As we walked side by side kitten on hand, I couldn't help stealing glances over at him. Why do I feel so comfortable around him?
It seems so easy to interact with Hiro. His face is slender and pale, and his lips are a soft pink. He has a slim build, looks fragile, and is a little shorter than me.
I really don't know how to feel about all this, but instead of rejecting notions for no apparent reason, I'll just go with the flow.
Sai: Hey, so what are you going to name the little guy?
Hiro: I'm not sure yet. Hehe
Sai: Well, how about Hirai? That way this little guy will have both our names.
Hiro: Sure. That's a great idea. Since we both are his saviors.
He stopped and turned to me, tilt his head to the side, and smiled brightly.
It felt like a wave. The breeze pushed back the nauseous urge to reach out to him. I wanted to pull him in close for some reason. His eyes. They called out to me and at the same time felt as though they held me.
Hiro: So, where are you headed now?
Sai: So where are you headed?
Hehe.
It caught us by surprise that we were thinking the same things, we laughed.
Hiro: You first.
Sai: Well, I didn't have nowhere to be exactly. Was just out getting some air and away from home for a bit.
Hiro: Oh.
He gave me the same eyes he gave the kitten.
Sai: I mean everything's cool, it's just that I needed to get away that's all.
Hiro: Okay. Well, I was going to go to the store and grab some things for this little guy, then take him home to get cleaned and comfy.
Sai: Oh. O…Okay. Cool.
He gave me a frowned look.
Hiro: Would you like to join us? I mean, you are partly his parent now as well. Hehe
And again, he captivated me.
Sai: Sure.
We walked to the store and grabbed a few things for Hirai, then headed to Hiro's house. All the while the familiar feeling of being with Hiro kept tugging at my chest.
Hiro: I'm here.
He pointed to his house.
I hadn't noticed that I was walking in a daze and almost walked right past it.
Sai: Mm.
I opened the gate for him and held on to Hirai so he could search for his key and open the door.
Hiro: I'm home.
He called out with a smile, but I heard no response.
Sai: Is anyone home? I didn't hear anything.
I whispered to him.
Hiro: Oh. Hehe No, I live alone. I stay here with my aunt usually, but she's out of the country for work and won't be back for a while.
Sai: Oh. Okay.
I understood completely. The emptiness that is brought on by the constant departure of the parents due to work.
We took our shoes off at the door and he showed me into the living area.
Sai: This is nice.
He just gave me a faint smile and nodded.
Did I say something wrong?
I walked around observing the homely but empty spacious environment. I happen to catch a glimpse out the corner of my eyes.
Sai: Uh… Wha… This is.
I saw photos of Hiro and a woman. He looked as though he was 9 or 10 years old. In one photo that caught my eye, he had on a white tee and pink capri pants with a bright sunflower in his hair.
Sai.
I was stuck in place, not from the fact that he was so beautiful while standing in the sand as the wind seemed to have blown his hair.
Sai.
Or from the fact that he was brightly smiling while holding his graduation certificate. A certificate I knew all too well.
Sai.
No, it was because of a face that I had once known before. I could hear his small soft voice in my head.
Hiro: Sai.
It's him.
I couldn't quite wrap my head around what I was looking at. I shot a look from the photo then at his face. I stumbled back a bit, catching myself on the table.
Hiro: Sai… Are you okay?
I didn't know what was happening. My mind had become clouded, and his voice had begun to muffle.
Saiii…
Everything went black and silent, the next thing I remember is a blurry vision of him hovering over me, coming into view.
Hiro: Sai, can you hear me? Are you alright??
His voice was shaken, and I felt warm taps softly on my face. He was crying.
Sai: I'm fine. Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. Just haven't eaten in a while.
I sat up and put my hand to my face and tried to clear my mind.
It's him.
I couldn't believe the girl that I spent 4 years torn up over, was really a boy. I felt guilty, betrayed, sad, happy, confused… everything at once.
Hiro: I'm glad you're okay. I was so scared; I did not know what to do.
His face showed true concern and again I felt the tug at my chest. His eyes. Those eyes were pulling me.
I turned my head and looked away. I saw Hirai down at my feet pawing at my pants.
Meow
I guess he was just as scared as Hiro was.
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