Months had elapsed since the accident, witnessing a profound evolution in the friendship between Akio and June. The day following Akio's hospital stay unveiled a diagnosis of severe social anxiety. While Akio's parents were already aware, they found solace in the confirmation, determined to support him in overcoming it. As for June, he was discharged a month later instead of a week due to severe damage to his hand incurred from resisting nurses, all in a fervent desire to be by Akio's side when he left the hospital, leaving a permanent scar on his right hand.
"I don't know how to bring this up for June, as he clearly wanted to be with Akio every day," Hana exclaimed with a worried tone.
"I understand your worry, but if this is what you want, go for it, plus, this is your only chance. I know it will be hard for both of us; honestly, it's all thanks to you that Akio has an amazing friend," Haruna replied, watching the two kids play together.
"When do you leave?"
"Thursday."
"Ha? There are only 2 days left, huh?"
Hana didn't respond for a moment, causing silence between them. "Haruna." Hana looked at her as she was making a cup of coffee. "What will happen with Akio? He would be devastated." Haruna looked at her friend, who was sitting on the counter, with a sympathetic gaze and smiled. "Hana. Look at the boys; they've grown up so fast, right? It was as if it were yesterday when they first met." Hana listened, gazing at the two boys who were laughing with each other. She smiled softly and turned to hug Haruna tightly. "This isn't goodbye; we'll definitely come and visit."
Since that day, June's mother has broken the news to June, which caused him to run away from home and end up at Akio's house. "June, you should go back; your parents must be worried sick about you," Akio's father exclaimed while kneeling at his level.
"No! I don't want to go; I don't want to leave for a new big, scary place," June shouted, unaware of Akio's presence.
"Y-y-your leaving...?" Akio said, dropping his stuffed toy that June had given him on his birthday.
"Papa, is that true? Is June's family leaving?" He looked at his dad, tearing up.
"No, no, son, he's not leaving. Don't worry."
"You're lying! He just said he was, papa!" Akio shouted and ran upstairs, followed by June.
"Son!"
Later, Akio's mother came down, and as she heard the loud noises downstairs, she inquired. "Dear, what happened?"
"He knows," Akio's dad sighed, putting his hand on his face. As Akio's mother comforted him, she called up June's family, informing them that June was at their house and they could come pick him up.
An hour later, June's parents arrived. "Thank you so much."
"Anytime; I think they are upstairs," inquired Akio's mother.
Approaching upstairs, they opened Akio's door to witness the two falling asleep together while holding hands, making their parents feel guilty for separating them. "I can't believe it's been only a year, and they are already this close. It makes me want to tear up seeing them so close and happy," June's mother said, looking at June and Akio, tearing up. While Akio's mother observed Akio, she foresaw the impending heartbreak that would devastate Akio. Uncertain of how to help Akio forget June after his departure, she grappled with the impending challenge. "It's as if they are in love with each other," said Hana, chuckling, prompting Haruna to look at Hana and then back at the closeness between June and Akio.
Thursday arrived fast, marking June's family departure for New York. June, appearing sombre but attempting to exude happiness, handed a gift to Akio. "For you," he said.
As Akio accepted the gift, June looked at him, worried that he might not like the gift, so he decided to plant a little peck on Akio's nose like the night at the hospital, just in case he wouldn't be able to do it ever again. The unexpected gesture left everyone, including June's siblings, in awe of their cuteness. Akio, still speechless, watched June board the car and drive away.
Unwrapping the gift, Akio discovered a small drawing of a flower, reminiscent of the one he found in the hospital. A note accompanied it, saying, 'See you later. (Smiley face)' To his surprise, a ginger, white-spotted puppy leaped out of the box, barking and sticking his tongue out. Akio jumped a little, his eyes reflecting both sadness and joy as he looked at his parents, grateful for the unexpected gift as that was marking the end of their childhood friendship.
Many years had passed since June left, and Akio found solace in spending more time with Yuki. Both of them had transitioned to high school. However, as Akio entered his teenage years, he became noticeably quieter, distancing himself from those around him. Despite this change, he still maintained a connection with Yuki, who went out of her way to bring laughter and joy into Akio's life.
While Akio continued to be reserved, he managed to utter a few sentences around Yuki, a fact that brought her a sense of relief. One day, as Akio sat engrossed in drawing within his sketchbook that he found special to him, to Yuki's astonishment, she never understood why Akio carried the same sketchbook around with him every day. She tried to ask Akio about it but the conversation was always left to Akio walking away or telling her it's nothing to do with her.
