[fic] Source of Happiness - Reita x Aoi - 6/?
Title : Source of Happiness
Chapter : 6/??
Author : kei_kyuuketsuki
Fandom : the GazettE, Alice Nine
Pairings : ReitaXAoi, ToraXAoi
Rating : R
Genre : AU, drama, angst
Warning : this chapter might be a little...mm...Slow?
Disclaimer : Hahaha…I only own the story… I told you…
Summary : that beautiful being catches Reita’s eyes. Unfortunately, the Beautiful Being already belongs to someone... To someone that doesn’t know how to be grateful with what he had…
Comments : it’s starting to get confusing… my Muses start to leave me on my own!! Help!! I need inspiration!!
Chapter 1: Beauty; Chapter 2: Innocent; Chapter 3: View; Chapter 4: Blame; Chapter 5: Truth
INTEREST
That day, Aoi’s class was over. He waited in front of his campus for Tora. His fingers were busy pressing Ogre’s buttons. It was already the eleventh time Aoi put his black cellphone to his ear just only to hear Tora’s voice that he recorded for his mailbox.
“What are you doing actually..!?” Aoi said it in a low voice - more to himself since he was alone that time - with a irritated tone. He sent an email to Tora. The email was the umpteenth time that Aoi sent to Tora.
Tora didn’t have any class today, but he promised he would pick Aoi up today. It was already more then hour ago Aoi waited but Tora didn’t show himself. Aoi just couldn’t take the risk to ask some of his class mates to accompany his while he was waiting for Tora. If Tora showed up, it will be trouble for Aoi.
Actually, Aoi just hate to wait. He wanted to go about half an hour ago. But he remembered what Tora had told him. Aoi HAD to wait for Tora no matter how late Tora would be. If Aoi weren’t there when Tora came to pick him up, Aoi would be considered not loyal to Tora. From that kind of case, Tora could see whether Aoi had the trust in Tora or not.
But still…
Aoi’s cellphone rang. An email notification popped in its screen. Aoi looked at his black cellphone screen. He sighed a disappointed breath when he read it was Kai’s name that appeared. He opened the email and read it.
“I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you. Tora’s cellphone was left in my place. The battery was out and he didn’t have the time to recharge it. Tora told me that he had an errand so you have to go home by yourself. Be careful on your way HOME.”
Again, Aoi sigh. “Great…” Aoi said as he put Ogre back into his sling back. He was just about to walked to the closest bus stop when he thought about something. Aoi stopped his feet and opened his sling bag. He took Chizuru and typed an email. After he sent it, he waited for awhile.
Aoi was tapping his foot when he waited for a reply. When his white cellphone rang, he stopped tapping and immediately looked at Chizuru. He read the email he received. Smiling, Aoi put his white cellphone back into his sling bag and he walked in a light steps.
*
Aoi stopped in front of a café. He looked at the wood board on the café’s door. “Sumire ~ Library Café” was the name of the café. Aoi pushed the café’s door and entered the cozy place.
“Welcome!” The waitress greeted Aoi. Aoi could guess that the girl was a waitress from the long black apron the girl wore.
Aoi nodded politely to the waitress. He walked slowly while his gaze was fixed to every sides of the place. The café was styled in European. The tables in that place were made from wood. The bookshelf were also made from wood. The chairs in few tables were the only thing that using futuristic design with fiber as its back rest and stainless as its legs.
Aoi walked deeper into the café and found the atmosphere looked even more luxurious. The tables there were surrounded with sofas. In one side of the café was a terrace. There was placed a long table and high chairs for those who wanted to enjoy the scenery outside the café. Inside the quarters, there was a stair to the second floor. The stair was could be accessed by the employees only.
Aoi took a seat at the sofa that was facing the stair. The waitress from before was came to him and asked Aoi for his order. Aoi used that opportunity to ask the girl. “Excuse me. I’m looking for someone who works here. His name’s Reita?”
“Oh! A friend of Reita,” the girl smiled. “Please wait for a moment, Sir. I’ll call him for you.” The girl bowed before she ascended the stair in front of Aoi.
Aoi didn’t have to wait for too long until he saw Reita stepped down the stair. The girl from before was following Reita from behind. She giggled. Reita looked at Aoi and he was surprised. That time, Reita wore a white shirt, with black pants and, of course, the same long black apron. The girl’s giggling getting more uncontrollable. Reita looked at his partner and asked her to stop it. It made Aoi smile.
Reita asked the waitress to leave him alone when Reita get closer to Aoi. “Wh-what are you doing here?” Reita asked nervously.
