[Multi-chapter] Change (6/??)
Title: Change
Authors: syunikiss1990 & tsuchi8562
Bet: andreja1989 ArigaPYON~!
Pairing: SakurAiba, Aimiya (friendship), Yama (friendship), Junba (friendship)
Genre: AU, Romance, Drama, School
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: They are not ours, they belong to themselves...
*MASTERPOST*
He stopped counting how many times he was leaving his apartment and going back, just to leave it again. Sakurai had mixed feelings about this visit; he wasn’t sure if he should go, but because he promised Masaki he will come, he couldn’t just let the boy down. Not after what Aiba has done for him. With a crumpled piece of paper squeezed in his hand he stood in front of a small house and took a few deep breaths. Why was he so nervous? It’s just a normal, typical meeting with a friend on a rainy day. With a bit trembling hand he rang to the door. Quite a noise could be heard from the other side of the door along with some whispers, a loud thump and hissing from pain as the door were open. Gentle wince on Aiba’s face changed into a wide smile in a split of a second.
“Are you okay?” Sho chuckled, looking at his friend, who was rubbing his leg.
“Yes, I just had a small crash with the table… Come in!” Masaki made the older boy some space, so he could go inside. The genkan was bigger than in other houses Sakurai had opportunity to visit, but also the family, as he assumed from the amount of slippers, was big. At least four people, not counting the dog, which was now barking and jumping, trying to lick Sho’s hand.
“Buntaro, down! Sorry…” The taller boy smiled and pulled his pet away. “Come in, we can go to my room, I borrowed some games from Nino-chan. My parents and younger brother went for shopping, but we have some snacks and soda!” Aiba was talking while heading to his room, not paying attention if Sho is following him.
“You’re funny, Aiba-kun…” Sakurai threw and after taking his shoes off he went after his kouhai, shaking his head and smiling all the way to the latter’s room. It was light and quite spacious, with bed, small TV, computer and some books (school ones and of course manga). Sho came closer to the book shelf and touched the back of the books leaving Masaki’s chatter somewhere behind. A bit too excited Aiba became silent and observed his guest with a slight worry written on his face. At least the older boy thought so.
“Something happened?” Masaki asked shyly, biting his bottom lip. He looked like a little scared kitty who scratched its master’s leather furniture.
“No, everything’s fine, just… I think I just… I didn’t have a chance to spend some time with a… friend… in a long time. I somehow forgot how to act…” Sho tried to cover his embarrassment behind a laugh. Suddenly he was pulled in a tight embrace and after a longer while of silence Masaki looked at him, smiling.
“Just be yourself and try to get used to having a friend, because you have one now.” Aiba smiled even wider and sat on the floor, trying to pick some game and pouting cutely, reading the description on the back of the box. Sakurai sat next to him and relaxed, deciding to have as much fun as possible, forgetting about his problems.
The boys were playing, chatting, laughing, eating snacks and having the best time they could when loud knocking interrupted their fun. Masaki, still laughing looked at the door and wiped his tears.
“Ah, mum! You’re back already?”
“Yes, and the dinner is ready. I hope your friend… I’m sorry; I didn’t catch your name…”
“Sakurai Sho.” The older boy stood up and bowed politely.
“Thank you for taking care of my careless son…” The woman smiled when she saw Masaki’s pout. “I hope you will eat with us, Sakurai-kun…”
“I don’t want to cause any troubles…” Sho mumbled, feeling even more awkward than at the beginning. How long it was since he had a normal home meal, and not instant ramen? Before he could hesitate more, he was pushed towards the dining room and seated next to his kouhai. Sakurai was watching how warmly mother was serving the food, how the family treats each other and something cold squeezed his heart. For the rest of the meal he was silent, only answering politely on silly questions asked by Masaki’s younger brother. The dinner passed in loving atmosphere and for a tiny little while Sho felt like a part of the family, but soon he had to scold himself. He shouldn’t feel so comfortable here, not when he wasn’t sure if his friendship with the younger boy will last. After the meal he thanked politely and excused himself, heading to the front door. He used Aiba’s family’s hospitality enough for one day, besides he had to prepare for his next week’s trip to Kobe. Kobe… He hated that place, but he had to go there… He didn’t have any other choice… It affected on his whole life, since he was a little kid and it will have influence on it for a long, long time… And now it can hurt his only friend… If only that bloody…
“Sakurai-kun?” Masaki’s voice woke him up from his thoughts. “You can stay longer if you want, we can watch a movie. I have a good action…”
“No, Aiba-kun. It’ll be better if I go now.” The older boy smiled gently and put his hand on the knob.
“Wait! I’ll walk you, at least a bit! I have to go to Nino and give him back the games. He will cry if I won’t do that as soon as possible… Wait a bit!” The taller boy giggled and ran to his room, coming back with his bag.
“Masaki, take the umbrella, it’s raining. And don’t be back too late, we’re visiting grandma tomorrow!” The younger boy’s mother shouted and shook his head when he saw her son ready to go out without a jacket. After a small and cute quarrel Masaki took the umbrella and both students left the house.
“Your mother is a good person, taking care of you and the family like that.” Sho stated thoughtfully, walking slowly beside the latter, not bothering about covering himself from rain. It wasn’t raining that bad anyway.
