Ash x Eiji (short story)

2.

As the lift door opened, I saw my taxi driver waiting patiently for me outside. I quickly made my way out of the hotel, afraid that the taxi driver had been waiting there for a long time. The driver then placed my suitcases at the back of the taxi and I hopped into the back seat of the taxi.

The taxi driver decided to give me a free tour of the city as I was rather early for the flight. Upon seeing all the tall buildings and pop-up stores on the streets, all the fond memories I had made in New York came flooding back along with the feeling of sadness. I was going to miss all the friends I had encountered and all the great food I had tasted for the first time.

Without realising, the taxi had come to an abrupt stop. I had arrived at the airport. I stepped out of the taxi and retrieved my suitcase. I then thanked the taxi driver for driving me around the city one last time.

As I walked into the airport, I was greeted by a crowd of people who were either waiting to board their flight or for their loved ones to return. Feeling claustrophobic, I rushed to my gate. Luckily, when I arrived in front of my gate, it was completely empty. I sighed in relief as I managed to escape from the crowd of people. I then took out my plane ticket and passport from my pocket and handed it to the flight attendant who was standing at the counter.

"Eiji Okumura?" she asked me while looking at my passport.

"Yep," I replied.

But, just as she was about to chop my passport, someone bumped into me from behind, shocking both me and the flight attendant.

"S-Sorry......" the person apologised.

"I-It's fine.." I replied as soon a I turned around. To my surprise, it was no stranger who bumped into me. The familiar emerald eyes of the blonde young man locked with mine. It was the man from the hotel.

"You....." I drifted off. "We meet agai-" he cut me off.

"May I please have your plane ticket?" he begged me.

"Why?" I responded almost immediately.

"My family and friends.....they're in danger," His response almost made me gasp in shock.

What does he mean 'in danger'? Was he being 100% serious? Or was he just making an excuse to take a flight to Japan for free? I thought to myself once again.

To my surprise, he shakily grabbed my hands and looked directly into my eyes. His emerald eyes were filled with desperation and sadness and I couldn't help but pity him. At that moment in time, I realised that he wasn't lying. I scrunched up my face, trying to ignore the blonde boy who's face was just inches away from mine. Unfortunately, I was defeated by his desperation and good looks.

"Fine. I can't tolerate how cute your face looks..." I trailed off.

"W-What...?" heshuttered as he wiped his tears. "I-I....can have it?"

I gave him a nod along with a sweet smile and he buried his face in my chest and hugged me tightly. I didn't know how to react to his sudden change of emotions.

"Thank...you," he said through tears. I then pat his head and squeezed him tightly to comfort him.

A few moments went by as we stood there; then came a voice, interrupting our moment.

"Uhm...sir?" the flight attendant said. I immediately looked towards her as the blond and I separated a little. "Are you taking this flight or not?"

"O-Oh, sorry," I replied while scratching my head and smiling nervously. I then looked between the blonde and the flight attendant and said that I would be giving my plane ticket to him.

"He's in more of a rush than I am."

The flight attendant nodded as she gave me back my passport and took the young man's. A look of relief and gratitude flashed across his face.

"Alright, Mr......Lynx?" the flight attendant read the name on the passport aloud. I looked back at 'Lynx', still amazed by his unique surname.

"No need to address me so formally," he replied. "You can call me Ash. Ash Lynx."

The lady nodded as she signalled for Ash to board the plane. Without hesitation, he ran as fast as he could.

"W-Wait!" I called out just before he went out of sight.Ash immediately stopped in his tracks and turned around to face me. "Will we ever see each other again...?"

"Who knows. Let's just wait and see what fate brings us to," he replied with a sweet smile and continued running into the plane.

A gentle smile appeared on my face as I headed for the information counter to get another ticket. "I'll never forget you...." I mumbled under my breath.