Chapter 38: A Night in Shio Ashiya

Chapter 38: A Night in Shio Ashiya 

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“How am I supposed to tell him that he's my safe haven?”

The following day was Saturday, a day I always looked forward to—a chance to find a momentary peace amidst the swirling chaos of my life. This routine was mine alone, for I was the only Christian among the others in our circle.

I decided to head into the city, making my way to the church, a sanctuary that had always offered me solace. Sitting there in the pew, I breathed in the cool, still air, letting the silence wash over me. For a few precious moments, I felt a sense of tranquility. But suddenly, that peace was interrupted by a presence beside me.

“Kazuaki?!”

Startled, I turned my head. He was sitting right there next to me, looking perfectly composed.

“What are you doing here?” I whispered, my voice laced with confusion.

He looked at me with an expression of pure innocence. “Worshiping.”

“But... this isn't exactly your place of worship, is it?” I muttered, half-breathless.

He merely nodded, looking as if he had only just realized that fact himself. Before we could continue our conversation, an elderly woman sitting next to us shushed us sternly, motioning for silence. We shared a small, muffled laugh, realizing the sheer absurdity of the situation.

Once the service ended, I intended to take the bus back to my parents' house. However, Kazuaki suddenly caught my hand and led me toward his car.

“I’ll drive you,” he said shortly, gesturing for me to get in before I even had a chance to decline.

As we settled into the car, my stomach let out a loud, traitorous growl. I felt a flush of embarrassment heat my cheeks instantly. It seemed I had truly forgotten to eat, my mind having been far too occupied with everything else.

Kazuaki only offered a small, knowing smile without making fun of me. Without a word, he immediately turned the steering wheel in a different direction.

“Wait? Where are we going?” I asked, bewildered.

“To my place. I’m going to cook,” he replied. His tone was soft yet firm, as if the decision had already been set in stone.

We drove in a calm silence, enjoying the refreshing atmosphere of Kobe. Suddenly, a song began to play from his car’s playlist. It was “Snow White’s Journey,” my favorite Japanese song that I always listened to when I needed to rest. The gentle vocals and soothing melody made my heart feel lighter beneath the bright sky.

Kazuaki began to hum, then softly sang along to the lyrics echoing through the car. The words spoke of a prince whisking Snow White away from a bleak life toward freedom and warmth.

I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the melody and the lyrics flow over me.

“Hey, hey my boo, I want to take you away, I know you’ll say yes. Release all the burdens that haunt you, Let’s fly, far from the sorrow, Finding happiness on this journey.

Hey, look at the world out there, You know, Many colors and lights await us, In my hand lies the key to your dreams, Open your heart, don’t hesitate, follow my lead.

Come on now, it’s just you and me, We’ll pass through the lonely days, Come in now. Walking until the sunlight greets us, Because I want you to be happy, free to laugh.

If the wind blows gently, Let me hold your hand, As the prince in our story, We will race forward without stopping.

It seems there will be no night that is truly dark. On this journey, the sky will always be clear, There’s nothing you need to fear, just stay by my side.

I will keep being here, accompanying you, Until we find the path to happiness, Because the key to our dreams is in my hand.”

I turned my head, watching his calm profile as he sang those lines. It felt as though the lyrics weren't just words—they were filled with a profound, hidden meaning.

He glanced at me for a split second and smiled. “Have you ever dreamed of flying?” he asked, his voice quiet but full of curiosity.

I offered a small smile. “Maybe once, but it seems my dreams are always tethered to the earth,” I replied, half-joking.

“Then try to look further than right now. Who knows, you might find something beautiful,” he countered, continuing his gentle singing.

And that afternoon, for the first time in a very long while, I felt a little lighter, as if the weight upon my heart was finally beginning to lift.

We eventually arrived in Shio Ashiya, a quiet and peaceful residential area on the outskirts of Kobe. His house looked simple enough from the outside, but as I stepped in, I was shocked to see piles of empty ramen cups everywhere. There it was—the evidence that this "prince of technology" lived almost entirely on instant food. Kazuaki, cooking? It was like expecting the sky to split in two.

While he busied himself in the kitchen, I couldn't bear the clutter around me. I began to tidy up the trash, clearing the surfaces. In between, I played with Garen, Kazuaki’s Akita dog. Garen was so adorable, a stark contrast to the quiet solitude of his owner.

When dinner was finally served, I couldn't hide my amazement. The food was actually delicious. Without realizing it, I started tapping my feet rhythmically, thoroughly enjoying every bite. Kazuaki just stared at me in wonder, and I immediately froze in embarrassment.

“Sorry, I... I got a little too excited,” I muttered, trying to compose myself. The situation turned agonizingly awkward.

As night fell, and after I took my anti-stress medication, a heavy drowsiness began to wash over me. We had planned to return to Yorishiro’s mansion, but before we could leave, I fell fast asleep on the sofa. By the time I woke up, the world was draped in darkness.

I found myself in Kazuaki’s bedroom. Wait... didn't I fall asleep on the sofa?

I walked out of the room and saw Kazuaki asleep on the sofa, his phone screen still glowing. Out of curiosity, I peeked at the screen and saw an unsent message to Yorishiro, informing him that he couldn't make it due to some business. Driven by a strange impulse, I also checked his contact list. There were only thirteen people in there, including myself. So few.

This man... he really is lonely, I thought.

The sofa looked incredibly uncomfortable for sleeping. I tried to wake him up, suggesting he move to the bed, though he was surprisingly heavy. Half-conscious, he walked with my support, but as we almost reached the bed, I lost my balance. I fell, landing directly on top of him.

His hands caught my body against the mattress, and I felt his skin—it was burning hot. A fever, clearly. I scrambled up immediately, fetching water and a cold compress to bring down his temperature. Though I knew in my heart, the coldness in his body might not just be from a fever, but from a loneliness that ran incredibly deep.

After placing the compress on his forehead, I sat back down beside him. I intended to watch over him, but my own sleepiness became an unbearable weight. Slowly, I drifted off right there next to him. But my sleep was restless; his high fever kept me worried. Suddenly, he pulled me into a tight embrace, as if mistaking me for a bolster. His grip was firm, leaving me flustered and confused about what to do.

It was in that moment that I felt something change.

In the midst of his warm embrace, between the doubts and the worries, a flicker of hope emerged. It was as if that hug whispered that I wasn't alone in all of this. He was there, and even though his world was vastly different, maybe... just maybe, I could become a part of his world too.

That night, for the first time in forever, I felt that even though life is full of trials, there is always a hidden hope behind every difficulty. Perhaps God doesn't give us what we want easily, but He always gives us what we need at the exact right time.

And that night, amidst his heavy breathing and warm embrace, I found my hope rekindled.