A/N: This is an exchange gift for bree!
Have fun while reading! (especially you, bree!)


What a beautiful day it was. The sun was shining, the birds singing in the trees and the wind was just hushing silently through the park. Ayano was looking around, her eyes were following her little son, while he ran through the park and played in the sandbox or tried to catch some bugs. After a lengthy sigh she looked up into the sky and closed her eyes. She let the wind graze her skin and caress her hair in a gentle manner. It really was a beautiful day.

"Mommy." A gentle smile overtook her features as she faced her little son.

"What is it, love?" With big brown eyes Kouki first looked to her and then nervously to his right side.

"Can I play with my new friend down there?" Ayano followed the finger to the direction Kouki was pointing. There were some bushes and tree. When she returned her gaze towards Kouki she smiled at the lovely honey colour of Kouki's eyes. The sun was playing a cunning game with the shades of his beautiful brown eyes.

"Of course, but don't get out of my sight."

"Okay!" Beaming with happiness Kouki showed a full toothed grin, to which Ayano responded with a warm smile. Ayano was watching him as he ran towards the spot he had pointed.

"Here, Mommy?"

Ayano placed her hands like a funnel in front of her mouth. "I can see you, love. But don't go further away, okay?" She shouted laughing right after. Kouki was a lovely child, sometimes she asked herself, how she could have deserved such a sweet and wonderful light of hope in her life.

"Okay!" She heard him shouting, but soon enough dove into her own thoughts.

Thoughts about days, weeks and even months she wished to forget more than anything else. She bit her bottom lip. It had been hard for Kouki too. The situation itself was hard to deal with, even she had still problems with it, everything was as hard as the first day. To lose such an important person to ones life was painful and exhausting. Tears formed at the rims of her eyes. He after all had been such a loving husband and even more loving father. A shaky breath escaped her lips. At first they both had cried, they did for days on end, when the wound was newly inflicted and burned with an intensity that didn't let go of Ayano's limbs. But now she had to get things together, be strong enough to show Kouki that crying was okay but not falling into despair after a loss. She exhaled shakily. What an unforgiving world this was.

Kouki also had grieved a long time after his tears stopped. Though contrary to what many of her relatives told Ayano, Kouki never asked about the whereabouts of his father, didn't ask her to bring him back. It was like he had understood with his childish mind what happened, even faster than Ayano herself could believe and grasp it. She still had problems remembering it, when she woke up and patted the side of her bed in search for her husband. But he had accepted it with a sad look on his face which he still bore when he saw other children with their father, but he never asked, he never demanded, he never wanted anything that concerned his father from his mother. Ayano smiled to herself, he was a special child. He understood how hard it was for his mother. Her gaze sharpened again on Kouki. He was running around in the grass, pointing his finger at thin air and laughing at something. She smiled but then squinted her eyes slightly. Hadn't he said, that he wanted to play with a friend? With a confused look on her face Ayano stood up from the bench and walked slowly up to her son.

"Love?" Kouki looked up to her with an asking expression.

"Yes, mommy?" His arm was still mid-air from playing around and his face was looking concerned to his mother. "Couldn't you see me, mommy?" He asked with an apologetic look.

"I... No, love. Everything was fine, I was just wondering where your friend is." She smiled at Kouki and watched him look confused between her and the air beside him.

"You can't see him?" He asked in disbelief and looked once again at her and then to his side.

"I uh..." She paused mid-speech, what was going on with him? Maybe an imaginary friend? "Oh, right." She laughed. "I just..." She stopped again, would it be alright if she lied about seeing him?

"Mommy, Sei told me that you can't see him." Kouki looked thoughtful. "B-But don't be sad mommy, I can describe him to you, if you want to."

She smiled, he indeed was a bright child, he even realized when she tried to be a little dishonest. "Okay. Do so please." A warm smile played on her lips before she looked at her watch. "But please do so on our way home. It's late." She held out her hand and saw the indecisive look in Kouki's face. He was looking at the air beside him and then to the hand of his mother. Ayano laughed to herself. Most likely he was concerned if he could take Sei home with him. "Tell, Sei, that he can come with us."

"You heard that, Sei?" He was beaming from ear to ear before he took his mother's hand.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

At home Ayano took off her shoes, jacket and then watched over Kouki. He had learned to dress himself but sometimes he still needed help and just as the thought crossed her mind, Kouki began to struggle to unzip his jacket.

"Come here, let me help you, Kouki." She knelt down in front of him and saw the red embarrassed cheeks of her son. "Ah, dear, don't be embarrassed your zipper stuck, see." She held it up a little to show him. "It's reeeaaally hard to open a stuck zipper." She smiled at him. "Even Mommy struggles with it, look." As a short demonstration Ayano tugged at the zipper two times. Things like this happened from time to time and it would not help to get unnerved, she had to ensure that Kouki tried even after he failed and that he wouldn't do if she discouraged him at little tasks like this one. She fumbled a little bit longer with the zipper. "Now take your jacket off." After smiling reassuringly towards Kouki she stood up.

"Mommy!" Her head spun around in concern.

"Wh-What happened?" With a concerned gaze she inspected Kouki, was he hurt?

"Sei..." his gaze shifted to the door. "He is still..."

Ayano sighed relieved. "I see... Is he is still outside?"

He nodded jerkily and looked with big sad eyes to Ayano. Without asking anything else Ayano opened the door and looked towards Kouki.

"Did he go inside?" Little Kouki nodded rapidly and smiled up to Ayano, after that she closed the door and watched Kouki dash into their flat, a smile was embed on her face. His little feet were tapping over the wooden floor as he ran into his room.

"Mommy, I will show Sei my room." Was the last thing he shouted before he disappeared in his room.

Ayano just laughed silently to herself, what a cute child she had. Then she went into the kitchen to prepare dinner. Humming a silent song to herself she sliced up vegetables for the soup. Cooking was relaxing in its own way, Ayano's features softened as she stirred the soup and looked up to the clock. Their day had ended pretty fast. When the soup was ready she began to set the table. With a thoughtful look she then looked at the two plates she held in her hands. She really had to research about imaginary friends if she wanted to handle this situation the best possible way. Kouki was precious, he should never lose his smile or his wish to try and archive best. Humming she took out a third plate. It was better than acting in a way that would break his heart.

"Kouki!" She shouted loud enough for him to hear.

"Yes?" Came from his room.

"Dinner is ready, love!"

As the boy entered the kitchen and seated himself on one of the chairs he watched the third plate thoughtfully. "Is a someone eating with us?" He asked looking to his mother.

"I thought, Sei might want to eat too." She answered smiling as she reached for Kouki's plate to fill in some of the soup.

"Oh, right!" He watched his mother set the plate in front of him. "Sei said, that he doesn't want to eat." He then explained before starting to eat.

"Ah, I see." Ayano replied and sat down after taking some of the soup for herself. "Will he eat with us next time?" She asked watching Kouki.

The little boy looked up from his plate. "No." He answered simply and proceeded to eat.

"I see." There was no fighting it, also it was by far easier than to clean up one more plate. "So... What is Sei like?" She asked, they hadn't had the chance to speak about it on their way home. A friend had seen Ayano, so both of them had talked about the past and their lives now. Little Kouki just had been silent on their walk home.

