Aito was cooking with both of his sons. Ayush was also playing with Ginger while giving him pieces of fish while chopping those.
Aki noticed, 'Don't do that. He is already fat. Don't pamper him anymore.'
'He is just so cute. I can't help it.' Ayush gave him a piece again hiding from Aki.
Aito noticed. He smiled then picked Ginger up, 'He is heavy alright!' (Ginger meows)
'It's ok. If your daddy doesn't let you eat as you want you are welcome here.' Aito smiles.
Aki found it funny as Aito made Aki a cat parent, 'What are you saying!'
Doorbell rang.
'I will go!' Ayush washes his hand and went to open the door.
Aki noticed no helping hand was there at home, 'Where are your attendants?'
'Ah! I gave them two days off.' Aito said.
Aki became worried as his father will be alone, 'Why so suddenly? Did something happen?'
'Nothing happened. I wanted to be a good Master.' Aito smiled while eating piece of carrot.
'You already are.'Aki keeps washing vegetables and arranges them for cutting while talking.
'Dad! How was grandpa like?' Aki never imagined he would ask. All he knew was that his grandfather was a good doctor.
'Your grandpa...? He was a good person, a good father and a good husband...he was a very soft hearted person...I heard from my mother. One day father found a baby. Somebody left a letter with him saying to take care of that baby for a while. My father without even knowing if that person will ever come back or not he took in the baby. That's how your grandpa was.'
Aki never heard this story, 'What happened to the baby?'
Aito frowned as he tried to remember, 'I don't remember. But mom told me that someone took her after father died. I was four or five months back then…'
Noah enters the kitchen with Ayush. Nora was fighting with Ayush over something so their conversation was interrupted.
'Uncle.' Noah greeted.
Aito hugs Noah. Then went to Nora. Aki smiles at Noah as he came to his side to help.
Aki saw Noah was tried, 'How is your day off going?'
'Don't ask. Nora is bugging me with your history. She is going crazy about some Lin Ryuji. I heard he came to your office.' Noah frowned while asking.
'This nut job doesn't have any limit.' Aki throws a tomato on her back.
Nora screamed , 'Aww! Akkun!! Why!!'
Ayush pulls her hair too which made her angry, 'You are so dead Ay!'
Ayush threatens with a smile, 'Have some manners. I'm older than you.'
'One year older doesn't make any difference. Where are you running off??!! Come back here!' Nora ran outside following Ayush.
When nobody was in the kitchen Noah asked, 'Is everything ok? Why are you cutting mushrooms like onions!'
'Oh Hell!! What did I do!!' Aki stopped cutting them.
Noah takes over, 'You don't drink, so why do you seem drunk?'
Aki sighs, 'Nightmares. But it's different ever since I broke up with Tanya, I have different types of dreams. At first it was only about my mother's death then Mei's. I got used to it but now these days...I don't know what I'm seeing. It's like, future and past…'
'Future?' Noah was surprised.
'You know I got sick right? I never had a heart clench even after the operation. But I saw in the dream that I would have and I did. Then I saw Joshua get hurt and he did and then Reiji…' Aki stopped suddenly when he remembered the kiss as soon he was about to talk about the dream.
Noah was waiting and looking at him, 'Reiji what?'
Aki leaves the topic, 'I don't know…I can't remember.'
'Are you going on your sessions?' Noah asked.
'I am.' Aki looked uncomfortable with the topic. So Noah didn't ask anything anymore. He continued chopping vegetables.
After lunch they all played cards except Aki. He doesn't understand what's the use of it. Ayush can't seem to continue anymore because he is losing each time. He went and sat beside Aki. Leans on his body. Aki was watching news on TV so Ayush took the remote from him and changed the channel to cartoon. Aki smiled.
'Are you really dating doctor Re?' Ayush asked without any hesitation.
'What? Who told you?Nora?' Aki looked at her.
Ayush smiled to see Aki flustered, 'Is that true?'
'Nooo!!! It's not.' Aki denied.
Ayush again said, 'But he kissed you and confessed.'
Aki was so embarrassed hearing those words. He turned red and hid his face by hand.
Ayush was trying to suppress his laugh seeing Aki that way.
'I'm not. But who else did Nora tell it?' Aki was embarrassed.
Ayush pats on his shoulder, 'She didn't. I went to check on you that day and saw the whole thing. I was about to get out of my car but couldn't because of the shock.'
