The Side Character ?

Chapter 29 - Let's step inside.

Taking a step towards him, I inhale deeply and wrap my arms around him. His body goes rigid for a moment.

But then, he slowly starts to relax. Tension leaves his muscles as he tiredly leans onto me for support.

His breath was warm as it fell on against my neck. Leaves of the trees around us rustled, as if chanting a soothing lullaby.

Resting my head against his chest, I finally find the courage to speak.

"You know Ryder," I whisper so softly I'm not sure if he has heard me. But I continue anyway, "We don't all have a time machine like Doraemon. We can't know what would have happened if we had done things differently. But, what we do know is that, it's already done. And none of us can do anything about it. As shitty as it sounds...we have to live with our choices."

There's a pause. Then he inhales sharply.

"Does...does he hate me?"

It doesn't take a genius to figure out what's happening.

I contemplate on what to say to him for a minute.

Oh fuck it!

"I don't know," I answer honestly, "I've never met him, I've never talked to him, I don't know what kind of a person he is. But...why do you think he jumped in front of your gun that day?"

"Because he had a sudden urge to play ballerina?" he replies bitterly.

I shake my head, smiling softly, "No Ryder. I think...I think he did it because he didn't want his little brother to be a murderer. I don't know Ryder. But I believe. I believe that such an amazing person could ever hate someone, let alone his younger brother."

His arms around me tightens as he processes my words.

"You think so?"

"I believe so."

"I guess...that's enough."

I don't know how much time passes by like that, with us entangled in each other's embrace. Both of us refuse to let each other go but eventually we get tired of standing around like the Statue Of Liberty and lay down on the grassy field.

Grass trickles my sides sharply but I ignore it. Our legs are tangled together as I lay my head on his chest. The sun has long since set, leaving an intricate pattern of constellations above us. Various colour of stars adorn the night sky. The weather has turned lukewarm as gentle breeze blows occasionally.

And yes, we're lying down in a graveyard. Sue us.

Suddenly I remember the reason of our fight and a frown stretches onto my face.

"Ryder?" I say in a grave voice as I prop my elbows up to look at him.

He drags his eyes away from the sky and to my face in surprise, "Yeah?"

"Why did you wait so long to tell me?" I frown not understanding the reason. It's been a year for God's sake!

He smiles slightly, "Actually I had planned to tell you today from a very long time ago."

My frown deepens not understanding yet.

Smiling at me gently, he jerks his head towards his brother's gravestone, "Because coincidentally your cockroach has also left the world on the same day he did. Today...today is his third death anniversary."

I exhale heavily. Not knowing what to say, I settle with a 'Oh.'

Oh? Retarded.

There you are!