"Oh! Right! You can't see Sei..." He said furrowing his brows. "He has a yellow and a red eye! Like my crayons."

"Yellow and red? A little bit odd, isn't it?" Her attention was on Kouki.

"Yes... But it looks nice on him!" He grinned up to her.

"What else?"She smiled reassuringly towards him.

"And... And he wears reeeaaally expensive looking clothes and is very very tall, Mommy."

"Wow!" She remarked playfully. "What else? Does he like to play with you?"

"Yep! I think he does... He... I mean he came with us!" He smiled as he ate the remains of his soup.

"Right, he did." Ayano smiled. "You want some more?" She asked pointing at Kouki's plate.

"Nope, I'm full. It was yummy!" Was the last thing the little boy said before he jumped down his chair.

Ayano chuckled to herself, this could get very interesting. She stood up to tidy up the kitchen. Though, she still had to research on the subject of imaginary friends, it was very important to know why things like this happened.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Ayano tugged Kouki in his bed.

"Good night, sweety." She kissed his forehead. "Have a nice sleep."

"Night, Mommy." He yawned and burrowed himself deeper under his blanket.

"I'm leaving the door open, okay?" Ayano was standing in the door frame as she looked to her son.

"Okay." Was his silent response.

She turned off the light and went to the living room. Their flat was small and she could hear the way Kouki shifted under his covers. Those sounds calmed her mind, and gave her something to hold onto and think about before going to sleep. She yawned, she was already tired. Maybe the stress was aging her faster. She cracked a sad smile. After rubbing over her eyes, she took her laptop and opened up a search machine. 'Imaginary friend' was what she typed in. She clicked through several articles about the offspring of those friends, and found one which supported her own theory.

The imaginary friend was perhaps a reaction to the loss of his father. That also explained why his imaginary friend was human. She yawned again. She really was tired, rubbing her neck she searched more about how she should handle the situation. To her surprise the way she reacted, was exactly what the different people told to do. The forums also told about how this imaginary friend could be used to find out more about the mental state of her child. Who knew what kind of new things she could learn about Kouki this way.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Ayano was sitting in her room, finishing another painting. She loved the way the brush glided over the surface, the vibrant colours of her oil paints. She inhaled deeply, the smell was something she was accustomed to and found comfort in. Kouki was playing in the living room, she could hear him through the door and the thin walls. Maybe he would tell Ayano another story about what Sei told him? Maybe, Ayano thought to herself, maybe she could paint Sei at some point. His oddly coloured hair, his mismatched eyes, his way too formal wear.

The brush slid over the white canvas, the green colour bright and real like the leaves in summer and spring. This was one of her jobs, but as she loved painting this felt less like a job, but more like some kind of stress relieve from her part time job. She wasn't able to work full time, not yet at least. Kouki was still too small to be left alone in their flat and her paintings were another income, so they were able to make it through the months. She rubbed over her right eye with the back of her hand. The old shirt she wore was one of her deceased husband. It somehow still had his faint scent.

A sad smile was on her lips as she brought down her brush and rolled it between her fingers watching the bright green colour at the brush's end. Then she directed her eyes to the now half finished work. She was painting a garden. A soft green lawn was covering the bottom, in the middle a white table with two chairs, and around this table were rose bushes with red roses. She smiled. One of her prior classmates had found her and contacted her to ask for a painting. Though just as her, he would also lose an important person to him, his wife. She looked at the half finished painting, maybe she should take a break to fix something to eat. With a yawn she stretched and stood up. Yes, something to eat would be brilliant. Her steps lead her out of the room, after closing the door behind herself she walked to the kitchen and took an apple.

She took a bite and walked to the living room. Kouki was sitting on the ground and drawing something with his crayon. When he noticed Ayano entering he looked up and grinned. He slowly stood up and straightened his clothes. Ayano laughed silently and watched him walk towards her after taking the sheet of paper on the table.

"Mommy, I drew Sei." He said and reached his drawing with a proud smile up to Ayano.

After taking the drawing into her hands she inspected it. It was a scribble like any other child would make. The hair tousled, eyes huge when compared to the body, yet it was the cutest thing Ayano had ever seen.

"Woah!" She exclaimed and brought the paper near to her face. "The colours you chose are amazing!" She squatted down in front of Kouki, patted his head and gave him a kiss on the forehead. "If you draw more, then one day you will become a reeaally good artist." A warm smile overtook her features.

The smile in her face was still present as she handed the drawing back to Kouki. The kid took it with a big smile in his face and sat back down at his little table.

"Sei, see, she liked it." Kouki huffed with a pout on his face and his arms crossed in front of his chest. "The drawing was good." The tone he used was decisive and sounded like he tried to convince someone of what he said. Though soon after his pout dropped to a sad look on his face, before he turned to face his mother. Ayano looked surprised to Kouki, why would he be sad all of a sudden?

"Mommy, did you really like it?" He asked now less confident than before.

Ayano's eyebrow arched in surprise. "Why wouldn't I like it, love?"

"Sei said, that my drawing isn't really good..." To the end of his sentence Kouki trailed off and looked defeated on his drawing.

"Wh- What?" Ayano knew that Kouki lacked confidence, but he always made up for it with his determination. "No, I really love it!" After walking towards Kouki she knelt down beside him. Lying her hand on his shoulder she spoke on. "Your drawing is not perfect, love." Kouki looked up to her with a hurt look in his face. "But, we spoke about it before, didn't we? There is no such thing as perfect. Everybody makes mistakes and you can just learn more and more as you try harder."

"B-But your paintings are perfect..." His brows furrowed. "Why am I not as good as you, mommy?"

Ayano breathed in deep and then out. She collected her son in her arms and pulled him onto her lap. "Look, love. Mommy wasn't always good in painting." She kissed his head. "But Mommy loved it to paint, so she never gave up." She spoke against Kouki's head and kissed him again. "Nobody can do things from the very start. Even the most talented people have to practice to get better." With this she looked into Kouki's eyes. "Do you understand, Kouki?" The little boy was just nodding, still sad. Ayano sighed. "Look, Kouki. Don't be sad when you can't do everything from the beginning. The most important part is to try and learn new things. Okay?" Again Kouki just nodded, still sad eyes directed to his drawing.

It was sad, it really was. Ayano lay her head on the one of Kouki. He liked to draw but the sudden change really surprised and scared Ayano. Why would he think about how childish or scribbly his drawings looked all of a sudden? Why would he stop to try? She huffed and kissed Kouki again. Was this something he thought about often? Hadn't Ayano realized it up until now? She looked at Kouki with sad eyes.

"Come, let's get something to eat." Was the last thing she said, before helping Kouki to stand up.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

From that day on Ayano watched Kouki's reactions and words closer, tried to decipher eventual problems and insecurities her child may have. The only thing she noticed though, was that this imaginary friend of his put more negative thoughts into his mind than Kouki ever had. He was more self-conscious, never really content with what he archived as long as it was not perfect. At some point Ayano even had the thought to get him to a psychiatrist. Though before that she decided to speak with Kouki and Sei about this problem. It might have an impact on things when she tried to speak with both of them.

"Kouki, dear?" She knocked at Kouki's door. "Can I come in?"

"Yes, Mommy..." He seemed to be sad again.

