The Fog of Fame (Len x Oliver)

Chapter 4 - My First Night at Shukijin

After we had laid the futon down on the matted floor and tidied up the otherwise cluttered room, we both dropped splat onto our beds, exhausted from our day-long journey. I took a moment to reassess my situation, This may be a good place to lay low for a while. I took a peek at Oliver, who himself had been pondering on some of his own thoughts. I felt my heart tremble, beating rapidly as I contemplated on whether or not I should ask him. I wouldn't want to be of a nuisance, but on the other hand I really need to—

It was then I noticed a gentle poke on my left arm, "R-Rinto..."

I sat up and looked to see it was Oliver, tears welling in his eyes as he waited for my response. "Yes?"

"Nobody has— Nobody has ever done that for me, y'know." He cried silently.

"I'm sure anybody woul-"

"But they didn't!" He asserted, "Nobody before you."

I was at a loss, effectively paralysed, I couldn't think of a single word – let alone a sentence – that would be appropriate in that situation. I merely placed my hand on his shoulder to comfort him as his tears continued to slide down his pale soft cheek.

"I... I don't want you to leave," He mumbled, muffled in the effect of his tears, "b-but that... that would be selfish of me—"

I chuckled lightly, to which he turned to me in surprise. "I'm not leaving yet, Oliver." I told him, "I might stay at a local inn, stay for a bit and get to— well, see the place."

"Really?" He lit up, "Then, then we still get to see each other?" A smile formed on his face as he suggested, "You could stay here, y'know, mum wouldn't mind."

"Really?"

"Yeah!"

We laughed together, chuckling, giggling to lighten up the mood. Once we had sufficiently calmed ourselves down, Oliver crawled back onto his bed, laid down, curled up in the comfort of under his blanket and yawned as his previous tears turned to ones of tiredness. "I hope we can be good friends... Good night, Rinto," He yawned once more before switching off the lights to end the night.

Friends..?

I like the sound of that.

"Night, Oliver." I replied with what sounded like a held-back yawn, laying my head on the smooth soft pillow, scented lightly of roses and alike; there was no other moment I could remember then that I felt so calm, so peaceful; it wasn't for long before my thoughts melted away, dissolved in the comfort of my new temporary home as I finally fell adream.

***

I watched the lush green scenery before me...

A soft angelic voice called for an unknown name... "R-Rinto..."

Who is that? Who are they calling?

"Wa-Wake up!"

Was there an accident? What happened?

Suddenly, I felt a soft touch on my arm, which seemed to have come from nothing nor anyone in particular. I noticed a slit of bright light in vision before my eyes shot open, a little blonde boy of twelve staring cutely down at me.

That's right...

"Rinto!" He beamed, "y-you're awake!"

"Yeah," I sat up, holding my head as I fought my morning sleepiness.

"Sorry, mum told me to wake you up," He spoke, his hands locked as he moved left-to-right-to-left in an awkward series of motion, "breakfast will be ready soon," He said, shyly.

"Right."

...

I stood up and shivered, "It's cold today, huh?"

He nodded, "yeah."

We fiddled around the room until Oliver's mother called us for breakfast, to which we raced down – I won by a step – for food. The blonde woman chuckled at our little competition, ruffled Oliver's hair to his dissent, and allowed us our meal, setting a few plates and chopsticks on the wooden table beside.

We made a few exchanges that morning – on the differences of city life. It was then I learned that they had come from England, and had immigrated no more than a few years ago to escape the harsh urban life for a more serene environment... just like me. And it was then that I noticed the slight irregularities of their Japanese, which I would have otherwise considered to be the effect of one of the many dialects—but they were still learning!

"Oh, right!" Oliver exclaimed suddenly, "mum!"

"Yes, dear?"

"Can Rinto stay over?" He entreated.

We looked to her for a response as she weighed the choices for a quick moment. Then I saw her mouth finally open. "I don't see why not," she replied to my relief. I felt myself smile. I looked to Oliver to see he had done the same, we smiled together, and such a precious moment it was; it made me happy to see he was happy that I could stay, though the reason was not yet anywhere near the boundary of love, it was still much more innocent than that: friendship!