Pandora's Box - Chapter 21
TITLE: Pandora's Box - Chapter 21
DISCLAIMER: I didn't own any of the character but i own the plotXD
GENRE: romance, slice of life, drama
CHARACTERS: Inoo, Yabu, Yaotome, Arioka, Yamada, Takaki, Nakajima
SUMMARY: Hatred turned to love, silence turned to seeking and lies become truth. Kota just hit the rock bottom making him realize that memories should not remained unlock. He seek for truth, he yearned for what really happened and why things are going this and that. But what if he is going further to what is already near to him? Is everything gone too late to change? Everyone is given curiosity and so will you open the box as well?
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the revised version of my on going fanfic Pandora's Box. Enjoy^___^
Pandora's Box
Chapter 21
"Ferris Wheel"
Before Kota leave Yuto's apartment he was asked a question that leaves a mark on him. 'Is Kei not jealous about what you did?' Yuto asked him and that made him think. Kei and him were dating for months already and their relationship was flowing smoothly. They were always together but he was not sure if they are doing things correctly. They do some acts that lovers only do like holding hands and hugging but since that fireworks they never kiss again. He felt embarrassed to do it and he was afraid what might Kei's reaction if he did it without his prior noticed. In the end, he realized that he still didn't know Kei that much which he think was unfair since Kei knew how to handle him easily. He wanted to know more about him and he wanted to be closer to him more than anyone else. But like what Yuto asked him, he really didn't see any sign of jealousness to Kei. He just let things off easily like it was nothing and he didn't argue nor asked why did that and this happened. It seems like he doesn't care about what he do which is kinda disappointing on Kota's part. He wonder, if he was gone, will Kei just stay there like he was nothing to him? What kind of love do really Kei have for him? Or is he really in love with him?
He went downstairs, preparing his way to go out but he back off when he heard Kamiyo and Suzanne talking to each other in front of the stairs. He didn't want to be asked where he is planning to go and so he waited there for a moment until they finished their conversation. While waiting he can hear what they are talking about clearly.
“Are you going to visit his grave?" Kamiyo asked her with his hand interlock with each other under his chest.
“Do you still need to asked about this? This became my routine every year.” Suzanne answered briefly.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you there?”
“I want to go there on my own.” Suzanne replied back. "I already prepared some food for dinner, if I will not be here then you can heat it up and eat without me."
Without saying anything anymore, Suzanne exited the house. Kamiyo is about to go upstairs when he saw Kota stepping down as he sling his bag on his shoulder.“Where are you going? It's Saturday… you don’t have class right?” he asked him.
“I’m going to meet someone so I need to go.” Kota answered. “By the way where is mom going? It's rare for her to go alone outside. Are you sure she will be fine?"
"Have you also forgotten the day that you got into that accident?" Kamiyo asked him back "It seems like you are being so busy with school that you forget about this day."
"I didn't forget about It but I can't remember what happened and so I don't actually care. But are you okay with that? You are just allowing her to visit her old husband when she is already living together with you? Are you not being jealous over it?" Kota asked him curiously.
"It's not right if I said I am not jealous but there are times you should understand things. I am not the first guy who your mother love and in her heart it is still filled with memories of your father where she spent her years with. She just met me a few years ago and our time together was still short." Kamiyo answered.
"When did you met my mother anyway?" Kota asked him taking that as an opportunity to know something. By the picture that he saw in Haruka's scrap book it seems like his mother and Kamiyo knew each other longer than what he knew. That picture prove it but why are they lying about it?
"2 years before we get married. We met in the office where she was working before." Kamiyo answered but Kota didn't believe it, he knew he was lying. "You're going somewhere right? You should go already or you will be late."
"One more thing… how can you control yourself even knowing mom still love my father. I mean… you are her husband now…"
"The more you love the person, the more you can sacrifice things for her sake. I knew that your mother cares about your father and if seeing him will make her happy then I will give it to her. I will allow her to do everything that she wanted even actually, deep inside of me I am jealous and hurt. To someone who is just a second choice, I guess it's really hard to win against the first, don't you think?"
As Kota heard what his step father said, he remembered Kei's condition. He knew that him and Yuto were lovers before, he even actually witness how he became so pathetic after their break up. He wonder if Kei was thinking the same way so he was not showing any jealousness at all. He was sacrificing things for the sake of his love ones and also he think that he can't win against someone who Kota first fall in love with. He wonder if Kei and his step father have the same way of thinking and view about being a second person to someone's life. "I think it was stupid to think that way." Kota replied back to him. "It's not for you to decide who will be that person going to choose over first and second. There are times that the second overturned the first. I'll be going… see you tonight."
Kota met Kei in the park and both greet each other normally. Since Kota was full of thoughts of how Kei really feels about him and their relationship he started to see him in a whole new way. He wanted to asked him but he didn't know where to start. Kei wanted to buy a book so their first destination was a bookstore. Kota just followed him coz he was not interested to browse anything. While gazing at the shelf something caught his attention and it was a magazine talking about a famous artists agency and it seems like they were planning to form a new group to debut. It is the same agency where Isshon officially debuted. He browsed the pages and there is a part where there is a picture of each Isshon's members. They became so famous with just a short period of time. He scanned the others pages and saw the interview on Yuya being the new model of Noric.
