After searching for almost thirty minutes, Keith inevitably found his keys, which made his day all the better. After that, he walked from Nishi-Shinjuku to Kabukichō which was approximately a 64-minute walk, depending on the pace.
He reached his aunt's house, then the memory of his argument with his mother returned, but he shrugged it off, choosing to forget completely about that person who was no more than a hindrance to his life.
As Keith opened the gate, he noticed his umbrella, the one he had dropped when he stormed off. He took it, opened the gate, and entered. He unlocked the door, and the nostalgic smell of home sweet home embraced his nose.
Then he entered and closed the door behind himself. He walked through the house and immersed himself in the environment where he basically grew up. He had made a lot of good memories here, so being away from it was quite awful.
He slid into his room and immediately changed his clothes. He was now wearing a white shirt that read: "Otaku vibes" on the front with bold black letters. While on the back, it read: "Introvert for life"
A few minutes later he threw himself on his bed and then he just lay there with his hands behind his head as he looked around his room, then he focused on the ceiling, his face darting back to everything that happened to him in just a span of two days.
"A lot has happened these past few days. To think I'd meet someone like her by chance… that was beyond luck, maybe it was… fate… Nah—I doubt it"
As he thought that the memory of their tender hug came rushing back to him like a speeding car. His cheeks flushed, his heart racing as he thought:
"Calm down, dude…"
Keith covered his eyes with his arm as the flush slowly dissipated. Then he fell asleep, finally getting some well-deserved rest.
*****
Five hours later, a ringtone pierced the silence of the bedroom. Keith woke up and rubbed his eyes as he looked around for the ringing phone. Then he saw it on his table and got out of bed. He took it and answered the call.
"Hello…"
"Hey, kiddo,"
"Aunt-Emily? Uh… hello, I didn't realize it was you.""
"Didn't you save my number?"
"Uh… I forgot, sorry."
"You're still as hopeless as ever I see, hehehe…"
"No, I'm not… It just slipped my mind, that's all…"
"Okay. Well then, are you doing okay? Are you eating?"
"You just left yesterday, and yet you're already worried?"
"Yes, why wouldn't I be? Have you met yourself? You do know you're a junk food gluten, right?"
"Did she seriously just call me a gluten, rude." Keith thought with a comical expression on his face.
"Don't worry, I'm doing just fine,"
"That's good, I'm glad. Oh, and before I forget, I got a call from your school. They said schools will be resuming tomorrow, so you better get ready."
"Oh, thanks for telling me…" As Keith said this his voice lowered to a quiet murmur. "I wonder which school she goes to?"
"Oooooh, who's she? Did you find yourself a girlfriend already?"
"Crap, I said that out loud." He murmured to himself, a tide of embarrassment washing over him.
"I-It's no one, no one at all!" He blurted
"hahaha… that confirms it… don't do anything naughtie, okay… hehehehe."
"I wasn't—"
The call ended before he could finish his sentence and prove his innocence.
"That's just great, now she'll tease me for life… Great job, Keith."
He placed his phone on the table and went to the window and looked at the sky, then he smiled, his eyes narrowing in delight.
"I wish life could stay like this. Actually I wish it could be even better than this…"
*****
While he was doing that Akira woke up, and saw the paper message. She read it and smiled ever so slightly, her eyes glimmering with an emotion she could never explain.
She folded the paper nicely and slipped it into her notebook. Then she left the room. She opened the door in unison with Kyotaro who was carrying a backpack that looked as if it had nothing inside.
Akira flinched when she saw him then she looked down as if she couldn't face him just yet. Kyotaro noticed while closing his door. Then he asked in a low tone.
"What's wrong?"
Akira flinched again, this time it was because of his inquiry. She raised her head and glared at him while attempting her usually warm smile, her eyes were closed and her lips had curled up.
"Nothing's wrong, I'm fine. What about you? Are you going back to the hospital?"
"That's right. I'll be back soon…"
"Oh, okay… then please tell Onee-chan that I said: 'Get better soon and that I… I'm waiting for her to come back…"
She choked back a sob, her words no more than a mumble. Then unexpectedly—tears flew freely from her eyes. Even she was surprised as to why she was crying as she wiped her tears with her hands.
"Please—don't mind me—I don't know—why—I'm crying…"
As she sobbed, Kyotaro walked towards her without saying a word. Then he hugged her as she finally broke. Akira cried uncontrollably as she clung to him even tighter. Her face was wet with tears as she buried it in his chest.
"Just… let it all out," Kyotaro said, his tone gentle and warm for the first time in a long time. "Don't worry, I'll tell her…"
"Huuuh... huuuh" Akira wailed, finally letting her sadness out, the corners of her eyes reddening. "I'm so—so sorry… Onii-chan…"
They remained standing there together as he calmed her down. Then after a few minutes she finally settled down. Kyotaro left as she went to the bathroom to bathe.
Kyotaro walked out of the bustling streets of Nishi-Shinjuku, the towering skyscrapers and neon lights giving way to a more subdued atmosphere as he made his way to Tokyo Medical University Hospital.
He quickly entered a flower shop and bought her beautiful flowers, then he navigated through the crowded sidewalks, his eyes fixed on the hospital's imposing structure ahead.
As he walked, the sounds of the city faded slightly, replaced by the hum of hospital activity – the soft beeping of machines, the muted chatter of visitors, and the occasional announcement over the intercom.
Kyotaro's footsteps quickened as he approached the hospital entrance, his mind focused on the person he was visiting.
He pushed through the sliding glass doors and was immediately enveloped in the sterile scent of disinfectant and the warmth of the hospital's air-conditioned interior.
He went to the room she was in. He entered and there she was. Minami was sitting up straight on the bed as she looked out the window. The air casually flowed inside the room as it made her sway majestically.
She turned her head and saw him, then her face softened at the mere sight of him. Kyotaro walked towards her as he made a small grin.
"Hey. How are you feeling?" He said as he handed her the flowers.
"I'm feeling pretty chipper, thanks for the flowers, Kyo." Minami said as she accepted the flowers. "You're so thoughtful… too bad you can't do anything about that scowl on your face… it scares people you know"
"Hey, now… that's not nice" He said as he hit her with a gentle chop on her head.
Minami made a small laugh as Kyotaro's face lit up slightly. Then he sat down and they started talking like in the old days. The two of them were truly happy to see each other.
*****
The next day, the sun streamed through Keith's window as his phone alarm rang. It made a casual [Beep! Beep! Beep!] that woke him from his slumber.
Then he prepared to go to school and made it out of the house. He went to the train station and rode the train to Shibuya where his school was located.
He got off the train and walked towards the school. After walking for a while he saw other students on the road, the boys were wearing the classic gakuran just like he was while the girls were wearing black blazers and black skirts.
Keith then reached the gate and there it was, the school's name was right on the gate. It read: Yamaguchi Public High-school. He stood there looking at it. Then a familiar voice echoed in his ears.
"Keith?!"
Keith turned his head towards the person who called out to him. And there she was: her black hair shining against the bright morning. Her emerald eyes glittering in surprise, her petite figure unmistakable in his eyes. And that gentle voice could only belong to one person.
"No way… Akira-san?!"
『To be continued…』