“Looking for you,” Aoi said as he pointing at Chizuru in his hand.
“So that’s how you look for me? You send me an email, asking me where am I right now, and after that, you stealthy come to this place and surprised me like this?”
“That’s right,” Aoi said with a giggle.
That was the smile that Reita was longing for and Reita was really happy to see it right now. “Oh, mm…” Reita was hesitated. “Are you… alone?”
“As you can see…” Aoi nodded. “By the way, what are you and your friend was talking about earlier?”
“Hm? Oh! That was… nothing… really.” Reita said when rubbed his nose as he suppressed his laughter. “Oh, have you ordered anything?”
“Not yet. I want black coffee.”
“Right. The same beverage as the one you ordered in campus cafeteria,” Reita said with a wink. “Please wait for your order, Sir. I’ll get one for you.” Aoi giggled again at that. “Oh, while waiting, if you want to, you can look at the books here. I’ll be right back with your order, ‘kay?” After that, Reita left Aoi alone in his place.
Aoi just smiled. He then looked at his surroundings. He stood and walked slowly to one of the bookshelf. Aoi was amazed with the books collection he saw there. There were a lot of books with many subjects. Looked like you can find any books you want here.
Aoi stopped when he saw a book about guitar. He took it and looked at the cover. It was black with half guitar’s body pictured on it. Interested with the cover, Aoi took it and got back to his seat. He opened the book and started to read it.
Reita’s voice was the only thing that could diverted Aoi's attention from the book.
“Here’s your order, Sir,” Reita said with a smile.
Aoi looked at Reita. “Oh, thank you,” he said when he saw Reita placed a cup of black coffee in front of Aoi “Mm… are you busy?”
Reita looked at the whole room. There were only four table occupied that time. Two tables were occupied by each a man and a woman that were busy with their book. The other two tables were occupied with each two people. One table occupied by lovebirds that were talking happily, and the other table was occupied by two boys who looked very busy with notebook in front of each of them.
“No. I think I’m free.”
Aoi smiled. “Well then, sit…”
“Eh..!?” Reita said disbelievingly. Aoi didn’t answer. He just smiled as he pointed to the empty sofa in front of him. “Oh… ok…” Reita still hesitated.
“You can go if your help is needed,” Aoi said as he closed the book and put it beside the coffee cup. He took the cup and blew it few times before sipping the black coffee. “The coffee’s nice. Who made this?”
“Me,” Reita said proudly.
“Really? You’re talented in this one.”
“I am.” And they giggled together.
“This place’s nice too…” Aoi said when he looked at that place once again.
“Isn’t it?” Reita said cheerfully. “That’s why I like working here!”
Aoi was dazzled by that cheerful behavior. “Mm… that means you can recommended me some interesting books here?”
Reita hummed as he looked to a bookshelf right behind Aoi. “Oh, wait a second…” Reita stood up and walked to the bookshelf. He took one book and got back to his sofa. He placed the book on the table, in front of Aoi so he could let Aoi see it. Reita was surprised when Aoi laughed. “What?”
“Through the Looking-Glass?” Aoi asked disbelievingly. “Reita, you gave me a book about fairy tale?”
“It’s not a fairy tale, Aoi.” Reita pouted. “It’s surrealist.”
“Surrealist..?” Aoi didn’t really sure with that he just heard.
“Just read it first, ok? After that, tell me what you think about the book,” Reita said when he smiled.
“Hm… sounds interesting…” Aoi took the book and read the essence at the back of the book. “So, am I have to sign myself here to borrow this book, or?”
“Oh! So you’re really interested?” Reita asked in a cheerful tone. “If you want to, we can make a member card for you. Of course, if you have the card, you can get the facilities that you won’t get if you’re not a member.”
Aoi laughed. “That’s it! That’s what I’ve been waiting for: you talked to me in a persuasive way like that!” Aoi giggled. “You ARE talented, Rei…”
“Hey, I’ve told you, right? I like working here. Moreover, it becomes more pleasurable if I have an enchanting customer like you.” Reita’s words sirprised Aoi so much. Reita realized Aoi’s surprise and coughed a little. “I… ugh… I’m sorry. I mean… you…”
Aoi smiled. “No. Really. Thank you. It’s okay… I’m happy if I could make people happy too with my existence.”
Both of them smiled. After that, Aoi was agreed to become the café’s member. Reita took a sheet of form for Aoi to fill it. Until Aoi got his member card, Aoi could only borrow one book. Aoi didn’t mind it ‘cause he knew that he will return to that place. Aoi couldn’t count it how many times Tora had left him like this and - Aoi thought that - today was not the last time for Tora treated him. IF, one day, Tora would leave him again like this, Aoi could come to this café and make him forget about the things that saddened him.
