Forever An Artwork(BL)

"Hi, do you want to play with me?" a young, soft voice asked Akio Juro. As he looked up, a whirlwind of thoughts swirled within him. Who was this person, and why did they want to talk to him? The boy had blonde hair and green eyes resembling jadestone. Akio froze, a shiver coursing through him as he scanned the surroundings, half-expecting someone else to be the boy's intended recipient. However, the reality soon dawned upon him: the boy was speaking to him alone. Uncertain about how to respond, Akio shifted his gaze back to the twig he was holding and softly murmured, attempting to decline. "No, thank you."

The persistent young boy wasn't deterred. "Sorry, I didn't quite catch that. What did you say?" 

In that moment, Akio gripped the twig tightly, his nerves escalating as he grappled with the decision before him. 

Should he agree to play with the boy, or should he decline? The internal conflict left him feeling bewildered. His focus was abruptly captivated by a rapid movement as the boy, now at his eye level, knelt down and posed the question once more, "Want to play with me?" Akio felt compelled to agree, for the boy was in such close proximity that escape seemed impossible.

Akio's life took a different course after that encounter, although he couldn't quite find the words to describe it. It seemed that meeting the boy had brought about a positive change...

"What is your name?" the young boy asked.

"Umm… My name is Akio Juro," Akio replied hesitantly.

The boy attended Akio with his jadestone-like eyes. Though Akio tried to inch away, the boy firmly held his hand, maintaining a grip that refused to yield. He continued to study Akio's eyes intently. Despite the initial unease that coursed through him, Akio was taken aback when the boy uttered, "Your eyes... do you know they are beautiful, just like the deep ocean?"

Akio blinked, at a loss for words. The boy introduced himself: "My name's June, June Hiroshi; it's nice to meet you, Akio." He smiled softly as the wind blew gently, a cherry blossom petal drifting by. In that very moment, Akio realised that June was about to transform his life.

Akio returned home covered in mud. At the age of six, he considered it one of the best days he had ever had. His beloved spot was the playground, where he'd sit beneath the cherry blossom tree, relishing the companionship of the small creatures. Before meeting June, this had been his cherished pastime. As he entered the house, his mother's fearful look greeted him. She knew Akio was a very sensitive and shy child, so his messy appearance raised concerns of bullying or harm.

"Oh, dear Aki" (disregard the name; his parents affectionately call him that instead of Akio), his mother responded with a worried tone.

Akio gazed up at his mother, inquiring, "Is Papa home yet, mum?" Her look was one of astonishment, as she hadn't expected him to return home without any tears, considering his introverted nature and the challenging childhood he'd endured before meeting June. Nevertheless, she appeared bewildered but did offer a response, saying, "No, but I've just messaged dad, and he mentioned he's on his way back."

Adding on to that, "Aki, what happened with you? Did someone hurt you or anything?"

Akio shook his head, his gaze still fixed on his mum. Brimming with happiness, he replied, "I made a friend, mum!"

She responded with a sigh of relief and affectionately ruffled his hair, asking, "Is that why you're so messy and muddy?" Akio nodded, his smile radiating pure joy. His mother's next question was, "What's their name, darling?" Akio's response was brimming with excitement: "His name is June... June? Hiroshi! June Hiroshi, that's it."

His mum's surprise was evident as she looked at him, and she questioned further, "You met Hiroshi's son today?" Confused, Akio nodded in affirmation. "Is there something wrong with me playing with him?"

"No, no definitely not. I'm just surprised you already met because I wanted to introduce them to you tomorrow as they are coming to the cafe opening."

"You're opening a cafe?"

"Yes, your dad and I have been discussing it for a while now, and as it happens, Hiroshi's family will be joining us for the grand opening. In fact, we first met the Hiroshi's back in high school, and we've been close ever since. They've just recently relocated here, so when you meet them tomorrow, please make sure to be as polite as you can. They come from a rather well-off background," his mother explained with a serious tone. Akio nodded in understanding.

"Now, let's get you cleaned up," she continued as she headed off to prepare the bath for him. Akio wasted no time in getting undressed and examined himself in the mirror, mud still clinging to him from his outdoor adventure. A small smile graced his face as he contemplated the fun he'd had. At his mother's call, he made his way to the bathroom for a well-deserved bath.

Moments later, a familiar voice resonated through the house, calling out, "I'm home." A faint sound emanated from the living room, prompting Akio to swiftly leap out of the bath. He hurried to the source of the voice, which turned out to be his father. 

Although he was still wet, Akio couldn't contain his excitement and wrapped his arms around his dad, both of them sharing hearty laughter. His father responded with an affectionate chuckle. saying, "Oh, look who it is! And you're still all wet too? Where are your clothes?" He exclaimed joyfully.

Akio's father then playfully lifted him onto his shoulders, both of them basking in the happiness of the moment. Later, his mum came over to give his dad a kiss and inquired, "Welcome home, sweetheart. How was work?" His father replied as he took Akio back to the bathroom to dry him up. "It was a busy and tiring day; my boss kept complaining about people not doing their work. I know I am performing better than the others, but hearing him complain about my associates not working becomes quite tiresome," he shared, wrapping a towel around Akio and gently drying his hair. 

