In The Space Between

Chapter 1

It's another day and Green found Kaito leaned against the cold metal of his car, his fingers drumming anxously against the steering wheel as Kaito watches Green get in the passenger seat. The drive to the university felt longer today, almost like it was taunting him with the prospect of facing the world outside his carefully constructed walls. He could feel Green's presence in the passenger seat, a quiet weight that seemed to amplify the tension in the air. The tension wasn't just about being in the same car with his family's servant; it was about something deeper, something he couldn’t yet name.

As they pulled out of the driveway, Kaito caught a glimpse of his half-siblings playing in the garden. Kiera and Akio, with their innocent laughter and carefree spirits, were a stark contrast to the turmoil that brewed within him. They reminded him of a time when life was simpler, a time before loss had seeped into every corner of his existence, twisting his family into something he barely recognized. Kaito had been only seven when his mother died, but the memory was etched in his mind as vividly as the day it happened. He could still hear the echoes of her laughter and feel the warmth of her hugs, both of which had become distant memories after she left this world.

Kaito risked a glance at Green, who was quietly staring out the window, the city of manila blurring by in a cascade of colors. There was something different about the boy, a resilience that seemed to shine even when faced with the shadow of his circumstances. Kaito knew Green’s backstory—how he had been sold by his mother to the Akimichi family, how he had become a servant to Kaito’s family—but that knowledge didn’t lessen the ache he felt for him. Instead, it only intensified the confusion churning inside him.

“Why are you so quiet, today?" Kaito snapped because it's like the first time that Green's quiet since the few weeks they've been going to campus together, he's not used to Green's silence right now. He hated that he felt compelled to fill the silence that lingered between them, yet part of him wanted to know what went through Green’s mind, how he could remain composed while Kaito wrestled with his own demons.

“uh, Wala po sir,” Green replied, his voice barely above a whisper. Kaito could sense the boy's hesitation, the way he was unsure whether to share more or retreat into silence.

“Right,” Kaito muttered, returning his gaze to the road ahead. The atmosphere was stifling, the unspoken tension a reminder of how far they were from the carefree banter he shared with his friends. The familiarity of their usual conversations felt out of reach, as if they had drifted into separate worlds, each carrying burdens that were invisible to the other.

As they approached the university gates, Kaito’s heart raced with a mix of anticipation and dread. The campus loomed ahead, bustling with students, laughter, and the promise of a new day. Kaito’s stomach twisted, a knot of anxiety settling in as he parked the car. He could feel the weight of expectation pressing down on him, a burden that felt heavier with each passing day. The stark reality of his life—the family name he carried, the legacy he was expected to uphold—loomed over him like a shadow, darkening every interaction and decision.

“Thank you po sa pag hatid, Sir Kaito.” Green said, his voice low as he unbuckled his seatbelt. Kaito frowned at the formality in his tone. He's not really used to the Green Infront of him, he's curious on what happened to the boy.

“You don’t need to thank me. I didn’t have a choice anyway,” Kaito replied, his words sharper than intended. he turned away, focusing on the crowd outside, where students moved in clusters, chatting animatedly, their faces lit up with the carefree energy of youth.

Kaito parked the car at PolSci Dept's parking lot after he dropped Green at the gate and sat there for a moment, the engine idling as he gathered his thoughts. The university campus was a cacophony of life, yet Kaito felt isolated within it, trapped in a world where expectations ruled his every action. He was the heir to the Akimichi name, destined to carry the weight of his family’s legacy on his shoulders. Yet, the further he delved into that reality, the more he yearned for something different. Something real.