Chapter 10

‘What? A meet up? You?’

Hakaru’s dumbfounded and shocked expression through the web camera is funny enough for Eiharu to sneer. The bite of the sandwich was about to enter Hakaru’s mouth but fell before he started munching.

“Technically, I just have to show my face.” Eiharu rests his chin on his palm, sighing. Remembering he is about to meet this guy stresses him out, but he can’t say anything seeing Haruna’s excitement that morning. “And I really don’t want to go.”

‘It’s still a meet up, nonetheless. With a young doctor where your mother work at?’

“Mm.”

‘Wow! You better dress up, Ei.’

“Why should I?”

‘First impressions matter. You don’t have to wear a suit; just maybe take a proper shower and fix your messy hair.”

“I said I don’t want to go. Why do you think I would do such a length?”

‘You already agreed anyway. If not for you, maybe do so for your mother? Since no matter the result, she’s still that doctor’s coworker. While you won’t see him again after this meet up, she will.’

Eiharu hesitates. Surely, he doesn’t want to trouble his mother by misbehaving, especially towards her coworker she meets daily.

“Ugh…” Eiharu openly groans in distress while rummaging his hair. “Why do I have to do this…”

‘Maybe I should reach out to your mother if I wanna hang out with you. That way, you won’t be able to refuse.’

Eiharu glares. “Don’t you dare.”

‘It’s cruel of you since never tell your mother about me.’ Hakaru openly laughs. ‘Serves you right.’

“Why do you insist on going out with me anyway? You got a lot of friends to go with you.”

‘Hey, I’m trying to be fair here. You’re my friend, too, so obviously I want to hangout with you too.’

Ehari fell silent. He is somewhat specific at categorizing people, so hearing Hakaru treat him as a friend makes him uncomfortable. Not because he doesn’t want to be Hakaru’s friend but because he is unsure how to define their relationship aside from work stuff. Hakaru is kind and friendly, and Eiharu feels less uncomfortable talking to him. However, meeting face-to-face is different compared to virtually, and he’s scared he might do something wrong; thus, he keeps refusing Hakaru’s offer to meet up.

“What if… turns out, I’m not fun to be with?”

‘Is that what you’re always worried about?’

“One of them.”

‘Well, I’m good at keeping up a conversation, so it’s okay. Besides, we’ve been talking for a while and I never see any problem communicating with you. I don’t think there will be much difference in person.’

“I can text much, but not talking.”

‘That’s fine with me.’ Hakaru grins. ‘We can still chat to converse even if we sit next to each other. Don’t worry about the trivial stuff.’

Eiharu looks at him. Eiharu was suspicious of Hakaru’s kindness the first year they worked together. It’s hard to believe that someone tried to befriend him for no reason. He opens up a lot more after a while but still thinks he needs to put more effort into this friendship, yet unsure of what to do.

“...okay, fine. Once in a while, we can… meet.”

‘Really?? Gosh, took you long enough! Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you have fun.’ Hakaru’s grin gets wider. ‘Anyway, don’t you need to get ready? Don’t you have to prepare the lunchboxes?’

“I cooked them early in the morning, so I just need to reheat some stuff and pack them.” Eiharu leans back on his chair, slumping. “I really don’t want to see him…”

‘What kind of person is he? Name?’

“What kind… My mother said he is polite and well-spoken. As for his name, I didn’t ask.”

‘What about photos?’

“Didn’t ask.”

‘Why didn’t you? At least get to know the person you’re about to meet to avoid things.’

“What I want to avoid the most is meeting him altogether. The rest, I really could care less. Help me make an excuse.”

‘Sorry, bro. Can’t do that.’ Hakaru laughs. ‘At the very least, I don’t think your mother will let you befriend him if he is a red flag.’

“Well… true.” Eiharu lost count of how many times he sighed that day. “Even if I prepare myself, I still want to run away.”

‘Want me to back you up, Ei?’

“How?”

‘I can call you and pretend there’s an emergency at work so you can leave immediately.”

Eiharu ponders briefly. “...okay.” He inhales. I’ll tell you when I’m in the hospital. For now, I better get myself ready.”

‘Sure, thing. Good luck, Ei.’

Eiharu logged out and turned off his computer. He sits there staring at the blank monitor for a while as his brain is still trying to find a way to avoid the meeting. He has formed many excuses in his head, but telling them is totally a different matter. He can’t say it. He doesn’t want to see the disappointed look on Haruna’s face.

-It’s okay; I just need to say hello. I don’t need to do anything else. Just a simple hello, that’s all-

An easy task; supposedly so. Eiharu is aware it’s easy and costs him nothing. But he can’t fight back the growing anxiety that bites his legs until his limbs turn cold and numb. He has been feeling his fingers freezing up since last night.

-It’s okay. Seeing that person won’t kill me. A simple hello won’t haunt me for life. It won’t even last for more than five minutes-

Though, how long has he been trying to calm himself? None of his words convince him, even if he knows he is being unreasonably paranoid.

