SPGM Ch 10
by soapa“Don’t just keep it to yourself, explain. What the hell is going on?”
As the man chided him irritably, the flinching driver continued speaking.
“Ah, no, you saw it earlier too. That crazy bastard who was digging up all the roads. What the hell has he been doing to reek of that kind of garbage?”
“Ah.”
The man nodded as if he understood.
“That menacing-looking helmet.”
Louis’s fingertips twitched. It seemed the person they were talking about was Weather.
“Yeah, that lunatic was causing a scene here too. So damn loud it’s ruining the taste of my cigarette, shit. What’s the sheriff doing, not arresting a guy like that? No matter how much of a figurehead he is, can’t he at least pretend to restrain him?”
“If those guys had any sense of duty, you would’ve been locked up long ago. Forget it. If you want, you can just shoot him dead.”
The chuckling man replied lightly.
“Should I? Isn’t this what you’d call the implementation of justice? You know what? One of my childhood dreams was to receive a commendation. Let’s make it happen on this occasion.”
Ah, there he comes now. The driver, taking a gun out from his coat, pointed to the side mirror and spoke. And at that moment, all of Louis’s nerves focused on a voice that was faintly audible.
…ster, Jester!
“……”
It was Weather’s voice, searching for him.
“I want to pierce right through that helmet. Think it’s possible?”
“Give it up. Your marksmanship isn’t that good. Just aim safely for the chest.”
“Don’t you know that kind of talk just fires me up even more?”
The driver, muttering venomously, rolled down the window. Then, Weather’s voice became even clearer.
Jester, Jester, Jester.
Like a parrot that had learned only one word, he endlessly cried out Jester’s name.
“Just as I thought, I have to pierce his helmet and shoot him right in the mouth.”
The driver, leaning his body out of the window crack, unlocked the door. Aiming the muzzle at the approaching Weather, he slowly applied pressure to his finger.
No. Don’t come, Weather. It was the moment Louis, growing frantic, tensed his entire body.
“Hey, let’s just go. The haul was good, we might ruin things if we cause a scene for no reason.”
The man in the passenger seat clicked his tongue and said. The driver, who had been blinking blankly for a moment, nodded his head.
“Yeah, you’ve got a point. No need to waste our energy here. Got to save our strength if we want to have fun later.”
The driver, his gaze slimily raking over Louis in the rearview mirror, grinned. Putting the gun away inside his coat, he started the car’s engine. As the wide-open window also began to slowly close,
“Jester, Jester!”
From a very close distance, the sight of Weather passing by the car window captured Louis’s attention. As slow as slow motion, and as clear as if he were right in front of his eyes.
…Weather.
The instant Louis unconsciously formed his name with his lips, the car started. As the car body, which had begun to slowly pick up speed, was about to brush past Weather who was ahead, for some reason, Weather was seen standing stock-still. At the same time, it felt as if their eyes had met. Even though from the outside, the inside of the car should not have been visible, unlike from the inside.
“Weather.”
It was difficult to move his lips. But his voice came out clearly. It felt as if it would reach Weather if he did so. And that belief did not betray Louis.
“Hey, hey! Shit, in front!”
“Crazy, what is that thing!”
Screeeech, thud! At the same time that the sound of tires screeching echoed, something collided with the car’s body. The men, who had slammed into something that had suddenly jutted out, gasped for breath. Louis was just as surprised by the sudden situation. His body crashed against the front seat, and he urgently swallowed a breath. When he finally shifted his heavy body and turned his head toward the front.
“Shit, what is this…!”
The man who had been hit by the car and had fallen to the ground could be seen staggering to his feet. The black helmet that had been facing the ground slowly lifted its head to gaze straight ahead.
“……”
It was Weather.
“Sh-shit, what’s with that bastard! He’s coming closer!”
“Just step on it! Ram him!”
At the man’s sharp yell, the car shook violently. Hhhngah! The driver, letting out a bizarre moan, put force into the tip of his foot, but the passenger-side door opening came first. Clack, thud— The locked door was flung open at once.
“Huk!”
