no mader how strong the wind blows

chapter 21

Chapter 21: Protectiveness

Summary:

Eiji notices a slight change in Ash's behavior when he tells him about Shorter's feelings for him.

Notes:

For everyone's guidance, Ash is 13 and Eiji is 15.
Anyways, enjoy the update!

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

Chapter Text

Though the both of them didn't want this day to end, Shorter had no choice but to take Eiji home after spending an entire day at the Wongs' apartment unit. The raven-haired boy had so much fun bonding with Shorter, Nadia, Sing and Lao that he didn't even notice that it was already getting late. In fact, Sing even told him before he left that he should come over and visit them again some time, and this time they should have a sleepover.
Upon arriving at his apartment unit, Eiji headed straight to his bedroom. Suddenly remembering that he had to review for a big test next week, he immediately took out his books from his backpack and sat on his study table.
Turning on the small lampshade on his desk, he opened his book and proceeded to read his lessons, jotting down bits of important information every now and then on a piece of paper when he suddenly heard a few knocks on the door.
"Come in," he called out.
He heard the door open after that, followed by soft footsteps.
"Ei-chan?"
In that instant, Eiji froze in his seat. Oh great, it's him again.
Letting out a sigh, the raven-haired boy didn't answer as he continued to study. Sure, he did have fun with Shorter today, but upon hearing his best friend's voice, he suddenly remembered how excited he was this morning when they originally planned to go to the mall, only to be cancelled at the last minute when Trixie suddenly called Ash.
"Ei-chan," he heard Ash say again. "I'm sorry."
Eiji still didn't answer, pretending that there was nobody behind him. Honestly, he was still pissed by the fact that Ash had to ditch him again because of Trixie. He really hated it whenever his best friend would cast him aside just like that every time Trixie entered the picture. It made him feel unimportant every single time, like he was only just an option to him.
"C'mon Ei-chan, I said I'm sorry."
"Don't talk to me, Ash. I'm busy," Eiji bluntly replied, trying to focus on what he was reviewing. Calling him 'Ash' instead of his usual nickname 'Ashu' was an indication that he was definitely crossed.
"Please, Ei-chan. I'm really sorry, okay? I really didn't expect her to ask me out today, I swear."
And with that, Eiji finally turned around to face Ash, shooting an angry glare at the blonde-haired boy.
"You know what, it's your choice if you would say yes to her or not," he said in a tone that came out harder than he intended. "We originally planned to spend the entire day together. I was actually looking forward to spending the day with you, but what happened? You just freaking cancelled everything when she called you! C'mon Ash, that's not fair!"
"Ei-chan, please." Ash tried to calm his best friend down. "Don't be like that."
"You couldn't blame me if I'm acting like this. You keep on ditching me just to be with Trixie!"
"Look Ei-chan, I get what you mean. But you know what Trixie is to me, right?"
"Well what is she to you, huh? Tell me, what is she to you?"
"You know, these past few days, I realized that Trixie really meant a lot to me now. I really like her, Ei-chan. I really do."
Eiji grimaced, turning back to his book and paper. Why did he even have to ask? He should've expected that to be his answer, but it always felt like he was being stabbed in the chest no matter how many times he heard it.
"Well, good for you," he said coldly. "Congratulations."
"Do you understand now, Ei-chan?" Ash asked. "Please, try to understand."
Eiji rolled his eyes, continuing to read his book. "You know what Ash, forget it. I actually enjoyed this day even though we didn't go to the mall."
"Huh? What did you do this day?"
"I bonded with Shorter." And with that, Eiji's lips unconsciously curled into a small smile.
"What?! So you were really talking to him on the phone earlier?"
"What else would I do, pretend to talk to somebody on the phone? Of course I was actually talking to him."
"So what did you and Shorter do?" Eiji noticed the change of tone in Ash's voice, for some reason he suddenly sounded like a policeman interrogating his suspects.
"Well, he invited me to his apartment."
Eiji couldn't help but let out a sharp yelp when Ash suddenly pulled his chair and turned him around so he could face him. The raven-haired boy was astonished when he saw the frown on Ash's face.
"Seriously, Ei-chan? You went to his apartment?"