“Aoi,” Reita called.
“Yes?”
“Mm… did Tora know that you’re here?”
“Are you out of your mind?” Aoi asked with laughter. “Of course he didn’t know I’m here. If he finds out, I’ll be dead.”
Reita fell silent. Yes, that’s right. Aoi won’t let Tora knew about this. Reita just wanted to know what made Aoi came to this place in the first place. Aoi was looking for him and that must had something to do with Tora. Reita was just wanted to ask about it when Aoi preceded him.
“Tora didn’t pick me up today…” Aoi said. “He didn’t have a class but he promised me to pick me up at the campus…”
“He got an errand?”
“Oh, must you ask?” Aoi asked in a high tone. Reita was stunned when he heard it. Aoi felt really guilty when he saw Reita’s expression. “I… I’m sorry. Well, that’s the same question that I was thinking while I was waiting for him at the campus back then. Tora had an errand, of course. But I don’t know what it was.”
Ruki. That was the only thing that Reita could think of.
“I was waiting for him for more than hour, Rei. But Tora didn’t-“ Aoi’s words were cut off when he heard Ogre rang. He got an email. Aoi opened his sling bag and took his black cellphone. He read the email and, “Great…” that was the only thing he said.
“Something… wrong?” Reita asked cautiously. Aoi didn’t say anything. He just handed Ogre to Reita and let Reita read it by himself. “Out of the town?” Reita read the email. It was from Kai. Kai told Aoi that Tora would be gone for two days.
“Maybe with Ruki… I don’t know…” Aoi closed his eyes.
Aoi fells silent and so was Reita. Reita gasped when he saw a tear fell silently on Aoi’s cheek. Aoi wiped his tear immediately. He rubbed his eyes also to prevent his other tears fell. Reita gave him a box of tissue on that table to Aoi.
“Thank you…” Aoi said as he took one piece of tissue from the box. He wiped his tears again and said, “At least… today I don’t have to go to his apartment… and I’ll be free until two days ahead.” Aoi tried to show his smile.
It was a fake smile. Reita knew it, and he didn’t like it. Reita didn’t know why, but he just had the obligation to erase the fake smile from Aoi’s face.
“Mm… if you’re free tomorrow… mind to accompany me?” Reita asked.
“Eh..!?”
“Tomorrow’s Sunday, right? I don’t have any shift here tomorrow. Uruha have a date with Saga-”
“Saga?” Aoi asked when he heard the name he didn’t know.
“Oh, he’s our friend in high school…”
“Oh, I see… so?” Aoi wanted Reita to continue his words.
“So, I’m alone tomorrow. It will be sucks: alone in Sunday. I think probably you will get bored easily when you’re alone at weekend, right? So, why don’t we spend it together?” asked Reita, smiling.
“Where?”
“Mm… there’s a film I want to watch. How about that? Maybe you’ll like it too.”
Aoi thought about it for a moment. Then, he smiled. “That will be nice.”
“Great! Then, tomorrow, what time can I pick you up?”
“Eh!?” Aoi was surprised. “No. I don’t want to bother you. Really. We can meet up in certain place. I think-”
“Welcome!” It was the waitress voice. There’s another customer entered the café.
“I think you should be going,” Aoi said with a sad smile. “Mm… what time do you got off work today?”
Reita looked at the clock that was hanged on the wall behind the counter. “About… two more hours.”
“Ok. I’ll call you after you got home and talk about tomorrow…”
“OK…”
“Well, I’ll be going now…” Aoi said after he sipped his coffee.
“You don’t want to spend your time here? A little longer?”
Aoi looked at Reita. He wanted to. But he just could hold Reita any longer. The longer he would be in this café, the longer he wanted Reita to accompany him all the time. “I’m okay. Thank you very much for everything, Rei…”
“Oh, I see…” Reita said in a low voice. “No, I’m thank you…”
“No, really. You saved me from boredom, Rei…”
Reita chuckled. “You’re welcome, then. Like I told you before, it was very nice to have a customer like you,” Reita said with a smile.
“Thank you again, Rei,” Aoi said. “So, I’m going to pay for the co-”
Reita held Aoi’s hand. “It’s on me.”
“But-”
“It’s on me, Aoi.” Reita smiled.
Aoi just didn’t know what to say. “May I thanking you again?”
Reita chuckled. “Do it next time.”
Aoi stood from his sofa and Reita followed him. Reita escorted Aoi to the café’s front door. “I’ll call you later, ‘kay?”
