[One-shot] Summer, You and Me
Title: Summer, You and Me
Pairing: Ohmiya
Rating: PG
Genre: Au, mild Angst, Romance
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story :)
Summary: It was summer, and it was You.
Beta-ed by taboo3104, thank you so much dear <3 <3 <3
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Mid-summer, Year 1.
Ohno first met him at the train station, on a sunny day of summer. Initially he drew Ohno’s attention because he was wearing unusual suit - it looked warm enough but just for a winter day. Yet it was summer. And he was also wearing sunglasses. Ohno stared at him for a minute, then he looked up and even though Ohno couldn’t see his eyes, he could feel the other man was looking at him. And he smiled slightly.
Ninomiya Kazunari, the other man said. Ohno nodded. Ninomiya was saying something about traveling alone and he had just come here for the first time and he had no idea how it worked here. Ohno didn’t quite understand what “how it works” meant, but he particularly didn’t care. And because Ninomiya was a nice and somehow charming person, Ohno had agreed to show him around this city, where it was deadly hot in summer and was deadly cold in winter, where you could see the highest mountain of this country from just upon a mountain, and where you could enjoy your summer day with many other activities like festivals and such.
They were wandering around the small city, buying ice cream and drink, and they laughed like they had met for many many years. Ohno, somehow, forgot that they had just met this morning, and he thought they were old friends and now they finally met each other again. So he didn’t think much when his hand caught the other, guiding him to another direction, he still thought that he was giving Ninomiya a tour.
He didn’t see the look Ninomiya was giving him, but then the other man just followed and smiled, and everything was alright.
The end of summer, Year 1.
I have to leave, Ninomiya had said.
Would this the last time you come here?
Ohno had asked. And Ninomiya shook his head. He gave Ohno an assure smile before taking his bag and slung it over his shoulder.
Though I won’t promise anything, Ninomiya smiled and then, he left.
Summer seemed heavy, and Ohno stood there emotionlessly when the train took Ninomiya far away from this city, far away from his hometown, far away from him.
The first old friend had just left, Ohno decided. That must’ve explained this unwelcome feeling Ohno had. Yes, that must’ve explained why Ohno felt like he wanted to catch another train and go with Ninomiya, no matter where theywere going.
Winter, Year 1.
Ohno got a call. He wasn’t at home so he didn’t know until he checked the messages on his phone. A familiar voice resounded and Ohno dropped his shirt which he had just taken off. He ran to the phone to hear the message more clearly.
Are you ok, the voice said, is everything alright?
Ohno shook his head. It didn’t feel right although everything was alright, and he couldn’t explain this kind of strange feeling. He looked around, like tried to find something that had slipped out his mind and he seemed to forget it. Ninomiya’s voice still continued, and Ohno’s focus got back to reality.
It’s not cold here, Ninomiya said with a hint of a smile in his tone, it’s all hot and moist just like our summer.
But it is cold here, Ohno added quietly. It was cold here and it wasn’t summer anymore, let alone our summer. Where was that time? Where did it go? Ohno felt like the small memories between them just gradually faded away.
I miss you, Ninomiya ended the message with three simple words. And Ohno smiled genuinely for the first time.
Miss you too, he mouthed, and Ninomiya couldn’t hear it, of course, but Ohno’s heart was a lot lighter. He tried to call back, but there was no signal. It seemed like Ninomiya had already on his way, continued his journey.
And how much Ohno wanted him to come back.
The end of Spring, Year 2.
You don’t have to do that, Aiba said when they were wandering around the city. Ohno shook his head. No, he didn’t need to do that. However, he wanted to.
He may not come back, Aiba added, and Ohno nodded. He didn’t think Ninomiya would come back, because since the last message on the phone, he got no news from Ninomiya. He just simply disappeared, like many other people had come and left his life. But somehow, Ohno didn’t want to believe that. He came to place where he and Ninomiya had visited the last time he saw him. The sakura tree in front of an ancient shrine, was shining in the golden stream of sunlight, waving in the hot and moist wind of summer. Ninomiya had beamed and stood under the tree, his hand had reached out to catch the petals in his palms. And Ohno’s heart had jumped with that.
