Chapter 2

Hiroki shuffled his books in a pile, finding that he finished his own work without fault. Right across from him, Nowaki kept on writing inside of his notebook in silence. He noticed the sun setting in the sky after he broke concentration. The once clear blue sky brought a mixture of orange, red, and purple which spanned throughout the sky. He hurried to turn on the lights of his living room and the kitchen. Bringing in light for them to see all throughout the room. Yawning out loud, he shut the curtains closed before going inside the kitchen for a drink.

Nowaki kept his eyes on Hiroki when he moved around the room. Staying on variations of Hiroki's body before moving onto a different part. Lingering on areas of exposed skin when Hiroki's shirt lifted up. He saw Hiroki more than enough times during his visits. Yet, he couldn't stop staring at him. His fascination grew stronger with each visit to Hiroki's apartment. Keeping his love silent and using it as fuel for his studies.

His lackluster fantasies proved to pale in comparison to the real Hiroki.

Hiroki stretched up his arms above his head before he sat back down. Nowaki's eyes saw every inch of skin possible before Hiroki's shirt came back down, covering everything from his view. Causing him to pout as he hid his emotions behind his hand.

He counted his blessings in even sitting in Hiroki's living room. After all, he didn't pay him for his services. Hiroki denied any payment and smacked him with a stack of papers when he insisted. Stating that he needed to save the money for university. These tutoring sessions came from the wish to enter university. Hiroki wouldn't had bothered with him otherwise. He even got handed a stack of scholarship forms for him to apply.

Hiroki thought way ahead for his benefit. Going far beyond than what a regular tutor did for their pupil. This brought Nowaki into thinking Hiroki thought of him as something other than a student. Those thoughts came to a halt. His jaw clenched when he thought about the descriptors Hiroki used for him. The nonchalant manner he spoke about him. Nothing more than a student who learned something. No trouble and no fuss. He followed directions without complaint.

Elevating himself toward a higher status was his ticket on gaining Hiroki's love. Eventually, Hiroki's overall opinion on him would change into something favorable. This work he placed into his own studies and making himself presentable had to work.

Hiroki interrupted his thoughts when he coughed into his hand, "Isn't it about time you leave?"

"Eh?"

Hiroki pointed to the window, "It's dark outside. Don't you have to go to work tomorrow?"

Nowaki explained. "I do have work in the morning but I always wake up on time. I can spare another hour before I go back home to sleep. It's no problem." He gripped his pen hard. "Are you that eager to kick me out, Hiro-san?"

Hiroki furrowed his eyebrows. The nickname annoyed him a bit but he grew used to the nickname. Nowaki kept on insisting throughout their tutoring sessions. The guy passed his expectations so he let him call him this name. A small reward for his outstanding work.

"I'm not kicking you out. Last time, you ran out of here when you noticed the time on the wall." Hiroki gulped down some water and smacked his lips.

Nowaki dug his fingers into his palm with a laugh. "I guess I studied a little too hard on that particular day." He gulped when he inquired. "Who was your friend from the other day? The one that visited when I was here."

"My friend? Ah, Akihiko." Hiroki turned another page in his textbook. "He wanted me to edit his current novel before he handed it to his editor. I spot mistakes that are missed and he trusts me to handle his work. Good thing I finished it before he came to see me the other day. I love reading his stories, they never bore me."

"I see," Nowaki frowned. "Then, he isn't in university?"

Hiroki responded with evident satisfaction. "He's in law school and writes novels. I thought about the time and effort used to balance both. I couldn't do such a thing. Akihiko's amazing to do both at the same time."

Nowaki's jaw clenched in irritation. Akihiko seemed like a perfect fit for Hiroki. The man wrote stories that Hiroki enjoyed and loved to edit in between his own schoolwork. Hiroki's voice took on a softer tone when speaking about his so-called friend. Hiroki didn't do this when he talked to him. It turned into indifference half the time and it hurt. Stung. Twisting into his heart.

Nowaki tuned out Hiroki when he continued on explaining Akihiko's novels. He caught on best selling and Nowaki felt the hole grow even deeper in his chest. Hiroki's friend beat him through leaps and bounds.

"Listen, I'm leaving for a few days starting on Friday." Hiroki checked his cellphone and read another message from his father. "Don't bother coming to my place."

Nowaki grew alarmed at the news when he exclaimed. "Was it something I said or anything I did to offend you?"

Hiroki arched a brow at Nowaki's reaction. Sure, he expected Nowaki to panic over missing a day or two of studying. His close test day must had brought on some anxiety in memorizing everything. This reaction surprised him. Nowaki never shouted at him.