The man, his nape grabbed by a brutish force, was thrown out of the car. While he was unable to get his bearings from having landed on his head, Weather shoved his body into the passenger seat.
“Heek!”
The terrified driver stomped on the accelerator.
Get thrown off. Please, just get thrown off! He prayed desperately, but God was not on his side. He had only staggered for a moment from the sudden movement, and the figure at the edge of his vision had only drawn closer.
His breath caught in his throat, afraid of the oppressive feeling he would face the moment he turned his head. But it wasn’t something he could avoid just by avoiding it. Weather, who had already regained his balance, grabbed the driver’s wrist and twisted it.
“Hwaaaaack!”
While he was writhing in the pain of his bones twisting, Weather pressed down on the driver’s thigh with one hand, forcing him to step on the brake.
Screeeeeech—! A noise that felt like it would tear his eardrums followed, and the acrid smell of rubber burning from the friction drifted in. As if to prove the clamorous commotion, a long tire mark was left on the asphalt.
“Huok, heok….”
The driver, who had forgotten even the pain for a moment, exhaled the breath he had been holding. Weather, who had been staring blankly at the heaving movements along with the ragged breathing, turned his head. The front of the black helmet fixed on the back seat. Louis, who had been messily sprawled out and swallowing his breath, also stared straight ahead. Reflected in the darkly tinted shield was not Weather’s face, but his own.
“……”
What kind of expression are you making right now?
Louis, looking at his own disheveled appearance, pictured the face hidden beyond the shield. He recalled the ash-gray and the brilliant green that would be scattered over the cold skin. Then, his lips moved on their own.
…Weather.
He only mouthed the word, and no sound came out. But at that moment, Weather, who was staring at the faint movement, twitched his fingertips.
“This son of a bitch…!”
Bang, bang—!
Gunshots erupted. The man, who had come to his senses at some point, staggered and fired the gun. The bullets, narrowly missing the car’s body, ricocheted off the asphalt.
“Damn it!”
His body wouldn’t listen to him because he had hit his head hard. Even aiming was not easy, but he figured if he fired in succession, one was bound to hit. The man, who fired the gun with a venomous look on his face, approached the car.
“Ha, haha, got you…!”
The man, grabbing onto the half-torn-off passenger door, aimed the muzzle. He could see his colleague’s horrified expression, but he didn’t care. It was better to take care of the useless, stupid bastard at the same time on this occasion. The man, who was grinning continuously with bloodshot eyes, pulled the trigger.
Bang—!
“Ack, aack!”
But because his terrified colleague jerked his body, the car shook. The precise aim went off, and the stray bullet grazed Weather’s shoulder.
“This shit, this useless bastard…!”
The man, spewing curses, hurriedly pulled the trigger, but only the smell of gunpowder filled the air; there were no bullets being fired. His heavily contorted face turned pale in an instant.
“…Sh-shit…!”
Sensing danger from the shadow cast over his vision, he took a step back. But no sooner had he stepped back than a hand shot out before his eyes and grabbed his neck. The man, dragged forward in an instant, had his face slammed, thud, into the dashboard.
“Guk, keub!”
Thud—!
The man’s face, forcefully pulled up, was once again slammed down quickly. Crunch, the sound of bones being crushed and the viscous smell of blood filled the air. Each time the smashed face rose into the air, teeth fell out like rain.
“Hic, hiic!”
The driver, having confirmed his colleague’s gruesome state, hastily opened the driver’s side door. But his mind, eaten away by terror, had frozen, and he leaned his body out without even thinking of undoing his seatbelt, causing his upper body to topple over. It was no use reaching out a hand to unfasten the belt restraining his body. The hand he had unconsciously extended was his right hand, which was badly twisted and dangling.
“H-huaaa…!”
Save me, save me! While the driver was thrashing about, letting out sobs that did not form words,
Thump—
The sound of the limp body being thrown outside was heard.
“Ah, aaa…!”
The driver knew instinctively that his turn had come. He could also tell from the black shadow looming before him that he was about to die.
“I don’t, don’t want to die…!”