“I’ll wait for it,” Reita said. “Be careful on your way home.”
“Thank you again,” Aoi said with a smile before he walked away from the café. It was a short moment, but he really enjoyed his time with Reita. Before he took a turn at the end of the street, he looked back to the café. Reita was still standing there, looking at him. Aoi smiled, and Reita did too. Aoi then continue his walking.
*
After his shift was over, Reita change his costume into the more casual clothes. He walked out from the café with his bag. He wore a brown jacket, jeans, and a blue cap. It was the same costume with the one Aoi saw in the campus this morning. Reita walked to the opposite way from where Aoi stood. Secretly, Aoi followed Reita.
Yes, Aoi hadn’t got home since he left the café two hours ago. Aoi was just walking around the place to kill the time. He even played at the game center, one thing he never did before. Aoi didn’t think about the score he got on the game. He didn’t think about the coin he spent. Aoi just wanted to wait for Reita until he ended his shift. He just wanted to know where Reita will go after he got off of his work.
Aoi followed Reita when he took a train. It was hard for Aoi to found out Reita’s destination. But he got it anyway. It was not pretty crowded in the train. So, Aoi stood a little far from Reita so he didn’t have to make Reita got suspicious for stalking him like this.
When they got off of the train, Reita walked for few minutes until he stopped in front of a white building. Reita entered the white building. From afar, Aoi concluded that that was Reita’s apartment.
Aoi smiled. He chose to sit on a bench not far from the building. He opened his sling bag and took Chizuru out. Aoi typed an email but didn’t send it immediately. He waited for about three minutes before he pressed the ‘send’ button.
Aoi didn’t wait too long until he received the reply.
“Right on! I’ve just arrived at my apartment. What about you? What are you doing now?”
I replied the email. “Reading the book you recommended to me.” Aoi lied. He had to do that. He just couldn’t say that he was following Reita all the time, right?
The reply came. “You’re really interested in it. ^_^ how many page have you read?”
“Eight…” Aoi typed a random number.
“What!? Aoi! Really. You made a pretty slow progresses since you left Sumire! (laugh) Now you know that THAT book is not mere fairy tale.”
“Yeah, you're right. I did had to read it few times..^^;”
“You don't have to do it. Just enjoy the story first. If you keep reread it all the time, next week, when you have to return the book, you haven't finish reading it. (laugh)”
“Oh, really? (laugh) so then, I'll close the book for now. I'll read it again if my brain can cooperate with me.”
“Hey! I thought you're pretty smart at books. (laugh) That kind of reminding me to my Pesky-book.”
“Is that a compliment? (pout)” Aoi laughed when typed those words.
“(laugh) no, don't be like that, Aoi. I was kidding. I know you're good at everything. (wink) Oh, you already have your dinner, haven't you?”
Aoi was surprised as he read Reita's last email. It was something that could make Aoi's heart felt something warm. It's a care that Aoi rarely got from Tora. Aoi smiled. “Yes, Reita.” Another lie. He hadn't eat anything since he just waited for Reita and he was following Reita all the time. “You already have your dinner too, right?”
“Just a snack. Maybe I'll ordered something. I don't know. I just too tired to think. (laugh).”
“Why you have to think? You can just find it by looking out from your window, right? Maybe you'll find a nice place for your dinner tonight?” It was just Aoi's way to find out where's Reita's room.
“There were not much place to be seen from third floor, Aoi...:)”
Bingo! “Third floor? Where are your windows facing at?”
“To the front of this building. What was it...north? If I open my window, can you see me? (laugh)”
Aoi smiled at those words. “Try to open it.” Aoi looked at the white building. His gaze stopped at the third floor windows. He waited for which window will be opened.
And there it was. Someone was opening the closest window to his position. Aoi could see Reita showed his head a bit from his window. Reita looked far to the sky and smiled. That smile made Aoi smiled too. He then saw when Reita typed something on his cellphone.
Chizuru vibrated. Aoi looked at his white cellphone and there's email from Reita. Aoi read it. “Now, can you see me?”
“Yes, Reita. I can see you...” said Aoi in a low voice, more to himself. He smiled. Aoi then sent his reply to Reita, “I can imagine you.”
There, Reita laughed after he read the email that Aoi sent to him. After that, they continued their conversation about their plan tomorrow. They'll meet at the closest train station from Sumire at ten o'clock.
***+++...___...___...+++***
A/N: there. I'll wrap it like that. I hope theres nothing wrong with this chapter since I typed it in the internet cafe. *grin*
Well, please, please, I need your comment and critics. It's so much love for me. ;-*
Chapter : 6/??