Carefully she opened the door and closed it right after herself. She saw a drawing on the floor and Kouki sitting on his bed, embracing his knees.

"We have to talk. All three of us. Is Sei here too?" She asked looking around in the room, even though she knew that she wouldn't be able to see him.

"Yes.." He looked up to his mother. "What is it, Mommy?"

"It's about the things Sei tells you." She sat down beside Kouki.

"Uhm... Okay.."

"Are you still unhappy about what you can?" She looked her son in the eyes.

"I... It's just... Why am I so bad in everything?" His lips were quivering as he looked up to his mother. "I can't do anything." He hid his face behind his knees and Ayano could see that he was crying, his shoulders were shaking and his silent sobs filled the room.

"Love?" Ayano stood up from the bed and crouched in front of Kouki. "Love, look at me." She waited for him to look up. "You are doing all of this, don't you? These beautiful drawings, the gifts you make for mommy, when you help with dinner, when you put on your clothes. This everything, you can do all of them, can't you?"

The little boy nodded. "It doesn't have to be perfect to call it an achievement. Everyone starts small just as you." She poked Kouki's nose, he smiled faintly at the gesture. "And Sei can't be always right, just because he was such a great person." She smiled. "For once he doesn't appreciate that people try. If they can't do it from the very beginning, then they try again. That's all humans are about." After looking around in the room she once again turned to Kouki. "Tell me, love. Where is Sei right now?"

"There." Kouki showed to the opposite wall.

"Here?" Ayano stood up and felt somehow weird when she walked up to the wall and looked at it. "Listen, Sei. You have to stop being so mean to Kouki." She was seriously getting angry at thin air. "He tries his best and that is what counts. I don't care if you think that perfection is necessary to be successful. So please stop telling him that he isn't good at the things he does..." Her voice subdued to the end. "He is such a sweet and precious child, he tries his best and that's what's important, don't you think? You shouldn't push burdens onto him that are not necessary." She took a deep breath and turned back to Kouki. "He understood me, didn't he?"

Kouki nodded in response. "He says, that he did."

"Okay." Ayano walked back to Kouki, kissed his forehead and then walked out of the room. Dinner wouldn't make itself and she still had to shake off the weird creeping feeling from talking to Kouki's imaginary friend.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

With a yawn Furihata woke up. Why did school have to start in such an early hour? He rubbed over his eyes and straightened up. His body was still aching from the training a day prior. Riko was a real monster. Hoping that said coach didn't hear his thoughts he stood up from his bed. His daily routine wasn't anything special, just eating something, brushing his teeth and then finally starting to dress. He yawned scratching over his stomach and dragged his feet towards kitchen. His mother had already left for work, yet there was something to eat on the kitchen table. Furihata smiled. He had often enough told his mother, that he could take care of these things on his own now, but she was insistent and didn't stop. It wasn't like he didn't appreciate the gesture, but it had to be bothersome for her to make all of this before going to work. He ate silently and just proceeded his daily routine.

After locking the door his new day of school had begun.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

"I'm back." Even though the knowledge that his mother wasn't back was seated in the back of his mind, he couldn't stop this habit of his. Somehow when he said this little phrase it felt less alone at home. He closed the door behind himself and was about to take off his shoes.

"You have grown." Furihata squeaked as his head jerked up to face another person. As tall as him, no taller than him, pale silver hair, amber eyes and his clothes looked more than just expensive.

"Wh- How did you get inside?" He managed to say between his teeth, his eyes were still wide as he watched the other walk up to him. Furihata took a step back, what did this stranger want from him?

"You do not remember me?" Blinking Furihata gazed at the man standing in front of him from head to toe. He squinted his eyes as he tried to remember anyone similar to this stranger, yet there was nothing apart from a far feeling of recognition. It was hazy at the back of his mind, so there was no way that he could grasp it.

"No." The answer was short, he shifted uncomfortably from foot to the other. "I'm sorry."

"There is no need to apologize. I feared worse than what is happening now." The person stepped closer to Furihata, his piercing amber eyes seemed to observe each of Furihata's movements. "You may want to know my name. I am Kohaku Seijuurou. Pleasure to meet you again, Kouki."

"Hello, Kohaku-san." He was still put off by the sudden appearance of the person.

"It would be a pleasure, if you could call me Sei. Like you used to."

"Hello, Sei?" His voice cracked to the end, who was this strange person?

"I have the feeling, that you still do not believe my words." Furihata just stared, he really should stop, yet how could he when this feeling of surrealism was capturing him. "Very well. Let me show you a painting from your Mother. Your drawings as well. Your mother was a sweet person, she kept each drawing of yours. After you please."

The disbelieve was still present in Furihata's face as he walked past Sei and into his mother's room. Her bed was made but her working place a mess as ever. She wasn't selling her paintings anymore but she still wouldn't lay aside her brush, it was her passion, she would say when she worked on a new painting. Kouki inspected her workplace, he didn't go inside this room often, or rather never when she wasn't around to ask. Yet in that moment he just went inside and looked into the wardrobe his mother kept her paintings. All of them were beautiful, he stroked over the surface. He was always left in awe of how talented his mother was.

He looked at each of he paintings until he found one that really had a person that resembled Sei. Carefully he took it out of the wardrobe. While inspecting it he walked out of his mother's room and towards the living room. Sei hadn't followed him but went into the living room instead. With a thoughtful look in his face Furihata looked at the painting and then to Sei. It was incredible. Apart from slight differences Sei looked exactly like the person on the painting. Though then he saw a difference which bugged him. It was the eyes. Furihata squinted his eyes and noticed that the person on the painting had a red and a yellow eye, yet the person sitting in front of him had two yellow eyes -a piercing amber colour.

"So you are him?" Furihata asked and looked towards the man.

"Indeed."

"But the eyes."Furihata showed Sei the painting. "Are different."

"Oh, yes." The other responded. "There is a difference. Yet I can assure you that we are the same person." There was a faint smile on Sei's face. "If you please, you can ask your mother. Though do not mention me before asking her about the painting. It may lead to major confusions." His smile was still present as he walked past Furihata and towards the door. "Now pardon me. I have to leave."

Furihata's eyes widened as he watched Sei walk through the door, without thinking twice Furihata stumbled over and yanked the door open, in front of him standing though, was his mother.

"Kouki?"

"Oh, uh... Hey, Mom. You are early today." He said awkwardly as he tried to gain back his balance. Though, soon enough he asked himself if he had day dreamed the whole exchange prior. This thought was discarded as soon as he stepped back into the living room. The painting was still there, where he had left it after Sei mentioned that he had to leave. Furihata swallowed.

"Uh... Mom?" He eyed the painting from the rims of his eyes.

"Yes, Love?" She looked out of the kitchen towards the living room.

"Uhm... I found this painting... In.. uh.. Between your other paintings."

"Which one?" She asked as she walked towards the living room.

"This one." Furihata picked up the painting and showed it his mother.

"Ah! Sei. Did you forget him already?" Her soft hazel eyes were resting on him. Then she laughed. "He was your imaginary friend. Not the nicest person, but you really liked him." She said simply. "Though one day he suddenly disappeared, you were sad and silent for some days, nearly a week. I was really concerned about you around that time. I guess you were one of those few children who thought their imaginary friend to be real." There was a faint smile on her face as she turned around to go to the kitchen. "He is quite handsome, don't you think?" She added turning her head towards him and winking then she laughed again. "Anyway, do you want anything special for dinner?" Was what she asked as she began to walk towards their kitchen.

