Reki Kyan | Alive

7

Soft chirping noises and people talking is heard at S, a calm vibe hanging over the abandoned mine. I lean back against  a wall, my skateboard under my arm and my headphones blocking out some of the outside noises. I bop my head a little, listening to music. Me, Reki, Shadow and Miya watch Langa skate, admiring his progress since he's started. He's gotten really good, stunning everyone with how high he can get on his board. 

Langa skates up a ramp, sending his board high in the air, before coming back down. "He's so good" I gush, nudging Reki who's observing too. "He's awesome" He says proudly, I smile at him, going back to focusing on the music.

"Why are you so proud of it Reki?" Miya says with a dull expression. Shadow turns to him too, "People aren't taking notice of you you know, it's your buddy". Having heard the conversation I turn to them, scowling at their disheartening comments. Reki's mood not-so-subtly changes, as he sneers back to them. "I know that! And what do you mean 'buddy?!"

Miya chuckles, "Buddy- that cracks me up." Shadow starts laughing too, "And people call you 'the one that's not Langa'". My mouth falls open at the comment that was most definetly not called for. "Shadow! you can't just-" I look at him with disbelief in my eyes, before averting my gaze to Reki, who looks at the ground, his mood noticeably saddened.

Commotion is heard around us, Cherry and Joe seem to have arrived. 'I wonder how long it's gonna take for the to start bickering' I scoff to myself.

The two cross paths, their expressions already turning annoyed. "Outta the way scawny boy" Joe says, nudging Cherry. "Humans come first you ape!" Cherry kicks him out of the way. The two continue their bickering, like they're an old married couple. 

The two join us, participating in the observation of Langa. The more Langa does, the more disheartened Reki looks. I don't know what to say; is there anything I even can say to make him feel better? "Reki-" I say to him, though I get cut off. "I'm gonna go grab a drink", he turns away, before I grab his arm. 

"Are you okay?" I search his face, waiting for a response. "I'm fine Kamatsu" He smiles, trying to reassure me. It doesn't sound very convincing though. I lean back against the wall, letting out a dreaded sigh, shutting my eyes.

~

Me and Langa wait for Reki outside school, discussing our plans for S tonight, our skateboards on our backs. The sound of footsteps passes us, I look around trying to spot the source, spotting Reki walk away from us. "Hey! Why'd you head back without us?" I say, catching up to him, Langa following me.

"Sorry, I spaced out for a bit" Reki smiles sheepishly. I shoot him a look, before walking. "C'mon let's go" I walk down the road, knowing the two will trail after me. "What time do you wanna meet up tonight?" Langa asks the redhead, referring to our plans to go to S. "Huh?" Reki responds. "There's S tonight right?" Langa smiles, visibly excited.

"Oh... I have an errand to run tonight so I can't join you" Reki says. I look back, meeting his gaze, shooting him a skeptical look before looking back at the road in front of me. "You guys can go without me tonight" He mumbles. I sigh, knowing there's not much I can do right now. "All right" I respond, looking down.

~

My arms are wrapped around Langa's torso as we arrive at S, commotion heard around us. There must be some big announcement or something. We hop off the motorcycle and leave it to the side, joining up with the others. 

"Where's Reki?" Miya says, coming up to us. "He said he had an errand to run tonight" I respond, a frown lay on my face. I'm getting the feeling Reki was lying. "That's unusual" Miya mumbles, as I shoot him a 'you don't say' look, before averting my gaze.

We hop on our boards to practice our skills, preparing for a beef that may happen. I go trough my knees a bit at a corner, leaning my body to the right. A small smile forms on my lips, content at how much better i've been getting. Apart form an ollie I've learned a bunch of tricks, most of them Reki taught me. I have not yet participated in a beef, but I'm sure as hell ready.

Trailing after Langa, I notice he keeps going faster and faster. I frown, before shouting "Langa! Slow down a bit". He only accelerates. I scoff, 'this guy is being an idiot' I think to myself, speeding up a bit trying to catch up to Langa. To well, hopefully, stop him.

I can't help but slow down at another corner, losing Langa out of sight. Joe surpasses me, as I nod towards where Langa went. He seems to understand and goes after Langa. He also dissapears from my sight. 

A bright light shining down from above catches my attention. I hold up my arms to my eyes, shielding them trying to adjust to the light. I drop my arms, looking up. I squint, realizing it's a helicopter. Probably Adam. 

Nearing the end of the track I hop off of my board, holding it under my arm, standing by the others. Adam jumps out, hands and legs spread out as he opens his parachute. The crowd gets excited, shouting and throwing their hands in the air at Adam's dramatic entrance.

"I have brought all of you some exciting news" Here it goes. "To determine who is best out of all of us, a tournament!" He throws his arms up in the air. A smirk makes its way up my face. 'Sounds fun'. "I have prepared an entry form. I'm sure all of you will participate as you all love skating" He announces. "Bet" I mumble, the smirk still evident on my lips. Langa looks at me, before looking back at Adam. I can tell he wants to too.

"Of course I will be participating too" Adam says, "I believe... we can fight eachother" He finishes, looking at Langa.

~

Standing by our usual place, raindrops fall from the sky, leaving marks on me and Langa's clothes until we're completely soaked. I shuffle my feet a bit, kicking a rock from the road. I sigh, shivering slightly. Where is Reki anyways?

Langa looks at me, "You look cold". I look up at him, shooting him a small smile "I'll be fine"

The sound of footsteps nears us, as we tear our eyes away from eachother and spot the source. Reki. He slouches over, his red hair hanging over his face. He's completely soaked too.

I look at him, his saddened gaze meeting mine. he looks to the ground quickly, letting out a huff, turning around to walk away. "Reki!" Langa shouts after him, stopping the boy. I follow him, coming to a halt in front of the redhead. Trying to strike up a conversation, I open my mouth "Welcome home"

"You need something?" Reki says, startling me. I feel emotion building up in my chest, overwhelming me as I struggle with my words. "Adam is hosting a tournament" Langa says, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"So?"

"We're thinking about entering" Langa continues. "What about the promise with me" Reki says, sounding more and more broken with each word he chokes out. "Thats..." "You said you wouldn't go up against Adam again!" Reki raises his voice, I flinch at the harshness of it.

"I'm sorry but I-" Langa tries.

"Dont apologise!". I flinch again. "That just means you're gonna break your promise with me!" He turns to me. "And Kamatsu you- why do you follow in his steps? Was my failure not enough to clarify?"

"I-"

"Save it." He walks away.

"But Reki! I wanna go up against Adam too. He's such an amazing skater, it gets one excited" I say, attempting to make him understand. "As a skater, you'd get that right?" Langa continues my statement. "Excited?" Reki repsonds with a look of disbelief. "I don't get excited. I'm scared." He admits, leaving me speechless.

"And Langa, you and Adam are nothing like me." Reki looks down. "Huh?" 

"Do whatever you like, you crazy geniuses can skate together all you want." "I can't keep up." He walks away, holding his head down as the rain pours, hammering onto our bodies. Tears slip off of my cheeks, my eyes burning and my heart hurting. So this was what's bothering him. "Reki" I choke out, watching the boy walk further away with each step, leaving us behind.