Covid has been such a bitch lately. No duels, tournaments have all but seized and the pros have to get day jobs to afford to live. It's been a pain, especially since school shut down and sent everyone home.
Lucky me. I'm still in contact with Sho, Manjoume, Asuka and the others. They managed to make a video call from the school to each student as a group video chat for classes. Looks like I can't doze off without getting noticed this time.
Since there was so many of us for the school each one was divided up by their current grade. Not by dorm color like it would've been. Ironically I got put together with my friends for the video chat. Kenzan Edo Ryo and Fubuki were there as well as Sho Manjoume and Asuka.
"So this is what class is gonna be like for a while?" Kenzan looked befuddled his arms crossed over a yellow polo shirt with the sleeves removed. The bronze skinned male stood out amongst everyone in the group.
Manjoume had his pencil between his upper lip and nose looking annoyed. I could only guess he didn't appreciate having to stare at us through his monitor at his mansion or whatever he lived in since he was so stupidly rich.
Sho kept messing with his keyboard and his supplies unsure how to make proper notes on his small desk. Ryo was in his own room on a laptop, you could see more of his torso so you could tell he had the laptop in his lap with the camera appropriately angled. Asuka was twirling her pencil between her fingers.
Edo was straightening his tie for some god unknown reason, why was he even wearing his suit if he was just sitting in front of a camera!? That irked me to some degree. Fubuki was just admiring himself in a mirror messing with his hair casually.
Asuka got annoyed at this before speaking up. "Nii-san stop messing with your hair! It's fine!" She tapped her finger annoyed as that got her brown haired grey eyed brother who turned red for a second before mumbling out an apology. She rolled her own grey eyes. I just shook my head.
We were late getting to start on sessions because the teacher had a new student or their representative introduce the new student who would be joining us in the next session. Chronos soon appeared which was bad news for Kenzan who was out from his chair called away by his cousin Jim who was visiting. A scream came from Kenzan's camera.
"Mr Kenzan! Get back in your seat this instant- na no ne!" Kenzan yelled something in the background something along of the lines of "Control your gator! She's trying to tear my boots off of me!" The door slammed and you could see a now sweaty Kenzan take his seat.
"Jim's croc at it again…?" Sho mused out as Chronos rolled his eyes at us. "Seems like she likes your army boots man. Keep your closet shut."
Chronos interrupted the little conversation we started up as a new webcam came online. "Oh dear? Hello?-na no ne." The webcam was empty just facing a lime green wall. There was groaning and cursing coming from under whatever the computer was sitting on. "Shit how does this damn thing work again… Stykke bit av dritt" A foreign language I've never heard of came out of the speakers on my computer. (Translation: Piece of shit)
"What language is that?" Manjoume blurted out what we all thought. Chronos shot the camera a dirty look as if intended for the black haired male. "Excuse me, na no ne!" Chronos voice must've caught the person by surprise as another string of foreign words came out of the speakers.
"Helvete, det hadde jeg ikke forventet!" Everyone looked confused until a person with dark blue teal hair pulled himself from the floor, orange surprised eyes looks at the webcam windows at us. (Translation: Holy shit, I wasn't expecting that)
"Ah! You.. you hear me right?" His Japanese was almost okay. We give our approval or an okay to let the foreign male know. "Yea we can hear you!" The male looked relieved. "Takk Gud! These computers, they're so complicated! My little brother is supposed to have done this, but he got delayed thanks to Covid on his way over here. Now I have to get it set up for him…" The bluenette mutters miserably. (Translation: Thank god)
"Who are you supposed to be then?" Edo asked curtly. I could tell he wanted to get on with the session so he could get back to whatever kept him apparently busy. The amber eyed male chuckles awkwardly. "Hahaha… Mitt navn er Jehu Andersen." His natural language slipped out again but we all knew that he was at least saying either my name is or I am. (Translation: My name is)
"My brother Johan arrives later this week. You look like a fine bunch. Please take care of him." Jehu spoke some more about Covid being a bitch with traveling before he disconnected himself from the web chat. Chronos took that as his cue to begin the lesson.