"Look Nowaki, I'm going to visit my parents. I got a call this morning and they would be upset if I cancelled on them. I'm just letting you know so you don't waste a trip and find an empty apartment." Hiroki motioned toward the front door. "You can leave whatever you have finished in my mailbox. I'll review it when I come back."

"Okay—thank you for telling me." Nowaki said in relief, he assumed Hiroki grew tired of him and wanted to place distance between the both of them. "I'll make sure I finished everything before you come back."

Hiroki nodded his head as he got up on his feet. "Alright." He looked at the time on his cell phone. "I have to go take a shower. Can you let yourself out?"

"Yes, Hiro-san."

"Good, I'll see you on Monday."

"Bye..."

While Hiroki hurried into his bathroom, Nowaki collected his notebooks and books inside of his messenger bag. Afterwards, he stood up and kneaded the knots he developed throughout his body. He heard the shower going inside of the bathroom, drowning any noise from where he stood.

Turning his gaze to the table, his hand itched to grab Hiroki's red pen. Hiroki nibbled on it throughout their tutoring session and he wanted to feel it it between his fingers. Without wasting time, he snatched the pen and shoved it inside of his bag.

Nowaki stared at the bathroom hallway before he went toward the entryway. Putting on his shoes, he smiled in delight and then left the apartment.

Hiroki stood at the threshold of his parents bedroom. Breath evening out after his slight sprint toward the familiar area. His hand gripped the overnight bag hard enough that his knuckles strained. He watched his mother brush her long brown curls. She sat in front of her vanity, humming a simple tune. From his observation, her physical appearance seemed normal. His father's phone call chilled him to the bone when he heard of his mother's hospital visit. Her ailing heart condition always worried him.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside. His mother turned her head toward his direction when she heard the creak. Her green eyes locked with his light brown pair. A smile on her face. She beckoned him to her side with a motion of her hand. The fact her skin glowed brought Hiroki some relief. He imagined a paler and tired version of Fuyumi Kamijou. A picture which dissipated when he saw her.

Fuyumi stretched out her arms. Hiroki fast walked into her embrace. Her rose scented perfume overwhelmed his senses. Tightening his grip on her smaller body, he placed his cheek on top of her head. He loved his mother. She was one of the most important people in the world to him.

He loved his father as well but her ailment had him appreciate her more.

She spoke to him in a soft voice. "My little butterfly, it's so great to see you the long face? Hmm?"

"Father called me. He told me you went to the hospital due to another collapse." Hiroki explained. "I hurried over after I finished my last class for the week."

Fuyumi rubbed his back, assuring him. "It was nothing too serious. I was released from the hospital the next day." She moved away from his embrace and used her hands to cup his cheeks. "Your father would had told you if it was worse. Besides, this visit serves as a good occasion. We both get to have you again back home. Months have passed since your last visit."

Hiroki nodded his head, leaning forward, he kissed her cheek. "University is taking a lot out of me. I promise I will try to visit more often or at least on some Sundays."

Placing her hands on his shoulders, she said. "I'll hold you up to that promise. I won't forget anytime soon. Don't break it."

For the first time since he arrived Hiroki laughed. "When have I ever broken a promise I made to you?"

She pondered before she responded with a lighthearted smile. "Never." Fuyumi took notice of the duffel bag Hiroki held. "You're staying over?"

"Yes. I might as well stay for the weekend. I already got a heads up for one of my classes getting canceled tomorrow. I don't need to leave immediately." Hiroki told her with a slight smile.

Fuyumi clasped her hands together when she exclaimed. "Wonderful! We can cook lunch together. How about having your favorite dish in the menu?"

"Sounds like a plan." Hiroki agreed with her as his father walked inside of the room, holding a tray full of food.

Soshi set it on the table next to the bed, catching the frown on Fuyumi's face. "Soshi, I told you I was well enough to walk through the manor on my own. I could have made it to the kitchen."

He walked to her side and pressed a kiss on her cheek. "It's an extra precaution. We will all eat in here so you won't stay in here by yourself." He smiled when her grin returned to her place. He turned to their son and addressed him. "Why don't we get our dinner, Hiroki?"

The grim undertone in his voice made Hiroki's stomach drop. Hiroki placed his bag on the floor before he followed his father when he exited the room.

Fuyumi yelled after them. "Hurry back!"

Out of earshot, Hiroki asked. "What's going on?" His father remained quiet. "Her heart is getting worse...isn't it?" Soshi nodded his head, Hiroki got closer to him. "But, she looks normal! She told me she felt perfectly fine."

Soshi patted Hiroki's shoulder, guiding him into his embrace.

"How long?" Hiroki clutched his father's dark red sweater with a quivering hand.

