Chapter 1: Far Too Tired

To Time May We Surrender, Chapter 01: Far Too Tired

Two more days...

A light sigh, and water splashed in the sink.

Will he regret it? Ignore it?

The liquid slowed to a drip before it was completely silenced.

Everything will change, won't it?

No sound but that of the squeaking of glasses being cleaned.

It's been thirteen years for me...

His hands still, shaking spread from their tips to his core.

...and it will only be a second for you...

Shattering, and shards rained to the ground like a god's unmerciful tears.

Wow, it's hard to believe it's been an entire year now...

Akira stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked down the road, intending to get as far away as possible from the school. Every day, all day, boring class, and endless work. It was a great feeling to walk out the front gates and know he wouldn't have to return until the next morning.

Too bad it's raining...

He glanced up at the sky and saw clouds releasing little drops of rain. He was aware of his blue uniform slowly becoming heavy with it.

Maybe Master'll let me stay at his bar until the rain stops, after all, it doesn't open for awhile.

The year had gone by quick-quicker than Akira had realized. Yet not much had changed.

...Unless one counted a change to be them stopping the Shadows from taking over the Light.

Or when Akira's personality blended with his Rei King counterpart.

In the end, Ryuuko's personality had been mixed with Akira's—with his consent of course. And it wasn't necessarily a bad thing either. He wasn't as hot-headed anymore, for one.

...Well, not as hot-headed.

Though in reality, you could hardly tell anything had happened to him at all, he mostly just got stronger, gaining more power in his Rei side. Sometimes he could even feel Ryuuko within in, unconsciously guiding him in his daily life. But of course his natural ability to get mad at the stupidest things and hit randomized objects and/or people (like Kengo), hadn't changed and continued to reveal itself all the time. So perhaps one could be convinced that it was better than it used to be...

The rain started pounding hard on Akira's back, reminding him of how slow he was walking. He tried focusing more on moving his feet faster.

Ugh, only a little farther.

Besides, he still had everyone behind him; Kengo, Aya, Shirogane, Master, and Kou. They were all still there, so there was nothing to worry about anymore.

I hope he's there, he may have decided it was too rainy to bother opening, but I guess he does live upstairs so he might hear me either way.

The weather was downright dreadful, bland gray skies and hopeless rain that beat any possible desires to have fun or take a lovely stroll in the park right out of you…

Akira caught sight of the bar's entrance through the curtain of falling liquid, so he quickened his pace, eager to be in a nice warm room with kind company. He jumped up the bar steps, shook rain water from his hair, wiped his feet off outside and entered the 'closed' bar. The bell chimed at his entrance.

"Ne, Master, do you mind if I wait the rain out here?" Akira tried his best to not drip everywhere. "Master? What-" His eyes widened and he rushed forward.

The bartender was hunched over the bar counter's sink, shaking and pale. The smell of blood reached his nose.

"Master!" Akira vaulted himself over the counter, putting a hand on the man's back and learning over to see the bartender's face. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine..." Master said softly after a minute. The shaking had subsided. "I'm sorry to have worried you, Akira-kun."

"What happened?"

"Oh, I just... It's nothing."

Akira didn't believe him, but he decided to locate the source of the stomach-churning smell of blood. Looking into the sink he saw blood drops splattered on the shiny surface. Now alarmed even more, he frantically scanned the bartender for signs of wounds-and it was his hands. "Y-you're bleeding! Your hands!" A litter of cuts covered his palm and fingers.

Master lifted them, trying to stop them from shaking.

It was then that Akira noticed glass pieces lying on the ground, under their feet. "You broke a glass?"

"... Yes."

The young teen touched the bloody hands gently. "Are the cuts from picking up some of the pieces, or did you break it with your hands?"

"My... Hands."

Standing up straight, Akira leaned over the counter and pulled a stool over from the other side. "Sit down." He took the man away from the sink and sat him on the stool. "Your hands-can you heal them?"

Master shook his head. "I'll heal faster than others, but I can't heal them myself."

Akira sighed and turned the faucet sink on to wash the blood down. "Do you have a first-aid kit? I'll clean you up..."

"Under the sink."

He opened the cabinet beneath the sink, and pulled a well used box out. He flipped it open and dug through it for disinfectant and bandages. "Can you wash the blood off your hands?"

With a nod, Master stood and rinsed his bloodied fingers off in the cool water. Akira stopped looking through the box to stare into the sink, watching the blood mix with the water and swirl down the drain...the water turned off, and he snapped back to attention—he quickly found the items. Master stumbled back to the stool, catching his foot on the leg at the last moment and tripping forward.

"Master!" Akira's hand shot out and grabbed the man's arm, yanking him back.

"I'm sorry, Akira-kun, I'm just being careless." He mumbled quietly.

"Don't apologize, it's not your fault." Akira guided him back to the stool. "Do you have any clean rags that you don't mind getting dirty?"

"Dirty?" The man echoed.

"Bloody." Akira clarified, spying a lone dish-towel on the far end of the bar.

"Oh, any of them is fine, just throw them away when you're done, please."