He put it back on the shelf and then tilted his head looking at the outside. As he saw people passed by he saw a familiar face that was walking with the crowd. It was his mother and she seems agitated. He knew that she will going to the grave of his father which he never actually visited before and actually it doesn't interest him at all since he can't remember who he was. He never heard anything about that man towards his mother's mouth and the only information that he have comes from his grandmother who told him that he was a freelance photographer. He remembered that when his grandmother was talking about him, there was a madness in her eyes like she hates her and didn't want to talk about him.
"Yabu?" Kei called his name. "Are you okay?" he asked him when he noticed that he was spacing out and looking outside despite calling him so many times.
"Ahhh… yeah…" Kota said. "Did you found your book?"
"Yeah… I'm just going to pay for it so can you wait outside?" Kei told him, Kota nodded his head.
Kota went out of the book store and he saw his mother again like she was troubled by something. Because of her anxiety and depression, she retired from her work and just stayed inside the house. She don't go outside that much unless she will going to market and when it was actually needed. Like him, it seems like crowded places make her feel uneasy and uncomfortable. Kei finally went out of the bookstore and again he noticed that Kota was spacing out. "Does going to the bookstore bore you?" Kei asked all of a sudden and that caught Kota off guard.
"Huh? O…of course not."
"Liar… if it's like that then you should not force yourself. I am fine coming alone."
"I told you it's not like that." Kota defended and then he saw his mother crossing the street. "Kei… can we make a detour?"
"What do you mean?"
"I feel like following someone." Kota answered. He grabbed Kei's hand and dragged him as they followed his mother to her way to his father's grave. Kei doesn't have any idea what was going on but he just go with the flow. They went to the train station and bought the same ticket as the woman in front of them and then rode the same train where his mother ride.
"Why are we going to Myojin?" Kei asked Kota when the train already moved.
"Well… you know that woman in black there… the one wearing a hat and sunglass." Kota described and Kei take a look at her. "He was my mother."
"Mo…mother? Your mother?" Kei asked surprised. "Wh…why are we following her?"
"She's going to my father's grave."
"R..Really…"
"I didn't know anything about him at all. I don't have any idea what kind of person he is. Mom didn't tell me anything, grandma just told me he was a freelance photographer and my memory said nothing about him. I never visited his grave since he died, maybe because I am in Hokkaido all this time and mom actually didn't brought me there to see him or she really didn't want me to see him. Today is his 7th death anniversary and yet..." Kota explained and then he noticed Kei's silence besides him like he was in deep thoughts. "What are you thinking?"
"I'm sorry." Kei apologized. "I didn't know that today is something… I guess I should not asked you to hang out today…"
"What are you talking about? Don't bother about it… today is the day of that accident, the day I lost everything that I have, memories, a father and my old self. Each year whenever this day come I always felt so terrified, I locked myself in my room and kept on asking my self why did that day come? But this year, unexpectedly, i… forget about today. Maybe because their was a certain someone who arrived in my life that change my perspective. If I didn't met you then maybe I am… the same as I was before."
"Sorry about coming on your life then…" Kei whispered. Kota was stunned when he saw Kei's blushing face and he thought that he was cute while blushing. He touched Kei's face and caress it gently. Afterwards he covers their front with his bag and then he kiss Kei on his lips for 3 seconds leaving Kei shocked with what he just did but Kota saw his blushing face again and it was pulling his heartstring and he wanted to kiss him again and so he did but this time it was just a touch on the lips, fortunately the train was not packed that time so no one can see them. Kei covered his mouth while looking at Kota as if asking why he did that all of a sudden but Kota didn't say anything anymore. He really think that Kei was cute while blushing and he wanted to see him that way. For some moment he was being unreasonable and doing whatever comes to his mind specially regarding Kei. Maybe he really falls head over heels over him.
The train finally stopped at their destination. Suzanne came out first before Kota and Kei followed her. From there she just walk the street and so the two also walk. It's the first time that Kota went to Myojin and he didn't know that it was a peaceful place and 2 hours away from the main city if riding the train. They continued to followed her when someone greeted Kei and he, on the other hand, also greeted back.
"Who was that?" Kota asked him.
"A friend."
"You have friend in this place?"
"Of course… I'm living here."
"Yo…you?" Kota asked him again. "I…I didn't know that you are from here. Why didn't you tell me?"
"You never ask."
"Kei, I am your boyfriend so you should tell me something important as this."
Kei put his pointing finger on his mouth and make a ssshhhhh sound. "Silence Yabu, what if your mother sees us?" he told him then Kei smiled.
…
Early morning Yuya wake up from the sound of his phone. He didn't want to answer the call but it kept on ringing and that leaves him no choice. It was Krono who called him and he talked about the coming party that he was organizing. "You want me to convince Kota to perform in the party?" Yuya asked him.
"His performance in the outreach program was outstanding and there were lots of girls who love his voice. He also have this stage value and also additional to that there was an agent from an entertainment agency that was interested to him… not only him actually but also you. He wanted to see the two of you perform again." Krono explained.
