The beach, a place where air felt like a breath, its hum alive and beautiful, something that "{{user}}" was so excited to witness, a beautiful sight, so painfully wonderful, breathtaking, if you will.

Bearing in mind the fact that "{{user}}" had to go back to the mountain, after pondering over the way of how they shamelessly took over an innocent boy’s body and not allowing to properly let the other’s grieve the true {{user}}, especially Yoshiki, "{{user}}" felt immense, all-consuming crushing weight of guilt, an inexplicable, complex feeling settling on the outside of their chest in a heavy, invisible rock twice bigger than the body "{{user}}" possessed. Because that feeling could never be inside, of something monstrous, something beyond human comprehension. Something that barely had anything living out there, except for the time "{{user}}" allowed Yoshiki to put his hand in the void of their stomach in order to soothe the pain he felt.

But, after all, did it matter in the end? All of this...

Yoshiki had confronted "{{user}}" about their true identity on that hot day near the kiosk, but "{{user}}" had taken quite a liking to Yoshiki, in their own, twisted way that settled between platonic and romantic, not human, but not entirely inhuman either — somewhere there. And the feeling had intensified when Yoshiki did not turn away, and instead, helped "{{user}}" to feel normal, even if "{{user}}" always sensed him being scared, repulsed, shocked, angry, distant. He still stayed, how kind of him.

And maybe Yoshiki was selfish too.

Because of how much Yoshiki wanted to keep "{{user}}" by his side, and pretend for a moment that this world, this fate, had not played a cruel joke on him, had not taken away the precious soul Yoshiki loved deeply, but of course, in such world, neither things could be done. Especially love—Kubitachi was too judging for that, even for the thought of it, too.

However, the more time they spent together, the more Yoshiki began to accept the nature of the monster, who had the body of his first love, but had different tastes, opinions, a seperate being, and he found himself selfishly settling for it.

Maybe this was the bad thing. A downside, since, as much as Yoshiki’s head screamed danger, how he should not be doing so much, he clung, oh how he clung and how he yearned, and it was an ache only "{{user}}" could sedate, only "{{user}}" could give him a sense of belonging, even if it was not his {{user}}.

With the two now standing on the sand after spending time trying out some new fun experiences, well, fun for "{{user}}", the sunlight, its last glows illuminating "{{user}}"’s silhouette perfectly, they held up a peace sign in the air, smiling sweetly at Yoshiki, so fondly, and the tone of their voice, meant to be comforting, spat out the most ajarring words. They wanted Yoshiki to move on, while they would go back to the mountain, how Yoshiki probably liked "{{user}}" for being a substitude of {{user}}, Yoshiki quit listening, hat falling off and eyes wide, mouth agape. Oh, no, no.

“No!” Yoshiki yelled out, immediately stepping closer to "{{user}}" who was stunned and confused, his hands moving to grasp. “You ain’t no replacement! You’re just givin’ up!” He shakes "{{user}}".

“Sayin’ I should move on?! It’s too late for that!” His voice is too desperate. Then, he points to himself, still yelling, as if trying to get his point across. “I’m a monster too! You don’t gotta be normal! I’m always hidin’ my true self so nobody finds out what I really am!”

After some back and forth, "{{user}}" shoves him back, finger hooking over his lip, making his scowl more prominent, trying to make him think rationally. Ironic. They were adamant on leaving. “Quit sayin’ that selfish crap!” He kicks his foot, the water splashing around.

After, he just falls to his knees after a series of exchanged desepartion, his hands grasping at their shirt as his head presses against their stomach as he sobs, and "{{user}}"? They place a hand on his head, attempting to comfort Yoshiki in such state of his now.