Chapter 6

"Good morning, honey!" my mom greeted me as soon as I came down the stairs

"Good morning, mom" I greeted her with my calm voice and kissed her cheeks

"Oh, what's this? My son is in a great mood?" she asked as I sat down to eat

"What? I'm always in a great mood" I asked as I smiled again

She just stared at me and laughed, "Your father went out already, he needs to be in work early" she said, and I nodded

While eating my phone buzzed and as I look at it, I saw Kennoh's name registered in text

I opened my phone and saw his text

From: Childish Kennoh

Should I pick you up? Or maybe not? I'm with Mary Rae

I smiled at the question and immediately replied

To: Childish Kennoh

No, it's alright. Don't ever leave Mary Rae alone

I continued eating as my mom watch the morning news

"Oh! Keiri? Did you study about this in school?" She asked as she entered the kitchen

I looked at her clueless, "What is it?" I asked

"It's about a rare disease, FFI?" she asked with confused eyes

"I'm familiar with it but as far as I remember, we haven't" I said and drank my water

"Oh, is that so? Well it's interesting, they said it's a very rare disease and the symptoms are insomnia. They also said that they have a list of people who acquired those" she said as she went to get my plates and put it in the sink

"Were they cured?" I ask her as I got my toothbrush and put in toothpaste

"Sadly, no" she said softly and as I turned around to look at her, she was sad

"Why sad mom?" I asked her with full of concern

"No, it's just, sad. I remember being acquainted with someone who had the same disease, he was a friend from when I was in high school too" she told me

I held my chin, "You haven't told me about that" I said and proceeded on brushing my teeth

"Well, he was my closest friend, and your father knows him very well. Remember? Me and your father used to be best friends back then" she asked me

I nodded as I washed of my mouth and put my toothbrush away, "He's your best friend too?" I asked and she nodded

"He's my first friend and then your father became a friend one year after. He always made me happy, he never disappointed me—not even once" she said while smiling

I sense longing in her voice and her eyes are full of.. love

I crossed my arms while listening to her

"He's so amazing in every way, he's the one who supported me in everything. When me and your father would often quarrel, he wouldn't take sides, but I would receive text messages of him asking me to open the door for him" she said and then got teary-eyed all of the sudden

I went to her and hugged her, "I miss him so much, and he never even felt the experience of having girlfriends" she sobbed and hugged me tightly

I caressed her hair, "He's in peace now mom, I'm sure he's happy before he left" I said and kissed her head

"Your father cried the most and he always visited him. He would always go to him and tell him stories, why don't we go all together some time?" she asked as she pulled away from the hug and dried her tears

"You always think of him mom?" I asked

She nodded, "He will always be a part of me Kennoh. I always have this feeling that he's with me, maybe in another universe, so all I can think of right now is us being happy" she said and smiled at me

I smiled at her, "Now, go to school, you'll be late" she said and shooed me outside

I laughed at her and got my bag and bid her goodbye

My mom must have loved that friend so much

I went outside and to my surprise I saw Kennoh outside kicking rocks

I furrowed my eyebrows as he saw me and waved, "Hi" he greeted and smiled

"I thought—

"I dropped Mary Rae in her room and went back here to fetch you" he said and scratched his forehead

My mouth dropped open, "Are you for real, Kennoh?" I asked still shocked

He winked at me, "Of course babe" he said

I felt my face heating up as he called me 'babe' so I looked away from him and started walking ahead

"Hey, wait up!" he called out and ran next to me

We talked about school as we walk since we still have time left

"So, tell me Keiri, what took you long to go out?" he asked as he turned to face me

I looked at him with my usual poker face, "My mom was telling me a story" I told him

He exclaimed, "Oh! I want to know" he said as his face went near me and I pushed it away

"Tell me" he whined again

"It's about her friend in high school whom she misses a lot" I said to him and he nodded, "and then?" he asked

"He passed away from a rare disease, she said she still miss him and Dad always visit him to tell him how his day went" I said as he nodded

"It hurts bad when someone left you, especially leaving you forever" he said quietly as he stared at people walking by

I nodded, "I can't imagine how I'll live with that" I honestly said and didn't bother looking at him because I know I'll be embarrassed again

Kennoh put his arms around me and caressed my hair while walking, but he didn't said anything and just kept quiet

I didn't bother because this is a different kind of peace

As we enter the school, we parted ways because he's on a different building

"See you at practice" he said and messed my hair before running off

I rolled my eyes and fixed my hair again as I went on my way to our room

"So, does any of you believe in parallel worlds?" our teacher asked us

Some said no, some said yes

"You see, I'm a big believer that another world exists. Where you students could be living another life, or there could be same events from here and from there" our teacher said as he started writing in the board

Parallel universe huh?

I listened to what our professor was discussing and after the bell rung it was a signal that the classes are done and as I took my bag my classmate told me a senior was waiting for me outside the room

My eyebrows furrowed and as I look at the window, I saw Kennoh

I hid my smile and thanked my classmate as I fixed my things and went out

He looked at me and he automatically smiled, "Keiriii" he sang happily and went to me as he swung his arms around my shoulders, and we started walking

"What's with you today?" I asked

"What? Can't I be nice?" he asked as he pouted so I just rolled my eyes and chuckled

"That's so not you" I answered as he looked at me and is ready to sulk again

"Then I'll be like this everyday Akaashi" he said making me flustered so I just looked away and he laughed

This guy really..

