Chapter Six

His dreams were agitated and conflicted. He struggled to open his eyes, his head hurting and his temples hammering. He lay down with his eyes wide for a while to gather the strength to get up. He sat down and looked around after a few minutes. He remembered where he was when he noticed the foreign boy sleeping behind the table and sitting against the wall.

He must have drunk a lot and fallen asleep; he wanted to get up from the bed when his foot hit a bunch of books on the floor and made a noise. The foreign boy's eyes opened sleepily; he blinked for a few moments, then stood up worriedly and said, “Are you okay, Akira-san?” The Japanese boy, who was trying hard to keep himself on his feet, said, “I'm fine, I'm fine. I just have a headache and dizziness.”

- Please sit on the bed; I will bring you water now.

He went to the fridge, took out the water bottle, and looked for a glass. Akira sat back on the bed and looked at the clock, which read 1:10 in the morning, and said, “I made you trouble again, like the first time we met; I'm sorry.” David came over to the bed, brought the glass to him, and said, “Never mind,” The Japanese boy gratefully took the glass and drank to the end. By drinking water, he felt that his mind was clearer and that he felt better. He smiled and said, “Thank you.”

But suddenly his smile turned into a frown, and he said, “What's wrong with your face? Why is it red?” With a pause, the foreign lad placed his palm on his face and murmured, “It's nothing.” He rose from the front of the bed and sat down on the floor behind the table once more. Akira shrugged and said, “Must be the mosquitoes; when the weather gets hot, those damn things will come in.” He felt pressure in his bladder, got up without a word, and went to the toilet.

As he moved back to the room from the toilet, his gaze was drawn to the trash bag in the corner of the kitchen sink and the beer cans. Suddenly, the events of the first few hours of the night flashed before his eyes like a fast-paced movie. He closed his eyes for a few seconds before entering the room and saying, “I hit you, didn't I?”

Even though his pride was injured, David looked up from his phone and said, “never mind, you were drunk.”

- Cracks on your glasses, it's my fault too, isn't it?

- There's nothing unusual about that; it'll be fixed.

Suddenly, the Japanese boy shouted, “Why do you always act so indifferently?! Why do you put yourself in a weak position?” David sighed and said, “Please don't yell, Akira-san; you're disturbing the neighbors.” Akira looked at him a bit, then knelt down in front of him and said, “I'm sorry. Every time you see me, you're going to be in trouble, this time too. I'm sorry for hitting you; I'll pay for the repair of your glasses myself.”

David looked at him for a while, then calmly said, “Please don't kneel in front of me; you're older than me; it's not right. It was an accident; it wasn't on purpose. So don't apologize for it.” He took off his glasses and added, “For now, it can be used as it is. I don't always wear glasses; I only use them for reading, so there is no need to repair them at the moment.”

Akira fisted his hands on his knees and said with his head down, “I didn't want to hurt you. The truth is that I was waiting for an opportunity to see you again and talk to you, but I didn't want to cause you trouble by coming to your house. When I saw you today, I wanted to talk to you, but you left, and after that, I came here by accident, and instead of talking…”

- I left because I am not a particularly interesting person. As I said before and as you mentioned today, I am a boring person.

Akira, who was shocked, said with shame, “I... I didn't mean it; it was out of anger.” David smiled bitterly and said, “Usually people speak from their hearts when they are angry. No problem; I am aware of my own weakness. So do not worry.” Then he added, “Please don't kneel like that; it makes me uneasy." Akira frowned as he sat normally and said, "Don't talk about yourself like that; you're a good boy.”

- How did you find out? Do you believe I'm a decent person because you lived with me for a week?

- I don't need to explain why I know you are but tell me why you're so cold? Do you treat everyone the same, or do you simply dislike me?

And then he tilted his head slightly. David felt that those eyes and face were very beautiful in this state; he was surprised to think about his own feelings. He looked away from those eyes and said, “I'm the same with everyone; I don’t have problem with you.” Akira smiled and said, “Are you serious?” The foreigner boy nodded his head. The Japanese boy said happily, “I'm glad to hear that; I thought you hated me; I don't know why, but it bothered me,” then suddenly added, “So can we be friends?”

