When We Crossed Paths

Chapter Nineteen: He Won't Tell Me...

I could feel my stomach getting heavier as I approached the door. Nervous at seeing his parents, nervous at seeing him and bringing up a conversation that I really didn't want to have. I just stared at it for several minutes. I knew I needed to knock the door. I raised my right hand...knocked my forehead then knocked the front door.

I waited anxiously. Who would answer the door? I could hear the light footsteps inside. The door opened...

"Oh hello Yamashita. Please come in!" Asahi's mum greeted. I entered the cave, armed with my dagger and shield. Preparing for a possible sneak attack.

The kitchen was first on the left. Asahi's father was sitting at the table with a cup of tea and a newspaper.

"Hello again Yamashita. It's been a while. It's nice to see you again." His father greeted with a smile.

"It's nice to see you again too. Thank you for welcoming me in your home." I politely responded.

"Not at all. You're always welcome here." He answered.

If only he knew the truth. There's no way that offer would be made.

Asahi's mum entered the kitchen. They were both dressed to impress. Looking like they were heading out.

"Are you both going out?" I asked.

"Yes. We're going to our golf club for an afternoon game with our friends and then dinner at the club." His father answered.

"That sounds like a good afternoon." I replied. Although, honestly, I thought golf was the most boring sport on the planet.

"Does your father play golf?" He asked.

"Uhm... I'm not sure. I think he's played before." I said. I was pretty sure he had played golf before. Whether he enjoyed it was another matter.

"Brilliant. We should all go up one weekend. It's about time our two families got together." He announced quite excitedly.

"Absolutely. I'll be sure to tell them." - There was no way they'd want to do that but it'd be rude to tell them "no".

"Oh! Can I get you anything before we head out?" Asahi's mum offered.

"No thank you. Is Asahi upstairs?" I responded. Trying to quickly end the conversation.

"Yeah but before you go. Take a seat for a moment. I'd like to ask you something." Asahi's father gestured to the seat opposite him. I could hear my heart pounding. A bead of sweat running down my forehead. What was he going to ask me?

I nervously take the seat opposite.

"Yamashita..." he began. "You're Asahi's best friend and his mother and I like you. We think you've been a great friend to him. But there's something I need to ask you. Now, I understand that you might feel uncomfortable with the question but...do you know why Asahi suddenly broke it off with Akamori?"

I was suddenly feeling dizzy. I didn't know how to respond. Yes, I knew why he broke it off with Akamori. But...that wasn't for me to tell. And abruptly refusing to answer would also seem suspicious. I had to construct my answer carefully...

"I don't really know. We don't really discuss these things."

And lie!

"Hmm... OK." His father answered before picking up his paper.

I felt really awkward in that moment. I slowly got out of the chair and hastily made my way upstairs to Asahi's room. I knocked on the door. It almost instantly swung open as I was greeted by Asahi's smiling face. He pulled me into his room and closed the door behind me.

He lightly wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. He softly placed his lips against mine. It was so sweet and tender. Like always. I loved it. I always loved how he kissed.

He lightly pulled away and smiled. "Hey!" He said.

"Hey!" I responded meakly.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"It's just...your dad asked me why you broke up with Akamori." I said looking down at my feet.

"Oh! And what did you say?" He asked in monotone.

"I said I didn't know...but I'm pretty sure he knew I was lying. I'm so sorry."

"Why are you sorry?" He asked with confusion.

"Just everything..."

"Hideki, what are you talking about?"

"It's just..." I hesitated. "...I feel that this is a bit of a mess. I feel like this is my fault. You're going through stuff at home and...I don't know...I just feel responsible."

"Don't be so stupid!" He grumbled. "None of this is your fault. This is all me. I'll deal with it. I don't want you worrying about this stuff."

"That's what scares me...I'm scared you're keeping this to yourself because you don't know what to do. I'm scared you're gonna make yourself ill trying to keep it together. You're doing what I had been doing. I don't want you going through the mental pain that I put myself through. I don't want you to feel you have to do this..." I explained.

"What do you mean?" Asahi asked looking a little concerned.

"If this is too much for you and if you feel you can't cope with...us. I'd totally understand. I wouldn't hate you or think anything bad of you. I would support you if that's how you felt." I ultimated.

Asahi buried his face in his hands. He turned away from me and walked towards the window and looked out. I looked at him as he took several deep breaths.

"This is why I didn't want to tell you what was going on at home..." He said as he turned to look at me. "...I don't want you worrying about these things. These issues are things that I need to deal with. I knew what was going to happen. I knew how my dad would react. None of this is a surprise to me. I promised myself that I'd protect you from that. And I'm going to keep that promise!"

He looked so determined. I could feel his confidence emanating from his body. He walked over to me and took both my hands in his...

"And to think that I'd walk away from you after waiting so long to have you...are you insane!?" He said quietly as he placed his lips on mine again.

The passion. The love. It flowed right through me.

I was still going to worry but...

I knew that I'd never doubt his feelings again.