He wanted to come back to that tree.
He heard Aiba gasped before he could see it. The tree was still shining under the sunlight, but Ohno couldn’t see the flowers or the falling petals around him.
He only saw a man standing under the tree, the man who was looking up and was about to reaching out with his hand to catch one of the falling sakura.
It was still shining it blurred his eyes, but that wasn’t because of the tree, that was because of Ninomiya.
The beginning of Summer, Year 2.
Why are you standing here, was the first words Ohno gave Ninomiya when he ran towards him, his eyes widened but was sparkling.
Because I think you would come, Ninomiya had answered, and Ohno thought his cheeks were just as pink as the sakura flower. Ninomiya smiled and took Ohno’s hand, and Ohno’s heart hammered inside his chest.
And he wondered, what that reaction was. Ninomiya now was his old friend, and he wanted to see him, and it didn’t explain at all why he felt embarrassed when Ninomiya was grinning at him.
All he did was grinning back.
Welcome back, Ohno said shyly.
I’m back, Ninomiya smiled.
They didn’t talk much. Silence comfortably settled around them, until the day was over, and Ohno didn’t want Ninomiya to leave. When the sun set down, shadows traced around his room, he and Ninomiya were still sitting opposite to each other, and apparently Ohno was avoiding Ninomiya’s stare. He didn’t know what he wanted to say, it seemed lost somewhere in his mind, but there were many things he wanted to tell Ninomiya when he came back. Therefore, he just looked down, and for minutes of thinking, he stood up and flopped down beside Ninomiya.
Nino, Ninomiya said. And Ohno nodded.
Satoshi, Ohno replied. He heard Ninomiya laughed.
Then it should be Kazu, Ninomiya smiled. Ohno just grinned.
Could I? He asked, and Ninomiya nodded. The other’s smile was like sunlight in Ohno’s eyes. He looked beautiful and Ohno didn’t want him to leave again.
It’s late, Nino said, and Ohno nodded. But when Nino continued, I should go back, Ohno shook his head.
Nino looked at him, questions were in his stare. But Ohno just shrugged. He didn’t know how to explain this feeling, but he wanted him to stay.
Stay, so he just said simply, and reached out his hand to hold Ninomiya’s. Somehow, Ninomiya’s hand was cold, and Ohno used both of his hands to warm it.
Nino sighed in content when they hugged, and Ohno thought he missed this.
So much.
The end of Summer, Year 2.
You don’t have to leave, Ohno said, pleadingly. You can stay with me, Ohno wanted to add, but he couldn’t say it out loud. It sounded too needy, and Ohno didn’t want to be so needy.
I do, Nino said with a sad smile, and he linked his hand with Ohno’s, squeezed it tightly before letting go. Ohno’s hand felt lost when it fell lifelessly by his side.
Why, Ohno demanded.
But Nino didn’t answer. He turned and looked at the sun. It started to get colder, summer was getting over, and once again he was leaving.
Would you come back, Ohno asked, and Nino looked at him.
I don’t know, Nino whispered honestly. Ohno’s heart broke, and he thought it was just because they were friends, and it was sad to leave a friend like this.
But when Nino leaned in and put a shy kiss on his lips, Ohno knew then the fact that they weren’t just friends. His heart ached because he could do nothing to hold Nino back, and yet he didn’t know why, why, why Nino had to leave every year.
Autumn, Year 2.
Do you know about this, Sho asked when Ohno slopped down onto his sofa. Sho’s voice was cautious, and Ohno looked up wonderingly. Sho gave him the newspaper, and Ohno looked at the title.
His heart stopped beating when he read the first line.
A Japanese man went missing while traveling around South Africa.
