[Shenya] Aphasia

Chapter 8

Manchester's largest shopping mall, Arndale, is full of bustling young people 360 ​​days a year, with various brand stores and a wide range of delicious food. It is the leisure and entertainment center of Manchester.When you walk through the canal, you can see its iconic blue-green glass exterior wall, see fashionable young people coming and going, and see the exquisite fish mouth fountain becoming brighter and clearer with the washing of water.On the other hand, Arndale is also known for its high-quality service attitude.A graceful fat lady rushed to the service desk dripping with shopping bags, and let out a long sigh of relief when she saw her seven-year-old daughter standing in front of the desk safe and sound.

"Sweetheart, I'm sorry I didn't take good care of you."

"Mommy, it's an angel!" The little girl rushed forward and hugged her mother's neck, looking excited, "Oh white angel!"

"……Angel?"

The receptionist at the service desk explained with a sorry smile: "A man in white brought her here. Your daughter must have recognized him as an angel."

"No, no," the girl shook her head desperately, blinking her big watery eyes firmly, "It was the angel who brought me here!"

On another floor of the shopping mall, Allen looked down at the clock on his phone, then stuffed it into the pocket of his white coat, and said to the person in front of him expressionlessly, "You're only late for less than 10 minutes, do you want to pursue it? "

The blond man was very disdainful: "You are a person who has no sense of time, 10 minutes is enough to do many things... such as sending the lost little girl to the service desk."

"How do you know it was me?"

"When I was waiting for my partner who was late, I heard the missing person broadcast at the service desk, and I thought it could only be him." Link frowned, "After all, he is a nosy brat."

Allen smiled nonchalantly.

"...Walker, is this really okay?"

"It's an easy job, though. And you know I can't see a lady cry."

Link lit a cigarette: "You know that's not what I'm talking about."

The young man was lying on the railing, looking down at the people passing by downstairs, and the light reflected by the marble floor tiles. He looked at it and suddenly let out a snort: "Why, are you worried that Yu Kanda set fire to my house?"

Link was angry: "That's not my house... can't I worry about you?"

"What do I have to worry about?" Allen thought it was funny, and pointed to a man downstairs who was dressed poorly and looked into the glass closet eagerly, "Look, everyone has their misfortunes, mine is just the most insignificant one— — just lost love."

"Then why did you leave the house?"

"I just don't want to face the fact that the person I love hates me. Is it difficult to understand the human instinct to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages?"

Link stared at him closely, but he didn't have any other emotions except seeing calm in the other's eyes.This person told him everything about "broken love", and everything made sense, but it always made him feel that something was wrong, and he couldn't explain it.

What kind of injury did a person suffer to hide his soul so deeply?

"You see, I don't have a lover, and I won't have one in a short time," he shrugged. "I made a rash decision to ask you to confess to that guy, and I was a part of the harm done to you. I apologize."

Allen's eyes shined as if he had discovered a new continent.

"So Link is such a guilty person? It seems that I have a way to make you buy me drinks often!"

"...you kid!"

The fat mother laughed and rubbed her daughter's head.

"You read that right, as long as a person is innocent and kind, and loves life, when he encounters misfortune, there will definitely be an angel to save him."

When they walked out of Arndale, the two of them already had shopping bags in their hands.

"I made a special trip to accompany me to buy things, although it didn't help me in any real way," Link looked at the big bag of snacks that Alian bought for himself, "Come out with me for a drink, the agreed Bawang is drunk."

"I don't drink anymore. I look forward to potato chips more than spirits." Allen smiled and raised the snack bag in his hand, "The burden of happiness."

Link froze.

They loaded their shopping carts on all the shelves, and their hands were red and swollen from strangling for so long after carrying the big and small bags.Looking at the boy's back, he always felt that the burden on his shoulders was much heavier than the things in his hands.

But without these things, what life is there to talk about?

Link has never experienced losing everything in his life overnight, so he doesn't understand the kind of loss that is as light as dust, so he always thinks it is freedom.When people have what they are carrying, they will have a fulfilling sense of happiness.

"I don't feel particularly hopeless. In fact, I will never be hopeless," the youthful boy in memory said to himself with a smile on his face, "I'm just a little sad. But that doesn't explain anything, because being sad is also my life." a part of."

He's not getting rid of the feelings that are causing him pain, he's moving on with them.

