Chapter 8

"It's cold outside," Hiroyuki calmly said, not betraying his true feelings. Then, after removing his shoes, from when he was out on the balcony, he asked, "Where are you going without your jacket."

"I want to find a job," Jiro quietly, but firmly stated.

From his tone, Hiroyuki knew he couldn't reason with the young boy.

"If you're looking for a job, I can help you. Soma told me she needed someone to help her maintain the landscaping around the complex."

Jiro shrugged his shoulders, then stooped down to remove his shoes. He went into the bathroom and closed the door behind him.

After a while, Hiroyuki saw Jiro was still not coming out from the bathroom. He opened the door and went in.

Jiro's tear-stained face greeted Hiroyuki and for the first time, something pained Hiroyuki's heart.

Hiroyuki crouched down in front of Jiro. Using toilet paper, he wiped away the tears.

"I'm useless," Jiro cried out.

Then, without warning, he lunged into Hiroyuki's arms. Hiroyuki was surprised, but he hugged him back.

Like coaxing a small child, Hiroyuki said, "You're not useless. Without you around to do the housework, this place would be in shambles."

Jiro stared into Hiroyuki's eyes, "Don't you dislike me?"

"I don't dislike you. I hope you understand, there's a big difference between getting upset and disliking someone."

"I . . . I was worried," Jiro squeezed the words out. I was worried you wouldn't want me anymore.

"I know," Hiroyuki said, "but no matter how upset I get at you, I won't dislike you."

A sparkle appeared in Jiro's eyes, "You truly mean it?"

"Yes, I mean it."

Then as if Hiroyuki remembered something his grandmother told him, he said, "Even the dark of night has its usefulness. Without the night there won't be the moon or the stars. And most of all, the fireworks won't light up the sky as brightly without the darkest of nights."

"From now on, I will be good," Jiro replied quietly.

"You are good," Hiroyuki told him with sincerity. "It was my fault. I shouldn't have gotten angry over little things."

"Everyone has their pet peeves," Jiro replied. "That's what my father used to tell me when he was alive."

That night as he fell asleep, a thought flittered in Jiro's mind. He sleepily mumbled in his sleep, "And at night the best dreams come."