Walking down the small aisle of the bar, he picked up the towel and returned to put it on Master's lap. "Just in case the blood drips."

"Thank you."

The young teen started to clean his hands and wrap them, working quietly. Blood still seeped from some of the cuts, so he tried his best to cover them in enough bandages to stop it, but in the least amount needed to insure free movement of the bartender's hands. Akira stared impassively at the slender fingers, feeling completely lost, wondering why the man had broken the glass. He also wanted to know why the air seemed thick with a sense of loneliness; a chilling sadness. Either way, he was determined to figure out what had happened and why, but he knew he'd better not attack the subject so quickly-especially not if it had the power to break down the normally calm, simple man. Yet just by that, it made him even more confused; what could possibly cause the man be so sad, and this air, this strange feeling-it seemed to be wrapped around the bartender, relentlessly eating at him.

Akira paused, sighing. "I'm not an expert like you; am I doing this right?"

"Yes, it's fine." He replied lightly.

The teen tried to pry his mind from his confusion and focus on the problem at hand. "... Does it sting?" Akira asked cautiously, he hardly knew what he was doing.

"A little." The bartender winced.

He stopped the wrapping. "Er, I'm sorry."

Master chuckled, somewhat hoarsely. "It's okay, it's because you're cleaning it."

"Cleaning it wrong or cleaning it right?"

"Cleaning it right." He clarified.

"O-okay." The teen tried again, making an effort to be more gentle, despite Master's claims of it stinging only 'a little'. He finished up as quickly and swiftly as possible then leaned back to study his 'attempt'. Well, it obviously wasn't very professional, but it would do for now.

"I guess that's the best I can do..." He said pathetically.

But Master smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Akira-kun."

"Yeah..." Akira looked at the ground, lifting his feet, hearing the glass crack beneath him. "I'll get this picked up too."

"No, Akira, I'll get it."

"I've got it, I'll be glad to help." Akira stated. "Can I use that broom in the corner?"

"Oh, uh, y-yes... Thank you."

He took his time cleaning up; trying to make sure every piece was picked up, and made it to the trash. From the corner of his eye he watched Master's back. The man's shoulders were slumped pathetically, he seemed completely drained. Something is definitely wrong...

"Is everything okay, Akira-kun?"

Akira realized he had paused in his work to stare.

"Well actually, I was going to ask the same thing..."

"I-I'm fine, but thank you, I just wasn't paying attention."

"Paying attention? Master, you don't break a glass in your hands just because you weren't 'paying attention'." Akira said incredulously, as he put the last of the glass in the garbage. "If you don't want to talk about it, that's one thing, but I know you're not one to normally lie."

"... I'm sorry."

"You don't have to keep apologizing," he muttered.

"I guess I was just upset." The man flexed his fingers experimentally, wincing. "Perhaps I shouldn't open the bar tonight."

"I don't think you should work either if you're upset." Akira watched the dramatic mood change come over the man.

A warm smile spread over the man's face, and his gentle nature returned. "Thank you, Akira-kun... again. You said something about rain, yes? You can wait it out here if you would like. Do you want something to drink? I have water, and there might be some juice or soda in the back..." Master trailed off, waiting for a reply.

Akira guessed that it was best to drop the subject and accept it. "Water's fine with me, thank you."

Master poured him a glass off ice water, with some difficulty, and set it on the counter. He listened as the teen walked around to the other side.

Drinking the water, he sat on a stool, watching the bartender sit back on his.

"You should keep one over there, you know." He commented, looking at the stool.

"The stool? Yes, I should, shouldn't I?" Master smiled kindly. "So how was your day?"

"Boring..." Akira answered, still irked at how the man acted like nothing had happened.

"As usual?"

"Yep..." He sighed.

Master leaned forward onto his side of the counter. "Was Shirogane gone again today?"

"Yeah, he even left me with that same stupid note, saying he'd 'be back later', I don't get it." Akira murmured.

"I'm sure it isn't dangerous or anything." The man reassured him.

"Ha! I don't really care as long as I don't end up paying for it later!" He laughed.

"Isn't that a bit harsh, Akira-kun?"

"Well, yeah, I guess." The teen mulled it over, "But still... Say, Master, how long have you known Shirogane?"

"Me? I've known him for a long time, but we've only truly talked for the past couple of years." The bartender explained.

"Oh, alright then."

"Was there a reason you asked?"

"Just wondering, though I was hoping for clues to..." Akira shut his mouth.

"Yes?" The bartender encouraged him to continue.

"Uh...well, for how old he really is, he's obviously old enough to drink, but honestly I have no idea." He answered sheepishly.

Master laughed the truest one so far, "Not even I know how old Shirogane is, but if you do recall, he was slightly insulted when you guessed forty-two that one day."

"Yeah, you're right." Akira admitted, letting his shoulders drop.

"Besides, Akira-kun, how would that help you without my age?" Master teased him, crossing his arms.

"Oh, uh, yeah... I just-I just assumed... you..." Akira stuttered, a bit embarrassed.

"I must say that I am curious as to how old you think I am. Care to tell me?" The man tilted his head questioningly.

