Come And Go ; Akame
Come And Go ; Akame
G | 5177 words
In a universe where best friends exists a wish away, Jin closes his eyes and pray.
Warning: AU
▶Written for prologuesized for fic_the_faith
▶Big thanks to my awesome beta kyjr for not only beta-ing this for me but brainstorming ideas with me as well and alternatejess for reading the drafts of it and giving me ideas on how to continue. ♥
▶This was kind of inspired by Calvin and Hobbes but you don't have to read the comic to understand this.
4 July 1998, 0000hr
Jin gently rose from his bed as he heard the grandfather clock in the living room strike midnight.
Turning around so that he faced the window, he closed his eyes and bowed his head. He offered a silent prayer to the many stars glittering in the dark night sky.
With so many stars to hear his wish, surely it would come true. Jin knew it would come true.
The hands of the grandfather clock slowly ticked in the background and Jin prayed fervently, more so than he had ever done before.
He prayed for a best friend.
23 February 1999, 1450hr
Jin opened the doors to his room and smiled at the sight of Kame shifting through his box of paraphernalia.
His family moved so much due to his father’s job, that most of the time they don't even bother unpacking at all. But he doesn’t tell Kame that, not when Kame looks like he’s having so much fun rummaging through his belongings.
He just watched as the boy in front of him placed each item on his shelf methodically. Just as he always does whenever they’ve finished moving all the boxes in.
"You know, my mum praised me this morning. She said I've been cleaning my room more often."
Kame jumped a little in his seat but quickly recovered, turning back to face Jin with a grin.
"Of course you have." Kame answered, when both of them knew it was Kame keeping his room tidy.
Jin answered Kame's grin with one of his own as he threw his school bag to the side of his bed and bent down to help with the unpacking, not minding if he had to pack this all over again. He’s gotten used to it by now.
They both laid down on Jin's bed after they were done, panting from the effort. Kame shot up, as if he had forgotten something, and turned once again to face Jin, this time with a gentle smile.
"I almost forgot," Kame looked a little apologetic and Jin wanted to wipe that look away, tell him that there's nothing to be sorry about. He does neither. It’s selfish but like this, Jin knows Kame cares about him. "Welcome back."
22 March 1999, 2105hr
"Why am I the only one who can see you?" Jin whispered to the boy lying beside him. His back was facing him and Jin had to swat spiky hair away from his face.
Kame did not answer and Jin figured he might already be asleep. He turned around to make himself comfortable, his back pressed up against Kame's.
"You were the only one who wished for me."
Oh, right.
It's not that Jin minded, being the only one that can see, much less touch Kame. But it can get irritating at times, when Jin gets stares from parents whenever they see him talking to Kame in the playground. Or rather, they just see a kid talking to himself.
It’s not that Jin doesn’t like Kame. It’s quite the contrary actually, Jin likes Kame. A lot.
Kame with all his spiky hair and weird fuzzy eyebrows that threw Jin off at first. Now, he just finds them pretty cute.
Neither Jin’s parents nor anybody else knows about Kame and Jin planned to keep it this way.
All he’ll receive in return if they learned about him having an invisible - not imaginary, Kame is anything but imaginary - best friend is more weird stares.
There had been a time when Jin hadn’t thought of keeping Kame a secret. He had openly told everyone he knew about his new found best friend. But when he was unable to show Kame to them, they had called him a liar and fool.
Somehow, Kame came to know about it and strangely enough, Kame had felt more hurt on Jin’s behalf than Jin himself and Jin could not understand why.
He only knew he did not want Kame to hurt again.
"You know something?" Jin asked again and he could feel Kame squirming around, obviously trying to go to sleep, “I almost made a new friend today. His name is Ueda and he told me he could see fairies, so I told him I had an invisible best friend. But all he gave me was a weird look as he walked away.”
Jin grumbled as he remembered that particular incident, he had thought Ueda would understand him. Being all able to see and talk to fairies (which Jin didn’t even believe in). This was precisely why he didn’t want people knowing about Kame.
Jin had only found out later, through words of mouth that it was all a lie and Ueda could see fairies as well as Jin could. Which was not at all.
Kame was silent again but this time, Jin knew he was not asleep yet. The moonlight that filtered in cast a rather ethereal glow on Kame and Jin was just content to stare as he waited for Kame to answer him.
He wasn’t quite ready for sleep yet.
“I’m sorry.”
“No!” Jin replied a little too loudly in the quiet night before slapping a hand over his mouth and praying his mom didn’t come in to check. “I didn’t mean to make you feel bad or whatever, I just wanted to talk about my day. That’s what best friends do.”
Not that Jin has had much experience with them.
He had one a few years back, but then Jin’s father had to move again and they somehow lost touch.
Nakamaru, Jin remembered calling him. Or was it Nakamura?
Kame turned around and studied him. “They do?” And there’s that frown again.
Jin could tell Kame was filing what he just said, so that he could take it out and study it another time. Kame liked to think about stuff like that. Some of them were too philosophical for Jin but Kame, the little brat, did not seem to mind.
A smile soon appeared to chase away the frown, “I guess they do.” And Kame tilts his face, lips pursed. As if contemplating what to say.
“Then let me tell you about what happened today. First, I watched some soap opera with your mother. I tried telling her the sports channel would be better but nothing happened. No surprises there. Then-“ Jin just smiled and listened as Kame rambled on about his day.
If he knew his best friend well enough, it would take another few hours before he could get some sleep. So he just threaded his fingers into Kame’s hair as he listened to Kame talk about the constant state of messiness in his room and the baseball shows he wants to watch.
Jin was surprised Kame even knew about things such as baseball, never mind the many baseball players he was listing out right now.
Jin did not even know where Kame came from for that matter, only that Jin had made a wish and Kame answered, like he always did.
And true enough, by the time Kame had run out of things to talk about, it was nearly midnight and Jin realized that he did not really mind as much as he should, seeing as though he still has school tomorrow.
It was only in the ensuing silence did Jin start to feel sleepy. And by the steady rise and fall of his chest, Jin guessed Kame was already asleep.
