January 15
Genre: Mystery/Romance/Tragedy
Summary: I don't know how to think of you anymore. Is our relationship void? I feel like Gakupo knows me more than you. Am I wrong? Yes? No? How will you prove me wrong? How will you prove that you love me?

January 15

During our first meeting, you told me, "Tell me a story of your life."

.

.

.

.

.

I can start the story as far as I possibly could, but I'll start on one certain day.

It all started the day Gakupo transferred to our school.

That morning, I did my daily routine. I wake up every morning to get ready for school. Kaito meets me in front of my house early in the morning as I go out and walk to school with him with our arms locked. We are a typical couple. A regular boyfriend and girlfriend you see everywhere around you.

We always take the same route. I've taken the same route to school every day that I know everyone I pass by. For instance, there's an old couple who owns a bakery shop nearby and always gives us freshly baked cupcakes every time we pass. There's the man standing next to the crosswalk light not moving even when the light turns into a white light, a man who always carries out loads of ingredients from his car for his sushi shop, a bird walking around in broad daylight hunting for food, and many more. Every day I see the same buildings as we pass by. I pass two worn out grocery stores, a gas station, pastry shops, various occupational buildings, and a field where a bank will soon open after it gets constructed.

At school, we had a new student enrolled in our class. It was the day Hiyama-sensei introduced Gakupo Kamui to the class. The first time we made eye contact, I remember my heart did a double flip. Just by looking at the new transfer student, I knew we would have a good chemistry. Maybe… maybe it'll be something more than that.

Gakupo ended up sitting behind me. I silently wished he would switch seats with Kaito who sat on the other side of the class. I noticed Gakupo and Kaito shared the same similarity, but there's also many differences. Gakupo wasn't shy or active. He's somewhere between those two levels which I like about him. It makes him seem more interesting in my opinion. Not to mention, he's always nice to females and even males. Gakupo is a well mannered gentleman. Anyone liked him. I liked him so much that I invited him to join me for lunch on the rooftop with Kaito during lunchtime. He accepted without hesitation so the three of us went up there at the rooftop during lunch break. Kaito didn't seem to be too happy having someone join us.

"Ah," Kaito looked disbelieved and dropped his bag when he realized something. "I forgot my lunch at home."

"Really?" Automatically, I pushed my lunch next to him. "Here, we can share."

"Thanks," he replied, quickly taking a bite of a sausage with his fingers. He chewed while telling me, "If only I could go back in time and remind myself..."

"Impossible," replied Gakupo, not missing a beat.

I noticed Kaito shot Gakupo an evil look so I started asking Gakupo questions for him I've been silently thinking about since we first met. He smiled and started telling us stories of his other school. I found out Gakupo and I shared many of the same interests and likings. Probably more than Kaito. It wasn't until the end of lunch when I saw Kaito standing up with an uneasy look. Gakupo didn't seem to notice it and, being a gentleman, opened the door for me and let be go first. Kaito didn't say anything on the way back.

After school, we took our usual route home. I laughed when Kaito talked about how his brothers tortured him every day and I told him how my brother, Luki, did the same to me when we were little until he got accepted to his dream college. We passed the usual buildings and people on our way home. We even stood next to the man who didn't cross the road when the crosswalk light changed colors for a few minutes until the light turned white.

I remember standing between Kaito and the stranger as their shoulders made contact with mine as we stood waiting. Both of their shoulders felt warm against mine.

The next morning, everything was the same as yesterday, as well as the days before that. The only thing that changed was the fact that everyone was a day older than yesterday. Kaito had school clean up duty for the rest of the week so I had to go to school by myself.

On my way, I stood next to the man standing by the crosswalk light. He stands there all day without any movement. Now that I think about it, I've never looked closely at him even though I saw him every day. He always had on a top hat and wore a big black trench coat every single day. The light seemed to take forever to change and I had a lot of time so I decided to have a small talk with him.

