Finding Serenity

Small World

July 10th, xx14

Kei was meeting someone today. He mentioned it was someone from his childhood, the man who had saved him, but there was a sadness in his eyes as he spoke. When he told Rena about it, she noticed the look that crossed his face. She hoped she could be a comfort to him, just as he had been for her when she talked about her past.

She was working tonight and suggested he meet them at the coffee shop. That way, she could be there to support him. Kei always tried to deny his emotions, but no one can fully escape them, no matter how hard they try. And that's okay. It's okay to not be okay sometimes. It's okay to cry.

Kei arrived 20 minutes before he was scheduled to meet his acquaintance from the past. He walked in almost expressionless, millions of questions running through his mind. What does he need to tell me, and why in person? Why now, after so many years? Why is he back?

Kei was so lost in thought that he didn't realize Rena had come up to his table with his drink, which he hadn't even ordered yet.

"Kei?" she said softly.

He darted his eyes up to meet hers, quickly flashing his signature smile to hide his inner turmoil.

"Ah, my dove, thanks for the drink," he grinned as he took the drink from her hand. She slowly sat down in front of him, not buying his smile in the least.

"Kei... I know that wasn't real. Are you okay?" she asked, looking at him with concern.

He set his cup down and let out a sigh.

"Guess I can't fool you anymore, huh," he said with a sad smile.

"Nope," she grinned, popping the 'p'.

"I just... haven't talked to him in years. He moved away almost 13 years ago. I don't know what he could even want to talk about. It seems so... strange and sudden," he said with a distant look in his eyes.

"Did it sound like it was bad news?" Rena asked.

"It was hard to tell, but I have a feeling it's not good news," Kei said as he looked at his watch to check the time.

"He should be here by now," he said, looking up at the door. Kei's eyes widened a little as he stood up. "Oh, he's here."

Rena decided it would be best if she went back to work and left the two to talk, but as she stood up and turned around, she saw the man walking through the door. Her heart skipped a beat and her breath hitched for a moment. She couldn't move; she froze on the spot.

The man came through the door looking down at his feet. Rena instantly recognized him. The last time she had seen him was roughly five years ago, though he looked like he had aged almost twice those years. The bags under his eyes were deeper than before. He still had that 5 o'clock shadow, but it had specks of silver now. He slouched more than usual and had definitely lost a lot of weight.

As the door closed, he looked up and began to scan the place. He finally caught Kei's glance, who was giving a slight wave of his hand. The man noticed and barely lifted one corner of his mouth in a half-attempt to smile. He walked over, and Rena was still frozen. Kei assumed she wanted to meet the man who had saved him, so once the man approached, he began introductions.

"Hello, Sir, it's been a while. Uh... I'd like you to meet one of my friends," he gestured to Rena, who was still standing there wide-eyed and frozen. "This is R—"

"Miss Reyes!?" the man said as he finally looked at Rena.

"-ena... wait, what?" Kei said, glancing between the two who were in a staring match.