It was only then that Jin dared to whisper, “Thanks for being my friend.” My best friend, Jin added silently.
As his eyelids started getting heavier by the minute, Jin could have sworn he saw Kame’s lips tilt up in a smirk.
19 July 2000, 1335hr
Dust bunnies pranced around the air as Jin carefully placed his guitar in its case. Beside him, Kame was taking down his Gundam figurines and placing them in the box his mom gave not too long ago.
They were moving again, this time to Tokyo, and as with every other time they move, Jin hopes that this will be their last.
He does not think he could take much more of this.
12 October 2001, 1115hr
Jin’s dad came home with the news of his new job last night and even though the pay of this job was a little lower than his previous one, everybody cheered.
Because a new job meant that they didn’t have to move around so much anymore.
Jin was soon enrolled in a proper high school and he was happier than he could have ever been before. Kame on the other hand, was not as pleased with the news and Jin could not understand why.
“But I’ll be able to make new friends, Kame.” He tried explaining to the boy pouting in front of him; it had not occurred to his young mind back then that Kame could have been jealous.
“Aren’t I enough?” The puppy eyes, Kame just had to give him the puppy eyes. Jin could feel his resolve waver but years of dealing with this turtle had taught him many things. Namely, learning to steel himself against said puppy eyes.
Sighing, Jin tried to think of a reply to Kame’s question and gave up, settling it instead by messing up Kame’s hair. He had somehow gotten it dyed brown without him knowing and Jin had to admit, it looked pretty good on him.
Kame’s eyes told Jin a lot more than Kame would ever say and Jin feels like a jerk for not being able to give Kame a straight answer. He knew Kame would not like it anyway.
He had his best friend’s interest at heart.
And he just kept telling himself that.
12 October 2001, 2145hr
Jin could feel someone combing a hand through his hair and he gave a short grunt, pulling his blanket higher over his head.
People knew better than to disturb someone else in their sleep.
“Jin.” He could hear a whisper through the fog in his head and he was pretty sure it was calling out his name. “I can only stay as long as you need me.”
Jin frowned in his sleep and turned around to make himself comfortable before giving a soft snore, going back to sleep.
“Once you have other best friends around you, I’m no longer needed.”
Somewhere in his sleep, he heard the same voice give a quiet, resigned sigh and the bed dipped a little as someone joined him.
Jin woke up the next morning more refreshed than he ever had been before.
3 April 2002, 0955hr
His reflection greeted him in the morning as Jin yawned and started to get ready for school.
He was up all night yesterday, excitement keeping him from falling asleep.
Kame had no problems dozing off during each of Jin’s very important speeches though. Speeches about how psyched up he is for school and how he can finally make some new friends. Finally.
While he was adjusting the collar of his uniform, he felt a slight tug at the back of his shirt and turned around.
His eyes closed instinctively when he saw hands raised, moving towards his face, only to reach for his hair.
Jin could see that little frown again, the one that appeared whenever Kame was concentrating on something. This time, combing Jin’s hair.
“It doesn’t matter that much, it’s just my hair.” Jin chuckled.
“First impressions count, Jin. If you wish to make friends, you have to leave a good impression.” Kame’s lips curled up in small smile but Jin could see that tiny little corner at the side that was being pulled down.
And once again, he was left guessing why.
But realization soon dawned on him that Kame had indeed been listening to his worries about being the new boy in school, about fitting in with the rest. It was heartening to know and Jin just smiled back as Kame quietly pondered on whether to comb his hair to the left or right.
It was difficult, putting all these feelings into words.
So Jin just closed his eyes as he felt Kame’s hands gently comb through his hair.
3 April 2002, 1955hr
“… And I met this new boy at school. He said his name is Ryo, he’s seemed kind of stand-offish at first but it turned out that he was pretty cool! He even knows how to play the guitar!” Jin said excitedly. He had run home the moment school had ended. “He invited me to go to his house to practice our chords this Friday!”
He was that excited that he had forgone lunch to talk to Kame about what school was like, a school where he wasn’t just a temporary student.
Kame only grinned and kneeled on the bed to reach over to ruffle Jin’s hair.
“Congratulations Jin, you’ve made a friend this quickly. That’s a good sign.”
Jin beamed back in response, “Just watch, I will make many more new friends tomorrow.”
21 April 2002, 1330hr
And Jin did. By lunchtime, Ryo had introduced him to another friend who had vacant looking eyes but a warm smile.
Jin figured that maybe Yamapi(which was what Ryo and everybody else called him, Yamapi insisted that they call him Tomo though) wouldn’t be that hard to befriend after all.
True enough, by lunch time, the three of them were laughing like they’d known each other for years.
Jin reached home later than usual that night, still excited about the two friends he had met. He soon reached his porch but froze as soon as he realized something.
In those few moments he had been with Ryo and Yamapi, he had totally forgotten about the boy waiting for him at home.
And that had never happened before.
7 July 2002, 1115hr
Ever since that night, Jin had increasingly spent less time at home. His parents were elated that their son was taking to normal schooling this easily. His brother envied him. Kame… Jin did not really know how that guy felt about it.
He was forgiven that night for being out too late, both by his parents and Kame. But truth be told, he had not really forgiven himself and for doing that, he could not bring himself to face Kame.
They had slept in bed that night, but not a single word was exchanged. Kame had not complained to him about the soap operas his mom watched, nor had Jin told Kame about his day spent with Ryo and Pi.
It was the longest night Jin had ever spent.
12 July 2002 2355hr
“Kame?” Jin whispered against the blanket he held up to his face. Silence greeted him and Jin sighed. To be honest, he wasn’t sure if he even wanted an answer from Kame.
Right at that moment, the boy was sleeping with his back towards him. His spiky black hair had since mellowed down to a straight copper colour and Jin actually thinks this hair-do looks good on Kame. Although he wondered - how did Kame get his hair styled anyway?
Jin gave up after few more minutes of waiting, turning around so that his back was facing Kame’s as well.
“What, Jin?” A mutter came from behind him just as Jin was falling asleep. He screamed and gave a startled little jump. He wished Kame would stop doing that.
