But it wasn’t, and his best friend would be in Japan in just a few hours. It all felt too good to be true Eiji had to pinch himself to check if this was a dream. His heart pounded as the clock's hands approached 6PM, when Ash’s plane would be landing in Izumo. As cliche as it was, he’d bought a bouquet of flowers - red roses, to be specific - to give to his friend at the airport. The day of Ash’s arrival had finally come, and Eiji could not sit still. “When was the last time we saw each other?” “I’ll book the flight today, alright? Take care of yourself, oniichan.
I have an apartment.You can stay with me.
In Eiji's heart, rays of sunshine broke through dark clouds. “You have enough money for a ticket, don't you? Come to Japan, I’ll be here waiting for you when you’re ready.” Learning that Ash had dreamed of him was touching. “That dream can become true, and you know that,” Eiji smiled through his tears. And.that’s what made me look for you again.” We were hanging out and making fun of each other, just like in the old days.
“I had a dream about us a few nights ago. “I.I’ve been thinking about it,” Ash said. I told you all my feelings in that letter, you are really the person I am closest to. There’s no danger if you’re here with me. “How is it selfish if I want to as well? Please. He was frustrated, but still longed to see him more than anything else. “To be with you, even if I put you in danger?” “Isn’t it selfish of me to want that?” Ash intrigued. But he became convinced that it was too soon to get his hopes up maybe Ash would give up on keeping in touch. I just wanted to know where you were.”įor a second, Eiji was hopeful. Those were the words he wished he’d told Ash before leaving to Japan. “What hurts me the most is being without you,” Eiji confessed, vision blurry with tears. “I didn’t want to hurt you, okay? But I knew that eventually, I’d wanna talk to you again. “You would have been safe here.”Īsh let out a sight Eiji was able to sense his friend's guilt in his own chest. Why didn’t you come with me?” by now, Eiji’s cries were audible. I was worried sick about you! Did you at least read my letter?” “I had to get away from everything for a while.” “I’m with Blanca, in the Caribbean”, he responded. “Where are you, Ash?” Eiji spoke up, breaking the silence. “This.this really is you.”įor a moment, neither knew what words to say. The second he heard that voice, the one he’d been aching to hear, he couldn’t contain the tears running down his cheeks. “He wants to talk to me right now?”įrom the opposite end, Eiji heard footsteps and some ruffling sounds. “Ash?” he tried to suppress any strong feelings. The mere mention of Ash’s name made him want to cry, laugh, and ask an endless string of questions, all at once. Ash wants to talk to you.”Įiji was drowning in a flood of emotions. You remember me, right?”Įiji’s hands were shaking. At any other time, Eiji would have declined the call however, his heart skipped a beat upon noticing that the number was from the United States. The few friends he’d made in college would rather contact him through texts. It wasn’t common for Eiji to get phone calls from people other than his family members, whose numbers had all been registered. His phone then started to ring, an unknown number displayed across the screen Eiji jumped in surprise at the abrupt sound. It was an ordinary day he’d just returned home from university, and was organizing the school supplies in his backpack. And no matter how long it took to hear from Ash, Eiji would never hesitate to jump back into his life.Īfter an eternity had gone by, Eiji's wish for an answer came true. Likewise, however, the two could soon be talking to each other as they did before. Yes, the possibility of him being dead, or having moved on, existed. Maybe Ash had recovered, he’d found peace at last, and didn’t need him by his side anymore.Īmongst all those possibilities, the chance of one day seeing Ash again is what kept Eiji going. Constantly, he wondered if his best friend was dead, or if he’d gone to a far away place to start over. Everything would be easier if he had the answer to a simple question: Where was Ash now?īut there was nobody to give him closure, and Eiji was left alone with his own ruminations. Different months had melded into one, every day the same ache in his heart and racing thoughts in his head. Eiji couldn’t tell how much time had passed since he last saw his best friend.