'Aa! So you were in the garage!' He turned more red than before now that he knows that his little brother has seen everything.
Ayush said, 'I would say 'go for it' if you want.'
Aki was shocked to hear that.
Ayush didn't understood the expression on Aki's face, 'Don't say you turned him down!'
'I did.' Ayush sat straight hearing him and said, 'But he was honest about it and what I heard from Nora, that he was quite straightforward about saying that he has a lover.'
Aki was shocked, 'He tells everyone?'
Ayush smiles, 'Ya! Your office girl confessed but he turned her down.'
Aki had no idea. But he knows Reiji doesn't really love him. He is someone's replacement.
'I'm still not over on Tanya.' Aki looked down.
'Don't lie. You have healed yourself. It shows. She has moved on. So you do too. He is a nice guy.' Aki didn't answer after what Ayush said to him.
Aki went to sleep in his room. This house and Mei's home is in the same side while Noah's home is just at the opposite side of Aki's. Aki looked Mei's home and saw her parents were watching TV together. A dog was sitting beside them. He sensed Aki's presence and barked. When Mei's mother saw whom it was barking at she came to the window, 'Akio-kun! How have you been?'
'Good evening, Mizuru-san! I have been well. I didn't know you were home.' Aki bows.
'We came back yesterday from Italy and we were jet lagged.' she smiled.
Aki smiled, 'Oh! How's…'
'Akio-kun is here?' Mei's father Mizuru Sota came to greet. Aki greeted too
'Hello Sota-san! You have lost so much weight!' Aki was surprised.
'Ha ha! I did! I'm trying to stay healthy for my wife.'Aki smiles hearing Sota.
This family has been a blessing for him and they both love him so much. Aki came to their home and talked with them the whole evening. They didn't want to let him go without having dinner so he did. While getting out he saw Reiji and he was surprised. Noah as well saw them together.
'What are doing here?' Aki looked around and saw no one else was with Reiji.
Reiji smiled, 'I came here for some investigation.'
'Investigation? Regarding what?' Aki became curious.
'You...but I never thought you would be here.' Reiji kept looking at Aki.
'I'm staying at my father's tonight. So what is that you want to…Noah?' As Noah stood behind Reiji Aki was surprised.
Reiji looked behind to see Noah.
'Aki, will you please give us some time to talk alone.' Noah seemed serious.
Aki was confused, 'What do you want to talk with him??'
Noah smiled, 'I never got a hold of him. Now that this time I have…I want to talk because I don't want my friend to have a relationship with a person whom I don't know.'
'I don't have any relation…' Aki was stopped by Noah, 'Please understand my situation. You would have done the same right? You would want to get to know.'
Aki understood what Noah was trying to say, 'Ok! Goodnight!'
Aki went and Noah waited till he got inside home and switched on his room light on the upstairs room. Noah held onto his heart and released a breath of relief. Reiji couldn't comprehend the situation, 'What you want to talk with me?'
Noah's expression was sad, 'I'm sorry. I had to. Take a walk with me please.'
Reiji didn't question his intention as he is very close to Aki. After relaxing a bit Noah asked Reiji, 'Were you about to say to him that you came here to investigate his heart donor?'
Reiji had come to do this so he nodded. Noah felt dizzy, 'I request you! Please! Don't! Don't ever!'
'Why? I mean it's natural to know the heart donor's medical history so that I can understand him fully.' Reiji was speaking politely but Noah stopped him, 'I get what you are trying to say. But Aki...he doesn't know who actually donated him a heart.'
'Why...so?' Reiji became confused.
Noah says with teary eyes, 'Because the one who donated their heart, was our best friend, Mei.'
Noah couldn't stop crying. Reiji felt the pain and tried to console him by touching his back, 'I'm sorry, I didn't know…'
'She was brain dead and Aki was fighting to survive...it was a crucial moment for Aki…so...her parents had a kind heart to decide on donating her heart to him. But we couldn't tell him because of that. He was already in shock after hearing about Mei so we didn't dare to tell him. He will not survive if we tell him about this. Mei was very precious to us, still is…So please…' Noah bowed to him to request.
Reiji stopped him from bowing, 'I understand. I won't tell him…but still I need to know her medical history of her so that I can treat him. You see the heart is a part of humans. So it has a different way of thinking of its own than our brain say psychologically. They sometimes will create confusion as to the brain and the heart is different in the case of Aki.'