Beside him, he could hear Kame give a snort as he tried to hold in his laughter.
He could not hold it in for long, and in seconds Kame had burst out laughing. His fist pounded into the pillows as his eyes became little crescent slits. It was the most open Jin had seen of Kame in ages and he had only just realized how much he missed this side of his best friend.
“…You done now?” Jin grumbled as he turned to face Kame. He found that Kame had done the same.
A nod affirmative and Jin smiled.
So far so good.
“I was just wondering if you want to watch a movie this Friday, I could rent something and we could watch it together in my room.” It had been weeks since they’ve watched a movie together, with Jin being tied down by school work.
And maybe also due to him hanging out more often at Ryo and Pi’s place.
Kame hummed as he looked away and Jin was actually worried that Kame would turn him down but the guy only smiled and nodded his head.
“So it’s a promise then?” Jin beamed, possible movies to watch already rushing through his head.
A nod, “Yes, a promise.”
16 April 2002, 1810hr
“Look, I’m sorry Kame. But Yamapi invited me to his house tomorrow. He said that he’d invite more friends to come along. We can always watch the movie another day,” Jin pleaded.
“It’s okay.”
“I’m really, really sorry. Kame, look at me ple-“
“It’s okay.”
17 April 2002, 1650hr
Jin choked a little on his burrito as Yamapi suddenly slung an arm over his shoulder. Yamapi only laughed as Jin growled at him and snatched his burrito, taking a huge bite before returning it to Jin’s hand.
“Say Jin, we’re your best friends right? Ryo and I.”
Jin hummed, unsure of what to say. Because all this time, the only person he had called a best friend was Kame.
Yamapi saw him hesitate and whined, “Hey! You don’t have any other best friends, do you?”
“No, no of course not! You guys are my best friends after all,” Jin replied immediately without thinking, not wanting Yamapi to become upset. And he supposed that yes, Yamapi and Ryo could be counted as his best friends.
Yamapi cheered as he pulled Ryo, who was passing by, and Jin in for a hug and Jin chuckled as he hugged them back.
17 April 2002 2235hr
Jin returned home that night and did not see Kame sitting by the sofa, like he usually would.
But he thought nothing of that; Kame could have been sleeping already. It was pretty late after all.
He trudged his way to his room, stomach still full from the dinner Yamapi’s mother had cooked.
“Kame, I’m home,” he announced as he walked into his room and flung his bag onto his bed.
Nobody was in his room. Jin frowned at the silence. Normally by now, Kame would have replied him with a smile and a “Welcome back.” But there was nobody in his room to do that.
“Kame?” Jin walked over to the toilet and peeked in - nobody. His parents were still in the living room and Reio should be in bed by now. Still, he checked every room in his house; the kitchen, the balcony, the toilets, and Kame was still nowhere to be seen.
Jin was getting worried by now; he hurriedly made his way to his room and said out loud,
“Kame, if this is a joke, it’s not funny.”
Still nothing.
“Hey!” Jin finally shouted, terrified at the possibility that Kame had disappeared.
Somewhere in his head, he remembered a faint voice telling him something about being needed. Something about best friends. But it wass all just a foggy speech in his head and Jin shook it off as he tried to listen for any possible answer in the dark.
It was only after a moment did he realize that silence really does speak. And in a way, Kame had answered him yet again.
Kame was gone.
“Jin, you okay?” A voice from behind him asked.
Desperate to know if Kame had somehow come back, Jin quickly turned around. Only to realize that it was only his mom, worrying about him.
He laughed dejectedly, “Yeah, sure. I’m fine.”
He went to bed that night quietly and he could not really stop the hot tears that flowed.
It’s justified, he told himself, Kame’s a jerk for leaving him.
He fell asleep arms akimbo, and found out that the other half of his bed was cold to the touch.
Something Jin had never felt before.
17 February 2012, 2235hr
Jin sighed as he lay back down on his bed, the sound of heavy raindrops on his window not helping his headache one bit. His notes and pencil lay amongst the mess on his study table, forgotten as Jin reached over to get his thermometer from the drawer.
39 degrees Celsius. Figures, he mumbled to himself. Just when he has a song due in two days - his manager would be ecstatic to hear about this.
Taking his cellphone, he dialed Ryo, who picked up after five rings.
“Hey, Ryo lo-“
“Jin, is this urgent? I’m practicing for a major gig that’s happening a week from now. It might just be my lucky break, so I’m using every minute I can get to practice. If this is not an emergency, you are so dead.”
Jin wondered if dying of a high fever counts as an emergency.
“Erm, no... I just wanted to check up on you,” Jin muttered into the phone, his nose still blocked from the cold he got last week. “I’m sorry for calling.”
He wished Ryo the best of luck in his gig before hanging up and dialing the very next person on his speed dial.
It immediately went to voicemail, and Jin suddenly remembered about Yamapi mentioning something about taking a short vacation in Texas and for reasons unknown, he was not bringing his mobile phone along. The phone must have died while its owner was out there somewhere having fun, most probably with some lady on his arm.
Jin gave another sigh as he got out of bed and went to get his keys.
So much for friends being there when you needed them.
Guess he just had to go buy some aspirin for that fever of his by himself.
22 February 2012, 0645hr
Brrrrrr.
Groaning at the loud vibration his phone was making, Jin blindly groped around for his phone. He wondered just who on earth would call him this early,
Mom, the caller id on his screen said. Oh, right.
“Mmmmph?” He mumbled into his phone, still half asleep.
“Jin sweetie, I have a favour to ask of you.”
Jin frowned. A favour?
“…What favour?”
Couldn’t she wait till he was a little more awake to ask him?
“Well see, I was supposed to babysit our neighbour’s kids, but I forgot that I have something on today. So can you help me look after them? You’re not busy are you?”
Apparently not.
Laying a hand over his head, Jin thought about what his mom had just said. He could always tell his mom he had some prior arrangements with Ryo, but it was he himself who told her that Ryo was practicing for a gig next week. And hanging out with Yamapi was definitely out of the picture.