"Agency?"
"Yup. A big and really prominent agency have their eyes set on the two of you. Didn't you tell me that you like to sing more than modeling? This is a great opportunity for you and if you really wanted this you also need to convince Yabu."
"isn't this something you should do? You are the president of the Student's Council so this kind of stuffs is just an easy task for you. You can use your power to make anyone do whatever you wanted."
"Being the president didn't give you such kind of privilege besides Yabu is a type of person who refused instantly if he didn't like the offer but he was weak when it is a friend who asked him. You are closer to him compare to me."
"You are just giving me work that you didn't want to do. Besides you know how hard headed Yabu is right? I don't I can convince him with just my words and actually the two of us really don't have great relationship right now and I think you better asked Kei for this."
"Then asked Kei to convince Kota to do a performance with you." Krono concluded. "I still have lots to do. I will leave this job to you then… good luck."
…
After 15 minutes walk from the station, they finally reached the cemetery where Kota's father was buried. The place was so tranquil and cold because of the trees surrounding the area and also it was said in the weather report that winter season was about to start anytime soon. As they enter the entrance, Suzanne walk for another 5 minutes going uphill to finally reached the grave. Kei and Kota hide themselves in a trunk of a tree just near the grave. Suzanne put the flower that she bought and also put the bottle of wine besides it.
"Seto, I'm back." she whispered as she tap the tomb stone. "How are you?" she continued in a trembling voice. "I… I… I miss you so much."
Kota just listened to his mother's words while staying at the back of that tree. He knew she was crying, obvious because of the tone of her voice, trembling and sobbing. She burst into cries for a moment until she calm down and was able to talk in whisper. Even Kota can't hear her clearly he knew she was talking about things that happened to her life, family, friends and events. He was concentrating when he noticed Kei sitting down and trembling. He take off his jacket and then give it to Kei for his use. They stayed like that for an hour and half until Suzanne decided to leave. They didn't follow her anymore. Kei waited for Kota to say what he wanted to do next but for a minute they just stayed like that under that tree.
Kota have a deep breathe and then stretched up his arms. "Should we met my father?" he asked Kei.
The two went in front of the grave where Seto Yabu was written on it together with the date of his birth and death. Kei offered a prayer for him and Kota just stayed staring at it until he become satisfied. "I didn't know who you are but it seems like mom really loves you. I wonder… what kind of father you are." he asked but he think it was stupid since no one will response for him. "Mom, didn't want me to face you… I wonder why… maybe… she wanted ME to be lying there instead of YOU."
"Yabu."
"I can't help thinking about it." Kota muttered. "I know mom… I know mom hated me. Not even ones…that woman hug me. Even I called her mom, even we are living in a same house together I never felt that… she really cares for me. Kei, I am not a child anymore, I can see through her lies or actually she is too transparent to see that more than her kindness… she hated me the most and maybe it is because I live but HE died. You hear it right? She love this man so much that even 7 years have passed she still mourn about his disappearance."
"Don't say that."
"I wonder what will happen… if ever I am the one who…"
"I told you to stop saying that!" Kei snapped. "Don't say something like that in front of someone who was so glad that you are alive instead of that man."
"Kei…"
Kei looked away from Kota as he bite his lower lips. "Let's go. Say your goodbye already." he commanded. "I'll wait for you at the gate." he continued before he leave Kota alone.
Kota was shocked with what Kei said or more likely he was surprised coz it's the first time he heard Kei shouted seriously. But as he recalled his words, he realized what Kei really wanted to emphasized with his words and he just smiled and laugh a little and he felt regretful doubting if Kei really likes him or not. With what he just said, he just confessed that he really likes him. He tap the tomb stone and smiled. "It's nice to hear that someone is happy that I am alive." he whispered. For one last look, he stared at his father's grave."I wonder what kind of father you are and what kind of relationship we have. But no matter what it is maybe…this will be the first and last that I will go here. Seto Yabu… nice meeting you and then goodbye."
...
Daiki was standing straight in front of the principal's office. Even it's Saturday he still came to school to say something important that he spend time of thinking. He finally made his decision and he knows that it is for the best. "I… I'm going. I going to take the interview." Daiki answered.
"Finally, you made your decision."
"It took me a lot of time to think about it but now… I wanted to do it."
"If you don't mind can we know what made you hesitant at first to accept the offer? You know this is a really big opportunity for someone like you but you became hesitant to accept it… why?"
"I am… I am blinded I guess." Daiki answered. "I am blinded by the fantasy that I am trying my best to make real."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well I just thought that I can't leave this place coz I wanted to be with someone but then it didn't happened. I guess even I am gone his life will still go on. Even I am not around he will not bother to search for me." he explained. "Opening my eyes lead me to this decision. I will focus now more on my career more than anything else. I fulfill my dreams and then what's come next… I will just go with the flow."
"You've made a great decision Arioka-kun. I know you will not regret this." the principal said.
...
