The Story of You and Me - Book 1

Lesson20: Otsukimi (prt1)

The wind blows peacefully and kindly as the brunette walks alongside the ginger while holding each other's hands.

"I can't wait to see Ayako again" – the ginger exclaimed as they walk from the train station.

The train station is empty and surrounded by what is seems to be a rice field of some sort. Everywhere you look you can see say that you are no longer in the city, that you have reached the furthest location that the train could ever go. Only tall grasses that are soon to wither to welcome the winter can be seen all over the place.

They've arrived at the small town where Hideya grew up which is a few miles away from the said train station. Keisuke's enthusiasm can be seen on the way how lively he walks alongside his partner.

"What are those you got there?" – Hideya asked looking down at Keisuke and on whatever he is holding close to his chest.

"Some gifts for your mother and little sister" – he answered with a beaming smile.

The brunette can't help but smile as Keisuke grows to love his family like he is part of it, come to think, Keisuke rarely experienced having his family around as he was all alone at a very young age when both his parents along with their three elder daughters migrated to America. Although he is a rotten spoiled with material things that his family could buy with money, he never had a close bond with them. Hideya understood his excitement, it is Keisuke's firth time being close to other people aside from his known childhood friends for a long time.

"Do you think they would like them?" – the smaller male asked.

"Sure they will especially it came from you" – the taller male answered.

September is almost over and the foliage were about to change colors as the autumn season approaches, the wind is getting colder every morning compare to when they start the school year. The brunette noticed that the ginger is shivering so he pulls him close to him as they walk.

Soon they arrived at the residence and there they were greeted by both Kyoko and Ayako.

"Keisuke-niichan!" – the young child called out, it's not his first time to visit the place as over the course of the months they've visited for a few days especially during their offs at school. The young Ayako has grown a liking to Keisuke because he always gives him presents and plays with her. Ayako's favorite game is dress-up where she puts on pretty things to Keisuke, she loves playing with his ginger curls like putting ornaments, ribbons, and everything that the girl finds mesmerizing, for her, his second brother is like a doll.

"Ayako!" – Keisuke greeted back and gave him a quick gentle hug. Hideya notices that the ginger is fond of children, probably because his own childhood is not as great as everyone else's. Maybe he wants to make sure that other children won't under go the same loneliness and sadness that he himself went through as a kid.

"It's nice to see you again mother" – Hideya greeted the woman with dark hair.

"You've been visiting here a lot lately" – the woman said "You sure the two of you are still studying?"

"Of course" – her son responded "And besides, it's because Keisuke always insisting to go here and visit you" – he added as he looks at the ginger while he is excitedly showing all the gifts that he has for the young girl.

"They really like each other" – Kyoko commented.

Squinting his eyes as the smile appears on his face he said "They sure are"

"How long do you intend to stay this time?" – Kyoko asked as she placed some refreshments on the coffee table.

Because of some local holiday in the city, they were in, the two males has Saturday, Sunday, and Monday to spend with the small family "For about two to three days, still depending on how long Keisuke wanted to stay" – the brunette answered.

The ginger is busy playing with Ayako while sitting on the floor of the receiving area, the young girl is currently braiding Keisuke's curls "There!" – she exclaimed "You look more pretty now" – she said proudly.

"Nice job Ayako" – Keisuke smiles as he blushes.

While the brunette's enjoying the view "Hideya" – his mother called his attention.

"What is it?"

"Does his parents already know about your relationship?" – with a serious face Kyoko asked.

Only then when his mother asked him about it that he thinks of it. It is true that Hideya knows almost everything about the ginger, his pain and the sorrows about his family. He never thought of the day that they need to tell Keisuke's family about them and it also sinks to him the knowledge that Keisuke always dreamed of going to America to join them.

Her son's smile was replaced by a frown "We haven't" – the only words he uttered.

"When are you going to tell them?"

"I don't know" – he said in a very low tone "It will depend on Keisuke, I guess?" – he whispered inside his head. His mother didn't say anything anymore about the topic as they both return their eyes to Keisuke who is now braiding Ayako's brown hair.

~

Later that day.

"Big brother, look!" – Ayako called out to his older brother "How do I look?" – she asked while spinning like a ballerina showing of the clothes that Keisuke gave him and the braid with lots of ribbons and some kanzashi with an autumn theme (hair ornaments used with traditional Japanese clothing)

"You look so pretty like a princess" – Hideya said.

"Keisuke-niichan gave them to me and he made these braids, I love him so much! I will be wearing this for the moon-viewing!" – she squeals and quickly hugs Keisuke who is now sitting with them on the couch, the ginger didn't hesitate to hug back the young girl.

"You two are getting closer each time we are here" – the brunette commented.

"Yeah, I never had a younger sibling, I'm enjoy playing with her it feels like she's my little sister too" – the ginger smiles back.

"Keisuke-niichan's hair has the same color as the autumn season" – the girl complimented, a very smart comparison so to speak "This is his season" – she added.

Hideya and Keisuke look at each other after hearing that remark from the 5 years old girl and they both giggle.

Late that night the two of them again lay down on the same bed though Kyoko gave Keisuke his own futon and pillows.

As they cuddle each other while laying down, there was a moment of silence, the light is off and the wind is gently blowing from the window.

"Tomorrow we will be checking the crops that the villager will be harvesting for the festival, I can show you around" – the brunette said breaking the silence, though the ginger visited there many times they haven't had time to stroll the village as they can only stay there overnight for the most due to school schedule.

"That sounds great" – the ginger answered in a very low tone as he starts to feel sleepy, he was tired because of the travel going there and as soon as they arrived he played with Ayako for the remainder of the day.

"The leaves are turning orange just like your hair" – the brunette continued "It's funny how Ayako thinks that this is your season"

"Yeah, she's kinda smart for her age to come up with such statement" – Keisuke answered yawning.

Hideya wants to ask Keisuke about his parents if he plans on telling them, If yes how will they tell them, if they did tell them what could be their possible reaction— but the most pressing question in his mind at that moment is— will Keisuke pursue his dream of going to America as soon as he graduated high school?

"Keisuke" – the brunette called him with a gentle voice while twirling his ginger hair on his fingers, the small male hummed in response "Do you still want to go to America?" – he bravely asked.

"..."

There was a moment of silence, the brunette patiently waits for the ginger's response but to no avail until he hears the small and faint snore from the male, Keisuke has already fallen asleep on Hideya's chest.

"I guess I don't have to ask you, I trust that you know what to do when that day comes" – Hideya whispered as he too falls asleep while embracing the sleeping Keisuke in his arms.