THE FORGOTTEN SPRING

CHAPTER 9

"THE FORGOTTEN SPRING"

by: Dark Flame Master

KAI'S POV

It’s the third day of the week, and there are no classes. Apparently, a student messed up cleaning the chemicals in the lab, and now the whole school is being sanitized. The announcement said it would take two days, so tomorrow we’ll finally go back.

Honestly, I don’t mind having this break. I haven’t seen that annoying p*****t for two whole days. I don’t think I can handle being around him. He has this way of looking at me, like he can see straight through everything I try to hide.

Lying on my bed, I stared at the ceiling, trying not to think about him. But his words kept replaying in my head. “I don’t want you to feel that way.” What did he mean by that? Did he really care, or was he just playing some game?

And then there’s the thing about us supposedly meeting when we were kids. If that’s true, why don’t I remember him? Did he really know me back then? And if he did… does that mean he knows about that? No! No way! There’s no way he knows.

“Kai, punta ka dito!” (Kai, come here!) Mom’s voice called from downstairs, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I sighed and got up, dragging myself down to the living room. “What is it, Mom?”

She smiled, holding a folder. “Your dad forgot this. Can you bring it to him at work?”

“Can’t he come back for it himself?” I asked, frowning.

“Kai,” she said, giving me the look. “Do you want your dad to fail his meeting?”

I sighed in defeat. “Fine. Give it to me.”

She handed me the folder along with some money. “Thank you. Oh, and on your way back, buy some ice cream for us.”

“Yeah, sure,” I muttered, heading to my room to grab my jacket and face mask before leaving.

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Dad’s office wasn’t far, so I walked quickly, clutching the folder. When I arrived, I saw him waiting outside, pacing nervously. As soon as he saw me, his face lit up.

“Kai! Arigatou!” (Thank you! Kai) he said, pulling me into a hug. “Daijoubu ka? Nani mo nakatta yo ne?” (Are you okay? Nothing happens to you right?)

“Ii yo. Uchi ni modotte,” (I'm fine. Just go back inside.) I replied, shrugging him off.

Dad grinned, looking much more relaxed. “Sou da. Arigatou, Kai. Soshite okaasan ni ‘aishiteru’ tte tsutaete ne.” (Ah, right. Thank you, Kai. Tell your mom I that Iove her.)

“Wakatta,” (Okay) I muttered as he hurried back inside, looking ready to conquer the world.

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On my way home, I stopped at the nearest konbini to buy the ice cream Mom wanted. I was looking at the freezer section, trying to decide on a flavor, when I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder. My entire body froze. My mind raced. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. Memories I didn’t want to think about came rushing back.

“Nani shiteru no? Ah, aisu? Aisu suki na no?” (What are you doing? Oh, ice cream? You like ice cream?)

That voice. I slowly turned my head. Sure enough, it was him. That p*****t.

“Get your hands off my shoulder,” I said, my voice shaking as I shrugged his hand off and grabbed the nearest ice cream.

“Nani? Eigo wakaranai tte shitteru daro,” (Huh? You know I can't understand English right) he said, tilting his head with that annoying smile.

I ignored him and went straight to the counter. But when I reached into my pocket, I realized the money Mom gave me was gone.

“Dou shita?” (What's wrong?) he asked, stepping closer.

“Nothing,” I muttered, my face heating up. This was so embarrassing.

“Hai,” (Here) he said, handing money to the cashier before I could protest.

“N-nani yatteru no? Sonna koto shinakute ii yo,” (W-what are you doing? You don't have to do that.) I stammered.

“Demo aisu suki nandarou? Ki ni shinakute ii yo,” (But you like ice cream right? Don't worry about it.) he said, that stupid smile still plastered on his face.

“A-arigatou,” (T-thanks) I mumbled, clutching the ice cream like it was my lifeline. “I guess you’re kind… kahit nakakainis ka,” (I guess you're kind... even though you're annoying) I muttered under my breath.

