𝑵𝒐 𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝑪𝒂𝒏 𝑹𝒆𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝑯𝒊𝒎: 𝘽𝙖𝙟𝙞 𝙆𝙚𝙞𝙨𝙪𝙠𝙚 𝙭 𝙔/𝙉

1

It's August 1st, 2005. You are finally free to get out of that rotting place and leave it all behind you.

Baji Keisuke, your childhood friend, who had visited you everyday at that place, has invited you to come to his home. He sounded so over the moon to have finally been able to do it after 4 whole years.

The next day at around 6 PM, you're on your way to his place on your bike, wondering if it's all still the same like it was when you left. So much seems to have changed around the city. You arrive at his place, parking your bike around the corner and start to make your way up the stairs. You can remember which floor it was as well as the flat number, hoping you'd still be right. You gently knock on the door. You don't know what it is but you can't shake off this unbearable feeling that has taken over you. Maybe it's because you're finally gonna be able to talk to him as much as you want to, without having anyone tell you you can't anymore as the time is over.

You get startled at the sound of the door opening, it's his mother. She looks so happy to have you back too. She warmly welcomes you inside their home and shows you the way to the dining room, thinking you must have forgotten. But you can tell not much has changed, maybe a little here and there. You can't believe your eyes as you make your way inside. "Is this really happening?", you think to yourself. You get startled again at the sound of another door opening. You recognize the direction it's coming from. It's from Baji's room. He slowly shows himself as he opens the door and reveals himself before you. The look on his face says so much and more. He's been waiting so eagerly for this moment but he does feel a little nervous too, just like you.

He steps outside and stands there for a few seconds, not moving one inch. And suddenly, he runs towards you, hugging you so tightly you can't feel yourself. You tear up a bit, hugging him back as tight as he is. You can't even imagine letting go now. A few minutes pass in silence but it's filled with the noises of your and Baji's feelings for each other. You decide to let go and take a look at his face. He has definitely teared up more than you have. He blushes as he looks back at you. You never thought Baji was even capable of that. He's always fighting other people but he's still the same Baji you fell in love with as kids. You start to tease him about it and he's clearly flustered. You giggle at his cuteness, having his mother join you too. Baji can't help but giggle back, resulting in noisy laughters coming from the both of you. He'd always find a way to make you laugh, even at that place which was no better than hell.

He shows you around like when he did when you first came to his home, at the very beginning of your friendship. Later, all three of you head towards the dining room again where Baji's mother sits down the both of you on the sofa and makes her way to the kitchen to prepare dinner. You were worried you won't be able to talk for long, because you two would always have to limit your conversations as those people wouldn't allow them to be anymore than 10 mins at that place. But Baji brings you back to the present by starting to speak and breaking your fear. The two of you get so lost in talking to each other, as if nothing has ever happened and it's always been like this. You go back to teasing and bickering with each other, just like how you always would. But it was so sweet, you didn't mind at all and neither did he.

2.5 hours pass by but you two don't have a care in the world, not about the dinner right before you that Baji's mother has left on the table or anything else. You just can't stop staring at his eyes as he speaks. They're so bright and beautiful.

The clock ticks and you look over, it's 8:30 PM. You have to leave now, your grandfather is waiting for you at home. You apologize to Baji's mother for not having your dinner and ask if you could take the food along with you. She kindly accepts and packs the food in a lunchbox. You take it in your hands and look over at Baji. He's feeling the same way you are right now. Neither of you want this, but you know you have to go. You know Baji will cry after you leave, so you go over to him and give him a hug. And of course, he hugs you back with all his strength.

He proceeds to take you outside and the both of you walk down the stairs together. He watches you as you start your bike and get ready to leave. You two smile at each other, but internally, you're both crying your heart out. You finally decide to leave and make your way home, leaving Baji and his scrambled feelings standing outside.

To Be Continued