ANOTHER LIFE || Banana Fish: Alternative Ending ||

~Banana 49~

Evading eye contact, flushed Ace covers his face with the back of his hand, all the while trying to signal Eiji to just continue eating. Clueless, Eiji does what he was told.

That wasn't like you at all. So lame Ace. So lame. Act like this and keep crossing the line and you'll have to pay the consequences later. Ace inwardly nags himself. He picks his utensils and starts to dig in as well.

The two eat in silence. Everything was as calm as the ocean during the night. Until Eiji broke the balance.

"Ace?" The boy hesitantly calls, casting Ace a nervous glance. "Have you heard from Ash? Is he okay? Will we see him soon?"

Ace heaves a heavy evident sigh. Damping the corner of his lips with his napkin, he sits erect and burries his gaze to Eiji's face that's now painting a mix of emotions.

"For once, will you get your mind off him? No offense Eiji but I feel you nearing the mental hospital's doorsteps."

Eiji's lips tug down to a frown. Looking down at his twiddling fingers above his lap, he silently retreats into silence. The sound of the chair pushed back announced Ace's motion and not too long after, the raven-haired boy is now kneeling in front of the Asian.

"Look at me." Ace solemnly states but Eiji wouldn't, most likely to try to hide his eyes welling up with stupid tears. "Eiji." Ace gently calls out, cupping Eiji's cheeks to make him look at him.

"You don't have to trust me. Just trust him." Ace spits out, his words piercing Eiji like daggers. "Do you trust him?"

Eiji nods.

"Then isn't that enough reason to believe that you'll see him again?" Ace  pulls the corner of his lips up to a sweet smile.

"I don't want to see you frowning so I'll contact him later." Ace assures Eiji after planting a peck on the boy's forehead.

Gripping Ace's hands, Eiji pulls him to an embrace. "Thank you." He whispers.

I don't deserve those words, Eiji.

"For a change! Wanna have a dip in that?" Eiji follows Ace's hands and it is pointing outside, to the sea of dazzling gems shining under the sun's blazing heat.

"I'd like to but---"

"I don't accept buts." Ace completely shuts Eiji down and just drags him down the trail.

"Okay here we go!" Ace yells, ignoring Eiji's desperate screams as he started realizing what was in store for him.

A big splash it was. Ace drops down the burning sand, laughing so hard that he's slapping his knees to aid himself. "You should've seen your face Eiji!" 

"It's not funny. Nothing is."

Ace tries to suppress his laughter but when the sight of Eiji surfacing from the water like a wet puppy, he couldn't contain himself and burst out laughing again.

"Seriously, stop." Eiji glumly tells Ace.

"'Kay I get it. It's no fair if I get the fun alone. Come here."

Before Eiji could speak, he finds himself once again helplessly following this guy's every whim. Feeling the water crawl higher to his face and still he's getting dragged even further from the shore, panic starts to kick in in Eiji's senses. "Wait! Ace I can't---" Eiji is cut off when he is suddenly yanked down.

Ace resurfaces up, gasping for air as soon as he did. "Eiji did you see that?" The boy exclaims but his friend isn't in sight. He looks around and waits for a bit longer for someone to pop out from the water. But it didn't happen.

"Fuck!" Ace curses before he dives back without hesitation. He didn't even have the time to catch and store himself some air. He swims deeper but the water is too murky to allow any visibility. He's running out of air but he still keeps going under. Finally feeling his lungs about to burst from his chest, he goes back up. After just a few seconds, without even bothering to rest or think, he lets his body penetrate once again to the waters. The fear that had struck him upon coming to a terrible realization is what's keeping him going, to the point that he could even throw away his own safety.

Damn it Eiji where are you!

**

"Young master? What happened?" Servants start to assist their boss, each of them confused of the scenario.

"Prepare a warm bath immediately!" Ace's scream echoes in the entire place and all that could be heared after are the scurrying footsteps of panicked employees.

"It's ready sir."

Ace, with the unconscious Eiji in his arms, retires down the tub of warm water.

"You should've told me you couldn't swim." Sinking his teeth to his lower lip, Ace secures the cold boy's body in his arm and does every way he could think of to rapidly increase Eiji's body temperature.

**

Somehow, Ace managed to get both of them out of the tight situation. Blood still boiling in anger for himself, Ace grips Eiji's cold hand.

"I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if something worse happened to you. I'm sorry Eiji."

The heavy moment is interrupted by a  knock on the door. "Come in." Ace commands.

"Sir, a call for you."

Gathering back his composure, Ace receives the phone before dismissing the lady.

"Just in time. We will proceed as planned. Remember, we cannot afford to make a single mistake. Obliterate anyone or anything that comes our way, no matter who it is. You can be rough. Just bring him with  enough life to listen to me."

Ace grits his teeth as he let go of the command.

"Bring who? Who are you talking to? What are you planning, Ace?"