Allen Walker is just a normal guy.

What he wants is very ordinary, a leisurely life, endless snacks, a complete family, and a lover who will never leave. Some have always been, and some have been lost.Yet he was never overjoyed by what he had, so he was never overwhelmed by what he had lost.He may be devastated, but he will come out and proudly tell you that grief is part of his life.

This man is the real light.

Have you come out this time?

What Link didn't see through was that the boy withdrew his silly and sweet smile the moment he turned around.

If possible, if you want a lover, even if you can't bear the burden of life with me, at least you can give me affirmation and tell me that I have indeed produced precious value by doing so.

If possible, I also hope that there will be more love and sunshine in life than sadness.I tried twice for this and failed both times.The price is that it gets heavier and heavier on your shoulders and takes longer and longer to recover.

I don't know if it is a psychological effect, but after shopping for too long, my body that has not fully recovered from the wound starts to ache again.Allen felt his body trembling uncontrollably, but fortunately it was weak. The man behind him was distracted and didn't notice it.

Sooner or later he would return to that home, because he adored that person so desperately, even though it had been hurt, even if it seemed absurd at the moment.This guy has the character that nothing matters except death, he is like this to his parents, he is like this to Mana, and he is still like this to Kanda Yu.As long as he still has energy and love, that person only needs to give him a look, and he will run back without hesitation.

So he always looks so noble, but there is more humbleness behind the nobility.

"I told you, that kid is not interested in women, can you choose someone else?"

"I just like him."

Tiki Meek stubbed out the cigarette butt in his hand a little annoyed, and smiled wryly.

Hey, boy, you are making it difficult for me.

He sometimes felt as if he was taking part in a crazy parody, in which the worldly affairs were complicated and wonderful, like Christian church murals, and he knew nothing about it before experiencing it, and after experiencing it, every story felt Everyone is using him as a prop, or a joke.

A three-piece band came across the intersection of Mosley Street where he lived. After connecting the wires with his own electric guitar and keyboard and other bulky items, he sang like no one else, and intermittently recommended their new album to passers-by.Tiqi, who has always only listened to classical music, did not know what they were playing, and could only vaguely hear words such as "returning home" and "missing" from the lyrics.The lead singer's hoarse voice made him uncomfortable, so he turned the corner and walked towards the Prince Albert statue.

Probably not many young people living in Manchester can still talk about the bravery and wisdom of this Germanic prince. Just like the vague impression of this city, which can be called a miracle in the steam age, the statue is a little discolored.However, due to the perennial rains, the prince is still exquisite and heroic.Tiqi stood at his feet and looked up, as if looking up at a belief.

People don't always appreciate what they have.This makes this man whose hometown is not in England feel the same way, human beings are always so slow-witted.

When Allen walked over, he was holding an empty box, cursing and grinning.

"It's unbelievable, I've never seen such unreasonable black people... I don't discriminate against the color of the skin, but they just chatted with me at the red light, and they ate my whole box of raspberries. The last bit of cream has been dipped away. How can people be so greedy..."

Tiqi couldn't laugh or cry: "If you haven't eaten enough, I can ask the housekeeper to buy more."

Allen frowned and waved his hands, looking unhappy for a while.

"I just bought a painting, and I think it should be given to you." Tiqi picked up the things at his feet.

"A painting?" Allen laughed, "Tiqi, you are an elegant person, but I am not. Giving it to me is also arty, isn't it?"

"You'll know it when you see it." The man said lightly.

Allen shrugged and tore off the kraft paper on the outside of the picture frame.It was an oil painting, on which was a flourishing cherry blossom tree, the flying petals were raining rose red, pale pink, and pure white paint on the paper like a god, almost like water splashes refracting the sun The same, splashed out of the frame glass, onto the faces of the viewers.It is just a tree, but it is so vivid that people can feel the strong vitality, colorful and gorgeous.

Behind the cherry blossom tree is a figure outlined in a light color. He stands with his back against the tree trunk, his long hair is blown into locks by the wind.

"What's the purpose of giving me this now." Allen heard himself muttering, and raised his head as if remembering something, "You said you bought this painting?"

Tiqi raised his eyebrows: "That's right, just over there in the library, there is a young man selling his paintings, which are not expensive, but..."

Before he finished speaking, he saw the young man hurriedly running towards the library.He sighed, and followed.