“be friends?” David asked, his eyes wide with surprise, “But I'm a foreigner, and you know nothing about me. Apart from that, I don't have anything to give as a friend.” Akira frowned and said, “What does being a foreigner have to do with it? I know you well enough; what do you mean you don't have anything to offer as a friend?”

With a bitter smile, David bent his head and said, “I'm not as good-looking as you, I'm not as strong, I can't even read your handwriting, I don't have a lot of money to spend on fun, and... I'm a boring person…” Akira sighed and said, “Who said friendship needs these things? You're as good-looking as you are; being strong and rich has nothing to do with friendship, and I don't think you're boring. Forget what I said today; you are kind. You are reliable and trustworthy. I feel it, and that's why I want you to be my friend. I feel safe and calm when I'm here.”

He looked around the house, then added with a sigh, “Of course friendship is mutual. I'm quick-tempered and a little inconsiderate, and you don't know anything about me except my name and that I'm a yakuza. To you foreigners, the yakuza is similar to the mafia. You probably think that I am a criminal; I steal, launder money, sell drugs, harass people, etc. If you don't want to be my friend, I won't blame you.”

David raised his head and said, “Honestly, you don't look like a yakuza to me. I feel like you would never force someone weaker than you or hurt innocent people,” she said, then added confusedly, “If you're serious, tell me more about yourself.”

Akira smiled and said, “Of course! What would you like to know? I don't have any secrets!” The foreign boy said with hesitation, “Why did you get angry when you saw the knife in my hand?” The Japanese boy, who was shocked by this question, faded his smile little by little and said, “I'm sorry, but I don't like to talk about this one.”

David paused and said, “It's okay, I'm sorry for asking.” The Japanese boy said in an apologetic tone, “It's hard for me right now, so please ask one more question; I promise I'll answer.” He sighed and said, “Okay.” Then he looked into his eyes and said, “Maybe it's not my business, but I don't know why I'm curious. Before you fell asleep, you said, ‘I dyed my hair this color for you’ Who did you mean?”

Akira's cheeks flushed, and he turned his face away. “W-what does it matter?” The foreign boy sighed again and said, “You're right; don't worry; I shouldn't have asked this too.” He got up and wanted to go to the bathroom when the Japanese boy stopped him and said, without looking at him, “Do you promise not to laugh at me?”

- You don't need to tell me that my questions were stupid.

- No, it wasn't; I promised to answer this myself.

David let out a sigh and said, “Whatever your response, I have no reason to mock you.” Akira took a breather and said, “You.” The big boy tilted his head and asked, “Me? Me what?” The Japanese boy answered shyly, “Because of you.” The foreign boy, who was surprised by his answer, said in disbelief, “What? So you changed your hair color because of me?”

- Yes, because you didn't look at me last time and kept saying that my hair color doesn't suit me.

- Well, that was my personal opinion. You are an adult; why is my opinion important to you?

“I already answered you; why are you asking so much?” He frowned as his ears turned crimson. The foreign boy laughed and said, “I didn't expect this answer,” then added with a smile, “Can you please step aside? I want to go to the bathroom.” Akira walked away confused, and David passed him as he smiled.

Akira sat on the bed and thought about the boy's first question. The answer was what changed his life. Perhaps if it hadn't happened, he would never have arrived in Tokyo, and his future would have been different. Until now, he had not told anyone about this in Tokyo, and this secret always remained in the corner of his heart like an old wound. Despite the generosity of the boss and group members, he considered them just colleagues and was unwilling to share information about his past with them. Fortunately, the boss had never asked any questions about these issues.

But he had no idea why he wanted to discuss it with this foreign boy. He remembered the second question as his ears became warm. He responded honestly. He tried to catch the attention of this fat boy, but he always turned away. He thought to himself that changing his hair color was a good idea. He had no idea why he had done such a thing to attract another person, that too a boy. He sighed and lay back on the bed as his legs dangled off the bed and said to himself, “I really don't know what the hell I'm doing.”