Nino’s photo was attached with the news. Ohno’s eyes couldn’t read the rest of it, his eyes were blurred and his ears went deaf while Sho was telling him what had happened. He didn’t believe any of these words. Nino wasn’t missing, surely there was misunderstanding somewhere.
That night Ohno didn’t sleep. He stared at his phone, praying for a call he didn’t know if it would ever come. He counted the tickles of his clock, waiting each seconds and each minutes, and then it became hours and hours.
The next morning of that day, Sho received a resignation of Ohno. When Sho rushed to his house, he found it was dessert, and Ohno had left him a note that said,
I’ll come back together with him.
Mid-winter, year 2.
Nino was right. It wasn’t cold here at all although it was mid-winter. Ohno stayed at his hotel for a morning, until he found it safe to go out during this time with only a shirt on. He stepped outside and took a breath.
Nino also took a breath in this air, Ohno thought.
South Africa was freaking hot. Ohno had been here for two days and he still hadn’t accustomed to its weather. He had runny nose and yesterday he got a fever. Luckily, madam whose hotel he was staying had medicine, and she kindly gave it to him. Now he felt a lot better.
Ohno didn’t know if it was a good or bad idea that he came here to look for Nino. He only knew that Nino had disappeared at this place. Ohno had never got out of his hometown, yet this time, he traveled here just because he wanted to meet Nino again.
It wasn’t going to be their last kiss, Ohno promised to himself.
He spent a whole day wandering around, talking to people, asking for any information of Nino’s whereabouts. He had a photo of Nino, which they took together under the shadow of the sakura tree they both liked a lot. He always carried it with him. And now he showed that photo to almost everybody he met on his way, in a vain hope that he could get any news from Nino.
That night he came back to his hotel in a state of exhausted and disappointed. Nino seemed not here, and no one even recognized him. Nino was quiet type, so it was understandable that he didn’t talk much to other people. Where could Nino go?
Somehow Ohno wanted desperately that he had demanded Nino that day. Why, he wanted to ask, but now Nino couldn’t answer him anymore.
The end of winter, Year 2.
I’m going to leave, he told the lady of the hotel, when he thought he had to find Nino somewhere else.
The lady gave him a first aid box and told him to take care himself, Ohno smiled gratefully and bowed. He was going to another place, where he thought Nino would visit, and once again started everything all over.
You have to wait for me, Ohno said in his mind. You had come to see me, and now it was my turn.
The end of Summer, Year 3.
There was no sight of Nino.
Ohno was returning his home.
Autumn, Year 3.
Thank God you come back, Sho greeted him at the airport. Looking at his face, Sho knew the answer before Ohno could say anything.
He came to hug Ohno tightly with his arms, and Ohno closed his eyes. He didn’t have time to cry this past one year, he had been traveling around from place to place to find Nino.
But he couldn’t find him anywhere. He missed him somewhere on his way in this life.
Tears rolled down Ohno’s cheeks, and he cried, hard, inside Sho’s arms.
His mind drifted back to those days, when they bid their last farewell, and before Nino could go, he wished he would hold Nino’s hand, he would hug Nino tight, and he would never ever let Nino go. He didn’t need to know why, he just needed Nino to stay. Forever.
Winter, Year 3.
Ohno was back to his usual way of living. Sometimes, like a habit, when he caught a sight of someone resembled Nino, he stopped and nearly ran towards to the person, until he realized that it wasn’t Nino, and he was once again mistaken.
He stopped crying and started spacing out too much enough that Sho had to pull him back to reality sometimes.
Mid Spring, Year 4.
Happy Lunar New Year, Aiba beamed and rushed into Ohno’s house, followed by Sho.
We don’t celebrate Lunar New Year, Ohno said, but let them in anyway. After all, it was time to start moving on. He couldn’t stay being a zombie for the rest of his life. And this was how his friends would help him for getting out of his cage.
He still missed Nino, but he had accepted the fact that Nino wouldn’t come back.
We will party until tomorrow, Aiba announced. And Ohno agreed.
