Mrs Saki sat on the kitchen table drinking some jasmine tea , something she did only when she was nervous .
Or excited .
Which she believed she had every reason to be .
Excited not nervous . But she was feeling a bit of both at the moment .
.....
She had been cutting apple slices for lunch when a rush of footsteps had sounded and then a symphony of knocks on her door .
She'd wiped her hands off apple juice and gone to see who was so unethical to behave like that . When she opened the door and saw who it was , she almost closed the door .
" Good afternoon , Mrs Saki ." Ryomen had said breathlessly , " I - "
" You came for Milo ? " She had asked him and he'd nodded his head . Folding her arms she had given him her most deadly look .
" What do you want from my son ? Haven't you hurt him enough ? " She asked him in polite voice .
" I just want to talk to him Mrs Saki . " He had answered instantly .
" Young man , I hope you know you've hurt my son considerably . Besides the bullying , I heard you've played him along . I am willing to forgive the first thing but not the second . " She had said sternly .
Ryo had swallowed visibly and riggled his hand before making it into a fist . He opened his mouth and said what he had planned on confessing to no one .
" I love him . " Ryo said slowly , " I know I've hurt him and I hate that . I've always hurt him but this time ... I don't like it . I learnt that I care about him alot , especially after the weekend . He is amazing and I love him ."
" You love him ." Mrs Saki said slowly , she had felt like chuckling at the young man's sorry attempt at expressing his feelings . He clearly was not used to it .
" Yes , I do ." Ryo replied even though it wasn't a question .
" What does that mean ? Do you know ?" She had asked him , looking him squarely in the eyes .
" I don't want to hurt him anymore ... I just want to be with him and ... love him ." Ryo had answered tentatively and she had smiled .
" That's a better way of saying it . " She had said and looked at him up and down ," Aren't you supposed to be in school ? "
" Milo is more important ." Ryo had replied flatly and she'd chuckled then .
" Well , Milo is not here . " She had said with a sigh , " He went out with his father . "
" Where did they go ? " Ryo asked and Mrs Saki had ruffled his hair . He reminded her of herself when she started chasing Milo's father .
" I know where but I think you know too . " She had said moving back " And if you love him ... You'll know him really well . I'm sure you can find him . Goodbye Ryo . "
With that she had shut the door and left the boy to find her son on his own . If he really knew her son , he'd know where he would be . If not ... well , then she would call Milo and tell him to come home until Ryo came back .
.....
" Where the hell is he ? " Ryo said outloud and recieved a few looks from people .
" She gave you a clue . " Mina said next to him.
They were walking on the pavement , the sun was lowering to the west . A tiny piece of orange had already snuck into the sky , claiming the afternoon .
Ryo looked at his watch , 01:52 . He groaned and stopped next to a pole . He didn't have that long now and he still hadn't found Milo .
" Are you listening ? I said she gave you a clue ." Mina said next to him and he turned to her with a frown , making the man behind Mina move away .
" What clue ? " Ryo asked her .
" She said if you knew him , then you'd know where he was . " Mina said smiling at him but Ryo didn't understand .
" What are his favourite places ? " She asked him instead .
" What ? I don't know ... the cinema I think . " Ryo said not understanding and then like lightning it hit him .
" I know where he is ." Ryo said and turned around and sped off in a blur , leaving Mina by herself .
" So dumb ." Mina said with a soft sigh and she snapped her fingers . Then she was gone .
...
Milo sat on the bench , looking out at the pond . Gou barked and ran up with a stick in his mouth and placed it next to Milo . The boy smiled sadly and rubbed the grey white hound behind the ears .
" You want to carry on playing ? " He asked Gou and the dog barked and jumped up excitedly . Milo grabbed the stick and threw it far away . A moment later , a sharp pain landed in his chest but the dog just ran after the stick .
Milo placed his chin in his hands and gave a deep sigh . What was he doing ? Sitting here , staring at the water ... thinking about Ryo . He needed a psychiatrist .
After everything that bastard had done to him , throughout their lives , why was it now that he's actually seemed different . Like he was a good person . Milo felt a tear form in his left eye and he quickly wiped it away and took a deep breath .
Where was Gou ? He wondered mostly to distract himself . He turned around to see where his dog had gone and found him barking and playing with -
" Him ." Milo said intensely and he got up from the bench , to go to Ryo and Gou . When Ryo saw him get up , he gave him a glare and pointed to the bench , demanding he sit back down .