***

He was sitting in the toilet cubicle, thinking about the Japanese boy's words. He was violent and quick-tempered, and apparently he was really a yakuza. David, on the other hand, saw grief behind those chuckles, rage, energy, and eyes. Despite his age, he felt like a teenage boy was trapped inside him.

The strangest thing was his sudden offer of friendship and his responses. David never imagined that this boy would come forward to be friends with him and be sensitive to his opinions. Did he really change his hair color because of him? but why?

An awful notion flashed across his head. He was a yakuza, and among such people, mocking and playing with someone's pride and sentiments was sometimes considered entertainment. Maybe he bet his friends that if he could tame and fool the foreigner, he'd win.

He shook his head left and right, then said, "Don't be so pessimistic!" but he could not. During his 25 years of life, due to his life circumstances and personality, David gradually lost his self-confidence and did not see anything attractive in himself to attract the attention of others and offer friendship.

To avoid difficulties and avoid him later, it might be wiser to accept his offer now that he's here. But, feeling guilty, he said, “But what if his words are true?” David was kind and constantly sought to avoid hurting the sentiments of others, even if it meant losing his own rights. Especially if the other person was someone he knew.

He sighed and cleaned himself, washed his hands, and took a deep breath before walking out of the bathroom and saying, “I don't know what the hell I'm doing.”

***

He was almost asleep when the foreign boy exited the bathroom. He sat down immediately on the bed and asked, “How long did it take? I thought you fell asleep there.” David replied with a shy smile, “Ah, I'm sorry.”

- No problem. By the way, can I have your number? You have mine, but I don't have yours.

David nodded, walked over to the table, scribbled the number on a piece of paper, and handed it to him. Akira accepted the paper, took out his flip phone, saved the number as 'Big Guy,' and smiled. “Now I don't have to come here all the time to bother you; I can call you whenever I want.”

- If you could send me a message, I would appreciate it. I am not very comfortable with voice calls. You can email, text, or even message me on social networks.

Akira raised his phone with a sigh, shook it, and said, “Do you think this phone is suitable for this kind of work? I don't like these things; I don't understand them, so it's easier for me to call.” Then he moved his lips with an annoyed expression and added, “Well, if it is difficult for you, I'll try to text.” David felt a little guilty seeing his annoyance, but he didn't know why, so he paused and said, “I'll try to answer your calls, but if you call during the day and you and I didn't answer or I answered late, don't be upset. When I'm in class or in the lab, I usually put my phone on silent.”

Akira, who did not expect this compromise, smiled and nodded in satisfaction. Then he stood up and said, “OK, buddy, I'm not bothering you anymore. Thank you for tonight, and I apologize for hitting you again.” David raised his eyebrows and said, “Where do you want to go?”

- Where can I go at this time of night? I'm going home; it's too late. I won't bother you anymore.

- But it's almost 2 a.m.; at this time of the night, streets and alleys are not safe.

Akira shook his head and said, “Why do you think I'm a kid? I'm a yakuza from this town! Others should be afraid of me; I can take care of myself. Do you forget? They call me...”

- Shinka the Thunder, I'm aware. But, Mr. Thunder, even you are in danger. Do you remember how I found you in an alley just a month ago and how you had to leave your old home for a week later?

Akira frowned and said with annoyance, “That was the exception! They took me by surprise! Otherwise, I alone can be against ten men. The problem of home is also solved; for now, in this past month, there has not been another case of harassment and pranks by those Nakayama bastards.”

David sighed and said, “So it was a fight between groups.” He raised his head and looked into his eyes and asked, “Can you look into my eyes and swear that they won't surprise you again?” Akira was shocked, and as he tried to look into his serious eyes, he said, “W-well, I'll try. N-now, why are you so serious and worried?”

David gazed into his pretty eyes for a few seconds more before turning his head and saying, “Well… I don't think it's abnormal to be concerned about your friend. I don't want to see your face bruised and damaged again.” Akira felt a burning sensation in his ears and said, "A-ah, you're right, well, A-a person usually worries about his friend,” then nervously laughed and added, “You don't need to worry; I'll take care of myself.”

