Always with you
Aslan Lynx, a clever and thin-faced boy, was concentrating on reading a book at the National Library in New York. As usual, he was reading a Hemingway play again, the one he had grown up with when he was training with Blanca. Suddenly, a young boy with Asian features, dressed in grunge clothes and bright colors, looked up at Ash, who was sitting near one of the windows of the library.
-So Eiji was right, here you are...
Ash looks away from the book and notices the boy in front of him. -Sing Soo-Ling... -What are you doing here?
-I'm asking you the same thing, Ash,"- said the boy, as he looked at him with disapproval. -Come on, let's go outside. There is something I must give you.
Both boys quietly left the library, Ash was puzzled by Sing's sudden visit, as it had been a while since the traumatic fight against Foxx and Golzine's sudden death, as well as the loss of evidence of the Banana Fish.
I don't understand what you're trying to give me, is it to do with the evidence? - thought Ash.
-Well, while we're at it, take this," said Sing as he took out an envelope from his pocket. -Eiji sent it to you.
Ash quietly proceeded to take the envelope and looked at it nervously. His heart was pounding and his whole body was shaking. Not long ago he had talked about Eiji with Blanca in Central Park, expressing his great affection for him and the great need he felt to get away from him to avoid further danger. Several images paraded on the head of the emerald-eyed blond, starting with Lao shooting his friend.
- What's wrong with you, Ash? Sing interrupts. -I'm not sure if you know, but Eiji's leaving for Japan today. -Don't you think you should atleast say goodbye to him?
-No.
- You're a fool! Your flight leaves in twenty minutes; it doesn't take you long to say goodbye," he paused angrily. -You love each other, don't you?
He nods.
- I don't get you, Ash; you beat up an entire mob, you fought against officials and politicians, you were a leader of many gangs, and you're probably the most handsome and perfect guy there is, - takes a breath, - so why do you hesitate to go and say goodbye to your friend?
Ash is unresponsive and he's looking at the envelope.
-Do what you want, I'm going... -Sing says goodbye abruptly and heads for the airport.
On a brave impulse, Aslan opens the envelope and, at first glance, finds himself with a plane ticket to Japan, the journey that would mean leaving his past behind and starting a new life with his friend, the one who stood and never showed any fear of him. - Eiji... - smiles and blushes. - Fuck! Why are you making me do this?
Not seeing what else was inside the envelope, Ash immediately set off for Sing, who was a short distance away.
-Sing! -He's panting. -What's the shortest way to the airport?
-For god sake! When did you show up? He stops momentarily and then smiles contentedly. -Come, follow me!
(AT THE AIRPORT)
Eiji Okumura, still recovering from his injury, is waiting at the airport in his wheelchair. Around him are Max Lobo, Jessica Randy, Charlie Dickinson and Shunichi Ibe.
Ash, you didn't come... are you going to be okay? -Eiji thinks.
Please take care of yourself, son, I want to see you strong in Japan," exclaimed Max as he handed him a bouquet of flowers.
Of course he's going to take care of himself, right, Eiji? - Jessica interrupts.
Yes, - he laughs a little.
Are you not coming because you think it's better for me... Ash?
I think it's good time to go, Eiji," said Ibe as he checked his watch. -I see some passengers from our flight heading for the plane.
Don't let me...
-Yes,- he nods,-I think...
-EIJI!-interrupts a powerful voice that resonates over the bustle of the airport.
They all turn in disconcertment to the place where that deafening scream came from. There was Ash, struggling with the tide of people. He was sweaty, panting, possibly smelly, but fucking handsome as always.
-But it's...! says Max.
-ASH!- interrupts Eiji, who is exalted.
-EIJI!
-ASH!- he jumps up and extends his arms in a hug.
The blond kid successfully cuts through the crowd (not to mention that he basically tackled half the airport) and comes to aid his friend, who welcomes him with open arms and all the love in the world. Both take time to enjoy the warmth of the moment, feeling the exalted beat of their hearts and the touch of their body heat. Intoxicated by the sentimentality, they slowly separate until they exchange candid glances. At the same time, Eiji holds both of Ash's pale hands and he intertwines them with his own.
-I knew you'd come... - Eiji smiles.
-You know me well," he replies.
-Very nice and all, but, the flight leaves in about two minutes, - interrupts Max
-I'd forgotten, -Eiji laughs.
- Ah, that's right, - he blushes. -Well, let's go," says Ash, pushing the wheelchair.
- Wait! Where do you think you're going? - Ibe asks hysterically .
-With you guys, or did you think I was kidnapping Eiji?
Eiji turns to him as if to say, "bruh, don't talk about kidnapping with me."
- Where's your ticket and passport?
-Here, - he shows them.
- What about your clothes?
- Eiji can lend me some.
- Huh? Eiji spits. - Ah, yes! I'll lend some to you.
