Childhood Friends

Chapter 12: The Stay

"Kaito, could you get your grandfather for the garage for me? Dinner's almost ready." Kaito's grandmother asked as she poked her head into the living room. It had been a couple of hours since Kaito took Maki home. The rain had let up a little, but the weather was still too horrible to for Maki to try to go back to the apartment. Not that she wanted to right now. Almost selfishly, she wanted to stay forever in the warm comfort of this home and family.

"Sure. Come on, Maki Roll." Kaito beamed as he stood up from the soft couch. Before Maki could voice her opinion, Kaito gently took her hand and started to lead her through the house, to a door on the far side of it. As soon as Kaito opens it, there was an almost overpowering smell of musty air and a hint of petrol. The garage was dimly lit from a ceiling light. Along the wall were different shelves with paint cans and various sized cardboard boxes along them. There was a workbench that had an open toolbox wide open on it, with a few tools scattered on it. At the centre was an old Beetle car. It was painted dark red, with some of the paint chipping away. Aside from a busted head light and the condition of the paint, the car seemed to be in an okay condition.

The bonnet of the car was wide open, allowing an old man reach inside it. He was just an inch or so taller than Kaito's grandmother. He had pure white hair, with the top of his head balding. He was wearing old black work boots, dark coloured trousers and an old shirt that was stained with car grease.

"Hey, Gramps!" Kaito smiled. This caused the old man to jump a little, dropping the spanner that he was holding. Kaito suddenly looked ashamed as he picked up the tool. "Opps! Sorry Grandpa."

"Kaito! Please don't scare me like that." The old man breathed a sigh of relief. He pulled out a silver pocket watch from his trouser pocket. His thin white eyebrows shot up when he realised the time. "I've been working on the car this long already? That's a new record."

"I don't even know why you bother that old thing." Kaito muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. His grandfather looked up at him, looking a little stern.

"Son, once I get this "old thing" working, it'll help pay your way towards astronaut training." He said, his tone firm. As Kaito sighed a little, the old man noticed Maki standing behind him. He smiled warmly at her. "Oh! Hello there. Forgive me, I hadn't realised that Kaito was bringing home a friend." He quickly wiped his grease covered hand with a cloth and extended out a hand.

"I'm Maki." Maki tries to smile as warmly as she could as she shook the hand offered to her.

"So you're Maki. I thought so just by looking at you." The old man smiled, quickly looking at her with light coloured purple eyes. "You're just as Kaito described you."

"Grandpa!" Kaito suddenly shouted, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink.

"What? I'm only telling your friend the truth." His grandfather laughed, his voice vibrating throughout the room. Kaito hid his face with one hand as it turned a bit more red. The elder gently patted him on the back, seeing that enough was enough. "Alright, I'll stop embarrassing you, dear boy. Anyway, I think I've worked it out this time." Kaito peered into the car, inspecting the engine. After a minute or so, he looked up at the elder with questioning eyes.

"Grandpa, are you sure? I don't think-" he asked, trying to be careful with his words.

"Don't question me lad! I know what I'm doing this time." His grandfather exclaimed, looking quite offended. He pulled out a car key and handed it to Kaito. "Now go try turning on the engine." Kaito sighed in defeat as he took the keys. Maki watched keenly as he climbed into the old vehicle and settled down into the driver's seat. He looked at the bonnet, his grandfather obscured from his vision.

"Gramps, you're definitely sure this time? I honestly-" he asked, inserting the keys into the ignition.

"Kaito! I've worked it out this time, I'm sure of it. Now turn on the engine!" His grandfather snapped, all the patience in his voice was lost. He almost sounded like an old drill Sargent to Maki. It almost reminded her of the men that used to train her. Kaito quickly mouthed "get back" to Maki, pointing towards a far wall. She didn't question it and took a couple of steps back.