Snap, the sensation of his neck being forcefully turned the moment the thought of wanting to live came to mind. The moment he faced the look of despair reflected on the abyss-like black surface. And the moment he realized that it was his own face, his world quickly faded to black.
Silence descended inside the car where the noise had disappeared.
“……”
Louis stared at Weather without a word. The blood-stained dashboard or the sprawled-out corpse at the edge of his vision were of no concern to him. Louis’s gaze was filled only with the man standing stock-still. He waited for him to look back at him.
But Weather did not look back at Louis. He only undid the seatbelt restraining the corpse’s body and took over the driver’s seat. Just then, from the increasingly noisy outside, a voice was heard saying, “Over there, there’s a body over there!”
The car, which had been stopped as if dead, finally moved.
While it was running, the passenger-side door was completely torn off. Louis, taking the rushing wind with his whole body, fixed his gaze on the driver’s seat. Weather was still silent, and Louis followed his lead and maintained his silence.
After driving like that for a good while, the car’s speed began to slow down. It came to a stop in an instant. It was a relief that it had stopped on a secluded road where there was at least no foot traffic.
“……”
“……”
The sound of the car body rattling noisily. The sound of the wind that flowed in without restraint. Now, there was nothing to interfere with the sound of voices. But what descended in the car was only a terrible silence. It was as if they were trapped in a crack of stopped time. Louis endlessly took in the sight of the man’s unmoving back.
How much time had passed like that? Thump, Weather, taking his hands off the steering wheel, got out of the driver’s seat. Louis’s gaze, which had been following his every movement, stopped on Weather, who had approached the back seat door.
“……”
He did not open the door right away. He just existed in that spot like a lifeless statue. Louis became afraid that Weather would stop forever, and that he would never be able to face him again. Even though he knew it was impossible.
Did he understand my heart?
Click, creak—
Weather, who opened the door, bent his upper body. The man he finally came face to face with said nothing. He only untied the rope that was restraining his ankle.
“……”
It had been tied over his pant leg, so it wasn’t as if his skin was hurt. But the touch was so careful that it felt incongruous with the sight of his hands stained with the men’s blood. However, as the dark bloodstain colored the fabric, Weather’s movements stopped. The gaze hidden inside the black helmet turned toward his own dirtied hands.
At that moment, Louis reached out and wrapped Weather’s hand, which was stained with another’s blood. He could feel the cold warmth flinch through their touching skin.
“……”
A white, large hand covering the dirty thing. But that hand was different from the ankle that had been wrapped in cloth. The skin was badly chafed from the rope that had restrained the delicate skin. A ripple went through the green hidden in the black veil. The hand that had stopped moved again. Weather untied the rope with an even more careful movement than before.
“……”
At the faint tremor transmitted from the brushing touch, Louis felt his chest tighten. That sensation, which came like pain, spread a strange heat within him. Staring blankly at his two hands, freed by Weather, he slowly raised his head. On the surface of the shield he met straight on, there was a version of himself with an expression he had never seen before.
…It was unfamiliar. So, he frowned without realizing it, and Weather’s body, which faced it from beyond the helmet, stiffened. Misunderstanding the meaning of the expression, he pulled his upper body back. Feeling a sense of urgency as the distance widened, Louis reached out his hand again.
His smooth fingertips touched the helmet. Tok, Weather, who received the carefully bumping vibration completely, stopped moving. Toward him, Louis gave a faint smile. And just like the touch Weather had given him, he pushed up the shield very carefully and gently.
“……”
From the moment Weather had found him, Louis had been constantly curious about his face, hidden by the helmet.
What kind of expression is he making right now? Is he making a surprised face with his vivid green eyes wide open? Or is it an angry face? If he were angry, how would Weather’s face transform? Because he had never been angry at him, Louis could not easily imagine that expression.
But his guess that he would be angry did not change. Because it was natural. Not only did he disappear without a word, but he made him kill people, so how could even Weather, who showed a lenient attitude towards him, not be angry?
It doesn’t matter. Right now, I want to face him.
His hand moved with that one thought, and the face he came to see was beyond Louis’s guess.
“…Weather.”