He wanted to get drunk, because maybe then Nino would show up and answer him that question.
Why?
The beginning of Summer, Year 4.
It was Ohno’s habit to come to this sakura tree once in a while. He knew he wouldn’t find Nino here, as before, catching a sakura petal with his beam. But he wanted to spend his time here, like there was only him and this tree remembered Nino’s existence. Like they shared the same memories about Nino, and by sitting here beside this tree, he felt assurance. The assurance that Nino once had really come to his life and had really made his days. That Nino did exist.
Today was also that kind of day. He came to this tree and sat at the bench, his head looked up to see the sky which part was hidden by the green branches of the tree.
It wasn’t time to think about the past and mourned over it, but Ohno did, and he closed his eyes to recall Nino’s face. It was still clear in his mind, but it was just a pitiful reflection of Nino’s real face, the real Nino, the person Ohno had been missing since forever.
When he stood up to leave, there was someone that approached him. Ohno looked up and saw a tall man, wearing sunglasses, black suit, his hands in his pockets. He frowned, he hadn’t seen this man before, and he thought he wasn’t looking for him, so he turned and about to leave when the man said.
There is a person that want to meet you, the man said, and Ohno shook his head.
I don’t know you, Ohno replied, but the man didn’t say anything else. Like he just waited for Ohno to follow him. Ohno, for a moment wanted to run away from this man, because he looked scary and also because he got a strange feeling about this. But then, he just nodded, and he didn’t know what got into him when he followed the man.
They were walking and walking, and Ohno realized they were heading towards the train station. Ohno’s heart ached when he remembered the day Nino had left and their only kiss. It was still lively in his heart, and he preferred never to come here again. It just made him remember those days with Nino.
I want to go home, Ohno said to this man. But the man just shook.
You won’t, he said. Ohno bit his lips.
Who? He said in a small voice, and the man kept silent.
Ohno didn’t know how long they stood there silently. People rushed out from the train, walked past them and towards their destination. This scene reminded Ohno the day Nino had come to his life. And Ohno’s mind once again wandered back to that day, where they first met and Nino had first smiled at him. The memory was still bright and unforgetable in his mind.
The next train stopped and the man moved. Ohno was pulled back to reality when the man walked slowly, his eyes looked for someone Ohno didn’t know who. But he followed the man anyway. After all, he had agreed to go this far.
Then the man stopped, his hand waved at a person in a carriage. Ohno looked at his direction and when he saw the one coming, he froze at his spot.
I brought him here, the man said to the newcomer.
Thank you, Jun, he replied.
You owe me, the man - Jun winked and then he left.
Ohno was standing there alone with the newcomer. He found himself impossible to move or to say anything.
Hey, the other said.
Ohno couldn’t even form the word as an answer.
Nino tilted his head and smiled.
Where is your ‘Welcome back’? He asked playfully.
Ohno still kept silent.
Nino came close to him and put a hand on his face. When Nino’s skin touched his, Ohno jolted back to reality. And before he could know it, he was punching Nino with both his fists.
Ouch, ouch, ouch, Nino squealed, but Ohno didn’t stop.
Where-the-hell-were-you, Ohno cried, and he didn’t realize it until he felt his cheeks wet with his own tears.
I looked for you everywhere, Ohno added. And Nino had pulled him into a tight hug that stopped completely Ohno’s movements. His arms clung around Nino’s shoulder in return, he hugged Nino as tight as possible, to the point that he felt like he couldn’t breathe. But he didn’t care. He had Nino now, here, in his arms, that was all he could wish for.
I’m sorry, Nino whispered into his ears, and Ohno hugged Nino even tighter. He was scared that Nino would somehow disappear again. But Nino was still hugging him, smoothing his back coaxingly, and kissed his temple gently.
Why? Ohno asked the question which had been bugging him for the whole time. He wanted the answer. And he needed it. Now.
Because - Nino said softly, lovingly into Ohno’s ears. And Ohno thought he could die from happiness at the moment - Because I love you.
