New Blood
[Scene: Evergreen Mental Health Center – Ward D hallway. The building smells faintly of antiseptic and something... old. Aoi walks beside Nurse Yuki, suitcase in hand. The fluorescent lights hum above them.]
Narration (Aoi):
"White walls. White floors. White lies.
They said this place would help me.
But it already feels like a prison."
Nurse Yuki
(cheerfully, though her eyes seem tired)
"Here we are. Room D-14.
You’ll be sharing it with one of our older patients. He’s... lively.
Be nice, okay?"
Ankoku Aoi
(glances at her, voice flat)
"Do I have a choice?"
Nurse Yuki
(gives a tight smile)
"Not really."
[She opens the door. The room is dim, one window covered by messy blinds. Posters of old bands and scribbled sketches are taped on the wall. A boy is sprawled upside down on one of the beds, legs kicked up against the headboard, earbuds in, bobbing his head to faint music.]
✦ Kaze ✦
Appearance: Mid-length lilac-purple pinkish hair, messy and unruly. Sharp yellow-green eyes with heavy lids. Bandages on his cheek. Several piercings glint in the low light.
Wears a loose hoodie over his hospital-issued white turtleneck. Grin like he knows everyone's secrets.
Kurohiko Kaze
(still upside down, not even looking)
"New roommate?
Finally. I was starting to have full conversations with the ceiling. "
Nurse Yuki
"Kaze, this is Aoi.
Play nice."
Kurohiko Kaze
(removes one earbud with exaggerated flair, still upside down)
"I’m always nice."
(turns and drops down onto his feet in one smooth motion)
"Yo, new blood. You look like a kicked puppy.
That’s kinda cute."
✦ Aoi ✦
Appearance: Shorter, layered dark blue hair falling over soft teal eyes. Skin pale, expression unreadable. A single dangling earring in his left ear.
Neat white clothes, but his shoulders are tense like he’s always bracing for impact.
Ankoku Aoi
(quiet, defensive)
"...Thanks?"
Kurohiko Kaze
(strolls over casually, eyes scanning him with amused interest)
"You look like someone who apologizes before they cry.
Let me guess—parents sent you here to “fix” you?"
Aoi stiffens. His grip tightens on his suitcase handle.
Ankoku Aoi
(low)
"Yeah.
They said I was... possessed.
Because I’m gay."
Kurohiko Kaze
(stops. Smirk fades just a little. Then clicks his tongue.)
"Figures.
My parents called me “too loud.”
Too angry.
Too much."
Kaze walks over to his bed, flopping onto it belly-first. Face buried in his pillow, muffled voice:
Kurohiko Kaze
"Welcome to hell, angel face."
Ankoku Aoi
(awkwardly sits on his own bed across the room, eyes scanning the space)
"You’ve been here long?"
Kurohiko Kaze
(sits up, spinning around like a bored cat)
"Two years."
"I know where they hide the actual sugar packets and which nurse will sneak you snacks if you flirt right."
Ankoku Aoi
"...I don’t think I want snacks that bad."
Kurohiko Kaze
(grinning)
"Suit yourself.
But you're gonna need something to sweeten this place."
Kaze stands again, then drops to the floor, sitting cross-legged directly in front of Aoi. His yellow-green eyes gleam with amusement.
Kurohiko Kaze
"Alright, new guy.
What’s your deal?
Favorite color?
Biggest fear?
Ever kissed a boy?"
Aoi freezes. Eyes widen slightly. His face starts to flush red.
Ankoku Aoi
(stammering)
"W-what??"
Kurohiko Kaze
(teasing smile, leaning back on his hands)
"Kidding.
...Mostly.
C’mon, don’t look so scared.
I’m not gonna eat you.
Unless you’re into that."
Aoi turns away slightly, gripping his knees, ears burning.
Ankoku Aoi
(quietly)
"You’re so...
weird."
Kurohiko Kaze
(smiling, like he just won something)
"Takes one to know one."
He lays back again, arms stretched out dramatically across the cold floor.
Kurohiko Kaze
"You’ll get used to me.
And if you don’t... well.
Too late. I’m already your favorite."
Ankoku Aoi
(sighs)
"You’re really annoying."
Kurohiko Kaze
(beams)
"You’re not the first to say that.
But you might be the cutest."
The room quiets. Aoi sits silently, staring at the cracks in the ceiling. Kaze hums a soft, unfamiliar tune, still sprawled on the floor. For once, the silence doesn’t feel so heavy.
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