Pay Me Later (Chapter 13)
Tatsuya’s slow steps echoed all along the silent hallway of the hospital. He clutched tightly the white rose he bought for Yuichi with uncertainty written all over his face. As he passed by, nurses greet him with a cheery smile as they always meet this young man around this building.
He keeps his beautiful smile decorates his face although he knew, that smile is not the genuine one. Most of the nurses there have acknowledged him as the regular visitor there since a week ago. But they still couldn’t define who’s the one that Tatsuya is visiting almost everyday.
Once Tatsuya reached his destination, what he has been expected almost everyday are not fulfilled. There, the occupant behind this white door, is laughing and talking with obviously a group of person. Tatsuya has been expecting that Yuichi is at least sleeping at this time as he always did.
Out of curiosity, Tatsuya takes a peek on the small opening at the door, and he could make out 2 familiar figures besides Yuichi. One is obviously, one of Yuichi’s best friend, Junno, but the other, Tatsuya needs to rub his eyes in bewilderment as he never expects the other to be there.
“Jin..? Since when did he get closed with those two.?”
Junno is currently sitting on the chair provided beside Yuichi’s bed with Jin is standing behind Junno, both with cheery smiles. It seems like Junno made some lame jokes as Tatsuya could see how Jin smacks the other’s head playfully while Yuichi laughs loudly at that.
‘At least he’s smiling….’ Tatsuya thought while smiling bitterly.
He keeps watching the smiling face of Yuichi and heaves his relief sigh as he saw the speed recovery Yuichi’s experiencing. The bandage around his head before is now being replaced with only a plaster on his forehead. While his abused arms are now fully recovered over a week. Tatsuya smiles gratefully on that.
Suddenly, Jin casts his eyes right onto Tatsuya and due to his natural reflexes, Tatsuya quickly hides beside the door, hoping that Jin won’t comes out. But it’s only a false hope as the door suddenly slides open, revealed none other than Jin.
Tatsuya smiles awkwardly at Jin as the other casts him a weird stare. “Err.. he….hey..”
“What are you doing out here.?”
“Well.. I thought I wanna pay him a visit. But he got you and Junno right now.”
Jin rolls his eyes knowingly at Tatsuya’s fake statement. “Don’t play dumb. I know you have no intention to get in there. Ryo has told me everything.”
“That midget sure got a big mouth…” Tatsuya claimed grudgingly about the said man.
“Ne… Is it true that you’re in love with Nakamaru-kun.?” Jin’s sudden question certainly gave Tatsuya the shock of his life. His eyes almost popped out from his socket when he heard that.
“Wh..what..?!”
“Owh, come one, Tat-chan.. There’s no need to hide a thing from me..” Jin gave his puppy eyes towards the older man but it seems like Tatsuya isn’t affected towards that.
“There’s nothing I should hide from you, Bakanishi..! Who gave you that idea anyway…?” Tatsuya could feel both his cheeks getting redder and he certainly hates that.
“Well, I figured it out myself.. I’m not that dense to not even see the love inside your eyes, Tat-chan.” Jin pinched Tatsuya’s cheek playfully as he said that.
“Anyways, if you’re not hiding something from me, why are your cheeks look like a tomatoes right now.?”
Seeing how Jin grins mockingly at him, Tatsuya couldn’t find another word to strike back. Stomped angrily on his feet, Tatsuya shoved the bouquet of flower he bought onto Jin and he speeds away from there, leaving the grinning Jin.
“Hey, where are you going.?”
“I’m done talking with you, Bakanishi..!” Tatsuya screams out loud as he lost into a corner.
Jin just shakes his head in amusement as he stares back at the white rose that was shoved onto him.
“He’s really in love..”
@__@
Yuichi packs his stuff in a silent mode. He shoved the remaining clothes into his bag, not forgetting to thanked Koki later for bringing back most of his stuff back before. After a week stranded inside this hospital, Yuichi is finally granted to leave this place. He must admit though, that he’s boring like hell staying here. Luckily he got his friends all this week.
Shoving his last piece of clothes, Yuichi casts a look at the white rose decorating the small desk beside his bed. He just received it this morning, as always. Everyday, the nurse will come in with a white rose and said that a guy gave it to him. Although Yuichi tried his heart to refuse it, he knows that deep inside he wants that certain guy to be Tatsuya.
“I missed him..” Yuichi whispers slowly as he closed his eyes, imagining the angelic smile of Tatsuya.
It has been a week without Tatsuya and still, it seems like a thousand years for Yuichi. He has been missing the pretty boy so damn much that he could feel no pain on his wounded area anymore since all the pain are now in his heart. He is aching for the other, no denial on that, and he wonders though, did Tatsuya feels the same way as he felt right now.?