"It depends on her, son. She has gone through her whole life with his ailment. You knew of her sickness since you were a child." He sighed as he let go of Hiroki and walked on ahead. "Anything the doctors tell us shouldn't be much of a surprise." They made it closer to the kitchen and he stopped in front of the sliding door.

Hiroki hid his eyes underneath his bangs as he bit his bottom lip. "I can't help but worry about her."

"Your mother is enthusiastic on her recovery. We shouldn't make her fearful about it. If anything, she needs our love and support."

"I know." Hiroki rubbed his face before lifting his head. "We should hurry. She will wonder what is taking us so long."

Soshi informed Hiroki. "Are you staying tonight?"

"Yes. I brought a few extra set of clothes with me. Why?"

"There was a warning on the news about a storm for the night." Soshi opened the sliding door and turned on the light. "It might extend into the morning. Before you ask, we left your room intact so you can stay in there."

Hiroki sighed in relief. "Good."

Hiroki put the last piece of coffee cake onto his own plate, then shoved the empty plastic container inside his bag. With some time in between classes and his cleaning spree, he baked it. An old recipe from his mother that he knew she would appreciate him baking. The ecstatic smile on her face when he took out the Tupperware made the remake worth it. He threw out the other cake when he ate a piece and it tasted nothing like her cake. He realized he forgot an ingredient after he read the recipe again.

Soshi poured a brew of Ujiri tea into each individual cup. When he finished, he gave Hiroki and Fuyumi their own respective cups. After they thanked him, he sipped his tea as shiver went through him. An unattended window brought a chill throughout the manor. This late night tea and cake warmed them up well. An excuse to stay in each others company for a while longer. Despite the late hour, they wanted spent more time with each other.

Hiroki predicted on his parents commenting on his lack of a lover. Though, his parents teased him on this matter. Akihiko told him about his estranged mother's lectures whenever she returned from overseas to visit him. Her assumption on him having a girlfriend fell on deaf ears. Akihiko felt no need to impress the woman. He learned to dodge her whenever he got word that she stepped foot back in Japan.

Hiroki ate another bite of cake. He was astounded that his parents had not inserted the topic throughout their dinner conversation.

Fuyumi continued on eating her cake. She sampled her tea after she added a spoonful of sugar.

Soshi drank his tea in light consecutive slurps.

All of them jumped when thunder clapped outside. Rain poured harder onto the roof. The wind howled as it slammed onto the trees. The silence in the house amplified the storm growing stronger. Thinking on staying home ahead of time worked to Hiroki's advantage. At times, he left in the morning due to a morning class he needed to attend.

Hiroki rubbed his arms. He tried to chase away the coldness as he grew accustomed to the floor heaters. His father turned them on as he went to prepare their tea. Having taken a while to heat up well, Hiroki put on one of his thick cardigans.

"Wow." Fuyumi commented when she stared out the window. "The weather is getting worse with each passing minute. Good thing you're staying for the night Hiroki. You would've gotten caught in the middle of this storm."

Soshi refilled his cup. "There was a warning earlier in the news. This large scale is not too surprising."

Hiroki observed the room when he noticed a few balls of colored yarn. Bundled in the corner of the bed with a start of a dark sweater on top of the pillows. Guessing on the style, the dark sweater was for his father. His mother always made them sweaters or scarves for birthdays. He welcomed a new homemade sweater. The last one his mother gave him shrunk in the wash. It remained on a hanger in the back of his closet, not wanting to tell her that he ruined it. All her hard work was unwearable due to his mistake.

On their phone calls, he told her subtle hints to get a new sweater. From her playful tone, it meant that she knew about his mishap. He didn't have to tell her anything specific. When he received his new one, it would never get tossed in the washing machine. To prevent another laundry scandal, it would get hand washed every single time.

"Hiroki?"

Hiroki turned his focus on his parents wedding pictures. Smiles on their faces as they posed with their families. Next to that picture featured an image of them in traditional clothing. His mother sat down on a chair with his father placing a hand on her shoulder. Whenever he saw them together throughout his life, they retained the same loving glances.

He counted his blessings in having borne into a good family. Loving but strict in his upbringing. Teaching him valuable life lessons through the moments they shared together. Hence, bringing forth their close relationship into his adult life. Although, he forgot to call from time to time. Something, his parents still teased him about whenever he went back home. He still held them in high respect.

Witnessing their small spats and how they resolved their problems through communication. He thought on his own faults. Keeping his grievances bottled served to aggravate him even more. His love for Akihiko turned into strong admiration. The affection one felt for an older brother. One of the few people he told his secrets, knowing full well he kept them locked inside of his mind. He admitted his crush to Akihiko and explained it left him years ago. Akihiko shuffled his hair and smiled at him. No response. They fell into a comfortable silence afterwards.