-Problem solved, -smiles victoriously. -It's time to go.
Max and Jessica say goodbye at the point of tears to both young people and Ibe. Charlie exchanges a few quick words with Ash and wishes them luck on their journey. Later, the boys get on the plane and, in the distance, through the window of the plane, Ash can see his gang friends peeking out of the waiting room: they were Bones, Kong and Sing.
All three are from different races, origins and backgrounds, but all of them have a dream to achieve,-thought the blonde guy.
-Dear passengers, please fasten your seat belt. We are about to take off, - says the spokesman of the plane.
Eiji , obediently, proceeded to putting on his belt, until he noticed the notorious nervousness of his friend, who looked at the seat in horror and squeezed his soul with his belt. -Ash, are you all right? he asked.
-Me? Yes, of course, -smiles nervously.
-Don't tell me it's another one of your irrational fears, - he laughs while remembering Ash's phobia of pumpkins. -You're bad at lying.
-Hey! he exclaims. -It's just... -It's my first time on a plane.
The plane begins to move abruptly and Ash grabs the seat tightly.
-Pumpkins and airplanes! you're such a weird specimen!- Eiji laughs.
-I remind you that it was YOU who made a big fuss out of finding a rat in a drawer,"- he grumbles.
-Touché," -he laughs-, "but at least I didn't get scared by my own reflection.
As the plane begins to make its first attempts at take-off, Ash ends up instinctively clinging to Eiji's left arm, who looks at him tenderly and slips his hand over his to reassure him. -It's okay Ash, you're safe with me, - pause. -Let me be the one to take care of you now.
- Are you serious?- he asks blushing.
- Yeah, plus... - he smiles, - we conveniently have the parachute in front of us.
- Sometimes, I hate you,"- he grins.
The plane gave a final push that resulted in a flawless take-off, reaching the sunny skies soon after. You could see the many clouds on the horizon painted in different shades of pink, orange and red. Ash stared in awe through the tiny window, wondering how there was so much beauty hidden in the heights of the sky. In fact, Ash didn't even know such natural beauty existed, until he saw Eiji jump that time.
-Is this what it felt like when you were high jumping?
-Not exactly, but it was a similar feeling,"- he smiles,- "like freedom.
Freedom..." he says thoughtfully.
Ash, you're free, - Eiji gives a serious look. -There are no more ties or people to keep you from being so, -she smiles at him and takes his hand.
Ash blushes and looks at his hands very carefully, they were cut and scarred with a lot of history behind them.
Maybe your life didn't start off well, but now you are free to feel, do and experience what you want. And I don't know how you feel about it, but now that we are together, I want to make sure you are happy, - he pauses and smiles back. -I want you to see more beautiful skies like this, and I want you to wake up knowing that you are never alone. That you have me, - he stops when he looks at the perplexed face of his friend, who had crystal clear tears forming in his emerald eyes.
-E-Eiji...-responds with a choppy voice
-Sorry, I didn't mean to...
Ash proceeds to hug him with all his strength, leaving some tears to run discreetly down his partner's shoulder. Eiji hugs him back and runs his right hand through Ash's silky golden hair. He then proceeds to separate from him and gently runs his finger over one of the tears on his friend's red face.
-Too bad you have to see me like this! -exclaimed Ash, covering his face.
-It's okay, Ash. Sometimes we need to let go, - he stops to contemplate at his friend. -Besides, you're the sweetest tomato there is.
-Jeez, Eiji!- He laughs.
During the trip, both boys spent time discussing the places they would visit and the restaurants they would try. Eiji, an expert on the subject, had the places mapped out, and he knew exactly what dishes Ash would love.
-I hope they don't taste like your raw breakfast dishes... -Río Ash.
-You can't eat hamburgers all the time, Ash - he raises his eyebrow in defiance.
After hours of discussion, Eiji fell asleep on Ash's shoulder, who later on proceeded to cover him with his jacket. Suddenly, he remembered that he had not seen everything inside the envelope, so he took it out of his pocket and read the letter in it.
The letter said the following:
I always wanted to protect you. Funny, isn't it? But what did I want to protect you from?
I think I wanted to protect you from your future, because your destiny was washing you away like a flood. Remember you told me about the leopard in that Hemingway book? The one you said died at the top of the mountain and would never come back down. But I told you you're not that leopard and you can change your future. It's true, Ash. You can change your destiny. You're not alone. I'm with you.
My soul is always with you.
Sayonara America
Sayonara New York,
But I'm not saying "sayonara" to you... Ash, because this isn't a goodbye.
I know we'll see each other someday. You're my best friend, Ash.
-Eiji
Ash held the paper against his chest, accompanied by a warm and comforting feeling in his heart. He could not describe the happiness he felt at that moment, sitting next to the person he saw in him more than a reckless being; but a best friend and a life companion. With a gesture of affection, Ash rests his head on Eiji's and closes his eyes serenely.
