Senseless [Golden Gemini]

"Hey, Yuki."

From the vintage page he was reading, Yuki lazily lifted his gaze.

In front of him stood a man—wearing the same white and blue uniform as he was.

"Simon," he muttered, placing down the book on his desk.

Simon's shoulder-length hair was tied back, and the earrings on his left ear gleamed under the light. He flashed a grin, languidly placing his hand on Yuki's shoulder.

Yuki's face distorted with the sudden contact. The hand was heavy and it smelt of the foul smell of cigarettes.

"What do you want?" He asked, pushing Simon's hand away.

"That guy... Set me up with him."

He pointed towards a student at the back of the room. It was lunchtime, so only a few students were around and Yuki was able to quickly spot who it was. It was Holy, a classmate sleeping defenselessly on his own desk.

Yuki's frown deepened.

"What do you mean, set you up?" His voice was cold and serious as he returned his gaze to Simon.

"C'mon, Yuki." Simon's lips curled into a playful smile as he leaned in as if he were about to whisper something.

Yuki flinched. His breath is making him retch.

"You know already. Just do it, okay?"

He shot Simon a sharp glare and immediately stood up. "What the hell's your problem, Simon?"

He didn't understand what he was talking about—or why he was suddenly approaching him. They weren't even friends.

Yuki's irritation was evident on his face, and Simon seemed equally confused by his reaction. He must have approached him thinking everything would go smoothly but he was wrong from the beginning. He was wrong to ask Yuki his stupid shenanigans.

Simon straightened up and glanced around the classroom as if looking for something. Yuki caught his panicked eyes lingered everywhere.

"What?" Yuki repeated, his voice laced with impatience.

Simon swallowed hard and grabbed a fistful of his hair, looking at the ground in disbelief. "Damn it."

Yuki rolled his eyes at Simon's. Not wanting to be part of it anymore, he grabbed his book and bag, then quickly walked out of the room.

"What a lucky day," he muttered to himself.

His day had started off badly. On top of the chaos at home, he had forgotten his project. He still had a chance to submit it tomorrow, but there will be a point deduction.

And now? Simon was acting like he was in his own world.

Yes, they were classmates, but they rarely spoke. The last time they interacted was a year ago during an event when they played for the same team in volleyball. Back then, Simon had been easy to talk to—respectful, even. But the Simon he encountered today was different.

What did he really want?

That thought lingered in Yuki's mind as he walked to the cafeteria. When he arrived, most of the food was already gone. He settled for a simple ensaymada and a bottle of water—lunchtime was short anyway.

He sat by the window. Across from him, a boy was quietly eating, but neither of them spoke or spared each other a glance.

As he ate, Yuki let his gaze wander around the room. The cafeteria of San Regalya College—or SanRec, as the students called it—was filled with all kinds of students. Some were laughing and chatting, while others were busy with their own activities. Some were surrounded by their groups, while others sat alone—just like Yuki.

Despite the lively atmosphere, he always felt like a cloud hung over him. He had no friends in this school, no relatives to turn to. His classmates avoided him—probably because of the rumors about his family. But he was used to it.

Since childhood, he had known that people looked at him differently. He had accepted it long ago. Which was why Simon suddenly talking to him was so confusing. And even more than that, what he said had left him unsettled.

"You know already. Just do it, okay?"

What do I know?

Yuki scoffed as he recalled their conversation. He couldn't make sense of it, but as he replayed the scene in his mind, an image flashed—of Holy resting earlier.

His thin frame.

His head resting on the desk.

His thin arms and pale skin.

As far as Yuki knew, Holy's family was poor, which made him an easy target for some of the wealthier students. However, Holy was different. His kindness was unmatched. No matter how much his classmates teased him, he never seemed to mind. He would smile and greet them politely. Just like his name, his personality was pure.

Perhaps because of his natural beauty—more striking than most girls in school—even those who bullied him never dared to hurt him physically. It was like a silent agreement among everyone.

