no mader how strong the wind blows

chapter 5 Happy Graduation?

Summary:

It's Eiji's Middle School graduation day, but Eiji gets his heart broken. Again.

Notes:

For everyone's guidance, Ash is 11 and Eiji is 13.
Anyways, enjoy the update!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

"Ashu, remind me again why you brought me to this place?" Eiji asked one weekend as he and Ash walked down the busy streets of New York and into a building nearby.
"I told you already Ei-chan," Ash answered. "I'm here because I wanna get something."
"Really? In this arcade?"
"Yup!" Ash put a hand in his pocket and handed over a small pouch to his best friend. "Here, just play wherever you want. Meet me at the entrance after, I don't know, a few hours or so?"
Eiji immediately opened the pouch and he couldn't help but smile when he saw a lot of quarters inside. Looks like he's gonna end up play a lot of games today.
"Wow, thanks a lot!" he said. "I'm definitely playing a lot today with these."
Ash smiled back, patting Eiji's back. "No problem. Just play wherever you want, okay? I'll be right around if you need me. See you!"
And with that, the blonde-haired boy walked further until he disappeared among the crowd of other kids who came to play games. Eiji, on the other hand, went off to another direction, heading to one of the many arcade machines in the facility.
***
Almost three hours later, Eiji got tired of playing and decided to walk around until he finds another game he wants to play. Good thing the arcade they were at was pretty big, which meant a lot of choices for the two boys.
I wonder where Ashu went? Eiji thought as he passed by a part of the arcade filled with shooting games. I know, he must be in one of those shooting games again. He loves guns.
And so, the raven-haired boy went around the area, checking every shooting game. But to his surprise, Ash wasn't there. If he isn't in the shooting games, then where could he be?
Just then, he saw a familiar figure standing in front of one of the claw machines. Looking closer, he saw that it was Ash, and it looked like he has been standing there for quite a while.
"No, no, no!" he heard Ash yell when the claw dropped the teddy bear. Out of frustration, the eleven-year-old ran a hand through his blonde hair before pounding his fists on the console. Looking at the glass window, he saw that Ash's face was crumpled, obviously looking pissed.
"This is already my twenty-ninth try," Ash added, placing both his hands on the window. "And I still couldn't get that teddy bear. Ugh. That was so close."
Eiji couldn't help but giggle at the sight. Other than the fact that claw machines don't really suit Ash, it also looked like he was struggling to get one of those teddy bears inside.
"Alright, one more go. You can do this, Ash Lynx," said a determined Ash, taking a deep breath before placing a single quarter inside the coin slot for the umpteenth time.
Both boys heard the coin drop inside, and once again, the machine started itself. Ash, unconsciously sticking his tongue out in concentration, carefully positioned the claw on top of the big, brown teddy bear he was aiming for.
"Come on, come on," the blonde-haired boy muttered as he kept on controlling the claw. When he was sure that the claw was in the right position, he pressed the button on the console, sending the claw down in an attempt to get the teddy bear below.
"YES!" Ash yelled in delight, pumping his fists in the air as the claw finally managed to grab one teddy bear and dropped it through a hole in the machine. Eiji, on the other hand, couldn't help but smile as he watched Ash celebrate his victory. He had to admit, seeing him all happy made him happy as well.
After standing there for a while, he decided to step up and congratulate him. He couldn't blame Ash for looking all giddy like that, because after all, thirty tries are no joke.
"Hey, Ashu!" he called out.
In response, Ash turned to Eiji, a big smile plastered on his face as he hugged the teddy bear tightly. He looked so genuinely happy that even his eyes were smiling.
At that moment, Eiji was sure that he felt his heart skip a beat. He never knew Ash looked so handsome when he smiled like that, and he could say that this would also count as a reason why he fell for his best friend.
"Wow, Ashu, you look so happy," Eiji said, smiling back at Ash. "Looks like you finally managed to grab one, huh?"
Ash nodded his head, the smile still plastered on his face. "I sure did, Ei-chan! It was worth the thirty quarters."
"Looks like you really worked hard for it, then. But may I ask, why did you spend thirty quarters just to grab that teddy bear? As far as I know, you're not into those kinds of stuff."
"Oh, this isn't for me," Ash answered, fondly looking at the teddy bear. "I'm gonna give this to someone. They say that people appreciate gifts more if you work hard for it, so I did."
"I won't deny that," agreed Eiji. "But, who are you gonna give it to?"
"It's a secret." Ash grinned. "You'll find out on your graduation day." Then he winked at him, making Eiji's heart skip a beat. Oh, my poor heart.