“Mata eigo?” (English again?) he asked, tilting his head like he was trying to figure me out. I didn’t stick around. I bolted out of the store, running as fast as I could. As I ran, I thought I heard him mutter something that sounded like, “Eigo janai.” (That's not English.)

When I got home, I handed Mom the ice cream.

“Thank you, Kai! Let’s eat it together,” she said cheerfully.

We sat at the table, and she talked about her day while eating. I tried to listen, but my mind kept wandering back to that p*****t. No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t shake him off.

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Tonight's dinner is lively. Mom had cooked my favorite dish, and Dad was in an even better mood than usual. “Kyou no kaigi wa sugoku yokatta yo," (The meeting went great today.) Dad said as he helped himself to another serving. “Sugoku ki ni itte kureta. Kai, hontou ni tasuke ni natta yo” (The clients really like it. You really save me there Kai.)

“It's not really a big deal,” I mumbled, focusing on my food. Dad leaned over, trying to pull me into a hug. I leaned back quickly. “Stop!” I said, scowling.

Mom laughed. “Kai doesn’t like hugs, remember?”

“Hai hai.” (Okay fine/ Fine, Fine.) Dad said, turning his attention to Mom instead. “Demo dakishimetemo ii yo na?” (But I can hug you right?)

“Not in front of Kai,” Mom said, trying to push him away. I rolled my eyes as they laughed together. They were always like this, teasing each other like newlyweds. It was weird, but… I envied them.

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Later that night, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling again. Despite everything, his face wouldn’t leave my mind. “Wait,” I muttered, sitting up. “If he doesn’t understand English, then why did he say that earlier?” The question bugged me. I shook my head, trying to push it aside.

Still restless, I went downstairs to grab some water. As I reached the living room, I saw Mom and Dad sitting on the couch together, laughing softly. They were holding hands, smiling like there was no one else in the world.

“Mom,” I called, breaking the moment.

She looked up, startled. “What is it, Kai?”

I hesitated, sitting down on the couch. “Do you… do you know someone named H-haru from when I was a kid?”

Mom frowned, thinking. “Haru? No, I don’t think so. Why?”

“N-nothing,” I said quickly, standing up to leave.

“Kai, chotto,” (Wait, Kai!) Dad called, stopping me.

“Hm?”

“Haru tte iu namae wa oboetenai kedo,” (I don't remember anyone whose name is haru but..) he began, “isshou ni kaetta toki ni ‘atarashii tomodachi dekinakatta’ tte itta yo na. Onnanoko datta yo ne? Nandake… Haruka tte iu namae da.” (One time when you went home, you told me that you met a new friend. It's a girl right? What was her name again... Ah, Haruka, that's her name.)

“Haruka?” I repeated. The name sounded completely unfamiliar.

“Sou da,” (Yeah) Dad said, nodding.

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The silence in my room felt heavier than usual and I couldn’t help but feel like they were closing in on me. “Haruka…” I muttered to myself, turning the name over in my mind. It didn’t feel familiar at all. No images, no feelings, no memories came to me. Just… emptiness.

Why couldn’t I remember the good things from my childhood? Why did it always seem like the bad memories were the only ones etched into my mind? The more I thought about it, the more frustrated I became.

I reached for my phone, thinking maybe writing something down would help clear my mind. But as I unlocked it, my fingers froze. That p*****t's face flashed in my thoughts again. That annoying smile, the way he tilted his head when I spoke English, the way he paid for the ice cream without hesitation.

“Why does he keep bothering me?” I muttered, throwing my phone onto the bed.

Lying back, I closed my eyes, trying to sleep. But all I could see was his annoying smile, his voice, his touch on my shoulder, the way he said, “Eigo janai.” What did he mean by that? Why does he know that it's not English? He said he only knows a little bit of English so it's weird for him to say that earlier unless I misheard things.

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The next day came faster than I expected. Despite my sleepless night, I forced myself out of bed. Breakfast passed quickly, and soon I was on my way to school. As I walked, I kept my head down, hoping to avoid any unnecessary interactions.