But the unconvinced foreign boy added, without looking at him, “I don't mind if you stay the night; you can go home in the morning; it's safer.” Akira made an excuse with a stupid expression and said, “I don't have comfortable clothes with me.”

- I will give you clothes, there is also a bed. So please stay the night.

David had no idea why he was insisting; until a few moments earlier in the bathroom, he had wanted to kick him out of the house, but now he was concerned that he would go out alone at this hour.

Akira was in an even worse condition; he had no idea why he had used the clothes as an excuse like a fool and why he had been ashamed and overwhelmed by this boy's proposal. They'd already been living together for a week! So what's the problem now? He was never out of control of his actions. After a long pause, he said, “Okay, okay, I'll stay.” Then, with a pleasant tap on his shoulder and said, “I didn't feel like going home myself either; thank you for not asking me to go, buddy.”

David gave him a childlike smile and said, “Please, wait, I'll get you some comfortable clothes now,” then went to the closet and brought him some comfortable shorts, then pulled out the second bed from the closet and put it on the floor while the Japanese boy was changing. Then he sat on it and added, “Please turn off the light when you are done.”

After putting on his shorts, Akira hung his pants on the dresser and put his socks aside, but before turning off the light, he threw the mattress, sheets, and pillow off the bed onto the floor next to David. The foreign boy said in surprise, “What are you doing?”

- I want to sleep on the floor.

- Why? Sleep on the bed; you see, I slept here.

Akira said with a mischievous smile, “Well, you can sleep on the bed; maybe you'd like to stay on the floor, and I'll hug you.” David suddenly laughed and said, “You're so naughty, Akira-san; you're talking back to me in my own house.” The Japanese boy also laughed and replied, “That's right, by the way, you don't need to add San to my name; I'm only two years older than you. We've become friends now, haven't we? So Akira is enough.”

David smiled and said, “Thanks, Akira, so please turn off the lights so we can sleep,” and laid down in his bed. Akira was a little embarrassed to be called by only name. It had been a long time since anyone had called him like that. In the group, they either called him Shinka or Aniki. The last time someone addressed him by his first name was in high school. Remembering the past, he felt a pain in his chest, took a deep breath, turned off the light, and lay down. “Thank you,” David said as his back was to him.

- For what?!

- because you wanted to be my friend. I am introverted and cold. Sometimes I speak too bluntly or ask things that have nothing to do with my business. That's why I chose to be alone for a long time. I hope I won't make you regret your offer.

“Don't be such a fool,” he said, gently hitting him on the back of the head. “Why do you believe I'm perfect? I haven't had any genuine friendships in years. In fact, I owe you gratitude. You're in a different nation, yet you're trusting a stranger who happened to be in your way, even though you knew he's not the most respectful person in society, but you agreed to be his friend.”

- You are not a bad person, Akira. your eyes are not evil eyes. In the depth of your eyes, I do not see any evil. I don't know why you decided to become a yakuza, but I do know that you are not as criminal as expected.

He turned his head and looked at her back, gave a bitter smile, and said, "It's not like I wanted to become a yakuza from the beginning. It's just that my life path was drawn in this direction." Suddenly, the foreign boy turned to him and spoke curiously. “Can I ask why?” But immediately, seeing the pain and sadness in Akira's eyes, he regretted his question and said, “Of course you don't have to say it; all people have things that sometimes are better to remain silent forever,” and smiled apologetically.

Akira smiled sadly and said, “Maybe one day I told you, but now I'm not ready; I don't want my dreams again…” David immediately said, “You don't need to continue; I understand that it was a bitter incident; I don't like to hurt you; Let's sleep; it's too late.” He yawned and said, “Good night,” as he turned her back to him.

Akira paused for a moment, then asked casually and softly, “Can I lean on you from behind?” He also surprised himself by saying that, as soon as he wanted to clarify what he said, David responded “yes” and, without turning to him, straightened his back a little. The Japanese boy didn't know what to say out of embarrassment; he turned his back to David and, as he leaned back, said, “Thank you, good night.”