"No..." Furihata's voice toned down to the end. An imaginary friend...

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Some days passed and Furihata began to think that maybe this little incident had other reasons than him seeing an imaginary person. After all otherwise he might be somehow crazy, or not? He huffed as he sat down. His mother gave him the painting after he asked her. It was lying against his bookshelf, the piercing eyes seemed like they looked into Furihata's very soul.

"Is something bothering you?" Furihata straightened up abruptly from his lying position and looked around in his room. "Do not be scared. It is me."

"Don't creep up on me like that." Furihata said clutching his shirt. "And yes there is something."

"Oh? What is it?" Sei neared him and sat down on Furihata's bed. "Do you wish to speak about it?"

"I... My mother can't see you, am I correct?"

"Hmm. Yes."

"Anyone else?"

"No. Just you so far, and children. Yeah children tend to see me. Though why is it that you can see me after you grew up. I was not prepared for you to react after I visited again."

"You... What?" Furihata threw his hands into the air. "I am going crazy. Seeing people who don't exist to adults." He squinted his eyes as his gaze returned to Sei.

"Stay calm. Though, adults may not see me, I can assure you that I am as real as you." Sei looked on his fingernails. "Even though my existence is quite different to yours. Not being able to touch and be seen is quite the burden."

"Oh my god." Furihata buried his face into his palms, this couldn't -shouldn't- be real, yet when he looked between his fingers that very person, who messed up Furihata's mind, was sitting on his bed. "It really sounds like you don't exist in this world, you know that, don't you?" He looked into the eyes of Sei.

"That is a fairly useful thought you have there."Sei stood up from the bed and walked to the opposite wall, his eyes settled on Furihata. "And I have to admit that you are not quite wrong. I once belonged to this world but my existence was wiped from the surface of earth a long time ago. My soul though does not seem to find the same rest as my body."

"Wait, wait, wait, wait!" Furihata exclaimed waving his hands. "I did understand this right, you once existed? Like lived? You were human? Are you seriously telling me, that you are a ghost?"

"Indeed. What else could I be?" The look Furihata received made him cringe. Sei wasn't joking around.

"I am going crazy." Furihata stood up, now pacing up and down in his room. "I am seriously going crazy!" He exclaimed a tad too loud and clasped then his hands in front of his mouth. He didn't want his mother to wake up. "What am I going to do with this information?" He whispered though his fingers.

"I do not know that yet, but we will figure out." A thoughtful look settled on Sei's face. "Though, a thought occurred to me just now. You may be able to help me to get my well deserved rest after death. I do dislike to ask people for help, as it shows a person's weaknesses that should not exist. Yet in this case I have no other option. I cannot touch anything without it going through my body as if I do not exist. It is frustrating and not very helpful when trying to research on certain matters."

Furihata looked baffled towards Sei. "I have to help you?"

"Indeed. Now go to rest. I will return tomorrow morning."

The only thing Furihata was capable of doing was stare as Sei left through the window. What in the love of god was going on?

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

The night had been a terrible one. Furihata yawned. It really was more than just terrible. Dragging his feet he went into the bathroom to inspect his reflection. He looked like dead. Eyes still half closed and face pale. Great. Yawning he went into the kitchen, maybe something to eat and tea could get him back to his senses. School would become a pain at this rate.

"Good morning." Furihata spun around on his heels and stared wide eyed towards the intrude. Excellent, he really kept his word. "You have not slept?"

"No." Furihata grumbled back and prepared some tea. "How could I after your amazing revelation." The biting tone in his voice couldn't be overheard.

"I advise you to stay polite, Kouki. Even though I cannot touch you, I too have my ways."

Furihata sighed as he sat down to eat something and drink his tea. "How do you plan this to work." He asked looking up to Sei. "I mean, I can and will help you, but I have no clue where to start." He added right after and begin to eat. "Oh, sorry. I would offer you something. But uh... Can you eat?"

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Those were the puppy-like eyes Kohaku had liked the moment he saw them. They had reminded him of a person he knew from the time he was still alive. A person that had been dear to him.

"No. Though, I do not mind you eating. I will wait. I am waiting since uncountable years after all."

"Sorry." The teen added.

Kohaku obviously had watched out for the boy from time to time, after he had left. But now and again it still surprised him how much he had not witnessed when they parted ways. It had been Kohaku's choice of course. It was after the kid's mother spoke to him, even though she could not see him. Her hurt looking eyes were what shook him back to his senses. A woman filled with wonders, who loved her child more than anything else. She too had lost people dear to her, yet seemed to remain someone so very loving. It was quite different to the people he got to know when alive and dead. So it had been her who changed his mind again after he had lost hope for humanity, after he was convinced for so many years that there wasn't anything good left on earth.

"To answer your question. We will visit the library and the mansion my family owned when I was alive. It is still in possession of my bloodline. Though the surname seems to have changed, nonetheless we are related, the name is Akashi. You may have seen one of my grandnephews. Though, I cannot tell how many years lay apart between us. It still is wondrous how they dared to use my name as the lad's. I just hope he will not share the same fate as mine. Though, I saw similarities which even frighten me."

"Akashi. You don't mean the Akashi from Rakuzan?" The teen's eyes were wide.

Was the kid scared of his grandnephew? What a laughable gesture, though he could not blame the lad. This nephew of his showed more than just one similarity to him.

"School." Was what Kohaku replied.

"Oh no!" He heard the teen shout as he stumbled to his room. A very interesting child, indeed.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

He had to speak to Akashi Seijuurou, the Akashi Seijuurou and not Sei. It was weird, they resembled each other fairly much, the hair -even though a different colour- the forename even the expensive looking clothes. How hadn't he seen it before? Though to be fair, his encounter with Akashi hadn't been nice, apart from the shock of his actions he just vaguely remembered how Akashi looked. Furihata gulped and tried to take notes but to no avail. His mind wouldn't let go of the fact that firstly, he could see a ghost, which persistently stuck to his heels and waited outside of school for him and secondly he had to talk to Akashi Seijuurou. He massaged his temples, this would be hell. He was losing the feeling in his limbs, great. Fear wasn't something he witnessed willingly, but who wouldn't be scared if they had to talk to Akashi Seijuurou of all people, and not just talk to him but also ask him for a favour of going through his mansion. Great. The bell rang to end his class and he began to pack his belongings slowly until he remembered that shit he had still training. He may have run in a record time that day as he got to training.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

"I will speak to Akashi after the Winter Cup." Furihata whispered burying his face in his scarf after he left school that day. "There is still some time until then. But before that I don't know if I can get myself to just speak to him..."

"I see. Then I hope you will not mind my company up until that day. You see it gets lonely as a ghost who cannot be seen." Sei explained.

"I don't mind. But please stop coming to my school." He looked around nervously as he walked. "The people will think that I'm crazy or something."

"I will do my best to not becoming a bother." Furihata looked towards him.

"Well, we could still got to library today. I just have to take a shower at home."

"Wonderful."