But as soon as I entered the gates, I felt it—a familiar presence.

“Kai!”

My stomach sank. I didn’t need to look to know who it was. The more I wish to never interact with him, the more it feels like we are always seeing each other. “Ohayou! Kinou wa tanoshikatta na?” (Goodmorning! Did you have fun yesterday?)

“What are you talking about?” I said, refusing to meet his gaze.

"Ehh?? Eigo? Aisu da yo. Oishikatta?” (Ehh?? English? Is the ice cream delicious?)

“I don’t owe you anything,” I snapped, quickening my pace.

“Matte yo,” (Wait) he said, easily keeping up with me. His eyes flickered with something I couldn’t quite place—sadness, maybe? But he didn’t argue.

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The rest of the day felt like a blur. That annoying guy didn’t come up to me again, but I could feel his eyes on me. Every time we were in the same room, it was like he was watching me. Not in a creepy way, but more like he was waiting for something to happen, or maybe for me to do something.

By lunch, I couldn’t take it anymore. My head was spinning, and I had to find a way to distract myself. Unfortunately, this p*****t ended up sitting next to me again. I glanced at Cyrus, who was sitting across from me, eating his lunch. He seemed like the best person to help me with my plan—whatever my plan even was.

“Cyrus,” I called quietly, making sure no one else could hear. He looked up at me, still chewing. “What? I’m busy,” he said.

I leaned closer so no one could overhear us. “May papagawa ako sa’yo,” ( I have something I want you to do.) I whispered. That got his attention. His chewing slowed, and he stared at me. “W-wait, what? Why are you talking like—”

“W-wag ka masyadong maingay,” (D-dont talk too loud) I hissed, cutting him off and glancing around nervously.

Cyrus frowned, swallowing his food. “Ano nangyayari sa’yo?” (What's happening to you?) he asked, sounding confused.

I leaned even closer. “Lapit ka,” (Come here) I said, motioning for him to come closer. “Tapos kunwari may ibubulong ka sakin.” (Pretend that you are going to whisper something to me.)

His confusion only grew. “H-huh? What’s wrong with you?”

“Basta, gawin mo na,” (Just do it!) I urged.

He sighed but leaned toward me like I’d asked. “K-kai,” he whispered awkwardly, “W-we should stop. May magagalit sakin.” (Someone would get angry at me.) Before I could respond, Kerk, who had been sitting quietly next to him, smacked Cyrus’s hands away.

“What are you two whispering about?” Kerk asked, narrowing his eyes at us.

“N-nothing!” Cyrus said quickly, sitting up straight and waving his hands in the air. “Kai’s just being weird.”

But I wasn’t even paying attention to them anymore. My focus had shifted to this annoying guy, who was sitting beside me, watching us. He was smiling again, but it wasn’t the usual carefree grin he always had. This one was different. It felt… wrong, like he was angry about something. Is he lying about not understanding English? Is that the why you look like that, because you can't understand what I'm saying earlier? I wondered, my mind racing.

“Kai, hey!” Cyrus’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Say that we’re not really talking about anything!” I blinked and looked at him. Kerk was next to him, pinching his cheeks.

“Yeah, it’s nothing,” I said casually and sat back down, trying to act normal.

“Hey, Kai! That’s not really helpful, you jerk!” Cyrus yelled, wincing as Kerk’s grip tightened on his face. “Ow! Stop it! It’s really nothing, okay?”

Kerk didn’t look convinced. “If it’s nothing, then just speak in English,” he said, frowning. “You know I can’t understand what you’re saying when you’re not talking in English.”

“Okay, fine, I promise,” Cyrus said, still squirming. “Let go of me, please!”

Watching them, I shook my head and picked at my food, pretending to be interested in it. These two are so weird, I thought.

But no matter how hard I tried to focus on something else, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. His smile, his stare—it was bothering me more than it should. Why did he look like that? What was he thinking? And most importantly, what was he hiding?