'Aki knows that he will face it. But he's been fine physically since then. And as of Mei,she was a sports girl so she didn't have any condition mentally or physically.' Noah explained.
'Are you sure? You know everything?' Reiji was still not giving up.
'We even knew when her period started. She would tell us everything.' Noah tried to laugh.
'You know Aki and Mei so well.' Reiji became jealous.
Noah had known her since grade 3. She was close to him. But Aki knew her from junior high. He was not close with anyone except Noah because of family issues. He closed himself. His mother's death was one of the shocks that took a toll on him. Aki saw her die when he was three. For a time being, he forgot but he remembered everything. Then Aki's father Aito and Aki's aunt Sara couldn't continue their marriage so they got divorced. That had broken Aki up once more.
'Things got better after Mei become our friend. And then…' Noah couldn't continue anymore.
Reiji ended the sentence, 'Mei died too.'
Noah nodded, 'Ya...Aki had to cope with a huge level of tolerance. I don't know how he did but he become more active. There was a time when he showed symptoms of that. He said he sees Mei around him and used to have nightmares like someone was chasing him and killing him. His girlfriend Tanya helped a great deal to recover him but she couldn't tolerate the thing that Aki was still holding onto his past. She tried to stay but for some reason, she got distant from him. They broke up a few days ago.'
'Does he still…has feelings for her?' Reiji choked while asking.
'Actually, for the last 3 years, she wasn't staying with him. He proposed to her but she refused to marry him. That changed his mind and I guess slowly he had tried to accept the fact that eventually, she will leave.' Noah sighs.
'So much to endure.'Reiji was thinking something.
He feels jealous of Noah. He knows his entire life when Reiji doesn't.
'Thank you for listening.' Noah felt relieved.
'No, no! I think I would have hurt him again.' Reiji seemed dejected.
'Again?' Noah was confused.
Reiji got that Aki didn't tell Noah about the incident, 'I mean...after the…confession.'
'I see. I don't know what he feels about you. But don't force him. He will open up. He doesn't hide his thoughts once he opens up to you.' Noah encouraged him surprisingly.
'You know I will never let you have him.' Reiji says with confidence.
Noah frowned, 'Where is that coming from? And…he had always been mine, to begin with. I will always be one step ahead of you if you ever get in a relationship.'
Reiji smiled, 'We will definitely.'
Noah smiled to hear the declaration, 'Actually...I had always been in love with Mei. One-sided love. No need to tell it to Aki too.'
Reiji was baffled, 'Oh! I bet he knows that. I had already guessed it, that you might be…'
Noah looked at him with a smile, 'You are an expert! I hid it from them quite well...but you…caught up even though you haven't seen us together.'
Reiji asked, 'Do you have any photos of her?'
Noah sighs, 'I wish I could. Our last days were very chaotic. We had photos but a fire incident burned Mizuru's house so nothing was left. I don't have her pictures too. I lost somewhere maybe. Aki has some. But those are candid where her face is not clear. Only her features are shown. We will know it's her but others who don't know can never guess. How unlucky na?!! For a person who is present in Aki's heart, doesn't have a trace left to be remembered with.'
'Indeed…' Reiji became sad as if the sorrow was contagious.
They came back to Aki's home. Noah lets Reiji to Aki's home. Ayush and Aito welcomed him. Aki was already sleeping with Ginger.But as soon he heard Reiji's voice he woke up. He came downstairs and saw that those three were playing cards.
Aki couldn't believe his eyes, 'Rei, What...are you doing here?'
Noah answered, 'Oh!! I told him to stay here. It's already been so late.'
Aki could not understand, "What the hell!! Why would he stay?! He doesn't need any transportation! He can go wherever he wants anytime."
Aito said, 'He is good at cards too. I like him!'
Aki closed his eyes in frustration, ' Unbelievable!'
Ayush spoke up, 'Oi! Why are making a fuss! He is your doctor and you should respect him. He is older than you too!'
Aki was nonplussed.
Ayush asked, 'What ?! You didn't know?? You don't know the age of your boyfr…'Noah pressed his mouth shut as Ayush was a bit drunk. Reiji distracted Aito with a play card hearing Ayush, 'Uncle look here…'
Reiji was looking at Aki and Akio. Then he signaled Noah to shut Ayush's mouth. Noah then slapped Ayush's head, 'Why you little rascals are so damn annoying!! Play…you are about to lose again.'
