Vintage Diaries.

19. Yu

Noah had never expected this. Kiryu—the Kiryu—was actually the infamous "P'Yu" that Pakorn had spoken about so often. He felt a wave of disbelief wash over him. 

The connection between the young man who had always seemed so cold and hostile toward him, and the beloved nephew who had meant the world to Din, suddenly clicked into place.

 Kiryu had been standing there in Pakorn's laboratory, his arms crossed tightly over his chest, every fiber of him exuding tension and animosity. His eyes were like knives, slicing into Noah with a stare that felt more like a challenge than a simple glance.

Kiryu didn't seem remotely pleased to be introduced to him—not in the way someone might feel when finally meeting a person they had heard so much about. If anything, Kiryu's expression was as icy as ever. 

Noah couldn't help but wonder why Kiryu was always like this towards him. He thought they were on the same side. After all, they both cared deeply about Din and Pakorn—why the tension?

Pakorn, the ever-gentle mediator, smiled warmly between them, unaware of the undercurrent of tension. He introduced Noah formally, as if trying to smooth the sharp edges of their interaction.

"Noah, this is my grandson, Kiryu. He is from the future too, just like you. You know, the 'P'Yu' you have been searching for," Pakorn said with his trademark calmness, his eyes sparkling with affection for his grandson.

Kiryu didn't respond to his grandfather's light tone. Instead, he stood by the doorway to the lab, his gaze still locked on Noah. His expression was unchanging, a mask of indifference hiding whatever was going on beneath the surface. His intense, almost hostile stare made Noah squirm internally, though he tried not to show it. 

It wasn't the first time he had felt this way under Kiryu's gaze. But now, knowing who Kiryu truly was, it stung more than usual.

Noah offered a small, hesitant smile. "Nice to meet you—uh—P'Yu."

Kiryu's lips barely twitched. He said nothing.

The tension was palpable, and before Noah could offer any more awkward attempts at conversation, Kiryu turned to his grandfather. "Grampy, can I talk to Noah alone?"

The shift in Kiryu's tone caught Noah off guard. It wasn't a question—it was more like a demand. Pakorn looked slightly taken aback but nodded, trusting his grandson.

"Of course, Kiryu," Pakorn said, though there was a flicker of concern in his eyes as he glanced at Noah. "You two should talk."

Kiryu didn't waste any time. He grabbed Noah by the arm, his grip firm but not painful, and dragged him out of the lab, through the house, and out to the backyard. 

Noah, for all his usual ease and casual attitude, felt the urgency in Kiryu's stride and didn't protest. He followed, though his mind raced with confusion and curiosity. What was going on?

They stopped in the garden near an old, empty shed that Noah had seen before but never paid much attention to. It was a quiet spot, far enough from the house that no one would overhear them.

Kiryu finally let go of Noah's arm, spinning around to face him. His face was still unreadable, but his body language was anything but relaxed. He looked like a tightly wound spring, ready to snap.

Noah rubbed his arm absentmindedly, more out of habit than pain. "What is this about, Kiryu? Sorry P' Kiryu" he asked, trying to sound calm despite the tension in the air. "You have been acting like you hate me from the moment we met. What did I ever do to you?"

Kiryu didn't answer right away. He studied Noah, his eyes narrowed, as if weighing whether or not to say what was really on his mind. His jaw tightened, and finally, he spoke.

"You really don't know, do you?" His voice was low, restrained, like he was holding something back.

Noah blinked, confused. "No, I don't. I have been nothing but supportive to you and Din. If I did something to piss you off, I am genuinely clueless."

For a moment, Kiryu seemed to wrestle with himself. He clenched his fists, as if struggling to keep his emotions in check. "It is Din," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Stop...stop pushing him about the whole... homosexuality thing."

Noah felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. "Pushing him? I am not pushing him. I am just... supporting him."

"Exactly!" Kiryu snapped, his voice rising. "You are supporting him. Encouraging him. Like it is all... fine and easy!"

Noah frowned, his defenses rising. "What is wrong with that? Where I am from, it is not such a big deal. People can be who they are, and I am just trying to be a friend. Din needs support."

Kiryu's eyes flashed with anger. "You think you know what is best for him? You think just because you are from the 21st century, you understand everything?"

Noah's frown deepened. "I don't think I understand everything, but I know that Din is struggling, and if I can make him feel less alone, I will. You are his nephew—you should want that too!"

Kiryu turned away from Noah, his hands trembling slightly. For a long moment, he was silent, staring at the ground as if trying to gather his thoughts. When he finally spoke, his voice was tight with barely contained emotion.

"Din's life wasn't easy. He... he fell in love with someone when he was younger. It messed him up. He never moved on from it."

Noah felt his heart skip a beat. The pieces were falling into place, the story Pakorn had told him about Din's unrequited love. "Yeah... Grampy told me a bit about that. Din had a crush on someone in high school, right? Some guy who didn't love him back?"

Kiryu's body stiffened at the mention of it. His hands curled into fists again, and when he turned back to face Noah, there was an intensity in his eyes that made Noah's stomach twist.

"Stay out of it, Noah," Kiryu said coldly. "Whatever you think you know, you don't."

Noah could feel the tension between them ratchet up another notch. His mind was racing. "P' Kiryu... do you know who the guy was? The one Din was in love with?"

Kiryu's face went blank, his expression shutting down completely. "It is none of your business," he said flatly. "Just stay out of Din's love life."

But Noah couldn't let it go. "Phi, I am not trying to pry, but if Din is still hurting over this, maybe we can help him move on. You can't seriously think I am making things worse by supporting him."

Kiryu's jaw tightened. His voice, when he spoke again, was cold, clipped. "Din doesn't need your help, Noah. He is fine the way he is. He doesn't need someone from another time messing with his head, trying to 'fix' things."

Noah stared at him, trying to make sense of it all. Kiryu was clearly protective of Din, almost too protective. But why? Was it just about Din's heartbreak, or was there something more?

Noah sighed, trying to ease the tension. "I am not trying to fix anything, Kiryu. I care about Din too. I just want to see him happy."

Kiryu didn't soften. His voice was still cold. "Then stay out of it." He turned on his heel, leaving Noah standing alone in the garden, more confused than ever.