Aki took his scheduled classes and then went back to his company at the noon. On the way, he saw Mei. Mei was with his friends. When their eyes met Mei smiled and bade his friend bye then came to Aki.
Aki smiled while Mei was near, 'How are you doing, Little Lin?'
Mei laughs loud, ''Haha! You are a bit wrong there, my beloved.'
Aki was surprised, 'What?how?'
'I'm a Ruan. Ruan Mei' Mei's eyes were still smiling.
Aki was baffled hearing that, 'But Reiji is a Ruan and you are Joshua's.'
Mei laughed, 'Nothing to worry about. Lin Joshua is my father. Inheritance works differently in our 'Pureblood lineage' to avoid an internal collision.'
'What?' Aki couldn't understand.
'You won't get that maybe. You know our own resources are limited right?' Mei asked.
'Hm! That was what I was told.' Aki nodded.
They keep walking towards his office while Mei explains, 'Our ancestors used to kill the kin to gain family name, wealth. Regardless of gender and age. Satan was provoking our ancestors as well. He is the enemy of us all. But it was too late when they realise. That ended upon us as a curse too. So to avoid them there were some rules to save us Pureblood. I will inherit Reiji's and Reiji's kid will inherit my father's. Crossed inheritance so that they can't kill each other.'
'Oh! But I heard Joshua inherited Lin and Reiji Ruan?' Aki became confused.
'That's too! In the case of two births. The firstborn will inherit the father, second-born will the mother. But if one child, they will inherit both of their parents' titles and wealth. In that way, many family powers will back up one's.' Mei smiles after explaining.
'But even so, won't they want to reduce that backup?'Aki asked.
'Rather than getting killed by my family, isn't it better to get killed by someone, not a family?' Aki couldn't say anything after what Mei said.
He doesn't see the value in wealth which brings misfortune.
'Don't worry. The purpose of these rules is to make a mixture of titles so that there is less clash. But the mana of an individual holds more power. If weak mana is backed up with wealth then there is less risk. It's about balancing more or less.' Mei cleared the confusion.
Aki understood, 'That's a nice solution though. Male and female on equal. Without discrimination.'
'Oh my God!!!'Aki was shocked to hear Mei react without any reason.
So he asked, 'What happened? Are you…'
'I have become rich!!'Aki was more baffled when Mei said that.
Aki frowned, 'What are you saying?'
Mei giggled, 'I just realized! I am Ruan Mei then again I, from my mother's inheritance, I am Ozuru and from my grandmother's inheritance a Tao too! Tao Ruan! Wow!'
'Your grandmother's what?' Aki couldn't keep up.
'She is Tao-Ruan's only kid. TaoRuan Sayo. And Reiji is TaoRuan Reiji, and me TaoRuan Mei + an Ozuru!! can you believe how rich I am!!' Aki didn't understand any of what Mei was blabbing about.
'No! But I got it if I make a deal with you then I will be rich.'Mei stopped walking hearing Aki.
'What's now?' Mei's expression changed to bitter hearing Aki.
'Don't ever joke about that.' Mei firmly said
Aki was clueless, 'About what?'
Mei says, 'Making deals with a Jinn. It may seem a fortune to this life but you will be dumped in hell in the afterlife.'
'I don't…' Mei came so close to Aki's face that Aki backward up a step and couldn't continue.
'Making a deal with humans is a sin. When you make a deal with a Jinn, its entity gets attached to you. That's why they sync. If That bond feeds on both souls if it gets any stronger than a certain stage then even after death that can't be severed. They both will lose sanity. A Jinn may survive but humans…no!' Mei's expression was serious.
'I had no idea! And I'm already rich!!' Aki tried to ease the atmosphere.
Mei laughed hysterically. Everybody looked at them. Mei crouched down holding his stomach. Aki was laughing too seeing his situation but not couldn't understand why.
'Senpai! Your thoughts are so hilarious!' Mei said.
'What's going on here?' Aki was startled as Noah came up suddenly from behind
'Ah! Nothing. We were just talking.' Aki said.
We were talking about how rich we are!?' Mei started laughing again.
Noah couldn't get what there was to laugh about. Noah pulled Aki out, 'What's going on?'
Aki was surprised to see Noah serious, 'Nothing! We were just having fun.'
'I'm not talking about that. Reiji…why did you let him sleep in your room?' Noah asked.
