45. The Boy

( THIRD PERSON POV )

Waking up the next day, Rei went for his usual run at his usual time. Sora didn't accompany him as he was busy sleeping and would do it later. The cool breeze outside gave Rei a refreshing feeling. Rei continued to jog on his usual route, did some exercise, and was on his way back.

He was coming back he crossed a park nearby and casually looked into it. He saw a boy sitting on the bench inside the park with a glove in his hand. Rei was confused about why a kid is out so early in the morning with a glove in his hand sitting in the park all alone.

Rei went near him and kept a hand on the boy's shoulder. The boy raised his head and saw Rei standing in front of him with a smile on his face.

Rei crouched down and asked the kid, "What happened, boy? Why are you alone in the park early in the morning?"

The boy continued to look at Rei and opened his mouth to answer only after some time, "I wanted to play Onii-san." the kid showed the glove and ball in his hand.

Seeing them, Rei looked around to see anyone and asked, "Then why are you all alone? Where are your friends?"

The boy went gloomy hearing Rei and mumbled, "There is no one Onii-san. I'm all alone"

Rei just smiled and suggested to him, "Then go home if there is no one. It's not safe to be out so early."

The boy shook his head and replied, "No Onii-San I'll go home after I play."

Rei didn't know what to do, "Then what are you going to do?"

The boy looked straight into Rei and said with a smile, "As you are here I will play with you Onii-san."

Rei was bewildered hearing him. The boy wanted to play with him and Rei didn't know how to answer the boy as he stopped playing baseball, even if it's a simple game of catch and ball. Seeing the boy's gaze filled with enthusiasm and expectation, Rei didn't know what to answer him.

Taking a deep breath Rei told him, "Sorry boy, I don't play."

The boy stood up and said, "Please Onii-san, Please play with me this one time for me." Seeing the boy's eyes, Rei couldn't deny and nodded.

Seeing Rei nod, the boy ran towards the distance. The boy waved to show he was ready. Rei was still hesitating and waved back slowly. The boy slowly threw the ball, and Rei caught it. Rei was still hesitating whether to throw it back. He looked at the ball in his hands and tried one last time. He winded the ball and got ready to throw it back.

He felt his vision blur as it always does, and the panic took over. He released the ball and crouched down in fear. He held his head in his hands and shook. He looked up and saw Tensei staring at him right in front of him.

Tensei's hand reached for Rei and seeing it Rei felt scared and crouched even further to escape it. Tensei's hand touched Rei's head and patted it. A comfortable feeling took over for Rei and he looked up to see his father.

Rei saw Tensei's lips moving trying to talk but Rei could hear what he was talking. Rei wanted to ask him, but Tensei disappeared into particles and he was no more before him. He saw the kid before him with a worried look on his face.

Rei tried to stand up, staggered a bit, but stood up. He looked at the kid and told him, "I'm going home now. You also go home now." and walked away.

The whole way back home Rei was continuously thinking about what happened. This time he tried to play, he got the same sensation originally, but he did not feel the same pain in his chest like he always feels.

Every time it happens Rei only sees Tensei far away with an expressionless face. But today he was near him and touched him. Tensei tried to talk to him, but he couldn't hear him. Before Rei asked Tensei he vanished. Rei felt the heart he always closed when it came to baseball now opened a little.

Rei couldn't understand why this happened to him. Rei continued to think the same thing the entire way back home and couldn't come up with an answer. He reached home and went towards his room.

Narumi seeing Rei come back, "Rei you are back." but got no response in return. Rei continued to walk towards his room. Seeing something bothering Rei, Narumi didn't ask him.

Rei went to his room, took a towel, and went to bathe. Rei got inside the tub full of water and looked towards the ceiling. He wondered, 'Why did this happen today when I tried to play with the kid. I saw Otou-san and felt like how I always feel, but the fear vanished when he touched me and patted. He was trying to say something to me, but I couldn't hear it. Will this happen again? I should visit Dr. Tenma early this month and ask him.' deciding what to do, Rei continued to bathe.

Getting out of the bath with fresh clothes on, Rei went towards his room. Rei sat on his bed and took one of the photo frames was beside his bed and looked at it. Seeing Tensei's smiling face he asked himself, 'What were you trying to say to Otou-san.'

The door opened and Sora came inside. Rei kept the frame to the side and looked at Sora. Sora said, "Come for breakfast." and left the room.

Rei stood up and went towards the dining room. Sitting in his chair, they all ate breakfast. After completing his breakfast Rei looked at Narumi and said, "Oba-san, can we go to the doctor today."