Xxx
Days later I went outside though verbally scolded by my mother for doing so, to go for a walk. I needed some air damnit! We might be on lock down but I gotta stretch my legs sometimes. It was almost winter so I bundled up in my Osiris red jacket from school, a scarf and gloves.
I wasn't planning to go very far, just down the street or so in the neighbor hood. Feeling the winter air on my face I let out a sigh as my breath was seen through the cold.
Walking another block I noticed a moving truck. Not much of one it was a small company sized one. In the front yard I noticed a boy who looked my age, just slightly taller. I couldn't tell from this far away, he was roughly… I don't know 30 feet from me as I got closer to hear him speak in another language.
"Kan du være så snill å sette dette opp mot vinduet?" The male understood better when the male pointed upstairs and repeated the last word he said. "Vinduet." (Translation: Can you please put this up against the window)
The two men carried a desk inside the house when the boy finally looked towards me. I got a better look at him, he wore a grey/purple ruffled shirt that was button downed with black tight pants and white boots. He wore no coat. Wherever he was from he must've been used to worse weather than this blizzard in my opinion.
His emerald green eyes looked at me curiously as his fluffy teal air blew in the wind slightly, it was styled going backwards. I don't know why I took such a detailed notice, but he intrigued me… never used that word to describe anyone before.
"Hei, hvordan har du det" He spoke directly towards me catching my attention when I heard his foreign words reach my ears. (Translation: Hello how are you?
I looked my head to the side before pointing to myself. "You speaking to me?" I looked around and saw nobody else was there. The male just smiled at me. He tried to speak again his words more slowly.
"Im ny her til Japan." I could partially understand his words. "Your… new to Japan?" I guessed his words just a little, he nodded when he heard Japan, so I must've guessed his words right. I'm new to Japan
"Bot du rundt her?" He gestures with his hand as he waved it around himself as if pointing to the houses around us. I knew instantly what he meant. "I live around here? Down that way." I point behind me then gesture to myself grabbing my brown scarf.
"Brown house…" then I touched my pants. "White door." Then to my shoes. "Red car" I pointed to the vehicle in the drive way which was a black suv styled car.
He nods just a bit getting it. "Brun." He points to my scarf and hair. "Hvit." He points to my pants then drops to my shoes. "Rød." I nod in return. His eyes light up as a big smile broke out on his face. I couldn't help but match it.
I knew I couldn't stay long so I made sure one thing. I looked at him and gestured with my hands as if writing something on them. "Do you have… paper and pen?" The male nods smiling as he ran inside and came back out with a note book and pen and laid them on the ground by the tree before he retreated to the car.
I walked over picked up the notebook and pen and wrote my name down and my number before sitting it back down before returning to my spot on the side wall. The teal haired fella ran to the pad and opened it and I could see him struggling to read my name. "'Judai Yuki.'" His emerald eyes looked to me his eyes lighting up again when he realized it was my name I spoke.
"Text me." I pulled out my phone which he then realized on the paper was my phone number which made him speak fast foreign words I could barely understand. "Tusen takk! Tusen takk! Det var så hyggelig å møte deg også." He waved at me excitedly. Thank you so much! It was so nice to meet you.
I waved back at him. "See you! Welcome to Japan." I turned to walk down the street back where I came from, back to my house.
Mom was there when I walked in as I took my shoes off, my phone buzzed in my pocket. She called out. "Judai, lunch!" I pulled my phone out as I took my scarf off and it was a new number but I could tell the Japanese writing was kinda misspelled. "Tis is te bou you meet down te street. Johan Andersen." A text from the new neighbor.
Johan… I wonder how you pronounce that... I ponder this as I walk into the kitchen and enjoy lunch with mom.
Few hours later as I'm typing away on my computer, my phone buzzes again. "Ju tank yo so much for bein my 1st frend." The broken Japanese was at it again from Johan as I replayed a smile on my face. "It's no problem Johan sorry Covid is a thing I would hang out with you more."
He then sent me a link it looked like the same link I used daily to chat with everyone while online. I typed it up on my pc and lord and behold there it was with his name listed under Crystal beasts. Strange profile name, but what could I say, mine was E-Heros4ever. I noticed he enunciated the conversation.