Later, Yuki approached him with a question.
"Heyyy, can I come to your house today?" she asked.
Akio, without looking up from his sketchbook, responded with a simple, "Yeah, sure."
"Oh, come on, dude, be more happy about me coming; you know you want me too hm hm~, and I want to see Hiro!" Yuki said as she sat on the end of the bench, looking at Akio.
"Oh so you're only coming so that you can see Hiro?" Akio put his book away to look at Yuki with a bit of an annoyed look.
"What no, I wanted to do work too since I need your help, Humph!" Yuki said as she crossed her arms
"Sure," responded Akio as he went back to drawing in his sketch book again
Hiro was Akio's dog, named by Akio himself. It resembled the similarity of June's last name.
"Anyway, what cha drawing?" Yuki asked curiously about Akio's drawing and tried to sneak a peek at his sketchbook before Akio covered his sketchbook with his hand, even though Yuki saw a glimpse of his sketchbook.
"Akio, come on, I saw a little bit and it's amazing! You've improved so much since we were little. Mm Ah! I remember when you drew a po-"
Akio quickly covered her mouth in embarrassment.
"Shush! That's not something you should say out loud, Yuki!"
"Mphm!" She struggled with Akio's grip. After he let her go, she burst out laughing, seeing him embarrassed. It was rare to witness Akio embarrassed these days. He now always puts on a cold face, which used to scare kids away when he was young, to avoid playing with and communicating with them.
"Can you stop laughing? You're being too loud." Akio looked away, gripping his sketchbook tightly
"Bahaahha!! Haha! Fine! Ahaha! But you should take art classes to showcase your work," she advised Akio, wiping a tear from her eye. Akio had never considered joining any art classes in school with the others since it had to do with communication. Akio stared at his work and considered his friend's words.
"Fine, then you better join too," He said, looking at Yuki
Yuki's eyes widened and she shook both of her hands. "W-what no way! My art sucks, man. You've seen it, like, yeah, we drew when we were young and no one cared about what we drew but now it's different. I'm not as talented as you so I'm not joining the art class. Plus, I'm not willing to get bullied because of my art so no thank you. Besides, your going to be great and the teacher will love you!" She said this as she was encouraging Akio.
"Come on, let's go talk to the art teacher," Yuki said, grabbing Akio's hand. Akio followed her into the secondary building.
As they approached the art room, Akio started to shake and sweat, knowing he would have to socialise. Sensing Akio's nervousness and anxiety, Yuki reassured him, "It's okay; I'll do the talking. You don't have to say a thing." She smiled as she opened the art room door. The room was filled with neatly arranged canvases for each student, paintbrushes glinting and neatly piled, sunlight streaming in and casting a glow on the walls covered with vibrant colours. As they entered, Akio admired the atmosphere.
"Young Miss Yuki, what brings you here at this time of day?"
"Good afternoon, sensei," Yuki greeted the teacher in the Japanese way.
"What can I do for you?" he questioned
"Well, you see, my friend, he..." She looked at Akio, who wasn't paying attention, and poked him to get his focus. "He would like to join your art classes. I know it's a bit late since our enrollment was already made, but do you think you can make an exception for him to join? He's really talented; trust me!"
"Hmm, young man, what's your name?" The teacher looked at Akio, which caused Akio to freeze and struggle to speak.
"I..I u..um.."
"His name is Akio. Not much of a talker, ahah," Yuki interrupted, saving Akio from having to speak.
"Ah, it's nice to meet you, Akio. I hear you are quite talented in art from this lovely lady. May I take a look at the sketchbook you have there?"
Initially hesitant, Akio wanted to refuse since there were personal things he didn't want to show anyone. In the end, he handed the book hesitantly to the art teacher, who scanned his work in amazement. The sketchbook told a story drawn in pencil, a narrative about June, reflecting the emotions behind each drawing. Looking back at Akio, the teacher asked, "This art work feels so real. I feel the realness and emotions of this art. It feels so sad, like this was a young love story." Yuki, curious, also took a look at the book with even more amazement as she finally got to see the art behind the book that Akio kept insisting on showing her. As for Akio, he simply stood still, not saying a word.
"Oh wow, it's June! And you and me." Yuki pointed out. "At the playground when we were young..." she added, remembering the unfortunate incident that occurred.
