Boys For Hire!!

Chapter 30: From Me to You

Spring pricked at my nose like a foreshadowing freedom. Rose buds reached towards the sun and dew tickled the leaves. This was the day I'd make everything right.

"Katsumi."

"Arian Chiseki."

Saying my name like that.

Like a stranger.

I think thats what's hurting me the most. And so I figured, that's what must be hurting him as well.

Softening my gaze, I unclench my fists, crossing my hands in my lap as I shift in the leather seat of my wheelchair. Letting out a soft breath, a plume of cold air consumes the space.

"Katsumi, please be honest with me." I start, voice barely above a whisper. "Did the CEO of Boys For Hire... Really tell you that I was trying to break you guys apart?" He doesn't respond. "You guys are my friends, why would you believe him?"

"He showed me." Snapping back to life, Katsumi is suddenly defensive. "Emails between you and him, emails between you and your friends from school. Laughing and saying-"

"And you'd believe that?" I cry out, unbelieving. "A man who can fake a death and give boys fake identities, you'd believe a couple emails!? They could've been fake, using my name."

He swallows, lowering his head in shame. "I didn't believe it at first..." Eyes watering, he stands up off the grass of the hospital garden, arms crossing himself. "But... it got to me. Day after day, he'd send me new emails. Each coming with a reminder of how much Akihiko means to me, and how I can't... let him go."

"How long has this been going on?"'

He hesitates. "A couple months. A week after we came to stay with you." At my silence, he moves forward a bit. "B... But everyday, I'd always be able to fight it back. Because you showed me kindness... You couldn't possibly have been doing what he said."

A warmth growing in my heart, I find myself immediately crushed at his next words. He walks towards me and kneels, the small boy putting his hands over mine.

"But he told me that if the client were to die then..." He starts shaking. "All the client's previous Boys For Hire... Would be free'd from service without consequence. Boys For Rent boys... And even Boys For Hire boys."

I seize up.

No way...

"Y-your saying..." My words are shaky and I can barely gurgle out a sentence. "I... The solution to freeing you boys is..."

"Even if I went to jail..." His head is lowered now, forehead pressed against my knee. "I would've done anything to give Akihiko a chance."

Exhaling dramatically, I ruffle the back of his head. "I can't stay mad forever." His eyes flutter close as he nuzzles my thigh. "All I can do is forgive you."

"Your too nice for you own good." He sniffs. I can feel his shoulders shaking as he tries to hold in his feelings. "Someone's going to take advantage of you."

"And we'll fight them back every time." Taking his hands in mine, I grip them tight. "Together. Right, Akihiko?"

"Right."

From behind me, there's a warm, loving hand on my shoulder.

"I won't leave you, Katsumi. I promise I'll stay by your side."

"A-Akihiko...." Katsumi looks up and whimpers, standing. "I'm sorry. I hope you'll forgive me too."

"Of course. But," Akihiko puts his hand on Katsumi's head and strokes his hair, an odd fatherly gesture. "I would be lying if I said," Akihiko's hand freezes, and I look up at him curiously. "That if something did happen to Arian, and she did... pass, I wouldn't wish an end worse than prison for you."