HQ - Akaashi Keiji

Do you think I have forgotten, about you?

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You don't exactly remember the events of the past, but you remembered some fragments of it — You were a princess of a known kingdom, you remembered you had a lover. Akaashi Keiji, was it? You two were always side by side, always together, never separated from eachother. Akaashi loved you dearly, and so did you, you promised you'd live a happy life with him. But there was one problem you couldn't ignore.

He wasn't royalty, he was a peasant. Actually, he was your servant rather.

Your relationship was kept secret, a secret between you and Akaashi. You remember the nights you'd rest your head on his lap or his shoulder, hands intertwined as you watched the stars above. Sacred whispers and shared kisses. The two of you believed this would go on forever, the relationship, your undying love. It is indeed forbidden love, tragedy would come your way soon, but you believed that if you stayed quiet nothing would happen.

You were wrong, so wrong.

The king and the queen, your parents, informed you that you were arranged to marry the prince of the neighboring kingdom. You protested, God, you tried to stop them but they wouldn't listen. Soon enough you told Akaashi the news — You couldn't stop crying, Akaashi held you in his arms and kissed your forehead.

“Keiji, I don't want to marry him. I want to marry you“ You cried out, Akaashi whispered reassurance that it'll all be okay and patted your back.

“It'll be okay, my love, we will find a way out of this.“ Akaashi cupped your cheek, pressing his lips against yours. His free hand wiping the tears that streamed down your eyes. Unbeknownst to the two of you, a servant saw the romantic exchange and rushed to tell the king and the queen.

. . .

Your father scolded you, called you disgraceful for being with a peasant, let alone a servant. You fought for your love, told your parents that you loved him dearly, and that Akaashi loved you all the same. Your mother pitied you, but she was helpless. The king sent the guards to imprison Akaashi and possibly face execution, you protested, you tried to, but no one listened. Who would listen to the helpless princess who rebelled against the king's rules?

You locked yourself in your room, crying yourself to sleep all night as you held a locket on your hand. The locket from Akaashi, he had the same one but with your portrait. If you couldn't live happily with Akaashi, thens what the point of living?

You reached for the cabinet, opening it hurriedly as you rummaged through. Your eyes set on the dagger inside. You grabbed it, and didn't waste time to slit your own throat. Your corpse laid on the cold floor, a pool of blood forming around you. The locket still in your hand.

Sooner enough, Akaashi heard the news. His hands shook uncontrollably as he clenched his fists. He decided, decided that he should join you in the underworld. Or perhaps, in another life.

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The sounds of birds chirping and the city woke you up, you don't know how or why but you felt a heavy weight weighing you down.

That dream, it felt.. Real, too real. You ran a hand through your hair and sighed deeply, brushing the thoughts away. You were probably just overthinking again.

You find yourself inside the book store, looking through the book stacked shelves. You didn't notice someone approaching, your eyes fixated on the books.

“Uhm, excuse me. Is this yours?“ A man with glasses tapped your shoulder, he held a locket in his hand, your locket? “Oh, yes that's mine.“ You replied back.

The man looked familiar, way too familiar. He gave you the locket back, but you could tell he hesitated before giving it. The two of you were frozen in time. Its almost like he was thinking the same thing. Did you remember who he was? Or did he remember who you were?

“Thank you for giving it back.“ You smiled, he just nodded.

“It's no problem.. I have the same locket.“ He awkwardly smiled and rubbed the back of his neck.

. . .

“Have we met before?“