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

"Well, the trip to the library was pretty weird." Furihata laughed as he sat down his bag and began to take off his coat. "All that stuff about ghosts, yet nothing useful." He laughed on. "Though some of the stuff was very funny. I can't stop thinking about that guy who told about how a ghost was possessing his mom, just because she was cooking differently."

"Indeed, that one was a rare gem among the other stories we found." A broad smile was present on Sei's lips.

"She cooks more spicy recently, and I am sure that my aunt cooked that way before she died. Please help me my mom is possessed by my aunt and she hated me." Furihata clutched his stomach and laughed on. "I can't stop laughing."

"Who believed that idiocy to be true?" Sei added starting to laugh too, not as loud as Furihata though.

"Yes! He even spoke about how that one group of ghost hunters or whatever could help him. I just, no." Tears were forming in his eyes.

This went on for some moments until Furihata's laughs slowly died down and made room for a silence in the room which expanded uncomfortably.

"But I'm really sorry we didn't find anything useful. The things that sounded good were things we already knew. Like ghosts existing between the world of ours and the other one where they are sent after finding rest." He sat on his bed.

"It was a necessity to achieve our goal. Do not forget what your mother told you, Kouki. Humanity's way is marked with nothing but the mere trial to a goal. They succeed after trying their hardest."

Again silence filled the room. "Maybe we can find some leads on the internet." Furihata broke the silence and stood up.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

The technology of the new age did not fail to impress Kohaku. The world was connected in a whole new way. The way Kouki's fingers typed over the buttons and words appeared on the flat screen. It was like black magic. He had watched all this process in the last century. It couldn't ever be compared to how the world looked in the past. He heard Kouki sigh in defeat.

"Again most of it just rubbish." The teen scratched his nape. "But I will read a bit more. This forum seems to be promising."

Kohaku watched Kouki. His eyes softened, memories from his passed life finding their way into his mind. He smiled faintly. So many wonderful memories that he had made with that person. Black hair, soft dark eyes and a voice which would put angels to shame. That was the person Kohaku kept in the deepest corner of his heart. A person which had shaped him to a nicer human and gave him some of the most wonderful moments in his lifetime. He had been determined, hopelessly cute and way too handsome for his own good.

"Sei, here is something written about memory loss. Did you lose your memories?" Kohaku was shaken out of his thoughts and focused on the teen.

"No." He replied shortly and watched the other turn his head back to the display.

No he hadn't forgotten anything about his past. Not the way his father treated him, not a single day society kept him from his wishes, and of course not him. Him he could not forget ever. Though he wished that he could forget the day he died, the day his life ended.

"Is there anyone you want dead?" Kouki was once again looking at him.

"Pardon me?"

"Someone you want dead. Anyone who killed you and you wander around for revenge?"

"Even though there were a couple of people I would gladly take revenge on. Non of them is alive anymore." Kohaku replied coldly.

"I see..." The teen's gaze once again glued on the screen.

No one to take revenge on. Even if he had nothing could have changed, nothing could have turned time back to undo what happened.

"Any regrets?" Again the teen was turned towards him.

This time Kohaku stocked in his reply. He couldn't answer, it would mean to tell things about himself which went further than his name or family. He looked aside, yet he could not let Kouki down. The kid was doing everything he could to help him.

"Yes." He answered and straightened up his posture. Straight spine, head high.

"I knew this could be of some help!" Kouki beamed and stood up after shutting down the computer. He stretched and turned towards Kohaku. His face was serious.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

This wouldn't be easy to talk about. Not for Furihata and most probably not for Sei, as he had stocked before answering. This regret of his seemed to go deeper than anything that was related to his family.

"Sei, you have to tell me what you relate with your regret, what exactly it is, that you regret." Furihata bit the inside of his cheek.

"It is nothing of worldly virtue that I regret. It is bound in my chest, in my memories. A regret which haunts me even now as it seems. I do not think of it constantly but now and again it returns to me. Clawing at my ghostly mind and accusing me of what I did, filling my chest with hatred for this world but especially myself." The prior straight spine slumped, shoulders not squared but hunched down, in his face was a defeated look.

"Do you mind speaking about it?" Maybe his first approach had been wrong. It had sounded like an order, as if this everything wasn't something personal. Yet Furihata could clearly see, that Sei was hurting even without a body, his exhausted eyes were nearly too much to handle.

"I do mind. It is not a memory I hold dearly to me. If I was allowed to choose a way of handling it, I would choose forgetting. Yet it is burned into my mind, a memory of my only regret as I was alive."

Furihata's gaze turned to the ground. "I am sorry for asking, but I think it will be a great help if we want to accomplish what you wish."

"I was afraid that it would come to this. It is a long story, if you don't mind I would prefer to start with how it began, a slight tale of my happiness to weigh out the pain I will feel at the end. May I?"

Almost immediately Furihata responded. "Of course." His eyes softened with a hue of empathy. "Start where you think it to be most fitting. I will listen."

"Just as other stories which resemble this one, mine also started with a friendship. A friendship that enriched my heart and soul...

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

"My name is Masaaki Hokata. It's a pleasure to meet you, Kohaku-san."

"Kohaku Seijuurou, the pleasure is mine, Hokata."

The surprise in the other's features was not hidden in fear but obviously displayed as he looked into Kohaku's eyes. That he didn't fear Kohaku's presence most likely was, because he himself had one of the most intimidating people as a father. This guy wouldn't scare away from a mental or verbal sparing with Kohaku.

"I fear that we are not familiar enough to use each other's forenames, Kohaku-san." The teen straightened up to his full height, even though he was shorter than Kohaku, he was displaying that he did not fear the other the slightest bit. Kohaku cracked a smile, interesting.

Their fathers were not present, even though Kohaku dared many things when he communicated with other people -like using their forenames when speaking to them- he would never dare to do it in front of his father, especially not towards the son of a friend.

"Well, Hokata, I fear that I will not settle to use your surname. Your father may have more power than I do, but you, Hokata, I doubt that you posses such power over me." His smile didn't disappear from his face as he said those things. His mismatched eyes were studying the other's face carefully. This person who dared to correct him.

Dark brown eyes were still directed to Kohaku, his face devoid of emotions before he spoke again. "Then I doubt, that you will have a problem if I were to use your forename, Sei." Then the teen smiled, the prior emotionless mask cracked and revealed a face underneath which contained more emotions than Kohaku had ever seen on a person's face. It lit up into a smile but soon turned into a childish laugh as the other playfully placed a hand on Kohaku's shoulder, his eyes were closed as he laughed. Kohaku though tensed up by the sudden contact.

"I would've never thought of you as person, who would be so rude, Akash- uh Sei." He laughed a little more as he patted Kohaku's shoulder. "Anyway, now that I know it I don't need to behave like the number one candidate to the Masaaki family throne of money, I guess. I mean I doubt, that you'd tell my father?" He opened his eyes and looked once again directly in Kohaku's face.

For Kohaku it seemed like those brown eyes were drawing him in. They were dark, so dark indeed that they seemed to contain mysteries people would dream to resolve. Kohaku swallowed before he found a way to answer. Even though he was composed in all situations that could intimidate any grown man, with people like this one he struggled from time to time. He shortly closed his eyes, when he opened them his tense body relaxed and amber eyes looked into dark brown ones.