Akihiko ruined the moment when he asked if he had a crush on Takahiro. Earning a good punch on the arm.

Soshi leaned over the table and shook Hiroki's shoulder. "Hiroki, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just thinking about something."

"About what specifically?"

Fuyumi smiled. "Maybe, he is thinking about his lover. Is that it?"

"What the—No!" Hiroki denied, his face grew hot when he saw their amused expressions. "I have no remote time to spend time with someone new. I knew you two would ask me about this."

Soshis lips quirked up in a smirk. "Do what? We are both interested on how our only son is doing? You know better than to prepare yourself when we ask you anything. Now, do you still have mountains of books all over your apartment?"

Fuyumi added in. "Do Akihiko and Takahiro still visit you? Are they still friends with you?"

Hiroki groaned as he placed his chin on the palm of his hand. He addressed everything in order. "To reiterate, I have no boyfriend. I cleaned my apartment before I left the city. So, no, there are no mountains. Akihiko visited the other day. Takahiro called me yesterday. We are all still friends."

"Good to know," Soshi nodded his head. "Invite them along with you the next time you visit."

"That's a wonderful idea!" Fuyumi piped up as she held her cup in between her hands. "I'm certain a holiday is coming up and you three can come here. Although, if you can't make it then that's fine. You are all always busy and it's understandable."

Hiroki shrugged his shoulders. "I can try asking them when I get the chance. Considering, Akihiko doesn't go home for the holidays, he might take up on the offer. Takahiro does have his kid brother to take care of so he might not tag along." He poked at his coffee cake with his fork. "Although, he could always have him sleep over at a friends house. It's not like we ever leave the city."

An hour later, Hiroki informed his parents on going to bed. He held and kissed his mother, doing the same to his father before their room. Picking up his bag, he walked over to his old room. Reminiscing on the days when he ran through the halls of his childhood home. He touched the wall as he kept on going forward, fingers gliding with ease. After sleepless nights of wandering the manor, he remembered the layout.

He paused right in front of his old door and pushed it open. Everything remained the same, except for the lack of books and awards decorating the walls. He went inside and dropped his bag onto the floor before he laid on the bed. Not even caring that he left the door wide open for anyone to walk inside.

He knew his mother would wake him up in the morning. Favoring a gentle shake of the shoulder than banging on the door to jolt him awake. He sighed as he cuddled into his pillows and got under his sheets.

Through the noises of the storm, Nowaki walked through the empty hallway of the apartment complex. He left his bike outside and used a lock to keep it put. He ignored the sounds of his sloppy wet footsteps. No use when his shoes were waterlogged from the rain hitting him on the way there. Pushing back his hood, Nowaki moved his bangs from his forehead. The cold air hitting his body made him aware of his drenched clothes sticking to him in uncomfortable places. As he moved the strap of his messenger bag to his side, he hurried toward Hiroki's door.

His job released him two hours after his usual time. An annoyance but he endured as a favor to his manager. Once he finished, he realized the extent of the storm. Wetting him from head to toe as he biked through the streets. He covered his messenger bag with his body, attempting to keep his homework from getting soaked.

Using a spare napkin to wipe some excess water, he stuffed the papers through the slot. The imminent thump occurred on the other side of the door. Sighing, he checked the time on his water resistant watch. After a hard day of work, he wanted nothing more than to sleep. Good thing he acquired a whole day off. Although, he couldn't visit Hiroki in person until the weekday. Hiroki's visit to his parents put a damper to his plans in person.

Reaching out his hand, he moved the door knob. Unsurprisingly, it was locked but it didn't stop him from jigging it around. He snatched his hand back and held it to his chest. This wasn't like him. The urge was strong. He wanted to go in there.

This opportunity came once in a lifetime.

Tossing aside his reservations, he looked through his messenger bag. Finding some paper clips, he curved it around enough where he could work it inside of the lock. Digging in the paper clip into the hole, he moved it around. Listening close to the lock with his tongue sticking out his mouth. He maneuvered his makeshift key around and tried not to get frustrated. When it clicked, Nowaki turned the doorknob, surprised that it opened.

Standing at the entrance, he pushed the door completely open. Missing the scattered papers on the tile floor.. From the slight light coming from one of the windows, he saw some of the inside.

Gripping the strap of his messenger bag, he gulped in nervousness. Sneaking into Hiroki's apartment seemed ridiculous now that he managed to pick lock the door. After all, he visited Hiroki on Monday.

Just a few days away.

He couldn't wait that long.

He stepped inside of the apartment, closing the door behind him.

TBC