Getting by by Khursten Santos

Disclaimers: Characters featured in this story are from Kareshi Kanojyo no Jijyo, right fully owned by Gainax and Hakusensha. The story below is my creation so do please respect and do no plagiarize. C&Cs are very much accepted. Rather short, but it was one of those in the moment thingies. Enjoy. I dedicate this fic to Didi who has lovingly translated Act 67. Couldn't live without your translations. *_* Arigatou gozaimasu.

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Hi! This is Asaba Hideaki. How is my pretty little kitten? Do you miss your Asapin? I'm sorry, but Asapyon's very busy right now. Yukino, do know that this is an answering machine. AAH~! My dear little kittens, open your arms to your dear Asapin!

-beep-

"Hideaki. This is Arima."

"Hello."

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Would I say that I am privileged? To even have this intimate chitchat with this loved boy? To have developed so much trust from a man like him?

Many girls would kill to be in a position like mine. Even Yukino would do anything to hear what I'm hearing now.

The hatred.

The resentment.

The fear.

The loneliness.

Strangely, I've been getting phone calls like this one much too often. Often, I would hear a child screaming in anger. Mostly, a child crying in pain.

It is a side that most haven't seen; even if they would see it, they'd fear it. What would they say? What would they do?

Yukino, what would you have done if you heard what he had just said? Apparently, your unconditional love isn't enough to stop this boy's fear.

It hurts too much, doesn't it, Arima?

I guess there are answers only a man could answer.

Sympathy. Pity. Understanding.

There are some things only a man can understand.

There are some things only a man can protect.

"Hideaki. I don't think-"

Comfort. Solace. Love.

We all yearn for it. But you need it more than I do. Although, quite frankly, everyone gives you so much of this. Your mom. Your dad. Yukino. Me. Everyone. What makes it difficult is that you're faced with your demons, am I not right?

Everyday. He'd cry. He'd weep. He'd stare into oblivion. Looking forward to nothing. Looking for his answers, finding some kind of comfort in his angel. But it's not enough. In the end, those demons crawl back in your sleep and once more, you're in your own nightmare.

"What do I do, Hideaki?"

Have you tried smiling? Have you tried embracing those that haunt you? Try looking at all the love that surrounds you rather than looking at your demons. Maybe you'd get a shot at it. Maybe you'd find what your looking for.

"Arima. For what it's worth, it's time for you to be completely happy."

"I know. But-"

"Hey, you're not alone. I'm here. Yukino's here. Everyone's here for you."

Everyone's here for you, Arima.

In your loneliness…

In your pain…

You would always have a shoulder to lean on.

If not on Yukino's, if not on your mom's, you have mine to cry on. That's what best friends are for.

"Arigatou, Hideaki."

"AAAH~! You sound sweeter calling me Hideaki, Souichirou-kun~!"

"Ha ha. Yeah. Thanks for everything, pal."

It warms your heart, doesn't it?

It feels great to know that you have a friend to lean on.

"NO PROBLEM! Oyasumi, Arima-koneko-kun."

"OI! Hideaki-! Don't you dare call me-"

- beep beep beep -

(owari)

NOTES:

1. Arigatou = Thank You

2. Oyasumi = Good Night.

3. koneko - kitten