They are always overlapping. Physically, emotionally, mentally. Shin was always prodding the both of them under his arms, a mother hen who her chicks despised. Shuichi was forever using the two of them as either beds or pillows–but mostly pillows because if he used Shin as a pillow, it ended up looking awkward. Gumi put up with the both of them, letting herself be prodded around and dispersing her own form of justice in response.
They were there own little universe, and sometimes, it was too damn hard to get through.
I am sure my classmates all think I am crazy by now, because I chase after the elusive, stubborn Megumi Takeda, but something about her just draws me in, again and again. They are always touching her, whether it be in jest or affection. Or anger, in her retaliation. They are a universe of their own.
Sometimes, when they don’t see me, I follow them up to the roof. And sometimes, when the rest of their family isn’t there, I hide behind the door and eat lunch on the stairs, listening to their conversations and pretending I am part of them. Sometimes, they say things that don’t make sense, like that they’re hungry, even as they’re eating, or talking about time periods long past as if they had just left them moments ago. However, while their subjects may vary from the strange to the extreme, one thing stays same–they are still overlapping.
Shin latches his arms around Shuichi this time, making him grunt in a manner that can only be described as surprised manliness, and Gumi’s mouth tilts up and down at the same time, as if she cannot tell whether to laugh or chide Shin. She settles for attempting to pry Shin off Shuichi.
“Get off him, Shin,” she says snappily, “I don’t think Shuichi can breathe.” He pouts, letting go, but his hand still clutches to her shirtsleeve, as Gumi pulls Shuichi’s coughing head onto her lap.
“Why are you so feminine today?” Shuichi questions after he stops coughing. Visibly, Gumi twitches, partially from the question and partially from Shin’s slender fingers sneaking up her back. She kicks Shuichi off as she hastily backs away from Shin, screaming all the while.
“I TRY TO BE NICE FOR ONCE AND YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT! SHIN, YOU PERVERT!” she screamed, backing up. Shin pouts, and Shuichi winces as he rolls up.
Alone, they look more vulnerable. Shin suddenly seems lonely, Shuichi uncomfortable. And Gumi is tiny, a tiny girl who looks like she could be swallowed whole by it all. But then, the both of them reach out their hands, and she takes them, a reflex, as her face is still as apprehensive as it was before. She still looks tiny, but she with the both of them on either side of her, she looks warm and protected. Shuichi looks at home, and Shin beams with the childish delight at the two of them.
“Let’s go back to class,” he says, and they nod.
They are like a universe of their own, unpenetrable. They would fall apart without each other. Because, they stick together.