'I didn't. He slept in Ayush's room and came to say me goodbye in the morning before you all woke up.' Aki said as it was like that.
'But Ayush's room was clean. He didn't use that.' Noah said.
Aki didn't know about that, 'Is that so.' He pretended not to know, 'Maybe he had tidied up the room before leaving. He is a decent guy I think.'
'He is, no doubt there. Oi!! Come with us!' Noah told Mei.
'Sensei! I have a name! Mei-meaning 'Beautiful'' Mei became angry.
Noah hesitated, 'I won't call you by that.'
Mei pouts, 'Then call me by my family name. Lin !'
Aki was distracted for a moment and went a little off line. A car was about to touch Aki. Mei pulled him out and Aki lost his balance. He fell back tripping on Mei. Noah was slow to react and felt something in his heart get tight. But Noah came to him. Aki sprained his ankle.
'Aw!! Shit!'Aki could not move.
Noah sat down to see if it was alright or not and asked, 'How bad is it?'
Noah touched his feet. Aki felt pain, 'Not good!'
'I will bring something iced.' Mei crossed the road and Aki sat down on a wall half leaning.
Noah bends down and pulled off his shoe. The ankle was red and started to swell. Mei came running and saw that. He felt uncomfortable so he moved Noah from there and started pressing the iced bottle.
Noah was surprised, 'What was that about?'
Mei said with a frown, 'He is my uncle's boyfriend now. Don't touch him casually!'
Noah scoffed, 'As that would ever happen!'
Mei looked up at Aki and saw Aki didn't tell him and he was rolling his eye not to tell.
But Noah noticed, 'Why are you guys exchanging looks?'
Aki smiled, 'Nothing! He just meant maybe that as his uncle is pursuing me so he should protect me.'
Noah was quite angry, 'What the hell! You! Do it well or move!'
'I'm doing it. He is also my beloved.' Seeing Mei smile, Noah felt irritated again but couldn't say anything.
Noah kept standing and felt rage running through his veins. After a while when Aki felt better they began to walk. Noah was walking ahead. He was feeling so annoyed and he doesn't know even why that is. Noah looked back to check Aki and turned around but got bumped by someone, 'I'm sorry! Oh...Reiji-san!'
Reiji was on the way to Aki's office. He turned to look at them.
'Noah! What are you…'Reiji looked past him and saw Aki limping again, 'Why does this kid always hurt his leg!'
'What did you do to your leg this time?'Reiji went to Aki and holds out his hand so that Aki holds onto it. Noah saw that and was surprised when Aki took hold of Reiji's hand.
'Rei! When did you get back?' Aki asked while holding his hand.
Reiji said, 'Just…'
'Why! Why are you holding his hand when you never like when I offer to help you?!!' Noah interrupted which made Mei snigger.
'Because I'm his lover!'Mei and Aki couldn't stop Reiji from saying that.
Noah was dumbfounded, 'What?!!'
'Yeah, we agreed…'Mei interrupted Reiji, 'They agreed to wait for each other's emotional support. Isn't that so Rei!'
"What!" Mei said inside Reiji's head.
"Aki still hasn't said anything about your relationship. He is not ready for it yet.' Mei explained quietly to Reiji
"Oh! How you know that!" Reiji asked.
"I read him! He!he!"Reiji glared at Mei. Mei laughed.
Reiji tried to handle it, 'Yes... that's what…'
Noah sighs and asked, 'Aki! Is there anything that you are hesitating to tell me?'
Aki's eyes softened. Rei and Mei couldn't understand why.
Aki thought to himself, "Noah! You never asked me anything! This is the first time you have asked. Ok! It doesn't matter if you hate me later. Here it goes…"
'Yes! I was. I'm dating him. I agreed when he came to our home. If you don't like it you can say it. I will stop.' Aki waits.
Reiji and Mei were shocked to hear that. Noah's anger died down. Deep down he knew Aki was weak towards Reiji, 'I'm glad that you responded soon. If you are happy that's what matters.'
Reiji felt relieved.
Mei clapped in amusement, 'Sensei!! Don't be sad. You will have your love too.'
Noah gave him a sad look, 'I wish I could.'