"Hello." I greeted.

The tall man didn't seem to notice I was talking to him until he felt the awkward silence filled around us. He looked at me before bowing a small bow. I thought that was his way of greeting someone so I bowed back.

"I can't believe we've never talked before. I see you standing here every day when I pass by."

"Yes," he responded.

"If you don't mind me asking, what do you do here all day?"

The man didn't answer me. He had his eyes gazed to the area around him as I patiently waited for his reply. He never replied.

"Are you… meeting someone?"

No matter how long I waited, the man didn't reply to any of my questions. I thought he wanted to be left alone so I stopped talking to him.

I did everything I could to kill time. I checked my phone for any text messages in case Kaito secretly texted me, but there wasn't any. There was only one from Gakupo telling me good morning. I smiled and replied saying I did and hoped he did too. Eventually, the light turned white and I crossed the path, leaving the man by himself.

I got a chance to talk to Kaito before school started. He was in the gym mopping the floor.

"Kaito!" I waved at him after seeing him cleaning the floor with a mop. I ran over to him and felt his soft lips kiss my cheek as I giggled and sat down on a bleacher beside him. "Guess what? Guess what?"

"Someone sounds really happy today." He chuckled. "All right, what is it?"

I grinned and told him the news. "I talked to the mystery man today!"

I half expected him to smile back, or laugh thinking I was weird in a cute way but he didn't do any of those.

"Who?" He asked.

"The guy next to the crosswalk light," I answered. "The guy we pass by everyday."

He held the mop on one hand and the other slammed down on the bleacher I sat at. I shivered from the vibration his hand made after making contact with the wooden chair. Slowly, I looked up and saw him not smiling at me. Kaito didn't have a touch of happiness in his face. Judging from his expression, he was mad. Kaito was really mad.

"Kaito?" I asked, slowly standing up.

When I finally stood up, he dropped the stick and held my shoulders with both hands. "What were you thinking?" he wanted to know. "What was going on in your head when you started talking to him?"

"What are you talking about? All I did was say hi to him. A simple hello can't hurt anyone."

"Luka," his eyes gazed into mine and every word he spoke to me, he sounded disappointed. "Nothing happened to you, right?"

I shook my head.

He let out a tired sigh and sat down on the bleacher where I sat. When I sat next to him, he said, "Listen, Luka, you don't know what might happen to you. Don't talk to that guy again. You might-"

"I think he's a good person."

"Luka-"

"How do you know he's a bad guy?" I questioned. "I was trying to be judicious and talked to him! He's a nice human being!"

"I never said he was an alien, I just told you to watch out-"

"Why are you talking like you can't trust me?" I shouted in disbelief as I stood up. "I can't believe you!"

Kaito called my name as I stood up and headed for the classroom, but I didn't reply to him. I was mad. Kaito thought I couldn't stand up for myself.

Gakupo was already in the classroom when I stepped in. He put down a book he was reading and frowned when he saw my scowl.

"What happened?" he asked.

I shook my head, not wanting to answer.

"It's not good to keep your feelings to yourself. I might be able to help if-"

"Alright," I sighed. I told him everything that happened this morning. Starting from how I talked to the crosswalk man this morning, to the little argument I had with Kaito when I came to school. Gakupo listened to me the whole time without cutting me off even once. He nodded and pretended to jot down notes on his notebook paper as if he was a professional. I laughed whenever he did that. I wished Kaito was a patient person like Gakupo.

"I think Kaito was worried about your safety," Gakupo concluded when I finished. "Guys can be like that to girls they like."

I laughed when he said that.

"What?" He leaned back on his chair. "It's true. Some guys are like that."

"Maybe you're right. Or maybe he was tired of cleaning."

Gakupo shrugged. "I don't know."

"Perhaps you're right."

"Luka," he said, sitting straight in his chair again. "About that man, Kaito sounds right. He sounds kind of suspicious. When you were telling me about him, I kept thinking he sounded like a…"

"Mysterious person?"