Strangely enough , Milo complied . His body was stiff , was his excuse and not that he wanted to obey Ryo . Of course not !
" The dog park . I was right ." Ryo said as he came with Gou .
" You were looking for me ? " Milo asked him and Ryo nodded his head before sitting down . Milo looked at him and then cringed his nose .
" You need a shower , badly ." Milo said and Ryo gave him a look that said he didn't care if he smelled . Milo turned away to smile on the side but the smile quickly fell off when reality came back . Ryo saw the smile fall too and took that as his cue . He got up and went infront of Milo , who looked up in surprise .
" I have something here for you ." He said taking out a golden cream paper . Milo sighed and nodded his head , sure he'd sign it . What did he have to lose ?
" Wait what ? " Milo said in confusion as he opened the paper . He looked up at Ryo and then back at what was on the paper .
" What is this ? " He asked Ryo and the other boy growled but not in his usual threatening way .
" It's the words I can't say outloud but what I mean . I'm not good at this confession stuff , I've never said ... I... I've never said ... I lo...I love ... f*uck ! "
Ryo ruffled his hair and turned around , he felt hot and clamy. Maybe he did need that shower . Milo looked at the paper in his hands one more time , feeling less shocked but still shocked .
The letter was not the reconciliation letter but something Ryo had asked Mina to make as he rushed to the dog park . The letter said ;
Dear Milo
I'm a jerk . You were right to be mad at me . You are right to hate me . I'm sorry for everything I've done to you . All of it . I wish I could have done something nice for you a long time ago , like I did this weekend . Then maybe I'd have felt this feeling , that I'm feeling now .
I thinks it's called love . And it's for you .
Do you want it ? My love ?
Milo licked his lips and stood up , only to have Ryo put him back on the bench .
" I'm not crippled ." Milo complained .
" No , but you're hurting . So sit down ." Ryo said and sat next to him , " Where's you Dad ? "
" He went to buy me some fried chicken . For Gou , not me . I don't eat meat . He should be back soon . " Milo said , " Are you trying to dodge what you put in the letter ? "
" I'm just not good at talking about how I feel . It was easy when I told your mom that I loved you but it's harder - hey ! " Ryo shouted as Milo gave him a big punch on the shoulder .
" You told my mother what ? " Milo demanded , " Are you crazy ? "
" She asked why I was looking for you . I thought you'd like me being honest , no lying ." Ryo said looking at him in the eyes , " Because it's not you know , it's not a lie ."
" Since when ? Huh ? When did you magically figure out you liked me ? Or you're just pretending . " Milo said and Ryo grabbed his chin , holding him steady .
He leaned forward and before Milo knew what was going to happen , Ryo devoured his lips . The kiss was sleek , consuming and yet tender . Milo was so stunned he couldn't return it and when Ryo drew back he raised a hand and touched his lips .
Did that just happen ?
" Since we went to the cinema . I wanted to kiss you so badly that day . " Ryo said looking at the pond and then he turned to Milo again , " What about you ? When did you start liking me ? Actually , why do you like me ? I've always hurt you ."
Milo took a deep breath and turned his head away . His cheeks however could not lie , they glowed a rosy pink and he kept biting his lip to try and get the taste of Ryo back in his mouth .
This was crazy !
He reached down and took the stick that Gou had brought . This time he put some real effort and it bounced over the fence , landing on the road .
" Oops , no Gou ! " Milo said as the dog ran after the stick and Ryo got up and followed it .
" I got them . " Ryo said patting Gou on the head and waving the stick to Milo . He was wearing a nice warm smile and it was the last thing that Milo remembered before the truck came and hit both of them .
Ryo's watch was ; 00:00
...
The heavenly sky was a rosy blue , the clouds now wisps of orange and violet . A flock of birds flew above the station and from his seat The conductor looked up at them and smiled knowingly . He took a sip of the Ulong tea in his hand and then he turned to the boy next to him .
" Hello Ryo ." He said and reached into his pocket , he took out some toffee , " Have one , they go well with tea . "
Ryo looked around as if waking from a dream and then he remembered everything . He groaned and put his hands on his face and wiped his hair back , before looking up at the sky .
" You want to say I failed right ? " Ryo asked the older man .
" Mina told me you asked her to make you a different letter . A love confession and reconciliation letter , is that right ? " The conductor asked him , " take the toffee and your tea . "
Ryo looked and saw a tea tray infront of them with a warm cup of tea and biscuits . He grabbed one biscuit and took the tea . Taking a slurp , he found it delicious beyond compare and slightly familiar .