Kei rubbed his hand together to feel warm. Winter is about to start and the coldness become more unbearable. He was about to blow his hand when Kota grab his right hand and hold on it tightly. "Where did you want to go now, my princess?" he asked him like nothing happened.
"I… I'm sorry about shouting a while back."
"Why did you apologized? I thought for the first time, I see you as someone cool. Never heard your shouting voice before." Kota teased. "But shouting is not really your thing" he smirked. Kei wanted to let go of Kota's hand but he just hold on it tighter. "I don't care if my mother hate me as long as you love me then I am glad I am alive." he told him easily.
"I don't think you will be satisfied with that." Kei replied back. "Don't worry I'll help you make your mother accept you."
"As if that will be easy but you know what I've been wondering… what really happened in that accident? How did we entered that situation? Why am I with my father that time? What did happen that cause us that accident? There are still lots of questions and also… I am bothered by something as well." Kota said and then he remembered about the picture and he asked Kei that they should go to the elementary to confirm something. Kei accompanied him going to the elementary school. it was the same as the picture that he saw.
"What do you need something from this elementary school?"
"I think… we live in this place before."
"What do you mean?"
"Kei, I saw an old picture of me and mom and the background was this school and also if my father was buried in this place I think this is the place where we live before my accident. You know since I came here from Hokkaido I tried to search some traces of my past but I can't find anything and it is because our new residence is not part of my past. I think this place is where it all started." Kota told him. "Wa…wait… Kei you said that you came from here right?"
"I am. My house is just a walking distance from here."
"You're living here since you are young?"
"I am… since I am born."
"By any chance… did you… did you know me in the past?" Kota asked him seriously. It just come all of a sudden to his mind but he already think that it was impossible.
"I don't." Kei answered him. "We are living here but I didn't study in this place. I rarely go out as well and so I didn't know anyone that much." he continued. "Are you thinking that I knew you already before I met you?"
"Are you not?"
"I am not." Kei answered sincerely. "Yabu, I have a ticket for a Ferris wheel let's ride one." Kei said as he showed the ticket that he have. "It's a night time schedule so by the time we arrived at the city it's the exact time."
“Are you a girl? Why do you wanted to ride that on a date between two guys?”
“Don’t complain… I know you like to ride one as well.” Kei said all knowingly.
Kota didn't asked Kei anything anymore after that. As they ride the train they talk about other topic and never opened about the grave or his father or his mother. Two hours of traveling and finally they arrived at the theme park where Kei get the ticket. When Kei give the ticket to the girl who is assisting it was obvious to her face the wonder and awkwardness seeing two guys riding on it.
As it accelerated, Kei and Kota were both amazed of the view outside. The view is like a dark canvas painted with twinkling lights in different sizes. There's no doubt it was said that riding Ferris Wheel at night is the best coz you can really appreciate the ride. Kei sit down properly when he heard Kota's phone ring but he was not answering it at all. "Your phone is ringing, are you not going to check it?"
Kota pick up his phone and then he turned it off. "It's a date… I don't want any disturbances."
"What if it is important? What if it is Yuto?"
"Yuto will not contact me anymore." Kota told him. "Right now I am with you so nothing is more important than that.
"Yabu…"
"Also… I want you to stop calling me by my family name. Call me by my name… use it Kei."
“Your given name?” Kei asked. “K… Kota?”
“Yup… that's better.” Kota whispered and then he kiss Kei on his lips. “One more… call my name.”
“Kota.” Kei repeated and he was now blushing all over and he received another kiss from Kota.
“I want to stay like this forever.” Kota said. “I am so happy I met you.” he confessed then he caught Kei with his tight embraced. Kei hugged him back.
"Me too Kou… if only we could stay like this forever." he whispered.
I heard Kei's word clearly in my ears. It echoed deep inside my mind, playing continuously. It sounded differently, the tone, the pitch and the meaning. But I wonder why I didn't asked what is the meaning behind his words. I just leave him hugging me tightly like he didn't want to let go. The whole ride we stayed hugging each other. If only time could stop then that was the perfect moment.
A minute of fairy tale was over. Like Cinderella the magic have a time limit. Kei went out of the ride first. Kota stayed not moving for a moment. He doesn't feel good at all. He feel like if he went out things will change. It's not a good premonition and he wanted to pull Kei back inside. He didn't like what he was feeling but he can't explain what it was either.
"Kota, let's go. The ride is over." Kei told him. "Don't tell me you want to ride it again?"
What was this unsettling feeling? My heart was pumping so fast, my body feels warm but at the same time cold. Why do I have this feeling that it I came out of this place then my whole world will have a 360 degree turn I want to pull Kei back, I don't want to make things over tonight. I don't understand.. What is this sensation?
Kota step forward slowly and finally he went off the ride.
"Ahhh…" they heard a voice somewhere. "I knew it. It was you… the boy who sing in one program in Keiren Gakuen." he continued. He get his business card and then introduced his name to them. "Sorry for late introduction. I am Aritomo Souchi. I am a manager from Eito Entertainment. I am amazed by your voice when I watched the program and I knew you are perfect for the new group that we are planning to form. By any chance do you want to debut as a musician?"