"No," he shook his head, "more like a creeper. Just make sure there's distance between the two of you when you stand next to him."

Gakupo knew how to make my day. He even went out and bought me a strawberry milk to cheer me up. He got me that milk even though I never told him strawberry was my favorite flavor.

Kaito came into the class just when the school bell rang. I got to see a peek of him looking at us with an expression I couldn't describe and go to his seat. Hiyama-sensei came in the class and class started. The rest of the day was the same except we started a new lesson in math.

Kaito had cleanup duty after school. That meant I had to walk home by myself.

I took small steps home so I was walking slower than usual. By the time I reached the crosswalk, the light was red so I had to wait until it turned white so I could cross the road. Same as every day, the man was standing next to the sidewalk staring at the cars passing by. I tried not to look at him by looking at my other side pretending to look really interested at the construction workers carrying loads of bricks to one side of the wall to work on it. I was in the middle of reading a news article from my phone when I thought the crosswalk light changed colors and started to walk without looking up. Unfortunately, it was my mistake. The lights didn't change.

"Luka!" I heard someone shout my name at the same time someone grabbed my arm to hold me steady. Shivering, I looked beside me and saw the man with his hand grabbing onto mine.

This was the first time I got to see his face up close.

His hat covered most of his head making it impossible for anyone to guess the exact color of his hair or even guess if he had any hair at all. His face looked like any other person. It was filled with wrinkles due to age but other than that, he looked fine. He's skinny and he might not have the best figure but his blue eyes could mesmerize anyone who gazed into it. His main attraction is his eyes.

"How… how did you know my name?" I questioned him, taking a step back for safety reasons.

The man took a step back and replied, "I heard your boyfriend call you by your name."

"Were you eavesdropping on our conversation?"

"No, I happened to hear your name." he replied safely.

"I see," I nodded and thought for a while. "How did you know he's my boyfriend?"

The man didn't reply. He just stared at me with his blue eyes as I started to laugh. "Am I supposed to answer?" he asked.

"You don't have to," I replied. "What's your name?"

The man didn't respond to my question which started to get me annoyed. I couldn't help but think of this man as a mysterious man with a background I was curious to know.

"I think it's fair of you to tell me your name if you know mine." I said.

He didn't quickly respond. He stood frozen looking as if he was debating whether or not he should answer my simple question.

"Well?" I repeated. The man grimaced as I clicked my tongue.

"Will you do me a favor?" he asked.

I clicked my tongue again. "It depends. What is it?"

"Tell me a story of your life."

I stood there frozen at what he said. Gakupo was right. This guy really is a creeper.

"My life?" I questioned, wondering if I heard him wrong. He nodded and presented me with a warm smile.

"Yes," he answered, "not all, but the most memorable time of your life. However, you must not tell anyone of my request. Only you must know of it."

"Why… why do you want to know about my life?"

"If it makes you feel uneasy, you don't have to tell me," he said. "However, you must tell me. Choose wisely and do not rush. Now, will you accept my favor?"

"Why do I have to…" I stumbled on my words and debated what I should say. "If I don't tell you, but I need to tell you, how will I ever tell you my story?"

The old man beamed a bright smile I never thought he would ever do. If possible, his smile brightened the color of his eyes, making it glow from happiness. "I'll let you decide," he answered. "You must tell me everything. Do not leave one single detail out."

"What will you do for me if I do?"

"Then…" he viewed the sky thinking of a good answer. "I will tell you my name."

"…Okay, I accept." I grinned. "It's a deal. I think I can do it."

"You're a smart girl," he said. "You'll figure it out. You always did."

I didn't want him to tell me his name that easily; I wanted it to be a challenge. A challenge I would be able to use my brain to think. I wanted to tell my past to him.

