CHAPTER 3 REUNION

"Geez! This rain is blocking my view. I cannot see!" Ryu cursed.

A wet Saturday in Yokohama. Ryu, drove slowly and carefully. Outside it was raining heavily. He had already turned the car around twice, but had yet to find the place he was looking for. He turned his gaze out looking left and right once more. He looked for a cafe with the name "Me, Chocolate and Coffee" he had an appointment with some old friends there this afternoon. To hangout.

He continued down the street in his car, until he finally found the place at the end of the road on the left. He looked for a place to park and luckily he found it in the area near the Cafe.

Before he left, he tucked his scarf around his neck. It was very cold today. Ryu tied half of his hair up and formed a bun. The rest, he let it fell apart on his shoulder. He tightened his coat to avoid the cold. From the back seat, he grabbed an umbrella and got out of the car, walking towards the cafe.

When he opened the cafe door, he was greeted with a song.

"Cause you are the piece of me I wish I didn't need

Chasing relentlessly, still fight and I don't know why

If our love is tragedy, why are you my remedy?

If our love's insanity, why are you my clarity?"

Ryu laughed, "What the hell is this?" he thought. He didn't expect to be greeted by a song with such lyrics.

His eyes scanned the entire cafe area.

Several pairs of female eyes were watching him, stunned and amazed but he paid no heed. He never cared what was he look like.

This cafe was so cozy, all dominated by brown color and wooden furniture. This really fit the name of the cafe.

The smell of coffee and chocolate was so tempting. So fragrant and accidentally reminded him to the house of someone who loved chocolate and coffee very much.

Suddenly someone waved his hand from the corner of the room to the left, "Ryu!!"

Ryu soon found his friends there. Haru, Sano and Take sat there. In a smoking area.

"Hi. How are you?" asked one of his friend. He was Take.

"I'm fine.." Ryu shook their hands one by one.

"Long time no see! " Ryu said.

They were his friends from college. Good friends. Ryu rarely met them after his divorce from Narumi.

"I'm sorry, bro. We're sorry about your divorce." Haru said with a grimace. In his heart he couldn't bear to hear Ryu's divorce from Narumi.

They nodded their heads in unison. Seemed like they had their empathy to him. They regretted  that this happened. But Ryu calmed them down.

" It doesn't matter. Everyone's lifeline is predetermined but sometimes we can't see it, right? " Ryu smiled.

He wasn't comforting himself or anyone, he was saying it sincerely. He promised he will speak the truth in his life and will face the truth. He didn't want to break his heart anymore.

"Hey. What do you want to order? We already ordered." Sano said.

Ryu waved his hand at the waiter at the coffee bar. One of the waiters approached him and took his order.

They talked and laughed together. Telling each other past jokes when they were in college.

There used to be four of them, Ryu, Haru, Sano and Take. They were good friends. Always together especially after Jin left for London. They were also the ones who helped Ryu date Narumi.

Tonight they enjoyed their company again.

At 8 pm Sano and Take said goodbye to go home first. They were both still married. Meanwhile, Haru was the same as Ryu with a divorced widower status.

"Ryu. Have you met him?" Haru sipped his coffee.

"Who?" Ryu asked nonchalantly.

But his heart was pounding, he knew who Haru meant by "him". He just pretended. Haru was Narumi's childhood friend, they were best friends like as younger sister and older brother. Narumi must had told him. And Haru knew Jin. He knew about the story of the two of them. Once, Ryu had told Haru about Jin and his feelings.

"Come on. You know who I mean," said Haru.

Ryu didn't answer he just kept quiet while sipping his coffee and scooping a piece of chocolate cheesecake into his mouth.

"Have you ever met Jin again?" Haru asked directly.

Ryu just shook his head and took another sip of his coffee then heaved a long sigh.

"I don't know where he is, Haru."

"Have you tried contacting some of his friends? Or his family?"

Ryu shook his head, " All his family is in London. And his friends are like hiding it or whether they really don't know where he is, I don't know. "

He lit his cigarette. Rubbing his hair and looking at Haru.