Yuki closed his eyes. A shiver ran down his spine as he recalled Simon's words. Now, he could no longer ignore the uneasy feeling creeping in.

What exactly did Simon want with Holy? 

And more importantly, why was he asking me?

Lost in thought, he barely noticed the cafeteria growing noisy. Chewing on his food, a small chuckle came from the student in front of him.

Yuki glanced at him but immediately froze when a pair of blue glowing eyes awaits his dark ones. The student placed his elbows on the table and clasped his fingers while looking intently at Yuki who seemed to have forgotten how to breathe.

"Too late." That same ocean-deep voice reached his ears. Yuki swallowed hard, forcing himself not to back down from fear.

"L-Late for what?"

"Why ask? You're selfish anyway. You don't have to care. Right, my Yuki?"

He was about to ask back but then, a white blur plummeted from above. A sudden thud followed which cut through the noise of the cafeteria. It was not too loud, rather very strange for them not to notice. Seconds later, screams from everywhere filled the air.

Yuki felt rigid all over. The ominous encounter made him imagine what could have been that sound. But he needed to confirm.

Slowly, he turned his gaze toward the fallen figure on the cemented ground, just a few meters away. Only a glass window separated them.

His eyes widened.

A body lied sprawled. Its face nearly unrecognizable, covered in blood and wounds. The lifeless eyes which seemed to be staring straight at him made his stomach churn. The world spun, and in an instant, he collapsed to his knees, gagging what he just ate.

Students rushed to the scene, their voices filled with shock and disbelief. Meanwhile, Yuki remained on the ground, struggling to breathe, his vision blurred with tears—unable to look away from Holy's lifeless body.

[Two days later…]

The school hallways buzzed with whispers about Holy's sudden death and the police investigation that followed.

Yuki sat weakly in his seat. It was Friday morning, but he felt drained. He hadn't slept well for the past two nights. Nightmares haunted him on his sleep.

Every time he closed his eyes, the gruesome image returned—Holy's bloodied face, his dull eyes seemingly staring at him from the afterlife.

Yuki had a gut feeling. Simon had something to do with this. There was no other explanation for his strange behavior before Yuki left them alone.

The authorities had arrived that same afternoon to investigate. Hours later, they took Holy's body away. But rumors spread since no family members came for him.

Stories circulated that Holy had lived alone. No one knew where his family was or how he survived on his own. Yuki knew that they're both alike, they had no friends in this school. If anyone knew Holy's story, it would probably be the teachers.

The saddest part though is that people only seemed to care now that he was gone.

Guilt gnawed at Yuki. He remembered all the times Holy was picked on by other students. His cruel fate at San Regalya College had ultimately sealed his end.

A sharp pain squeezed his chest. They barely knew each other, had never even spoken—but he felt responsible.He hadn't helped him. Worse, he had left him alone with Simon.

Even if Simon wasn't the culprit, Yuki was almost certain he was involved. But since yesterday, no updates had surfaced about a suspect. No witnesses. No mention of Simon in any rumors. Yuki has considered the idea.

Was it possible that someone saw what happened but was too afraid to speak?

Or worse—were even the authorities turning a blind eye?

A cold realization hit Yuki. Even if that's true, what will he do anyway? Will he tell the police and school? Can he go that far?

"Yuki."

He snapped back to reality at the sound of that voice. He never expected to hear it—not after everything that happened.

"Simon?" His voice carried both shock and confusion. Simon looked worse than ever—his eyes sunken, his hair unkempt, and his clothes reeking. It was clear he hadn't bathed.

"We need to talk."

Yuki stared at Simon, his body tensing at the request. A part of him wanted to hear him out, but the overwhelming sense of unease drowned out any curiosity.

"About what exactly?"

Simon flinched at Yuki's sharp tone. Their classmates were now stealing glances at them, sensing the tension. Yuki didn't care.

"Yuki… just a moment. Please. I'll leave right after."