"Hei Ju." Ju? That's the same as he called me in his text. I smiled curiously wondering why he chose to shorten my name. "Ju? My name is Judai. How come your calling me Ju?"
I bet my words made the boy confused but it wasn't the case as his message was quickly to be returned. "Ju is a… pet name, how you say?" My eyes bugged out of my head as I felt my face heat up. No way he meant a pet name… but closest to that would be nickname. So I decided to question it.
"You mean nickname right?" No sooner he said that it was quickly return, "Yes a nickname meant for someone like kjekk som deg." As handsome as you
I don't know what it meant or why he said that but it made my face burn slightly with annoyance as I was curious to know. So I just casually wrote. "What's that mean?" I must've caught him off guard cause his next text was a little slower. "I not too sure for meaning in Japanese." I just nodded my head and shrugged. We messaged like that until Johan mentioned his brother brought home a good meal for them.
I realized i didn't know his brothers name, before I could ask Johan quickly sent a message. "See you Ju." I smile a little sadly for some reason, I was really enjoying our conversation. Someone as foreign and as new to Japan Johan was, he was an intriguing person to get to know, let alone have a decent conversation with. I knew with time, Johan would be able to speak my language better.
"Good night, Johan." I sent the message as I signed off my computer.
Xxx
The next day I learned the reality of Covid. When my father didn't come home that night, mom received an urgent call from the E.R saying dad had collapsed at work, even tho he was being extra careful.
He had Covid and sadly for us the vaccine hadn't be finished yet. It was still in the works according to the news. I could only sit in my bed staring dazed at the foot of the bed when I heard mom speak to me at my door.
"-dai! Judai! I'm going to the hospital. Stay here keep the doors locked okay?" She already had her mask on and her purse in hand. I could only nod not even looking at her as I hear her run down the stairs and out the front door, the door locked behind her. I look out the window and see her car start up and drive away.
I hold myself close and end up crying myself back to sleep as I felt my cat Pharaoh jump into the bed and curl up next to me for warmth and support.
It was only 3 in the morning…
A few hours later I awoke to nothing. Mom's car was still gone and she left no text or calls on my cell or the emergency landline she had installed in case my battery ever died or she lost her phone. I did however get texts from one of my friends.
"What's the deal?" Kenzan had texted me. "Your mom called my mom last night saying 'keep an eye on Judai' what gives man?" My face dropped just a little as I downcast my eyes barely looking at the screen. I didn't bother explaining I knew he had told everyone, I could just explain when the web cams turned on in a couple hours. Our lesson didn't start until noon on Saturdays and Sunday's were free days for us.
I just went ahead and made myself breakfast and turned on the tv on something else besides the news so I wouldn't have to listen to what else was going wrong with the world.
I heard my computer ding as I had booted it up before getting breakfast. Turns out Johan was messaging me as well.
"G'morning Ju. My brother taught me some words last night. Help me improve better." My face perked just slightly reading his still jagged grammar and Japanese. He was learning his best. Though typing is probably easier to learn than to speak it. Hopefully he'll get better at it.
"Brother said I start web cam today. Excited. Can't wait to meet who they are." I knew there was a possibility that he might have had different classes let alone another schooling program altogether. I let out a small sigh eat some of my breakfast and return his message.
"Whoever they are. I'm sure they'll treat you well, Johan." My words partially sadden me. Not getting to see his lovely teal hair or emerald green eyes on my computer screen later made me feel more down than I already did. After finishing breakfast I send a quick message to Johan that I was cleaning myself up with a shower before my own web cam meeting with my friends.
My own friends in return have all tried to reach out to me in demanding texts and unanswered phone calls demanding to know what Kenzan had meant in his own message about my mom having called his mom about watching out for me. Since covid was active Kenzan who lived just three houses over would've been at my door the second this morning when he got the call.
I'm thankful for that because I dont think I can look at anyone in the eyes and tell them that my dad has been hospitalized with Covid. It still shakes me to my core as I undress and jump into the now semi steaming shower to drown my worries and relax my tense body.
I'm not in for very long mostly because if I stay any longer I might pass out from the huge amount of stress on my body at the moment, after having washed my hair my body and my face thoroughly. I turn the water off and collect my towel as I grab a pair of warm sweat pants and a thin t-shirt to wear with Winged Kuriboh on the front of it.