The door slides open and successfully made Yuichi’s thought back to the earth. Yuichi took a glance towards the newcomer as he slung his bag on his shoulder.
“You’re ready.?” Koki asked while scanning throughout the room, checking for anything left.
“Of course. I’m bored like hell in here.” Yuichi said as he passed the bag to Koki who received it with a grin.
“Then make sure to not show your heroic actions next time, Oji-san…”
Yuichi rolls his eyes annoyingly and kicks Koki playfully since he’s not fully recovered yet. Koki just flashed his wide grin as Yuichi pushed him out from the room.
“See you down there, Oji-san..”
“Shut up..!”
Once Koki is out from the room, Yuichi can’t help but craves a smile on his own face. Seeing his best friend being happy and giddy like that makes him thought deeply, is that how it felt like when we got someone to love.?
Before Yuichi makes his way towards the door, he scanned the whole room thoroughly if by any chance he forgot something. Making sure that none had been left, Yuichi exited the room with a bouquet of white rose in his hand; fresh and blooming beautifully.
@__@
“Ohayo, Hime…”
“Kyaaa..!”
Tatsuya squealed loudly when he heard someone is greeting him as soon as he makes his last steps down on the stairs. He rubs his chest slightly as he casts a glance towards Ryo who is leaning against the stairs casually, also giving Tatsuya a quirked eyebrow.
“Geezz.. No need to scream out like that. I just greet you, princess. There’s no need to be too surprised to meet the sexy me, Tat-chan.” Ryo said out quite narcissist while flashed out his smirk.
“Shut up, midget.” Tatsuya punched Ryo’s chest not too gently while walking away from there.
Ryo rubs his abused chest slightly while tailing behind Tatsuya towards the living room of Ueda’s mansion. He makes his way casually towards one of the fluffy coach and retreat himself comfortably on that. Tatsuya rolls his eyes knowingly at Ryo’s antic.
“I promised you, Ryo. One day I’ll make sure that I hire a bodyguard so that you won’t just barge into my house just like that.”
“Naahh.. You wouldn’t. You’ll be hell bored if I’m not around.”
“As if.” Tatsuya rolls his eyes annoyingly for the second time that day. Sometimes being with Ryo could expertise you in terms of rolling your eyes.
“You’re early today. What’s up.?” Tatsuya asked as Ryo rarely barge into his house this early. Usually he’ll be with his best friends first before being here.
“Nothing. Kame just made a drama this morning. Busying on what to wear since he’s going out with his Koki. Geez.. That brat is annoying.”
“He’s not a brat, Ryo. He’s just being himself.” Tatsuya said while flipping through the newspaper, searching for something that could catch his eyes.
“Whatever.” Ryo said nonchalantly. He suddenly remembered the thing that made him woke up early today and casts his glance towards Tatsuya who is busying himself reading the newspaper.
“Hey. Did you know that your Yuichi is discharged from the hospital today.?”
Tatsuya tensed up when he heard that. He covered his face fully with the newspaper, not wanting of Ryo seeing his flushed red face. Of course he knew about that. He has been monitoring Yuichi’s progress there, asking the nurses there when will the older man could be discharge.
“Really.?” Ryo could hear that Tatsuya’s voice seems nonchalant, but he knew deep inside, the other is worried like hell about Yuichi. “Glad to hear that.”
Ryo looks expectantly at Tatsuya, prompting the other to add some other words so that Ryo knows Tatsuya might be enthusiastic with Yuichi’s released day. After a long 5 minutes of silence, Ryo gives up and flops his face onto one of the pillow. Dealing with the stubborn Tatsuya is really tiring the hell out of him.
“Is that all.?” Ryo’s voice was muffled up by the pillow he flopped his face unto.
Tatsuya realized that Ryo expected him to voice out his enthusiasm, but he just shrugged his head amusingly on Ryo’s childishness. As hell he’s gonna expressed his feeling right now. Especially to this guy.
“What.? What else do you expect from me.?”
“Don’t play dumb.” Ryo lifts up his handsome face from the pillow as he casts a dagger stare to Tatsuya. Tatsuya swears he could feel his heart almost leaping out from his cage when he saw that.
“Wh….What..?” Tatsuya asked again as he clumsily runs his eyes away from meeting Ryo’s.
“Well, truth to be told, I’m not gonna force you on this thing. I’ll be fine too if you and that Big Nose are not together. I might get my chance after all.” Ryo said nonchalantly as he winks to Tatsuya, the sexy smirk is still visible on his face.
Tatsuya could feel his cheeks getting hotter on that statement. He never thought that after a year, Ryo still has a feeling for him. He hung his head low, not trying to show his blushing face to Ryo.
