The First Time

"Well, well." Saka said.

Jui almost jumps when Saka places a hand on his shoulder. He thought he had gone away with his friend! He didn't expect him to be here.

"Looks like I've got some fresh meat."

Saka was smiling and Jui felt his cheeks go warm. Jui could almost melt in it. It didn't help that Saka was really attractive, even with his bad boy persona…he came off as a nice person. The tone he used was playful, not harmful.

Saka removed his hand from Jui's shoulder, leaning on the Strike machine. "So, do you want me to go easy on you, or hard?"

Jui began to blush. Easy…or hard? Is he flirting with me?!

"Um..."

Saka held his hand over his mouth, letting out a chuckle. It made Jui feel even more embarrassed! Did he read his mind?! Is he really that clueless?!

"What level do you want, silly. You have played before, right?"

Jui's face reddens even more…he felt like a complete idiot. Of course he was talking about the level of difficulty! Get it together Jui!

"Yes…sorry. Let's choose hard for the difficulty, you can pick the arena."

Saka grabs the joystick; a fire is lit in his eyes. "Alright, now you're talkin'!"

"Hey guys!! Sakai is back at it!" A boy yelled as a group of people began to form around Jui and Saka.

This was it! It's the moment of truth and Jui hoped that all of his time preparing would be enough for him to make a lasting impression.

Jui's felt the machine give way as Maichi leaned forcefully against it.

"We leave you alone for one minute and you're back at this?"

Another blonde-haired boy scoffs in Saka'a direction. "Come on man, I thought we were heading to Seok's to watch the game."

Saka turned to his friends, his head in his hand

"One more and we're out. Plus…"

Saka winked at me. "We owe him for being dick, don't you think?"

Jui was surprised. Owe me?! He remembers me?!

Maichi exhaled angrily.

Saka scratched the back of his head, as if he was embarrassed.

"I'm…no we're sorry about before. Maichi here gets a little riled up when he's hungry. "

"I do not!!" Maichi fumed.

Saka ignored him, but instead gave me a reassuring smile.

"Playing should be fun, so let's have a good time. Ok?"

With those words, Jui couldn't help but feel a calm glaze over his heart. Fun? That word was lost to him some time ago. Fun was the feeling he had when he played with his father, who gave him the same warm smile that lightened his heart.

"Ok!" Jui smiles.

Jui felt encouraged…almost as if Saka secretly told him that he accepted him. It was the first time that someone had stood up for him. It was the first time someone simply said it was ok to be who you are. There were no consequences, no broken hearts, and no false promises…just a light ahead in the darkness. And Jui was ready to break free.