As the two boys left the arcade, the raven-haired boy couldn't help but feel a bit excited. If Ash said that he would be giving the teddy bear on his graduation day, then that would mean that the teddy bear is a present for him, which made a lot of sense because he would be graduating from Middle School this week.
Eiji could already see it, Ash walking up to him at the end of the graduation ceremonies, handing over the bear to him with the same big smile he saw earlier at the arcade. Just imagining it made him feel giddy inside.
What could possibly go wrong?
***
It was the last day of the school year. More importantly, it was Eiji's graduation day, and the raven-haired boy couldn't be happier than he already was right now. He couldn't believe that after a few hours, he would finally finish Middle School, and that he would be starting High School in the fall.
Of course, Eiji's parents flew all the way to New York just to witness this event. Shunichi was there too with Eika, along with Ash, Griffin, their father and stepmother. Max Glenreed, Shunichi's close friend, was also there.
"Oh, my baby Ei-chan, you grow up so fast," Mrs. Okumura cooed, hugging her son. "I can't believe you're gonna be in High School already. Where did the time go?"
"Mom, please," Eiji answered, his face turning red in embarrassment. "Not in public." He heard Eika giggle from behind him after that.
Mr. Okumura laughed, gently patting Eiji's shoulder. "Don't mind your Mom, son. She's just a little bit excited about you graduating from Middle School."
"I have to admit, it seems like only yesterday he was in Grade School," Shunichi commented, smiling at the Okumura family. "Now he's all grown up."
Max fondly smiled at the boy in agreement. "I have to say, your son has grown into a fine young man," he said. "I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people would be chasing after him when he starts High School."
"Oh, believe me Max, Ei-chan has a lot of secret admirers in Middle School. They're just afraid of him because he's too---OUCH!" Ash's sentence was cut off when Eiji suddenly hit him.
"Hahaha, don't believe him, Mr. Glenreed," said Eiji. "In fact, Ashu already has a crush on somebody."
This time, it was Ash's turn to blush. "HEY!"
"Oh my, did you hear that, Jim? Looks like our little boy's growing up as well!" said an excited Jennifer, Ash and Griffin's stepmom.
"Is this true, Ash? Now that's my little man!" his father Jim exclaimed, ruffling his youngest son's hair. "Who's the lucky one, boy? Is it Eiji? If it's Eiji, then you have my full support!"
"WHAT?!" Ash and Eiji chorused, their eyes widening in shock. The two boys looked at each other before quickly looking away, both their faces turning red in embarrassment.
"Well, I don't see why not," Jennifer giggled. "After all, you and Eiji look good together. Isn't that right, Mrs. Okumura?"
"Now, now, Jennifer and Jim, don't you think it's a little too early for Ei-chan to start dating?" Mr. Okumura asked, holding Eiji's shoulders. "He's still young and he still needs to grow."
"Well, Ash is younger than Eiji but I'm totally cool with him liking someone," Jim answered, grinning widely. "Especially if it's Eiji that Ash likes."
"But I have to agree with you Jennifer, Ei-chan and Ash look cute together. And honestly, I like Ash for our son," said Mrs. Okumura, giggling as well.
"Ugh. C'mon, you guys..." Eiji scratched the back of his head, his face flushed all the way to the tip of his ears. He didn't know whether to feel good because almost everyone liked him for Ash or feel embarrassed because they had to talk about this in front of them, in front of Ash.
Ash, on the other hand, just chuckled as he wrapped an arm around Eiji's shoulder. "Ei-chan's my best friend, he's like my brother. Right, Ei-chan?"
And at that moment, Eiji felt like he was slapped hard on the face. Did reality really have to hurt this much?
Best friend. Right, I forgot.
"Yeah, best friend," was the only thing Eiji said, suddenly feeling numb.
Just then, a teacher approached the group, telling Eiji to fall in line because the ceremony would be starting soon. After a few hugs and pictures, Eiji was about to walk towards the line of graduating students when Ash suddenly grabbed his wrist.
"Hey Ei-chan," he said. "Don't mind what my Dad says, okay? You know him, he loves to joke around."
"Haha," Eiji tried to fake a laugh. "Don't worry, Ashu. From the start I already knew that they were kidding."
They're only kidding. Yeah, right.
***
After the graduation ceremonies ended, Eiji was immediately flooded with hugs from his family and friends, followed by tons of picture-taking moments.
This is it. Hello, High School life.
Just then, Ash went over to him and engulfed him in a tight embrace.
"Congratulations, Ei-chan," he whispered.
Eiji couldn't help but smile widely as he hugged his best friend back. They were only two simple words but they were enough to make his heart flutter with happiness.
