The deep blue of the summer sky flickered before my eyes. Each time I blinked, the world turned white. I tried to catch my breath and failed. Panic was overheating my body as fear put my pulse in overdrive.
“Well, if worse comes to worst, we’ll die together,” said the girl next to me.
Her face, too, was twisted in fear. Mine was likely no different. We were on the roof, on the wrong side of the fence. Perched on the ledge, one step from death’s embrace.
“Kurumi, you’re okay. You’ll be okay,” I said, gently stroking the back of her hand.
Kurumi blinked at me, then snorted, an awkward smile crossing her lips.
“Heh, trying to imitate me? I’m not the least bit comforted by you rubbing my hand.”
Oh, looks like I blew it. Guess there’s only one thing I can do to ease her mind.
With my free hand, I snatched away her newsboy hat.
I leaned closer, bringing my face up to hers. Our lips met, then our tongues entwined.
“Mm…mmph… Mm…unh…”
This wasn’t just a kiss; it was terrorism. We felt each other’s breath, body heat, and desolation through the wet inner walls of our mouths. I wondered if Kurumi could even pick up my thoughts.
I’d always wanted to be someone. I was sensitive, easily hurt, and terrible at dealing with other people. I possessed a frustrating awkwardness I’d long wanted to slap a label on, whether that label turned out to be the name of some special skill or a medical diagnosis. I didn’t care which—I just needed to define this thing I’d been born with.
“Natsu…me! …Gasp. Heh-heh… You sure went for that kiss. Damn.”
A trail of spit dangled between her lips and mine.
I always felt that obscene strand proved that she perceived me as me.
“Our time’s almost up. Are you ready, Kurumi?”
“I am. Let’s do this, Natsume.”
Kurumi nodded, and I put one arm around her. Then I jumped. We launched into the air, then plummeted toward the ground.
This was no double suicide. This was an escape so that we could reach tomorrow alive.
Like our kiss, this fall was our questionable idea of a happy ending.