" Well , my boy , did you ? " The conductor asked him again and he growled but again it wasn't threatening .
" Yes , alright . I didn't get him to sign the letter you wanted . So you can throw me in hell now . " Ryomen said and looked down at the floor .
" Ryo , there are three things I want to tell you and afterwards I want you make a choice . " The conductor said softly , " The first is about Milo , the second is about your mother and the third is about you . "
" My mother ? What does she have to do with - "
" Calm down , drink your tea and just listen ." The conductor said Ryo found himself complying , " Good , very good . Now the first thing I wanted to tell you was about why Milo has feelings for you . "
Ryo sat up straighter and couldn't hide his interest from the older man .
" Milo used to live in the Eastern farm country with his extended family . Until his parents said they could finally let him stay with them . " The conductor said softly , " He was sad to leave but everyone wished him well and he went . To help with his studies , his parents enrolled him in the best school they could find . And it was on his first day of school that something happened to him ."
" What ? " Ryo asked and The conductor gave him a look .
" You met Milo on that day and took his lunch from him . " The conductor said and Ryo looked at his tea , feeling guilty now .
" Sorry ." He said to no one in particular .
" No , there is more . You see Milo's mother didn't know his favourite food and she certainly didn't know he was a vegetarian . " The conductor continued , " So she packed him eggs and pork sandwich . Milo wouldn't eat it and didn't know what to do . Then you came , sat next to him and took his lunch away . But it was what you did afterwards that struck Milo . You gave him your lunch . "
" I did ? " Ryo asked and he slowly remembered that day . He'd been angry because his parents had been fighting again at home , so he'd decided to be mean to the new boy at school . He sighed then , realising that's how Milo and him met .
" You gave Milo your lunch because you also didn't want to eat it . I know why but I won't say anything . " The conductor said softly, " Afterwards , Milo was very happy and when he went home he told his mother two things ; one , he didn't eat meat and two ... he had made a friend ."
" He must have been crazy ." Ryo said with a slight grin .
" No , he just thought you were a good person and he was right , you are . " The conductor said patting his back and then he turned infront of him , " The next thing I want to tell you about is your mother . You believe she stopped wanting to see you , is that right ? I can tell by your eyes I am right . But you're wrong . When I sent her off , she wanted to know how you'd be . She was very concerned about you . "
" Sent her off ? " Ryo asked slowly and The conductor nodded his head .
" She had an accident two weeks before your birthday . She came here and I sent her on the Heavenly Express . " The conductor said softly , " She's on the other side right now , waiting for you . She has been for a long time now . She even sent this tea and biscuits platter over to you . Do you like it ? "
Ryo looked at the tea in his hands and saw his arms were slightly shaking . He put the tea down with a bit too much force and closed his eyes .
Moth- Mom , he thought sadly , you ... you still tried to come . You ... I'm sorry . The conductor reached up and gave him a supporting hand on the shoulder .
It was five minutes , atleast by human time , before he spoke again .
" The last thing I wanted to tell you is that Milo signed the paper and you can go on the Heavenly Express ." The conductor said in an almost whisper .
" What ? When ? " Ryo asked him and the older man pulled out the letter of love and reconciliation that Ryo had made .
" This letter , as I'm sure Mina told you , is heart letter . It doesn't need a pen to be signed but uses the heart . " He said looking at it , " My guess is that young Milo signed it when he took you the hospital . That's when his love overcame his anger and he forgave you ."
" Hospital? What do you mean ? " Ryo asked him , or demanded since he was close to yelling .
" You were hit by a truck , again , I'm afraid to say . Your body suffered alot of damage and Milo and his father took you to the hospital . Which is where your body is now . " The conductor said softly .
Ryo touched his chest a moment before looking at the conductor .
" I'm not dead ? " He asked .
" That question brings us back to the choice you have to make . I believe Mina told you about choices , did she not ? "
" Yes , she said it's my choice to get Milo to sign the letter and it had to be Milo's choice to sign it ." Ryo said and The conductor nodded his head .
" Yes , now here is the choice you must make . Do you want to go back and continue with trying to love Milo or do you want to go on the Heavenly Express and be with your mother ? "
" I can't answer that . " Ryo said instantly , " Mom has been waiting for me and Milo has just forgiven me . You want me to choose ? "
" It's a harsh thing to think about but know this ; whoever you choose will not hate you or be mad at you . It's your life , your choice on happiness ."