"Hey Ashu, I know this sounds cheesy but, thank you for being my best friend," he said. "Thank you for being beside me after all this time. I know you'll still be there for me when I start High School."
Ash smiled back, resting his chin on top of Eiji's head. "Thank you, Ei-chan. Don't worry, I'll be right beside you always."
"Me too, Ashu. I'll always be by your side."
The two boys just stood there, enjoying the warmth of each other's arms. Eiji closed his eyes, resting his head contentedly on Ash's chest, silently wishing for this moment to never end. He didn't know why, but it just felt so right whenever he's in his best friend's arms. It felt like it was only just the two of them in the world.
"Ei-chan, hold on, I'll just go somewhere."
And with that, Eiji felt like he went back to reality when Ash slowly released him. He watched as he walked away from him, and he felt like his heart stopped beating when he saw that he was holding the teddy bear he got from the arcade.
And he once again felt that familiar pain when he saw that Ash was heading towards Trixie.
Why is this happening?
***
Though it was also the last day of school for non-graduating students, in all honesty, Ash didn't expect Trixie to show up on Eiji's graduation day. His original plan was to look for Trixie after the ceremonies so he could give it to her in private, but here she was. Maybe she was here because one of her friends was graduating, or probably she had a sibling here. Whatever the reason was, Ash was more than happy to see her here.
Great timing, he thought. Is this fate?
"Um, Trixie?" he asked, hiding the teddy bear behind his back.
In response, Trixie turned around. "Yeah?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
Though slightly intimidated, Ash just smiled sheepishly as he showed her the teddy bear, secretly hoping that she won't reject it this time.
"For you, Trixie," he said. "You know, just a little remembrance since it's the last day of school."
"What's this?" Trixie asked, looking disgusted as she reluctantly took the teddy bear.
"I got it from the claw machine," Ash explained, smiling fondly at her. "You know, it actually took me thirty tries before I managed to get---" His eyes widened. "Hey, what are you doing?"
Ash's explanation was cut short when Trixie dropped the bear on the floor and stomped on it with her foot.
"You know what, a present like this doesn't make any sense," Trixie said, putting a hand on her hip as she scowled at Ash. "Especially that it comes from someone like you. Bye."
And with that, Trixie walked away, leaving Ash alone. He gingerly picked up the teddy bear she dropped and gazed at it with sad eyes.
I don't understand, why doesn't she like it? Ash thought as he brushed off the dirt from its fur. I worked hard just to get this for her, why doesn't she see that?
***
The moment Eiji saw Ash giving the teddy bear to Trixie, he couldn't hold it in any longer. He quickly ran out of the gym where the ceremonies were held and into the school park, where he sat down under a tree and cried.
He totally recognized that teddy bear, it was the one Ash got from the claw machine, the one that Ash worked so hard for just to get.
That moment, he felt so pathetic. All this time, he honestly thought that the bear was for him. He thought that it would be given to him as a present for graduating from Middle School.
But no, it wasn't for him. It was for Trixie. Again.
Does Ash like Trixie that much? Eiji thought as he continued to sob. Does he like her so much that he had to make an effort for her? Why does it have to be for Trixie? Why can't it be for me? I'm the graduating student here! I---
"Eiji, I think you need this," a voice suddenly said, ending Eiji's train of thought. The raven-haired boy slowly raised his head from his knees and saw a hand holding out a handkerchief in front of him.
"Go ahead, take it. I know you need it," the mysterious person added.
At first Eiji was hesitant, but in the end he took the handkerchief without looking at the person and proceeded to wipe his tears, to no avail.
"You know," said the mysterious person again. "While crying may lessen the pain you're feeling right now, it can never erase your true feelings. All you need to do for now is to accept things."
And with that, Eiji stopped crying. He looked up to see who was talking, but the mysterious person was already gone. Who was that guy?
"Hey, Ei-chan!" he heard Ash's voice suddenly call out. He also heard footsteps, which meant that he was walking towards the tree where Eiji was sitting under.
Taking a deep breath, Eiji wiped away his tears with the handkerchief given to him and faced his best friend with a smile, hoping that he wouldn't notice that something went wrong.
"Yes, Ashu?" he asked as Ash walked up to him.
"What are you doing here all alone? Eika was looking for you awhile ago, you know," Ash smiled, holding out his hand. "Come on, we have a celebration today!"
As Eiji stood up and took Ash's hand, the mysterious person's voice echoed in his mind.
Acceptance. He needed to accept the reality that they're only best friends.
Yeah, JUST best friends.