"I love this, Akio. You sure are talented. Alright, I've made up my mind. You can join the art classes, and no worries if you don't want to speak when you're in the classes; you don't have to. I want to make this room as safe as possible for you and not make you feel anxious all the time." The teacher expressed delight in having a new student.
"Thank you so much, sensei!" Yuki bowed and expressed her happiness for Akio
"Well, I guess I'll see you in class tomorrow, Akio," the teacher said. Akio nodded and bowed in gratitude for his kindness. The teacher handed back his sketchbook and the two friends walked out of the art room.
As they left the school, it was already getting dark. Akio, who was paying attention to his surroundings, Yuki mustered up her courage to ask, "What was June like?" She asked, looking forward with both of her hands behind her back while waiting for a response. "I know I was your friend after June, and I never hung out with him as much after that incident, but I'm curious. What was he like?"
Akio looked at Yuki, unable to think, as all the past memories of June came back. "H..he," Akio stopped walking and looked at the sky. "He was very joyful and caring. He brought light to my world." Yuki looked at Akio from ahead and asked again, "Did you fall in love with him?" Akio stuttered and looked at Yuki in surprise. "I was young, so I'm not sure; besides, I didn't know what love meant at that time." Akio started walking again, gripping his sketchbook tightly. Yuki looked at the sketch book Akio was holding and then didn't question any father.
"Lets go; I want to see Hiro," she said, grabbing Akio to walk faster
"Ugh, not this again I thought you wanted to do work."
"I dooo, stop ruining my mood."
Later that night, as they got home, Akio shouted out to his mother that he was home and he brought over a friend. "Welcome home, honey!" Akio's mother came by to greet the two of them; Yuki bowed.
"Thank you for having me, Mrs. Juro."
"Oh, that's not a problem; dear, you're always welcome," Akio's mother implied.
"Mum, don't make it sound like she can come every day now." Akio interrupted, making both of them laugh.
As they spoke, Hiro came barking in excitement. As Yuki heard Hiro bark, she ran up to him and snuggled with him, rubbing his ears. "Oh, who's a good boy?" She said. Akio joined, and laughter filled the air.
"So, are you staying here for dinner?" Akio's mother asked Yuki while she went back to the kitchen to finish up the cooking she started before the two of them got home.
"If that's okay with you?" Yuki replied.
"Of course, dear, make yourself at home." Akio's mother responded as she walked to the kitchen.
"Akio, where's your dad?" Yuki questioned.
"He's at work; he'll be back soon. Anyway, what was this work you really want help on that made you really want to come to my house for?" He said it sarcastically.
"Hey, don't be sarcastic. I really do need help. Let me go grab it." Yuki went to get her school bag, and as Yuki went to do that, Akio went to the kitchen to sit down on the table.
"How was school?"
"It was fine."
"Anything happen?"
"Yuki helped me get into art class."
"Oh wow, really! That's nice of her. Did you say thank you?"
"No, not yet. I'll thank her later," Akio said while looking at Hiro's green eyes.
"Aki... I"
"I don't want to talk about it, Mum."
"But, darling."
"I get it; you want me to forget him! How many times are you going to bring this up, mum?"
"Aki I have to bring it up because you always look so sad and I miss seeing you happy."
"It's been 9 years now, mum!"
"I'm sorry; I shouldn't have brought it up. But dear, I just want you to be happy. "
"I just love him, so that's why it's hard to forget him." He tried to mutter it in a silent voice
Akio looked at Hiro, unaware that his mother had heard what he just said. "What... did you just say?" Akio's mother asked, wanting him to repeat what he just said. In Yuki's shock, who was hiding behind the wall, she heard everything. She stood there, surprised not that she already knew about Akio's feelings for June but that it came from Akio himself. Not only was she surprised, but Akio's mother was more surprised than Yuki.
Akio's mother looked at her son with worry, as she didn't know how to approach this confession. Akio sat there, not muttering a word, before running off to his room.
"Aki!" she called out
Yuki, who soon returned, was pretending she didn't hear anything. Akio's mother inquired, "Are you okay? You didn't hear anything, right?" Yuki lied and shook her head. Concerned, Yuki asked, "Is everything okay with you, though?" Akio's mother sighed, feeling like she had disappointed her son, and replied, "Yeah, everything is fine." She lied, and Yuki, who sensed her uneasiness, offered, "Would you like me to check on him?" Akio's mother thought about it first and replied, "Yes, please, dear, that would be kind of you." Yuki set her books down at the table and went up to Akio's room.