What was the big deal about taking care of a kid anyway? Jin mused to himself. He’d always loved kids; maybe he could even bring his song sheets over.
“So is it okay Jin?” his mother asked again.
“Yeah, sure. Just mail me the address.” Jin answered as he slowly got out of bed. Scratching his head, he decided that a coffee was definitely needed right now. “Yes, love you too mom.”
22 February 2012, 0935hr
When his mom asked him to babysit her neighbour’s kids, he had thought they were at the very least toddlers. Not a twelve year old boy glaring daggers at him, as if questioning his every intent. He also had an arm protectively hung around his younger brother’s shoulder. The younger boy should at least be no more than five years old.
Jin smiled weakly as he assured their mother that he would take good care of them, and that yes, he would make sure they eat the lunch she’d prepared for them. She also reminded Jin to make sure Kaoru got his afternoon nap and that Hikaru finished his homework before he was allowed to watch the television.
Everything from snack breaks to television channels they were allowed to watch was mentioned and Jin only nodded silently as he made a mental note for everything she had said.
This was shaping out to be a long, long day.
-
It was Kaoru who broke the awkward silence that came after the boys’ mother left them to hurry and catch the morning train.
Wriggling out of his brother’s grasp, he ran over to where Jin stood, and started tugging on his hand.
“Jin nii-san, I feel like drawing! Follow me!” Jin complied, and was led to a small study room where he was made to sit down as Kaoru started digging around for his drawing tools.
Hikaru had silently followed them, still not talking to Jin, even though his brother quite clearly had already warmed up to him.
It was nearly half an hour later, with Jin and Hikaru sitting on opposite ends of the study table and Kaoru sitting in the middle, that Kaoru finally finished his masterpiece after much drawing and colouring.
“Look!” Kaoru exclaimed, as he turned to Jin first to show him what he’d drawn. It was a picture of two boys, one with significantly longer legs and one with small, short ones. “It’s a picture of onii-san and me! Onii-san’s my best friend, you know?”
Looking up, Jin could see Hikaru smiling at his younger brother. Jin remembered this feeling, of someone smiling at him as he proclaimed to everyone he knew about his best friend.
But that was years ago, and Jin couldn’t even remember that someone’s name anymore.
“So, what do you want to do now, little fellow?”
“We’re going to watch movies!” Kaoru said as he jumped off the sofa, and rushed over to the television console outside. After digging around for a while, he held up two DVD cases. One was a family comedy, and another was some movie about the end of the world. “Mom rented them so that we could pass the time.”
Movies.
Jin frowned as his headache came back. Strange, his fever was gone though. Maybe he really was overworking himself, although the incomplete song sheet on his table could say otherwise.
He remembered a faint, distant memory about watching a movie with someone. He was not sure what movie they had watched though. None came to mind.
He turned to Hikaru, who had since stopped staring at him. Maybe the boy was only afraid that Jin would steal his little brother away.
Hikaru turned and caught Jin looking at him. He frowned for a moment before giving him a smile as he stepped forward to take the DVD cases from his brother’s hand.
“I’ll help start this up. You two just wait by the couch. We’ll watch the comedy first, if it’s okay with you guys.”
“Sure thing,” Jin said as he scooped Kaoru up into his arms and carried him over to the couch, where they sat as they waited for the DVD to start.
Half way through the movie, it suddenly occurred to Jin.
He had never watched a movie with that close friend. They never got the chance to, and that friend was not even his close friend, Jin thought to himself as realization dawned onto him. He was my best friend.
Kame. The name suddenly appeared in his mind and would not go away.
It was ten years ago, and Jin could hardly remember how Kame looked like but certain memories stay.
Like those times where Kame would always help him unpack his stuff, even though he knew they would be moving again. Jin knew Kame wanted him to feel at home wherever they were staying. Or those times Kame would stay up for those late night chats with Jin.
Kame had never really left him. He had wished for a best friend and Kame came, happily filling in that spot that had been empty for the better part of Jin’s childhood. Jin realized that it was only after Ryo and Pi came into his life did Kame see a need to leave - Jin’s wish had been fulfilled after all.
“I wish for a best friend.”
He sighed as he looked down onto his lap and realized that Kaoru had fallen asleep, Jin exchanged an amused look with Hikaru before the both of them broke into giggles. Kaoru had somehow managed to kick his blanket off and Hikaru stepped forward, gently placing the blanket back onto Kaoru.
Something tight came up his chest at the sight of Hikaru taking such good care of his baby brother. It was heartening, and Jin knew he had someone like this in his life once.
Always there for him, always ready to listen to anything he had to say, always waiting for him just to say a simple ‘Welcome back.’ to him.
Even if Kame was all but a faint memory, Jin knew he would treasure it all the same.
22 February 2012, 1955hr
The boys were in their pajamas by now, all because Jin had forgotten what time they were supposed to go to bed and he did not really trust Hikaru’s answer of eleven o’clock.
Kaoru was lying on Jin’s lap, slowly falling asleep as Jin hummed under his breath, a melody already forming in his head.
The whole past week he had been struggling with his writer’s block and now, miraculously, he found words coming to his head and a melody that accompanied it.
All centered around a boy that would have never left his side, at least not by choice.
-
By the time the boys’ parents got home, they were sleeping soundly in bed and Jin had his song sheet filled with tiny notes and little words to sing along to.
His manager would be pleased to hear this.
But first, he needed to get some beer to celebrate, by himself of course.
22 February 2012, 2045hr
The door opens and Jin stares, jaw wide open. His konbini bag drops to the floor. The cans of beer he bought rolls away but Jin ignores it anyway.
His back was facing Jin but he thinks that he would be able to recognize him anyway.
Not even daring to make a single sound, Jin slowly picked up his cans of beer and made his way into his house.
Pin was the first to notice him, barking a sharp hello in greeting and Jin smiles back. The person turns and Jin is once again left wonderstruck.
Kame smiles at Jin as he rubbed a hand down Pin’s back, the dog’s eyes closed, and Jin could have sworn he heard it sigh in pleasure.
