City of Cities

Kaito heard Seiko‘s voice through his tears. Her beautiful voice. And it gave him strength.
His sobs became quieter and less frequent, and he started to take a few deep breaths. After about one minute, he was completely silent except for breathing. “A Bento box...Homemade? Y-yeah, I’d love to try some,” he said, flashing a small smile.
“Hey, what’s college like? I never went past freshman college year, and I want to go back.”

Seiko beamed, drew her chair a little closer and put the box between them. "I hope you like fish," she said, pointing to each item. "That one is a prawn nigiri, that's an egg one, then we have tuna maki, bass sashimi, some soba noodles, aaand my favourite: California rolls! Help yourself to soy sauce- ooh! Do you like wasabi?"
Then he asked her about college. "To be honest, I don't really know why I'm there. I'm studying psychology, but it's sooo boring! I have no friends because everyone thinks I'm weird. All I really want to do is music. Be a DJ forever!"

“Is there a music program at your college? I always wanted to be a professional singer,” Kaito told Seiko shyly. He took a California roll and a bass sashimi and added some wasabi and soy sauce to it. “This is so good!” he exclaimed, biting into it.
“So, you like music? Want to sing a song together? I have a few in mind!”

"Yeah, there is!" Said Seiko. "I'm thinking of switching actually, because I don't really want to be a psychologist anymore. It'd be awesome if we could do it together!"
She slathered her California roll with wasabi and took a bite- wincing as the spice went down her nose! Then she laughed. "Sure, I love music! What shall we sing?"

“Well, I know a song called 1/4. It’s not the happiest, but I love the sound.” He started to sing his song.
“ Watch my heart beat out of my chest
We’ve done something wrong, was it you or am I the one here taking the blame?
Feel my throat sink, deeper and deeper I’m gasping for air
Is it me or are you not feeling this, feeling this, feeling the same?
Woah-Woah-Oh
Woah-Woah-Oh
I’ve done everything perfect to instruction
Woah-Woah-Oh
Woah-Woah-Oh
Tell me you’re trying, tell me you’re lying
Woah-Woah-Oh
Woah-Woah-Oh
I’ve done everything perfect for destruction
Woah-Woah-Oh (x2)
I can’t be alone with this feeling
Am I the only one that’s holding on for far too long?
Was it all just a dream? Am I wrong, was there no you and me?
Scream and call me hopeless, shout out that you have nothing left
Something, just say anything, don’t end this with words left unsaid
Don’t you hear me, crying out for you? As you turn away
Is it true or are you not feeling this, feeling this, feeling the same?
(I’ll just skip to the end because it’s a pain to write)
Was I supposed to just be okay, after everything that you did?
I was broken, I was hurting, but I’m meant to forgive?
You cut me to pieces, it’s your fault I’m a complete wreck
And I guess I didn’t matter to you
The worst part? I always knew...

This was one that Seiko didn't know, so she listened quietly instead. Kaito's singing was so beautiful that it almost brought tears to her eyes, and when he'd finished, she smiled and said, "Now it’s my turn!" And she began:

#“Baby, I see this world has made you sad
Some people can be bad
The things they do, the things they say
But baby, I'll wipe away those bitter tears
I'll chase away those restless fears
And turn your blue skies into gray
Why worry
There should be laughter after pain
There should be sunshine after rain
These things have always been the same
So why worry now
Why worry now
Baby, when I get down I turn to you
And you make sense of what I do
And though it isn't hard to say
But baby, just when this world seems mean and cold
Our love comes shining red and gold
And all the rest is by the way
Why worry
There should be laughter after pain
There should be sunshine after rain
These things have always been the same
So why worry now
Why worry now.”#

Paying attention to the lyrics Seiko was singing, Kaito started to blush. He knew it was just a song. So...Why was his heart beating so fast?
"Kokoro...?” he whispered to himself.
To Seiko, he quietly asked, "Will you...give me a hug?" he asked with red cheeks.

Suddenly realising what she'd been singing, Seiko's tail curled a little (and if she could have blushed she would have!) "It's a gorgeous song isn't it," she said, smiling. "Mark Knopler has SUCH a way with words. And of COURSE you can have a hug! I think you need one!"
She leaned over and put her arms around him, being careful not to knock out any of the wires.

Havin Seiko hug him was one of the best things he had ever done. Her arms wrapped around him, giving him a sense of peace and safety he had never felt before.
“I-I’m sorry, Seiko......” he whispered, starting to cry again. His fear from the past several weeks left him through his tears, and he held onto her but not too tight, letting them flow.