"That's not something you can't teach." Aki said to you when you asked him how to be funny. These nights fell so very bitter---smoking cigarettes together while talking. Sometimes, he held your hand, but most times, he didn't. Aki was never sure why he felt attached to you. He didn't want to.

You were gorgeous---no, more than that. Your dyed blue hair was so pretty in the moonlight. The way your lips were around his cigarettes---it almost felt like you were flirting with him on accident.

You two talked about stupid unimportant stuff. He knew of what you wished to be. Aki knew. He showed his bitter feelings. Rather, it was caressing your cheek or giving you words of affirmation. Nonetheless, he held you---wanted to.

"What's the point of being pretty? You're just lying to yourself." That was Aki's painful words. You asked him if you were pretty. You cried---over nothing. Prehaps he lost too much to grow attached---to be kind. After all, he risked his life every day.

"You.. cut your hair?" Aki didn't expect his words to sink that deep---for you to cut your beautiful blue hair off. His mouth hung open. He felt.. sad. Like something was lost.