Ryo looked at The conductor and then around him . Slowly his mind went back to thoughts of his mother , his happiest memories of her . Memories he had been shoving away for a long time . He missed her so much .
Then he thought of Milo , smiling and laughing with him . The short time they'd had together and all he's felt during that time . The warmth spread across his chest but he sighed and pushed it down .
He had made his choice .
He turned around and looked at The conductor and told him what he wanted . The conductor nodded his head and gave a small smile.
" Goodbye Ryo . " He said softly .
.....
Milo sat on the chair next to Ryo's bed , the nurses had given up trying to move him . He was looking at Ryo's face , covered in cuts and his head bandaged up . He was holding Ryo's hand .
" Honey , I'm going to get some water , do you want anything ? " His mother asked from the opposite seat .
" Can I have some soda ? " He asked and she nodded her head . But before leaving, she gave her husband a meaningful look .
" Do you see him differently now ? " Mr Saki asked his son .
" He came with an apology letter . He actually said sorry and he would have said ... he wanted to say he - " Milo took some nervous breaths feeling like crying again .
" I know , I know . " Mr Saki said , " He changed faster than your mother did though . It took her nearly a month before she started changing for me . But they were good times . "
" He did it in three days . " Milo said looking down and held Ryo's hand tighter , " I'm sorry I couldn't believe you Ryo . Maybe you really did mean what you were doing ."
" I'm sure he did . " Mr Saki said getting up , " I'll go check on your mother and see if we can get something to eat . Will you be alright? "
" Yes , dad ." Milo said softly .
" I love you Ryo . " Milo said as soon as the door was closed , "You wanted to know why remember ? Because I think you're a good person just trying to be as bad as you can . I believe you don't want to be this mean and you're just hurting inside , like dad said . I believe I could help you ... If you just woke up . "
Milo put his head on the bed and fought the urge to cry . He was sorry , he wished he could have said this earlier but now was too late .
" I am . "
Huh ?
Milo got up and looked at Ryo's face , but found his eyes still closed . Had he misheard or something ?
" I am . " Ryo whispered and Milo almost hugged him but remembered that he was in pain .
" Ryo , can you hear me ? " Milo asked with a smile and Ryo opened his eyes slowly .
" Milo , I have something I want to tell you ." Ryo said softly , " Come closer . "
Milo moved closer to Ryo and Ryo lifted one hand and put it on his neck . He pulled Milo closer and .... gave him a big lick on the cheek .
" Gross ! " Milo said drawing back and touching his cheek .
" You told me to give you that . " Ryo said seriously and the other boy froze .
" Gou ? "
" He didn't make it ? " Ryo asked with a concerned face and Milo nodded his head with tears in his eyes .
" I'm sorry . Come on ." Ryo lifted one arm and offered Milo his comfort . Milo moved into it without thinking and Ryo closed his hand around him . He was in complete agony but wouldn't show it .
He was thinking about what Gou had said .
.....
" I want to be with mother . " Ryo had said and The conductor had nodded his head .
" Then Goodbye Ryo . " He had said and pointed to the train , " You can get on through there . "
" Thank y- "
" Wait ! "
A flurry of white and grey landed on Ryo's chest and the boy was overwhelmed by Gou's tongue again .
" Stop , Gou ." Ryo said laughing and the dog sat back .
" You're here too , Gou ? " The conductor asked .
" Yes ." The dog replied and shocked Ryo .
" You can talk ? " He asked and Gou nodded his head .
" Where's Milo ? " He asked wagging his tail excitedly .
" He's ... back home . " Ryo answered and the dog looked sad .
" All alone ? " Gou said , " But Milo hates being alone . I'll go lick him ."
" I'm sorry , my friend but you can't . " The conductor said patting the dog on his ears , " You and Ryo are going to a very special place . "
" To Milo ? " Gou asked and Ryo winced .
" No , Somewhere else ." The conductor said .
" But Milo ... hates being alone . Can I go back to him ? He'll be happy if I go back ." Gou said and the conductor shook his head sadly .
" No , my friend . "
Gou looked down at the ground and sat down down .
" But ... Milo hates being alone . " Gou said and Ryo felt like his heart was being punched . An image appeared in his mind of Milo on sleeping on his shoulder , he had looked so peaceful . It was with that that Ryo realised something ; he wanted with Milo more than his mother .
" Conductor . " He said without thinking and the old man looked at him .
" Yes , Ryo ? " He asked .
Say it , Ryo thought , tell him what you want !
" Can mom ... wait longer ? Does time work differently where she is too ? " He asked remembering what Mina said about time .