Since I woke up too late I can't eat lunch right away so I just go back to my computer drink in hand with a snack and sit down as I get my computer up and ready for the webcam class. It wasn't long until I was joined in the open group page where everyone automatically connected to when they logged in.
Edo was the first to show up. "Geez not like you to show up early, Yuki." The concern in his voice was present, I'm sure he heard from Kenzan as well, as much as the two couldn't stand each other. I shook my head a half baked smile on my face. Soon the others joined Ryo and Fubuki being the next ones who immediately jumped on my case.
"What happened!? Where's your parents?"
I still remained silent. Next ones to join was Sho and Asuka both who leaped out of their chairs screaming my name. "Are you okay Judai/ Aniki!?" They both spoke at the same time.
"I-I'm fine.. I-I'll explain later…" My words falter just a little, my face falls just slightly. Soon the last of our group Manjoume and Kenzan joined. Kenzan nearly leaped through my screen as he screamed "Sarge! What the blazes is going on over there?!"
I couldn't avoid them now as everyone was giving me a worried look, for the exception of Edo and Ryo who just raised an eye brow at me. As much as I considered the elder Marufuji and Edo my friends the two wouldn't express it too much the same way. Edo considered me a rival and Ryo, nobody knew what that stone face male was thinking sometimes.
"Oto-san… He's in the hospital. He never came home last night.. Oka-san got a call at 3 in the morning about him collapsing at work… She hasn't been home since this early morning…" Silence spread through the group as I took note of everyone's expressions, most of them were horrified, Ryo and Edo were unreadable but I could tell my words shook them.
The silence continues until Chronos joined the group to start the class. Another web cam had started up but it seems no one was there. There was a familiar sounding voice yelling in the background. "Bror jeg begynner på timene mine." A familiar face sat at the computer he blinks in surprise seeing everyone on the screen. Brother I'm starting my classes
The familiar teal hair and emerald eyed male I met yesterday raised his hand and greeted the group. "Yo, I'm Johan Andersen." The name clicked in my head immediately and my face flushes red. 'I just met him and it didn't click that he was my new online class mate!' My thoughts screamed in my head.
Chronos nodded his head. "Welcome Andersen-San. I am your professor, Chronos-sensei na no ne." Johan gave a smile, he looked almost excited to be here with us for classes.
Manjoume started off immediately introducing Asuka. "This is the lovely Asuka-chan!~ and you may refer to me as Manjoume- san da." Everyone rolled their eyes as Ryo took over introductions. "He's Manjoume. I'm Ryo, this is my brother Sho with the glasses. Edo is the one with the formal suit. Fubuki is the one who can't stop looking in his mirror… Kenzan's wearing the bandana. And then-" Johan's eyes met mine as he interrupted Ryo's words.
"Ju!" I immediately get flustered by hearing aloud Johan's nickname for me. "How do you know him already?" Fubuki took an interest, his mirror left abandoned. Johan smiles more. "Neighborhood!" Kenzan's eyes widen in surprise.
In Johan's excitement he switched to his native tongue. "Jeg møtte Ju da jeg flyttet inn i går." We all look at him in confusion as Johan turned off camera to look at something as his brother hissed at him. I met Ju when I moved in yesterday
"Idiot! Du bytter til norsk igjen!" This must've embarrassed Johan as his face turned bright red and he started to apologize. "A-ah! S-so sorry… my Japanese, not very good yet." Idiot you switched to Norwegian again
Sho looked at him curiously. "Norsk… Is that Norwegian?" Johan nodded. "From Norway… Scandinavia." This hit home with all of us as we realized Jehu was speaking Norwegian yesterday as well. Asuka gave him a pleasant smile. "We'll help you with your Japanese." The others nodded, myself included. Johan's eyes looked towards me as he smiled again. "Ju-chan.
"Chan…is meant more for girls…" Edo points out but I don't think Johan hears him to well as he repeats the cutesy nickname he gave me last night. "Ju-chan.." My face burns more as I hide my face in my knees. "Y-yes we get it Johan..!" I waved away his nickname as my friends were teasing as well, saying it was a cute nickname that Johan came up with.
