•𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫•|•Seakeen/Aunashi

Chapter 5: Can You Write?

𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚌𝚑 𝟾, 𝟸𝟶𝟷𝟸

The gentle breeze in the place enveloped him in a comforting warmth, neither too cold nor too hot, just the perfect balance. Seated in a spot with a picturesque view of the lotus pond right in front of him, he found solace in the tranquil beauty that surrounded him. The lotus pond was his sanctuary, offering him peace and a sense of calm that he cherished deeply.

As he carefully selected his brush and dipped it into the calming hue of blue paint, he began to delicately color the sky in his sketch pad, recreating the scene before him with meticulous detail. The act of painting in this serene setting brought him immense joy and fulfillment. There was something magical about capturing the essence of the lotus pond on canvas that stirred his soul.

The rhythmic sound of the brush gliding across the paper was a soothing melody, drowning out the noise of the outside world, or so he thought until he heard the unexpected sound of applause. Startled, he turned to see a boy standing behind him, his eyes wide.

"Woahh! That painting almost looks like the lotus pond!" the boy exclaimed, pointing at his artwork and then towards the lotus pond, causing him to jump slightly in surprise.

Turning back to face the boy, he took in the sight of a youngster smaller than him, sporting a bucket hat, a red jacket emblazoned with the letter K, and black shorts. The boy's choice of attire in the mild weather puzzled him - wouldn't he feel too warm in that jacket?

Silent and contemplative, he observed the boy before him, unsure of how to respond to the unexpected interaction.

"You can become a famous painter when you're old!" the boy proclaimed, breaking the silence. His confusion deepened as the boy continued, "I want to become an idol!"

Caught off guard by the boy's bold declaration, he remained wordless, unsure of how to engage with the conversation unfolding before him.

"When I'm already a famous idol, I want you, the famous painter, to paint me!" the boy declared, taking a seat beside him. His gaze lingered on the boy, his thoughts swirling with uncertainty.

Then, out of the blue, the boy posed a question that caught him off guard, "Do you want to be friends with me?"

𝙿𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎.....

In his home, the atmosphere was charged with a sense of tension as he and his long-lost best friend stood side by side, facing the doorway. The weather outside remained cold, the chill seeping into the air within the house, adding to the palpable unease between them.

"P'Sea. Can I borrow pajamas? If that's okay with you?" Keen's voice broke the silence, his gaze fixed on him, seeking permission.

"Okay. Follow me to the guest room," he replied curtly, avoiding Keen's gaze as he turned and made his way towards the guest room without waiting for a response.

..........

It's midnight, and the darkness outside casts a shadow over the surroundings, the cold air seeping into the room. He lay awake, staring at the ceiling, unable to find solace in sleep. His long-awaited wish had come true - his best friend, Keen, had returned. However, it wasn't the Keen he had hoped for, the Keen he remembered.

Driven by restlessness, he rose from his bed and made his way to the kitchen, a craving for coffee pulling him towards the comforting warmth of the brew. To his surprise, Keen was already there, seated at the table with a cup of tea in hand.

As their eyes met, Keen stood up and approached him. "You can't sleep, P'Sea?" Keen inquired, his gaze searching for a connection in the dimly lit room, illuminated only by the soft glow of the living room lamp.