"Wow, do that again." Masaaki said in disbelieve. "Your eyes, they..." Blinking a few times as he observed Kohaku's eyes further.

"You will understand in due time, if we were to meet again, Masaaki-san." A soft smile played on Kohaku's lips, a smile which surprisingly reached his eyes.

"Oh?" The teen once again studied Kohaku's eyes, before he huffed and turned his head away. "Whatever, but what I also realized is that you seem to call me by my surname now? Surprising. But don't get any ideas, that I will stop to call you Sei. That nickname is way too cute to stop using it." Grinning wide Masaaki stepped a few steps towards Kohaku. "Say, do you know, what our fathers speak about?" His eyes flicked once to Kohaku before he whispered on. "I mean it has to be something important, otherwise my father would have found someone to let me stay with. He is not prone to take me along to one of his friends."

"I have to disappoint you. But my father never tells me about his plans beforehand."

"Aww, that's quite disappointing." Masaaki stepped away from Kohaku and looked around in the hall. "Say, will you show my your room? I mean the hall is quite beautiful but not as relaxing as a room you know. Also, I think that our fathers will take some time with their... talk. So we could to something fun meanwhile." Again that person grinned wide.

Kohaku though just nodded, again the feeling, of how different this person was to anyone else Kohaku had ever met, settled into his mind.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

"So that's the way you met?" Furihata gazed up to Sei.

"Indeed. Interesting, isn't it?" Sei smiled as his gaze wandered to the window, looking out into the distance.

"It is, but he mentioned your eyes. So he noticed a change from the very beginning." A thoughtful look settled on Furihata's face.

"Yes, he did. Even my father never noticed it, but Hotaka did. Yet again my father may have noticed it, but chose to ignore it. A wise decision, I never had problems dealing with myself." His eyes turned towards Furihata. "Do you have questions up until now?"

"No, all seems clear to me until now, even though I'm concerned about your split personality. You said Akashi Seijuurou -your grandnephew- is similar to you. Does it count for this too?"

"All in due time, Kouki." A sad smile played on his lips. "Shall I continue the story now? Or are you tired?"

"Please continue." Furihata smiled reassuringly."Oh wait!"

"Hm?"

"I forgot to ask one thing, how old were you when you met?"

"14. However, we did become good friends. We visited each other from time to time. Our fathers did not seem to mind as long as our friendship was bound to the ground and did not interfere in our studies. It was a win-win situation for them, the companies were partners for a long time and our friendship would enhance the chance of it staying that way...

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

"Seijuurou."

"Yes, father?"

"You seem to get along fairly well with the son of Masaaki-san."

"..."

"However, I hope you do understand the value of the partnership our companies share, if you were to get into a fight over insignificant matters with Masaaki-san's son please be sure to stay professional."

"Yes, father."

"Also, if you were to meet his son again in near future, please be sure about learning of their future plans. The plans of the company that is. His father even though a significant partner may hide certain things from me. Be sure to report to me."

"..."

"Seijuurou. I fear you did not listen carefully. Look into my eyes, son."

"..."

"I said. Look up."

"..."

"Very well, now listen. I will not repeat it. Ask Masaaki-san's son about their future plans for their company, then report to me, did you understood?"

"..."

"I asked, did you understand?"

"..."

"How dare you defy me?"

Kohaku didn't even flinch when the strike was brought down upon his face. His cheek was stinging, but his lips were sealed, never in his life could he ask Masaaki about the company without tearing their friendship apart. Their fathers and companies would never be a part of their conversation. Those little times after all were just reserved to heal their minds and exhausted bodies from those demons of their life.

"Now go, before worse happens. Sent your brother Junichi up to my room. You are dismissed."

Often enough his father's levelled yet biting tone managed to send shivers and fear down Kohaku's spine, now though he just stared blankly, his mismatched eyes mirroring the anger his father showed without a facade. He bowed to show the respect he did not feel for his father and walked out of the room. His cheek still stung, it had not been the first time and most probably not the last time he would feel this.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

"..not the kindest person."

"Pardon?"

"I said your father is not the kindest person." He was gnawing his bottom lip as his eyes travelled up to Sei. "I mean..."

"Indeed, he was not. Yet I have to say that he had a brilliant mind." A blank expression settled on his face, a mask. "But yes, not the kindest person. He was best in gaining power over people and settle fear into their hearts. I am no different to him."

"But you are... I mean I can tell that you are." Furihata's gaze travelled to the ground.

"Please, Kouki, I do know myself better than you do. You forgot what I did even to you years and years ago." A sad smile played on Sei's lips. "Though just as you mentioned a split personality, back in my time no body cared about certain things, especially mental disorders. I learned about them after my death as I wandered about here in this world. It seems though that mental disorders still are not researched enough." Sei sighed. "I can control both personae. At least change places controlled, I remember what the other me does and so does he. A partnership as you may call it."

With an interested expression Furihata looked up. "I don't know much about split personalities other than that they exist and are a rare occurrences, but I always thought both are different people which don't know much about each other. But yeah that they are in the same body."

Kohaku laughed silently. "Well, yes. Two different people that does explain it fairly well. Luckily though we were always aware of each other."

"That's so fascinating..." Furihata paused. "I... uh... I'm sorry. I mean..." Once again he began to gnaw on his bottom lip, what was he thinking when saying such a thoughtless thing.

A loud laughter filled the room. Furihata looked up confused. "Do not be sorry. I have to admit it is interesting. I would love to discuss further about my disorder, it is important to learn new facts about oneself after all." Sei smiled reassuringly towards Furihata. "Though, now is no time. As soon as I finish we can use this computer of yours for research, maybe even go to the library."

"Of course." Furihata smiled back. "Please continue."

"Very well, as I said we were good friends, it went as far that we became fairly protective over each other..."

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

"Let me see your face, Sei." The soft feathery touch of Masaaki's hand tingled where it came to contact with Kohaku's cheek. "It's still red and swollen..." His dark brown eyes shimmered in concern and sadness. "How could that bastard do this to you?! I'm sorry for insulting you in the process, my friend. But why on earth that son- ..." Masaaki fell silent as he observed Kohaku's face further. "Why did he do it? I thought that you were a perfectly capable son, a perfect heir so to call. Contrary to me, yet my father never hit me." His eyes flared up in anger. "Speak, Sei. I beg you."

"It is nothing to be concerned over, Hotaka. You seem to have the thoughts that it hurt me in some way. But do believe me that after a certain amount of times this happens you lose any kind of emotion towards such actions." Kohaku smiled. "However, I also have to admit that I had it coming with the way I behaved."

"For god's sake! Sei, this is in no way normal. I mean I know that our society supports this kind of action when a kid is disobedient. But hitting a person let alone your own child I cannot stand behind it." Anger was seething in his eyes as he clenched his jaw. "Being disrespectful to your parent is one thing, but hitting someone is one of the worst things I can think of. It's not just violence towards your body but also your soul. It's degrading a human being." Biting his bottom lip he looked up into Kohaku's amber eyes. "You do feel the pain, don't you, Sei? I mean we are friends for quite a while now, I do know that the other one is much better in handling this kind of thing. Being cold that is. But you do feel it, don't you?" Without a second thought Masaaki pulled Kohaku into an embrace. "Please, I beg you, if you feel sad don't bottle things up." He let go and looked into Kohaku's face. "You are not alone anymore."

