Chapter 4

I haven't seen Kei for days even though we lived in the same house. He was usually out early and came home really late. Sometimes he even spent the night at one of his friend's house. I was starting to think that he was avoiding me.

Almost one week after my arrival, Mr Ichihara was finally coming back from his trip. Amanda wanted to make a big dinner for the family and I helped a little bit. When I say I helped I mean peeled onions, cut veggies, and washed rice.

Mrs Ichihara was singing all day. I could tell, just by looking at her face, how excited she was that her husband was coming home. At some point she took the phone and called Kei.

"Dinner's at seven Kei, I want you home before that... He will be here at six I believe... Ok." She hung up and smiled at me.

Jiro wasn't home because he had practice. He had promised to take me with him the following week, so I was looking forward to it. Jiro had already taken me around the neighborhood, parks close by, the famous Shibuya, and to a few temples around the city. His mom had talked to him earlier to tell him about dinner too.

Mr Ichihara's face brightened as he stepped in the house. After taking his wife in his arms for a long hug, he turned to me and smiled.

"I finally get to see you Samantha." He gave me a hug and patted me on the back. Then, he hugged Jiro.

We all walked to the living room and sat together.

"Kenji, do you want to take a bath first or eat first?" Amanda asked.

"I'll take a quick shower."

"Ok, then go ahead. Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes." He gave her a grateful smile and went upstairs.

Kei got home about ten minutes after his dad. His mom glared at him when he greeted her. Then, he also went upstairs. Jiro and I were the only ones left in the living room after his mom hurried to the kitchen to get everything ready.

"How was practice?" I broke the silence.

"It was alright. There is a competition in six weeks so it's getting a little crazy."

"Oh I can't wait to watch you. What day are you taking me?"

"How about Wednesday?" He tilted his head to the side.

"Well, it's not like I have anything scheduled." We both laughed.

Kei and his dad entered the room.

"What's so funny kids?" Mr Ichihara had a curious look on his face.

"Jiro is taking me to watch his practice next week."

"Oh, that's nice." He smiled. I could swear I saw Kei's lips twitch though.

"Come on guys! Dinner is ready. Help me take plates to the table."

We all helped setting the table. Kei didn't say a word to me. He sat across the table from me and Jiro next to me. Those were their usual seats. Dinner went by as the parents talked about the new theater Kenji bought in Osaka.

I spent dinner eyeing my old friend. Studying his black hair and wondering whether it had changed naturally or he had died it himself. He used to have such beautiful brown hair. Suddenly, Kei looked up and our eyes met. I felt heat slowly flushing my face. I couldn't look away from his emerald eyes. 'So, he had on black contact lenses that whole time.'

Kei looked back down to his plate without uttering a word. And I could finally breathe again.

The food was delicious. We even had cheesecake for dessert. Even though I was full, I took a small piece.

After dinner, Kei, Jiro, and I cleared the table. That was when I noticed that Kei limped a little on his left leg. It wasn't that bad but it was pretty obvious. I thought he might have hurt his leg.

"Good night kids!" The parents shouted breaking my trail of thought.

"Good night." I replied.

I looked around and Kei had already disappeared leaving the dishes to Jiro and me.

"So I'll rinse and you put the dishes in the dishwasher?" I nodded with a smile.

I bit my lower lip for a while before deciding to ask Jiro.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Shoot." Jiro replied as he continued rinsing the plates and passing them to me.

"Why does Kei limp?" His hand stopped midair as he was handing me a plate. He turned the water off and faced me. A hint of pain crossed his face.

"It was from the accident." How was that possible? It has been years, now. Has he been limping ever since he had the accident? My mind was twirling with endless questions.

"How?" Was the only word I could utter.

"It was a really bad accident, Sam. Kei was lucky he survived. He had a lot of injuries that took a long time to heal. But his leg was the worse. His femur bone was shattered, he had to have surgery immediately to fix it."

I felt my fingers squeeze the plate I still had in my hand.

"Unfortunately," Jiro continued, "after it healed, the doctors have noticed that there was a length discrepancy in the bone. The left leg became shorter than the other one."

"So, does that mean he will limp forever?" Jiro's lips tightened.

"He... He has to use a cane to walk." My eyes widen. "That's why he had to stop Kabuki."

My heart was beating so fast. I could only imagine all the pain he had to go through. Physically and emotionally. A ball formed in the back of my throat threatening that tears will follow.

We stood there for a moment. I think Jiro saw how upset I was because he wore the warmest smile.

"I'll finish up. You can go." I only nodded and put down the plate I was holding.

I hurried upstairs because I knew my tears were ready to let loose. I wiped the first few but soon they were out of hand.

My feet froze when Kei came out of the bathroom. It looked like he had just taken a shower. He stood in front of me, surprised. I stared at him with my unstoppable tears gushing out of my eyes. He frowned. My body moved on its own and, suddenly, I found my arms around Kei's neck and my face buried in it.

I only snapped out of it about a minute later. I realized what I was doing. The smell of soap or shower gel hit my nostrils. I found my right hand in his wet hair. His shirt was wet from my tears. I felt my face heat at the situation. Kei did not wrap his arms around me. He just stood there with his whole body was stiff and uncomfortable.

"Are you done?" He asked with an ice cold voice. I let go immediately.

"I'm so-"

"Well." He interrupted. "I didn't think that that innocent girl could become a luring horny woman." A smirk was drawn on his face. My face turned crimson "Do you want to take this to my room?" Again, my right hand moved on its own and I heard it slap Kei which, from the look on his face, wasn't what he expected.

"What is wrong with you." I looked at him straight in the eyes. I was hurt. My anger was getting to dangerous levels and a lot of emotions rushed to my chest. So, I decided to take my leave before saying the wrong thing. I took a step past Kei but he yanked me by my wrist until our bodies were stuck to each other again. I gasped from surprise and pain. His eyes were shooting darts of anger at me. I am not going to lie, I was terrified.