"You want to hang out today?" he asked me

I was in confusion when I remembered that we'll have the day-off again

"You?" I asked him

"If you just want to rest then I'm fine with it, you look tired" he said

I bit my lip

Well, i'm a little bit tired

"You just go on and rest Akaashi" he said and smiled at me

That smile.. So precious

"Okay, you go and rest too" I said to him

We both stared at the gym to see what team was playing before we went out of the school's gate

"I'll call Kenji and Aji to hangout with us" he said as he fished out his phone

"They don't have practice?" I asked him

He shook his head and smirked

"You sure?" I asked again and he looked at me while he dialed Kenji's number and put the phone beside his ear

I rolled my eyes and set my eyes on the road as he started talking with Kenji

Or more like bickering

This two will never get tired of bickering

Maybe even at our other life the two of them will continue to bicker

"Come on Kenji!" he exclaimed

I'm guessing Kenji said no that's why he's exclaiming now

"Come on, Kei wants to see the both of you" he said mentioning my name

I looked at him and gave him a 'really' look and he just smiled cutely at me

He put the phone on loud speak so I heard what Kenji said

[Oh come on! Let my wallet rest Lim] I heard Kenji's annoyed voice

"Geez, bro! Don't you love me anymore?" he asked as he pouted

"Come on, Aji" I said on the phone as I'm sure Aji can hear the conversation

[We'll go] I heard Aji responded as the call ended and Kennoh just laughed

"Next time if Kenji said no, then let him be" I scolded him as he just looked at me with puppy eyes

"But-

"No buts" I said cutting his sentence

He swung his arms into my arms as he pouted and me not minding him at all

We just stared into the street lights as we walk our way to Mc Donald's - our favorite place to eat

I sent Aji a text saying that we're already here

We sat at our table waiting for the two because we know they'll ride the train to go here to our place so I scolded Kennoh about that

"Can we eat other foods instead?" Kennoh asked me and I nodded at him

"I don't mind, but I prefer the usual" I said to him and he nodded

"Then I'll order the chicken fillet and order your usual" he said

I nodded, agreeing to what he's saying

"I should buy Kenji and Aji's food too" he said too

I looked at him, "Okay, let's talk" I said to him as I put on my straight face

"Why do you have money?" I asked him and he looked at me with the 'what-are-you-talking-about' face

"Don't give me that look" I scolded him

"What? Can't I just buy for us?" he asked and rested his elbow on the table and settling his chin on his hand

"No, that's new" I said and stared at him

"Let me be Keiri" he said and laughed

He stood up and told me to wait for the two while he walked out to order food

We always sit at the second floor near the window

I don't know, I just enjoy the view below where I can see the people walking and I can see the night skies with the stars making it a beautiful scenery

"Akaashi" I heard Aji's voice and as I turned to face them Kenji waved at me and sat beside me

"So, what's going on? Why is Kennoh buying us dinner?" he asked and I shrugged

"I don't know, I'm shocked too" I said as I looked over Aji who's actually listening to our conversation

"What's new?" He asked and I scratched my head

"He waited for me outside of my house then outside of my--

"WHAT?!" Kenji exclaimed and we shushed him

My face turned to light pink

"Remember what I told you about me and Kennoh playing together when we were young?" I asked

They both nodded and when the question synced into them they widened their eyes

"Wait? So he knows? He remembers?" Aji asked

I nodded

Kennoh squealed and we shushed him again

Why is he squealing anyways?

"Okay so, he's being nice because of that?" Kennoh asked and I shrugged

"I-uhm, I don't know" I honestly answered them and they both stared at each other and laughed

"Let him be" Aji stated and we both talked about other things

"Maybe I'll go here everyday just to see Kennoh being this kind" Kennoh said and we laughed and as I saw Kennoh with our food we helped him and the other crewmate

We settled down and we ate happily

I'm genuinely happy when I'm with them

It makes my day complete and they're my energy booster

Even if we faced each other on the competitions we are secretly cheering on each other

Kenji, he's the 'i-know-what's-happening' friend and the 'one-call-away' friend even though he refuses to go when Kennoh wants to see him he'll still be there

and Aji, he's the 'i'm-playing-but-i'm-listening' friend and he's basically everywhere with Kenji

We are now walking Kenji and Aji in the station and I'm beside Kenji while Aji and Kennoh are talking

"So, what will happen next?" Kenji asked quietly beside me

I shrugged, "I'm shocked that this happened" I said and looked at him

He just nodded, "Should i just study here when i'm in 11th grade?" he asked me

"Why?"

"Kennoh keeps on saying he wants to be with me" he said and shrugged

I smiled, "Your choice" I answered him

As we reached the station we bid goodbye and as they rode their train we walked outside and waited a bus to ride in the bus stop

"Did you enjoy today?" Kennoh asked

I nodded, "I always enjoy with you" I said and maybe I caught him off guard because he looked at me and I only stared at the sky

"Really?" he asked and I nodded

"Then I'll be glad to do this everyday" he said and as I looked at him he smiled at me

I smiled back

Somehow.. There's something peculiar with what we are feeling right now