"Yes I know." His expression was blank but soon after a sad smile overtook his features. "I know, Hotaka. And I honestly am grateful to have met you."

"Me too." Hotaka smiled and then began to laugh. "Though, please don't be mad if I murder your father if such a thing happens again."

First Kohaku looked shocked but it didn't take long for him join in the laughter. He couldn't be mad about said statement, because if there was one thing Kohaku was sure of, then that he would do exactly the same if it had happened to Masaaki.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

"I don't want to assume anything, but are you sure, that the feelings you shared with Masaaki-san were purely friendly?" Gnawing at the insides of his cheek Furihata looked up to Sei, after a while when no answer came he looked to the ground, nervously shuffling his feet. "I... I'm sorry, it was.. a.. uh.. dumb question."

A laughter went through the room and Furihata looked up surprised. "Oh please, do not be afraid of asking such questions. I answered late because I was surprised for you to have guessed it with such an ease. Also, your acceptance over this matter is fairly unexpected."

"Wh-What?"

"You see, I wanted to ease you into my relationship with Hotaka, but as it seems you do not feel disgusted or mortified by this realization." A thoughtful look settled on his face as he watched Furihata's reactions.

"Why would I?" Now it was Furihata's turn to look surprised.

"Times did change, huh?" Sei mumbled under his breath and looked towards the ground and then up to teen. "When I was alive, same-sex relationships were looked down upon, not only that but..." His eyes trailed to the ceiling. "Well... I am glad that you do not seem to mind, Kouki." His gaze turned back to Furihata with a smile playing on his lips.

The teen was scratching the back of his head before he looked up to Sei. "You know, people normally don't decide who they fall in love with. I don't mind either, as long as the people are in a healthy relationship." He smiled. "Apart from that I could easily say that I also had a crush or two on men." A nervous laugh escaped his lips, he really wanted to ease the gloomy mood that had settled into the room. "I don't think that many people mind homosexuality nowadays, though the ones who do dislike it scream the loudest and do very scary things. I hate humanity sometimes..." No success as it seems, his thoughts wouldn't let go of the horrible things he read on the internet, or heard from fellow classmates about this topic. Gritting his teeth he looked on the ground. "But as you said, I really don't mind, as long as you were happy with him that is." He looked up with a decisive look on his face and smiled up to Sei.

"I see... Very well, shall I continue?"

"Yes, please." Smiling he nodded and shifted shortly on his bed to find a better sitting position.

"As you already mentioned the feelings that developed with our friendship ended up being more than we could have ever foreseen." A fond look settled on Sei's face. "It was wonderful, you know. The feelings that bloomed in our hearts, it was fairly cliché as well. With the cherry blossoms as one might say." He laughed. "Indeed very cliché."

"So... You became lovers?"

"Yes... and the day it happened, I shall hopefully never forget it..."

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

"A park." Kohaku looked around. "This was the place you wanted to take me?" His gaze shifted to Masaaki.

"Well..." The teen scratched the back of his head. "I thought it might be nice for our first day off in weeks. Becoming older and taking even more responsibilities is a pain to be honest. I can't wait for the day I turn 20, I guess then I will never have free time." The sarcasm in his voice was spot on as always.

"Having to take over the family business will be troublesome just as you said." A thoughtful look settled on Kohaku's face as he looked around in the park. "Though I have to admit, it is a beautiful park. Even the cherry blossoms are in bloom." He inhaled deeply whilst closing his eyes. It wasn't often that he got free time, near to never if her were to be exact.

"Oh perfect." Masaaki looked more than just relieved. "For one second there I thought you really disliked the idea."

Kohaku laughed silently.

"You should laugh more often, Sei." A fond look settled on Masaaki's face. "You really look beautiful like that." The look he had, right after saying what was in his mind though, was hilarious. Kohaku laughed louder. The teen looked flustered, embarrassed about his words.

"Hotaka, normally you are fairly blunt, though this is the first time I see you getting embarrassed."

"Shut up, Sei." His eyes travelled to the ground. "Whatever, let's begin our walk."

"As you wish." He had finally stopped laughing and began to walk beside Masaaki, they were close to one another.

Their walk took them through the park, on the side of the path were cherry trees full in bloom. Silently their petals fell down and decorated the path. Kohaku sighed as he looked around. It was a beautiful day. It really was. The sky blue, cherry blossoms with a soft rose colour and the lawn full in green. A sea of new emotions, so to speak, as spring made itself noticeable. The air was still somehow chilly, yet announced the arrival of new life. Their walk was silent, neither of them said a word as they walked side by side. Contentment was what Kohaku felt in the deepest corner of his heart as the walk continued. An emotion he solely felt around Masaaki, being content and in a way happy. A smile played on Kohaku's lips.

"Tell me, Sei. Is there anyone in your life?" A surprised look was plastered on Kohaku's face as he looked to his side and saw the red hint in Masaaki's face. Though he gave no answer, he just stared, in disbelieve of how stupid that question was, when the other knew that Kohaku barely had any free time. "Hey, don't look like I'm stupid or so. I mean j-just te-"

Then it happened, for the first time Kohaku's reactions were a tad too slow as he watched how the other stumbled and fell. The fall itself looked ridiculous, Masaaki first flailing uncontrollably with his arms, yet making compact with the hard sandy ground. The teen groaned lying on the floor. Kohaku though had an amused look on his face as the other tried to heave himself up.

"You are still as clumsy as ever." He said whilst kneeling down beside Masaaki. "Come let me help you." With a firm grip under the other's armpits Kohaku heaved him up. "And up you go."

There was a dumbfounded look on the black haired teen's face as he tried to keep his balance when standing. "Well, didn't go so well, huh?" A laugh escaped his throat. "I always end up on the ground somehow." Then his laughter was louder.

"Hotaka, your nose is bleeding. Let us find a place to sit down."

Masaaki just nodded as Kohaku supported him. "Well, at least you can't say that a day with me is event free." The teen giggled like some little kid as he dragged his feet while walking. "You know, I had planned out everything, even how you would look. Good thing that I didn't get any disappointment from that. I mean I hope that I won't." Kohaku was listening silently. "Oh look, there is a bench."

"I saw it, Hotaka. Now, come on."

Silence settled upon them as they sat down and Kohaku inspected Masaaki's face for further injuries. "You were lucky, your nose is not broken."

A grin flashed up on Masaaki's face. "Of course not, I fall down a lot, my balance is shit. So my nose is pretty sturdy, you know." His grinned widened as he fumbled for a handkerchief to hold it under his nose. "Darn, the laundry lady will get angry at me again for ruining this beautiful handkerchief." A nervous laugh escaped his lips. "But she knows me too. She had it coming when she handed this thing over to me."

"Are you feeling alright?" Kohaku looked at Masaaki with concerned eyes.

"Well, yes." He looked around as he said that. "I should really be more careful, this clumsiness of mine is not funny anymore."

Kohaku laughed amused. "I have to say, my friend. I still think of it as amusing from time to time, though now I am just concerned. Your sight is not blurry?" He inspected the other's face once again.

"No, I'm fine, really. Just a little, well, disappointed. I had planned this to be more romantic, I guess?" His gaze shifted shortly to Kohaku.

"Romantic?"