Pairing: Ohmiya
Rating: PG
Genre: Au, mild Angst, Romance
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story :)
Summary: It was summer, and it was You.
Beta-ed by taboo3104, thank you so much dear <3 <3 <3
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Mid-summer, Year 1.
Ohno first met him at the train station, on a sunny day of summer. Initially he drew Ohno’s attention because he was wearing unusual suit - it looked warm enough but just for a winter day. Yet it was summer. And he was also wearing sunglasses. Ohno stared at him for a minute, then he looked up and even though Ohno couldn’t see his eyes, he could feel the other man was looking at him. And he smiled slightly.
Ninomiya Kazunari, the other man said. Ohno nodded. Ninomiya was saying something about traveling alone and he had just come here for the first time and he had no idea how it worked here. Ohno didn’t quite understand what “how it works” meant, but he particularly didn’t care. And because Ninomiya was a nice and somehow charming person, Ohno had agreed to show him around this city, where it was deadly hot in summer and was deadly cold in winter, where you could see the highest mountain of this country from just upon a mountain, and where you could enjoy your summer day with many other activities like festivals and such.
They were wandering around the small city, buying ice cream and drink, and they laughed like they had met for many many years. Ohno, somehow, forgot that they had just met this morning, and he thought they were old friends and now they finally met each other again. So he didn’t think much when his hand caught the other, guiding him to another direction, he still thought that he was giving Ninomiya a tour.
He didn’t see the look Ninomiya was giving him, but then the other man just followed and smiled, and everything was alright.
The end of summer, Year 1.
I have to leave, Ninomiya had said.
Would this the last time you come here?
Ohno had asked. And Ninomiya shook his head. He gave Ohno an assure smile before taking his bag and slung it over his shoulder.
Though I won’t promise anything, Ninomiya smiled and then, he left.
Summer seemed heavy, and Ohno stood there emotionlessly when the train took Ninomiya far away from this city, far away from his hometown, far away from him.
The first old friend had just left, Ohno decided. That must’ve explained this unwelcome feeling Ohno had. Yes, that must’ve explained why Ohno felt like he wanted to catch another train and go with Ninomiya, no matter where theywere going.
Winter, Year 1.
Ohno got a call. He wasn’t at home so he didn’t know until he checked the messages on his phone. A familiar voice resounded and Ohno dropped his shirt which he had just taken off. He ran to the phone to hear the message more clearly.
Are you ok, the voice said, is everything alright?
Ohno shook his head. It didn’t feel right although everything was alright, and he couldn’t explain this kind of strange feeling. He looked around, like tried to find something that had slipped out his mind and he seemed to forget it. Ninomiya’s voice still continued, and Ohno’s focus got back to reality.
It’s not cold here, Ninomiya said with a hint of a smile in his tone, it’s all hot and moist just like our summer.
But it is cold here, Ohno added quietly. It was cold here and it wasn’t summer anymore, let alone our summer. Where was that time? Where did it go? Ohno felt like the small memories between them just gradually faded away.
I miss you, Ninomiya ended the message with three simple words. And Ohno smiled genuinely for the first time.
Miss you too, he mouthed, and Ninomiya couldn’t hear it, of course, but Ohno’s heart was a lot lighter. He tried to call back, but there was no signal. It seemed like Ninomiya had already on his way, continued his journey.
And how much Ohno wanted him to come back.
The end of Spring, Year 2.
You don’t have to do that, Aiba said when they were wandering around the city. Ohno shook his head. No, he didn’t need to do that. However, he wanted to.
He may not come back, Aiba added, and Ohno nodded. He didn’t think Ninomiya would come back, because since the last message on the phone, he got no news from Ninomiya. He just simply disappeared, like many other people had come and left his life. But somehow, Ohno didn’t want to believe that. He came to place where he and Ninomiya had visited the last time he saw him. The sakura tree in front of an ancient shrine, was shining in the golden stream of sunlight, waving in the hot and moist wind of summer. Ninomiya had beamed and stood under the tree, his hand had reached out to catch the petals in his palms. And Ohno’s heart had jumped with that.
