Chapter 42 Picking up flowers in the morning and evening 12
The crooked graffiti on the cubicle door glowed eerily under the dim blue light of the emergency light, and the flush button was covered in a mottled gray by peeling paint.
The young man hunched over the toilet bowl, his knees almost reaching his chin, his knuckles gripping the plastic handle trembling slightly.
"Knock-knock—"
The sound of the door panel vibrating made him suddenly straighten his back, and the toilet lid made a slight creaking sound under the pressure.
The drooping eyelashes suddenly lifted up, and the dilated pupils suddenly contracted, as if a cluster of flames were burning in the eyes.
"Are you in there, sir?"
"ah…,"
He stood up by holding on to the water tank, his Adam's apple rolling as he swallowed the acid that was about to overflow.
"Of course I'm going to be there."
A hoarse whisper, stained with blood, leaked from the corner of his bitten mouth.
The young man stood under the toilet chandelier, staring at the cubicle door next to him.
His half-faded eyes drooped like a half-closed ginkgo leaf.
The incandescent light reflected from the glass window turned into a warm yellow, and the lily of the valley and lisianthus stretched out their petals in the mist.
The young woman's fingertips hovered over the price list, and her index finger unconsciously rubbed the edge of the introduction page, leaving a faint crease on the matte paper.
[If you don’t know how to repay your friend, then send him flowers!
Send flowers?
Yes, let the flowers speak to him for you.]
"How can I help you, ma'am?" The clerk with a ribbon tied around her neck walked over quickly, her plastic flowered apron making a rustling sound in the wind.
"The peonies that just arrived today are particularly fresh. Do you have any ideas?
"If not, I have a few custom bouquets I can recommend. Do you need them?"
Geto Xiayou shook his head, and his pearl earrings shone coldly.
His eyes were still fixed on a certain part of the page, and his Adam's apple rolled slightly: "No need."
The tail end was half swallowed up by the hum of the air conditioner.
The bony fingers suddenly pointed to the price list, passing over the blue cornflowers, forget-me-nots and baby's breath in turn.
"Just pack it up for me like this."
The clerk lowered his head to check the price list, the tip of his pen sliding across the paper.
Geto Xia Yu lowered his eyes and stared at the plain ring on his ring finger, the veins surging slightly under his pale skin.
When he heard the rustling of wrapping paper, he suddenly reached out and pressed the ribbon that was about to be tied: "Change it to sky blue."
The sound was as hoarse as sandpaper on velvet.
"The color combination chosen by the gentleman is very special."
The clerk paused in her movements to tie a bow with a ribbon. A sly glint flashed in her eyes beneath her light brown bangs. "Are you planning on giving it to someone you like?"
The wrapping paper in my hand made a slight rustling sound.
The glass counter reflected my stunned reflection, and my Adam's apple rolled subconsciously.
The neon lights outside the window filter through the mist, forming blurry spots on the glass. I vaguely recall the rainstorm of the past, when people walked towards me under the wet umbrellas, their hearts filled with joy.
"Probably... more of a close friend."
The edges of the wrapping paper were wrinkled by pinching with fingertips.
The clerk tilted her head, the ribbon twisting beautifully between her fingers. "The yellow sunflower is indeed quite suitable. It seems you are very knowledgeable."
The doorbell rang again.
"Welcome next time!" The clerk's clear voice followed me as I stepped out of the door.
Geto Suguru lowered his head and approached the bouquet. The street lights lit up one after another, and the ribbon on the gift box swayed gently in the wind.
When the automatic sensor light in the entrance hall came on, the rich aroma of miso hit my nose.
The young man paused as he lowered his head to untie his shoelaces. Is there any festival to celebrate today?
Gojo Satoru's hands were shaking slightly as he unbuttoned his cuffs, and even his slippered feet accidentally kicked the shoe cabinet, making a crisp "click" sound.
The moment his eyes swept across the dining table, his breathing suddenly stopped.
A bouquet wrapped in sky blue ribbon stood quietly in the center of the placemat, and the blue cornflowers and forget-me-nots glowed softly in the warm light.
He swallowed, and the sound of his Adam's apple rolling was particularly clear in the silence.
Jay!?