“What? Oh, no she is just a normal mother, taking care of her children. Every mother is like that, right?” Masaki smiled brightly, looking at the sky and pouting.
“No, Aiba-kun… Not every mother is like that…” Sakurai mumbled and stopped. After a quick goodbye and a promise to eat lunch again together on Monday at school, the older boy headed towards his small apartment, hoping he is doing the right thing engaging so much in this friendship.
___
Sho didn't turn up at lunch on Monday or the rest of the week. With every passing day Masaki was getting more and more nervous and worried. Had he done something wrong? His feet were carrying around the field in his usual after school round but for the first time it didn't calm him down. What had exactly happened? It had been such a nice day, playing games and having fun. Now that he thought about it, once his family had come home and they were having dinner Sho's mood had dropped. He had turned into his quiet self which he had met the first day. Suddenly he remembered Sho's last words before he went the other way.
“No, Aiba-kun… Not every mother is like that…” He stopped running completely, staring at the sky. What had the older boy meant with that? At this moment he would give anything to talk to Sho. Had he screwed up completely? Was that why the older student didn't show up for a week now already?
"Aiba-kun." A voice got him out of his thoughts. Aiba looked around a bit confused, realizing he was somewhere halfway the field. A figure was coming closer to him and he blinked a couple of times to make sure he wasn't imagining things.
"Sakurai-kun. You are back." Sakurai shrugged and looked around.
"Still running? I thought you had to take it easy for a while to make sure nothing would happen to your ankle again."
"I am taking it easy, I just started."
"You have been running for almost 45 minutes." Aiba stared at the smaller boy. That long already? He had been so lost in his own thoughts he lost track of time. At the same time he wondered how Sakurai knew how long he had been here already. Had he been watching him run? While he stared he realized his heart was beating loudly, even though he had stopped running for a while already. It was a different beating, accompanied with a weird feeling in his stomach. He quickly looked the other way, trying to hide his blush as he started to walk towards the building.
"So, how are you?" He asked a bit awkwardly to break the silence. Sho caught up with him and the smile he had on his face disappeared.
"I'm fine, how are you?"
"Fine... I was worried." He looked at the boy next to him who frowned.
"Worried?"
"Yes. You suddenly disappeared after Saturday even when you said you would be here on Monday. I thought I did something wrong. Why weren't you at school?" Sakurai sighed.
"You didn't do anything wrong. I just... I..." Sakurai stopped walking and looked at the taller boy. "Aiba-kun, can I ask you something? I... Can you please trust me on this one? I know it's much to ask, especially since we are only friends for such a short time and I already asked you to keep this a secret but..." Aiba interrupted his sempai, seeing the clear trouble he was having with it.
"I'll trust you." Sakurai showed him a weak smile and bowed slightly.
"No need to be so polite we are friends right? Can you wait for me for a short while? I'll change and we can walk home together. Or at least for a short while."
"Are you sure? What if anyone sees us?"
"School is out for a while and it's Friday afternoon. I highly doubt anyone is even left to see us." Sho looked around a bit worried but then nodded. Masaki smiled and dashed off to the dressing room. He still wasn't sure what exactly was going on but he was relieved that Sho didn't seem to be mad at him. But still, what Sho had said before he left last Saturday was bothering him. He needed to know what that was about but at the same time didn't want to push him on it. The week that Sho had been away made him realize he didn't want to lose him and that he hoped their friendship would slowly turn into something more. The loud beating of his heart and the butterflies in his stomach confirmed it. Suddenly he thought of something and smiled, grabbing his stuff together quickly.
"Ready?" He asked, skipping out of the dressing room as soon as he finished. Immediately a big grin appeared on Sakurai's face.
"You seem happy."
"I'm happy you are back. But I still hope I didn't give you trouble last Saturday..."
"Why would you think that?"
"Well, I thought that maybe your parents got mad at you for not calling that you had dinner at my place." Sho laughed but without any joy.
"You don't have to worry about that. Not at all."
"But it would be normal right? I mean my mother would get seriously mad if I wouldn't call and they are waiting for me."
"You seriously don't have to worry about that. I live alone so nobody has to wait for me." Masaki stopped walking, looking at the slightly smaller boy.
"You live alone? Why?" Sho turned around with a smile on his face but it didn't reach his eyes. Masaki knew immediately he shouldn't ask too much about it at this point.
"Can a person who eats kittens for breakfast live with a family? I don't think so. Anyway you don't need to worry about Saturday. I actually had a great time you know. We should do it again soon if you want?" The jump Aiba's heart made distracted him from asking more about Sakurai living alone.
"We should! You can come over again if you want. Or we could go to the movies. On second thought we could also watch a movie at home then we won't walk into someone from school for sure." Aiba's smile widened when he saw the first honest smile of that day appear on Sakurai's face.
"That would be great. I have to go left here, see you on Monday? I promise I'll be there this time." Aiba nodded excitedly, looking around carefully before hugging the older boy.
"See you on Monday. I'm really glad we are friends!" Excited and with a loud beating heart Aiba skipped the other way, leaving a stunned Sakurai behind.