Before Tatsuya could reply anything, Ryo’s laugh bursts out as he can’t sustain the cute gesture Tatsuya is giving. Tatsuya wondered though, what is so amusing about this thing that made the younger man to crack up like that.
“You just believed that, don’t you.? You’re so cute.” Ryo said with his remnant giggles.
Realizing that Ryo was just fooling around, Tatsuya reaches over to smack the other right on his head. A blush still evidenced on his porcelain cheeks on the thought that Ryo gave him just now.
“You stupid midget.! Stop playing with those words, baka.!” Tatsuya stood straight from his seat and making an attempt to walk away from there with his pouting face.
“Hey.! Where are you going.? I’m just joking. You’re such a hime.” Ryo held tight Tatsuya’s arm as he realized the other is gonna leaves him. The very thought that Tatsuya’s gonna leaves him makes his heart aches deeply inside. And he himself doesn’t know the real reason behind that pain.
“I’ve got work to do, Ryo-sama. Now if you could release my arm, I’d really appreciate that.”
Ryo still find it hard to release his grip on Tatsuya’s arm and he stares right into Tatsuya, giving Tatsuya a creep down his spine. Somehow, Ryo’s stare is so solemn as if he’s gonna lose someone precious to him, but at the same time it’s so penetrate into the recipient that Tatsuya could feel his heart skips a beat by Ryo’s stare.
“You’re not mad at me, right.?” Ryo flashed his solemn eyes as he spoke that, and Tatsuya felt nothing wonders how this poison tongued man could be that innocent and cute.
“Of course not, baka. I’m used to it already.”
“Owh. Okay..” Tatsuya could feel his arm being released slowly by Ryo but still, he could catch the solemn face Ryo’s wearing.
Reaching over, Tatsuya cups Ryo’s face with his palms and smiles sweetly when he caught the other’s eyes.
“We’re still friends, Ryo. You’re my best friend, and I’m glad that you are. Although you could be a pain in the ass sometimes, but having you by my side completed me.” Once he said that, Tatsuya released his grips on Ryo and walks away from there.
“Just cheer up, ne.? You’re the ugliest when you wore that face.”
Seeing that angelic smile Tatsuya flashed him, Ryo wears his smirk as always and Tatsuya somehow felt glad that he won’t see that solemn face again.
“I’m not ugly, hime. I’m the…..”
“….sexiest Osaka man. Yeah, yeah.. I know that.” Tatsuya cut Ryo’s halfway while rolling his eyes irritably as he knew too well what the other gonna said.
“Glad that you know that. Where are you going anyway.?” Ryo lifts himself up from the couch as he follows Tatsuya towards the door.
“Anywhere without you..?” Tatsuya said without losing a beat and when he caught the pout Ryo made on his face, he grins widely.
“Just kidding. I’m off to meet a friend. See you later, midget.”
Ryo just flashed the other a smile as Tatsuya disappeared behind the enormous door, leaving him alone at the main hallway. He smiles to nobody as he wonders, why is it so hard for him to let the pretty man go.? It’s obvious that Tatsuya is deeply in love with Yuichi, but still Ryo can’t get his mind over Tatsuya yet.
‘Why do I need to fall for him of all people.??’
@__@
“It has been a long time, Tatsuya-kun.”
“Yeah, I guess it seems like that.”
Tatsuya fidgeting a bit on his seat, finding the comfortable spot. He looks around the cozy café which now has been crowded with people who are now eager to get their breakfast. He could catch a pair of toddlers fighting over their food while clanging their forks on each other. Their parents seem to enjoy that as they laugh seeing their kid’s antic. What Tatsuya didn’t realize is a smile crept on his own face as he saw that scene. He has been craving that moment with his parents and his late sister so much. But he knew he’ll never get that now.
Tatsuya’s companion follows where Tatsuya’s gaze was at and he can’t help but craft a smile too. “You seem to be like a family man. Craving for a kid.?”
Being snatched away from his thoughts, Tatsuya quickly shook his head when he realized what the other said. “N..no.! Of course not. I just love seeing those kids. They’re so cute.”
Tatsuya casts his gaze on his companion and old memories started to replay in his head. This very man is the one whom his sister was always with when she’s still alive. Every day, this man will appear on their main door, waiting for his sister so that they could walk to school together. Tatsuya smiles when he remembered how this man always claimed that he’s so pretty that he has been mistook as his sister’s twin.
“What are you doing now, Ishihara-kun.?”
Ishihara contemplates for a while before he replied. “I’m an architect, as what I’ve promised to your late sister.”
Tatsuya nods his head slowly in acknowledgement, and he remembered back how his sister has a fond to a man who has an artistic mindset.