Author : kei_kyuuketsuki
Fandom : the GazettE, Alice Nine
Pairings : ReitaXAoi, ToraXAoi
Rating : R
Genre : AU, drama, angst
Warning : this chapter might be a little...mm...Slow?
Disclaimer : Hahaha…I only own the story… I told you…
Summary : that beautiful being catches Reita’s eyes. Unfortunately, the Beautiful Being already belongs to someone... To someone that doesn’t know how to be grateful with what he had…
Comments : it’s starting to get confusing… my Muses start to leave me on my own!! Help!! I need inspiration!!
Chapter 1: Beauty; Chapter 2: Innocent; Chapter 3: View; Chapter 4: Blame; Chapter 5: Truth
INTEREST
That day, Aoi’s class was over. He waited in front of his campus for Tora. His fingers were busy pressing Ogre’s buttons. It was already the eleventh time Aoi put his black cellphone to his ear just only to hear Tora’s voice that he recorded for his mailbox.
“What are you doing actually..!?” Aoi said it in a low voice - more to himself since he was alone that time - with a irritated tone. He sent an email to Tora. The email was the umpteenth time that Aoi sent to Tora.
Tora didn’t have any class today, but he promised he would pick Aoi up today. It was already more then hour ago Aoi waited but Tora didn’t show himself. Aoi just couldn’t take the risk to ask some of his class mates to accompany his while he was waiting for Tora. If Tora showed up, it will be trouble for Aoi.
Actually, Aoi just hate to wait. He wanted to go about half an hour ago. But he remembered what Tora had told him. Aoi HAD to wait for Tora no matter how late Tora would be. If Aoi weren’t there when Tora came to pick him up, Aoi would be considered not loyal to Tora. From that kind of case, Tora could see whether Aoi had the trust in Tora or not.
But still…
Aoi’s cellphone rang. An email notification popped in its screen. Aoi looked at his black cellphone screen. He sighed a disappointed breath when he read it was Kai’s name that appeared. He opened the email and read it.
“I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you. Tora’s cellphone was left in my place. The battery was out and he didn’t have the time to recharge it. Tora told me that he had an errand so you have to go home by yourself. Be careful on your way HOME.”
Again, Aoi sigh. “Great…” Aoi said as he put Ogre back into his sling back. He was just about to walked to the closest bus stop when he thought about something. Aoi stopped his feet and opened his sling bag. He took Chizuru and typed an email. After he sent it, he waited for awhile.
Aoi was tapping his foot when he waited for a reply. When his white cellphone rang, he stopped tapping and immediately looked at Chizuru. He read the email he received. Smiling, Aoi put his white cellphone back into his sling bag and he walked in a light steps.
*
Aoi stopped in front of a café. He looked at the wood board on the café’s door. “Sumire ~ Library Café” was the name of the café. Aoi pushed the café’s door and entered the cozy place.
“Welcome!” The waitress greeted Aoi. Aoi could guess that the girl was a waitress from the long black apron the girl wore.
Aoi nodded politely to the waitress. He walked slowly while his gaze was fixed to every sides of the place. The café was styled in European. The tables in that place were made from wood. The bookshelf were also made from wood. The chairs in few tables were the only thing that using futuristic design with fiber as its back rest and stainless as its legs.
Aoi walked deeper into the café and found the atmosphere looked even more luxurious. The tables there were surrounded with sofas. In one side of the café was a terrace. There was placed a long table and high chairs for those who wanted to enjoy the scenery outside the café. Inside the quarters, there was a stair to the second floor. The stair was could be accessed by the employees only.
Aoi took a seat at the sofa that was facing the stair. The waitress from before was came to him and asked Aoi for his order. Aoi used that opportunity to ask the girl. “Excuse me. I’m looking for someone who works here. His name’s Reita?”
“Oh! A friend of Reita,” the girl smiled. “Please wait for a moment, Sir. I’ll call him for you.” The girl bowed before she ascended the stair in front of Aoi.
Aoi didn’t have to wait for too long until he saw Reita stepped down the stair. The girl from before was following Reita from behind. She giggled. Reita looked at Aoi and he was surprised. That time, Reita wore a white shirt, with black pants and, of course, the same long black apron. The girl’s giggling getting more uncontrollable. Reita looked at his partner and asked her to stop it. It made Aoi smile.
Reita asked the waitress to leave him alone when Reita get closer to Aoi. “Wh-what are you doing here?” Reita asked nervously.
“Looking for you,” Aoi said as he pointing at Chizuru in his hand.
