It was late in the afternoon as Suki walked along the street humming to himself. He had told himself he would visit the bakery and take a melon bread, but things were otherwise.
He saw a familiar face at the corner store.
"Ah--excuse me, are you okay?"
A woman stood with two heavy grocery bags, and was wobbling trying to make them fit. Oranges on the top were on the point of falling.
Suki ran, and overtook one before it tumbled on the street. "Got it!" He looked up, smiling. "Need a hand?"
Blinking at him, the woman was startled. Her hair was pinned up very smartly, and was elegant, only her arms were evidently under strain. "Oh--thank you. You don't have to--"
I insist," Suki said, and bagged one of the bags. "Where to?"
She hesitated, and smiled a little at him. "...Just up the road. Thank you, young man."
Suki talked freely as they strolled along. "I'm Aoyama Suki, by the way. Third year at SunshineHigh."
Her eyes widened slightly. "...You're a student there?"
"Yep!" He grinned. "Wait--you look familiar. Are you... Ryuzi's mom?"
She blinked, startled. "...You know my son?"
Suki's smile softened. He is my school project partner. And my friend."
She stuttered only a little at the word friend. But then she nodded. "...I see."
As they came to Takeda house, she was hesitant at the door. "Would you like to come in? Just for tea. It's the least I can do."
"Sure!" Suki replied with a lack of hesitation.
The Takeda house was tidy indoors. Too neat. All in row, gleamed and silent. It was as though it were a house that people had to move slowly, lest they walked and shocked the air.
Suki placed groceries on the counter, looking around. Your place is clean very well, indeed, he said. "Like a model house."
Ayumi smiled, but her eyes had a shadow. "It's always been like this. My husband prefers order."
Suki nodded, but privately, he was able to feel the oppression of the silence. It was so unlike his home where people laughed everywhere.
The front door clicked open.
"Mom, I'm home--"
Ryuzi stood still in the doorway, with widened eyes. "...Suki?"
Waving, Suki grinned sheepishly. "Hey! Fancy seeing you here."
The eyes of Ryuzi were narrowed. "...Why are you in my house?"
Ayumi stepped in gently. "He helped me with groceries. I invited him for tea."
Suki nodded eagerly. "Yep! Pure coincidence."
Ryuzi groaned, pushing a hand across his face. "...Of course."
They sat around the low table. Ayumi filled her tea, her actions were elegant and discreet. She talked of school with Suki, of the project, and Suki replied, as ever with his sunshine.
Suki said, he is the best partner. "Super smart, organized. Holding me together so I am no complete disaster.
Ryuzi said, "You are a calamity, that is why.
Ayumi would not stop smiling under her teacup.
She had looked at her son at one time, and Suki felt that the look was soft, and nearly longing, but when Ryuzi glanced in her direction he missed it completely.
Suki's chest ached. He could read it now, as never at any time before: the parents of Ryuzi loved him, and did not know how to express it.
As Suki went, Ryuzi followed him out to the gate, all the time looking as sour as possible.
Don't develop any notions, Ryuzi said to himself. This does not imply that you may turn up whenever you wish.
Suki grinned. "Relax, Ice Prince. It was an accident." He stopped, and his smile faded. "...But your mom's really nice."
Ryuzi stiffened. "...Yeah." His voice was low, near reproving.
She is concerned about you, Suki said kindly. "I could see it."
Ryuzi looked away sharply. "...Don't."
"Don't what?"
"Don't... say things like that." His fists clenched. "You don't know."
Suki tilted his head to look at him. Then, softly: "Then let me."
Ryuzi glared, but the words he would have spoken were choked in his throat. It was the second time of that week that he had no reply.
On this particular night, Ryuzi was sitting on the roof, and the city was far behind. He had not asked Suki, but of course Suki climbed up.
Nice view, said Suki, and flopped down beside him.
Ryuzi groaned. "...Don't you have a home to bother?"
Already had disturbed them enough. Suki stood up leaning back and gazed at the stars. "So I'll bother you instead."
There was a silence between them, which was not heavy.
Finally, Suki spoke. Whatever people say, whatever happens--I am not going anywhere, Ryuzi... That's my promise."
Ryuzi looked at him, with his gaze. Nothing could shake the resolve in the eyes of Suki.
There was a crackle in his chest. For a moment, he almost smiled.
"...Idiot," he muttered softly. However, this time the word was almost... fond.
their shoulders touched beneath the night sky, there was a promise of silence that tied them as firmly as each of them would have dared to say aloud.