The art seller is in an open space at the corner of the library, where he has spread a blanket covered with delicately framed oil paintings, in which there is a corner of the University City at sunset, and Chinatown with the lights on and off at night, There are Gothic cathedrals, more than half of the paintings have a vague silhouette with loose long hair, or walking, or sitting on the side of the street, his position and movements can always present the paintings just right The stroke of genius.

When the young man saw the people coming, he smiled at them.

"You are the one who bought the painting just now," he said happily, "Is there anything I can help you add?" After he finished speaking, he pointed to the easel behind him and a floor of oil paints.

"No, no, no," Tiqi quickly waved his hand, "I don't know painting, but I think it's a very rude request for a writer to revise his completed artwork."

"You misunderstood." The young man rubbed his hands embarrassingly, "The modification I mentioned was based on the premise that your opinion gave me better inspiration... Besides, not all requests can be fulfilled. It can be added."

Tiqi froze for a moment, then nodded: "You are a respectable artist, young man."

The young man scratched the back of his head and smiled a little shyly: "In the final analysis, these paintings are also mixed with my personal emotions. Look at this person in the painting," he pointed to the figure in one of the paintings, "It is based on my own study. A roommate at the University of Manchester..."

"He's from Japan."

Allen said in a trembling voice, suddenly felt some kind of yearning-like emotion, which was so strong that it moved people to tears.

"You are so smart!" The young man grabbed Allen's hand as if he had found a treasure, and admired him sincerely, "I guessed it from the painting your friend bought. To be honest, ten years have passed since the last time I went to Japan." , but the surprise of the cherry blossoms has never been forgotten. That is the painting I am most satisfied with so far, the cherry blossoms and the beautiful youth, and its name is 'Love to Suffocate', what do you think?"

Allen didn't answer, his face turned pale.

"You already knew that."

"Know what..." the young man spoke halfway, and looked up to see the man behind him nodding silently, but Allen didn't notice it.

"You seem to like this painting very much," the young man bit his lip, and said slowly, "Unfortunately, my roommate left school for the holidays, and I haven't made such a painting for a long time, if you still want it, you can take a look at the rest of it here of."

He reached into the pocket of his underwear, took out a card and handed it over: "Or, accept my business card and contact me when school starts, maybe I can create a new work for you?"

Ya connected the business card, with a line of words neatly arranged on it: Alma Karuma, Faculty of Art, University of Manchester.

Seeing that the person in front of him was still pale, the young man frowned sadly, and suddenly his eyes lit up.

"Hey, he's here. I asked him to come to the library to search for information. If you want to get to know him, you can take advantage of it now..." He narrowed his eyes with a smile, and waved vigorously behind the two, "Xiao You, over here! "

The young man in the painting is approaching quickly with a bag on his back. The difference from the painting is that he has his long hair tied behind his head, and there is a strange fire in his eyes.

"Little... Xiaoyou, what's wrong with you?"

"Do you know the person who left just now?" He panted, and some emotion that Alma couldn't understand had been settling in his eyes, floating up like the stirred fine sand in the cup, ready to come out.

Alma was puzzled: "I don't know them, they just came to buy one of my paintings." He spread his hands blankly, trying to explain, "I asked you to name it, you said it was 'Love to Suffocate' That one."

Kanda was startled, and chased after the two people in the direction they left.

Such things as coincidences are actually some kind of lies that fate has told human beings.

This lie is not a good one, if it is just passed in your life, it is easy to blind your eyes.For example, when you run into a stranger at the flower shop at the end of the street that you met yesterday, and all this makes no waves, you will believe it is a coincidence.

But when it starts to touch your emotions, a wise person will start to distinguish its simplicity from its purpose.Suppose that stranger gave you a bouquet of red roses when he met you again, would you still think that the previous encounter was just a "coincidence"?

Tiqi understood this truth very well, so he didn't run away too far with the panic-stricken boy - he still had his fallen painting under his arm.

He pouted, looking at the sky.

"I brought him here on purpose. I can't bear him to keep avoiding like this...I won't give you the contact information and address...I won't bring you a message...I won't do anything to him, but let him come Seeing you, I only have one sentence: pissoff..." He finished all the answers Kanda wanted to ask in one breath, and impatiently took out a cigarette from his coat, "Is there anything else?"

These words had an unexpected effect, and the blazing flames in the eyes of the other party were extinguished little by little.