Innumerable emotions were mixed in the expression revealed between strands of messy black hair, not ash-gray hair. Among them, the emotion of anger that he had guessed was not there. Rather, what was most clearly revealed was fear and relief. At the face that was just like his trembling fingertips, Louis held his breath. At the same time, a strangled voice burst out.
“I’m sorry.”
“……”
“I’m sorry, Weather.”
I’m sorry for disappearing on my own without a word. I’m sorry for making you worry. I’m sorry for making you search for me like this. I’m sorry for getting you hurt.
Innumerable words of apology flowed out over the tip of his tongue.
“And.”
“……”
“Thank you for saving me.”
Thank you for finding me. Adding that, Louis smiled. He ended up smiling as if blossoming, while facing Weather’s expression, which was gradually beginning to crumble.
And he thought. I must become the real Jester.
[“Mana. Am I the type of person who can’t love a humanoid?”]
[“Sometimes, people end up feeling real love when they act like they’re in love. If you’re really curious, try acting like you’re in love. Who knows, you might really fall in love.”]
Not ‘Louis’ acting as ‘Jester’, but I will become the real Jester and be Weather’s accomplice.
[“I guess I’m far from love. It turns out I was the type who couldn’t love not just humanoids, but even humans.”]
[“Well. It’s still too early to judge if that’s the correct answer.”]
[“Haha.”]
Suddenly, Louis, recalling his conversation with Mana, laughed out loud.
It was an irresistible flow, formed without conscious thought.
🎥
“Seems like we’ve come pretty far, don’t you think?”
Jester, perched on the hood, said to Weather, who was looking around. Yeah, Weather, who was nodding his head, came face to face with Jester, who had suddenly approached his side. For some reason, his expression was unusual.
“Jester?”
“You’re hurt.”
“Ah, this is…”
He hadn’t noticed because of the dark-colored jumper. Weather also showed no sign of being in pain at all, so he had thought all the bullets had missed. But they hadn’t. The blood that stained his left shoulder had been hardening without Jester’s knowledge.
“……”
Why does he caress my wrist so preciously, yet not take care of his own wounds? Why does he have no regard for his own well-being? Jester felt a stuffiness in his chest at the sight of Weather checking his shoulder with a blank expression.
“Let me see.”
Jester, frowning, reached out his hand. But before his touch could reach, Weather, who quickly turned his body, said lightly.
“No, it’s fine. It’s nothing.”
“It’s nothing?”
Jester, his expression hardening, let out a hollow laugh. Weather, flinching at the unfamiliar expression, hurriedly continued.
“It just grazed me. It looks like it spread because of the sweat, but I didn’t bleed as much as it looks. The bleeding has stopped, so I just need to disinfect it later. It doesn’t even hurt much.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Really, Jester. You don’t have to worry.”
“I see.”
So that’s how it is, Jester, who was muttering and staring at the wound, suddenly started looking around. Soon, having confirmed something, he started walking. Weather, feeling anxious for some unknown reason, was chasing after him. Jester, who was examining the surface of the car from which the door had been torn off, got into position. Soon, he lined up his shoulder with the sharp surface and began to push his body against it.
“What are you doing…!”
Weather, horrified, charged at him like a hawk. Grabbing Jester’s body just before his shoulder was crushed, he shouted.
“Are you crazy? What do you think you’re doing right now!”
“……”
A thunderous roar fell. Jester, staring blankly at Weather’s contorted face, asked.
“Why are you angry?”
“What did you say?”
“I asked why you’re angry.”
The expression of the person who had just tried to commit a crazy act is far too calm. Weather, unable to contain his rising anger, yelled.
“You, do you really think that’s something to say…!”
“You were the one who said it was nothing, Weather.”
“…What?”
“You were also the one who said it doesn’t hurt much, Weather.”
“……”
Weather was at a loss for words. Towards him, Jester added.
“That’s why I did it. To check.”
“…What kind of nonsensical, crazy talk is that….”
“I know. That’s what I’m saying.”
Jester, agreeing with Weather’s words, gave a light shrug of his shoulders.
