My Demons

Chapter Eighteen

A/N: I have no idea how trains are supposed to work, especially in Japan. (I’m just from a small rural town in America, so…) But the beginning part of this chapter, this is how I imagine them working.

Chapter 18

            The idea occurred to me while I was on the train heading to Osaka. There was a sign for Sapporo right in front of my seat. All I could think was how nice it would be to take Misaki there. I figured he hadn’t been there before, considering it was just him and his brother for the past 10 years.

            Then I remembered… Soon it would be 11 years since their parents died. Misaki was almost 19. In fact, his birthday was tomorrow. I had almost forgotten given the fact that I spent almost a week telling myself it was better to let him go. I had given Takahiro a present on his birthday. I needed to give Misaki something too, but it had to be really special. After all, he’s the one I truly love, not Takahiro.

            All I could think about was seeing his smiling face and holding him tightly. I didn’t want to let go of him anymore. He was my one and only. There was no way I could give him up to Takahiro now. I had to think of something I could say to him to convince him to let his brother stay with me. Of course, I had plenty of time for that.

            The first matter on hand was making sure Misaki knew how much I care about him; how much I need him in my life; how deeply in love with him I am. I want him to know that he can rely on me and that I want him to selfish with me. I just want him to be with me…

            As soon as I boarded off the train in Osaka, I rushed to the ticket counter. “I need two tickets for the sleeper car going to Sapporo,” I said out of breath.

            The women at the counter looked at me with obvious annoyance. “I’m sorry, sir, but that train leaves in 15 minutes,” she said in a polite voice. “We can’t give you a ticket this late. I can however give you tickets for tomorrow night.”

            I pulled out my wallet and thrust my credit card at her face. “Charge me double, no, triple. I don’t care what it costs. I need on this train.”

            “I’m sorry sir, but – ” She  stopped midsentence and did a double take at my card. She looked up at me with wide eyes. “You’re Usami Akihiko?! The famous author, Usami Akihiko?!”

            I nodded. My gut churned with what I was about to say, but I needed to do something to get those tickets. I leaned in closer to her over the counter. “The one and only. Would you like an autograph, miss?” I smiled at her.

            Her face became very red. It reminded me of Misaki when he blushed. “P-Please!” She bent down and pulled out a copy of my latest novel. “I kn-know you must be busy, U-Usami-san, but p-please sign this for me! And I’ll give you the tickets!”

            Jackpot.

            I smirked as I signed the front of her book. She heaved a heavenly sigh as she ran my credit card and handed me two boarding passes. I bowed respectfully to her, making her squeal. It sickened me that I was doing this… But, anything for Misaki.

            “Thank you very much, miss.”

            “Yo-You’re welcome, sir! En-Enjoy your trip!” She looked so flustered.

            I turned and headed for the central ticket gate to find Misaki. I spotted the back of his head just as I reached the gate and slid my boarding pass through. As if he noticed my presence, he turned and looked right at me. He looked nervous, maybe even a little scared. As I reached him, I took hold of his arm, thankful to feel that warm, loving sensation when I touched him.