Chances and Choices

After the fall of No. 6, Nezumi left Shion with the promise of coming back. After ten years, fate decided to let their paths cross once again.

The fall of No. 6 became both a blessing and a curse to all its inhabitants and had an immense effect to its neighboring places. For one, the crumbling of the Wall meant that division and separation would no longer apply as residents of Chronos, Lost Town, and West Block had to live together. It hadn't been peaceful in the beginning as everyone started claiming of what was rightfully theirs. The crumbling of the system came as a shock especially to those who depended on the government. It was a saddening sight as people realized that the ideal, perfect city was just a façade to bury its ugliness.

On the other hand, people who have lived their lives under fear and chaos had now attained freedom and had no idea how to use it. Education was a main concern as order and peace wouldn't come without it. Fixing the once perfect city proved to be a lot of work, but years of advocating for freedom and peace lead them to a new No. 6 – a home to humanity and not robots.

The news of the fall of No. 6 had also reached its neighboring cities, which lead to them creating a stronger bond and connection. Cities such as No. 5 welcomed those who wanted to study not only the sciences but also the arts while others opened their cities for those who wanted to travel and to start a new life. As the years went by, No. 6, now an open city, flourished like never before.

As the sun's rays hit Shion's face in the morning, he could not help but smile. It was a genuine smile, a reminder of the hard work they had all done to reach this state. He knew that there were still so many things needed to be done, but his greatest achievement would always be seeing his family, friends, and even strangers display their emotions; raising their voices when they needed to, laughing until they couldn't breathe, and crying when they were sad - all with the knowledge that they wouldn't be punished by showing these in public.

It took them ten years just to see humanity. But as Shion got out of his bed and prepared for his day, he could not help but bite his lower lip into frustration as a pang of sadness, anger, and even emptiness crept its way back into the corner of his heart along all these achievements.

It only meant that Nezumi never showed himself in the past ten years; not even once, not even in the form of a cryptic letter from one of his mice friends.

He knew that Nezumi would never break a promise and he was hopeful, faithfully waiting for the person who captured his heart, for the one who showed him different emotions, the person he truly loved, to return. But, just like any other human being, his hope turned to doubt as the very act of waiting shattered his strong will into pieces until he did not know what to do. It was a tiring pursuit that left him bitter for some time until he felt nothing at all.

Shion arrived in No. 5 with enough time for him to walk around and admire the city's splendid structures. After he reached his hotel and placed his luggage away, he immediately went out and headed to the city's main university.

The university, where Safu was admitted, was a delight to Shion's eyes. The tall buildings, with their intricate design and shape, showed so much history as it chronicled the city's progress both in the sciences and arts. It had a large green field that kept students and visitors occupied as they relaxed, played, and studied under the sun's blazing rays. A multitude of trees provided shade to those same students.

Shion went to the bench near the water fountain of the school. He sat and looked around and felt glad that he was here. He had been longing to take a vacation outside of No. 6 for quite some time and it only happened after ten years. Wanting to witness firsthand the biggest gathering happening in the city once every three years, he specifically visited No. 5 in the summer. It was like a convention, a feast of the arts; painters, photographers, sculptors, as well as writers and actors, went to this event to showcase their talents and masterpieces for the world to enjoy and celebrate. Shion did not know what to expect from such an event, but from the time he had heard of it, he was excited and knew that he had to visit the event at least once. He would not admit it now, but before, he longed to visit the feast with Nezumi; with the man who taught him about arts.

As the sun shyly hid itself behind the horizon, cool shades of purple and dark-blue started creeping in in anticipation of the moon's arrival. Shion, after an hour or so of wandering and resting, walked towards the city capital to watch the opening show. Clutching to his baby-blue pullover sweater and brown bag on one side, he hurried his way down as his cheeks turned red from the cool mist. He looked down and began to pull his scarf out of his bag when he suddenly bumped straight into someone. Startled, he looked up and stared.

Adorned in a white shirt, black jacket, and maroon scarf was the man Shion had been waiting for for the last ten years. Shion studied the man in front of him as the crowd around him faded into white noise. Hair pulled back in a perfect bun, eyes still sharp and filled with mystery, lips curled into a knowing smirk…

"I never thought that I'd catch you here Shion…in this kind of event," Nezumi said coolly, but Shion knew the man in front of him so well that he was able to taste the nervousness in Nezumi's voice.

"Nezumi."

"I see that you still have the scarf. You could have thrown that ratty thing."

Shion's body went rigid. Throw? I waited for ten years and this is all I have from you and you say that to me? Shion thought. He extended his arms towards Nezumi, holding the scarf in his hand. "Here, Nezumi. You can have it back. If you would excuse me, I am in a rush. It is nice seeing you again." Shion forced back the scarf into Nezumi's hands and walked past by him. Nezumi's warm and rough hand clamping down on his arm stopped him short.

"Where are you staying?"

"Why?"

"We need to talk."

"Why?"

"Stop asking questions and just answer me," Nezumi growled under his breath.

A cold shudder enveloped Shion's body as he looked up at Nezumi's eyes. He was irritated by the statement that led him to remember some memories – him tending Nezumi's arms, him following the rat when he was talking to Safu before she left No. 6, him following Nezumi when they ran away from No. 6, him begging Nezumi to stay with him. It was always him and even though that there were instances that it was Nezumi who approached him, Shion realized that it had always been him reaching out for Nezumi, pleading for him to stay by his side. He even left his family to be with him.

"If you really want to talk to me, you know where to find me. But I guess it did not matter for ten years. So please excuse me. I need to go," he said, his voice laced with bitterness and sadness.

He didn't not know what Nezumi expected from him and vice versa.

He pulled his arm from Nezumi's hold and walked away from him without waiting for his reply. He would no longer wait, he thought to himself, as tears silently rolled down his cheeks.

Note: Hello, everyone! It's been a while. I couldn't let go of the idea of them meeting one day after ten years. The idea's been with me for weeks and just have to write it down whatever it takes. As it turns out, we have a very angsty Shion. :D Let me know what you think and ideas you have. I still don't have a concrete plot for these babies but I want them to have a happy ending :D hehehe Also, to those who have read my two one-shots about these two adorable dork, thank you so much!