"You caught me off guard Samantha, that won't happen again." And he released me with such power I almost lost balance. I hated that he called me Samantha. He disappeared to his room. I rubbed my wrist with the mark of his hand still drawn on it. 'I hope it's not going to bruise.'

I tossed in bed for hours that night. I tried to understand why he was so cold to me. I have never done anything to him. I tried to be there for him when he was going through stuff but he shut me down big time. Was our friendship over? I loved him for God's sake. It would kill me if I couldn't see him ever again.

I thought of all those sleepless nights trying to study algebra to get the best grade, and the struggles to learn Japanese. If only he knew what I had to go through to be here with him. I finally exhausted my mind with all the thinking and fell asleep.

I woke up the next morning to some arguing downstairs. I couldn't decode what was being said or even who was speaking to Amanda. Then I heard the front door slam.

I stretched in bed. It was eleven forty. I couldn't believe how late I slept. I was ready to get up when my door flew open. I jumped letting out a scream.

"How long are you going to sleep for?"

"What the hell Kei? You can't just come in without even knocking!" I was furious. I remembered that I wasn't even wearing a bra under my white t-shirt. I blushed and instantly pulled the covers over me. "Get out!" I screamed louder.

"My mom wants me to take you out since we're best friends and shit."

"Best friends and shit?" I repeated.

"Come on, get up. I'll take you out."

"I don't want to go anywhere with you." He stared blankly at me ignoring my comment.

"I will give you ten minutes to get ready, if not I will strip you myself and help you change." Not giving me a chance to respond, he slammed the door behind him.

I couldn't believe what had just happened. I thought of locking my door and staying in, but he's too crazy he might take the door down just to get to me.

'Was he arguing with his mom about me?' I shook the thought and stood. I locked my door in case he thought of barging in again, then, I chose an outfit that would go with the beautiful spring weather. I chose jean shorts and a flowery shirt that my mom had sneaked into my luggage without me knowing. I thought it wasn't that girly to wear that day. After that, I head to the bathroom to wash up.

I got out of the bathroom and found myself facing Kei.

"Oh, right under ten minutes. Good girl." I rolled my eyes at him. His lips curled upward. "Still, no makeup I see."

"How does that concern you?"

"Well, I am going to be seen with you." I glanced at him.

"Then, maybe we shouldn't be seen together." He grinned.

"Come on let's go big shot." I didn't say anything.

We put on our shoes at the entrance and, for the first time, I saw him take a cane in his left hand and use it to walk. My heart clenched and I frowned at the sight of a healthy young man using a cane. I didn't want to be caught staring so I looked away.

We silently made our way to the train station. He got me a ticket since he had a card himself and we made our way to the platform. The train came in less than three minutes. Still no words uttered by either one of us. I finally decided to say something, thinking of an obvious question.

"Where are you taking me?" He took his time to answer.

"Shibuya."

"But I have already been there. Jiro took me there a few days ago." His lips pressed in a thin line.

"Well, I bet Jiro didn't take you to the place I am going to take you to." His comment hushed me. And we were back to an awkward silence.

We arrived at our destination. Like the last time with Jiro, the place was crowded with different kinds of people.

"Stay close." Kei ordered me.

We walked for a while before Kei stopped in front a café. We entered and my jaw dropped at how beautiful the place was. I could swear it was out of a Louis XIV palace or something. Waiters were wearing eighteenth century costumes. It was amazing. The host welcomed us and guided us to a table for two.

I couldn't help but look around in awe. We were seated and I could see a look of triumph on Kei's face. It made me giggle. He looked like a kid who just won a bet. I ignored the eyebrow he pushed up and let the cello music sooth my mood. For a second my heart skipped a beat imagining that I was on a date with the guy I've been in love with for years. But when I opened my eyes to Kei's glare, all beauty of the thought sadly disappeared.

"Do you want some breakfast, you haven't eaten yet."

"What are you having?"

"I think I'm just going to have some ice tea." I looked at the menu I had in front of me.

"Maybe I'll have an orange juice with some pastries." Kei ordered immediately. I was impressed to see how he played the role of the man in charge perfectly. It made my heart beat a little faster.

I looked at Kei's eyes covered with black lenses. The question has been eating me this whole time. I decided to just ask.

"Kei, did you argue with your mom because of me?" He started laughing taking me by surprise.

"Did you hear it?"

"I just heard voices." He was silent for a moment.

"Yes, I told her I didn't want to take you around. She threatened me and said that we were supposed to be best friends."

The waiter brought my food and I found the best excuse to avert Kei's gaze. He didn't want to have anything to do with me, that was obvious. I sighed and took a sip of my juice. The pastries did not look appealing anymore.

I could feel my childhood friend staring at me but I didn't dare look up.

"Are you done?" He sounded impatient and annoyed, I didn't understand why.

"Yeah."

He got up at once and expected me to follow him, which I did. He paid for both of us.

"You don't have to pay for me, Kei."

"It's my mom's money, so don't worry." I swallowed. Have I done something wrong?

He walked faster now and I struggled to keep up with him. We were at it for twenty minutes. My feet hurt like crazy, I even thought I felt a blister or two, but I wasn't going to say anything.

We arrived at a more crowded area. It was an alley with stores from both sides and people wearing different costumes. It was so beautiful so different from anything I had ever seen. I looked around to find the back that was in front of me only seconds ago, but Kei wasn't there.

"Kei?" I called

He was wearing a brown shirt. I looked everywhere for a brown shirt, but nothing.

"Kei!" I called again my panic rising. My knees almost gave in to my sudden realization.

'Did he leave me behind on purpose?'