The Past and The Present

***

This happened in her second year of middle school. Her parents are quite rich, to say the least, but they are too busy with stuff too. So they never gave her much attention. I was her neighbor. Conversely, my parents were poor so they also never really had any time for me. Always worrying about money, you know. It was quite a work of fate that our homes were so close. It was the house that was the result of my grandfather's whole life of work.

Thus, as fate had it, we became friends. Since none of our parents paid us any attention, we just played all day by ourselves and had fun. We also tried many different kinds of things on the computer and mobile her parents gifted her. After all, my parents just got me a phone in high school after saving up. It was at her computer that I learned these editing things.

Then we found out about Pinsta. We didn't really think much about anything and just started posting our pictures there and accidentally revealed our location too. One picture had the address plate of her home in it. That year, we found out how truly terrifying a place internet can be.

I don't mean to brag but Fujimura is quite beautiful. Since we revealed our location, Fujimura sometimes told me that she felt like she was being watched. I still regret telling her that it was just her mind playing games on her. One evening, she suddenly started knocking on the door violently. I hurriedly opened the door. Just as she came inside, she shut the door with all her force and locked it.

I could see that she was scared and trembling with fear. Suddenly, another knocking started on the door and she grabbed my sleeve while trembling. I assured her that I won't open the door so she slightly let go. I looked out the window and saw a middle-aged man standing in front of the door.

"Hey come on, open the door. I will be gentle with you." He said.

I got a cold chill of anger running through my body after hearing those words. She was a child and he was saying such hideous things. But I promised her that I won't open the door so I didn't do anything to him. However, he was probably unaware that someone else was in the house too so I managed to take his picture without him knowing.

I then took her inside the room where she couldn't hear his words anymore. She broke into tears as she clung to me. I hugged her. It was her parents who needed to be with her at that time. I told her:

"Don't worry. I will protect you. I will protect you from everything like this. I will be by your side forever."

"But why will you do so much for me?" An unexpected question came from her as she looked at me with her crying face. I knew the answer.

"Because I love you. That's why." These words slipped through my mouth. Not really the most romantic environment to confess right?

"I love you too." She said as she hugged me and I consoled her. It was probably the most traumatizing thing that could happen to a kid.

It was probably big talk for some kid but I was totally serious. And of course, I couldn't rely on our parents. The next day, I went to the local police station by myself and gave them the picture I took. In short, he was arrested. From then on, she got scared of social media in general and even other people too. However, she is in a much better condition now and can interact with others now.

***

"That is horrible." These were the words I muttered after hearing the whole story.

It was probably a really traumatizing experience for both of them. I could understand their reaction to that question earlier.

"Then why did you bring her to this club? Doesn't she hate media now?"

"For the same reason as you. She needs to overcome her fear of media now. In this time, social media has become an essential part of life after all." I understood what he was talking about.

"You are right. So that was the reason you joined?"

"Yeah that was another part but what I told you wasn't a lie too. Me doing all this is just the result of many things I wasn't to achieve."

"Another thing is bugging me. Was what you said in the heat of the moment just to console her or do you really love her?"

"Of course I do. But I don't know if the same is true for her. It has been 3 years since we started dating but we haven't done anything couple-like. Sometimes I think she just said it because of the environment. But well that is the gist of it."

"I see." I had a thought at that moment. "Well, I understand your circumstances now. But it will be for the better if you guys can clear your misunderstandings soon."

"Yeah, I know."

"I will head out now."

"Okay."

So, I headed out. On my way, I saw Kayo. She had a sad expression on her face. She was the kind of girl who would feel others' sadness like her own.

"So you heard about it from her?" I asked.

"Yeah."

"Well, where is she?"

"She said she was going to the roof for a moment."

"I see." Just as I was about to go she grabbed my sleeve.

"What happened?"

"N-nothing."

"You don't have to worry about anything," I said as I gently patted her head with a smile.

"Ok," She said in a meek voice giving a slight nod.

***

A slight wind was blowing. Fujimura was standing near the railing.

"What are you doing here?" I called out to her.

"Oh!" She noticed me as she turned around. "Noting, just reminiscing about the past."

"I see."

"So you heard about it?"

"Yeah."

"That guy can't keep things huh? Well, it's not like I want to hide it or something either."

"It seems to me like he is worried about you."

"Maybe."

"Do you love him?"

"W-what? Where did that come from?" She got startled.

"Nowhere, just my curiosity."

"I do. Of course, I do. He was there for me when no one was. He is cool and rational. He is everything one can want. I love him so much but I am scared."

"Scared of what?"

"The fact that I do not deserve him! The fact that he might not love me! The fact that he might have only said that because he was consoling me!"

"Well, he loves you alright," I said as I took the phone out of my pocket.

It was on a call with Jiro. I called him before calling out to Fujimura and made him listen to our conversation. I cut the call.

"Well, now you two can figure things out yourself," I told her as I was about to leave. Fujimura was too shocked to say anything, I guess.

As I was walking downstairs I encountered Jiro. He was probably going upstairs.

"That was really underhanded of you."

"You both won't have gotten anywhere left to your own devices after all."

"Well... thanks, I guess." 

"No problem. Now go and resolve things." I said with a smile.

"Yeah, you haven't left me with any other option after all." We both laughed a little and went on ahead.

***

All those cloudy feelings felt clear now. With a clear idea of what to do, I approached Fujimura.

"Yo," I said.

"You heard all that." She said seemingly embarrassed.

"Yeah. More like he made me listen all that."

"I swear, that guy!"

"So you were struggling with figuring out our relationship huh?"

"Also? Does that mean..."

"Yeah, it was the same for me."

"It's not like doubted your words. It's just that I wasn't confident about myself. It's just that-" She was stuttering with her words. I just walked closer to her and grabbed her by the shoulders.

"H-huh?!"

"Move away if you don't like it," I said as I leaned forward and kissed her. It was our first kiss.

"That was not fair. Idiot." She said as she looked aside with her embarrassed red face.

"These are my feelings for you."

"Well, if that is the case-"

"H-huh." I was surprised. She suddenly leaned forward and kissed me again.

"Then these are my feelings for you too."

"I see." Now I was the one looking aside with an embarrassed face. We both laughed a little.

"Looks like we will have to properly thank that guy," I said.

"Yeah, I guess so."

The past was gone and the only thing that mattered now was the present and the fact that we loved each other. He helped us see that and I was grateful for that.