・・・ xxxi ・・・
He was merely waiting for everything to suddenly disappear.
For the world to fade away and simply... cease.
Because surely, this is a dream.
... Right?
As Ao trailed silently behind his childhood friend,
he stared at the familiar outline of his back.
How long has it been since we've been alone by ourselves?
How many times did I imagine this kind of scene to happen in the past?
They walked. None of them spoke.
The road was paved with stray snow.
Somehow, it was as if the path was glowing a faint pale light.
Ao blinked, realizing himself.
Leo had stopped walking.
He turned back to look at him.
"This place. I heard it's a good one."
Ao quietly looked at the establishment in front of them.
A family restaurant.
・・・ xxxii ・・・
To Ao's relief, there were only a few people at that time of the day.
Both went inside and settled at a seat near the window.
As they did, however, Ao could feel his anxiety slowly rising once again.
Underneath the table,
he gripped his palms tightly.
Breathe. Breathe.
Pretend that other people don't exist.
He looked up at Leo.
For the first time since he had come back, Ao could finally see his profile better.
He stared at the other boy.
At the same time, a million questions popped into his head.
The waiter arrived not long after.
Despite the cold, Leo ordered another soda.
Ao, on the other hand, settled for coffee.
When the waiter left, both of them went quiet again.
Unsure of what to do, Ao simply looked at him.
His fingers felt numb.
Tick. Tock.
Tick. Tock.
Tick. Tock.
Leo made a small smile and attempted to start the conversation.
"So... Ao... how... how are you?"
・・・ xxxiii ・・・
Ao blinked.
Slowly, he opened his mouth to answer in a hesitant whisper.
"I'm... okay."
Leo's smile brightened, and for a moment, Ao remembered the warm, wonderful smile that Leo always wore before.
"That's great! It's been a while, hasn't it? About... two and a half years?"
Stiffly, Ao nodded once.
"That's right. Two and a half years..."
Leo tilted his head and rested his chin on his hand.
"Well look at you. You've turned even more handsome now." He laughed quietly. "I'm sure a lot of girls must be all over you, right?"
Ao stayed quiet.
"Ah, but I'm still taller than you," he teased with a grin.
Ao shook his head in response.
Leo laughed quietly.
After he did,
an uncomfortable silence hung in the air.
One.
Two.
Three.
Leo breathed out, glancing away at the view outside.
Then, he looked back at Ao.
His grin was suddenly gone.
There was an apologetic smile on his face.
For a moment, Ao flinched again.
"You know," Leo whispered. "You don't have to act like we're strangers..."