That time I don't have any idea, I was not aware that his appearance means the start of everything.
DISCLAIMER: I didn't own any of the character but i own the plotXD
GENRE: romance, slice of life, drama
CHARACTERS: Inoo, Yabu, Yaotome, Arioka, Yamada, Takaki, Nakajima
SUMMARY: Hatred turned to love, silence turned to seeking and lies become truth. Kota just hit the rock bottom making him realize that memories should not remained unlock. He seek for truth, he yearned for what really happened and why things are going this and that. But what if he is going further to what is already near to him? Is everything gone too late to change? Everyone is given curiosity and so will you open the box as well?
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the revised version of my on going fanfic Pandora's Box. Enjoy^___^
Pandora's Box
Chapter 21
"Ferris Wheel"
Before Kota leave Yuto's apartment he was asked a question that leaves a mark on him. 'Is Kei not jealous about what you did?' Yuto asked him and that made him think. Kei and him were dating for months already and their relationship was flowing smoothly. They were always together but he was not sure if they are doing things correctly. They do some acts that lovers only do like holding hands and hugging but since that fireworks they never kiss again. He felt embarrassed to do it and he was afraid what might Kei's reaction if he did it without his prior noticed. In the end, he realized that he still didn't know Kei that much which he think was unfair since Kei knew how to handle him easily. He wanted to know more about him and he wanted to be closer to him more than anyone else. But like what Yuto asked him, he really didn't see any sign of jealousness to Kei. He just let things off easily like it was nothing and he didn't argue nor asked why did that and this happened. It seems like he doesn't care about what he do which is kinda disappointing on Kota's part. He wonder, if he was gone, will Kei just stay there like he was nothing to him? What kind of love do really Kei have for him? Or is he really in love with him?
He went downstairs, preparing his way to go out but he back off when he heard Kamiyo and Suzanne talking to each other in front of the stairs. He didn't want to be asked where he is planning to go and so he waited there for a moment until they finished their conversation. While waiting he can hear what they are talking about clearly.
“Are you going to visit his grave?" Kamiyo asked her with his hand interlock with each other under his chest.
“Do you still need to asked about this? This became my routine every year.” Suzanne answered briefly.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you there?”
“I want to go there on my own.” Suzanne replied back. "I already prepared some food for dinner, if I will not be here then you can heat it up and eat without me."
Without saying anything anymore, Suzanne exited the house. Kamiyo is about to go upstairs when he saw Kota stepping down as he sling his bag on his shoulder.“Where are you going? It's Saturday… you don’t have class right?” he asked him.
“I’m going to meet someone so I need to go.” Kota answered. “By the way where is mom going? It's rare for her to go alone outside. Are you sure she will be fine?"
"Have you also forgotten the day that you got into that accident?" Kamiyo asked him back "It seems like you are being so busy with school that you forget about this day."
"I didn't forget about It but I can't remember what happened and so I don't actually care. But are you okay with that? You are just allowing her to visit her old husband when she is already living together with you? Are you not being jealous over it?" Kota asked him curiously.
"It's not right if I said I am not jealous but there are times you should understand things. I am not the first guy who your mother love and in her heart it is still filled with memories of your father where she spent her years with. She just met me a few years ago and our time together was still short." Kamiyo answered.
"When did you met my mother anyway?" Kota asked him taking that as an opportunity to know something. By the picture that he saw in Haruka's scrap book it seems like his mother and Kamiyo knew each other longer than what he knew. That picture prove it but why are they lying about it?
"2 years before we get married. We met in the office where she was working before." Kamiyo answered but Kota didn't believe it, he knew he was lying. "You're going somewhere right? You should go already or you will be late."
"One more thing… how can you control yourself even knowing mom still love my father. I mean… you are her husband now…"
"The more you love the person, the more you can sacrifice things for her sake. I knew that your mother cares about your father and if seeing him will make her happy then I will give it to her. I will allow her to do everything that she wanted even actually, deep inside of me I am jealous and hurt. To someone who is just a second choice, I guess it's really hard to win against the first, don't you think?"
As Kota heard what his step father said, he remembered Kei's condition. He knew that him and Yuto were lovers before, he even actually witness how he became so pathetic after their break up. He wonder if Kei was thinking the same way so he was not showing any jealousness at all. He was sacrificing things for the sake of his love ones and also he think that he can't win against someone who Kota first fall in love with. He wonder if Kei and his step father have the same way of thinking and view about being a second person to someone's life. "I think it was stupid to think that way." Kota replied back to him. "It's not for you to decide who will be that person going to choose over first and second. There are times that the second overturned the first. I'll be going… see you tonight."
Kota met Kei in the park and both greet each other normally. Since Kota was full of thoughts of how Kei really feels about him and their relationship he started to see him in a whole new way. He wanted to asked him but he didn't know where to start. Kei wanted to buy a book so their first destination was a bookstore. Kota just followed him coz he was not interested to browse anything. While gazing at the shelf something caught his attention and it was a magazine talking about a famous artists agency and it seems like they were planning to form a new group to debut. It is the same agency where Isshon officially debuted. He browsed the pages and there is a part where there is a picture of each Isshon's members. They became so famous with just a short period of time. He scanned the others pages and saw the interview on Yuya being the new model of Noric.