Soon classes were over and done with as Chronos left us to either continue talking or leave at our leisure. Everyone made me stay besides Johan who was confused by the sudden tone my friends took with me. I down casted my eyes from the web cam.
"Sarge, we're here for you. We may not be able to stay with you while your mom takes care of your dad at the hospital, but we'll be your support." Johan looked worried and confused by Kenzan's words to me.
"Ju-chan…? Hospital? Mother and father?" Ryo took the words over for me in explaining to Johan my situation as the words wouldn't come out nor my mouth opened to give them. "His dad sick with Covid. Moms at the hospital with him. Judai's home alone."
Johan's green eyes glimmered with determination as he stood up and called my name to make me look at the screen. "Ju-chan! Be there soon!" My eyes widen in shock as his words left him and his web cam disconnected.
"J-Johan!?" I wasn't the only one in a state of surprise my friends had shocked expressions on their face as well. "He's gonna go to your house? Is he just stupid?" Manjoume spoke our thoughts first. We all knew how bad Covid was the last thing Johan didn't need to be doing was running around coming to my house just to give me support or whatever he had planned.
Johan's pov
Hearing Ju-chan''s situation I couldn't sit still. Ju-chan being the first person I've connected to since my parent's passing thanks to covid in combination with heart attacks earlier this year took enough out of me and my brother. I didn't want him to suffer alone like I mostly did. Jehu couldn't travel because his passport was lost and it took months to re-register especially to get to Norway.
I was alone to bury our parents and to sell their house, me being only 17, it was difficult. I couldn't let Ju-chan be alone in this situation in case his mother got sick as well.
"Jehu! Did you make your special chicken and dumplings?" I spoke in Norwegian to my brother who nodded his head gesturing to the fridge which I pulled it from.
It was a medium sized bowl meant for the two of us. I quickly bagged it, threw on my mask and ran out the door with Jehu screaming at me for leaving. "Johan! Get back here!" I ignored his words as I made my way down the street towards where Ju-chan said his house was at. Brown house, white door.
I eventually found it after running through two blocks. I pant heavily my hands pressed to my knees as I bent over. I recovered slowly as the mask made it hard to take deep breaths. I wander over to the door and ring the door bell.
I left the bowl on the porch and walked to the tree in his yard as Ju-chan opened the door. "J-Johan?" He noticed me quickly behind the tree as he bent over and picked up the bag and looked at the bowl inside. "Y-you didn't have to…" He stuttered which made his appearance even cuter in the kuriboh t-shirt and grey sweat pants.
I smiled warmly pulling the mask off my face just slightly. "I'll be your support too, Ju-chan…" I make a gesture as if to give him a fist bump as he returns the gesture a thankful smile on his face as he looked curiously into the bowl and licked his lips.
"Looks delicious." I could tell his eyes held a lot of unsaid words which made his eyes light up. He looked close to tears, as if my delivering him Jehu's special chicken and dumplings made his day. I waved gently. "See you Ju-chan."
Judai's pov
I didn't want him to go… It hurt to even hear him say see you. I don't know what it was but Johan Andersen had my words tangled up and my heart racing like a bird. I didn't know what I was feeling, and it was strange. "Johan…" I knew he couldn't stay or he'd risk getting Covid so I raised my hand to wave at him in return.
"See you Johan…" I made a smile one that hid my pain to see him leave. As he walked down the sidewalk the way he came, I stepped inside, tears fell from my eyes. I put his bowl in the fridge as I went to exit the now empty class web page. Pharaoh walked up to me and meowed. I sighed slightly as I get up once more and go to the kitchen to feed my cat.
Xxx…
The next morning I get a call from mom. She wasn't gonna leave the hospital any time soon. I knew she would get Covid it was only a matter of time since she was risking herself being there for dad.
I don't stay on the phone long as mom had to get off since they were taking dad to get x rays again. I slump in my bed as tears fell down my cheeks unknowingly, I must've drifted off to sleep because my ringtone from my phone chirped as it showed Johan's name. I quickly picked up the phone my heart leaping in joy to hear his voice.
