Boy Meets Ai

Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Seiko stood in the darkness of the garden. His eyes were red and puffy. The pain in his ribs throbbed with every breath. Ogun had done a number on him. Even more painful than that though, was his regret. A soft wind swept through the bushes and the moon peaked through the clouds as they were whisked away, illuminating his sorrow. Oaklee's words stuck in his mind. He couldn't shake them. The conversation replayed over and over. How could he be so stupid, so selfish? The weight of everything seemed to hold him down like heavy chains. The look of fear and confusion in his mother's eyes, the hurt in Oaklee's, the fact that he had made her cry. It crushed him. She was his best friend in the world, and he had repaid that friendship with insults.

"Seiko?" A voice called out from the edge of the garden.

He jumped at the sudden sound after such a long silence. He whipped around to see Shinobu standing there. She carried a large stuffed dire bear under her arm.

Seiko did his best to hide his distraught appearance. He cleared his throat then replied.

"H-Hey, looks like you won huh?" He hid his face as he spoke.

"Yeah." She looked worriedly at him, clearly seeing through the front.

"How did you find me?" he asked.

"It wasn't too hard. It's quiet here and there aren't any people. I know you hate crowds."

Seiko forced a hollow chuckle. He pleaded that she wouldn't get closer to him but that's exactly what she did.

"Is everything ok?" Shinobu approached slowly as if he were a wounded animal.

"Y-Yeah. I-I was just um..."

Crack.

The façade shattered as thick sorrow rolled into his voice. He couldn't hold back his feelings anymore, no matter how hard he tried.

"Hey hey, What's wrong? Talk to me man." She dropped the stuffed animal so she could hug him. Seiko fell to pieces.

"I said something to Oaklee. I think I really hurt her." He choked on his tears.

Shinobu consoled him as best she could. "It'll be okay. Friends fight. Oaklee's a tough chick. Just give her some time and then go apologize. Let her feel what she needs to feel okay?"

"I'm a bad person. A bad friend. She shouldn't forgive me!"

Shinobu grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him lightly. She looked him in the eyes and said "Listen to me. You made a mistake. Whatever it is, I'm sure you can work it out. Don't be so quick to write yourself off or her for that matter. Oaklee cares about you sooo much! You know that."

Her words were a salve. The overwhelming pain still lingered inside Seiko, but it was dulled by her kindness.

"Thank you." He sighed heavily.

"That's what friends are for."

Seiko nodded. Friends. Something he longed for, for such a long time. He felt incredibly stupid as he realized he had been taking them all for granted.