The light turned white and I waved goodbye to the man before continuing my journey home. Everything about the man was mysterious to me. It made me wonder of his biography and the color of his eyes. He was the most mysterious person in the world I've ever met. The whole time, I thought of his simple request.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't figure it out.

The rest of the week didn't turn out so well.

I still couldn't figure out what to tell the old man.

Things with Kaito weren't exactly the way I wanted it to be. I don't know what happened to him but he started losing his temper one time when the three of us were eating our lunch on the rooftop. Everything was so crazy; I don't know where to start. I should've known something was wrong when Kaito didn't speak a word when Gakupo and I were talking about a movie that just came out.

"I heard The Trash-Heap Princess and the Apostrophe is really popular amongst teens." Gakupo told me.

I nodded. I've been hearing about how it was exceeding the box office ever since it was released. "I want to go see it one day." I said.

"Then," Gakupo coughed, "do you want to go see it with me today after school?"

"Luka is busy today," a voice beside me took my place and answered. I turned around and saw Kaito next to me, looking at Gakupo with an intense glare that it sent shivers down my spine. "She's going to be with me today."

Miraculously, Gakupo didn't seem to be offended at all. "I thought you had cleanup duty. Well, then how about-"

"I've been dying to tell you this ever since you started hanging out with us," Kaito stood up and grabbed my arm to lift me up too. "I feel like you're getting too close to Luka. I'm fine with it but-"

I sent Kaito a pleading look. "Kaito-"

"Luka," Gakupo waved to stop me. Turing to Kaito, he said, "Go on."

"I want you to keep your distance from her." Kaito concluded.

I was shocked and horrified. I had no idea what Kaito was thinking or planning inside his cluttered mind. Without another word, I pulled him inside so we could talk in private.

"How could you say that to him?" I said, angrily. "He's our friend."

Kaito sighed. "Luka-"

"He did nothing wrong!"

"I know, I know."

"You knew? I don't think so. I don't think you knew anything at all!"

"Luka," he calmed me down by grabbing my shoulders. "I'm sorry. I don't know what happened to me. I just… I feel like you've changed."

"I should be the one saying that to you!" I shouted, stomping my foot in anger.

Kaito looked at me in shock. "Me?" he asked in disbelief.

"Yes! You… you don't know me at all!"

"What do you mean? I've known you for years. I think I know-"

"You think? You're my boyfriend. I've known you since elementary school and I've known Gakupo since... this week."

"Five days to be exact." Gakupo corrected. We both turned to look at him in surprise.

"This isn't any of your business." Kaito growled.

Gakupo held his hands like he was caught by the police. "I'm just trying to bring peace here."

"Gakupo," I said, pointing to Gakupo, "is not my boyfriend. While you," I moved my finger to Kaito, jabbing his chest with my finger, "are. What I don't get is how come my own boyfriend knows nothing about me and Gakupo knows more than you?"

"Luka," Kaito signed, "you know that's not true-"

"I wish it wasn't true!" I shouted, feeling hot liquid appear in my eyes.

"Luka," Kaito whispered. I saw the look on his face as he slowly lifted his hand to wipe the tear away from my cheeks. Before he got a chance to do what he intended to do, I slapped his arm away in anger and stepped back, distancing myself from him and making me closer to Gakupo.

"We're boyfriend and girlfriend. You should know that by now."

"I've always-"

"No," I cut him off, "you don't. I bet you don't know what I like to do and think I like everything you like. Why can't you be patient and listen to my story when I tell you something like Gakupo? I even tell Gakupo more stuff than you because I know he'll listen to me and help me when I need him!"

The look on Kaito's face answered everything. Kaito was frustrated. He felt guilty for making me cry. He makes that face when he doesn't know how to fix a problem. "I didn't know…" he whispered again. "I didn't know you were feeling like that."

"Learn from him!" I shouted. "Gakupo did better than you in everything. He was with me more than once when I needed someone. He even created a way to cheer me up! Were you there when I needed you? No. You were never there when I needed you the most. If you really loved me, you should've proven it to me. You've never proved that you really love me."