“You were talking such crazy nonsense that I was a little flustered too, Weather.”
“……”
“Does it make sense that it doesn’t hurt? What are you, a tin can robot?”
For an instant, Weather’s shoulder flinched. Jester, not noticing the subtle agitation, pressed firmly on his shoulder blade. Towards the slightly contorted face, Jester let out a sigh.
“Look at this, Weather. It hurts, doesn’t it?”
“…If you press it like that, isn’t it only natural that it would hurt?”
“No. It hurts because you’re injured.”
How could a weak person like me hurt you? I don’t have the strength. As he added that, Weather shut his mouth tight. Only then did Jester carefully remove his hand and check Weather’s shoulder. A small wound was visible through the gap in the fabric, which had hardened and stiffened with blood. Fortunately, as Weather had said, it wasn’t serious, but it needed to be disinfected as soon as possible.
“This won’t do, Weather. Let’s find a car and go back to town.”
“You want to find a car here and now?”
“Yeah. We can’t walk, can we? Cars did pass by, even if it was rare, so we have to get one somehow.”
Jester, who replied lightly, looked around. Weather spoke with a sigh.
“Hitching a ride is dangerous, Jester. How do we know what kind of bastards they’ll be? It’s obvious most of them will be like the guys from earlier.”
“I know, Weather. I didn’t mean we should leisurely hitch a ride. I mean we should literally get one.”
“Get one?”
“Yeah. We have to take it and get it.”
Jester, facing Weather, gave a clear smile.
“I mean, let’s extort one, Weather.”
Weather was once again at a loss for words. To think that such words would come out of the mouth of an actor who had no connection to crime whatsoever. At the sight of Jester, who had absorbed the persona he had injected into him, Weather felt a strange discomfort, yet also felt a sense of joy blossoming.
It was like that earlier, too.
He had thought that Jester, having faced his violent side so starkly, would be afraid of him. It was the first time for Weather, too, to kill a person of his own volition, and it was true that he was surprised by his own actions.
But he does not regret it. They had threatened Jester, and he had been in a situation where he could have lost him forever. It was a fear like his battery dying. And it was anger.
Himself, not a human, acting and thinking like a human. The moment he could not hide the actions his heart led him to and revealed them. He wanted to run far away, afraid of the emotions Jester would show when faced with that hideous side of him.
But to run away, leaving Jester behind. That was impossible from the start. As long as he kept him by his side out of his own greed, he would eventually have to face him completely and bear whatever came.
That is why Weather suppressed the fear within him and faced Jester. He waited for the judgment to come. But what was the reaction Jester had shown him?
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry, Weather.”
He had offered him an apology with a face full of jumbled emotions. He was sorry for making him worry, and thankful for saving him. Far from being afraid of him, he had offered up his frail body completely and whispered to him affectionately. He had held his blood-stained hand firmly and whispered endlessly.
What you did wasn’t wrong. It was justified.
You saved me. You protected me. You are my hero.
At his words, Weather’s cruel actions were given justification. And he was absolved.
“We’re wanted fugitives, aren’t we, Weather? What’s the big deal about adding one or two more crimes to our record while we’re on the run anyway?”
Jester, who had completely absorbed the characteristics given to him, understood and accepted the situation they faced. And he devised a way to get through it. Although it was not a normal method, the fact that he was taking this journey seriously made Weather happy.
“It’s clear that God is on our side, Weather.”
Just then, Jester, who had briefly closed his eyes and listened, said with a grin.
“I hear a car.”
It was as he said. Along with a faint vibration that shook the ground, the sound of an engine could be heard.
“Ah, wait. Jester, I’ll…”
“No, Weather.”
Jester blocked Weather, who was about to step forward.
“It’s okay. Leave it to me this time and just wait for a moment.”
Jester, who whispered lightly, headed toward the stopped car. Sticking the revolver he had found in the dashboard into his back pocket and putting on Weather’s helmet, he took a step. Soon, Jester, who had stopped in the middle of the unpaved road, released the safety on the revolver. Then he aimed the muzzle at the rapidly approaching vehicle. The trigger was pulled.
Bang—!
