Dimension

Part 1

"What did you do to my books?!" Inoo yells from the study room entrance with his face burning red.

Takaki grins, showing his white teeth. "I'm just arranging them back on the rack. See, it's a lot tidier now isn't it? Then you can study with a peaceful mind in-"

"BAKAKI!!!!!"

For the first time Takaki hears Inoo screaming in anger. In fact this is the first time Inoo calls him 'Bakaki'- the nickname he is not really proud of.

"Get out of here!" Inoo walks towards the book shelves and started to take out several thick books and papers before throwing the book on the study table.

"What are you doing Kei? You're messing this place again. This is-"

"Don't you hear what I just said? GET OUT you stupid blockhead!!!"

At this rate Takaki knows Inoo is not joking. Reluctantly he moves closer to the exit, leaving Inoo who is busy searching the books on the shelves.

"Erm... Kei..."

"WHAT?"

"If you are searching for your paperwork I put them in the study desk drawer. Bye," Takaki closes the door. Slowly he makes his steps downstairs with frustration.

I just wanted to help. What's the need of yelling at me?

Takaki continues his steps to the kitchen where Yabu and Yamada is busy baking. The two boys seems to be having fun mixing all the ingredients and play with the flour.

"What are you guys doing?" Takaki cheerfully pop at the dining table where the two boys are seated. However none of them shows any interest to answer him.

"Whoaaa!!! You are making strawberry cheesecake aren't you?" the ignored boy tries to get Yabu and Yamada attention but seems like the two are so into conversation with their hands skillfully slicing the strawberries.

"Can I help?" Takaki gives another shot, this time he playfully put his head on Yabu's left shoulder. But the older boy shrugs him away.

Am I invisible? Or are you guys deaf? Hello..... anybody home??

"This looks tasty!" Takaki wanted to pick one of the strawberries from the basket but Yamada quickly smacks his hand.

"What's that for?" Takaki frowns at the chubby boy.

"You'll have to wait till we finish," Yamada continues slicing.

"Oh come on. Just one... please..."

"NO!"

Ok, now Yama-chan scolds me too.

Yabu chuckles. "We'll call you when it's ready all right Yuya?"

"Then let me help."

"No no no...You'll just ruin my cake," Yamada shift aside the flour and the strawberries. "Go away Bakaki... We'll call you when it's done."

Disappointedly Takaki walks out the kitchen. With his eyes half-close he takes a deep breath trying to get his spirit back.

Today is really not his day. Being scolded two times now, and it's not even noon yet.

Hopefully this will be the last one. I might as well stay in my room- then nobody will scold me.

But Takaki isn't aware that Ryutaro is running in his direction.

"Watch out!!!"

Takaki opens his eyes hearing Yabu's scream. Ryutaro and Takaki meet in a huge collision. Ryutaro falls on the floor together with a stack of CDs. Takaki tries to keep his balance, and he succeeds. However his left leg landed on Ryutaro's new sets of CDs causing the whole stack to crack into two due to the impact.

"What are you doing?!" Ryutaro pushes Takaki from his CDs, making the older boy hit himself to the nearby wall.

"Sorry Ryu... I didn't see you coming..." Takaki apologizes.

"My CD... I just got them..."

Takaki feels even guiltier than before. He knows how much Ryutaro is crazy over video games, and he is aware how much trouble he has put himself into.

"I'll buy you a new one Ryu... Tell me where you get them and I'll buy them for you."

"I hate you," the younger boy is making a fist.

"Ryu, I said I'm sorry..I-"

"I HATE YOU BAKAKI!!! I WISH YOU NEVER EXIST!! YOU FOOL!!!!" Ryutaro screams his lung out directly to Takaki's face.

Yamada, Yabu and Takaki are all stunned by Ryutaro's word.

"Souka..." Takaki gets on his feet. "Too bad I'm exist huh?"

Yabu puts his hand on Takaki's shoulder. "Don't take it seriously. I'm sure Ryu didn't mean it. Right Ryu?" Yabu looks at Ryutaro, signaling him to apologize for the harsh words.

Ryutaro ignores Yabu's hint. He gathers the broken CDs and rushes upstairs.

"Ma..ma.. he's just a kid. Don't take it too hard on yourself," Yabu tries to cheer the sad looking Takaki.

"Yabu-kun is right. You wanted the strawberries right Takaki-kun? Here, have one," Yamada shows the strawberry basket to Takaki. "You can help us too if you want."

"I don't want to ruin your cake," Takaki replies, intentionally repeating Yamada's word when he ignored him before. "I'm going out for a while."

Yabu watches as Takaki walks to the front door. Takaki turns to face Yabu for a moment before closing the door. From the glimpse Yabu could see frustration in the boy's face.

"He'll be back by dinner," Yamada tries to assure Yabu who looks worried. "And both of them will be friends again once they are full. That's the usual pattern isn't it?"

"Em," Yabu nods.

Somehow Yabu's heart is pounding fast. The last look on Takaki's face really bothers him. Takaki has always steps out the front door with his smile, always. But today...

Get home early Takaki. We'll eat the cake together.

~to be continued~