“So that’s how you look for me? You send me an email, asking me where am I right now, and after that, you stealthy come to this place and surprised me like this?”
“That’s right,” Aoi said with a giggle.
That was the smile that Reita was longing for and Reita was really happy to see it right now. “Oh, mm…” Reita was hesitated. “Are you… alone?”
“As you can see…” Aoi nodded. “By the way, what are you and your friend was talking about earlier?”
“Hm? Oh! That was… nothing… really.” Reita said when rubbed his nose as he suppressed his laughter. “Oh, have you ordered anything?”
“Not yet. I want black coffee.”
“Right. The same beverage as the one you ordered in campus cafeteria,” Reita said with a wink. “Please wait for your order, Sir. I’ll get one for you.” Aoi giggled again at that. “Oh, while waiting, if you want to, you can look at the books here. I’ll be right back with your order, ‘kay?” After that, Reita left Aoi alone in his place.
Aoi just smiled. He then looked at his surroundings. He stood and walked slowly to one of the bookshelf. Aoi was amazed with the books collection he saw there. There were a lot of books with many subjects. Looked like you can find any books you want here.
Aoi stopped when he saw a book about guitar. He took it and looked at the cover. It was black with half guitar’s body pictured on it. Interested with the cover, Aoi took it and got back to his seat. He opened the book and started to read it.
Reita’s voice was the only thing that could diverted Aoi's attention from the book.
“Here’s your order, Sir,” Reita said with a smile.
Aoi looked at Reita. “Oh, thank you,” he said when he saw Reita placed a cup of black coffee in front of Aoi “Mm… are you busy?”
Reita looked at the whole room. There were only four table occupied that time. Two tables were occupied by each a man and a woman that were busy with their book. The other two tables were occupied with each two people. One table occupied by lovebirds that were talking happily, and the other table was occupied by two boys who looked very busy with notebook in front of each of them.
“No. I think I’m free.”
Aoi smiled. “Well then, sit…”
“Eh..!?” Reita said disbelievingly. Aoi didn’t answer. He just smiled as he pointed to the empty sofa in front of him. “Oh… ok…” Reita still hesitated.
“You can go if your help is needed,” Aoi said as he closed the book and put it beside the coffee cup. He took the cup and blew it few times before sipping the black coffee. “The coffee’s nice. Who made this?”
“Me,” Reita said proudly.
“Really? You’re talented in this one.”
“I am.” And they giggled together.
“This place’s nice too…” Aoi said when he looked at that place once again.
“Isn’t it?” Reita said cheerfully. “That’s why I like working here!”
Aoi was dazzled by that cheerful behavior. “Mm… that means you can recommended me some interesting books here?”
Reita hummed as he looked to a bookshelf right behind Aoi. “Oh, wait a second…” Reita stood up and walked to the bookshelf. He took one book and got back to his sofa. He placed the book on the table, in front of Aoi so he could let Aoi see it. Reita was surprised when Aoi laughed. “What?”
“Through the Looking-Glass?” Aoi asked disbelievingly. “Reita, you gave me a book about fairy tale?”
“It’s not a fairy tale, Aoi.” Reita pouted. “It’s surrealist.”
“Surrealist..?” Aoi didn’t really sure with that he just heard.
“Just read it first, ok? After that, tell me what you think about the book,” Reita said when he smiled.
“Hm… sounds interesting…” Aoi took the book and read the essence at the back of the book. “So, am I have to sign myself here to borrow this book, or?”
“Oh! So you’re really interested?” Reita asked in a cheerful tone. “If you want to, we can make a member card for you. Of course, if you have the card, you can get the facilities that you won’t get if you’re not a member.”
Aoi laughed. “That’s it! That’s what I’ve been waiting for: you talked to me in a persuasive way like that!” Aoi giggled. “You ARE talented, Rei…”
“Hey, I’ve told you, right? I like working here. Moreover, it becomes more pleasurable if I have an enchanting customer like you.” Reita’s words sirprised Aoi so much. Reita realized Aoi’s surprise and coughed a little. “I… ugh… I’m sorry. I mean… you…”
Aoi smiled. “No. Really. Thank you. It’s okay… I’m happy if I could make people happy too with my existence.”
Both of them smiled. After that, Aoi was agreed to become the café’s member. Reita took a sheet of form for Aoi to fill it. Until Aoi got his member card, Aoi could only borrow one book. Aoi didn’t mind it ‘cause he knew that he will return to that place. Aoi couldn’t count it how many times Tora had left him like this and - Aoi thought that - today was not the last time for Tora treated him. IF, one day, Tora would leave him again like this, Aoi could come to this café and make him forget about the things that saddened him.