Was it just him, or did his voice sound a little...annoyed?
"And what's wrong with that?" asked Eiji. "Shorter even came here and asked Ibe-san and Eika-chan for their permission. You could ask them and they could attest to that."
"And what did you do at his apartment?" Ash raised an eyebrow at him.
"Well, we watched movies, played video games and stuff like that. Heck, he even taught me some of his Kung Fu moves along with Sing."
In a split-second, Ash's expression changed into a surprised one, then his face suddenly looked glum.
"You seem to be happy with Shorter's company, huh?"
Eiji's confusion grew when he sensed the hint of sadness in Ash's voice. What was going on with his best friend? First he sounded annoyed, and now he sounded sad. What could be the reason? Was it because he was hanging out with Shorter? But why would he sound upset over spending time with a friend? It made no sense at all.
"Well, yeah," he answered. "I enjoy being with Shorter, Ashu. In fact, I even feel protected and safe when I'm with him."
"But...that's my job, Ei-chan. It's my job to protect you and make you feel safe."
Eiji's eyes widened when he saw the pained look in Ash's jade-green orbs. He didn't know why, but for some reason the sadness in Ash's eyes looked as if something near and dear to him was taken away from him.
"I know you also protect me Ashu, but honestly," The raven-haired boy let out a sigh. "Things are not the same anymore. I do understand that you need to spend time with Trixie, but please, please don't let it ruin us. Don't let your relationship with Trixie ruin the friendship we had from the very beginning."
Just stay by my side, Ashu. Even though it would kill me to see you with Trixie.
Then all of a sudden, Ash bended over and pulled Eiji into a tight embrace. Eiji's body slightly jolted in surprise, but after a second he eventually warmed up to the hug.
"Oh Ei-chan, I'm so sorry," he said, burying his face in the crook of Eiji's neck. "I never realized that I've been neglecting you until now. I'm really sorry."
"It's alright, Ashu," Eiji answered, running his fingers through Ash's lemon-blonde hair. "I'll do my best to understand that we're already growing up, that our worlds no longer revolve around each other." He let out a deep sigh. "I'd be lying if I said that it didn't hurt, but don't worry about me, okay?"
"Nothing will change between us, Ei-chan," Ash said, pulling back from the hug and holding Eiji's shoulders. "I promise you that."
"Don't promise me Ashu, just do it." There was a slight pause. "By the way, there's something you need to know."
"What is it?"
"Well..." Eiji looked away. "Shorter told me that he likes me."
"HE SAID WHAT?!" Ash's eyes widened in shock.
"What's wrong, Ashu?" asked a puzzled Eiji. "He only said that he likes me."
Ash ran a hand through his hair, letting out a distressed sigh. "Ei-chan, you've only known Shorter for a year. You don't know him that well. What if he does something funny to you?"
"But Shorter's a nice guy, Ashu. Just like what I said earlier, I feel protected and safe when I'm with him. In fact, he always comforted me whenever I cried---"
Eiji suddenly stopped in the middle of his sentence, placing his hands over his mouth when he realized that he just blurted out something he shouldn't have said. Ash never knew that he had been crying, not even once.
"What? You cried?" Ash's forehead crumpled again. "You were crying? Why?"
"D-Did I say that, Ashu?" Eiji laughed nervously. "I mean, it's nothing. Don't mind what I said, it's nothing."
"Oh, really? C'mon Eiji, you can't fool me."
And with that, the raven-haired boy gulped. Just like him, he knew that Ash was really serious whenever he called him 'Eiji' instead of 'Ei-chan'.
"It's nothing, Ashu. Really."
Ash gently but firmly held Eiji's shoulders, looking straight into his eyes.
"Eiji, I know you're lying. Tell me now, why were you crying?"
Eiji lowered his head. "Well, I was crying because..." He paused for a bit. "I felt that you were drifting away from me. I thought that I would lose you."
The raven-haired boy felt himself cringe inside, the words somehow sounded pathetic to his own ears. While that was somehow true, he simply couldn't tell his best friend the real reason why he was crying, that he was hurt by the fact that Ash liked someone else. It would be too awkward to say that out loud in front of him.
A few seconds later, Ash's expression softened. He looked away, and there was a slight moment of silence before he let out a deep sigh.
"Why didn't you tell me, Ei-chan? Aren't you supposed to tell me right away if something's wrong?"