For a few minutes, his mind was occupied with his own inexplicable behavior with this foreign boy. Why was he so calm? He really didn't understand, but he was too tired to think and fantasize more and fell asleep slowly.

***

Summer heat again, thirst for water, the same house, the same unusual silence, His hand goes to the handle, but he feels that the handle is wet. He pulls his hand back and notices the red color on the handle and his hand. Blood!

He opened his eyes and sat on his bed, drenched in sweat and afraid. As he shook, blinked a few times, and remembered he wasn't in his own house, he looked to his right anxiously to see if he had woken up his new friend. But, to his surprise, his bed was empty. His fear increased unconsciously, and while he trembled, he said, “No, no, no, he didn't leave me. This is also a dream,” Then with a trembling voice, He said quietly, “B-big boy? W-where are you?” But there is no answer in the dark room.

He lost control and yelled, “D-David!” in a quivering voice. A door in the corridor opened in a few seconds, and a shadow stumbled and raced into the room, turning on the light. The foreign boy who pulled his pants half up said worriedly, “What’s wrong?! Are you okay?!”

Akira wanted to say something, but he was trembling like a willow and couldn't stop himself. The foreign boy knelt alongside him, placed his hands on his shoulder, and said, “God! Your color is like wall plaster! Why are you trembling?” And then he added sadly, “The same nightmare?” Akira could only forcefully confirm his words by moving his head.

David involuntarily hugged him tightly and said, “I'm sorry, it's all my fault for asking stupid questions before sleep. Please calm down; it was all a dream; I'm here.”

The Japanese boy raised his trembling hands, hugged him, and gripped his clothes tightly. He shut his eyes and laid his forehead on his shoulder. He felt his warmth gradually relieve his shivering. After a few moments, he loosened his fists, let go of his clothes but didn't pull himself out of his arms, and muttered, “I'm sorry… I… I'm so...”

David drew him away from himself a little, smiled at his natural-looking face, and said, "There's nothing to apologize for; if anyone should apologize, it's me, not you." He stood up, fixed his pants, and went to the fridge. He returned to Akira a few moments later with a glass of water and said, "Come on, drink this." With a carefree smile, the Japanese boys took the glass and drank a little from it. Then he returned his gaze to the foreign boy and said, “I really...”

- Stop, please. I don't want you to apologize to me for stupid things. Anyone can have bad dreams. It was my fault that I asked irrelevant questions before going to sleep and caused your mind to be confused.

Then he sighed, leaned against the wall, and said, “You can talk to me if it calms you down. I don't know how to calm others down, but I'm a good listener.” He took a deep breath and said, “It's nothing, just old problems. I'm much better now, thank you.” Then he blushed a little and shyly said, “I'm sorry, I grabbed your clothes like that and hugged you.”

His words made the blood rush to David's cheeks. “I-I have to apologize; I did it first. Sorry, I didn't know how to calm you down in that situation; my movement was involuntary,” he said confusedly and lowered his head in embarrassment.

Akira took a closer look at him. At first impression, everyone would have assumed that this foreign boy, with his tall and massive frame, would be a violent bully, but in the time he had known him, he had never seen him lose control or show anger. This foreign youngster reminded him of bears, of course, like a bear he had seen once in the circus who, despite his large size, was gentle and playful with humans. With this thought, he burst out laughing.

David looked up and worriedly asked, “Did I say something funny?” He responded, “No, no,” and while struggling to contain his laughs added, “Sorry, I laughed because I remembered something. We're sitting in bed, apologizing to each other like high school girls. Please turn off the lights; we have a long time until sunrise; we should sleep.” and then he laid down.

David, who didn't comprehend what he said, stood up, paused, turned off the lights, and then lay down. Everything happened to him as if it were a dream. He had awoken with bladder pressure and went to the bathroom; however, as he was cleansing himself, the sound of the Japanese boy's scream drew him into the room, where he was faced by his pale and shaking face.