"I'm… I'm sorry."

"Don't bother." I said it harsher than I intended it to sound. "It's too late. We're over."

"Luka!" Kaito grabbed my hand and gripped it hard. "You can't-"

"Why can't I?" I cut in. "Is it illegal for me to end our relationship?"

"No," he took a breath out. "I just-"

"How can I be in a relationship with you if I don't know if you really love me?"

"I do-"

"No," I stepped back again and linked arms with Gakupo. "We're leaving. Let's go."

I felt Gakupo shift his weight from one leg to another. "Are you-"

"Please," I pleaded a whisper only so he could hear. "I want to go back."

We slowly made our way back to class in silence. Kaito didn't follow us back and part of me felt glad he didn't. On our way, the bell rang and class started. We should've been in a hurry but we took our time getting back. Every now and then Gakupo would bend slightly to see if I was feeling fine and not thinking about jumping off the building or anything like that. He didn't say one word to me and I was thankful for that. I didn't feel like talking to anyone. I just wanted someone to be next to me so I wouldn't be alone.

Gakupo opened the classroom door and in cue, everyone stopped doing whatever they were doing and looked to see us standing by the door. Mew-sensei put down her copy of a book the class was reading and stared at us in surprise. I knew what she was thinking. Mew-sensei always thought I was a "good girl." She would have never expected me to come to class late. Not everyone is a good student. Everyone needs a break here and there.

"So glad you could join." She said to us as we went to our seats in silence. "We're in the middle of reading Nineteen Eighty-Four. Take out your books and ask someone next to you for the page number."

"Page 202," IA, the girl sitting next to me whispered without me having to ask.

The whole time, I started to think about Winston and Julia's relationship.

The whole week was the same. I did everything I usually did without Kaito. I didn't need him. Gakupo replaced Kaito.

Kaito didn't talk to me at all.

Gakupo couldn't walk me to school in the morning since he lived on the other side of the city but he was nice enough to walk me home sometime. He stayed by my side when he thought I was feeling uneasy or sad. Everytime he thought I wasn't feeling well, he was right. I wasn't. The first time he walked me home, I described the infamous crosswalk man I told him about. Gakupo took one glance at him as we slowly started to approach him and the light. Without another word, he grabbed my arm and swinged me aside to switch sides with me so that he was standing next to the mystery man when we crossed the path. I thought it was something very nice of him to do. Kaito never did that. When I was with Kaito, I had to stand next to the mystery man a couple and times but Kaito didn't do anything about it. I realized I was stupid when I was with Kaito. I should've complained or do something about it.

Before the crosswalk light changed colors, I saw the old man on the other side staring at us as we were waiting for the light to change. I couldn't really see his expression that well, but I remember it was a different look. The man always had on a blank look on his face but this one was different. It was... dark. When we went to his side on the sidewalk, I felt him whisper something I couldn't make out.

One day, Gakupo told me something that really surprised me. He told me this before class started.

He said he talked to the mystery man.

When I asked for more detail, Gakupo said the mystery man talked to him first.

That really surprised me. What surprised me more was the fact that the old man said something to him. I wondered if it was the story favor but it wasn't. After taking me home, Gakupo had to wait at the crosswalk again. He had to wait next to the old man while waiting for the light to change. Everything was okay until the light changed its color. When Gakupo took a step forward to make his way to the other side, the old man said his name so only Gakupo could hear. When Gakupo turned around in shock, he told me that the mystery man smirked at him before he turned back.

At first, I didn't believe Gakupo but I soon did since Gakupo never lies. I couldn't imagine the old man smirking at anyone.

Gakupo was kind of worried about the fact that the mystery man knew his name.

"Maybe he heard me say your name when we were walking." I said.

"Maybe," he replied.