"Um... well..." The teen thought it over.

"You should think logically; the bar's been open since 2001." The other hinted. He waited patiently for the teen to do the math, spending the seconds stretching his fingers again, with his face barely wincing at the pain.

Akira watched the small pain flashes going across the man's face. Then he tried a guess. "... Twenty-eight?"

"Very close; I'm twenty-nine." He smiled.

The teenager raised an eyebrow. "Wow, I didn't even believe my own guess..."

"Eh? Do I look thirty-something then?"

"No, no, no!" Akira rushed to save himself. "I was going to guess twenty-three or twenty-four, until you gave me the hint..."

"Really?" Master was surprised. "I'm flattered Akira-kun, I truly am."

"You're welcome then." The boy smiled, hoping the man could sense it. "So, either way, while I'm here, Aya's managed to convince me to go on a picnic-thing with everyone, will you come and save me?..."

The Bar Master chuckled, "Save you?"

"Yes... I just know I'll be dragged into some game or something else that's boring, draining, and not fun..." Akira responded dryly. "Please say you'll come."

"Hmm... well, when is it?" The man asked.

"Saturday-in three days." He answered eagerly. "Will you be free?"

"Saturday? Yes, that should be-" The bartender stopped. Three days? That will be right after... this might not be good...

"Um, Master?" Akira called out. He would have waved a hand in front of the man's face, but he knew that would be pointless.

"Oh. Yes, yes, it should be fine, but will you do me a favor?" A plan started forming in the bartender's mind, even though it had many faults.

"Sure," the teen perked up.

"After your school gets out on Friday, will you remind me? I don't want to forget."

After Friday, you might not want to talk to me... if you don't come by, then I won't go, and I'll leave you aloneand not bother you...

"Oh, yeah, no problem." Akira nodded. "But wouldn't someone have to come by on Saturday anyways?"

"What do you mean?"

"...I don't want to be-I mean I don't want to assume-" At a loss for words, Akira just kept himself from making himself an even bigger fool.

"You mean, assume that I can't get there on my own?" The man finished for him.

Akira winced, "...yeah, sorry."

The other laughed. "Well, you're right."

"Wait, huh?" He blinked.

"I won't be able to get there on my own-that is without some difficulty. So yes, Saturday would work just as well."

"Okay." Akira gave an internal sigh of relief. "But I'll probably be here Friday anyways, just to say hi and escape from everyone else."

To the man, the statement seemed almost like a compliment. "Thank you, Akira-kun."

"Uh, you're welcome." I don't know why you're thanking me, but sure, why not.

Master smiled at him, hopeful.

Two more days now. I hope you will come back, Akira-kun.

The man took a deep breath.

"I believe the rain has stopped, Akira-kun." Master informed the sleeping teen.

Akira had felt only a little tired, but the moment he had laid his head down on the cool counter surface, he had surrendered to his dreams.

Akira-kun...

Walking around the counter, he stood silently beside the teen's chair.

Soft snoring reached his ears...

He smiled, but it faded slowly, and he reached a hand out tentatively. His bandaged fingers brushed against the soft cheeks, and slid through his hair.

It's the same as always... the same as I had remembered...

He jerked back suddenly.

No, I shouldn't...

"... Akira-kun," he shook the young boy's shoulders. "Wake up; the rain has stopped."

"... No it hasn't..." Akira muttered stubbornly, shaking the hands off.

The older man flinched as the rough action irritated his wounded fingers.

He tried again.

"I don't mind you sleeping here, Akira-kun, but you need to go home. You've been here for quite a long time-you wouldn't want your parents to get worried."

"They're not even here..." Akira said drowsily.

He stretched, hearing the satisfying crack of his back popping.

"That isn't very healthy for your back, you know." Master observed.

The teen smirked, "Well, neither is sleeping on a bar counter."

"Yes, that is true."

Sighing, the teen stood up, "Well, I'll get out of you way." He started walking over to the door.

"I don't mind you being here, I just don't want you to waste your day."

"If you think this is wasting my day then I think I'd prefer to 'waste' it here, it's definitely the only peace I've had all week." Akira looked back. "Well, I guess I'll be back Friday, if not tomorrow-as long as that's okay with you."

"Of course, I'd be glad for the company." The man smiled.

Akira smirked, "The company or the break from a certain person?"

"Now, you wouldn't be talking about a certain person's older sister, would you?" Master feigned confusion.

"No, not at all!" Akira said dramatically.

They both started laughing.

"I don't know how you can handle her sober, not to mention drunk." The teen said, amazed.

"I like to think I just have a large amount of patience. But sometimes I fear for Kengo."

"I don't think we need to worry about him, he has a total sister-complex, so he probably doesn't even notice." He rolled his eyes.

Master just shook his head, holding back his laughter.

Akira turned the handle. "Hehe, see you later then, Master."

"Have a good day, Akira-kun," the bartender waved him out.

Then the door clicked closed behind the teen, leaving the man to his own personal darkness.

Sometimes I wish I could see, even if only for a moment.

The man sighed, feeling far too tired.