Classroom Heartbeats

Chapter 16. Forget The Old Nightmare!

Inside the bustling canteen, Kibin stood in line at the counter, contemplating his choice of fries and a burger for a light lunch. The canteen was filled with the sounds of chattering students, clinking cutlery, and the occasional burst of laughter. Kibin opted for take-out, preferring the tranquility of the outdoors to the noisy environment inside. With his meal in hand, he made his way to the nearby park, a place he often sought for its serene ambiance.

The park was a sanctuary of calm, with lush greenery and blooming cherry blossom trees that painted a picturesque scene. Kibin found a quiet spot and settled down on a wooden bench beneath one of the blossoming trees. As he savored his meal, the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds provided a soothing soundtrack. The weather was perfect-sunny, yet pleasantly cool, thanks to the shade provided by the trees. After finishing his lunch, Kibin lay back on the bench, using his hands as a makeshift pillow behind his head, and soon drifted off to sleep, enveloped in the comfort of nature.

A while later, he was awakened by a familiar voice calling his name. "Kibin, Kibin! Wake up!" The voice grew clearer, and as he opened his eyes, he saw Kentaro standing over him, looking concerned.

"Kibin, wake up!" Kentaro repeated, a hint of urgency in his voice. "Why are you sleeping here?"

Rubbing his eyes and sitting up, Kibin replied, "Oh, Kentaro. What are you doing here? I just laid down for a moment and must have fallen asleep."

"You weren't in the canteen earlier, so you didn't join us for lunch," Kentaro explained, his brow furrowed. "After we ate, I decided to look for you."

"Why were you looking for me? Did you need something?" Kibin asked, still groggy from his nap.

Kentaro's expression turned somber as he said, "Not really. I just wanted to talk about what happened last Saturday."

Kibin's heart sank a little. He knew this conversation was coming. "Sorry if I didn't join you at the mall. I promised Aiko that we would have dinner and watch a movie," he said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Kentaro shook his head, a frown creasing his forehead. "Why are you apologizing, Kibin? You didn't do anything wrong. Besides, it's perfectly fine for you to have dinner and watch a movie with Aiko," Kibin replied, forcing a smile.

"I noticed that you distance yourself whenever Aiko is around. You didn't join us at the theater, and you didn't even talk to me on the way home," Kentaro said, his voice tinged with hurt.

Kibin sighed, standing up from the bench. "You were with Aiko, so naturally, I gave you both some space. As for not talking to you, that's not true. I just thought it would be better to focus on Aiko when you're together," he explained, trying to keep his tone light.

"I feel like as I get closer to Aiko, you're drifting away from me. You know, I don't want that to happen. You're my best friend, Kibin," Kentaro said, his eyes pleading for understanding.

"You're misunderstanding, Kentaro. I'm not distancing myself from you. I'm happy that you and Aiko are getting closer. I just want to give you and Aiko some privacy when you're together. Please don't misinterpret that because it would hurt me more," Kibin said, though his heart ached with the truth he couldn't voice. He distanced himself because seeing them together was too painful, each moment together felt like a stab in his heart.

Kibin turned to Kentaro and smiled, a bittersweet expression on his face. "Don't think like that. We're best friends, and I'm happy for you." He started walking away, adding, "Come on, let's go to the classroom."

Kentaro, still unsure, ran up to Kibin with a hesitant smile. "Wait for me, Kibin," he called out, catching up to his friend.

As they walked back to class, Kibin couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. He wanted to be there for his friend but needed to protect his own heart as well. The path ahead was unclear, but for now, he would cherish the friendship they had, even if it meant hiding his true feelings.

*************

One Saturday afternoon, as the sun cast a warm glow over the neighborhood, Kibin was busy folding his freshly laundered clothes in his room. The sound of birds chirping outside mingled with the rhythmic hum of the washing machine. As he carefully sorted through his garments, he stumbled upon Kentaro's uniform. It was the same uniform Kentaro had worn when he had taken care of Kibin during his recent illness. Memories of that time flooded back, and Kibin felt a pang of gratitude. He gently folded the uniform and placed it in a paper bag, planning to return it to Kentaro later that day.

With the bag in hand, Kibin set off towards Kentaro's house. The streets were relatively quiet, with only a few pedestrians going about their afternoon errands. As Kibin approached Maeda's Eye Clinic, which was closed at this hour, he noticed the gate of Kentaro's house swinging open. To his surprise, he saw Kentaro rushing out, tears streaming down his face. His expression was one of distress, and he seemed completely unaware of his surroundings. Kibin's heart tightened in concern.

"Kentaro!" Kibin called out, but his friend was too absorbed in his emotions to notice. Just then, Kentaro's mother emerged from the gate, her face etched with worry and frustration.