He put it back on the shelf and then tilted his head looking at the outside. As he saw people passed by he saw a familiar face that was walking with the crowd. It was his mother and she seems agitated. He knew that she will going to the grave of his father which he never actually visited before and actually it doesn't interest him at all since he can't remember who he was. He never heard anything about that man towards his mother's mouth and the only information that he have comes from his grandmother who told him that he was a freelance photographer. He remembered that when his grandmother was talking about him, there was a madness in her eyes like she hates her and didn't want to talk about him.
"Yabu?" Kei called his name. "Are you okay?" he asked him when he noticed that he was spacing out and looking outside despite calling him so many times.
"Ahhh… yeah…" Kota said. "Did you found your book?"
"Yeah… I'm just going to pay for it so can you wait outside?" Kei told him, Kota nodded his head.
Kota went out of the book store and he saw his mother again like she was troubled by something. Because of her anxiety and depression, she retired from her work and just stayed inside the house. She don't go outside that much unless she will going to market and when it was actually needed. Like him, it seems like crowded places make her feel uneasy and uncomfortable. Kei finally went out of the bookstore and again he noticed that Kota was spacing out. "Does going to the bookstore bore you?" Kei asked all of a sudden and that caught Kota off guard.
"Huh? O…of course not."
"Liar… if it's like that then you should not force yourself. I am fine coming alone."
"I told you it's not like that." Kota defended and then he saw his mother crossing the street. "Kei… can we make a detour?"
"What do you mean?"
"I feel like following someone." Kota answered. He grabbed Kei's hand and dragged him as they followed his mother to her way to his father's grave. Kei doesn't have any idea what was going on but he just go with the flow. They went to the train station and bought the same ticket as the woman in front of them and then rode the same train where his mother ride.
"Why are we going to Myojin?" Kei asked Kota when the train already moved.
"Well… you know that woman in black there… the one wearing a hat and sunglass." Kota described and Kei take a look at her. "He was my mother."
"Mo…mother? Your mother?" Kei asked surprised. "Wh…why are we following her?"
"She's going to my father's grave."
"R..Really…"
"I didn't know anything about him at all. I don't have any idea what kind of person he is. Mom didn't tell me anything, grandma just told me he was a freelance photographer and my memory said nothing about him. I never visited his grave since he died, maybe because I am in Hokkaido all this time and mom actually didn't brought me there to see him or she really didn't want me to see him. Today is his 7th death anniversary and yet..." Kota explained and then he noticed Kei's silence besides him like he was in deep thoughts. "What are you thinking?"
"I'm sorry." Kei apologized. "I didn't know that today is something… I guess I should not asked you to hang out today…"
"What are you talking about? Don't bother about it… today is the day of that accident, the day I lost everything that I have, memories, a father and my old self. Each year whenever this day come I always felt so terrified, I locked myself in my room and kept on asking my self why did that day come? But this year, unexpectedly, i… forget about today. Maybe because their was a certain someone who arrived in my life that change my perspective. If I didn't met you then maybe I am… the same as I was before."
"Sorry about coming on your life then…" Kei whispered. Kota was stunned when he saw Kei's blushing face and he thought that he was cute while blushing. He touched Kei's face and caress it gently. Afterwards he covers their front with his bag and then he kiss Kei on his lips for 3 seconds leaving Kei shocked with what he just did but Kota saw his blushing face again and it was pulling his heartstring and he wanted to kiss him again and so he did but this time it was just a touch on the lips, fortunately the train was not packed that time so no one can see them. Kei covered his mouth while looking at Kota as if asking why he did that all of a sudden but Kota didn't say anything anymore. He really think that Kei was cute while blushing and he wanted to see him that way. For some moment he was being unreasonable and doing whatever comes to his mind specially regarding Kei. Maybe he really falls head over heels over him.
The train finally stopped at their destination. Suzanne came out first before Kota and Kei followed her. From there she just walk the street and so the two also walk. It's the first time that Kota went to Myojin and he didn't know that it was a peaceful place and 2 hours away from the main city if riding the train. They continued to followed her when someone greeted Kei and he, on the other hand, also greeted back.
"Who was that?" Kota asked him.
"A friend."
"You have friend in this place?"
"Of course… I'm living here."
"Yo…you?" Kota asked him again. "I…I didn't know that you are from here. Why didn't you tell me?"
"You never ask."
"Kei, I am your boyfriend so you should tell me something important as this."
Kei put his pointing finger on his mouth and make a ssshhhhh sound. "Silence Yabu, what if your mother sees us?" he told him then Kei smiled.
…
Early morning Yuya wake up from the sound of his phone. He didn't want to answer the call but it kept on ringing and that leaves him no choice. It was Krono who called him and he talked about the coming party that he was organizing. "You want me to convince Kota to perform in the party?" Yuya asked him.
"His performance in the outreach program was outstanding and there were lots of girls who love his voice. He also have this stage value and also additional to that there was an agent from an entertainment agency that was interested to him… not only him actually but also you. He wanted to see the two of you perform again." Krono explained.