We decided that was the way how the old man knew of Gakupo's name. While Ann-sensei was teaching the class whenever it's okay to use adverbs in English, I suddenly thought of something. Whenever Gakupo walked me home, I never said his name. If I remember clearly, I never said his name specifically when we approached the old man. That meant the old man somehow found a way to figure it out without overhearing.

But how?

Kaito changed a lot.

Not a lot but there seemed to be many things different about him.

I passed him when I was on my way to the vending machine to buy a little snack. When we passed, I couldn't help but get the feeling that he somehow magically grew a bit taller since the last time we stood next to each other. I made my way to the machine until the little coin slipped past my fingers and rolled underneath the machine. I groaned in frusteration and slammed the machine in anger. I was about to bend down on my knees until I felt a finger poke my shoulder. Turning around, I thought it was Gakupo but it wasn't. It was Kaito.

"Here," he said, handing me enough money to buy another snack. "Take this."

"No thanks." I answered, turning away, but Kaito grabbed my arm and spun me back to face him.

"I'm sorry." He said, looking apologetic at me. "I... I never knew. You were right, I was the worst. I need you. I promise I'll change. I really... miss you."

"What made you suddenly decide you want me back?" I argued, crossing my arms.

Kaito made a sad face. He made that facial expression when he felt uneasy. He sighed and replied, "I didn't know. I felt... no, I thought you were happy with the way I was. I never knew you were unsatisfied. If only I could go back and change my attitude, then this wouldn't have happened. I'm sorry. I miss you, Luka."

I knew what he wanted me to say. He wanted us to be a couple again. Part of me wanted to accept but how could I be paired up with someone who can't even prove himself he's worthy of me?

When Kaito didn't hear me respond, he looked really sad. I half expected him to give up and go away but he didn't. Instead he held my hands and told me these words, "I'll prove to you I'm the only one for you."

Kaito was finally going to prove something to me. I don't know how but he said he will. I thought he was lying but I was wrong. He really tried.

He waited in front of my house every morning to walk me to school. I chose to ignore him every day and walked to school as fast as I possibly could without making any physical contact with him. Kaito never gave up. Even after I refused to accept his offer to walk me home, he still tried. No matter how I treated him, he never gave up. He even presented me with a box of chocolates I liked, but I didn't accept it.

Everday was a different day. Every morning, there were different gifts. Kaito would bring something for me and I would always decline. Or, if I felt nice enough, I accepted small offers and gifts. Accepting his gifts didn't mean I held any feelings for him.

During lunch, Gakupo and I chose to sit with my other friends, Lily, Len, Piko, and the others. They didn't mind us joining them and they knew something was wrong since they knew Kaito was eyeing me every once in a while but they chose not to ask me anything. I was thankful for that. Gakupo tried to shift my mind to something else and I was happy he was trying but it wasn't enough. I couldn't help but keep glancing at Kaito who was eating lunch with Yuuma and Mikuo. Once, when we made eye contact, he smiled at me.

When he smiled at me, I felt... giddy.

I was frusterated.

Not only was I stressed because of Kaito, I was even more stressed because I still couldn't figure out how to complete the old man's favor.

I know I can tell him all the stuff I remember since I was little, but I felt it was wrong. It was like a multiple choice question. I had to think of the right way to tell the story or else it'll be wrong. I felt like I should tell him something different but I wasn't sure what. I wanted to ask Gakupo for help but I couldn't because that would be breaking the rules.

I never thought I would be able to answer the favor until this day.

It all happened after school when I started to view things differently. Everything was the same but there was a weird vibe I kept feeling. It wasn't the smell of gas from the gas stations, it wasn't the smell of freshly baked break from the pastry shop, it wasn't even the feeling I had when Kaito followed behind me a few steps back. I didn't know what it was so I ignored it.

It wasn't until Kaito called my name. I ignored him but soon felt something wrong when he continued to call me.

"Luka!"

"Don't follow me!" I shouted.