They started walking towards the office. Reiji and Aki were in the front and Noah was in the middle and Mei was at the end. When they were waiting for the lift Mei felt someone was looking at them. Reiji too. Both turned together to see but saw there was nothing. Rei and Mei exchanged thoughts but that time Noah said, 'Ah! Nora would kill me if I go empty-handed. You guys should go first I will be back. Mei follows me.'
They didn't wait for the response and Noah took Mei out holding his hand. Mei couldn't understand what was the matter, 'Sensei!?'
'Keep walking.'Noah didn't look back and kept walking.
Mei felt Noah maybe was in love with Aki. Mei felt irritated. Just like before. He couldn't hold on. He looked at the hand that was taken.
"What a beautiful hand! The veins are like art...His figure is really nice. Is this why girls are so into him!? Do they feel this way!" His eye followed Noah's back from head to toe.
His eyes were focused on Noah. When the signal turned red Noah stopped. Mei came to a few steps forward and kept looking at Noah's nape.
"Wow, you even have a mole on your nape." He was about to touch the mole but the light went green and Noah stepped out to cross. Mei touched his mouth in shock. "Damn! What the hell was I about to do!!?"
Noah saw Mei wasn't coming so he called on him, 'What the hell are you thinking! Come on!'
They entered the coffee shop. Noah orders some. Mei was lost in his thoughts, "Why is he so sexy!! For God's sake! he is my teacher! No no! can't think like that. Control Mei! Control! Aw! His hands are so beautiful. And was soft! His eyelashes are so long! He even has a mole on the upper lip! I bet those lips are delicious...what the!! Mei what are you doing!"
He was pulling his own hair.
Noah noticed so did the employee. When their eyes met Mei stood up straight.
'Are you a nutcase!' Noah scolds Mei.
'No! I'm a nutjob!' Noah was taken aback to hear Mei. He got close to Mei.
Mei became flustered, "Why are you getting close! No! no! Heart, please stop!"Noah stopped coming toward him.
'Mei?!' Noah called his name.
'Ya!' Mei answered while being astonished because he couldn't understand why Noah called out his name.
Noah dejectedly smiled and muttered, 'Why do you have to have the same name!'
Mei frowned, 'Sensei?! Who has the same name?'
'No one! let's go!' Noah felt bothered.
They left the shop. When they entered Aki's office Nora was getting out of Aki's room.
Nora asked Noah, 'This is? This Reiji-san's son na?'
Mei was surprised. Noah gave her the snacks package.
Mei asked, 'You know me?'
Nora was surprised, 'You were right Noah! He looks totally like our Mei-kun!'
'Your Mei kun?' Mei didn't know which Mei they were talking about Noah's gestures not to talk.
'Ah! I saw your sports day pictures. You are so much like your dad.' Nora changed the topic.
Mei laughs, 'Haha! Everyone says that.'
Aki raises his hand to call Noah. Noah goes inside Aki's room where Reiji and Aki were.
'Nora-San! You said I look like someone in your family?' Mei asked.
Nora's expression became sad, 'Not family, Noah and Aki's best friend Mei. She was like you in a way. I would say almost similar.'
'Oh! Is she Sensei's girlfriend?' Mei's face darkens)
'No! She..she died you see.' Mei didn't know what he should say after hearing it.
'Oh! Sorry!' Mei politely apologizes.
'I guess he used to love her but he never confessed.' Nora added.
Mei asked, 'Did Aki senpai also…'
'No, Akkun never loved her more than a friend. Akkun was a bit messed up that time.' Nora cleared the confusion.
Mei understood, 'I see! That's why Sensei never responded to any confession.'
Nora was shocked, 'He gets confessed!! Even After knowing his personality!! Impossible '
Nora was in disbelief.
Mei agrees, 'True! He is only kind and caring towards Aki senpai.'
Nora then holds his hand, 'Don't tell him I told you about her please.'
'I'll try.'Mei gets into Aki's room.
Nora closed her mouth in regret, 'Ah! shit! Why did I tell him!!'
Everyone ate lunch there which Noah had brought. Mei was silent and distracted. He was glancing at Noah repeatedly.
Aki noticed that "Mei never sits silent. What happened?"
Reiji followed that too. His emotions were unstable for some reason, 'Oi! What's wrong?'
Mei looked at Rei, 'Nothing.'
Reiji left first because of his appointment. Noah and Mei were still there. Mei will leave with Noah because they live in the same dormitory building.
