✔ Strange Land | China

八

-Months later-

Your feelings for Yao had gotten more over the months. One fine day in late summer, you were out in the garden, admiring the sky. Yao was downtown to get some things and you were alone at home with his pet panda.

While you stroked the panda's soft fur, you looked around, here and there and saw butterflies flying around, cicadas buzzing, birds chirping.

You sighed happily, "This is life!"

Just then, you heard the faint rush of water. You turned towards the source which was the house next door. There was a young man with black hair and a gray kimono, watering his back garden along with his dog.

You walked to the shrub fence and said,

"Konnichiwa!"

He turned to you and nodded, "Konnichiwa. Pardon me, but who are you?"

"I'm ____. And you are?" you asked.

He bowed and said, "Kiku Honda. It's a pleasure to meet you,"

"May I ask you a question?" he asked.

"Yes?"

"How do you know Yao?" he enquired.

"Yao? Well, as far as I remember, he found me on the streets and took me in," you smiled.

He nodded with a smile and resumed watering his flowers. 

He looks familiar...

"AH!" you screamed.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, slightly shocked at your sudden shout.

"I saw you in the world meeting!" you pointed out.

He chuckled, "Finally got it, huh?"

"Hold on! You recognized me and said nothing?!"

"I wanted to see if you remembered me, that's all!" he smiled, "I just played along with you,"

You face palmed. But admit it, he looked cute when he laughed. Just then, Yao came by the fence and saw both of you talking.

"Yao!" you called.

Yao's eyes were on Kiku's and vice versa. Their faces didn't look so happy. Kiku's kind eyes were strangely filled with contempt.

Yao was not happy either. His amber eyes were deeply hurt and sad. He just nodded at Kiku and walked inside the house quietly. He stopped and turned to you,

"Come inside when you're done."

And he left. Even though you felt like they don't get along, the fact that Yao didn't object to both of you talking bothered you.

You gulped and looked at Kiku from the corner of your eye. He was still discontented. It was not on his face but his eyes were an open book.

"I'm sorry, Kiku. I'll talk to you later," you gulped. He said not a word. Just a nod to approve.

You ran into the house and called, "YAO!!"

Silence. But, you were not the type of person to give up so easily. You continued bolting around and calling. The kitchen was the last place you looked at. Sure enough, he was there, putting the groceries away.

"Yao!" you called.

"Yes?" he chirped and looked at you with a deceitful smile.

"Are you okay?" you asked. Yao was good at hiding his feelings. He gave you what looked like a 'true smile' and said,

"I'm good,"

You could say nothing. You felt no will to argue. You just accepted it...

"Okay," you gulped and walked off.

....or not?

There is something wrong.

-Timeskip- -Dusk-

After a while, you were just walking around aimlessly when you noticed that Yao was cutting some logs of wood with an ax.

Since that was hard work, he tossed his shirt away, exposing his upper body. He continued cutting while your eyes were fixed on this huge scar on his back. That scar looked deep and it sent shivers. You could feel your heart come right up your throat.

That scar looks terrible....

He stopped for a while, put the ax on the grass and sighed.

"Is this much wood enough?" he asked himself, looking down at the stump.

"_____!" he called, without looking back, "Is this wood enough?"

You almost jumped.

How did he know I was standing here?!

"I..uh...I guess?" you gulped, trying not to bring up the subject of his scar.

"Really?" he asked, looking at you.

You blushed mainly because of that innocent face of his and that....well, muscular body. You nodded.

He smiled and said, "Good! I'll go take a shower then,"

And he skipped away, passing you....is what you thought. But, he stopped next to you before he could go forward.

"Is something the matter?" he whispered.

You shook you head and looked down at your feet.

He nodded, "Please, if anything is bothering you, tell me,"

That said, he walked off. You looked at him walk away and sighed.

I'd say the same to you...

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☆ Rewritten ☆