The current & the ex

Part 7

"Inoo-chan?"

The boy takes off his sunglass. Smile is carved on his pretty face.

"It's so good to see you Keito!" Inoo opens his arms, accepting Keito's friendly hug.

"Good to see you too! I can't believe that you are here in flesh!"

"What's with the hair?" Inoo touches Keito's long hair. "Don't you have barber here?"

Keito laughs. "Of course we do! I'm keeping it long for a play."

"Play? Like a musical?"

"Sort of. It's our first year's assignment."

"Are they casting you as a girl?" Inoo teases.

"Hey!"

The two boys laugh. Keito shakes his head left and right, entertained by Inoo's spontaneous remark. It is good to know that some things did not change.

"Actually, I am the protagonist," Keito takes over a huge red luggage from Inoo's hand and lead the boy to their ride.

"The main cast? That's great Keito!"

"You'll be here for a week right? I reserved a seat for you. VIP."

"Eih? The play is happening soon? Gomen! I must have disturbed your training session! If I knew about it I wouldn't have come here..."

"What do you mean? I want you here! Now I am doubled, no, triple time more motivated to perform!" Keito reassures Inoo to reduce his guilt. "Don't worry about it."

Inoo smiles. Keito is still Keito, the kind and accommodative Keito that he knew. Sometimes it wonders him how a person can be this generous. Keito does look a bit thinner compared to the time he left 9 months ago, but there is this appeal that Inoo ha never seen from his group member before.

Confidence.

And his long hair does make him look more mature and manly than before.

They arrive at their vehicle. An English man is sitting at the driver's seat, waving at Inoo as a welcoming gesture. Keito put Inoo's luggage in the car trunk and open the door for the boy.

"Wait," Inoo takes out his cell phone. "Let's take a photo here," he pulls Keito closer to him.

"Say New York!"

-----------------

Chinen brings his cellphone towards Yamada. "Inoo-chan has arrived in New York!"

Yamada leans forward and scroll the pictures Keito sent in HSJ group chat with Chinen. Keito shares a few pictures of his evening with Inoo in downtown New York, having dinner and strolls around the busy city. But one photo really captures Yamada's eyes- a beautiful candid picture where Keito and Inoo are sitting on a bench in a park at night, smiling dearly at each other.

"Looks like Inoo-chan is having fun," Yuto who peeks from behind says. "Ah this is a great shot! Is his friend a professional photographer?"

"Right? It looks like a magazine photo-shoot," Chinen further compliments. "We should hire him as our photographer the next time we visit Keito."

"Why? Am I not good enough? Mou..." Yuto pouts.

"What Chii means is, he wants you to be in the pictures too," Yamada clarifies.

"Awww Chii!!!" Yuto cuddles the tiniest member. "You are so sweet!!!!"

Yabu smiles as he listens to the younger boys' conversation. Every time Keito shares something in HSJ group chat, HS7 members will be the first to respond to him. The calm boy's presence is very much missed by all.