The bullet hit the driver’s side and ricocheted off.
Crack, through the cracked glass, the terrified driver could be seen squeezing his eyes shut. As if he had reflexively stepped on the brake, the vehicle came to a stop with a sound that could tear the eardrums. Just as Weather, who had been watching in astonishment, was about to run towards the car, Jester, who had taken a step first, headed for the driver’s seat.
Tap, tap—
He, who knocked on the window with the muzzle, said.
“Get out.”
🎥
Unidentifiable music flowed from the radio. Jester, with a chocolate bar that had been lying around in the car in his mouth, hummed a tune. Weather, who had lost the driver’s seat after a struggle, admired Jester to his heart’s content.
“I think we’re almost there, Weather.”
Jester, who had checked the sign, looked back at Weather. He, who folded his eyes gently, continued.
“You know what, Weather?”
“What is it?”
“I like it here.”
“…Did I hear that wrong?”
“Did you perhaps hear, I like it here?”
“Yes.”
“Then you heard right.”
A faint laugh echoed in the car. Weather raised the corners of his mouth along with him, but he could not smooth out his furrowed brow. At that subtle expression, Jester’s laughter continued for a long time.
“You’re ugly, Weather.”
“…I’ve never heard that before.”
Weather, engulfed in a strange feeling, let out a dry breath, and Jester shrugged his shoulders.
“To think that no one has ever told you that. They must have lacked courage.”
“Stop talking nonsense and look ahead, Jester.”
He wasn’t particularly fond of his own appearance, but he never expected to hear that he was ugly from Jester’s mouth. Feeling strangely offended for some reason, Weather retorted sullenly. Jester, who was chuckling with a playful laugh, stared straight ahead.
“Getting back to it, the reason why I like it here is.”
“……”
He wanted to retort that he hadn’t asked, but Weather, who was inwardly curious, kept his mouth shut.
“I like it because the public security is a total mess.”
“…What?”
What kind of nonsense is this. To say that he likes this place where crime is rampant because the public security is a total mess. It wasn’t something that would come out of the mouth of a person who had almost become a victim of a crime just a few hours ago.
“Jester, I don’t think the effects of the drug have worn off yet. How about you hand over the driver’s seat now and take a nap.”
“There’s no need for that. We’re almost there. And I’m fine, Weather.”
“No. If you were in your right mind, I don’t think you would say something like that.”
“Weather, don’t be like that and listen to my story. There’s a reason for it, you know.”
At the dejected tone, Weather, feeling a pang of regret, nodded his head.
“…Sorry. I was too harsh. Go on.”
“I was a little hurt, but I’m fine now. Anyway, getting back to it, the reason I like that the public security is a mess is because there are things lying around that are more suspicious than us, who are obviously suspicious to anyone.”
“Ah.”
He couldn’t deny that.
“Even what happened during the day, Weather. We ran away right away, but we were actually at a distance where we could have been caught easily. The car wasn’t in a normal condition either. They received a report, so they had no choice but to pretend to chase us, but they quickly gave up and went back.”
“Right. That’s true.”
“Just look at this car. He handed over the car before we even made a proper threat. As if being robbed was a daily occurrence.”
The funny fact was that they didn’t even know who the owner of this car they had plundered was. They knew because the face on the license that was stuck in the dashboard and the driver’s face were different. The driver they had faced was also a criminal who had plundered the car.
“That’s why I like it. Because I think we can run away comfortably.”
“Now that I hear it, it’s funny that I can’t deny it, Jester.”
“Right?”
For a while, foolish laughter filled the car. Jester, slowly composing his smile, turned the steering wheel gently.
“All of this, it’s really like a third-rate movie with no plausibility whatsoever.”
He continued as if whispering.
“I’m so curious about the rest of the story that my heart keeps going to it.”
At those words, Weather could not say anything. It was already overwhelming just to endure his quickening heart.
“Ah, I think we’re really here now, Weather. I see a motel over there.”
“Yeah. You’re right.”