Eiharu rises from his seat and drags his legs downstairs towards the kitchen. He works with the same speed as usual as he prepares the beautiful lunchboxes, though his brain ransacks everything inside his head, uncontrollably freaking out.

=====

“That being said, I apologize to you in advance if he acts rudely towards you, Yukisada-kun.” Haruna bows to Kanryou a few times even though Kanryou tries to stop her. “He is a good kid, I assure you. His words are crude, and he rarely speaks to anyone, so he’s oblivious to how rude he is.”

“Seishichi-san, I understand. Please stop bowing at me. You make me uncomfortable.”

“I’m sorry, but I have to. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize either.” Kanryou holds her shoulders firmly to stop her from bowing any further. “It will be okay, trust me. We only have to say hello and introduce ourselves. What bad things can happen from that alone?”

“You say that because you never met him. His tone is annoying, you know?”

“We’ve dealt with many patients with that attitude. It’s okay.”

“But still…”

“Seishichi-san, if you don’t trust him, how will you let him do things? This is not good. You are his mother. Please have more faith in him.”

Haruna looks surprised, but she quickly lowers her gaze. If not because Kanryou is still holding her shoulders so firmly, she would already dogeza on the floor as an apology. What Kanryou said was right; she has too little faith in Eiharu. Mutsuo also reminded her about it a few times already. She can’t deny her distrust towards Eiharu even though she should be the one putting her utmost trust in him as his mother.

“You’re right, Yukisada-kun… I should have more faith in him, but… Ah, it’s so hard. Now I feel regretful.”

“Don’t be. You’ll be there as well, right? But I want you to promise me something.”

“What is it?”

“Promise not to say anything, no matter how he behaves. Let him be. If he wants to run away, let him. If he wants to stay, don’t comment. Trust him, it will be fine.”

Haruna is unconvinced, but she has no choice. She was the one who started this. If she stopped right before it happened, Eiharu would be so upset, and no second chance would happen to make him agree to another offer. She can’t risk it when she already convinced Kanryou to do it.

“...I’ll try.”

“No, you have to promise.”

“I… promise.” Haruna sighs heavily. “Alright, alright. I get it, Yukisada-kun. I promise I won’t say anything no matter what he does.”

“Good.” Kanryou smiles. “He should be here any moment, right? Wait, let me--”

“Hold on, Yukisada-kun. My phone rings.” Haruna takes her phone out of her pocket. “Oh, he’s already in the lobby. Wait here, okay? I’ll bring him.”

Before Kanryou can comment, Haruna already flies as fast as she can. The empty emergency corridor lets her hurried steps echo in the air before the silence takes over. Kanryou puts down his facade as soon as he is left alone, wearing an expressionless, tired face as he looks outside the glass wall.

Before Haruna came to him in panic, Mutsuo approached him first. The older man was still as friendly despite his rough appearance, and they had a little meaningless chitchat before Mutsuo expressed his concern.

“I’m not trying to threaten you, Yukisada-kun. However, I promised that kid to take his side if you did something unsettling. He’s not a bad kid. He’s just awkward and defensive. And no matter what, I want to help him better deal with his problems. I hope you understand.”

When Kanryou heard that, he couldn’t help but think Mutsuo was a kind guy. He already accepted Haruna’s son as his own even though he hasn’t officially become a part of their family. Whatever circumstance Haruna’s son is dealing with, Kanryou believes he would be fine if he had someone like Mutsuo to back him up.

Footsteps are getting closer, and Kanryou stops his head from recalling things. He inhales deeply, preparing himself, putting on the gentlemanly face he always wears in public. When the door swings open, he turns around with the usual, sweet smile plastered on his face. Haruna walks closer with someone next to her.

Before this moment, Kanryou considered Haruna’s son a short, obese man who never parted with snacks in hand. He would have a lot of pimples on his face from the lack of care, speaking rudely and crudely, and probably disrespecting his parents as much as possible. Bad hygiene results in foul breath, adds to the unhealthy sleeping pattern, and he would be the epitome of a scumbag; that’s how society perceives a NEET.

So Kanryou isn’t ready to see the man walking next to Haruna is a normal-looking guy.

His brown hair is similar to Haruna's. He has a standard height but is a little underweight. He wears a medical mask, so Kanryou can’t see his entire face. However, the eyes behind those thick glasses are pretty beautiful under the bright sunlight. He has deep eyebags beneath, though; it must be from a messy sleeping schedule. Overall, he looks normal. He doesn’t look like a NEET at all.

-He hasn’t looked at me. I want to see his face up close-

So Kanryou walks towards them as well to quickly shorten their distance. As Haruna and her son stop walking, Kanryou immediately offers his hand--he doesn’t hear what Haruna has been saying as his attention is entirely on this guy.

“Come on, Eiharu. Say hello.”

Haruna nudges Eiharu’s arm, and Eiharu unwillingly raises his head and adequately looks at Kanryou.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

Eiharu’s body stiffens. His eyes widened in shock, and he froze up entirely.