-I love you, Eiji, - he whispers. -Like you have no idea.
- I love you too,"- the sleepy boy replies.
- You were awake?!- he exclaims in bewilderment.
- I'm asleep, not deaf," -he laughs.
(IN JAPAN)
The three passengers arrive in the afternoon in Tokyo, Japan. Ibe says goodbye and takes off to his office; meanwhile, the two young men head for Eiji's apartment. As the days passed, both boys spent their time visiting every temple and shrine one could imagine. Among these were the Sensoji Temple, the Kotokuin Temple, and the Kiyomizu Temple. Eiji also took Ash for a walk in Kyoto, where cherry trees flourish and the Fushimi Momoyama Castle is located. Not to mention the food, Ash fell completely in love with Ramen.
-It's even got meat on it, -he laughs
-Don't be like that. You liked all the dishes, or was I... - he stops. -Ash! -Don't eat my food!
Ash laughs -I misjudged Japanese food, it's delicious.
- I know, right?- Eiji responds while defending his yakimeshi from Ash's clutches.
-You're the one who's a bad cook.
- Wait, what did you say to me, you little bastard?- He looks at him with gun eyes. -My cooking is wholesome and fine, befitting the finest palate. If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be like this.
- What are you implying? - he raises an eyebrow.
- That... Ehm... - Eiji pauses and looks at him nervously. -You wouldn't be so... - He shifts his eyes to Ash's strong abdomen- FIT…
Ash laughs uncontrollably.
-Eiji, have you considered being a nutritionist?, - Ash asks while trying to catch his breath.
-But I'm serious.
When both boys finished eating, they went to buy some things at nearby stores.
-It's like the fifth stuffed animal you've bought, Eiji, -Claims Ash.
- Shhh! My Totoro teddy is one of the sweetest things there is,'- he says as he hugs it.
- Are you sure you're not one of them? Ash covers his mouth immediately and blushes. Are you an idiot? - he thinks.
- No, but I'm sure you are, - he smiles.
How can you say that without blushing, you bastard? -Ash thinks as he blushes.
Don't blush, don't blush, stay calm- Eiji tells himself while trying to hold his nerve.
Do you want to go to the National Observatory, Ash?
Yes. I think that would be best.
Ash and Eiji end their day at the Tokyo observatory, both fascinated by the round building and the astronomical materials. Eiji looked sideways at his friend, who, like an intellectual, read the functions and history behind each telescope; he even discussed its origins with the girl on the tour. As a result, Eiji saw himself blushing. Eiji, calm down, the boy thinks. He just looks so happy.
-Eiji... Earth calling Eiji, -says Ash trying to get his friend out of the trance he was in.
- Huh? Ah, sorry.
- Let's take a picture next to this telescope," says the blond guy.
-Sure, yes.
Ash turns sideways and focuses his gaze on two western girls, who were arguing about the Big Bang. One was a young blonde girl with green eyes, wearing a hippie outfit and blue glasses. The other was a girl with brown and Chinese hair, dressed in shorts and a sports shirt.
-I told you, Pamela, it's just a theory, -says the blonde girl.
- Exactly!- she responds.
- Exactly!
-So, what are we arguing about?
- I don't know," - she laughs.
Ash approaches them cautiously, trying not to interrupt that odd and very uncomfortable conversation.
-Oh, hi. -Can we help you?- the brunette asks.
-Ah, yes. -Could you take a picture of us?
- Of course!- Both girls answer.
- Thank you! Take my phone. -he hands it over
- Have you noticed how handsome they are?- asks the blonde girl to Pamela
-I thought the same thing, !- she answers while taking the picture.
-I'll take the blond one, -she laughs.
- Shush! We'll see about that.
- Thank you, girls!- said both Eiji and Ash
- No problem.
Eiji and Ash go to observe other artifacts in the building, both discussing their history. Eiji feels Ash's hand rubbing against him and blushes a lot; he didn't know what was happening to him, how could he have such feelings?
(Lost On You LP song plays)
- You know, Eiji. I read your letter, - he stops.
- Is that so?
- Yes, - he says. -And I want you to know that I've never been happier in my life than I am right now.
- Really? He smiles happily. -There are still many things to do that will make you feel much better. We could go to the Meiji Jinju Shrine, or when I have more money, we could go to Paris. In fact, I think we could...
- Eiji, -stop. -It's true that the places you've shown me are magnificent, but they are so because you're with me,"- he sets his gaze on the other boy's lips. -I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...
Eiji places both hands on Ash's shoulders and proceeds to kiss him gently. Ash, surprised, holds him by the waist and sticks to him, pushing his lips further against the other boy's.
-My soul will always be with you, Ash, - he pauses. -Even if times are hard.
- And mine with yours," Ash replies, while proceeding to give the other boy a soft kiss on the forehead.