Upon reaching Akio's room, she found him with Hiro, clearly annoyed at himself for revealing his secret to his mother. Seconds later, Yuki knocked on his door. "Hey... can I come in? Are you okay?" she asked while going in anyway to sit next to Akio, stroking Hiro. "You heard it, didn't you?" He asked, and Yuki nodded, not uttering a word, before Akio rested his head on Yuki's shoulders. They lay there in silence before he opened up. "I miss him so damn much; it hurts not seeing him... I know it's already been a few years and I should've already been over it by now, but can't I let it go and why does it hurt so much?" Yuki petted his head as she listened and without responding, she observed the room instead. The room, which had once been filled with toys, has now turned into a more teenage room filled with things like one single big bed, a desk, and bookshelves filled with books about art and artists. However, what caught Yuki's eye was a flower drawing stuck under the bookshelf next to the sketchbook that Akio carried with him every day. Yuki squinted her eye to see what the wording said: 'See you later. (Smiley face) She then looked at Akio and stayed silent.
As both of them sat there in silence, Akio drifted off to sleep. Yuki helped Akio get into bed and tucked him in. To Yuki, she wasn't as surprised as Akio's mother; she knew all along that Akio had feelings for June, but he didn't want to admit it. Yuki smiled at sleeping Akio. "You're such an idiot," she said, then petted Hiro, who was watching her, and walked out of the room, looking at Hiro. "Look after him for me, ok, June?" she murmured, knowing June would be listening somehow or somewhere. She then closed the door and went downstairs.
As she went downstairs, she encountered both of Akio's parents sitting down and discussing the confession. "Is he okay?" they both inquired. Yuki nodded and picked up her books, preparing to leave. With concern in their eyes, they asked her to stay for dinner, but Yuki politely declined. Instead, she expressed, "I understand this is not my place to say, but Akio needs both of you. He's been like this ever since June left, and although I don't know what happened, please allow him to be happy with who he is. He needs you the most." Yuki bowed respectfully and added, "Thank you for having me, Mr. and Mrs. Juro." With that, Yuki picked up her bag and left the house, leaving Akio's parents in a state of surprise and contemplation.
The next morning, Akio woke up to Hiro licking his face and whining for attention. Still half-asleep, Akio petted Hiro and checked the time. He sat up, rubbing his eyes, about to get ready for school, before hearing a knock at his door. "Who is it?" he asked while getting his clothes on. "It's me, Mum," Akio's mother said from behind the door. "Can I come in?" Akio stuttered a little and asked, "What do you want?"
"I just want to talk to you, so please, can I come in, darling?" Akio thought for a moment and made up his mind.
"Okay." As Akio's mother came in, she sat on her son's bed and regarded him with sympathy. "Can you not give me that look, Mum? I don't like it," Akio exclaimed while putting on his pants. His mother averted her gaze and initiated a conversation.
"I apologise for the way I acted last night. I was just shocked by the sudden confession." Akio turned, surprised at her apology. "I understand you may not want to accept my apology, but I am genuinely sorry. Your dad and I have discussed it, and we want you to know we love you for who you are. So when you need to talk to anyone, you have us to talk to."
"I understand that you can't let June go. I'm sorry for trying to make you forget him. June is precious to you, and I didn't realise that after the day they left."
"Mum," Akio interrupted, embracing his mum in a hug and surprising her.
"And I'm sorry for making such a big deal; you didn't do anything wrong. I was just being selfish, wishing that things didn't happen and everything could have stayed the same."
"Aki, my dear, I know he's not here with you, and we can't know if he's ever going to come back but someday a miracle will happen that would bring you two back." Akio listened to his mothers words, smiled and hugged her tightly "I love you, mum." "I love you too, darling."
"Now, can I ask you one thing?"
"Sure, what's up?"
"When and how did you realise you were in love with June?" Akio's mother asked, curious about the origin of his feelings.
"At the hospital," Akio replied while packing his bag.
"The hospital...? When you got injured, and June was also injured?"
"Yeah... It was that night when I started to feel that tingle around him. I understand I was young at that time, and I didn't know what the feeling was or even understand why I was feeling it, but he made me feel like I could just be me. Now this sounds cheesy, haha, but yeah, he kissed my nose that night."
"Kissed your nose that night?"
"Mhm, I couldn't sleep because I didn't like sleeping around things I didn't know and you know that, so I went to find June instead since he was the closest thing that I knew."