Masaaki averted his eyes and stared off into the distance. "Well, yes. I was planning to discuss an important matter with you. Something which could either end our friendship or give it even more depth." Kohaku rose an eyebrow. "I thought about this for some time. I really did, it even kept me awake at night, so to say." He shortly looked towards Kohaku. "Well, I came to the conclusion that I have to talk with you about this, before I go crazy. You see, we are friends, for many many years now. It is the most important friendship I have." Biting his lip he looked up to the sky. "But deep down it feels like, I mean in my heart I just can't think of it as j-"

"Hotaka, please stop speaking." The teen's head spun around towards Kohaku, his eyes huge in fear and sadness. "Please stop."

"Let me talk, Sei. I-"

"I said, stop talking." His amber eyes pierced into dark brown ones. "Just stop for a moment. This is neither the time nor the place to talk about such delicate matters. I have to say, that your choice of location was more than just reckless." Masaaki furrowed his brows before his head bent down. "Please, do not get me wrong, Hotaka. You are very special to me. But this..." Kohaku showed around in the park. "We cannot do this here, people might talk if they were to eavesdrop, if now on accident or purposefully, it would not end well for us. Especially with our social background, Hotaka." The other seemed to realize, though the sad look on his face stayed as he looked towards Kohaku again. Kohaku though bit on his lip, he was feeling nervous about the situation, he knew what his friend wanted to say, he knew what his answer was. His gaze flicked once to Masaaki before he sighed and straightened his back. "But to answer your question, yes."

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

"Oh god. For a short moment I thought you dumped him." Furihata's eyes were huge in shock as he looked up to Sei. "I was really really concerned. I was so into the story, I forgot that you told me already how you got together that day." A nervous laugh escaped his mouth. "You are a great story teller!"

"Thank you. I could have rejected him that day, but I did not, it would have been rather stupid considering that the feelings were mutual." A sad smile settled on Kohaku's lips. "Though thinking back I somehow wish I had rejected him..."

"What? Why?"

"Well, it wa-"

"Kouki? Are you home, love?" The voice echoed through the flat.

"Yes mom!" Furihata stood up from his bed. "I am sorry, Sei." He whispered. "I think I have to help."

"Kouki! Come help me with the groceries!"

"Yes mom!"

"Go help your mother, Kouki. I will wait here. Do not hurry, we have plenty of time until the Winter Cup."

Furihata nodded in response and hurried out of the room.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Kohaku watched Kouki leave the room. His gaze was still glued at the spot he saw him disappear behind. His heart was racing from his own tale, his own life. The emotions that were awoken within him were incredible. They had been at rest for such a long time and now they finally escaped his heart again. He closed his eyes, treasuring the feelings that bloomed once again inside of him. How nice it was to think about his past, how incredibly pleasant it was to see his own lover again even though it was just within his own mind. Masaaki Hotaka a man which changed his very being, gave him his most treasured memories.

Kohaku swallowed down the lump in his throat. Yet they were parted, the saying 'Till death do us part' was meant for eternity as it seemed. Biting his bottom lip Kohaku squeezed his eyes shut, the tears that formed felt so very real even though he was nothing more than a ghost, an entity that shouldn't exist, yet did. He shouldn't be real, shouldn't have become one of those scary ghost stories little kids told each other. But he couldn't change it, not yet at least. But hopefully Kouki would find a way. He was clumsy, yes he was. Just an ordinary person with ordinary abilities, but he was very determined and that -just as Ayano had said- is a person's most important asset. Determination could make anyone to a professional after all, the barriers we see are just placed by ourselves.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

"Uff, finally." Furihata entered the room and slumped onto his bed. "I'm sorry for taking so long." A yawn escaped his mouth.

"Nothing to worry about. I assume you ate already?" Amber eyes rested on Furihata's lying figure.

"Well, yes. That's why it took so long." He heaved himself up from the bed. "But I have to speak quieter. I don't want my mother to notice us, uh... or rather me talking to myself..." Scratching over his nape Furihata looked up to Sei.

"I understand. How about we finish the story telling for today? We have plenty of time tomorrow." A smile flashed over Sei's features.

"No!" Eyes wide the teen clasped his hands over his mouth. "No, please tell me more."

Sei's eyes softened as he watched the teen. Furihata really didn't want Sei to stop telling his story now, it was getting interesting, was he even allowed to think like that about another person's life? He gulped and looked onto his lap.

"Interesting." Sei said, studying the teen with his amber eyes. "Then I will tell one more story of mine. But a short one."

Furihata nodded in response and sat up on his bed cross-legged and watched Sei attentive. The man's features didn't give any information about what story he would tell next. If it was a memory that hurt him deep down, or one which was dear to him. Though while the story was told, Furihata could immerse in it, the facial features would soften, or harden, would show each emotion Sei had felt when he lived through that past of his.

"This one is from my childhood, maybe the only time I received a gesture akin to motherly love..."

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

"Seijuurou! Seijuurou!" A woman was running through the garden towards a small boy on the ground. "Seijuurou! What happened to him?" She grabbed a nearby servant by the sleeve, her eyes a piercing amber colour as she demanded for answers.

"Ma'am he fell while playing." The servant answered, his voice small and fragile as he fled her gaze.

"He what?" Her voice was quiet but would freeze every grown man's blood. "Are you not obliged to look after him? It is your only purpose, yet you seem to neglect your duty!"

"I-"

"Do not try to find any excuses for your incompetence! Starting now you will leave this mansion. If you were to return-" She stopped amidst her sentences and grabbed the man's chin to look him into the eyes. "I take it that you understood what will happen." As soon as she let go the man bowed down and scrambled away. The woman though knelt down beside the lying boy. "Dear, look at me."

Eyelids fluttering the little boy looked up, his mind a jumbled mess and head in so much pain that he barely could think straight, so it surprised him to no end to see the concerned look on his mother's face. "Are you feeling alright, Seijuurou?" The little boy nodded and tried to memorise his mother's face and smile, her teary eyes as she pulled him up to an embrace. The kiss on his forehead was so very foreign, but the little boy smiled trying to respond, but slowly the world around him darkened on the edges and as it seems he slipped into unconsciousness.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

"My apologies." Kohaku wiped over his eyes. "I fear some memories, just go too close to my heart." Yet he smiled.

"I-" Kouki bit on his bottom lip. "I think it's good to cry from time to time."

The teen was interesting, he really was and if Kohaku was honest then he could admit that he was more than happy that he followed that little boy to his home years ago. A smile hushed over his features. "Indeed, it is. There is no shame in crying." As the boy was still small Kohaku had learned something new each passing day, thanks to the mother of the boy. The woman was intelligent, hurt from the world yet so very bright and nice. Though it had taken him some time to process what Ayano's words really meant. He himself had been a person so very dumb to not notice such simple things about life. "Go to sleep, Kouki. You have school tomorrow."

"Good night." The teen said and yawned right after. "Sorry."

Kohaku smiled in return. "Sleep tight, Kouki. I will take my leave now."


A/N: I really hope, you liked this little idea of mine!
If so please leave me comment even an hello is enough :D

P.s.: I researched imaginary friends AFTER writing Ayano's reaction, felt to meat least more real than the other way round.
I was surprised too, when I saw that I made her react exactly how you should. lol