"Agency?"
"Yup. A big and really prominent agency have their eyes set on the two of you. Didn't you tell me that you like to sing more than modeling? This is a great opportunity for you and if you really wanted this you also need to convince Yabu."
"isn't this something you should do? You are the president of the Student's Council so this kind of stuffs is just an easy task for you. You can use your power to make anyone do whatever you wanted."
"Being the president didn't give you such kind of privilege besides Yabu is a type of person who refused instantly if he didn't like the offer but he was weak when it is a friend who asked him. You are closer to him compare to me."
"You are just giving me work that you didn't want to do. Besides you know how hard headed Yabu is right? I don't I can convince him with just my words and actually the two of us really don't have great relationship right now and I think you better asked Kei for this."
"Then asked Kei to convince Kota to do a performance with you." Krono concluded. "I still have lots to do. I will leave this job to you then… good luck."
…
After 15 minutes walk from the station, they finally reached the cemetery where Kota's father was buried. The place was so tranquil and cold because of the trees surrounding the area and also it was said in the weather report that winter season was about to start anytime soon. As they enter the entrance, Suzanne walk for another 5 minutes going uphill to finally reached the grave. Kei and Kota hide themselves in a trunk of a tree just near the grave. Suzanne put the flower that she bought and also put the bottle of wine besides it.
"Seto, I'm back." she whispered as she tap the tomb stone. "How are you?" she continued in a trembling voice. "I… I… I miss you so much."
Kota just listened to his mother's words while staying at the back of that tree. He knew she was crying, obvious because of the tone of her voice, trembling and sobbing. She burst into cries for a moment until she calm down and was able to talk in whisper. Even Kota can't hear her clearly he knew she was talking about things that happened to her life, family, friends and events. He was concentrating when he noticed Kei sitting down and trembling. He take off his jacket and then give it to Kei for his use. They stayed like that for an hour and half until Suzanne decided to leave. They didn't follow her anymore. Kei waited for Kota to say what he wanted to do next but for a minute they just stayed like that under that tree.
Kota have a deep breathe and then stretched up his arms. "Should we met my father?" he asked Kei.
The two went in front of the grave where Seto Yabu was written on it together with the date of his birth and death. Kei offered a prayer for him and Kota just stayed staring at it until he become satisfied. "I didn't know who you are but it seems like mom really loves you. I wonder… what kind of father you are." he asked but he think it was stupid since no one will response for him. "Mom, didn't want me to face you… I wonder why… maybe… she wanted ME to be lying there instead of YOU."
"Yabu."
"I can't help thinking about it." Kota muttered. "I know mom… I know mom hated me. Not even ones…that woman hug me. Even I called her mom, even we are living in a same house together I never felt that… she really cares for me. Kei, I am not a child anymore, I can see through her lies or actually she is too transparent to see that more than her kindness… she hated me the most and maybe it is because I live but HE died. You hear it right? She love this man so much that even 7 years have passed she still mourn about his disappearance."
"Don't say that."
"I wonder what will happen… if ever I am the one who…"
"I told you to stop saying that!" Kei snapped. "Don't say something like that in front of someone who was so glad that you are alive instead of that man."
"Kei…"
Kei looked away from Kota as he bite his lower lips. "Let's go. Say your goodbye already." he commanded. "I'll wait for you at the gate." he continued before he leave Kota alone.
Kota was shocked with what Kei said or more likely he was surprised coz it's the first time he heard Kei shouted seriously. But as he recalled his words, he realized what Kei really wanted to emphasized with his words and he just smiled and laugh a little and he felt regretful doubting if Kei really likes him or not. With what he just said, he just confessed that he really likes him. He tap the tomb stone and smiled. "It's nice to hear that someone is happy that I am alive." he whispered. For one last look, he stared at his father's grave."I wonder what kind of father you are and what kind of relationship we have. But no matter what it is maybe…this will be the first and last that I will go here. Seto Yabu… nice meeting you and then goodbye."
...
Daiki was standing straight in front of the principal's office. Even it's Saturday he still came to school to say something important that he spend time of thinking. He finally made his decision and he knows that it is for the best. "I… I'm going. I going to take the interview." Daiki answered.
"Finally, you made your decision."
"It took me a lot of time to think about it but now… I wanted to do it."
"If you don't mind can we know what made you hesitant at first to accept the offer? You know this is a really big opportunity for someone like you but you became hesitant to accept it… why?"
"I am… I am blinded I guess." Daiki answered. "I am blinded by the fantasy that I am trying my best to make real."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well I just thought that I can't leave this place coz I wanted to be with someone but then it didn't happened. I guess even I am gone his life will still go on. Even I am not around he will not bother to search for me." he explained. "Opening my eyes lead me to this decision. I will focus now more on my career more than anything else. I fulfill my dreams and then what's come next… I will just go with the flow."
"You've made a great decision Arioka-kun. I know you will not regret this." the principal said.
...
Kei rubbed his hand together to feel warm. Winter is about to start and the coldness become more unbearable. He was about to blow his hand when Kota grab his right hand and hold on it tightly. "Where did you want to go now, my princess?" he asked him like nothing happened.