"Ma'am, what happened to Kentaro? Why does he look so upset?" Kibin asked, approaching her with concern.

She sighed heavily, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "They had an argument. His father... he's been drinking again and blamed Kentaro for things that happened in the past."

Kibin's brow furrowed in confusion. Kentaro's mother shook her head, her voice breaking. "Please, Kibin, find him. I'm really worried. The last time his father scolded him, Kentaro disappeared for two days. We found him unconscious in the hospital. Please, Kibin, find him," she pleaded, her voice trembling with fear and desperation.

"I will, ma'am. Don't worry," Kibin assured her, feeling the weight of the responsibility. He knew he had to find his friend and make sure he was safe.

Kibin set off in the direction he had seen Kentaro run, his mind racing with concern. He called out Kentaro's name repeatedly, hoping for a response.

Kibin felt an unsettling worry gnawing at him. Kentaro was nowhere to be found. Kibin had already called Kazuki and Yuto, but neither had seen him. His concern deepened, so he decided to check the campus. The familiar setting usually brought a sense of calm, but today it was overshadowed by his growing anxiety.

Kibin first went to the rooftop of Building 5, their usual spot for heartfelt conversations and moments of solitude, but the space was empty. Next, he hurried to the park at the far end of the campus, where the tranquil ambiance and blooming sakura trees usually provided solace. But even there, Kentaro was absent. Feeling defeated and more worried than ever, Kibin sat down beneath a cherry blossom tree, his mind racing with worry and possibilities.

As the soft leaves fell around him, a memory surfaced. Kentaro had once mentioned that his older brother, who had tragically passed away, was buried in the Okinawa Memorial Park. This thought struck him like a revelation. Just as he decided to head there, the sky began to darken ominously. The cheerful, bright afternoon clouds turned into a blanket of angry, dark storm clouds, and soon, thunder rumbled as the heavens unleashed a torrent of rain.

Despite the uncertainty, Kibin resolved to go to the Memorial Park, hoping against hope that he might find Kentaro there. He caught the bus just as the rain began to pour, the rhythmic patter on the bus window mirroring his anxious heartbeat.

When he arrived at the Memorial Park, the rain had miraculously stopped. The air was thick with the scent of wet earth and blooming flowers. The dimly-lit grounds felt eerily quiet, almost haunting. Kibin hurried inside, his footsteps echoing in the stillness as he scanned the area for any sign of his friend.

As he moved through the park, his eyes fell on a familiar figure, hunched over in sorrow. The dim lights barely illuminated the face of the person standing before the urn, but as Kibin drew closer, he recognized Kentaro. His friend was soaked from the rain, his shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

"Kentaro," Kibin called softly, his voice gentle and full of concern. Kentaro turned slowly, his face a canvas of grief, streaked with rain and tears. Without hesitation, Kibin wrapped his arms around him in a tight embrace, offering silent comfort through his presence. He gently patted Kentaro's back, letting him know he wasn't alone.

After a moment, Kentaro returned the embrace, holding Kibin tightly as the weight of his emotions poured out. They moved to a nearby bench, where they sat in a somber silence. The tears slowly subsided, though the sorrow lingered in the air.

Breaking the silence, Kibin spoke softly, "I saw you crying as you left the gate. Your mother told me what happened, but she didn't explain everything. What happened, Kentaro?"

"Ten years ago," Kentaro began, his voice trembling and raw, "we were at the park—my brother, my mom, and my dad. My brother and I were playing catch. The ball went over to the other side of the road, and I ran after it without thinking. I didn't see the truck coming. My brother saved me—he pushed me out of the way but... he didn't make it. Since then, whenever my dad drinks, he blames me for my brother's death."

Listening intently, Kibin felt his own heart ache at the story. He placed a comforting hand on Kentaro's shoulder. "Kentaro," he said gently, "don't blame yourself for what happened. It was an accident. Your brother saved you because he loved you. Don't waste his sacrifice. He wouldn't want you to be unhappy. You're not useless, Kentaro. You're one of the strongest people I know."

Tears welled up in Kentaro's eyes again as he absorbed Kibin's words. "Thank you, Kibin. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"We'll get through this together, okay? You're not alone," Kibin said, his voice full of conviction.

The two friends sat in silence for a while longer, the tranquil park providing a brief respite from their troubles.

As they sat together, Kentaro suddenly began to cough, his body wracked with shivers from the cold rain that had soaked him to the bone. Concern etched across Kibin's face as he glanced over at his friend and noticed the pallor of his skin. Alarmed, he placed a hand on Kentaro's forehead, feeling the intense heat of a fever.