What was this nightmare that had previously made him wet himself and had now left him shivering and pale? Aside from that, how did he change his mood and laugh so happily? His thoughts refused to answer him as he lay on his back, staring at the ceiling. He groaned and rolled onto his left side, but when he saw two eyes staring at him in the darkness, he jumped and said, “Oh God! Akira-san, please don't scare me like this!”

The Japanese boy laughed as he lay down and said, “I didn't mean to scare you; I was just looking at you, and you turned around to me. By the way, why do you keep calling me formal when you're scared? Just call me Akira.”

David calmed himself, leaned back, and apologized, but an awful stillness fell between them. He felt the weight of the Japanese boy's stare on himself as he looked up at the ceiling again. As soon as he was about to turn away and say good night, Akira asked quietly, “Do you really want to know?”

David, shocked, responded after a moment, “If you mean the cause of your nightmares, yes. Of course, it's not required if you don't want to,” Akira said with a delay. “I didn't talk about it to anyone for years because I didn't want to lose the people around me again." He looked at his profile and asked, “Do you promise to consider me your friend even after knowing that?”

David turned his head and looked at him in the dark and said, “I don't know what this secret is, but I know it's bothering you a lot. I can definitely say that you are neither weak nor cowardly, but this problem is eating you from the inside. If you trust me and share the biggest secret of your life with me, be sure that it will not affect my opinion towards you and this friendship.”

The Japanese boy smiled briefly and replied, “Thank you.” Then he added with a short laugh, “I see that I made the right choice for a friend; what date is today?” David thought, “June 19th, why?”

- Do you have a plan for July 7?

- July 7? I don't believe so because my exam ends on July 5th and we begin our summer vacation on July 7th. Of course, I'll have to return to the lab at the end of July to finish off my study for a conference. Do you have any plans for that day?

- If I invite you, will you come with me on a one-day trip on that date?

David, who was surprised by his words, sat down and asked, “Can you explain to me first? I feel confused, and I don't understand anything.” The Japanese boy also sat down and said, “It's about what you want to know. We will go somewhere, and you will understand everything yourself.”

- May I ask where the destination of this trip is?

- I don't know how familiar you are with the geography of Japan as a foreigner, but the destination is Gifu City.

David smiled and said, “I know it; of course I haven't been before; it's almost near the center of Japan.” Akira nodded and said, “Right, I was born there.” The foreign boy raised his eyebrows and said, “Wow, so what happened? When did you arrive in Tokyo? Did you arrive during your studies? Or did your family relocate here while you were in school?” But When he saw Akira's silence, he quickly added, “Of course, these are your personal matters; you don't need to tell me.”

Akira sighed and said, “I know you have a lot of questions; suddenly a boy comes and says he wants to be your friend and invites you to go on a trip with him. Any sane person will be suspicious.”

- No matter how suspicious it is, I don't feel that you are lying to me now, so I accept it. If nothing happens, we will go to Gifu together that day. Of course, I have a condition.

It was Akira's turn to be amazed this time. He raised his eyebrows and asked, “Condition? What condition?” The foreign boy replied with a childish smile, “My condition is that on the way back, we stop in Nagoya and go to Nagoya Castle, okay?” Akira replied with a sad smile, “If you still wanted to be friends with someone like me on the way back, I would accept.”

David gave him a friendly slap on the shoulder and said, “Don't worry, I told you, I won't change my mind easily.” He then yawned and added, “We better get to sleep; the sun will be up in two hours.” He laid back and turned his back to him and said, “Good night, Akira.”

The Japanese boy looked at his lying body; he also laid down with a sigh and said as he turned his back to him, “Good night to you too,” but his mind was busy. Akira did not understand what he was doing or why he had invited the foreign boy on this trip. This invitation had come out of his mouth unconsciously. He was getting nervous little by little when he suddenly felt the warmth of the foreign boy's back on his waist and shoulder. He smiled to himself, took a deep breath, pushed the unpleasant thoughts out of his head, and closed his eyes.