"I know Ashu, and I'm sorry for that," Eiji replied. "But I just couldn't bring myself to tell you that because I'm afraid you might think I was being shallow or something. But don't worry, I fully understand now."
"But promise me that you'll tell me next time, okay?"
"Okay, I promise." Eiji smiled, raising up his right hand.
"So, back to Shorter liking you," Ash suddenly changed the subject.
"Well, what about it?"
"What did you feel when Shorter told you that he likes you? Did you feel awkward or something?"
"At first I did feel a bit awkward, but I really felt that he was trying his best not to shock me or anything. He was being gentle with me, taking things step by step."
"What do you mean, step by step?"
"He said that he only likes me, he didn't say that he was in love with me. He wanted to make sure of his feelings first, and he also told me that nothing will change between us."
"So, what was your response? Did you say that you like him too?"
"Well, I don't really like Shorter. No, wait." Eiji paused, realizing that there was something wrong in his statement. "I mean, yeah, I do like him, but not the way he likes me."
Because even Shorter knows that you're the one I love, Ashu.
"Are you sure, Ei-chan?"
"Positive."
Ash nodded his head. "Alright. Just tell me if he's made any progress about it, okay?"
"You'll be the first one to know, don't worry."
***
"Hey, E! C'mon, let's go to the gym together," Shorter said as he and Eiji walked out of the classroom the next day. Their classes just ended and the two 10th Graders were about to head to the gym for their respective club meetings.
"Sure, S," Eiji answered, grinning at their new nicknames. Ever since their first period, they have been calling each other S and E, just like what they said during the weekend.
"Here, let me carry your bag for you."
And with that, Shorter took Eiji's training bag and carried it along with his own duffle bag. Eiji didn't hesitate, since it has also become a habit for the purple-haired boy to carry his stuff for him whenever they would walk to the gym together.
"Thanks, S." The raven-haired boy smiled.
"No problem, E," Shorter replied. "So, how's your training? Are there any new members in the Sports Club? Any freshmen? How about my crazy sister?"
Eiji couldn't help but laugh at that. "Really now, S? Well, your "crazy sister" is the leader of the club again this year. She did so well last year that Mr. Chang appointed her again."
Shorter nodded his head. "That's good to hear. At least she gets to lead for one last time before she graduates from High School."
And speaking of Nadia...
"Well, well, well! Look who's here again!" exclaimed the seventeen-year-old Chinese girl, who was now in her final year of High School. Because of her loud voice, the other club members looked over to where Eiji and Shorter were standing, and all of them had teasing grins plastered on their faces upon seeing them.
"Wow, Nadia," one of the other members added, giggling. "Your brother's slowly becoming a man, eh?"
"Of course." Nadia grinned mischievously. "I'm his trainer, you know."
"Hah, as if I would want you to be my trainer. What am I, your dog?" Shorter hissed, making everyone laugh.
"Since when did you start accompanying Eiji to the gym, Shorter?" Nadia asked, the teasing grin still on her lips. "And you're even carrying his bag for him! That's so sweet of you, little brother."
"C'mon Nadia, don't be like that," said another member. "It's actually a good thing that your brother's being a gentleman. It's a rare trait these days, you know."
"That's right. After all, a guy becomes even more handsome when he's being a gentleman. Right, Eiji?" a third member asked, playfully grinning at the raven-haired boy.
Shorter rolled his eyes. "Whatever." Then he looked at Eiji. "Guess I'll get going now, E. My meetings on the other side of the gym."
Eiji smiled, taking back his bag from the purple-haired boy. "Thanks, S. Have fun with your club!"
After Shorter left, the Japanese boy immediately headed to the benches. He decided to sit for a while, since it looked like the meeting didn't start yet. On one side of the gym, Nadia and her friends were talking to each other while the other members were doing their warm-ups. On the other hand, he saw Mr. Chang talking to a bunch of new faces. They looked younger than him, so he assumed that they must be freshmen who decided to join the club.
"Hey, Eiji boy!"
Upon hearing that familiar nickname, Eiji looked up to see Alex, Bones and Kong walking up to him. The three were now in their 9th Grade, and obviously, they were going to the same High School as him.
