KINTSUkuroi

February 14. A day in which most people celebrate the fact that they have been blessed to meet their significant other. A day to celebrate love and romance. A marketing-ruled date for some. A fair statement; after all, isn't love —in all of its forms— something that people are supposed to celebrate every day? What purpose is there for establishing a specific date to appreciate love, aside from the revenue from bought gifts and fancy outings?

For the longest time, Nicolas' views on the matter were in line with the prior statement: Valentine's Day was —at least in his eyes— all about marketing. Still, people do need to have reasons to celebrate, so he kept his thoughts to himself. He didn't deem himself to have the right to rain on other people's parades.

Perhaps it was a whim of fate that Nicolas first met Setsuna Kuroyami on Valentine's Day two years before. Nicolas had just been hired as a teacher of English at the Langton School of English in Buenos Aires. He had gone to the school to sign in the paperwork for his enrollment form on Valentine's Day. It wasn't beyond reason; February 14 was —for the most part— a regular day. Nighttime was a different topic, though, so getting things done in the early afternoon wasn't unfathomable.

And then he saw her: tall, dignified, she had an aura of royalty around her. This was Setsuna Kuroyami. Long, straight, black hair that flew freely to her right side, partially covering her right eye. She looked regal, yet mysterious. It was entrancing in a way.

"May I help you?" Setsuna spoke. Her voice sounded cold and distant, but still courteous and polite.

"O-Oh... H-Hello... M-My name is N-Nicolas Mach... I've j-just been hired as a teacher of English here... I-I would l-like to meet with H-Headmistress Declein, if I could..." the short male explained.

"Certainly. Please, follow me." Setsuna instructed. She walked ahead towards one of the rooms, not looking back to make sure the timid man was actually following her.

Nineteen steps. That's what it took for Setsuna to reach the Headmistress' Office. She stepped aside for Nicolas to walk inside. "This way." she informed.

Over the next year Setsuna and Nicolas became gradually closer to each other. There weren't many in the school who were willing to befriend someone as introverted and reclusive as Nicolas, but Setsuna was different. She did care for him, she was just bad at showing it. But she was there for him when it counted, and that was all that mattered to him.

Perhaps it was a whim of fate that Nicolas first met Setsuna Kuroyami on Valentine's Day, and that they would happen to start dating exactly one year after that. February 14, 2021 found the two of them confessing their feelings to each other in a rather unconventional manner: there was no kiss, or not even a 'I love you'. Everything was said in a single hug. They embraced each other and kept silent, letting their feelings speak for themselves.

In hindsight, it is very much possible that Nicolas was simply scared to be left alone, so he clung onto the one person who had shown some degree of commitment to being there for him. As for Setsuna, perhaps she had seen in him someone who would treat her with kindness and respect, but not love, and so it wouldn't be all that surprising that on February 14, 2022, when Nicolas was coming back to Setsuna's place, he would find her in the arms of another man.

Much like two years before, no words needed to be spoken. Nicolas was heartbroken, naturally, but in reality this was always a very plausible outcome, considering the nature of their relationship. He didn't feel he had the right to reproach her actions. If anything, he felt he had betrayed her. He felt he had used her, even if he had never intended for that to be the case. Be that as it may, Nicolas simply let the bouquet of roses fall, turned around, and left without saying a single word.

History repeats itself, and because of that it is often regarded as a merciless, ruthless force to be reckoned with. Sometimes it feels as though no matter how hard one tries, history has a way to put them back where they're always meant to be.

The subsequent days were dreadful for the short male. He had lost all will to live, yet he lacked the courage to end it all. He didn't eat, he didn't sleep, and he simply drifted from place to place, longing for nature to do its thing and grant him the sweet release of death.

But alas, history repeats itself, and because of that it is often regarded as a source of hope for those who yearn for a second chance...

"Nic? Is that you?" a voice spoke.

Sitting on the edge of a bridge, staring blankly into the ever-stretching nothingness which he perceived in the sky, the short male became startled: he didn't need to know who had spoken, for he knew for a fact there was only one person that had ever called him 'Nic'.

Tears fell from his eyes despite his efforts to keep them in. He didn't look at the person who had addressed him. He didn't dare to be seen like that. Especially not by the one who had spoken to him.

The person said nothing. Instead, they hugged him from behind and gently wiped his tears. Nicolas tried not to let his weak side show, but they knew better.

"I've missed you so much, Nic..." the person spoke, still holding the shorter male in their arms.

Then silence. It felt like an eternity, but it was only a few seconds. And then, his response came out...

"I-I've missed you, too... Ciel..."