'I will be late today so Nora will be too. But I will drop her home.' Aki said.
Noah frowned, 'Why bother! She will manage.'
Aki didn't explain but thought, "I don't want to take the risk. Who knows when that dream came true!"Mei frowned.
'What dream?'Mei slipped.
He was hearing his inner thoughts. Aki was suspicious, 'Are you reading...?'
Mei laughed out loud, 'We are getting late I think.'
Noah wants to leave too. Mei apologizes to Aki for reading his mind without Noah seeing.
The elevator was full. Only one can get in.
'You go.'Noah took the stairs to get down.
Mei followed. Noah didn't say anything. After a floor down, Mei spoke up, 'Your lover was like me?'
Noah stopped stepping down, "So Nora knew that too."
'Not really. And she was not my lover. She was my best friend.' Noah said.
Mei said, 'You loved her, that's what matters.'
'Maybe' Mei felt furious hearing Noah.
He went down to face him, 'Why are you still holding onto her?'
'Why do I need to let go?' Noah's face and words were cold enough to stop Mei instantly. Noah went down and Mei was behind.
Mei followed Noah again, 'Nora told me that I look like her. Is that true?'
'No!' Noah denied.
Mei suddenly grabbed his hand and thrusts him against the wall. Noah was startled and was in pain because of the force.
'Then let go of her and look at me!'Mei grabbed Noah's upper arms and squeezed them, 'I never knew why you stopped looking at me. You never properly say my name either. You always turn your ways when we cross paths. I thought maybe you are like that. You avoid getting involved with students. But no student ever complained about you being a bad teacher. Now I know why You tried to change our class supervision. Is that the reason?!!' Mei was really angry.
'What are you talking about! Let go!'Noah was feeling pain, "N-He is just a kid! He is tall ok! But How the hell is he this strong!"
Mei continued, 'I thought you only care about Aki. But no! I was wrong to see. You are caring towards the things you love.'
Noah was surprised, 'Everybody is.Why are you doing this?Let go!'
Mei hold more tightly, 'Because I'm angry! I am so angry!! Now that the reason I know, I'm more angry.'
"N-Is he that angry to know he looks like someone I used to love!? What's there to get angry about?!Oh God! My muscles!"
'Let go Mei!! It's hurting!' Hearing that Mei released Noah.
He holds his muscles which were still hurting and it was red, probably will bruise later.Noah sighs.
"Am I crazy ?! That must have hurt."Mei looks at his palms. They felt hot.
Noah said, 'You are not like her. And I don't avoid you.'
'Don't lie!' Mei was not convinced.
'I'm not!' Noah insisted.
Mei gets close and brushes across through Noah's neck to the back of his head.
Noah became uncomfortable, 'why..'
Mei holds his face with both hands forcing Noah to look at him, 'Look me in the eye and say it. That I'm not her.'
Noah gulps down in nervousness and closes his eyes, 'You are so much like her. Your voice, your posture, your attitude but you are not her' pens his eyes and looks up taking a breath, 'You are not her.'
Now Noah holds Mei's face with his hands and pulls him close, 'Your eyes…are not the same...Her's were beautiful…why I can't look at you is because that's what frustrates me that… you don't have her eyes yet you're so much like her. Does this make you happy? Now let me go!'
Noah pushes off his hands and hurries down without taking Mei.
Mei sat down on the stairs, 'Shit! Why don't I feel happy?!'
'Did he always…' Mei was surprised hearing Aki's voice, '... avoid you?'
'Not avoid but…'Mei covers his face, 'when we met first at the entrance ceremony and I met him as the representative, he had this look on his face that shows an expression of I…don't know…what.. It made my heart ache that time. He then never looked me directly in the eye. I thought he must not like me or anything. So I tried to ignore as well…but got tired and sometimes I would tease him but he never paid attention. Then I saw you with him and got involved with you more…I liked that. But to think this was the reason he avoided…'
Aki said, 'He loved her since elementary school. So it runs deep.'
'You knew that too?' Mei was shocked,
Aki nods, 'But I didn't tell him that I knew as he never told me. It was just a guess and I let it stay that way.'
'How foolish of him!! He thinks nobody knows his feelings.' Mei became frustrated.
