Help Me Remember (Chapter (2/2)

“I saw him go inside of that apartment in Aoyama street. I helped him get here because he was lost.”

“So he was lost? Well thanks for escorting him, I’ll go and fetch him now. B--”

“No it’s ok,” the man stopped him again, his hand grabbing his wrist. “I’m sure Jun-kun knows where you live. I promise you that he’ll be home before 10pm.”

“How are you so sure?” Kazu asked him, “I don’t think he’ll find it until tomorrow morning...”

“I’m sure because he circled the street near the cafe about five times so he can pick up the address to your house by then. Can I walk you home?”

Kazu wasn’t so sure. But then again, Ohno had told him many times in the past that Jun was the type to come around the corner since he’s told him so much about his childhood friend. He was glad that he became friends with Ohno a long time ago; though he felt like he was going against Jun ever since he had been spotted through the cafe windows after waking up from the drunk mistake the night before. Taking one more look at Aoyama street, Kazu gave in and finally accepted Ohno’s kind offer.

The walk was very quiet but it didn’t feel awkward at all. He was used to Ohno’s quiet personality since it was very relaxing as if he was the air around them. Taking a few turns and stops, the two of them finally made it to the front of his building. Kazu bowed politely, thanking him for escorting him and for telling him that Jun was fine. He was about to head for the automatic door, when once again Ohno’s hand grabbed his arm and was forced around. it was all too fast that he didn’t realize he was in the other man’s arms until he felt the latter’s arm hold him tightly. Using his best force, Kazu pushed Ohno to the floor, his hands scraping lightly on the floor.

“What’s the matter?” Ohno asked as he got up from the floor. “Don’t you like me too? I’ve seen the smiles on your face when you see me.”

Kazu backed up when the man advanced forward. “T-that’s because I’m happy to see you!” He told him honestly, “I... I don’t have that feeling for you...”

“So you pick Jun-kun in the end,” the man sighed, “You know you can’t have a happy ending with him. He always forgets you and he won’t make you happy because of that. Come to me and I’ll give you a happy ending.”

Kazu shook his head and backed away again when he saw Ohno’s arm shoot out from the corner of his eyes. “I can’t leave him. J is important to me and it doesn’t matter if he can’t remember me as long as he’s by my side. I almost lost him once, and I don’t want to lose him again. I... I’m sorry if I can’t return your feelings... I know how much it hurts too.”

“Ah... I shouldn’t have hugged you on impulse,” Ohno sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he bowed down apologetically.

“It’s ok,” Kazu told him, “But at least we are on the same boat.”

“See you next week at the supermarket again?”

Kazu bowed. “I will with J.”

He didn’t hear the man bid him goodbye but he heard his footsteps walk away. He felt like they had overcome an obstacle, but Kazu couldn’t bring himself to smile at ease. The words Ohno had told him earlier echoed in the back of his mind also Jun’s words, when he was a kid, if he believed in happy endings. Those words he said were when he was a kid without a clue as to what the adult world would be like. He had already forgotten that but after hearing Ohno’s words, he knew he was right. Jun and I can never be together, he thought, If only the accident hadn’t happened... It’s all my fault... It’s all my fault...

Turning on his heel, he let these words echo in his mind, long enough to torture himself and to tell him that his dreams of being with Jun was nothing but a mere fantasy. He dragged his feet on the way to the elevator, almost pushing rudely past someone but he swayed to the side in time the person was about to scold him. Kazu apologized half-heartedly before heading inside of the elevator and was brought up in just seconds.

He was already in their shared apartment and he found himself standing before Jun’s bed. The latter wasn’t home yet so he slipped himself inside of the bed, imagining that Jun was laying fast asleep besides him. Grabbing imaginary Jun’s hand, he pressed it against his chest and closed his eyes...TBC