The Story of You and Me - Book 1

Lesson7: You're the only one (prt3)

"I still don't get why you chose them of all people to be your friend, I mean there might be other people who truly appreciate you like me"

"Since I was a kid, I only rely on Saki and Shohei-senpai" - Keisuke said "It all started after that incident..." – Keisuke looks up at the sky and there reminisces the past as he tells the story to Hideya.

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7 years ago.

Few days after Keisuke protected Saki from the bullies and Shohei helping them. Saki has a lot of other friends so introduced the two newfound friends namely-- Keisuke, and Shohei. Everyone made the two boys feel welcome, they played all day and play more the following day. Like normal young ones enjoying life without the care in the world.

Keisuke's mother is very enthusiastic learning about her son having friends so invited them to their mansion where there's a big garden and playset that they can use to their heart's content. The invitation became normal and all the children are enjoying themselves.

One day at school Keisuke when he was about to approach his 'friends' when he heard them talking, he heard words that will change the meaning of friendship and his view to the world.

"Are we going to Nakahara's house this weekend?" – asked one of the students.

"I think not because I heard that his parents are leaving"

"Why are they leaving? Where are they going?"

"I don't know but they said it's far away from here, my mother told me that you need to ride a plane to get there"

"That must be far away"

"Does this mean that we can't play in their yard anymore cause his mother is the one who is inviting us there?"

"Maybe, but we can all still play with Kei-kun" – said young Saki.

"Why? Aren't his parents taking him with them?"

"His mom told me that he needs to stay behind to study, so we can still play with him although maybe not in his house anymore" – Saki.

"Aw, I played with him because we can play in his house's yard and his mother gives us toys and foods" – said one of the kids.

"That's not really nice to say" – Saki said "You should at least like him as your friend"

"To be honest, I really don't like him that much. We befriended him because you're friends with him and his insanely rich"

"Yeah, Keisuke is kinda lame. He's always sick and bruises like a girl, he can't even throw a ball in a straight line. I only played with him because he gives me everything I ask him" – added one of the children.

"He's a softy like a baby girl" - mocked by one of the children.

"What did you say?" – Shohei grabs the other kid's collar.

"Why? You said it too didn't you? You said that he's a loser who can't even defend himself"

"Yeah but that's before I got to know him!" – he huffed.

Keisuke on the other hand heard the entire conversation. It broke his heart to hear those words from his so-called friends. He realized that everyone is just being nice just because of the status, he feels life there a thousand knife in his chest and he start to feel nauseated as he trembles, tears are starting to form at the edge of his eyes. In despair, he impulsively steps back and knocks down some tables giving him away.

"Kei-kun" – Saki called out as everyone looks at him.

Keisuke's response is to run away from them, carrying the heavy feelings inside his chest.

"Wait!" – Shohei and Saki both run after him.

The two of them found Keisuke hiding under one of the teacher's tables in the next classroom. He's crying as he hugs his own knees.

"Kei-kun"

"Stay away, you're not my friend" – Keisuke said while sobbing.

Shohei grabs Keisuke and pulls him out of the table "Don't be such a cry baby! Maybe the other children don't like you but we are still here for you"

"He's right! So don't cry anymore Kei-kun, we are here for you!" - said young Saki who also starts crying.

Those words made Keisuke cry even more because of mix emotions that a young child could not understand and explain.

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"So that's what happened" – Hideya said while looking at the orange sky as the sun sets down.

"Only Saki and Shohei-senpai stayed by my side, they are the only ones who prove to be real friends to me so ever since I never tried to get close to anyone else but them" – Keisuke said "I reach this state because of the two of them, they did all they can to make everything easy for me" – he added.

Hideya said as he tilts his head and looks at Keisuke "Now I understand why but the way he treated you back there is not right" – he never felt so much pain for other people, it is as if he's an extention of himself.

Keisuke gently giggles when he notice the sympathetic look from Hideya's face.

"What's funny?"

"Nothing" – he giggles.

"Tell me!" – he insisted.

"I said it's nothing" – Keisuke said as he contain his laugh.

"You're still laughing, tell what is it?"

"Forget it"

"If you're not gonna tell me then you leave me no choice" – Hideya looks down "I have to force it out of you" – he added and starts to tickle Keisuke that made him burst into a loud laugh.

When they are certain that there's no more student in the school, the two of them walk their way home together.

"What's your plan?" – Hideya asked as they walk their way down the street "Now that president Shohei knows about you and me?"

"I don't worry that he will tell anyone at school"

"What about your parents?"

Keisuke didn't respond as he also don't know what he needs to do about it.

Hideya undersrood Keisuke's silence so quickly puts his arms around the little ginger's shoulder and gave him a feather-like kiss on his head "Don't worry I will be here at every step of the way, I won't leave you no matter what" – then he smiles.

Keisuke's cheeks start to turn red "Shut up!" – and pushes Hideya away.

"What's with you? I'm being sweet here you know" – he whined "You can at least be sweet to me too"

The two of them continue to walk the long street as they enjoy the company of each other. Much to their dismay, someone is watching them from a distance.

"So it's true, he's already out. It's been a while Hideya" – said the mysterious person with wry face.