On the next picture, the redhead is much older; I can tell it’s from middle school because of his uniform. Back then, his was rounder and his eye much wider yet just as emotionless. He had grown his red hair down to his shoulder and his mismatch eyes are invisible because of his bang his hiding them. Nomi is holding his arm and looked even cuter than he is now; if that is even possible. Nevertheless, the person that bothered me on the photo was a white haired teen with stormy blue eyes. He’s wearing our school’s uniform and he hugs Kuro like they are the best friends in the world. I can’t help but feel like I’ve seen this person before.

“It’s all dry, even your shoes.” The creepy faced boy said he handed me my clothes that were still warm from the dryer. I quickly slip on my pants. “Keep my sweater, it’s going to keep you warmer as you walk back.” He offered and I was about to take it off.

“Thanks.” I said, he follows me to the front door and picks up the umbrella we used earlier.

“Here you can take it. It’s no use to get soak all over again.” He said holding out the flowery umbrella to me.

“Do you think I want to walk around with your girly umbrella?” I asked crossing my arms. I cursed at myself mentally for not being able voice out my concerns. I should have rather said ‘What will you do if it rains tomorrow?” But I’m much to proud to say anything of the sort.

“It’s alright Yuuri.” He said cocking his head to the side. “I have another girly umbrella in case it rains tomorrow.” He said as if he had just read my mind. I stare as him speechlessly as he shoved his umbrella in my hands.

“Take care of yourself.” He said gently before I turn around.

“Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow.” I said as I left. I wish I could have said something nice to him. I may hate him but he did take care of me tonight. Even at the case of his own health. Shouldn’t I be the one asking him to take care of himself?

I’m surprised I slept so well that night even though my mind was clouded by his earlier statement. ‘I’ll save you.’ He as a talent for completely confusing me. He always says the weirdest thing at the most unexpected moments. How am I supposed to keep up with him? This boy is unreadable!

---

This is my shortest chapter but it`s my favourite yet. It`s also the one where Kuro talks the most. He finally as something to do i all of this. But the more he talk the more confuse Yuuri becomes. It`s also the first chapter I wrote so if something dosen`t quite fit with the rest and I haven`t noticed please tell me. Also tell me what you think. Are there charaters that need a little more space in the story? I need to know your opinion.

Also, the tittle for this chapter is `Le poète des temps gris`, it`s also the tittle of a song, this time from the artist Daniel Boucher. The song depicts a character that makes me think you Kuro a lot. Here`s some of the lyrics I thought were relavent.

Y t'a vu en d'sous de ton visage
Y t'a vu, tout nu, jusqu'au fond des yeux
Y t'a vu en d'sous de ton image
Y t'a vu, tout nu, jusqu'au fond du mieux

Which means: He saw under your fave,
He saw you naked all the way to the bottom of your eyes
He saw beyond you image
Naked and say saw what was best about you

Anyways, until next week, take care.
Enjoy
with love- Mimi