Lasting Memories....supposed to be epilogue
It has roughly been 13 years since his dad died and today was his 13th year death anniversary. It might seem lame to outsiders but it has been a tradition within their family, yes him, his father, his dad’s family, his 2 uncles and their little girl, were he’s family; that every year they come and visit his dad and have a nice long chat with him at the cemetery.
Even if he ended up spending half -a day with his dad, he was glad the he had met him. He felt truly loved. When he first looked into his eyes he knows that he was suffering, knowing that suffering is a sad thing he tried his best to bring happiness to his dad even for a short while, and it did, it really did.
It was the day after his dad died when his father came to the orphanage and adopted him. Never did he ever felt unloved with his father. His father loved him so much that he practically spends more time with him than at the café, he shared with his 2 friends or uncles for him. He was a good father. The only time that he had seen his father cry was every time he goes to visit his dad’s grave, he really did love the other man. He once said, love is not only for those who are living but also for those who are not.
It is almost getting dark and everyone starts to pack up their things. His grandparents left hours ago, informing them that they have a long way to go and so it is only them who are left. He picks up the frame which has the picture of his dad, bright smile adoring his face eyes full of joy and love, brushing off the dust from it when he hears someone calls his name.
“Hayato…” he turns to look at the man in his late 30’s walks up to him.
“What’s the matter dad?” he asks
“Your uncles Pi and Ryo are leaving already, aren’t you going with them yet?” Hayato shakes his head, as much as he wants to go ahead with them he still can’t.
“I still need to talk to Kazu-dad about something” his father looks at him with a frown.
“Hey, it’s that about what you saw the other day. Me kissing Kazu’s photo don’t tell him that; he might think that I have gone nuts” giving him a pout. Hayato just laughs at his father. Sometimes he just don’t get him, he acts like he’s still a kid. But he knows that he is doing that not to make him worry.
“So you did kiss his photo after all?” someone says behind his father. They both turn to look, only to find the other grinning at them.
“No! Shut up Pi!” his father protests
“You go and talk to Kame-chan, while we take this Jin-baka home.” His uncle Pi says as he drag his father by the arm while the other is complaining something about still being called a baka even if he’s already in his 30’s.
As the two men walks away, more like the other walking and the other is being forced to walk away, Hayato turns to the stone in front of him and smiles. If there is one person that he thinks he could talk to about THAT kind of problem he knew it has to be his Kazu-dad.
“Hey dad, Guess what? I have something to tell you…” he pauses taking a sit on the grassy ground. “Well, it’s not about Jin-dad kissing your picture the other day. But hey, I was really surprised when I saw that. He misses you that much doesn’t he?” he smiles at the memory when he saw Jin kissing Kazuya’s photo. It was the day when his classes were canceled and he didn’t expect to see something like that when he arrives at home. Ever since that day Jin tries to convince him that it wasn’t what he thinks it is, giving him an excuse that he tripped and accidentally his lips landed on the picture. Without realizing that the picture is not a wall photo but instead it was a small picture frame place on their dining table.
“Actually, I wanted to you to meet someone, someone who is important to me. But he isn’t here today; so I hope you don’t mind if I bring him here next time right? I mean come on; your son is already 18 and already in-love.”Hayato sighs “You know what dad, I kinda understand how Jin-dad feels whenever he sees your pictures, all smiley and even tries to look good even if it’s just a picture. Because I exactly feel the same whenever I’m with Ryu; Oh yeah! By the way his name is Ryu.” Scratches his head and smiles embarrassedly “Sorry, I forgot to mention his name but it would be nice to know him if you meet him in person. Dad still hasn’t met him, but dad knows about him…well except for the love part. Only the two of us knows about it, so don’t mention it to others especially Jin-dad. He would be all sappy and say things like ‘my son is all grown up know and he’s in love’ and not to mention uncle Pi would join in too. He might even have a celebration.” Hayato shudders at the thought of Pi having a party just because Hayato is in-love. Not that he could blame them, knowing that they are just showing him how much they care about him.
It’s already dark, Hayato decides that it is already time to leave. He stands up, brushing some dirt from his pants when suddenly his phone rings.
“‘lo “
“hey, how are you?” the person on the other line greets.
“I’m fine…I’m at the cemetery now visiting Kazu-dad”
“ahh…I see…You must be talking to him now, I should hang-up”
“No, it’s fine. I’m sure he won’t mind since it’s you who’s calling. Anyway, I’m on my way home too.”
“Oh good! I just got back, do want to hang out?”
“Sure, I’ll meet you at the usual place…” after that Hayato hangs up. “Well then, I hope that you don’t mind if I go now dad. That was Ryu, and he just go back from their trip so I really need to go now.” Hayato bowed before the stone as a sign of respect. He is about to leave when he forgot something “And dad, wish me luck. I’m confessing tonight.” Giving one last smile Hayato sets off to meet up with the person he loves the most.
……………………
3 years after that Jin dies at the age of 40. Nobody knew the cause of his death, but they knew he died a good death. Because when they found him he was sleeping on his bed with a smile on his face. Hayato didn’t cry because he knows that now his father will never be sad again because he is finally reunited with the one he love, just like him and Ryu, living happily together in their sweet home.