My heart was beating uncontrollably.
Why?
Why do you want to escape again and again?
Is this world really so unbearable to you?
Can't I either?
So why do you...
There was a soft sound of clinking porcelain from the kitchen.
He walked more lightly, and the hem of his uniform brushed against the wooden floor, making a slight friction sound.
When he saw that familiar figure, all the ice turned into a smile at the corners of his lips.
Geto Xia Yu turned around holding the casserole, his pregnant belly blocking most of his vision, and the way he tilted his head and tried to see the road reminded him of a clumsy penguin.
"I'm back!"
His eyes curved into crescents, and the rice grains stuck to his temples swayed gently with his movements.
"Today I made miso rice cake soup and..."
Before he finished speaking, the casserole was taken over steadily.
The young man leaned over and rubbed his hot forehead, and the hot breath made the tips of his ears turn red.
"The flowers...are so pretty."
He stared at the small bangs that were deliberately exposed on the top of his head, and there was a barely perceptible tremor at the end of his voice.
The sunflower branches scattered on the chopping board were still stained with water droplets, just like the little thoughts she secretly hid in her apron pocket.
It’s great that you’re still here, Jay!
Gojo Satoru hugged Geto Suguru and sniffed with relief, but when he closed his eyes, he saw the dark night again.
Stars like broken diamonds are scattered in the deep night sky like splashed ink, hanging sparsely on the sky.
The wind brought a cool breeze as it blew across the eaves, gently shaking the faded tassels of the lanterns under the porch. The snow in the cracks of the stone slabs reflected the moonlight, giving off a cold glow.
Suddenly, a sharp whistle broke the silence, throwing a white snowball into the darkness.
The white outer skin fell off, and the golden-red spots of light fell like shooting stars, like tentative flower buds on the branches in early spring.
Then came layer upon layer of silvery white flower rain, dyeing half the sky into a flowing Milky Way.
Fireworks exploded one after another, illuminating the mottled brick walls in the courtyard.
The red spring couplets flickered in the light and shadow, and the ice edges on the edge of the water tank reflected a colorful halo.
When the last cluster of fireworks turned into blue smoke and dissipated, snowflakes fell again, forming a thin layer on the stone slabs.
A young man in a navy blue hunting robe and holding an umbrella walked slowly to the eaves, looking at the quiet and peaceful scene with deep eyes and a gentle smile on his lips.
He raised his hand and shook off the cloak from his shoulders, revealing his exquisite and perfect facial features, his eyes bright and shining.
The young man walked to the door and knocked twice.
"I'm back——", the last syllable hit the empty beams and pillars, but no one in the house answered, only the bell under the eaves knocked out sporadic beats.
The charcoal pot in the house was still burning with flames, and the mist on the tea bowl was
It has not completely dissipated yet, it still lingers in the air, but the fragrance of one person is missing.
The young man raised his hand to lower his eyelids a little, stepped over the stairs, and walked towards the main house, muttering softly, "Jie just went out to watch the fireworks and will be back soon."
The sound of the night watchman's drum pierces the night, and the bell of midnight shatters the last ray of hope.
The young man slumped under the torii, the amulet in his palm wrinkled.
The lights in the distance gradually went out, and only the Big Dipper watched coldly in the sky.
"How could you once again..."
The hoarse murmurs mixed with white mist dissipated, and he suddenly struck the cold stone pillar with force. Blood oozing from his knuckles fell on the snow, staining it with dark red spots.
"Enlightenment?"
Her sleepy voice was wrapped in warmth, and her fingertips gently brushed the crease between his brow bones.
The young man's throat tightened and he instinctively turned around to grab the hand. The warmth from the palm made him tremble all over.
"Having a nightmare again?"
Geto Xia Yu curled up, closed his eyes, and buried his face in the crook of Wu's neck. He reached out to stroke Wujo Wu's head, bent down to kiss his soft hair, and whispered, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
"Well...you have to hold me tight, Jay."
He murmured softly, with an almost pious emotion, greedily absorbing the unique taste that belonged to him, his heart almost overflowing with satisfaction.
Half of Geto Suguru's body was held in Gojo Satoru's arms, and the long ends of his hair brushed across his chin.
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