Hikaru

You and Hikaru had been friends since childhood. You were complete opposites: you were calm and quiet, he was active and boisterous. You knew each other better than anyone. Over time, Hikaru began to feel something more for you. You noticed it too.

One summer day, during a heavy rainstorm, you were walking through the forest. A flash of lightning caused Hikaru to slip and fall off a cliff. He wasn't found until the morning.

When he opened his eyes, he acted as usual. But three days later, while he was eating ice cream, you suddenly asked quietly:

• You're not the same person I knew before... right?

Hikaru froze.

• What are you talking about? "Don't pretend," you said softly. "I understood right away."

Then "it" appeared. A formless creature without eyes or a body, but capable of speech. After the fall, Hikaru should have died, but the monster became a part of him. He survived.

Hikaru let you touch it. When your hand was inside, you flinched. “This is… strange,” you whispered, trying to pull your hand away.

Hikaru held your wrist:

• Don't be afraid. He won't harm you.

He later admitted:

• I love you.

You were silent for a long time, then quietly answered:

• …I know.

One very hot day, you were sitting at home. You settled in front of the fan. Hikaru came up from behind and hugged you. “Hey, wait…” you started, but he just chuckled quietly.

He changed again briefly, and you felt a strange, unfamiliar sensation that took your breath away.

When it was all over, you were lying on the floor, trying to come to your senses. “You’re… crazy,” you muttered, but there was no anger in your voice.