“Welcome back.”
G | 5177 words
In a universe where best friends exists a wish away, Jin closes his eyes and pray.
Warning: AU
▶Written for prologuesized for fic_the_faith
▶Big thanks to my awesome beta kyjr for not only beta-ing this for me but brainstorming ideas with me as well and alternatejess for reading the drafts of it and giving me ideas on how to continue. ♥
▶This was kind of inspired by Calvin and Hobbes but you don't have to read the comic to understand this.
4 July 1998, 0000hr
Jin gently rose from his bed as he heard the grandfather clock in the living room strike midnight.
Turning around so that he faced the window, he closed his eyes and bowed his head. He offered a silent prayer to the many stars glittering in the dark night sky.
With so many stars to hear his wish, surely it would come true. Jin knew it would come true.
The hands of the grandfather clock slowly ticked in the background and Jin prayed fervently, more so than he had ever done before.
He prayed for a best friend.
23 February 1999, 1450hr
Jin opened the doors to his room and smiled at the sight of Kame shifting through his box of paraphernalia.
His family moved so much due to his father’s job, that most of the time they don't even bother unpacking at all. But he doesn’t tell Kame that, not when Kame looks like he’s having so much fun rummaging through his belongings.
He just watched as the boy in front of him placed each item on his shelf methodically. Just as he always does whenever they’ve finished moving all the boxes in.
"You know, my mum praised me this morning. She said I've been cleaning my room more often."
Kame jumped a little in his seat but quickly recovered, turning back to face Jin with a grin.
"Of course you have." Kame answered, when both of them knew it was Kame keeping his room tidy.
Jin answered Kame's grin with one of his own as he threw his school bag to the side of his bed and bent down to help with the unpacking, not minding if he had to pack this all over again. He’s gotten used to it by now.
They both laid down on Jin's bed after they were done, panting from the effort. Kame shot up, as if he had forgotten something, and turned once again to face Jin, this time with a gentle smile.
"I almost forgot," Kame looked a little apologetic and Jin wanted to wipe that look away, tell him that there's nothing to be sorry about. He does neither. It’s selfish but like this, Jin knows Kame cares about him. "Welcome back."
22 March 1999, 2105hr
"Why am I the only one who can see you?" Jin whispered to the boy lying beside him. His back was facing him and Jin had to swat spiky hair away from his face.
Kame did not answer and Jin figured he might already be asleep. He turned around to make himself comfortable, his back pressed up against Kame's.
"You were the only one who wished for me."
Oh, right.
It's not that Jin minded, being the only one that can see, much less touch Kame. But it can get irritating at times, when Jin gets stares from parents whenever they see him talking to Kame in the playground. Or rather, they just see a kid talking to himself.
It’s not that Jin doesn’t like Kame. It’s quite the contrary actually, Jin likes Kame. A lot.
Kame with all his spiky hair and weird fuzzy eyebrows that threw Jin off at first. Now, he just finds them pretty cute.
Neither Jin’s parents nor anybody else knows about Kame and Jin planned to keep it this way.
All he’ll receive in return if they learned about him having an invisible - not imaginary, Kame is anything but imaginary - best friend is more weird stares.
There had been a time when Jin hadn’t thought of keeping Kame a secret. He had openly told everyone he knew about his new found best friend. But when he was unable to show Kame to them, they had called him a liar and fool.
Somehow, Kame came to know about it and strangely enough, Kame had felt more hurt on Jin’s behalf than Jin himself and Jin could not understand why.
He only knew he did not want Kame to hurt again.
"You know something?" Jin asked again and he could feel Kame squirming around, obviously trying to go to sleep, “I almost made a new friend today. His name is Ueda and he told me he could see fairies, so I told him I had an invisible best friend. But all he gave me was a weird look as he walked away.”
Jin grumbled as he remembered that particular incident, he had thought Ueda would understand him. Being all able to see and talk to fairies (which Jin didn’t even believe in). This was precisely why he didn’t want people knowing about Kame.
Jin had only found out later, through words of mouth that it was all a lie and Ueda could see fairies as well as Jin could. Which was not at all.
Kame was silent again but this time, Jin knew he was not asleep yet. The moonlight that filtered in cast a rather ethereal glow on Kame and Jin was just content to stare as he waited for Kame to answer him.
He wasn’t quite ready for sleep yet.
“I’m sorry.”
“No!” Jin replied a little too loudly in the quiet night before slapping a hand over his mouth and praying his mom didn’t come in to check. “I didn’t mean to make you feel bad or whatever, I just wanted to talk about my day. That’s what best friends do.”
Not that Jin has had much experience with them.
He had one a few years back, but then Jin’s father had to move again and they somehow lost touch.
Nakamaru, Jin remembered calling him. Or was it Nakamura?
Kame turned around and studied him. “They do?” And there’s that frown again.
Jin could tell Kame was filing what he just said, so that he could take it out and study it another time. Kame liked to think about stuff like that. Some of them were too philosophical for Jin but Kame, the little brat, did not seem to mind.
A smile soon appeared to chase away the frown, “I guess they do.” And Kame tilts his face, lips pursed. As if contemplating what to say.
“Then let me tell you about what happened today. First, I watched some soap opera with your mother. I tried telling her the sports channel would be better but nothing happened. No surprises there. Then-“ Jin just smiled and listened as Kame rambled on about his day.
If he knew his best friend well enough, it would take another few hours before he could get some sleep. So he just threaded his fingers into Kame’s hair as he listened to Kame talk about the constant state of messiness in his room and the baseball shows he wants to watch.
Jin was surprised Kame even knew about things such as baseball, never mind the many baseball players he was listing out right now.
Jin did not even know where Kame came from for that matter, only that Jin had made a wish and Kame answered, like he always did.
And true enough, by the time Kame had run out of things to talk about, it was nearly midnight and Jin realized that he did not really mind as much as he should, seeing as though he still has school tomorrow.
It was only in the ensuing silence did Jin start to feel sleepy. And by the steady rise and fall of his chest, Jin guessed Kame was already asleep.