"H-hi Johan." I held my breath slightly waiting to hear him speak on the phone. "Ju-chan.. Did you enjoy my brother's cooking?" I could only imagine him having a deep and charming smile on his face. I felt my ears burn slightly. I walk to the kitchen as his words reminded me of the bowl he brought over earlier.
"I was h-heating it up right now." I mentally cursed myself for letting the stutter out. Johan just chuckled which made my legs melt just a bit. 'Damn even his laugh is nice to listen to…' I could only think briefly as the microwave dinged proving to Johan my statement of making a bowl of what appeared to be chicken and dumplings.
It looked well made and even smelt amazing. Johan must've been waiting for me to give him my response to the food as I spoke up after removing the bowl from the microwave. "Tell Jehu thank you for this… and thanks for bringing it over Johan.." my words were genuine but my voice came out sad.
I hated Covid keeping everyone separated, I know that me and Johan would be hanging out right now, hell everyone would be over here to keep me company and keep me sane through all of this… I bit my lip as tears tried forming in my eyes again. I put a spoonful of Jehu's dish into my mouth to hold off on my tears, but that made it worse.
Jehu's meal was delicious in taste and just melted sort of in my mouth. The chicken was tender and savory and the dumplings were soft, juicy and tasted amazing alongside the chicken. I almost moaned in delight as I swallowed. "Oh my god, this is so amazing…!" I exclaimed loud enough for Johan to hear who was chuckling on his end.
"I'm glad you enjoying it, Ju-chan…I'm sorry I cant stay with you during this…" Johan's alto voice dropped to one of sadness. I quickly jumped to comfort him. "Johan…Dont be sorry..I know you would be here if you could. We'll be able to hang out someday." I couldn't even imagine what standing next to him would feel like…
I shook my head blushing bright red not sure where that thought let alone that feeling came from as I could hear Johan repeat my nickname on the phone. "Ju-Chan! Are you okay?" His voice wavered just slightly concern presented in his words.
"I-I'm fine Johan… Just got lost inside my own head…" My face melt like a heatwave went through my house as even my pits felt sweaty from what my brain was trying to come up with.
Johan was silent on the other end. Then his words came out. "Ju-Chan… I be here for you… Jehu and I lost our parents to Covid…" My eyes widen as I left the food on my desk as I picked up my phone next to it. "J-Johan…" I was at a lost for words.
"That's why I was delayed… last minutes duties for them.." Johan's voice cracked which made my heart ache. I clenched my free hand, it hurt my head and chest to hear this male, I barely even knew on the verge of tears.
"Johan… Don't cry okay.." My voice comes choked out deep and full of emotions. His breath hitched at the sound of my voice. Here we both were on the phone close to tears over the other trying not to worry the other either…
Johan's pov
Hearing Ju-Chan on the phone, his voice thick with raw emotions, made my breath get stuck in my lungs and my pulse get cold. How badly I wanted that beautiful brunette to be here in my home, my room, just so I could hug him and wipe the pain off his face. My fist hit the desk. I couldn't stand that he was hurt..
When I had returned home from delivering the food, Jehu tried to tear me a new one. I explained to him in our native language that Judai was suffering as we had, both parents in the hospital.. one there for the other but nobody home to be with Judai through the whole thing. The look my brother had was mixed of sadness shock and overwhelming regret for yelling.
"This is the first person Ive ever connected to Jehu… and I never even touched him." I had explained to him after he looked away from me. His amber eyes liquid from sadness looked back at me. "Be there for him… unlike I was for you Johan…" I gave my brother a tight hug my own eyes half watered from his pained words. "You we're stuck here… You couldn't do anything…" he nodded before excusing himself to go to his room.
Judai's voice cut into my trip down memory lane. "J-Johan I have to let you go! I-it's the hospital!" My voice cracked with worry as I choked out. "J-ju-Chan, I-I'll be here!" I hung up the phone gripping it to my chest, my eyes clenched tight with worry my heart constricted by the feeling.
Please let everything be alright… My thoughts pleaded as I started praying to whatever god there was out there.
Judai's pov
The phone went dead. My phone fell from my hand to the floor. My body went deeply numb as I could barely breath my lungs tight and gasping.