" Your mother lives in a place where time has no meaning . Yes , she can wait a while longer . " He answered and tilted his head , " Why do you ask ? "
" Because ... I changed my mind . I don't want to hurt Milo ever again and if I left , I know he would be ." Ryo said and Gou jumped up excitedly .
" Milo ! Milo ! " Gou said happily and the two people smiled at him .
" If that's your true choice , then okay . " The conductor said and Ryo nodded his head .
" Yes . "
" Can you lick Milo when you see him ? " Gou asked him and he smiled .
" Okay . " Ryo said , imagining the look on Milo's face .
" Goodbye Ryo ." The conductor said softly .
" Goodbye and say goodbye to Mina . And tell mom ... I miss her . " Ryo said and the conductor gave a bright smile . Then he snapped his fingers and everything went white .
.....
" I'm sorry Gou is gone . " Ryo said as Milo held onto him, " Okay , that's too much pressure . You're crushing me ."
" Sorry . " Milo said drawing back but Ryo held him close .
" I'm sorry , Milo . " He said looking at the other boys blue eyes , " I'm sorry for everything . I'll never do any of those things again . "
" Thanks . And I'll tell my parents that ... I don't want to move schools. " Milo said looking down , " I wouldn't be happy if I did ."
" So ... You're not mad at me anymore ? " Ryo asked and Milo nodded his head with a wide smile that made his eyes shine like moonrise on a crystal blue lake . Ryo got up slowly and reached for Milo's hand and the other boy only hesitated a second before giving it to him .
" I love you ." Ryo said out of the blue and before he could prepare himself , Milo recieved a deep kiss .
This time his shock was short lived and he gave in to his desire . Moving his lips in rythm to Ryo's . The older boy pulled his head closer and put his fingers inside Milo's hair .
That's when Mrs Saki opened the door .
" Ryo ! You're awake . How are you ? " She asked the two boys , who had quickly seperated .
" I'm fine Mrs Saki . Thank you . Why are you here ? " Ryo asked .
" Because , we care about whoever our son cares about . " Mr Saki said coming in aswell , " I'm happy to see you awake Ryomen ."
" Thank you Mr Saki ." Ryo answered .
" Mom , did you bring that soda ? " Milo asked and Mrs Saki handed him a bottle of water .
" You need something more healthier . You're getting skinny ." Mrs Saki said and Milo pouted .
" I'm not . " He said
" You are " Mrs Saki said instantly .
" I'm not ."
" You are "
" I'm not ."
" You are ." Mrs Saki and Ryo said at the same time and they grinned at each other .
" You too ? " Milo asked him in mock indignation .
" Yes ." Ryo said with a big grin .
He'd never been happier . But then a thought came to him . Ryo reached out and took Milo's hand and held it as firm as he could . Which was quite firm despite his injuries .
" Mr and Mrs Saki , " he said looking at the two adults , " I once asked for permission to date your son . Now I want to ask you permission to - "
" Marriage !? " Mrs Saki said faintly , " You're both so young . We'd need to talk to Milo's grandmother too and then Ryo's parents and a wedding location and then - "
" Honey , let him finish please . I don't think he's asking for Milo's hand in marriage . " Mr Saki said and spared the two young people some embarassment .
Ryo gave a cough , " I want to ask your permission to take care of Milo and to be by his side . "
" Will you hurt him again ? " Mrs Saki asked him seriously and Ryo looked down at their linked hands and then at Milo who was looking at him .
" I can't promise I won't make any mistakes but I promise I'll never leave him and always make up for anything I do wrong . I love him . " Ryo said and Mrs Saki pulled out a handkerchief , which she handed over to her son .
Milo wiped away the tears on his eyes and smiled at Ryo happily . Mr Saki beamed at them both and his wife was also happy .
" Oh , Ryo " Mrs Saki said suddenly , " Now that you're awake , we better get the doctor . "
" Yes , we should ." Mr Saki agreed .
" I believe I saw him in the lobby , or I could be wrong . This may take some time . Milo , you stay with him and we'll be back in maybe ten minutes . " Mrs Saki said taking her husband's hand and leaving them alone .
" She did that on purpose ." Milo said looking angry , " She'll walk across the whole hospital looking for one doctor . "
" I love your mom . " Ryo said amused and pulled Milo close until they were face to face , " But I love you most ."
" Me too ." Milo said and he looked down at Ryo's lips . The other boy noticed this and gave his signature devil smile , before he pulled Milo close and finally closed the distance between them .