Hiroshi's mind raced as the realization of who his rescuer might be sunk in. Despite the searing pain in his abdomen, he tried to move, pushing himself up on one elbow. The sudden movement caused a sharp wave of agony to ripple through his body, but his determination outweighed the discomfort.
The young man, noticing Hiroshi's attempt to move, looked shocked. "Hey, lay still! You don't want to open up that wound again," he said, his voice firm but concerned.
Hiroshi winced but managed to steady his breathing. "I know who you are," he said, his voice strained. "You're the one causing all the disturbances around here. Blond hair, mismatched eyes—it's you."
The young man chuckled, a light, almost mocking sound that echoed through the alley. "The people of this city have quite an imagination," he replied, a mischievous glint in his heterochromatic eyes. "They see what they want to see."
Hiroshi's vision wavered, but he held the young man's gaze, a mix of frustration and curiosity coursing through him. The stranger's casual demeanor and enigmatic responses only deepened the mystery surrounding him.
Hiroshi took a deep breath, willing his tense muscles to relax despite the throbbing pain in his abdomen. He needed to remain calm, to gather his strength. As he settled back against the cold ground, he looked up at the young man who had tended to his wound.
"What's your name?" Hiroshi asked, his voice strained but steady.
The young man paused, his mismatched eyes reflecting a moment of hesitation before he answered. "Riku," he said simply, the name hanging in the air between them.
Hiroshi nodded slightly, committing the name to memory. "Thank you, Riku," he murmured, letting his eyes close briefly as he tried to steady his breathing and ease the pain that coursed through his body.
Riku's gaze lingered on Hiroshi, an amused smile playing at the corners of his lips. There was something else in his expression too, a flicker of curiosity mixed with something deeper, something Hiroshi couldn't quite place.
Hiroshi found himself meeting Riku's stare, their eyes locking in a silent exchange. The intensity of Riku's mismatched gaze held him captive, a strange sense of connection forming between them.
Hiroshi's gaze held Riku's, the intensity of the moment making the pain in his body feel distant. After a beat, he broke the silence. "Why are you staring at me like that?" he asked, his voice steady despite the exhaustion.
Riku's amused expression softened slightly, replaced by a flicker of curiosity and concern. "What exactly happened to you?" he replied, his mismatched eyes searching Hiroshi's face for answers.
Hiroshi took a shaky breath, the events of the night flooding back to him. "I was attacked," he said, his voice strained. "Someone in the alley. Didn't see who it was before they got me."
Riku's expression darkened, a shadow of worry crossing his face. "You should rest," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "Moving around won't help. Let me make sure you're stable before we figure out what to do next."
Hiroshi took a deep breath, trying to gather his strength. "The only thing that needs to happen next is for me to get back to the station and file a report," he said, determination lacing his voice.
Riku chuckled, shaking his head. "You're not in any condition to do that," he replied, amusement dancing in his mismatched eyes. "You need to rest."
Stubbornly, Hiroshi tried to prove Riku wrong. He pushed himself up, fighting the dizziness and the weakness that had taken hold of his body. As he stood, the world around him spun, his vision blurring. He swayed on his feet, his legs unsteady.
Before he could react, Hiroshi's knees buckled, and he fell forward. Riku's arms were there to catch him, and they found themselves locked in an awkward embrace. Their faces were inches apart, their breaths mingling in the cool air that drifted through the room.
For a moment, they stared at each other, the intensity of the connection between them palpable. Then, as the dizziness overwhelmed him, Hiroshi's eyes rolled back, and he passed out, his body going limp in Riku's arms.
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