"Judai Yuki? We're very sorry to tell you this… your father has passed away… and your mother has collapsed. His complications were too great…"
I started screaming loudly even though nobody was around to hear me. Nothing went through my mind. All I felt was this horrible throbbing pain in my chest as I screamed. Tears gushed down my face as I dropped into the fetal position on the floor, just fallen out of my chair as my screaming consumed me. I must've hit Johan's number. But his voice couldn't reach me…
Johan's pov
My phone rang and I picked it up seeing it was Judai. "Ju-Chan…?" All I could hear was a loud scream. "AAAAHHH!"
"Ju-Chan!? Ju-Chan!?" My impulse didn't let me sit still as I'm at my brothers door banging on his door.
"JEHU! Judai's in pain!" My brothers door slammed open, he was only in his pants. "Get in the car now!" I don't say nothing as the both of us got in his SUV as my brother drove like a madman down the street, nearly speeding through all of the stop signs as he stopped in front of the brown house and white door.
"Judaaaaai!" I cried out as I ran to the door. I must've caught the attention of a neighbor from two doors down. But the voice is familiar. "Hey what's going on out there!? J-Johan?" It was Kenzan I remembered from the class earlier yesterday. He was wearing long camo pants and a yellow tank top. He was holding a trash bag from the distance as he opened his trash and threw it in.
"K-Kenzan! Judai's screaming on the phone… The hospital called him when he hung up on me. Do you have a key?" I looked at his door voice must've been full of concern and panic as the tanned male jogged over to me. Kenzan shook his head but thought for a moment. He points to the backyard waving me to follow him with Jehu following behind us.
"He always leaves a key under the back door mat." The closer to the house we got we could hear the muffled screaming of Judai as Kenzan went around the gate door and pulls up the green mat.
The back door was a screen door pretty solid but not something me or Jehu could've broken down had Kenzan not been outside. He unlocks the door for us as the three of us rush inside, Kenzan letting me and my brother take the lead as he locked the house back up, leaving the key on the kitchen counter as we ran through the living room. Up the stairs and to the open bedroom door, we get a shocking sight.
"Judai…" The sight of my brunette friend sobbing and screaming on the floor reminded me of how I looked when I found my parents. I walk quickly into the room and kneel next to him and brush his hair from his face, his sobs wracked his body so heavily he could barely react to my presence.
Jehu helped me lift Judai and place him into bed, Judai finally calming down enough to realize he wasn't on the cold floor anymore. "Ju-Chan.." My hand touched his cheek, his breath catching as he grips my hand. At the contact his hand was trembling heavily and his hand was freezing from the cold floor.
"J…Johan.." His brown eyes look up at me, they're red rimmed and still filled with tears as they fell down his face. I grip his hand in mine to warm them up as I kneel by his bed, pressing my forehead to his, my eyes closing. I held his one hand in both of mine as I could feel Jehu next to me pulling the blankets up over Judai.
My brother patted my shoulder as him and Kenzan left the room probably to go down to the kitchen and fix Judai a drink and something more easy for his stomach that Jehu's dumplings.
We're both silent as Judai eventually caught his breath, his nose sniffled and his tears almost dry. I stand briefly and drop his hand onto the bed for just a second but Judai clutches at me and doesn't let go. "Ju-chan…I need to get you some tissues to blow your nose okay..? I'm not leaving the room." I say this as I noticed a box of tissues on the bookcase in the corner of the bedroom by his closet.
I noticed that his bed, closer to the window, his computer desk and set up in the middle of the room and the tv at the opposite wall where his bed was. Judai relented as he let go, a sadden noise escapes him but I give him a kind smile as I walk over to his bookcase and get the box of tissues and fetch the small trash can from under his computer desk and return to his bed side.
I handed him two tissues as he half sits up and starts blowing his nose heavily, I grimaced at the sound of his snot filling the tissues as he crumpled them up and tossed it into the bin I put beside his bed.
Retaking his hand in mine, he laid back down on his bed, this time his head connecting with his pillow. My hand returns to his head as I stroke his soft two toned brown hair as Judai gazes up at me. His face was still red from all the crying and screaming he had done, I could tell it hurt to speak as of right now so I made sure he didn't talk.