There in that stone, carved in beautiful letters. It says…
Akanishi Jin and Kazuya
Great friends -Pi and Ryo-
and
Good fathers -Ryu-
You may now continue a new chapter of your love story -Hayato-
Even if he ended up spending half -a day with his dad, he was glad the he had met him. He felt truly loved. When he first looked into his eyes he knows that he was suffering, knowing that suffering is a sad thing he tried his best to bring happiness to his dad even for a short while, and it did, it really did.
It was the day after his dad died when his father came to the orphanage and adopted him. Never did he ever felt unloved with his father. His father loved him so much that he practically spends more time with him than at the café, he shared with his 2 friends or uncles for him. He was a good father. The only time that he had seen his father cry was every time he goes to visit his dad’s grave, he really did love the other man. He once said, love is not only for those who are living but also for those who are not.
It is almost getting dark and everyone starts to pack up their things. His grandparents left hours ago, informing them that they have a long way to go and so it is only them who are left. He picks up the frame which has the picture of his dad, bright smile adoring his face eyes full of joy and love, brushing off the dust from it when he hears someone calls his name.
“Hayato…” he turns to look at the man in his late 30’s walks up to him.
“What’s the matter dad?” he asks
“Your uncles Pi and Ryo are leaving already, aren’t you going with them yet?” Hayato shakes his head, as much as he wants to go ahead with them he still can’t.
“I still need to talk to Kazu-dad about something” his father looks at him with a frown.
“Hey, it’s that about what you saw the other day. Me kissing Kazu’s photo don’t tell him that; he might think that I have gone nuts” giving him a pout. Hayato just laughs at his father. Sometimes he just don’t get him, he acts like he’s still a kid. But he knows that he is doing that not to make him worry.
“So you did kiss his photo after all?” someone says behind his father. They both turn to look, only to find the other grinning at them.
“No! Shut up Pi!” his father protests
“You go and talk to Kame-chan, while we take this Jin-baka home.” His uncle Pi says as he drag his father by the arm while the other is complaining something about still being called a baka even if he’s already in his 30’s.
As the two men walks away, more like the other walking and the other is being forced to walk away, Hayato turns to the stone in front of him and smiles. If there is one person that he thinks he could talk to about THAT kind of problem he knew it has to be his Kazu-dad.
“Hey dad, Guess what? I have something to tell you…” he pauses taking a sit on the grassy ground. “Well, it’s not about Jin-dad kissing your picture the other day. But hey, I was really surprised when I saw that. He misses you that much doesn’t he?” he smiles at the memory when he saw Jin kissing Kazuya’s photo. It was the day when his classes were canceled and he didn’t expect to see something like that when he arrives at home. Ever since that day Jin tries to convince him that it wasn’t what he thinks it is, giving him an excuse that he tripped and accidentally his lips landed on the picture. Without realizing that the picture is not a wall photo but instead it was a small picture frame place on their dining table.
“Actually, I wanted to you to meet someone, someone who is important to me. But he isn’t here today; so I hope you don’t mind if I bring him here next time right? I mean come on; your son is already 18 and already in-love.”Hayato sighs “You know what dad, I kinda understand how Jin-dad feels whenever he sees your pictures, all smiley and even tries to look good even if it’s just a picture. Because I exactly feel the same whenever I’m with Ryu; Oh yeah! By the way his name is Ryu.” Scratches his head and smiles embarrassedly “Sorry, I forgot to mention his name but it would be nice to know him if you meet him in person. Dad still hasn’t met him, but dad knows about him…well except for the love part. Only the two of us knows about it, so don’t mention it to others especially Jin-dad. He would be all sappy and say things like ‘my son is all grown up know and he’s in love’ and not to mention uncle Pi would join in too. He might even have a celebration.” Hayato shudders at the thought of Pi having a party just because Hayato is in-love. Not that he could blame them, knowing that they are just showing him how much they care about him.
It’s already dark, Hayato decides that it is already time to leave. He stands up, brushing some dirt from his pants when suddenly his phone rings.
“‘lo “
“hey, how are you?” the person on the other line greets.
“I’m fine…I’m at the cemetery now visiting Kazu-dad”
“ahh…I see…You must be talking to him now, I should hang-up”
“No, it’s fine. I’m sure he won’t mind since it’s you who’s calling. Anyway, I’m on my way home too.”
“Oh good! I just got back, do want to hang out?”
“Sure, I’ll meet you at the usual place…” after that Hayato hangs up. “Well then, I hope that you don’t mind if I go now dad. That was Ryu, and he just go back from their trip so I really need to go now.” Hayato bowed before the stone as a sign of respect. He is about to leave when he forgot something “And dad, wish me luck. I’m confessing tonight.” Giving one last smile Hayato sets off to meet up with the person he loves the most.
……………………
3 years after that Jin dies at the age of 40. Nobody knew the cause of his death, but they knew he died a good death. Because when they found him he was sleeping on his bed with a smile on his face. Hayato didn’t cry because he knows that now his father will never be sad again because he is finally reunited with the one he love, just like him and Ryu, living happily together in their sweet home.
There in that stone, carved in beautiful letters. It says…
Akanishi Jin and Kazuya
Great friends -Pi and Ryo-
and
Good fathers -Ryu-
You may now continue a new chapter of your love story -Hayato-