Aki protests,'He is not foolish. He just doesn't want to hurt us with the thought I think. She was precious to all of us equally and I saw her death so he thinks it would hurt me if he talks about her to me which is true…'
'And you too didn't share his burden? He did so much for you!! Yet you...you didn't…'Mei became furious, 'uhh!!'
Aki kept staring down silently
'You both are impossible!'Mei went down. Got out of the office.
Noah opened the door and was about to get in while Mei stopped the door and got in. Noah was astounded at his behaviour, 'What now?!'
Mei showed him a packet that was carrying some medicine, 'Sorry for hurting you. I didn't mean to.'
Noah knows he won't be able to make Mei understand so lets him do whatever he wants, 'It's ok. I'm not that hurt.'
Noah went to get fresh while Mei sat down. There was a candid photo framed of five students holding each other on shoulders wearing jerseys from the back view. Matsuda, Azusa, Mizuru, Ishida, Takao. Everyone was laughing. The next photo on the left frame had Aki and Noah, on right had a family photo of Noah's. Mei was about to touch them.
'what are you looking at?' Mei turned to him with the photo frame when he heard Noah.
'Our jersey design didn't change in all these years.' Mei said.
Noah came and took the frame from Mei's hand and sat down on the sofa, 'Well it holds some reputations!'
Mei asked, 'Who are they?'
Noah smiles, 'They are our friends, among them this one is Aki and this one is Mei. We five were in a team. Skeet.'
'Wait ! You were a Skeet!' Mei was utterly surprised.
'Now you know why that jersey didn't change. But you are a good player. I'm sure, this year our school definitely will win the championship.' Noah said.
Mei sat down beside Noah and laughs in disbelief, 'Wow!so you all were the legend.'
'Mei was the one who really loved playing .We just joined to support her. You see she had potential to be a player.But..'Noah's phone rang.
Mei passed the phone. It was Nora. Noah frowned, 'Nora!'He listened and stands up suddenly)
'Ok! I will ask her'Noah seemed tensed.
Mei couldn't help but ask, 'Did something happen?'
Noah dials a number and says 'Aki's phone is switched off.'
Mei couldn't understand, 'So...?? Can't it be…'
'No! He never turns his phone off. Whenever it does he gets into trouble.' Noah took his car key and jacket while pushing Mei out with him.
'What are you talking about?! He may just want to stay alone for a bit.' Mei said.
'What are you talking about?'Noah stopped stepping down and went up one stair, 'Did you tell him something?'
Mei was unable to explain)
'What did you tell him? Did you tell him that I used to love Mei?!' Mei didn't answer but Noah understood, 'Unbelievable!'
Mei tried to clear the misunderstanding,'He already knew that.I didn't tell him I just…'
'What exactly did you tell him???' Noah asked again while being patient.
'I was unstable and said it...out..in anger...that he knew that you loved her yet he didn't consider to console you like you do to him?!' Mei told everything.
Noah became furious, 'Are you out of your mind ?! There's a reason why we don't talk about it! There's a reason why he is your uncle's patient. There's a reason why Aki feels guilty for the death of his best friend even though it was not his fault! And there must be…a Reason why he doesn't console me! You didn't have to remind him to do that.'
Noah was enraged and starts going down.
Mei tried to match with the pace, 'But..all I told him that he should have consoled with you that's it.'
'Oh God!! Some things... cannot be eased Mei !! And he.. knows it!!' Noah said.
Mei finally understood why Aki didn't answer him. They just continued their friendship as usual. They don't talk about it because they know they don't have the power to fill the void)
'So that's How much precious you were Mei!' Mei mumbled.
'God damn! Tanya!! Receive!!' Noah frustratedly dials a number again.
'I can help! Please let me help!' Mei begged him.
Noah ignored Mei, 'Tanya call me as soon as you get the message!'
'Why are you so panicked! Please calm down!' Mei said.
'I can't' Noah's eyes become teary, 'Whenever he is out of reach he can't remember where he had been! Sometimes he came back badly injured. Sometime different strangers brought him back saying he was walking unconsciously.'
Noah unlocks the car and opens the car door, 'He spaces out and loses track of time...His girlfriend knows a place where he go sometime but wouldn't tell us saying she would pick him up if he goes there. But she is not here anymore not with him anymore.'
Mei sits in too, 'Please! Don't lose your mind! We will find him for sure!'
Mei contacted Reiji. Noah starts the engine.