Yuki shook his head. He stood up abruptly, glaring at Simon. "Tell me, is this about Holy?"

Simon's eyes widened in alarm. In a split second, he grabbed Yuki's wrist—his grip shaky and clammy with sweat.

"No—just—listen to me!"

Yuki yanked his hurt arm back. "Then tell me right now cause I don't want to go anywhere with you."

Left with no choice, Simon's voice dropped to a whisper, desperate. "I'm going to die."

Yuki froze.

"What?"

"Help me. You're the only one who can help me—"

Yuki pushed Simon when he intended to come closer. He was sent sprawling onto the empty desk behind him. The noise startled the other students but they all remained silent.

"Yuki?!" Simon gasped, scrambling to his feet.

Yuki's breathing was ragged, his hands trembling. He had pushed Simon without thinking. But he didn't regret it. Not after everything.

"I'm warning you," Yuki seethed. "Stay away from me."

He snatched his bag and stormed out of the classroom. As he stepped into the hallway, he could hear Simon calling after him, but he ignored it.

He pulled out his phone, his fingers moving fast as he pressed speed dial.

Click.

"Yuki?" A deep lazy voice answered.

"Sho, pick me up at the entrance."

"Now? Is something wrong?"

"Please! Now!"

"Yuki, wait!"

His blood ran cold at the sound of Simon's voice. His pulse pounded in his ears as he quickened his pace. Why was Simon still following him?

"I'm on my way," Sho's voice reassured him before he ended the call.

Yuki bolted down the hallway. Their classroom was on the third floor, and the stairs seemed endless. He weaved through students, ignoring the confused glances and whispers.

"Excuse me! Move!"

His heart pounded. His breath came in short, desperate gasps. When he reached the first floor, he shoved the glass doors open with such force that they nearly shattered. But before he could run, a firm grip clamped onto his shoulder. The sudden force made him lose his balance. Yuki's body slammed against the cold and dirty floor. Pain shot up his arm as he fell, his elbow taking the brunt of the impact.

"Urgh!" He cried, clutching his arm in a fetus position.

Simon came and straddled him instantly. His dark, frantic eyes bored into Yuki's, his grip tightening. "Why did you run?!"

Yuki struggled, his chest heaving. He raised a fist of his uninjured left arm, aiming for Simon's face, but the lattercaught it midair, twisting his wrist painfully.

Yuki's cries filled the morning of San Regalya's facade. Students watched as the chaos unfolded before their wary eyes.

"Damn it, Yuki! I just need to talk to you!"

Yuki's glare was sharp enough to cut. He tried pushing Simon off, but he was stronger. He grabbed both of Yuki's wrists and pinned them. It almost sent Yuki out of consciousness.

"F×ck you, that hurts, you f×cking bastard!"

"Listen to me! Please!" Simon's voice cracked. "If you don't help me, I'll die!"

Yuki's breath hitched. "What are you talking about?!"

Simon's hands trembled as he gripped Yuki tighter. "They're after me. I made a mistake!But still they found out. I need you to ward them off for me. If it's you, I know you can do it."

"So you believe the rumors about me? Sorry to burst your bubble but you're stupid to even fall for it."

Simon shook his head. "I know you're lying. You got to help me!"

"I said, NO!"

Boogsh!

A strong force came from above him. Simon was ripped away from him, thrown onto the ground with a grunt.

A shadow loomed over Yuki. Then, a firm, warm hand wrapped around his left wrist, pulling him up. He stumbled into that person, clinging his weak body on his sturdy one.

Yuki expected Sho. But the scent was different. He looked up, his breath catching in his throat.

Sharp, narrow gray eyes greeted him. A straight nose and red lips that curved perfectly. That unbelievable and unfamiliar face is just inches away from his.

"W-Who?" Yuki stammered, stepping back instinctively.

His gaze didn't waver. His hand, still wrapped around Yuki's wrist, tightened slightly, not letting him go.

Then, in a low and steady voice, he murmured.

"You're Yuki?"