He wanted to come back to that tree.
He heard Aiba gasped before he could see it. The tree was still shining under the sunlight, but Ohno couldn’t see the flowers or the falling petals around him.
He only saw a man standing under the tree, the man who was looking up and was about to reaching out with his hand to catch one of the falling sakura.
It was still shining it blurred his eyes, but that wasn’t because of the tree, that was because of Ninomiya.
The beginning of Summer, Year 2.
Why are you standing here, was the first words Ohno gave Ninomiya when he ran towards him, his eyes widened but was sparkling.
Because I think you would come, Ninomiya had answered, and Ohno thought his cheeks were just as pink as the sakura flower. Ninomiya smiled and took Ohno’s hand, and Ohno’s heart hammered inside his chest.
And he wondered, what that reaction was. Ninomiya now was his old friend, and he wanted to see him, and it didn’t explain at all why he felt embarrassed when Ninomiya was grinning at him.
All he did was grinning back.
Welcome back, Ohno said shyly.
I’m back, Ninomiya smiled.
They didn’t talk much. Silence comfortably settled around them, until the day was over, and Ohno didn’t want Ninomiya to leave. When the sun set down, shadows traced around his room, he and Ninomiya were still sitting opposite to each other, and apparently Ohno was avoiding Ninomiya’s stare. He didn’t know what he wanted to say, it seemed lost somewhere in his mind, but there were many things he wanted to tell Ninomiya when he came back. Therefore, he just looked down, and for minutes of thinking, he stood up and flopped down beside Ninomiya.
Nino, Ninomiya said. And Ohno nodded.
Satoshi, Ohno replied. He heard Ninomiya laughed.
Then it should be Kazu, Ninomiya smiled. Ohno just grinned.
Could I? He asked, and Ninomiya nodded. The other’s smile was like sunlight in Ohno’s eyes. He looked beautiful and Ohno didn’t want him to leave again.
It’s late, Nino said, and Ohno nodded. But when Nino continued, I should go back, Ohno shook his head.
Nino looked at him, questions were in his stare. But Ohno just shrugged. He didn’t know how to explain this feeling, but he wanted him to stay.
Stay, so he just said simply, and reached out his hand to hold Ninomiya’s. Somehow, Ninomiya’s hand was cold, and Ohno used both of his hands to warm it.
Nino sighed in content when they hugged, and Ohno thought he missed this.
So much.
The end of Summer, Year 2.
You don’t have to leave, Ohno said, pleadingly. You can stay with me, Ohno wanted to add, but he couldn’t say it out loud. It sounded too needy, and Ohno didn’t want to be so needy.
I do, Nino said with a sad smile, and he linked his hand with Ohno’s, squeezed it tightly before letting go. Ohno’s hand felt lost when it fell lifelessly by his side.
Why, Ohno demanded.
But Nino didn’t answer. He turned and looked at the sun. It started to get colder, summer was getting over, and once again he was leaving.
Would you come back, Ohno asked, and Nino looked at him.
I don’t know, Nino whispered honestly. Ohno’s heart broke, and he thought it was just because they were friends, and it was sad to leave a friend like this.
But when Nino leaned in and put a shy kiss on his lips, Ohno knew then the fact that they weren’t just friends. His heart ached because he could do nothing to hold Nino back, and yet he didn’t know why, why, why Nino had to leave every year.
Autumn, Year 2.
Do you know about this, Sho asked when Ohno slopped down onto his sofa. Sho’s voice was cautious, and Ohno looked up wonderingly. Sho gave him the newspaper, and Ohno looked at the title.
His heart stopped beating when he read the first line.
A Japanese man went missing while traveling around South Africa.
