Whereabouts of Love

"Love doesn't exist. There's no such thing called love. Therefore there's no sorrow."

.

.

.

He doesn't remember anything.

What happened to him, who is he, or why he's lying down on a harbor in a small village. One thing he knows is a young black-haired boy standing in front of him, helping him stand and then hugs him tightly.

"It's alright. Don't be scared," said the black-haired boy. Even he said "Don't be scared" many times, he can't stop shaking from holding his tears. Meanwhile, he just stares at the boy blankly, doesn't understand.

And what he remembers is the boy's name was Akira.

***

That kitten won't survive.

"There's nothing we can do, it will surely die," he said, staring at the ragged kitten which lays in the cardboard.

"No! Don't!"

"That kitten will die. Give it to me!" A cutter unsheathed in his arm means to end the kitten's life—and suffering, but Akira won't hand it to him.

"No! I don't want to!"

"I will kill it!" Just a bit more, he's ready to stab that helpless kitten with the cutter, but Akira's still on his ground.

"No, stop!" shouted Akira, hugging the cardboard tightly.

Seeing Akira's act, he gritted his teeth. "Damn. Why?" asked him, seeing his reflection on the cutter's blades.

***

From the door's glass, he sees Akira who is running through the rain, bringing a plate, a bottle of milk and an umbrella. He knows Akira went to the place they left the kitten. Silently he follows Akira.

On the harbor, Akira sits beside the kitten inside the cardboard, shading it with an umbrella. Akira cries, sobbing. The milk he brought earlier is now spilled on the ground.

He shades Akira with an umbrella he brought from behind, letting himself drenched with rain. "Why are you crying? You know that kitten will die," said he.

"You're wrong," Akira replied behind his cry.

"The weak ones will die."

"No! No! No! Ryo-chan, you're crying too."

Akira's words confuse him. "Why? I don't feel sad."

"Ryo-chan, you're crying too!"

He doesn't understand. He doesn't feel sad at all. There are no tears coming out from his eyes. What does it mean?

***

Ten years have passed.

He sees Akira standing on a boat bound to the dock, staring at the hip-hop gang who is blocking a girl—Akira's childhood friend, Miki Makimura.

"Akira!"

Akira looks upside. "Ryo-chan!" Akira runs to the harbor's stairs, walking toward him and hugs him tightly. There's a warm feeling in his chest.

"Akira, come with me," said he.

"Akira, who is he!?" asked Miki suspicious—staring at the gun which he held.

Akira looks at her. "He's Ryo Asuka, my old friend! Although we're the same age, He's a professor in America!" answered Akira.

"Come, Akira." He and Akira get inside the car, while Akira just nods and follow as he said. The car drives away, leaving Miki who is calling for Akira's name.