It was only then that Jin dared to whisper, “Thanks for being my friend.” My best friend, Jin added silently.
As his eyelids started getting heavier by the minute, Jin could have sworn he saw Kame’s lips tilt up in a smirk.
19 July 2000, 1335hr
Dust bunnies pranced around the air as Jin carefully placed his guitar in its case. Beside him, Kame was taking down his Gundam figurines and placing them in the box his mom gave not too long ago.
They were moving again, this time to Tokyo, and as with every other time they move, Jin hopes that this will be their last.
He does not think he could take much more of this.
12 October 2001, 1115hr
Jin’s dad came home with the news of his new job last night and even though the pay of this job was a little lower than his previous one, everybody cheered.
Because a new job meant that they didn’t have to move around so much anymore.
Jin was soon enrolled in a proper high school and he was happier than he could have ever been before. Kame on the other hand, was not as pleased with the news and Jin could not understand why.
“But I’ll be able to make new friends, Kame.” He tried explaining to the boy pouting in front of him; it had not occurred to his young mind back then that Kame could have been jealous.
“Aren’t I enough?” The puppy eyes, Kame just had to give him the puppy eyes. Jin could feel his resolve waver but years of dealing with this turtle had taught him many things. Namely, learning to steel himself against said puppy eyes.
Sighing, Jin tried to think of a reply to Kame’s question and gave up, settling it instead by messing up Kame’s hair. He had somehow gotten it dyed brown without him knowing and Jin had to admit, it looked pretty good on him.
Kame’s eyes told Jin a lot more than Kame would ever say and Jin feels like a jerk for not being able to give Kame a straight answer. He knew Kame would not like it anyway.
He had his best friend’s interest at heart.
And he just kept telling himself that.
12 October 2001, 2145hr
Jin could feel someone combing a hand through his hair and he gave a short grunt, pulling his blanket higher over his head.
People knew better than to disturb someone else in their sleep.
“Jin.” He could hear a whisper through the fog in his head and he was pretty sure it was calling out his name. “I can only stay as long as you need me.”
Jin frowned in his sleep and turned around to make himself comfortable before giving a soft snore, going back to sleep.
“Once you have other best friends around you, I’m no longer needed.”
Somewhere in his sleep, he heard the same voice give a quiet, resigned sigh and the bed dipped a little as someone joined him.
Jin woke up the next morning more refreshed than he ever had been before.
3 April 2002, 0955hr
His reflection greeted him in the morning as Jin yawned and started to get ready for school.
He was up all night yesterday, excitement keeping him from falling asleep.
Kame had no problems dozing off during each of Jin’s very important speeches though. Speeches about how psyched up he is for school and how he can finally make some new friends. Finally.
While he was adjusting the collar of his uniform, he felt a slight tug at the back of his shirt and turned around.
His eyes closed instinctively when he saw hands raised, moving towards his face, only to reach for his hair.
Jin could see that little frown again, the one that appeared whenever Kame was concentrating on something. This time, combing Jin’s hair.
“It doesn’t matter that much, it’s just my hair.” Jin chuckled.
“First impressions count, Jin. If you wish to make friends, you have to leave a good impression.” Kame’s lips curled up in small smile but Jin could see that tiny little corner at the side that was being pulled down.
And once again, he was left guessing why.
But realization soon dawned on him that Kame had indeed been listening to his worries about being the new boy in school, about fitting in with the rest. It was heartening to know and Jin just smiled back as Kame quietly pondered on whether to comb his hair to the left or right.
It was difficult, putting all these feelings into words.
So Jin just closed his eyes as he felt Kame’s hands gently comb through his hair.
3 April 2002, 1955hr
“… And I met this new boy at school. He said his name is Ryo, he’s seemed kind of stand-offish at first but it turned out that he was pretty cool! He even knows how to play the guitar!” Jin said excitedly. He had run home the moment school had ended. “He invited me to go to his house to practice our chords this Friday!”
He was that excited that he had forgone lunch to talk to Kame about what school was like, a school where he wasn’t just a temporary student.
Kame only grinned and kneeled on the bed to reach over to ruffle Jin’s hair.
“Congratulations Jin, you’ve made a friend this quickly. That’s a good sign.”
Jin beamed back in response, “Just watch, I will make many more new friends tomorrow.”
21 April 2002, 1330hr
And Jin did. By lunchtime, Ryo had introduced him to another friend who had vacant looking eyes but a warm smile.
Jin figured that maybe Yamapi(which was what Ryo and everybody else called him, Yamapi insisted that they call him Tomo though) wouldn’t be that hard to befriend after all.
True enough, by lunch time, the three of them were laughing like they’d known each other for years.
Jin reached home later than usual that night, still excited about the two friends he had met. He soon reached his porch but froze as soon as he realized something.
In those few moments he had been with Ryo and Yamapi, he had totally forgotten about the boy waiting for him at home.
And that had never happened before.
7 July 2002, 1115hr
Ever since that night, Jin had increasingly spent less time at home. His parents were elated that their son was taking to normal schooling this easily. His brother envied him. Kame… Jin did not really know how that guy felt about it.
He was forgiven that night for being out too late, both by his parents and Kame. But truth be told, he had not really forgiven himself and for doing that, he could not bring himself to face Kame.
They had slept in bed that night, but not a single word was exchanged. Kame had not complained to him about the soap operas his mom watched, nor had Jin told Kame about his day spent with Ryo and Pi.
It was the longest night Jin had ever spent.
12 July 2002 2355hr
“Kame?” Jin whispered against the blanket he held up to his face. Silence greeted him and Jin sighed. To be honest, he wasn’t sure if he even wanted an answer from Kame.
Right at that moment, the boy was sleeping with his back towards him. His spiky black hair had since mellowed down to a straight copper colour and Jin actually thinks this hair-do looks good on Kame. Although he wondered - how did Kame get his hair styled anyway?
Jin gave up after few more minutes of waiting, turning around so that his back was facing Kame’s as well.
“What, Jin?” A mutter came from behind him just as Jin was falling asleep. He screamed and gave a startled little jump. He wished Kame would stop doing that.