"Well, you're home now, and actually, I believe someone has some good news to share with you, right, Aki?" "Oh, you do, bud. What is it?" Akio's dad looked at him happily as Akio replied with an enthusiastic tone, "Yes, I do! I met a boy called June Hiroshi in the park today, and we did so much together!"

"Oh wow, look at you! You've already made a new friend! I'm so proud of you!" Akio's dad exclaimed, his tone brimming with cheerfulness as he playfully ruffled his hair with the towel. "Can you tell me what you did with him?" he asked. In response, Akio enthusiastically recounted every detail, from their playful adventures in the park to their escapades amidst the bushes and muddy terrain. 

His dad chuckled heartily and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek. "You must have had an incredible day today, and look at you, you're growing up so fast!" he exclaimed with a warm smile as he helped Akio into his pyjamas and then carried him to the dining table. Akio's mum had already set dinner on the table for them to enjoy, and as his dad placed him in his chair, the family gathered for their meal.

"Itadakimasu," they all said in unison, expressing their thanks for the meal prepared before them in Japanese.

While they dined, Akio's mind brimmed with plans for the following day. It being the weekend and with a family meeting scheduled, he envisioned countless activities to enjoy with June. A curious notion arose, spurred by his mother's earlier reference to the family's affluence. Unaware of the potential rudeness, he inquired, "Mum, you mentioned the family is rich... Why do they live here? They could afford fancier places, couldn't they?"

"Son, we don't discuss other people's lives here," Akio's dad intervened, halting any further conversation. Hesitatingly, Akio turned his attention to his plate, now full with the meal his dad had served, and quietly consumed his food. A sense of unease lingered as his father's displeasure was evident.

His mum gazed warmly at him, her smile unwavering, as she responded, "Their family is intriguing; indeed, they may possess more wealth than us, but they value a life like ours, eschewing the privileges that come with affluence. Besides, they are doing it for June's sake, to impart the importance of money and prevent any negative influence." Akio met his mother's kind eyes while she continued to enjoy her meal. 

Observing her pleasant demeanour, he felt compelled to apologise for his earlier impolite inquiry, especially since his dad had not taken it lightly. "I'm sorry for asking, Mum and Dad," he said in remorse. Both his parents exchanged smiles, disregarding the need for further words. His dad affectionately ruffled his hair, and his mum reassured him that everything was forgiven.

The sounds of conversation and movement throughout the house roused Akio from his slumber. He rose from his bed, rubbing the remnants of sleep from his eyes and letting out a long yawn. Gently, he reached for the doorknob and creaked it open. As he peered into the hallway, his gaze settled on his parents, diligently arranging what appeared to be ribbons and balloons. evidently in preparation for a significant event. Without hesitation, he retraced his steps to his cosy bed, clutching his cherished stuffed animal tightly, before bounding downstairs to join his parents in their bustling activities.

Observing his mother and father briskly navigating the stairs and organising the festivities, Akio's curiosity grew. His father noticed him and approached him with a warm smile, asking, "Awake now, Aki? Would you like to change and help us with the opening?" Akio's memory immediately jogged; today marked the café's opening day. Filled with newfound enthusiasm, he darted upstairs to change into his more suitable clothes before returning downstairs to assist with the preparations. "The ribbon goes in the middle, as we will cut them," his mother instructed the workers who had arrived to lend a hand.

"Dad?" Akio said.

"Yes, son?" 

"Is there something I can do?" Akio asked.

His dad then asked him if he could help blow up some balloons since he knew Akio enjoyed doing so. Akio willingly agreed and returned inside the house to start inflating the balloons. Seated on the couch, he opened the packet of balloons and began to blow them up one by one. As he worked on the balloons, the voices of people downstairs directing each other on where to go and what to do filled the air.

After what felt like half an hour, Akio walked up to his dad and proudly announced that he had finished blowing up all the balloons.

However, Akio's dad was engrossed in his tasks, failing to register his presence. Feeling unnoticed, Akio decided to withdraw to his room, where he could immerse himself in playing with his toys neglecting the scattered balloons on the floor for his dad to stumble upon later. 

As time went by, Akio heard voices laughing and mingling. He couldn't help but wish he could be a part of it all, but something was stopping him. Akio has a deep discomfort around unfamiliar faces; solitude felt much more comfortable for him. 

"Aki?" his mother called out, but Akio chose silence. The idea of participating in the family cafe opening no longer appealed to him, as it meant encountering new people. He remained unresponsive until his mother entered his room. "What's keeping you tucked away in here, all alone in the darkness?" She asked with concern. "Aren't you interested in meeting June and his family?" Initially, Akio felt a desire to rush downstairs and greet June, but he held back. Not only did he know June was already there, but he was also aware of the presence of numerous unfamiliar faces, something he preferred to avoid. 

Akio's mother sat beside him, wrapping her arms around him. "Yesterday, you were jumping all around the house in joy because of a new friend, and now you don't want to see him." Akio hesitated and buried his face in his mum's chest, overwhelmed by fear and shyness, unable to articulate the cause of his sudden apprehension. 