"I… I'm sorry about shouting a while back."
"Why did you apologized? I thought for the first time, I see you as someone cool. Never heard your shouting voice before." Kota teased. "But shouting is not really your thing" he smirked. Kei wanted to let go of Kota's hand but he just hold on it tighter. "I don't care if my mother hate me as long as you love me then I am glad I am alive." he told him easily.
"I don't think you will be satisfied with that." Kei replied back. "Don't worry I'll help you make your mother accept you."
"As if that will be easy but you know what I've been wondering… what really happened in that accident? How did we entered that situation? Why am I with my father that time? What did happen that cause us that accident? There are still lots of questions and also… I am bothered by something as well." Kota said and then he remembered about the picture and he asked Kei that they should go to the elementary to confirm something. Kei accompanied him going to the elementary school. it was the same as the picture that he saw.
"What do you need something from this elementary school?"
"I think… we live in this place before."
"What do you mean?"
"Kei, I saw an old picture of me and mom and the background was this school and also if my father was buried in this place I think this is the place where we live before my accident. You know since I came here from Hokkaido I tried to search some traces of my past but I can't find anything and it is because our new residence is not part of my past. I think this place is where it all started." Kota told him. "Wa…wait… Kei you said that you came from here right?"
"I am. My house is just a walking distance from here."
"You're living here since you are young?"
"I am… since I am born."
"By any chance… did you… did you know me in the past?" Kota asked him seriously. It just come all of a sudden to his mind but he already think that it was impossible.
"I don't." Kei answered him. "We are living here but I didn't study in this place. I rarely go out as well and so I didn't know anyone that much." he continued. "Are you thinking that I knew you already before I met you?"
"Are you not?"
"I am not." Kei answered sincerely. "Yabu, I have a ticket for a Ferris wheel let's ride one." Kei said as he showed the ticket that he have. "It's a night time schedule so by the time we arrived at the city it's the exact time."
“Are you a girl? Why do you wanted to ride that on a date between two guys?”
“Don’t complain… I know you like to ride one as well.” Kei said all knowingly.
Kota didn't asked Kei anything anymore after that. As they ride the train they talk about other topic and never opened about the grave or his father or his mother. Two hours of traveling and finally they arrived at the theme park where Kei get the ticket. When Kei give the ticket to the girl who is assisting it was obvious to her face the wonder and awkwardness seeing two guys riding on it.
As it accelerated, Kei and Kota were both amazed of the view outside. The view is like a dark canvas painted with twinkling lights in different sizes. There's no doubt it was said that riding Ferris Wheel at night is the best coz you can really appreciate the ride. Kei sit down properly when he heard Kota's phone ring but he was not answering it at all. "Your phone is ringing, are you not going to check it?"
Kota pick up his phone and then he turned it off. "It's a date… I don't want any disturbances."
"What if it is important? What if it is Yuto?"
"Yuto will not contact me anymore." Kota told him. "Right now I am with you so nothing is more important than that.
"Yabu…"
"Also… I want you to stop calling me by my family name. Call me by my name… use it Kei."
“Your given name?” Kei asked. “K… Kota?”
“Yup… that's better.” Kota whispered and then he kiss Kei on his lips. “One more… call my name.”
“Kota.” Kei repeated and he was now blushing all over and he received another kiss from Kota.
“I want to stay like this forever.” Kota said. “I am so happy I met you.” he confessed then he caught Kei with his tight embraced. Kei hugged him back.
"Me too Kou… if only we could stay like this forever." he whispered.
I heard Kei's word clearly in my ears. It echoed deep inside my mind, playing continuously. It sounded differently, the tone, the pitch and the meaning. But I wonder why I didn't asked what is the meaning behind his words. I just leave him hugging me tightly like he didn't want to let go. The whole ride we stayed hugging each other. If only time could stop then that was the perfect moment.
A minute of fairy tale was over. Like Cinderella the magic have a time limit. Kei went out of the ride first. Kota stayed not moving for a moment. He doesn't feel good at all. He feel like if he went out things will change. It's not a good premonition and he wanted to pull Kei back inside. He didn't like what he was feeling but he can't explain what it was either.
"Kota, let's go. The ride is over." Kei told him. "Don't tell me you want to ride it again?"
What was this unsettling feeling? My heart was pumping so fast, my body feels warm but at the same time cold. Why do I have this feeling that it I came out of this place then my whole world will have a 360 degree turn I want to pull Kei back, I don't want to make things over tonight. I don't understand.. What is this sensation?
Kota step forward slowly and finally he went off the ride.
"Ahhh…" they heard a voice somewhere. "I knew it. It was you… the boy who sing in one program in Keiren Gakuen." he continued. He get his business card and then introduced his name to them. "Sorry for late introduction. I am Aritomo Souchi. I am a manager from Eito Entertainment. I am amazed by your voice when I watched the program and I knew you are perfect for the new group that we are planning to form. By any chance do you want to debut as a musician?"
That time I don't have any idea, I was not aware that his appearance means the start of everything.