The Boy With The Blank Stare

Chapter Seven: They are friends

"Hey Saihara!" Momota called, I had gotten early to school today so the only one's in the room was us and Ouma.

Momota was sitting in front of Ouma and "me and Ouma were just talking about what we are going to do for the weekend's" I raised an eyebrow "you understand sign language?" I asked and Momota shook his head.

"Not yet, I am taking a class in it though in order to learn" Momota said "how are you talking to Ouma then?" I asked confused and he smiled.

"Just because I don't get a response doesn't mean we can't talk, besides I can tell he's paying attention" Momota said cheerfully.

'Momota has been doing this for the past hour, surprised he hasn't gotten tired' Ouma signed and I sighed "Ouma Momota's just being enthusiastic, your his friend"

Momota's eyes widened "y-you can understand him?" Momota asked and I nodded "yeah someone in my family is deaf so I-"

"Translate. For. Me" Momota begged and I nodded "uh sure I guess" and I turned over to Ouma "what are you doing this weekend?"

'I'm going to be here' he signed and I raised an eyebrow confused "he said he's going to be here...on a weekend, why Ouma?"

Momota's eyes dimmed and he looked at Ouma "so it's already that time of year huh...do you want me to come with you?" Momota asked.

'No, you don't need to you would be wasting your time' Ouma signed back and I looked at Momota "he said no you don't need to, and you would be wasting your time"

Momota shook his head "that's wrong! Your one of my sidekicks! And I want to help you Ouma!" He screamed loudly and Ouma still didn't move.

'You already did your part, more than what I deserve isn't that enough for you?' Ouma signed.

"He says you already did your part, an it was more than he deserved, but Ouma what are you two talking about?"

'He stopped me numerous times from...leaving to say the least...that idiot' Ouma signed.

"No...it will never be enough for me..." Momota said "because I believe in you Ouma...and your going to come back to us one day! I just know you have to! I never thought I would say this...but I miss you...and how you used tobe...I even miss the pranks you always pulled...like the time you made the classroom halloween decorated in April...and I know you miss those days to right?" Momota said "which is why I will never give up, because I know you miss those days to and while we can never have maybe the exact same memories I know you can come back Ouma" Momota said.

"He called you an idiot just five seconds ago" I told Momota and his eyes widened "he hasn't called me that in years!" And I looked over to Ouma who seemed to be listening and even turned his chair to face our voices better.

'I say it as it is' Ouma signed and I fought the urge to laugh "he claims he says it as it is" I told Momota who looked at Ouma "OUMA!"

And for the first time I saw Ouma smile a little.

-/-/-

We had proceeded to go back and forth like this in translation for a while often. Ouma would mostly respond simply but nothing would replace the strange optimism from Momota when Ouma had called him an idiot.

I wonder if that's how their dynamic was before? Now it seemed more lie Momota ans Ouma were close friends and I could see that Momota was struggling to figure out how to help Ouma.

I wish I could help, but I still don't even have a clue as to what's going on right now...unless...

I had a mini lightbulb go on in my head, unless I come here in the weekend...then I can see what Ouma is doing and maybe figure out more clues as to what is it that happened that left Ouma disabled and apparently only a shadow of his former self. Until then though...

I smiled though looking at the two of them interacting, Momota was chatting his head off and I could see Ouma following along and occasionally nodding his head or shaking and even an occasional eye roll.

It didn't seem to faze Momota, he seemed to be desperately clinging onto these small things as if they were dear life.

He's been waiting a few years huh...working every day...for Ouma to come back...even if I figure anything out...nothing I could do for Ouma would ever mean more than what Momota did for him...

"so I'm guessing Ouma also hangs out with you to?" I asked and Momota's eyes dimmed "well...no not really...we've never had a friendship like that...more like we would fight every chance we got"

I raised an eyebrow "seriously? And you defend him to? That's a strange friendship" Momota shrugged "just how it's always been. Now and then"

Don't care about what Momota said at that time...those two are friends. Even if neither acknowledges it they are best friends.