" I just wish I could apologize to him. Nothing more. Even if it's only for a moment, as long as I can meet and apologize to him. That's more than enough. "

" Ryu. I'm sorry that I didn't support you at that time. I didn't understand how you felt at that time. I'm so sorry. "

" Do you understand now? " Ryu asked him.

" I really understand, now. " Haru nodded his head.

Haru lit his cigarette, inhaled and exhaled the smoke with all his heart.  It was as if he wanted to take out all his burdens.  The burden of regret because he couldn't support his best friend at that time.

"It's okay, Haru. I denied it myself at that time. Why are you apologizing? It's not your fault. It's all my fault. I've been too cruel to him. Saying mean words to him. Oh, God I really hope there will be a time where I can express my regret and apologize to him." Ryu squeezed the lump in his head.

"Awww!!!" He was in pain.

Then they both laughed at his stupidity.

"Would you like to order another drink or food? Don't worry we had a long night like a single man, right?" asked Haru.

"Sure. We'd better stay here because I think it's still raining outside. Hard raining. Order me Irish Coffee and a piece of brownie. I need to go to the toilet first." Ryu left Haru to go to the toilet.

The toilet was at the end of the hall past an office. Maybe it was the manager's office or the boss's office, it said "office". Ryu glanced at it, there was someone inside but he didn't pay attention.

When Ryu finished with his business in the toilet, from inside he heard someone was explaining something. Then came the voice of the other person.

"All right. Make all the reports and submit them to me tonight."

They were talking about something else.

Inside the toilet, Ryu froze. He recognized the voice. The voice barely changed, only slightly heavier. Without having to see his face. He opened the toilet door and instantly froze.

There, in front of the door that said "office" two men stood. One was the waiter who escorted him to the toilet earlier and the other was a person Ryu knew very well. The person he most wanted to meet. Shinohara Jin.

Ryu remained in his position in front of the toilet door. It seemed that Jin was not aware of his presence. Therefore he decided not to make the slightest move. He would patiently wait until they were done talking.

Then somehow feeling watched or something, Jin turned towards the toilet door and instantly froze.

They both looked at each other but didn't say a word.

The waiter noticed his boss and turned towards the toilet. He understood there was something between them and felt something uncomfortable so he said goodbye and went back into the cafe.

Jin tried to control himself and his emotions. He decided to greet Ryu first.

"How are you, Aniki?" he walked over to him and held out his hand to Ryu.

"Long time no see. Very long time! " said Jin.

Ryu realized, he immediately shook Jin's hand.

"I'm fine, Jin. Long time no see."

Shinohara Jin, he smiled at him. That was like a dream. A thousand gods were on his side. His wish was granted.

"Jin.. You work here?" asked Ryu awkwardly.

"Yes, Aniki. This is my cafe."

"Oh, that is good. "

"Aniki.. You seem like seeing a ghost meeting me. Just relax. I'm not a ghost who will eat you or grope you." Jin smiled sarcastically and spat out sarcastic words.

Ryu became more and more awkward. He quickly shook his head.

"Jin.. I'm sorry!"

Suddenly without Jin knowing, he hugged Jin but Jin immediately pushed him violently.

"There's nothing to be sorry for, Aniki. It's all over. Ten years... Have you been holding on to your guilt all this time?"

"What the hell, you never even look for me!" in Jin's heart.

"Jin.. Listen to me. I'm really sorry. I'm sorry."

Ryu rubbed his own head he was sweating even though it was cold here.

"I told you not to apologize. I'm such a disgusting person aren't I?"

Jin smiled but his eyes were cold.

Ryu froze and despaired. He really saw the hatred in Jin's eyes. But he didn't want to waste this opportunity. He took out his business card.

"Jin. This is my business card. Please save my number."

"For what, Aniki?"

"Jin, please.. Help me. We need to talk. There are many things I want to tell you. I want to make amends. Can we meet again?"

"Listen, Aniki. I said there's nothing to forgive, and nothing more to talk about. Didn't you say earlier that you don't want to have anything to do with me anymore? Then why do you now want us to meet again? I don't know, Aniki do I want to see you or not. But if you really want to see me you can come here. Though I don't know if it's still any good or not."