"Oh, hey there," he greeted back. Apparently, the three fourteen-year-olds made it into the school's basketball team, seeing that they were wearing the school's official basketball jerseys.
"Aw, why does it sound like you don't wanna see us?" Bones asked, pouting his lips.
"What? Hey, I didn't say anything!" a surprised Eiji answered.
"Eiji boy's right, man," Kong added. "He never said that he didn't want to see ME, maybe he only didn't want to see YOU."
"Hah, you wish." Bones rolled his eyes. "By the way Eiji boy, Shorter's really into you, huh?"
Alex chuckled. "I know, right? No wonder he's so protective when it comes to you."
"Oh, but he only said that he likes me. Nothing serious yet," Eiji answered.
"Mark my words, Eiji boy," Bones said. "His feelings will eventually fade, trust me."
"That Shorter dude, already makin' a move before I could make a move," Kong grumbled.
"It's not only you, stupid. Shorter made a move before WE could make a move," Bones replied.
And with that, Eiji couldn't help but laugh. "Knock it out, you guys. You three are like my younger brothers now, I don't wanna see you fighting like that."
At the mention of the words 'younger brothers', Alex just laughed while a dejected look formed on Bones and Kong's faces.
"At least being your younger brothers has its advantages, Eiji boy," said Alex. "Now that we go to the same High School together, we could at least watch over you."
"That's right," Bones agreed. "We have to make sure that Shorter doesn't pull any funny tricks on you or else he's gonna face my wrath!"
"Same for me, man. Nobody messes with Eiji boy, 'cause if they do, they're in for a fight," Kong said, a proud grin on his lips.
Eiji smiled at the three freshmen. "Awww. Thanks, you guys."
The raven-haired boy stood up and pulled the three of them into a group hug, much to their surprise.
"Waaaaah, heaven!" a delighted Bones exclaimed, obviously enjoying the hug.
"Someone freeze the time, yo! I'm lovin' this!" Kong added, relishing the warmth of Eiji's arms around them as well.
"You're loving it? Well, let's see if you'll love this!" asked a voice from behind them.
"OUCH!" the two suddenly cried, causing them to pull away from the hug. The four High School boys turned around to see Ash glaring at them, it turned out that the blonde-haired boy walked in on the group hug and decided to surprise Bones and Kong with a smack to the back of their heads upon hearing their comments.
"Hey there, Ash," Alex greeted, which was responded by a curt nod from Ash.
"Oh, look at what the lynx dragged in," Bones sneered, smirking at the American boy.
"Thanks for ruinin' the moment for us, dude," Kong sarcastically remarked with a roll of his eyes. "We were havin' a good time here before you showed up."
Eiji chuckled. "It's alright, you two. At least I hugged you, right?"
"Next time Ei-chan, don't hug those two," Ash told his best friend, pointing towards the black boy and the ponytailed boy. "You don't know what could be going on in their minds right now."
"Hey, you don't talk to us like that, man!" Kong exclaimed.
"That's right, Ash!" Bones added. "The one you should be keeping an eye on is Shorter!"
Ash smirked, folding his arms. "No need to remind me, I'm already on the lookout for him as well."
Eiji chuckled again. "Now, now, Ashu, be nice to S, okay?"
"Huh? S?!" the younger boys chorused.
"Yeah, S. It's my nickname for him." Eiji grinned.
Ash rolled his eyes before turning towards Alex, Bones and Kong, raising an eyebrow at the three freshmen. "Don't you three have training to do?"
"Oh, right," Alex replied, grabbing Bones' wrist with one hand and Kong's wrist with the other. "C'mon, you two. See you later, Eiji boy!"
"See you." After the three left, Eiji immediately turned to his best friend. "Okay Aslan, what do you want?"
"C'mon Ei-chan, is it wrong to pay my best friend a visit?" Ash answered, bringing out a bottle of water from his backpack. "Here, take this. I bought it on the way here."
Eiji smiled, taking the offered drink. "Thanks, Ashu."
"No problem. Don't forget to be careful around Shorter, okay?"
The raven-haired boy chuckled. "Don't worry Ashu, Shorter's a good guy."
"Yeah, whatever. I'll wait for you at the entrance, okay? Let's walk home together after your training."
"Oh, sure."
And with that, Ash walked away. He didn't know why, but for some reason he couldn't help but notice that ever since he told Ash about what Shorter felt about him, his best friend seemed to have more time for him now.
Could it be...
He shook his head. Ash was only being protective of him, that's all.