Aki went up. Reiji couldn't focus on playing and he lost. As soon he lost he got up excusing himself to go to sleep
'Use the room on your left. That's for guests too.' Noah said.
'I'm gonna stay there. You can sleep in my room.'Ayush smiles wickedly.
Noah slapped his head hard this time. Aito said, 'You are welcomed to use any room you want.'
Ayush laughs.
Noah holds him by the throat while saying, 'No, no,no! Reiji-san please stay in Ayush's room.'
Reiji agreed, 'Sure! I definitely will. But at first, let me check on Aki ok!?'
Noah was surprised, 'What! Nooooo!'
But Reiji already went inside Aki's room and closed the door. Aki heard the doorknob getting locked and was startled to see Reiji. The room was dark but the street lamps were able to light down the darkness. They both stay stood and keep looking at each other silently. After a moment of silence, Aki then sat on the bed first with an old teddy bear that he was holding. Reiji leaned on the door and kept waiting for Aki to talk first. He can see Aki. Ginger was sleeping on the pillow in a circle position.
He stroked Ginger's tail, 'What did you two talk about? You seemed to become close with each other.'
Reiji smiles then hides his smile by closing his lip, "Is it jealousy? Is he jealous?", 'Nothing much! He told me I should treat you well.'
Aki looked at him and said, 'Have you forgotten?.. that I can see...lies.'
"Crap! I did, forgot about that! What should I say? Noah requested not to." Reiji hesitated, 'He talked about your girlfriend and your past and your friendship, that's all.'
'If you make an effort to set up lies as truth, that too shows as lies you know.' Aki said with a low tone.
'Did I lie?'Aki didn't answer his question. Reiji waited.
'I don't want to know.' Aki was holding his teddy and unconsciously touching it with his fingers.
Reiji understood he want to ask more.
Aki hesitated but asked, 'Am I…someone's replacement?'
Reiji straightens up hearing that, "what the hell is he talking about? Who's replacement is he talking about? Did I ever tell him about my first love? No!"
He went to him and switched on the table lamp and bent down on his knees. Aki looked at him.
'I wouldn't lie!' Reiji puts the teddy down and holds his hand firmly, 'You are not anyone's replacement. My first love was different. I was quick to decide and gave up on that. There was nothing, to begin with. Trust me!'
"But you looked like you were in love! But right now you are not lying too…"Aki couldn't help but think.
Reiji says quickly, 'I love you for who you are.'
'You will love me? Even if I am abnormal or out of my rational behavior?' Aki asked.
'Of course!'Reiji nodded.
Aki was not satisfied with the answer, 'What if you see something in me that you don't like? Will you…'
Reiji stopped him, 'I will still love you…And if there's something I don't like and you like, unless it's harmful I will try to understand.'
Aki continues, 'I'm very possessive and…'
'Possess me!' Aki was astonished by his words and a tear dropped from his eyes.
Reiji holds his face with both of his hand palms and brushes his thumb over the tears, 'Don't ever let me go. Hold onto me tight as much as you want. I will do too.'
Aki closes his eyes and puts his hand over Reiji's, 'Ok! I will trust you and I will cut your head off if you try to escape.'
Reiji smiles, 'How did you figure that out?'
'Well you have a regeneration process so I guessed…'Reiji was looking at his lips while Aki was talking, so Aki was embarrassed. Not only he was looking, he brushed his thumb over Aki's lip too frequently which he didn't notice that first. Then their eyes met.
'Let me tell you a better way if you ever want to escape from me. Just pull out my soul away then I am done. Unless I will always return to you.' Reiji touched over the bite mark he had left before on his lip.
'Then you won't die even if you are beheaded? How can one…'Reiji kissed on the bite mark to interrupt.
Aki was still talking so his mouth was open and Reiji had taken the chance to kiss to his heart's content. He pulled him close by the waist and Aki let him without pushing him away. Reiji could feel Aki's heartbeat going erratic. He stopped.
Then hugged him close, 'You have become mine!? Haven't you?'
After a moment Aki answered, 'No! You have become mine!'
Reiji laughed, 'You have figured that out too?'
'Am I wrong now too?' As Aki asked, Reiji kept on holding and while talking his breath was touching Aki's neck, 'No! You have the supreme hold, my light!'
Kissed his neck lightly. Aki hesitated but hugged him with a smile.