Then Jin took Ryu's business card and left him. Entered and disappeared into his office. Ryu still froze for a moment. Then he staggered towards his table, Haru was already waiting for him.

"Ryu.. Why? Your face is so pale! You look like you've just seen a ghost."

Ryu shook his head, his heart wavering but he finally decided to tell Haru.

" I met him, Haru. At the back, in front of his office when I went to the toilet."

"Who?"

"Shinohara Jin!"

Haru looked at Ryu. He didn't look surprised. Haru smiled.

"So you've met him?"

Ryu looked at him in disbelief, "You?! Why aren't you surprised? Did you already know that?"

"Ryu.. Actually I arranged our meeting here. I accidentally met Jin here a year ago but he was with someone. So I didn't greet him. I'm sorry.. I think it's good if you can find out his whereabouts and meet him here. I know you want to meet him, don't you? I'm sorry I never told you about Jin all this time."

Ryu shook his head, "It's okay. Although surprised but I'm grateful to have met him. I have to thank you, Haru."

Haru smiled and nodded his head,  "It's nothing,  Ryu. I wish you happiness. "

They both finished their coffee and food. While they were talking, Haru gestured for him to look behind him.

Jin, approached them.

"Thanks for the visit, Aniki. I'll be home first. Bye, Haru. Nice to see you here. "

Jin patted Ryu's shoulder, Ryu's heart was pounding.

Ryu knew, that smile was very forced. Jin might just made small talk with him and just tried to keep him respectful.

"Bye, Jin. Hope we'll meet again."

"Bye, Aniki!"

********

Inside Shinohara Jin's room, he was lying in the dark. When his heart was sad or angry he chose darkness to accompanied him.

Actually the man had a smooth feeling, it was just that the wound in his heart made him change a lot.

His mind wandered deep into today's events. Tonight he accidentally met Tsukishima Ryu. The guy hadn't changed much physically, still handsome just looked a little older. But he looked more mature.

He had mixed feelings that he couldn't express. Hate, anger, pain, and sadness mixed into one. He didn't understand but deep down, he always hoped to meet Ryu again. Deep in his heart, he felt happy to meet and hear his voice. He just didn't know what to do. It was too sudden. Moreover, Ryu said that he regretted all his actions and he said that he wanted to meet him again. There was a glimmer of hope that grew in his heart to be able to meet again. Tonight, when they met, Ryu suddenly hugged him, even though he pushed him but deep in his heart he felt happy.

"Actually what is that man thinking? Hug me?? What the hell!!" in his heart.

He just wasn't ready for this meeting. He wasn't ready to accept Ryu's embrace, it was too sudden. After all, hatred was too much for him at that time. But...

"Oh my God. I can smell his scent!"Jin squeezed his long hair.

A million questions gathered in his mind. Two of them are, did he really hate Ryu? Or, did he still have his first love?

He didn't know the answer. Really didn't know.

Although he had always hope for this meeting, it turned out that in reality he was not prepare for it.

And he closed his eyes. There was so much pain inside, his tears flowing remembering all the events in his past. He hated him but he missed him..

********

Tsukishima Ryu was standing on the balcony of his apartment. He put on his kimono. His shoulder-length black hair was left loose. Still wet from taking a shower. It was a very cold day, it was still raining outside. But he didn't care. He inhaled deeply. In his hand was a glass of cold whiskey. He needed it tonight. Really needed it. To helped him calm down.

Shinohara Jin.. He was still the same as before. Fragrant and always attractive. That day Jin wore a black long-sleeved shirt with a V-neck with gray pants. The clothes showed Jin's body shape well. His beautiful-handsome face and eyes kept in his mind.

He took a sip of his drink. Staring into the distance. He was grateful to be able to met Jin tonight. Even if it was not on purpose. He hoped that they would meet again in the future. He realized that Jin was still angry with him, but that was natural. Remembering Ryu was very cruel to him in the past.

"I regret it. Hopefully I can still be forgiven. That's all I hope. I don't dare hope for more."

He took a deep breath, and exhaled with all his heart as if he wanted to throw all his burden away with the carbondioxide.

Ryu lit another cigarette as he finished his drink. His memories returned to the past.

*******