Beside him, he could hear Kame give a snort as he tried to hold in his laughter.
He could not hold it in for long, and in seconds Kame had burst out laughing. His fist pounded into the pillows as his eyes became little crescent slits. It was the most open Jin had seen of Kame in ages and he had only just realized how much he missed this side of his best friend.
“…You done now?” Jin grumbled as he turned to face Kame. He found that Kame had done the same.
A nod affirmative and Jin smiled.
So far so good.
“I was just wondering if you want to watch a movie this Friday, I could rent something and we could watch it together in my room.” It had been weeks since they’ve watched a movie together, with Jin being tied down by school work.
And maybe also due to him hanging out more often at Ryo and Pi’s place.
Kame hummed as he looked away and Jin was actually worried that Kame would turn him down but the guy only smiled and nodded his head.
“So it’s a promise then?” Jin beamed, possible movies to watch already rushing through his head.
A nod, “Yes, a promise.”
16 April 2002, 1810hr
“Look, I’m sorry Kame. But Yamapi invited me to his house tomorrow. He said that he’d invite more friends to come along. We can always watch the movie another day,” Jin pleaded.
“It’s okay.”
“I’m really, really sorry. Kame, look at me ple-“
“It’s okay.”
17 April 2002, 1650hr
Jin choked a little on his burrito as Yamapi suddenly slung an arm over his shoulder. Yamapi only laughed as Jin growled at him and snatched his burrito, taking a huge bite before returning it to Jin’s hand.
“Say Jin, we’re your best friends right? Ryo and I.”
Jin hummed, unsure of what to say. Because all this time, the only person he had called a best friend was Kame.
Yamapi saw him hesitate and whined, “Hey! You don’t have any other best friends, do you?”
“No, no of course not! You guys are my best friends after all,” Jin replied immediately without thinking, not wanting Yamapi to become upset. And he supposed that yes, Yamapi and Ryo could be counted as his best friends.
Yamapi cheered as he pulled Ryo, who was passing by, and Jin in for a hug and Jin chuckled as he hugged them back.
17 April 2002 2235hr
Jin returned home that night and did not see Kame sitting by the sofa, like he usually would.
But he thought nothing of that; Kame could have been sleeping already. It was pretty late after all.
He trudged his way to his room, stomach still full from the dinner Yamapi’s mother had cooked.
“Kame, I’m home,” he announced as he walked into his room and flung his bag onto his bed.
Nobody was in his room. Jin frowned at the silence. Normally by now, Kame would have replied him with a smile and a “Welcome back.” But there was nobody in his room to do that.
“Kame?” Jin walked over to the toilet and peeked in - nobody. His parents were still in the living room and Reio should be in bed by now. Still, he checked every room in his house; the kitchen, the balcony, the toilets, and Kame was still nowhere to be seen.
Jin was getting worried by now; he hurriedly made his way to his room and said out loud,
“Kame, if this is a joke, it’s not funny.”
Still nothing.
“Hey!” Jin finally shouted, terrified at the possibility that Kame had disappeared.
Somewhere in his head, he remembered a faint voice telling him something about being needed. Something about best friends. But it wass all just a foggy speech in his head and Jin shook it off as he tried to listen for any possible answer in the dark.
It was only after a moment did he realize that silence really does speak. And in a way, Kame had answered him yet again.
Kame was gone.
“Jin, you okay?” A voice from behind him asked.
Desperate to know if Kame had somehow come back, Jin quickly turned around. Only to realize that it was only his mom, worrying about him.
He laughed dejectedly, “Yeah, sure. I’m fine.”
He went to bed that night quietly and he could not really stop the hot tears that flowed.
It’s justified, he told himself, Kame’s a jerk for leaving him.
He fell asleep arms akimbo, and found out that the other half of his bed was cold to the touch.
Something Jin had never felt before.
17 February 2012, 2235hr
Jin sighed as he lay back down on his bed, the sound of heavy raindrops on his window not helping his headache one bit. His notes and pencil lay amongst the mess on his study table, forgotten as Jin reached over to get his thermometer from the drawer.
39 degrees Celsius. Figures, he mumbled to himself. Just when he has a song due in two days - his manager would be ecstatic to hear about this.
Taking his cellphone, he dialed Ryo, who picked up after five rings.
“Hey, Ryo lo-“
“Jin, is this urgent? I’m practicing for a major gig that’s happening a week from now. It might just be my lucky break, so I’m using every minute I can get to practice. If this is not an emergency, you are so dead.”
Jin wondered if dying of a high fever counts as an emergency.
“Erm, no... I just wanted to check up on you,” Jin muttered into the phone, his nose still blocked from the cold he got last week. “I’m sorry for calling.”
He wished Ryo the best of luck in his gig before hanging up and dialing the very next person on his speed dial.
It immediately went to voicemail, and Jin suddenly remembered about Yamapi mentioning something about taking a short vacation in Texas and for reasons unknown, he was not bringing his mobile phone along. The phone must have died while its owner was out there somewhere having fun, most probably with some lady on his arm.
Jin gave another sigh as he got out of bed and went to get his keys.
So much for friends being there when you needed them.
Guess he just had to go buy some aspirin for that fever of his by himself.
22 February 2012, 0645hr
Brrrrrr.
Groaning at the loud vibration his phone was making, Jin blindly groped around for his phone. He wondered just who on earth would call him this early,
Mom, the caller id on his screen said. Oh, right.
“Mmmmph?” He mumbled into his phone, still half asleep.
“Jin sweetie, I have a favour to ask of you.”
Jin frowned. A favour?
“…What favour?”
Couldn’t she wait till he was a little more awake to ask him?
“Well see, I was supposed to babysit our neighbour’s kids, but I forgot that I have something on today. So can you help me look after them? You’re not busy are you?”
Apparently not.
Laying a hand over his head, Jin thought about what his mom had just said. He could always tell his mom he had some prior arrangements with Ryo, but it was he himself who told her that Ryo was practicing for a gig next week. And hanging out with Yamapi was definitely out of the picture.