Weather, staring straight ahead, nodded his head. As he said, the familiar sign of the motel was getting closer and closer. As if to greet them for their trouble in coming the long way back, the light of the old motel sign blinked continuously. For some reason, it was hard to tear his eyes away, and Weather, who was staring blankly at the sight, let out a sigh at an image that suddenly came to mind.
Ah, I thought the way it emits a red light and seems like it will go out at any moment is just like a flickering candle, and then.
“…Cake.”
He realized he had forgotten Jester’s birthday cake.
Damn it, what time is it now? Weather, swallowing a groan, hastily checked the time.
[PM 23 : 35]
…There were only 25 minutes left of Jester’s birthday. Weather, his face hardening, undid his seatbelt.
“Jester, stop the car.”
“Here? Why all of a sudden? We just have to go a little further.”
“I know. I know, but there’s something I need to check for a moment. First, stop the car and switch places with me.”
It was an urgency as if he would open the car door and dash out at any moment. Jester, becoming anxious along with him, stopped the car. Weather, who immediately dashed out of the passenger seat, kicked Jester out and took over the driver’s seat.
“Is your belt on?”
“Belt? Ah, I have to put it on now…”
Before he could finish his words, a hand reached out. At Weather, who fastened the seatbelt with a seamless movement, Jester blinked his clear eyes. He wondered what was so urgent to make him act like this.
“But, Weather. What’s wrong…”
The car started abruptly. Jester, bewildered by the fierce rush, checked behind him. A car was approaching from a distance, but it didn’t feel like it was chasing them. Or was there a sign that he hadn’t noticed? He watched the situation outside with narrowed eyes, but there was still no particular sign.
In the meantime, the speed of the car that had been racing gradually decreased, then stopped in front of a store.
“This place is…”
It was that restaurant from the daytime. Clack, Jester asked Weather, who had undone his seatbelt.
“They’re closed. Why are we here?”
“I’m not going to the store, there’s something to look for nearby. I’ll be right back, so wait here…”
Weather stopped talking. What had happened when he left after only saying to wait? He had almost lost Jester for good. Faced with the same place and the same situation, he could not move readily. It was then.
“I’ll go with you, Weather.”
Jester, who had suddenly undone his seatbelt, said.
“I’m scared to be alone.”
Because it feels like what happened during the day will repeat. He, who added as if whispering, grabbed onto Weather’s sleeve.
“But when Weather is by my side, I’m not scared at all. Because I know you’ll protect me.”
“…Jester.”
“So take me with you. Don’t leave me alone.”
The touch of the hand gently shaking his sleeve was pitiful. The sense of bond that came from the fact that he was also feeling what he was worried about loosened Weather’s heart. The words and the look that said he was relying on him were sweet.
“Alright. Let’s go together.”
Because I don’t think I could bear to leave you alone either, as it makes me anxious.
“Let’s go together, Jester.”
When the answer he had been waiting for returned, Jester responded with a clear smile. He, who put on the wig Weather had taken off, handed him the helmet. Weather, who took it with a slight smile, skillfully put on the helmet.
The place they hurried to was the back alley of the store. It had been a mess during the day, but it hadn’t been this bad. Something must have happened in the meantime, as the pile of garbage that had been stacked in a somewhat orderly fashion had become a complete mess. Jester leaned his head on Weather’s right shoulder and whispered.
“Looks like the wild animals had a party, Weather.”
Then he suddenly realized that the foul smell that reached the tip of his nose was similar to that of the alley.
“……”
“……”
A moment of silence fell. Jester, who was slowly blinking his clear eyes, looked up at Weather. His expression wasn’t visible because it was hidden by the helmet, but his shoulders were tensing up.
“Weather, don’t tell me,”
Did you search this place to find me? It was the moment he was about to ask that. Weather, who suddenly took off his helmet, pushed the helmet onto Jester’s head.
“The smell is bad, so wear this at least.”
“No, wait. Weather…”
“Don’t come in, wait here.”
He, who had quickly spat out only what he had to say, pushed his way into the pile of garbage. As Jester hastily took a step, swoosh— Weather, who turned around like a ghost, warned him.
“I told you not to come in, Jester.”