“Aoi,” Reita called.
“Yes?”
“Mm… did Tora know that you’re here?”
“Are you out of your mind?” Aoi asked with laughter. “Of course he didn’t know I’m here. If he finds out, I’ll be dead.”
Reita fell silent. Yes, that’s right. Aoi won’t let Tora knew about this. Reita just wanted to know what made Aoi came to this place in the first place. Aoi was looking for him and that must had something to do with Tora. Reita was just wanted to ask about it when Aoi preceded him.
“Tora didn’t pick me up today…” Aoi said. “He didn’t have a class but he promised me to pick me up at the campus…”
“He got an errand?”
“Oh, must you ask?” Aoi asked in a high tone. Reita was stunned when he heard it. Aoi felt really guilty when he saw Reita’s expression. “I… I’m sorry. Well, that’s the same question that I was thinking while I was waiting for him at the campus back then. Tora had an errand, of course. But I don’t know what it was.”
Ruki. That was the only thing that Reita could think of.
“I was waiting for him for more than hour, Rei. But Tora didn’t-“ Aoi’s words were cut off when he heard Ogre rang. He got an email. Aoi opened his sling bag and took his black cellphone. He read the email and, “Great…” that was the only thing he said.
“Something… wrong?” Reita asked cautiously. Aoi didn’t say anything. He just handed Ogre to Reita and let Reita read it by himself. “Out of the town?” Reita read the email. It was from Kai. Kai told Aoi that Tora would be gone for two days.
“Maybe with Ruki… I don’t know…” Aoi closed his eyes.
Aoi fells silent and so was Reita. Reita gasped when he saw a tear fell silently on Aoi’s cheek. Aoi wiped his tear immediately. He rubbed his eyes also to prevent his other tears fell. Reita gave him a box of tissue on that table to Aoi.
“Thank you…” Aoi said as he took one piece of tissue from the box. He wiped his tears again and said, “At least… today I don’t have to go to his apartment… and I’ll be free until two days ahead.” Aoi tried to show his smile.
It was a fake smile. Reita knew it, and he didn’t like it. Reita didn’t know why, but he just had the obligation to erase the fake smile from Aoi’s face.
“Mm… if you’re free tomorrow… mind to accompany me?” Reita asked.
“Eh..!?”
“Tomorrow’s Sunday, right? I don’t have any shift here tomorrow. Uruha have a date with Saga-”
“Saga?” Aoi asked when he heard the name he didn’t know.
“Oh, he’s our friend in high school…”
“Oh, I see… so?” Aoi wanted Reita to continue his words.
“So, I’m alone tomorrow. It will be sucks: alone in Sunday. I think probably you will get bored easily when you’re alone at weekend, right? So, why don’t we spend it together?” asked Reita, smiling.
“Where?”
“Mm… there’s a film I want to watch. How about that? Maybe you’ll like it too.”
Aoi thought about it for a moment. Then, he smiled. “That will be nice.”
“Great! Then, tomorrow, what time can I pick you up?”
“Eh!?” Aoi was surprised. “No. I don’t want to bother you. Really. We can meet up in certain place. I think-”
“Welcome!” It was the waitress voice. There’s another customer entered the café.
“I think you should be going,” Aoi said with a sad smile. “Mm… what time do you got off work today?”
Reita looked at the clock that was hanged on the wall behind the counter. “About… two more hours.”
“Ok. I’ll call you after you got home and talk about tomorrow…”
“OK…”
“Well, I’ll be going now…” Aoi said after he sipped his coffee.
“You don’t want to spend your time here? A little longer?”
Aoi looked at Reita. He wanted to. But he just could hold Reita any longer. The longer he would be in this café, the longer he wanted Reita to accompany him all the time. “I’m okay. Thank you very much for everything, Rei…”
“Oh, I see…” Reita said in a low voice. “No, I’m thank you…”
“No, really. You saved me from boredom, Rei…”
Reita chuckled. “You’re welcome, then. Like I told you before, it was very nice to have a customer like you,” Reita said with a smile.
“Thank you again, Rei,” Aoi said. “So, I’m going to pay for the co-”
Reita held Aoi’s hand. “It’s on me.”
“But-”
“It’s on me, Aoi.” Reita smiled.
Aoi just didn’t know what to say. “May I thanking you again?”
Reita chuckled. “Do it next time.”
Aoi stood from his sofa and Reita followed him. Reita escorted Aoi to the café’s front door. “I’ll call you later, ‘kay?”