"Ju-chan, its okay to sleep." I took note of the time, it was well after 9 pm. I was sure Jehu wasn't gonna leave me here alone, and Kenzan being a good friend of Judai's wasn't planning on returning home for the evening as well. Judai's still sadden eyes met mine as I could see them tryin to well up with tears as I wiped his eyes with my hand.
"No, no. No tears…" I shushed him gently as i could tell he was afraid of being alone. I may not know what that phone call he had with the hospital, but screw Covid to hell if i was gonna let this poor lonely brunette be stuck here by himself anymore.
Judai wordless opens his blanket and scoots backwards into the twin size bed his back against the window still. "Stay…with me.." I meet with his eyes again, his eyes pleading with me this time. I sigh removing my shoes and my jacket I had forgotten to take off earlier that day when I went out and laid it on Judai's computer chair.
I climbed into bed and laid beside him, since it was a twin there wasn't too much space as I had to wrap my arms around Judai since there wasn't much room between the two of us. I noticed Judai's face flushed red at the contact between us. I look away sheepishly.
My second thought was maybe he didn't want me to sleep facing him in the bed. As I start moving to turn over Judai gripped the front of my light blue shirt and pulled me closer to him as his arms went around my waist, while his hands were still fisted his face deep in my chest.
"D-don't move away.." His fists were trembling as the held my waist. I let out a deep sigh and gently pried his fist from my waist and stroked them gently before letting them go as he snaked them back around my waist.
My arms went behind his back as I pressed my face into his hair, taking a soft breath of his hair which smelt like an apple pie, must be the shampoo he uses or something. I stroke the back of his head gently as I felt him adjust himself against me, his legs against mine.
Somehow the soft brunette fell asleep like that after 5 minutes his grip loosen just a bit. I decided I wasn't going to go anywhere and just fell asleep next to Judai.
Jehu's pov
I went upstairs briefly to check on the two while the boy, I learned his name is Kenzan and that he's both a neighbor and Judai's friend, made a call to his mother and cousin. I peeked into the bedroom to see blue and brown hair on the bed and smiled lightly. My little brother found something meaningful here in Japan and he had barely been here a week.
I walked carefully down the stairs as I noticed Kenzan had returned to the couch from making a phone call on Judai's land line.
"My mother and cousin know I'm here. She said she regretted not running over here after she got the late call. Sadly the hospital didn't check that the Sarge's secondary guardian was my mother." That explained why he didn't know of Judai's condition. The fact that Judai accidentally redialed Johan's phone after he got off from the hospital was a pure blessing otherwise that boy would've need help himself.
"Should you go home?" I crossed my arms slightly. I could tell he was roughly 15 maybe 16 while Judai looked to be 17 of what I remembered of his face from the video call a few days ago. Kenzan shook his head and plopped his ass on the couch.
"My buddy is in pain. I ain't going nowhere unless my cousin comes and drags me home. Mother said she was gonna go to the hospital and check on Mrs. Yuki and see if the trauma of losing Mr. Yuki was the reason she collapsed." I nodded as I took a seat in an armchair and sigh slightly.
"Both are asleep now. That's a big relief in my eyes." I took a look around the house. It was a modern look. Pure and simple with flora curtains that covered the windows behind Kenzan and a tv off to the left of us. The kitchen was a decent size with a bar that closed off 1/3 of the entry way into the kitchen. The back door was screened with white blinders that covered it and the inside the house.
"How long have you known the Yuki's?" Kenzan looks a bit surprised by the sudden question but my curiosity got the better of me. Kenzan rubs the back of his head his bandana coming slightly loose with his hair sticking out.
"Hmmm since my first year of Duel academy. I had been a army boy my whole life and when I discovered duel monsters I had my mom transfer me into Duel academy. I was on the island when my mom said she decided she'd move closer, so she packed up and dragged my cousin who was already in his second year of Duel academy in the south and moved his ass up towards here and enrolled him as well." I shook my head in understanding. The two must've been friends for at least 2 years by now.
"For now lets get some rest and see the news tomorrow about his mother.." Kenzan nodded in return at my suggestion as the two of us even with nerves fell asleep.
(I didn't want to turn this into a multi chapter story but I didn't want a oneshot longer than 8,000 words and this one sort of broke 7,000 so imma split it up)