Chapter 6

I stood outside the store front as Kei continued to shop. He wanted to visit a video store first. I guess he's a bit of a movie buff. I wonder what kind of movies he likes? I looked around the door, seeing Kei was in the anime section, specifically the newest releases. I shrugged my shoulders, deciding to walk in and join him. I gave me a quick look that seemed he was happy I joined him as he help onto a new blu ray. "You a big fan of the genre?" I asked, pointing to the series. 

"You could say that," Kei laughed, heading towards the counter. "What kind of stuff you like?" 

I shrugged again. "I didn't really have the luxury of free time in high school," I explained as we made it into the queue. Kei seemed surprised but it was true. A lot of my high school career was me jumping from part time job to part time job just to make money to eat. It wasn't until I met Akemi I started to get into anything like movies and going out with friends. "But lets not worry about that. Maybe we could watch something together." 

"You'll have to come over to my place," Kei said with a large grin. I guess I made him happy suggesting we do something he likes together. "I have quite the movie collection. Even some western collections too. If you don't mind something in English." 

I laughed nervously, thinking back to my English classes in high school. All I can remember is the large red letters of failure plastering the empty space beside my name. "Maybe we can add some subtitles when we watch those ones." 

Kei couldn't help but laugh. Nice to see he's getting some enjoyment from my misery. Once he paid for his blu ray, our next stop was a candy store. As we walked in, I could smell the sugar, surely enough to send me into a sugar rush, I can't imagine what this about of sugar could do to a small child.  Kei seemed to know where he was going as he left me to just look around. In my previously life wasn't a very sweet person, yet I find myself tempted by some of the items in front of me. I reached over, grabbing a bag of dark chocolates filled with various flavours. I guess I could try these. "Ah Aki," that voice. "I looked to my left, seeing surprised to see Mr Hashimoto and Akemi greeting me. "What a surprise, I didn't expect to see my students here today." 

Kei had run over to join me, immediately kneeling down to Akemi's height to say hello. "Did you convince daddy to bring you to the store today?" He asked. 

Akemi gave a cheeky grin as she nodded. Seems Mr. Hashimoto is a push over when it comes to Akemi. Her attention turned to me, still smiling widely. "Are you feeling better Mr Aki?" She asked. 

I felt my chest tighten. Damnit,. she really is cute. I coughed, trying to compose myself as I knelt down, ruffling her hair. "Your picture helped me feel a lot better," I answered, giving her a soft smile. "But don't you worry about me. You have a lot of candy to choose from." 

Akemi laughed as she ran off to go looking at the candy. Kei helped me back up so we could face Mr Hashimoto. "I'm glad to see you out and about Aki," he said, turning to Kei. "But as you're the one looking out for him, I don't need to worry." 

"You can count on me teach," Kei said proudly,. patting my shoulder. "Speaking of, lets grab our stuff. There's one more stop we're going to hit." 

I nodded. After paying for our items, we bid a farewell to Mr Hashimoto and Akemi before heading somewhere that I wasn't familiar with. To say I had lived all my life in this city, I don't think I ever came up this hill that was on the edge of town. The breeze as we walked up felt refreshing and no one was around for miles. This felt like a comfortable and quiet area you could come to without a worry off being bothered. When we got to the top of the hill, a tall and wide tree was standing there. Seeing it standing tall with the city behind it was truly beautiful. 

Kei smiled, stepping forward and kneeling in front of the tree. From his bag he pulled out a small wooden cross, placing it in the grass with care. I felt my heart stop. Was that cross for what I think it's for? "When Aki and I wanted time away from everything," Kei started to say, a single tear running down his cheek. "We would ride our bikes here and just talk." I gulped, hesitantly taking steps forward to stand beside Kei. "Even though he's gone, I think there's still a hint of him inside you." He turned to me, pointing to the bag of candy I was holding. "That candy, is actually Aki's favourite brand." Aki had started to smile through the tears as he turned back around, grabbing the same candy from the bag and placing it by the cross. 

I knelt beside him, putting my hands together to offer a prayer. A wave of sadness washed over me. How could I not have realised this before? Aki wasn't in the previous timeline, based off the picture Akemi showed me and yet here I am, in his place. The only person who knows this and has to burden the knowledge of knowing his best friend is dead is Kei. There would be no funeral, no grievance and everyone would be going on with their daily lives. Telling Kei everything I did, put so much on him emotionally, I didn't consider how Aki's best friend would feel about the situation. 

Things between us where quiet as we offered Aki our prayers until Kei broke the silence. "Alrighty then," he said, making me open my eyes to see him standing tall. "I promised Aki I would look after you as you're in his body after all," he grinned holding out his hand to me. "Whatever you were brought here for, whether it was a second chance of life or to help Akemi then I'm with you all the way." 

I smirked, grabbing hold of his hand and Kei pulled me up into a hug. I squeezed him tightly, not wanting to let go. "Thank you," I whispered. Aki, I hope you're hearing this; I promise I'll look after Kei for you. I'll be his best friend and Akemi, I'll make sure you and your dad can live the happy life you never got.