Nino’s photo was attached with the news. Ohno’s eyes couldn’t read the rest of it, his eyes were blurred and his ears went deaf while Sho was telling him what had happened. He didn’t believe any of these words. Nino wasn’t missing, surely there was misunderstanding somewhere.
That night Ohno didn’t sleep. He stared at his phone, praying for a call he didn’t know if it would ever come. He counted the tickles of his clock, waiting each seconds and each minutes, and then it became hours and hours.
The next morning of that day, Sho received a resignation of Ohno. When Sho rushed to his house, he found it was dessert, and Ohno had left him a note that said,
I’ll come back together with him.
Mid-winter, year 2.
Nino was right. It wasn’t cold here at all although it was mid-winter. Ohno stayed at his hotel for a morning, until he found it safe to go out during this time with only a shirt on. He stepped outside and took a breath.
Nino also took a breath in this air, Ohno thought.
South Africa was freaking hot. Ohno had been here for two days and he still hadn’t accustomed to its weather. He had runny nose and yesterday he got a fever. Luckily, madam whose hotel he was staying had medicine, and she kindly gave it to him. Now he felt a lot better.
Ohno didn’t know if it was a good or bad idea that he came here to look for Nino. He only knew that Nino had disappeared at this place. Ohno had never got out of his hometown, yet this time, he traveled here just because he wanted to meet Nino again.
It wasn’t going to be their last kiss, Ohno promised to himself.
He spent a whole day wandering around, talking to people, asking for any information of Nino’s whereabouts. He had a photo of Nino, which they took together under the shadow of the sakura tree they both liked a lot. He always carried it with him. And now he showed that photo to almost everybody he met on his way, in a vain hope that he could get any news from Nino.
That night he came back to his hotel in a state of exhausted and disappointed. Nino seemed not here, and no one even recognized him. Nino was quiet type, so it was understandable that he didn’t talk much to other people. Where could Nino go?
Somehow Ohno wanted desperately that he had demanded Nino that day. Why, he wanted to ask, but now Nino couldn’t answer him anymore.
The end of winter, Year 2.
I’m going to leave, he told the lady of the hotel, when he thought he had to find Nino somewhere else.
The lady gave him a first aid box and told him to take care himself, Ohno smiled gratefully and bowed. He was going to another place, where he thought Nino would visit, and once again started everything all over.
You have to wait for me, Ohno said in his mind. You had come to see me, and now it was my turn.
The end of Summer, Year 3.
There was no sight of Nino.
Ohno was returning his home.
Autumn, Year 3.
Thank God you come back, Sho greeted him at the airport. Looking at his face, Sho knew the answer before Ohno could say anything.
He came to hug Ohno tightly with his arms, and Ohno closed his eyes. He didn’t have time to cry this past one year, he had been traveling around from place to place to find Nino.
But he couldn’t find him anywhere. He missed him somewhere on his way in this life.
Tears rolled down Ohno’s cheeks, and he cried, hard, inside Sho’s arms.
His mind drifted back to those days, when they bid their last farewell, and before Nino could go, he wished he would hold Nino’s hand, he would hug Nino tight, and he would never ever let Nino go. He didn’t need to know why, he just needed Nino to stay. Forever.
Winter, Year 3.
Ohno was back to his usual way of living. Sometimes, like a habit, when he caught a sight of someone resembled Nino, he stopped and nearly ran towards to the person, until he realized that it wasn’t Nino, and he was once again mistaken.
He stopped crying and started spacing out too much enough that Sho had to pull him back to reality sometimes.
Mid Spring, Year 4.
Happy Lunar New Year, Aiba beamed and rushed into Ohno’s house, followed by Sho.
We don’t celebrate Lunar New Year, Ohno said, but let them in anyway. After all, it was time to start moving on. He couldn’t stay being a zombie for the rest of his life. And this was how his friends would help him for getting out of his cage.
He still missed Nino, but he had accepted the fact that Nino wouldn’t come back.
We will party until tomorrow, Aiba announced. And Ohno agreed.
He wanted to get drunk, because maybe then Nino would show up and answer him that question.