Silence enveloped them as his mother softly stroked his hair. Akio struggled with severe social anxiety, often isolating himself and unintentionally intimidating other children with his apprehensive expressions. This constant isolation had begun to erode his self-confidence, making him fear that June might eventually drift away as a friend due to his deep-seated insecurities. 

Moments lingered in silence before Akio finally mustered the courage to speak. "I'll... I'll go down... and meet everyone," he stammered. His mother could sense his desire to please her and attempted to reassure him that he didn't have to do it, but Akio insisted. Thus, they descended the stairs together, Akio nestled in his mother's arms, seeking refuge in her comforting embrace. 

As they descended the stairs, all eyes turned towards them, causing Akio's anxiety to intensify. The multitude of unfamiliar faces overwhelmed him, prompting him to retreat further into his mother's comforting embrace, hiding his face from the gaze of the onlookers. 

Akio's father approached his mother and gently took Akio from her, lifting him up into the air with a playful swing. "Alright, buddy, no more hiding. Look who's here to see you!" he exclaimed, stopping the swinging motion and directing Akio's attention towards June and his family with a warm smile. 

Standing before them were June's mother, father, younger sister, and older brother. June beamed with joy upon spotting Akio and waved enthusiastically while asking, "Hi Akio, wanna play again?" Upon spotting June, Akio eagerly asked his father to let him down, and he darted towards June with excitement. 

They went outside and started playing. Eventually, June's siblings joined them, forming a group of four, and they continued playing together. Meanwhile, inside, the parents and customers exchanged lively conversation, sharing their delight about the café and celebrating the family's grand opening. As time passed, people gradually began to leave as it grew late. June's family remained at the cafe, watching as the cafe gradually emptied out. 

The two sets of parents engaged in conversation, reminiscing about the past and sharing stories of how their children had met. June's mother began by recounting how, on the previous evening, June had returned home covered in mud, causing them to worry that he might have been injured. However, he reassured them that he had made a new friend at the park named Akio. Both sets of parents expressed similar sentiments. 

"It's surprising how both of them connected so easily," June's father said.

"Indeed, I didn't expect Akio to come home without tears. He's quite a stubborn boy and tends to be reserved when it comes to meeting new people," replied Akio's mother.

"I came home and he was laughing and genuinely happy, which was a pleasant change. In the past, Akio would often get picked on and return home in tears. I must admit, I didn't quite understand why he decided to return to the park after that awful encounter," Akio's father shared. Both parents exchanged glances and then directed their gaze outside, where they spotted the children playing. 

Checking the time, they realised it was getting late and decided it was time to take the kids home. June's father headed over to collect the children, while June's mother extended her congratulations to Akio's family once more before bidding them farewell.

Later that night, as Akio's parents were busy wrapping up the cafe and preparing for the upcoming work, Akio mustered the courage to ask if he could go on a sleepover with June and his siblings. He yearned to deepen his friendship with them. As his parents finished wrapping up, they turned their attention to him. His mother pulled out a chair and sat down, while his father kneeled to be at his level. "You really like him, don't you, Aki?" his father responded, while his mother chuckled lightly. Akio looked at his parents, feeling a bit flustered, and nodded shyly.

"Alright, then tomorrow night it is," Akio's dad said blissfully.

"Well, you do need to double check with Daisuke and Hana," responded his mum, referring to June's parents by their names.

"Of course I will," his dad replied as he went to clear up more stuff before heading upstairs. 

After the discussion Akio had with his parents, he went upstairs to prepare for bed. His mother and father finished up their tasks in the cafe and joined him upstairs, where they all got ready for bed. Before Akio's parents turned in for the night, his mother was in the bathroom, and his father peeked into his room to check if Akio was asleep. 

As he looked in, he saw Akio had already fallen asleep, tightly hugging his favourite doll. His dad smiled softly and walked in to plant a gentle kiss on Akio's forehead before quietly leaving for bed. 

"Is he asleep?" Akio's mum questioned his father softly. "Yes, darling, he is," the father responded softly. Moreover, the mother inquired, "Did you inform Hana or Daisuke about tomorrow's sleepover?" "Yes, I did, and they expressed delight at the prospect of hosting Akio for the night."

As Akio's parents exchanged glances, they felt a mix of happiness and concern. Delighted about his new friend June, they were also anxious about his future social challenges. Akio, a stubborn child from a young age, preferred solitude beneath the cherry blossom tree, making him an easy target for older kids who teased him. Expressing himself around anyone but family was difficult. One incident involved older kids taunting him, leaving him in tears. Concerned about his safety, his parents began accompanying him to the park and even delayed his schooling due to bullying fears.

As Akio took his first step into June's world, he had no idea that this simple encounter would set into motion a series of events that would change his life forever. 

Little did he know the adventures, challenges, and deep connections that awaited him in the days and years to come. The mysteries of friendship, the complexities of growing up, and the joys and hardships of life were all on the horizon, waiting to be discovered. As the night settled in and Akio drifted into dreams of what tomorrow might bring, the world outside remained full of possibilities, ready to unfold in ways he could never imagine.