"Kentaro, you're burning up," Kibin said, worry tightening his voice. He could see the uncontrollable shivering and the exhaustion weighing Kentaro down.

Without hesitation, Kibin helped Kentaro to his feet, draping his friend's arm over his shoulder for support. They left the memorial park, Kibin's mind racing with concern. Spotting a clothing store nearby, Kibin hurried inside, quickly buying jackets and pants for both of them. He handed Kentaro the dry clothes and ushered him into the fitting room to change out of his wet garments.

Once Kentaro was dressed, Kibin bought a cup of hot water and handed it to him. "Here, drink this. It'll help warm you up a bit," he said, watching as Kentaro's trembling hands gripped the cup.

They boarded a bus, choosing seats at the back, far from the drafty air conditioning. As the bus moved forward, Kibin's thoughts were a whirlwind of worry about Kentaro's condition. Kentaro leaned his head on Kibin's shoulder, seeking the warmth and comfort of his friend's presence.

Kentaro reached out and held Kibin's hand with his right hand, their fingers intertwining. Kibin felt a surge of emotion, instinctively wanting to pull away but knowing better.

"I need to hold your hand, Kibin. It's warm and helps ease the cold," Kentaro said, his voice weak and trembling.

Kibin didn’t resist any further, letting their hands stay clasped together. It wasn’t that he minded; he just feared that Kentaro might notice the emotions that surged within him whenever they held hands. The rapid beating of his heart, so close to Kentaro’s ear, made him anxious.

The journey seemed to stretch on forever. Nearly two hours later, as the bus finally reached their stop in front of Okinawa University, Kibin gently woke Kentaro, who had fallen asleep against his shoulder.

Supporting Kentaro, Kibin walked him home, each step filled with silent determination to ensure his friend's safety. The sky had cleared, revealing a blanket of stars, but Kibin’s mind remained clouded with thoughts of Kentaro’s wellbeing and the complex emotions he felt.

As they reached Kentaro's house, Kibin looked into his friend's eyes, filled with gratitude and lingering sorrow. "Thank you, Kibin," Kentaro whispered, his voice barely audible.

"You're welcome, Kentaro. Get some rest. I'll check on you tomorrow," Kibin replied, his voice gentle but firm.

---

The next morning, Kentaro woke up feeling unwell. His body ached and his head throbbed, but he forced himself to get out of bed. His stomach growled loudly, a harsh reminder that he hadn't eaten the night before due to his lack of appetite. He slowly made his way downstairs, each step feeling like a monumental effort. As he reached the living room, he saw his father sitting on the couch, a concerned look on his face.

"Kentaro, come here and sit down. We need to talk," his father said, motioning to the seat beside him. Kentaro complied, sinking into the couch next to his father.

"How are you feeling?" his father asked, genuine worry in his eyes.

"I'm still not feeling well. My head hurts," Kentaro replied, rubbing his temples, trying to ease the pounding in his head.

His father took a deep breath, his expression filled with regret. "Kentaro, I'm sorry for the things I've said to you, especially for blaming you for your brother's death. I didn't mean to hurt you. Sometimes, when I remember your brother, I get overwhelmed with sadness. Please forgive me, son. I don't blame you, and I want you to know that I love you. I don't want to lose you too."

As his father spoke, tears streamed down his face, his voice breaking with emotion. Kentaro felt a surge of empathy and sorrow. He leaned in and hugged his father tightly, tears of his own beginning to fall. "I understand, Dad. I miss him too. I know where your sadness comes from because I feel it too," he said softly. In that moment, the fear and tension he had felt towards his father melted away, replaced by understanding and love.

After their heartfelt conversation, Kentaro's father stood up to leave, needing to attend to something outside. "Is there anything you need me to get for you?" he asked, his voice gentle.

"No, I'm fine, Dad," Kentaro replied, his voice hoarse but sincere.

Kentaro then headed to the kitchen for breakfast. He found his mother already there, eating her meal. She looked up and smiled warmly at him, her relief evident. She had overheard the conversation between Kentaro and his father.

"I'm so happy that you and your father have made up," she said, her eyes twinkling with joy. Kentaro returned her smile, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders.

"You know, your father and Kibin talked last night. Kibin told him about all the pain and struggles you've been through, especially about how your father blames you for your brother's death. But things have changed because of Kibin. I'm grateful that he is your friend. He's kind and considerate. So, you should treasure your friendship with Kibin. Don't do anything that might ruin it. Value Kibin and keep your friendship strong," she advised, her voice filled with maternal wisdom.

Kentaro nodded in agreement, taking his mother's words to heart. He was determined to cherish his friendship with Kibin and to gradually let go of the complicated feelings he had for him. He didn't want his unspoken emotions to ruin the beautiful bond they shared.