“She’s weird, ne.? Always has a fond to something weird. She even did something that even I never thought of.” Ishihara smiles at the thought of his former lover. He then stares at Tatsuya. “When is the last time we met, Tatsuya-kun.?”
“I….don’t know. Maybe during Tatsumi nee-chan’s funeral.” Tatsuya replied as he looks away to the busy pavement, staring at the walking mass of crowd.
“Ahh.. That was like, 5 years ago.? You’ve grown up as a beautiful man, I see. I’ve been missing to meet you since then.” Tatsuya hung his head low at the compliment to hide his blushing face.
“Where’ve you been.?”
“I’m off to pursue my study in France. It seems like I still can’t get over with your sister’s fate. It’s just…..too sudden for me. And maybe for you.”
“I’m sorry..” Tatsuya’s audible whisper although is so low, still could be catch by Ishihara.
“For what.? For Tatsumi’s death.?”
Tatsuya doesn’t know what else to reply and slowly, he nods his head. Ishihara sighs slowly as he crafts a kind smile on his handsome face.
“I never imply that accident as your fault, Tatsuya-kun. None of your family or other thought of that too. You’re only being eager to help your sister, and we never know what’s the fate that waiting for your sister. This thing happened for a reason. We’ve both grown up to be tough for her, to let her know that we can move on with our life without her.”
Tatsuya could feel his heart aches for his sister when Ishihara talked about that. He forced his tears to retreat back as he didn’t want the older man to see his fragile side.
“Tatsumi saved you because she wants to see you live with a happy life, not grieving over her death like this. The only one that blames you is yourself, Tatsuya-kun. I bet Tatsumi doesn’t like that, too. So, please, Tatsuya-kun. Move on with your life.” Ishihara pats Tatsuya’s shoulder once he said that.
Flashing his widest smile, Tatsuya looks up to meet Ishihara’s eyes. “Un. I’ll try…”
“Don’t just try. Do it.”
“I promise you, Ishihara-kun, I’ll do it.” Tatsuya said, now with a determined face.
“Good then. I’ll see the progress soon then, hopefully.” Ishihara then rummages his briefcase, searching for something.
“Anyway, I meet you here for another reason.” Once he retrieved the said thing, Ishihara lends a card to Tatsuya. A flashy, beautiful white card.
“What is this.?” Tatsuya asked as he received the card.
“Read it.” Ishihara said eagerly, prompting Tatsuya to read it himself.
Amused by the childish Ishihara, Tatsuya reads the card, trailing the words one after another. His eyes widen in surprise when he caught the main things on that card.
“You’re getting married.?!”
“Yes I am.” Ishihara said proudly while flashing his wide smile, noting how happy he is with that news.
“Oh my God. Congratulations, Ishihara-kun.! I never thought of that.” Tatsuya said while smiles widely himself, feeling happy for the other man.
“I met her in France, Japanese too. Though Tatsumi is my first love, I think I need to find someone to get over her. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to forget about her. She’s forever in my mind, always.”
Tatsuya nods his head knowingly on that, and takes a note for himself to do the same.
“I ought for you to do the same, Tatsuya-kun. Find someone that you’re sure could fill your heart, could make you happy just by their presence, just like your sister. Anyway, do you have a lover.?”
Tatsuya almost spits out his drink when he heard that. Why of all moment, Ishihara needs to mention that when he’s drinking.?
“Well, from your reaction, I must take that as a ‘yes’, no.?” Ishihara grins cheekily as he said that when he saw how flushed Tatsuya’s face is right now.
“Ye..yes… I mean, NO.!” Ishihara cracks up seeing the flustered Tatsuya. Tatsuya could feel his face getting hotter by that.
“Stop it.! I don’t know yet. We’re just friend though.”
“Maybe you could be more than friend, right.?” Ishihara pats Tatsuya’s head lovingly like his own brother.
“Just one advice though. Don’t make the other wait too long for you. You might lose your precious one soon if you do that. Okay.?”
“Un.!” Tatsuya smiles angelically at that.
After that, both him and Ishihara talk animatedly about their life. Tatsuya could feel that the burden he always bring on his shoulder lessen up as he’s sure, he has abandoned the tragic memories slowly away from his life. And maybe one day which may be soon, he could finally retreat himself away from the bad dreams that has haunted him.
At that very thought, Tatsuya made a mental note to meet Yuichi soon. As what Ishihara has said, he doesn’t want to lose his precious one again, not like how he lost his sister.
‘Wait for me, Yuichi…’
A/N : another chater is posted...! I'm aiming to finishi this by the end of this month...hopefully...~ anyways, just got back from my hometown for the Eid celebration..! it's not too late I think, so SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI and HAPPY EID to all muslims...! ^o^
and as always, comments are most appreciated..!