"Wait-" he ran up to me and held my right shoulder with one hand. "Something doesn't feel right-"

"Let go!" I shouted. Up ahead, I saw the crosswalk light blinking with numbers, signaling people to hurry and run to safety before the traffic light turns green. I increased my pace to distance myself as far away as I possibly could from Kaito. I could feel his footsteps behind me slowly starting to speed up but it was too late. I managed to run to the old man's side before time was over, leaving Kaito on the other side standing miserably while cars started to cut between us one by one like ants.

"Luka, listen to me!" I heard him shout. I turned around miserably to face him. "Give me a chance." He begged. "I need you to listen to me."

I looked down at my shoes feeling guilty. I didn't answer him. I couldn't. Part of me wanted to listen to him but the other side of me wanted to leave him. A series of cars creating a melody using their honk made me look up with my full attention. I saw Kaito looking miserably trying to cross the busy road to get to my side in one peace.

"Don't move!" He shouted, looking for a way to cross the street. "Stay where you are!"

I took one step back.

"Stop!"

I took another step back and turned around to continue my way home.

"Get out of the way!" he shouted. I don't know why, but Kaito's voice made me stop. His tone was strong. It was strong as steel, but it sounded as if he was pleading. I didn't know what he was trying to say. Turning back around, I saw him waving at me to move but I didn't know what he was trying to tell me. It wasn't long until I noticed the shadows surrounding me moving madly. It confused me for a second because I knew for a fact that shadows do not move unless the possession starts to move. By the time I looked up, everything happened so fast. In slow motion, I saw a series of ceramic materials falling from the sky. I remember I was in a shock that I couldn't move my feet to move to safety. I remember a sharp pain in my arm before flying a few feet away where I ended up landing on the hard concrete floor with my legs sending messages up to my body, indicting it was in a need of aid.

I felt the ground shake as Kaito ran to my side and lifted my shoulder up so my head was on his chest. That was when I saw a hat roll around on the dusty sidewalk. I slowly moved my head to see someone covered in broken pieces of hard bricks.

I gasped.

I saw someone lying on the concrete floor, dead, and I started to realize something.

The man who died saving me was the old man.

The old man who stood next to the crosswalk light everyday risked his life to save mine.

I suddenly began to understand everything you said to me since we first met.

"You'll figure it out. You always did."

Part of me wanted to forget everything because it hurt to think about it. The more I understood, the more I felt guilty.

"You always did."

The old man knew my name since the beginning without me having to tell him.

The old man… is you.

You are Kaito.

Like you said, time travel is possible.

You traveled back in time to save me knowing I would die today.

You saved me.

No, you saved me many times. I was blind to see it happen.

You proved how much you love me.

I saw his hat roll around on the messy sidewalk and land in front of us. Even though broken bricks were scattered everywhere, I saw the back of the the old mans head stick out of the dusty path. The old man had hair. It was a mixture of blue and white. White because of age.

"Luka," Kaito held me firmly, "are you alright? Are you hurt? No, of course you're not okay. You're bleeding! Hang on; I'm going to take you to-"

"I'm sorry," I cried, twisting my body to hug him. "I'm sorry. I'm… sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry! I… I love you. I need you. I'm sorry."

Kaito stood there in surprise at my sudden outburst. He had no idea what to do since I never showed this side of me to him. Then, he held me closer and gently patted my head whispering, "It's alright. I'm here, Luka. Everything's okay now. I love you, too."

"Don't ever forget." I said, pulling away to face him. That was when I noticed his eyes. They were glistening with tears but there were no doubt the blue eyes were the same as the old mans. It was shining blue, the same as yours.

"Of course I won't." He replied, wiping my tears away. "I'll never forget."

I wanted to thank you for making me realize how much I love Kaito. I wanted you to know that I love you.

As for your favor, don't worry. I now know exactly what to tell him. I'll be sure to tell him everything without leaving anything out. He'll definitely want to hear it.