Kanda lifted the backpack over his shoulders, showing embarrassment.He lowered his eyes and took out his wallet from his bag.

"I will pay for this painting," he said succinctly, "you give it to him."

Tiqi lit up his cigarette and took a puff, looking meaningfully at the young man in front of him.

"No problem. Can you let me go?"

Kanda stared blankly at the painting in his hand, clenched and loosened his fists several times, then lowered his head.

"Please let me see him once."

"why?"

Kanda pondered, his eyes full of depression and pain: "I... because of a misunderstanding, I did something very bad to him, and I haven't had the opportunity to apologize to him and make up for it so far."

Tiqi was stunned for a while, then smiled.

"Young man, you said it was an apology, not an apology..." He shook the ashes and sneered, "It can be seen that what you did is not worthy of forgiveness. Does this make any sense?"

Kanda lowered his voice: "Whether to forgive is his freedom, but whether to compensate is my responsibility."

The atmosphere was suddenly terribly quiet, and the noise of the rock band in the square could not be heard anymore.Tiqi suddenly saw the pillowcase soaked in tears and sweat that he took off from his bed during the few days when the white-haired boy couldn't drink because of stomach pain.Then I remembered the teacup that Rhodes' little girl broke when he had a dispute with him because of Allen Walker.

"Interesting. If you say pissoff at this time, it will appear that I am unreasonable." Tiqi straightened his face, "But there is one thing I must say. According to what I saw, the boy broke into my house in the middle of the night and looked devastated , I would suggest that he not accept your apology."

Before turning around to leave, he caught a glimpse of the frustrated expression on the other side, he sighed helplessly, and dropped another half sentence.

"That's because I didn't understand before, what he likes about you, a foreign student boy."

Link rushed off the bus, and when he saw the rainbow flags all over the street, he suddenly woke up where he was.He beat his head more than once and hated his caring old lady character, but he didn't want to be thought of as an awkward person more than an old lady, so he came anyway.

While pushing away the partyanimals that swarmed like ants, he quickly found the person he was looking for.The man was sitting on a street bench with his knees hugged, his eyes were so red and swollen that Link felt it would be difficult for him to blink.

"You saw him and ran away?" Link could guess with his eyes closed.

Allen nodded and smiled reluctantly.

"Would you like something to drink with you?" Link asked cautiously, and added, "I didn't mean here."

"I won't drink it anymore, he doesn't like it."

Link was almost overwhelmed when he heard this: "Walker, I've always been curious. He makes you dessert, spends Christmas with you, and remembers your birthday. Why do you insist that he hates you?"

Allen looked at him with eyes swollen like ping pong balls, his reaction seemed a little slow, he thought about it seriously, and said slowly: "He said he hates me, and he probably tolerated me for a long time... When he first stayed here Son, I promise not to interfere with his life, and I also swear that although I like men, I will never pull him. Now it seems that I have reneged on both of them. "

Link frowned, walking back and forth anxiously.What happened that night, Allen said that he didn't tell anyone except him, probably because he thought he was a tight-lipped and trustworthy friend.He was very grateful, but it made him consider his words more carefully, and many things he wanted to say were swallowed back after thinking about it.

"Since he said it himself, I haven't met that guy, so I can't tell the truth, but you," he asked seriously, "do you really judge that he hates you?"

Allen froze.Regarding what Yu Kanda said, he never considered that he still had the leeway to "not believe it".

The lights in the villagebar were brightly lit, and people seemed to be having a carnival. The streets were full of men and women in rainbow-colored costumes. They clinked glasses and drank, hugged, and kissed.Allen was supposed to be one of them, but he was as lonely as an ever-burning lamp.

He has always kept a low profile, subconsciously unwilling to disturb friends with different orientations around him.Although he often comes here, it is because he can see the happy appearance of his own kind here, which makes him feel relieved, but he will be imprisoned in the cage forever and drink quietly, and will not participate once.

It would be great if that oriental man could pull him out.

Link thought so, looked up at the starlight in the sky, tomorrow will be sunny, right?

"Walker, I have another question. I don't want you to answer it, but you have to ask yourself." He stared at the person in front of him until he raised his head to meet his gaze before opening his mouth. Why do it with you?"

He saw the boy's eyes slowly widen, and the starlight all over the sky seemed to fall into those leaden gray eyes filled with mist in an instant.

-TBC.