"Oh, so that was why you were in his room when the nurse couldn't find you in your room the next morning. But, Akio, it's been so long since you've seen each other that I doubt he would remember you. I know it sounds a bit harsh, but he might have moved on and not recognised you even if you met now."
"I know, Mum, I guess it's just one-sided love." Akio sighed and grinned a little.
Akio's mother looked at Akio's sad face and hugged him. "Whatever happens, we are here for you." She said as Akio sighed, "Thank you, mum."
"Now, chop, chop, or you're going to be late for school; you might have to take the bus since your dad is not feeling well." Akio's mother urged him, rushing him to leave the house. As he exited, he unexpectedly ran into Yuki. Anticipating he'd take the bus, he questioned, "Why are you here?" Yuki, glancing down the road, turned, her brown braided hair softly moving in the breeze. A faint smile played on Yuki's lips as she observed Akio. "Good morning, sleepyhead," she said with a grin. Akio, looking at her in curiosity, responded with a simple "Good morning."
"Uhh, why do you look like a person who just woke up from a Barbie dream?" Akio asked, eyeing Yuki, who wore makeup.
"Aw, do you like it?"
"No."
"You're no fun."
"Good."
"Anyway, did your mum talk to you this morning?"
"She did... and sorry about last night; I couldn't help you with your work."
"Oh no, no, it's alright; I just called my friends to help me instead. So, what did she say?"
"Nothing, and why are you here? You didn't answer me."
"Oh, to pick you up," Yuki said, looking at Akio and grabbing his bag.
"Pick me up? Oi! Hey, what are you doing?"
"Taking us to school," she laughed as she pulled Akio and his bag towards school.
As Akio and Yuki approached school, a teacher handed Akio his new schedule, revealing that art class was his first class. "Oh, look at that; it's art class first for you. What a lucky day for you!" Yuki laughed as she pushed Akio into the school building. "I'll see you later. I'm going to go say hi to my friends. I love you, dude." Yuki yelled as she waved and ran off to see her friends.
Akio observed Yuki running to her friend, then proceeded to walk alone through the halls, avoiding people's gazes. As he was gazing down on the floor, he pumped into someone, quickly bowed to try to gesture an apology, and quickly walked off. The person who Akio pumped into gazed back at him and smirked, then walked off with the other people who were introducing the unknown person to the school.
"Akio, you made it!" The art teacher's announcement prompted everyone to pause their activities and turn their attention to Akio, the newcomer to the class. This made Akio freeze and shiver, as he disliked being stared at by a large audience, especially when it's unfamiliar faces for him.
"Please take a seat at the end of the front row, Akio," the art teacher gestured, instructing the class to resume their work. "I apologise for putting you on the spot; next time, I'll ensure you can come in without drawing attention. Now, make yourself at home. This is your space, and you can decorate it as you wish." The art teacher gently patted the table before observing the other students. Akio, instead of getting art supplies, took out his sketchbook and began drawing. Students around him stared, intrigued by the new student and curious about Akio, known as the quietest and the freakiest in the whole school.
One girl whispered to another behind Akio, "He's always carrying that sketchbook around, isn't that weird?"
"I know, right? Who carries the same book with them? He doesn't even let people look at his book," the other girl responded.
"I know, right? Why does he carry it if he doesn't want anyone to see what's in there?"
"So weird"
The teacher noticed the two girls talking and silenced them, startling the girls. They quickly refocused on their work. Akio, who overheard what the girls said, tightened his grip on his book and remained silent as he continued drawing. As the first period passed, Akio proceeded to his other classes scheduled after art class. Before Akio could leave, the art teacher stopped him.
"Akio, do you have a minute?"
".... Y..yes, sir..." Akio responded, looking at him anxiously.
"I know you just joined today, so I'm going to give you a topic that I want you to explore on your own. Does that sound good?"
Akio, fixated on his art teacher, nodded, anticipating the assigned topic.
"Now, I want you to create 2-3 pieces of artwork in any medium, expressing your emotions or feelings about a particular thing, person, or even yourself, and I would like you to present it by the end of this term. Does that sound good?"
"O...only 3..?"
"I mean, you can create more if you would like, but yes, 2-3 if that's ok with you."
Akio nodded and bowed in gratitude to his teacher before heading to his next class, which is homeroom. Upon entering, he proceeded to his usual seat at the back, contemplating the type of art he wanted to create.
"Hi, my name is Aoi Ito. It's nice to meet you all. I hope we can all be great friends," the unknown boy said as he introduced himself...