What was the big deal about taking care of a kid anyway? Jin mused to himself. He’d always loved kids; maybe he could even bring his song sheets over.
“So is it okay Jin?” his mother asked again.
“Yeah, sure. Just mail me the address.” Jin answered as he slowly got out of bed. Scratching his head, he decided that a coffee was definitely needed right now. “Yes, love you too mom.”
22 February 2012, 0935hr
When his mom asked him to babysit her neighbour’s kids, he had thought they were at the very least toddlers. Not a twelve year old boy glaring daggers at him, as if questioning his every intent. He also had an arm protectively hung around his younger brother’s shoulder. The younger boy should at least be no more than five years old.
Jin smiled weakly as he assured their mother that he would take good care of them, and that yes, he would make sure they eat the lunch she’d prepared for them. She also reminded Jin to make sure Kaoru got his afternoon nap and that Hikaru finished his homework before he was allowed to watch the television.
Everything from snack breaks to television channels they were allowed to watch was mentioned and Jin only nodded silently as he made a mental note for everything she had said.
This was shaping out to be a long, long day.
-
It was Kaoru who broke the awkward silence that came after the boys’ mother left them to hurry and catch the morning train.
Wriggling out of his brother’s grasp, he ran over to where Jin stood, and started tugging on his hand.
“Jin nii-san, I feel like drawing! Follow me!” Jin complied, and was led to a small study room where he was made to sit down as Kaoru started digging around for his drawing tools.
Hikaru had silently followed them, still not talking to Jin, even though his brother quite clearly had already warmed up to him.
It was nearly half an hour later, with Jin and Hikaru sitting on opposite ends of the study table and Kaoru sitting in the middle, that Kaoru finally finished his masterpiece after much drawing and colouring.
“Look!” Kaoru exclaimed, as he turned to Jin first to show him what he’d drawn. It was a picture of two boys, one with significantly longer legs and one with small, short ones. “It’s a picture of onii-san and me! Onii-san’s my best friend, you know?”
Looking up, Jin could see Hikaru smiling at his younger brother. Jin remembered this feeling, of someone smiling at him as he proclaimed to everyone he knew about his best friend.
But that was years ago, and Jin couldn’t even remember that someone’s name anymore.
“So, what do you want to do now, little fellow?”
“We’re going to watch movies!” Kaoru said as he jumped off the sofa, and rushed over to the television console outside. After digging around for a while, he held up two DVD cases. One was a family comedy, and another was some movie about the end of the world. “Mom rented them so that we could pass the time.”
Movies.
Jin frowned as his headache came back. Strange, his fever was gone though. Maybe he really was overworking himself, although the incomplete song sheet on his table could say otherwise.
He remembered a faint, distant memory about watching a movie with someone. He was not sure what movie they had watched though. None came to mind.
He turned to Hikaru, who had since stopped staring at him. Maybe the boy was only afraid that Jin would steal his little brother away.
Hikaru turned and caught Jin looking at him. He frowned for a moment before giving him a smile as he stepped forward to take the DVD cases from his brother’s hand.
“I’ll help start this up. You two just wait by the couch. We’ll watch the comedy first, if it’s okay with you guys.”
“Sure thing,” Jin said as he scooped Kaoru up into his arms and carried him over to the couch, where they sat as they waited for the DVD to start.
Half way through the movie, it suddenly occurred to Jin.
He had never watched a movie with that close friend. They never got the chance to, and that friend was not even his close friend, Jin thought to himself as realization dawned onto him. He was my best friend.
Kame. The name suddenly appeared in his mind and would not go away.
It was ten years ago, and Jin could hardly remember how Kame looked like but certain memories stay.
Like those times where Kame would always help him unpack his stuff, even though he knew they would be moving again. Jin knew Kame wanted him to feel at home wherever they were staying. Or those times Kame would stay up for those late night chats with Jin.
Kame had never really left him. He had wished for a best friend and Kame came, happily filling in that spot that had been empty for the better part of Jin’s childhood. Jin realized that it was only after Ryo and Pi came into his life did Kame see a need to leave - Jin’s wish had been fulfilled after all.
“I wish for a best friend.”
He sighed as he looked down onto his lap and realized that Kaoru had fallen asleep, Jin exchanged an amused look with Hikaru before the both of them broke into giggles. Kaoru had somehow managed to kick his blanket off and Hikaru stepped forward, gently placing the blanket back onto Kaoru.
Something tight came up his chest at the sight of Hikaru taking such good care of his baby brother. It was heartening, and Jin knew he had someone like this in his life once.
Always there for him, always ready to listen to anything he had to say, always waiting for him just to say a simple ‘Welcome back.’ to him.
Even if Kame was all but a faint memory, Jin knew he would treasure it all the same.
22 February 2012, 1955hr
The boys were in their pajamas by now, all because Jin had forgotten what time they were supposed to go to bed and he did not really trust Hikaru’s answer of eleven o’clock.
Kaoru was lying on Jin’s lap, slowly falling asleep as Jin hummed under his breath, a melody already forming in his head.
The whole past week he had been struggling with his writer’s block and now, miraculously, he found words coming to his head and a melody that accompanied it.
All centered around a boy that would have never left his side, at least not by choice.
-
By the time the boys’ parents got home, they were sleeping soundly in bed and Jin had his song sheet filled with tiny notes and little words to sing along to.
His manager would be pleased to hear this.
But first, he needed to get some beer to celebrate, by himself of course.
22 February 2012, 2045hr
The door opens and Jin stares, jaw wide open. His konbini bag drops to the floor. The cans of beer he bought rolls away but Jin ignores it anyway.
His back was facing Jin but he thinks that he would be able to recognize him anyway.
Not even daring to make a single sound, Jin slowly picked up his cans of beer and made his way into his house.
Pin was the first to notice him, barking a sharp hello in greeting and Jin smiles back. The person turns and Jin is once again left wonderstruck.
Kame smiles at Jin as he rubbed a hand down Pin’s back, the dog’s eyes closed, and Jin could have sworn he heard it sigh in pleasure.
“Welcome back.”