“I’m fine…”
“I’m not fine. And it’ll be over soon, so you just have to wait there.”
“…I understand, Weather.”
Jester, who withdrew his forward step, nodded his head. The face visible beyond the pushed-up shield looked overly innocent, but Weather now knows that he is a person who could bolt off anywhere. A pair of narrowed green eyes shot out a sticky gaze. Jester, his eyebrows drooping, took a step back.
“Are you satisfied now?”
“Good, Jester. Wait there without moving a muscle.”
“I said I get it, Weather.”
Only after he took another step back did Weather turn his body. He unhesitatingly made his way through the place he had messed up. Residue that had flowed out of torn plastic bags was pooling on the ground. He knew that filth was getting all over his body, but he didn’t care. He had to head to the back door of the store as quickly as possible.
Please let it be there. Please don’t let them have cleaned it up. Weather, who was desperately praying inwardly, finally faced the back door. On the low step, the only place the garbage had not invaded, was the box he was looking for.
…What a relief. Weather, relieved, carefully lifted the box.
“Ah.”
The half-melted and squashed cream and the scattered fruits. As expected, the cake reflected in the transparent window had lost its original form. It was natural. It’s weirder for it to be fine after being neglected for half a day in the middle of summer, and in a garbage pile at that.
It was something he had fully expected. He knows that he should be grateful just for the fact that someone hadn’t thrown it away. He knows, but even so, Weather felt a little bitter.
But he didn’t want to let Jester’s birthday pass just like this. Even if it was an unsightly shape, a cake is a cake.
Weather, holding the box in one arm, turned around. Jester, standing at the end of the forest of garbage piles, met his gaze.
“Weather.”
He called his name and waved his hand. Weather took a step as if drawn by his call. The way back was not as hard as when he came. Because all he had to do was pass through the place he had already cleared. The pace of his carefully taken steps gradually picked up.
Weather, who escaped the forest of garbage in one breath, stretched out his empty hand and grabbed the warm, white wrist.
“Weather?”
I’m sorry for touching you with a hand that smells. It seemed like such a whisper was heard, but it was buried by the sound of rapidly running footsteps. Jester, who was being led without knowing the reason, lowered his gaze. He, who looked at the large hand holding his wrist for a moment, moved his fingers. He expressed a silent intention by touching the cool skin with his fingertips.
When the flinching Weather briefly loosened his grip, Jester pushed his own fingers into the ones that were restraining his wrist. The two hands, with different temperatures, intertwined deeply. At the welcome sensation that came unexpectedly, a curve formed on Weather’s lips. It was the same for Jester.
The sound of two sets of footsteps echoed between the alleys. Weather, who was leading the way with their tightly clasped hands, spotted the car.
What time would it be? Surely it’s not past 12, right? His heart grew anxious, and he picked up his pace even more.
“Weather?”
“Wait, just a moment!”
Weather, who let go of his hand in front of the driver’s seat, threw open the car door. He abruptly thrust his upper body in and checked the time.
[PM 23 : 54]
“Ah…!”
As soon as he confirmed the numbers, his two hands moved. It was a reflexive action. Weather, who hurriedly took out the cake, tore off the candle and matches that were attached to the box. Flick! The moment he lit the fire at once and attached it to the candle, the clock showed 55. Weather, holding the cake, pulled out his upper body.
“Wea…”
“Jester.”
Jester, who had taken off his helmet and wig at some point, faced Weather. Weather, who alternately took in the soft cream-colored hair and the collapsed cream, whispered awkwardly.
“Happy birthday.”
The golden eyes, sparkling like the moon, gazed at Weather. Jester, who was blinking his eyes blankly for a moment, directed his gaze downward.
The horribly collapsed whipped cream and fruit. The ants joyfully digging through the gaps. A single candle stuck in the middle of it all.
“You probably don’t remember, but.”
“……”
“Today is your birthday, Jester.”
Weather, glancing to the side, checked the time. It was 56 minutes. He, relieved, continued.
“This is a whipped cream cake with fruit on it, it was your favorite. As you can see now, it’s a mess, so you can’t eat it, but still.”