Why?
The beginning of Summer, Year 4.
It was Ohno’s habit to come to this sakura tree once in a while. He knew he wouldn’t find Nino here, as before, catching a sakura petal with his beam. But he wanted to spend his time here, like there was only him and this tree remembered Nino’s existence. Like they shared the same memories about Nino, and by sitting here beside this tree, he felt assurance. The assurance that Nino once had really come to his life and had really made his days. That Nino did exist.
Today was also that kind of day. He came to this tree and sat at the bench, his head looked up to see the sky which part was hidden by the green branches of the tree.
It wasn’t time to think about the past and mourned over it, but Ohno did, and he closed his eyes to recall Nino’s face. It was still clear in his mind, but it was just a pitiful reflection of Nino’s real face, the real Nino, the person Ohno had been missing since forever.
When he stood up to leave, there was someone that approached him. Ohno looked up and saw a tall man, wearing sunglasses, black suit, his hands in his pockets. He frowned, he hadn’t seen this man before, and he thought he wasn’t looking for him, so he turned and about to leave when the man said.
There is a person that want to meet you, the man said, and Ohno shook his head.
I don’t know you, Ohno replied, but the man didn’t say anything else. Like he just waited for Ohno to follow him. Ohno, for a moment wanted to run away from this man, because he looked scary and also because he got a strange feeling about this. But then, he just nodded, and he didn’t know what got into him when he followed the man.
They were walking and walking, and Ohno realized they were heading towards the train station. Ohno’s heart ached when he remembered the day Nino had left and their only kiss. It was still lively in his heart, and he preferred never to come here again. It just made him remember those days with Nino.
I want to go home, Ohno said to this man. But the man just shook.
You won’t, he said. Ohno bit his lips.
Who? He said in a small voice, and the man kept silent.
Ohno didn’t know how long they stood there silently. People rushed out from the train, walked past them and towards their destination. This scene reminded Ohno the day Nino had come to his life. And Ohno’s mind once again wandered back to that day, where they first met and Nino had first smiled at him. The memory was still bright and unforgetable in his mind.
The next train stopped and the man moved. Ohno was pulled back to reality when the man walked slowly, his eyes looked for someone Ohno didn’t know who. But he followed the man anyway. After all, he had agreed to go this far.
Then the man stopped, his hand waved at a person in a carriage. Ohno looked at his direction and when he saw the one coming, he froze at his spot.
I brought him here, the man said to the newcomer.
Thank you, Jun, he replied.
You owe me, the man - Jun winked and then he left.
Ohno was standing there alone with the newcomer. He found himself impossible to move or to say anything.
Hey, the other said.
Ohno couldn’t even form the word as an answer.
Nino tilted his head and smiled.
Where is your ‘Welcome back’? He asked playfully.
Ohno still kept silent.
Nino came close to him and put a hand on his face. When Nino’s skin touched his, Ohno jolted back to reality. And before he could know it, he was punching Nino with both his fists.
Ouch, ouch, ouch, Nino squealed, but Ohno didn’t stop.
Where-the-hell-were-you, Ohno cried, and he didn’t realize it until he felt his cheeks wet with his own tears.
I looked for you everywhere, Ohno added. And Nino had pulled him into a tight hug that stopped completely Ohno’s movements. His arms clung around Nino’s shoulder in return, he hugged Nino as tight as possible, to the point that he felt like he couldn’t breathe. But he didn’t care. He had Nino now, here, in his arms, that was all he could wish for.
I’m sorry, Nino whispered into his ears, and Ohno hugged Nino even tighter. He was scared that Nino would somehow disappear again. But Nino was still hugging him, smoothing his back coaxingly, and kissed his temple gently.
Why? Ohno asked the question which had been bugging him for the whole time. He wanted the answer. And he needed it. Now.
Because - Nino said softly, lovingly into Ohno’s ears. And Ohno thought he could die from happiness at the moment - Because I love you.