Chapter 7: The Anxiety

A fortnight has passed, yet there was no presence of Yuki anywhere Ryohei could see. He suddenly began to wonder if Yuki disliked befriending him, hence the blind never attempted on appearing. The workers of Niji Bookstore never asked about Yuki either, perhaps because they never got to contact directly to him. Or it might be caused by the rumour spread around the neighbourhood.

A long sigh escaped from Ryohei. He has always endured a kind of unsatisfied emotion whelming from within. He longed to see Yuki in his grasp. He yearned to see Yuki all smiles and laughs. He missed Yuki's unique scent. Only Yuki possessed it though.

Eventually, he regretted for not putting enough effort in their friendship. He should be the one initiated in exchanging phone numbers or emails among them. Yuki might feel embarrassed if he began it first.

"You seem gloomy, pal," The colleague clung his arm around Ryohei's shoulders. "What happened? You broke up with your girlfriend?"

"I don't even have one to get broken hearted," Ryohei giggled at the colleague. This colleague of his loved skin contact very much. "I just remembered something."

The colleague tilted his head on one side, wondering. "Something bothered you? Or actually, you are reminded of someone?"

Ryohei blinked thrice before confirming, "You sure know me well."

"I'm glad these four years of our introduction is fruitful," the colleague began to brag, "Say, who is she?"

"One thing for certain. It's not a she."

"Don't tell me you... are homo?"

"I'm still into girls though," Ryohei fanned his flushed face. Discussing about a rare topic made him shy. "I remembered the blind man last time."

From acting all giddy and clingy, the colleague ceased and distanced himself from Ryohei. Ryohei was puzzled of his behaviour.

"Were you, by any chance, witched by that blind man?" The colleague asked in monotone, "I wonder why, but I think you seem happier ever since you knew him. Only today I could sense the sadness in you, believably because that blind man has not appeared around here for weeks."

Ryohei lowered his gaze. The books in his hands were put back into the shelves. He felt devastated just by imagining what would happen to Yuki during his absence. The urge to visit him at home emerged, and he has already constructed his plan in his head.

"Ryohei, Ryohei," the colleague called while he was busy daydreaming. "I must say you don't have to feel down."

Hearing that, Ryohei could feel his tears welled up. "I don't think I could remove him from my mind just like that. I don't know what happened to him. I wonder if he eats well. Despite his independence, I still get worried of him."

"You definitely think too much, Ryohei," the colleague patted his shoulder, understanding his sorrow, "He is doing good over there. I know it."

"How do you figure it out? I don't think you know where he lives," Ryohei pouted and scowled. His disappointment was unbearably unbounded, never did he know why.

"If he wasn't, he wouldn't stand right behind you."

In split second, Ryohei turned to the mentioned direction to witness the chuckling Yuki. Yuki's eye smile was cute, causing Ryohei to blush even more. Although Yuki could not see him, Ryohei was not the type to lie, hence whatever he tried to deceive, it would be detectable just by anyone.

"Am I that precious to you?" Yuki ceased from laughing. Only then he released his bells attached on the holder of his white cane.

Ryohei ogled at Yuki for enclosing his coming by grasping the bells so that they would not chime against each other. Yuki wiped his surfacing tears at the eye tips and calm his breath down. Ryohei's colleague frowned at Ryohei's childishness.

"Do your best, okay?" The colleague bumped his fist at Ryohei's forearm, lending him some sort of spirit.

Yuki did not understand what the colleague meant by that, but he did not have the opportunity to inquire as the colleague has already sped to somewhere else. Ryohei pursed his lips - he was already nervous being alone with Yuki, whereas Yuki would not harm him.

Even the customers were not available around them. There were only Ryohei and Yuki in the Literature section. Deep inside, Ryohei did wonder how Yuki found him there. Ryohei did not really have special trait as he did - sweet scent, distinct voice, or glowing aura. Ryohei was indeed a normal young adult who worked as a full timer in Niji Bookstore - nothing more than that.

"How do you... find me here?" Ryohei asked in stutter. He refused to look into Yuki's eyes even though the latter was basically not seeing him.

"I don't exactly find you. I just arrived here, and was looking for staffs to ask something, but I failed to meet one. Until I heard you guys talking, and surprisingly you guys were talking about me," Yuki never put his grin away, "So I decided to sneak into the section quietly."

"Yes, I must say you have succeeded," Ryohei slightly adored Yuki's cheerfulness that day.

Yuki seemed much happier than their first day of meeting coincidentally. Ryohei wanted to ask about the reason of his cheekiness, however there was one unsettled topic which was much more important than that.

"So, where have you been?" Ryohei initiated despite massive contemplation.

Yuki was looking directly at the anxious Ryohei. He then curved a wide beam, "I was working straight without off day for two weeks. Today, I finally got out, getting some fresh air."

There was a part of Ryohei that crushed when Yuki mentioned about working - his work. Since Ryohei was fully aware what he did for living, he was upset that it was the only job Yuki could position himself. He believed there was other job suited Yuki, but he did not know how to encourage Yuki to leave his current job.

"H- How was your work? Did you manage to satisfy the customers' need?"

The question was entirely too... outspoken. Ryohei regretted his lack of conscience. It might be a very sensitive issue to Yuki. However, Yuki's reaction loosened the tense. He nodded vigorously, proud that he could work well for previous days.

"Yuki-kun," Ryohei gulped before proceeding, "Would you job hunt with me?"