“I’ll wait for it,” Reita said. “Be careful on your way home.”
“Thank you again,” Aoi said with a smile before he walked away from the café. It was a short moment, but he really enjoyed his time with Reita. Before he took a turn at the end of the street, he looked back to the café. Reita was still standing there, looking at him. Aoi smiled, and Reita did too. Aoi then continue his walking.
*
After his shift was over, Reita change his costume into the more casual clothes. He walked out from the café with his bag. He wore a brown jacket, jeans, and a blue cap. It was the same costume with the one Aoi saw in the campus this morning. Reita walked to the opposite way from where Aoi stood. Secretly, Aoi followed Reita.
Yes, Aoi hadn’t got home since he left the café two hours ago. Aoi was just walking around the place to kill the time. He even played at the game center, one thing he never did before. Aoi didn’t think about the score he got on the game. He didn’t think about the coin he spent. Aoi just wanted to wait for Reita until he ended his shift. He just wanted to know where Reita will go after he got off of his work.
Aoi followed Reita when he took a train. It was hard for Aoi to found out Reita’s destination. But he got it anyway. It was not pretty crowded in the train. So, Aoi stood a little far from Reita so he didn’t have to make Reita got suspicious for stalking him like this.
When they got off of the train, Reita walked for few minutes until he stopped in front of a white building. Reita entered the white building. From afar, Aoi concluded that that was Reita’s apartment.
Aoi smiled. He chose to sit on a bench not far from the building. He opened his sling bag and took Chizuru out. Aoi typed an email but didn’t send it immediately. He waited for about three minutes before he pressed the ‘send’ button.
Aoi didn’t wait too long until he received the reply.
“Right on! I’ve just arrived at my apartment. What about you? What are you doing now?”
I replied the email. “Reading the book you recommended to me.” Aoi lied. He had to do that. He just couldn’t say that he was following Reita all the time, right?
The reply came. “You’re really interested in it. ^_^ how many page have you read?”
“Eight…” Aoi typed a random number.
“What!? Aoi! Really. You made a pretty slow progresses since you left Sumire! (laugh) Now you know that THAT book is not mere fairy tale.”
“Yeah, you're right. I did had to read it few times..^^;”
“You don't have to do it. Just enjoy the story first. If you keep reread it all the time, next week, when you have to return the book, you haven't finish reading it. (laugh)”
“Oh, really? (laugh) so then, I'll close the book for now. I'll read it again if my brain can cooperate with me.”
“Hey! I thought you're pretty smart at books. (laugh) That kind of reminding me to my Pesky-book.”
“Is that a compliment? (pout)” Aoi laughed when typed those words.
“(laugh) no, don't be like that, Aoi. I was kidding. I know you're good at everything. (wink) Oh, you already have your dinner, haven't you?”
Aoi was surprised as he read Reita's last email. It was something that could make Aoi's heart felt something warm. It's a care that Aoi rarely got from Tora. Aoi smiled. “Yes, Reita.” Another lie. He hadn't eat anything since he just waited for Reita and he was following Reita all the time. “You already have your dinner too, right?”
“Just a snack. Maybe I'll ordered something. I don't know. I just too tired to think. (laugh).”
“Why you have to think? You can just find it by looking out from your window, right? Maybe you'll find a nice place for your dinner tonight?” It was just Aoi's way to find out where's Reita's room.
“There were not much place to be seen from third floor, Aoi...:)”
Bingo! “Third floor? Where are your windows facing at?”
“To the front of this building. What was it...north? If I open my window, can you see me? (laugh)”
Aoi smiled at those words. “Try to open it.” Aoi looked at the white building. His gaze stopped at the third floor windows. He waited for which window will be opened.
And there it was. Someone was opening the closest window to his position. Aoi could see Reita showed his head a bit from his window. Reita looked far to the sky and smiled. That smile made Aoi smiled too. He then saw when Reita typed something on his cellphone.
Chizuru vibrated. Aoi looked at his white cellphone and there's email from Reita. Aoi read it. “Now, can you see me?”
“Yes, Reita. I can see you...” said Aoi in a low voice, more to himself. He smiled. Aoi then sent his reply to Reita, “I can imagine you.”
There, Reita laughed after he read the email that Aoi sent to him. After that, they continued their conversation about their plan tomorrow. They'll meet at the closest train station from Sumire at ten o'clock.
***+++...___...___...+++***
A/N: there. I'll wrap it like that. I hope theres nothing wrong with this chapter since I typed it in the internet cafe. *grin*
Well, please, please, I need your comment and critics. It's so much love for me. ;-*