-No way…-

“Nice to meet you, Seishichi-san.” Kanryou’s hand was still outstretched at Eiharu. His sweet smile is also still plastered. “My name is Yukisada Kanryou. I don’t hear many things from your mother, but as a starter, let’s introduce ourselves.”

-No way!!!-

“Eiharu?” Haruna notices how Eiharu is statued on his spot while his eyes almost pop from their sockets. “Are you okay?”

“...mm.” Eiharu hesitantly accepts Kanryou’s handshake. “Hello.”

Kanryou could feel how cold Eiharu’s hand was in his grip, and his voice was visibly shaky. With the impression of him being a crude and rude guy, he didn’t expect this reaction. This is a reaction of someone in fear and deeply anxious. It’s a sign of a panic attack.

“Eh..” Kanryou let go of his grip right away. He doesn’t want to make Eiharu’s anxiety skyrocket. “Anyway, this is my business card. My phone number is there. May I have yours?”

Eiharu takes the business card and stares at it for a long while. He doesn’t look surprised anymore, but his face is solemn. In Kanryou’s eyes, he looks sad.

Eiharu takes out his phone and types Kanryou’s number without saying a word. After pressing the call button and having Kanryou’s phone vibrate in his pocket, Eiharu simply lifts his cell phone as a gesture.

“My number.”

“Oh… thank you. I’ll save it.”

“I don’t take calls, just messages or chat.”

“Okay.”

“But I don’t reply immediately, even if it’s a life or death situation.”

“O..kay?”

“If there is nothing else, I’m heading back.”

“Oh, sure. Take care on your way--”

Eiharu turned around on his heel and almost flew to leave the place. Haruna’s puzzled call is ignored. Within seconds, Eiharu was already leaving the building, leaving Haruna and Kanryou trying to process what had just happened.

“Was… that okay?” Haruna glances at Kanryou anxiously. Eiharu didn’t act as rude as she imagined, but she knew it wasn’t as good as a first impression.

“Actually, I was ready to get scolded.” Kanryou’s eyes were still on the closed door where EIharu fled to before he looked at Haruna with an equally confused smile. “Does it mean I passed the first trial?”

“Well, he gave you his number, so I guess it does. But…”

“Yes?”

“Did you two know each other?”

“Eh?”

“When you looked at you, he was shocked, as if he just looked at a ghost. Eiharu never reacted that way unless towards old acquaintances. I remember because it happens so rarely.”

“Is… that so?”

-Now that I think about it, his name is uncannily familiar-

“I don’t think I have any old friend named Seishichi, though.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am sure. Your surname is unique, after all. It’s hard to forget.”

“Please try to remember more. Maybe not a friend, but an acquaintance? I mean, he’s still older than you, right?”

“Hmm, you’re right. Let’s see…” Kanryou leans on the wall. “Eiharu…” He murmured under his breath, trying to dig into his memory about the past but still couldn’t recall, so he went further back. “Eiharu… Seishichi…” Suddenly, events from a decade ago flash into his mind. “...Seishichi… Eiharu…”

-Wait, Seishichi?-

-“Sensei, what’s his name? That Senpai who always occupies the corner bed.”-

-“You mean Seishichi?”-

Kanryou had never seen his face before as that upperclassman always faced the wall whenever he slept in the infirmary. The long fringes cover almost half his face, and the thick glasses covering his eyes make it harder to see. And despite being the regular visitor of the school infirmary, he and Kanryou never interact. Not before that day.

“Seishichi… Eiharu…” Kanryou snaps, “Seishichi-san, was he a student from R High School?”

Haruna is momentarily shocked. “How… how did you know?”

“I was an alumnus. I remember an upperclassman with that surname visiting the infirmary a lot. We talked for a while before I heard he changed school because of some problems. Was that your son?”

Haruna looks uncomfortable. She seems unwilling to speak, but she nods while averting her gaze. “Yeah… it was him.”

“I see… I didn’t think I would see him again.” Kanryou feels a strange relief in his heart. “He looks healthy. A bit underweight, but healthy.”

“You think so?” Haruna’s tone is a bit cold. “If you’re an alumnus, does it mean… you know what happened to him?”

“...did something happen?”

Haruna doesn’t want to answer. That time was bleak for her, especially for Eiharu. If possible, she doesn’t want to recall that memory forever.

“Oh, nothing.” Haruna smiles. “Because you said you heard Eiharu moved because of problems, so I’m wondering if there were rumours about him changing schools.”

“Ah… I asked the teachers once because Senpai suddenly stopped showing himself. And then I heard he changed school, but the teachers said it was family problems.”

“Oh, I see. Yeah, yeah. Things were going on back then, but it’s okay now.”

“I’m glad.” Kanryou smiles as well. “You better hurry and have lunch, Seishichi-san. I also want to get something to eat, too.”

“You’re right! See you later, Yukisada-kun. Thank you for before.”

Kanryou waved at her, waiting for her to disappear before he stopped smiling.

-So things happened, and she didn’t want to speak about it-

The lie was too obvious.

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