August 26th: The Concerned …Dad, why you're so worried about me…? …You know I can take take care of myself, Dad... …I'm not a child anymore, Dad… …Dad, please, let me be me… …Is there something you don't want me to know? Please tell me…! Somehow, I think that's what I'm going to say to my father when he comes here. I'm worried about him and kind of scared when we see each other. Nothing bad has happened between us, though. But… Why so angry at Henry? Okay, I know that Henry did things he's not proud of, but, what's his rush? …Dad, I want to hear your thoughts, please, tell me…! Am I going to cry about this? This is so personal… I just want to know what's with him. I just want to listen him. Anything… Just to hear him… Knock-knock! The door started to knock with a different knocking. Replying the door back I see Torahiko and Hiroyuki in my front view. "Hey, Kelly. How's it going?" "Just fine…" I yawned. "Sorry, I didn't slept well last night." I couldn't sleep well after yesterday's call. Plus, after that hyperemic experience of coffee from the beach, I decided to drink less of it. "So what are you guys up to?" I asked. "Kelly, how long are you gonna stay here?" Hiroyuki asked. "Umm, until my family comes. Is pretty vague, I know." I said. "But today, they're now on their way from Tokyo." I told them. "Oh, alright." Torahiko said. "If you're staying a little longer, we're holding a guest party here in a few days." "That sounds nice." I commented. "It'll be fun. We got a lot of guest here and we decided to give them a treat." Tora said. Then I saw Toshi coming by with a tired face. Guess I'm not the only one. "Hey guys," he yawned, "how's it going?" He looks at me with tired but still resisting eyes. "Toshi-san, you don't look so good." I said. "I'm fine, I'm still recovering." He excused. "Why not take a break, Toshi-san? I can take it from here." Tora said. "No, no. I came here for a reason." Toshi looks back at me. "Kelly, Kouya is calling you so pick the phone in your room." "Thank you, Toshi-san." I said and look for the phone in the nightstand and pick it up. "Hello?" "Kelly, is that you?" Kouya's voice is on the line. "Yeah, is me." I yawed. "Feeling tired, eh?" "A little… So, watcha calling?" "I'm on my way for our rehearsal. I was hoping if you wanna come." Kouya proposed. "Sure, that'll be fun." "Great, meet me at the bus stop. I'll pick you up on my motorbike." Kouya said. "Hey, are you sure you're okay?" "Yes, I'm fine. I'm a little tired, that's all." No, I'm not… "Well, whatever you say, Kelly. I'm hanging up now." Kouya said. "Bye, Kouya." He hanged up. I sighed… No, I am not okay… I'm concerned about myself. … Kouya took me along on his motorbike to the neighboring town, Kazenari, and arrived to the music shop, while there I say hello to Keisuke, Yuuki and Jun. We gathered in the studio room and I sit in the corner and watch them rehearsing. I have helped them around whenever they needed me for a bit for assistance. Wow, they have been doing so well and improving better! While they're rehearsing, I'm in my thoughts. As much I like hearing their music, there are things in my mind that's bothering me. Then I realized the song was over. "How was it, Kelly-kun?" "Huh?" I waked up. "Oh! It was good! Love it!" I commented. But then I yawed. "Excuse me." "Good job, guys. That's all for today." Keisuke said. "Yo, Kelly, wanna go for lunch together?" Kouya said as he places his guitar inside the case. I yawed and replied, "Sure." "Still tired, huh?" "I would kill for a coffee right now." I yawed. "Kouya, I have something to talk about when we get there, okay?" "Alright." … Today is a clear day for a good lunch break and chill a little while. But I'm not in a chilling mood. I just now want to talk to Kouya about this and I don't want to keep everything in shelved. I feel I can't do everything by myself. I could use maybe a little help. The two of us gathered at the cafeteria nearby. I remember the time when I was struggling my aftermath of my accident and my uncle's decision to put me still and how I behaved in front of Kouya because of it. And now, I'm bringing the old subject that I'm not done with. And I don't have the courage to talk to my love ones on the phone, because I'm have signal in here. Kouya and I took a table for two and ordered our meals. Kouya is patiently waiting for what I want to talk about. Is not that crucial when you think about it twice or thrice. I just want him to know, though. While we're waiting for our meals, Kouya speaks. "So, care what you want to talk me about?" "Oh…sure… Umm… Where to start…?" I slowly said. I breathe in and out. "My sister Sylvia called me yesterday and today my uncles are coming for me." "I see... So that's great to hear, your uncle is regretting everything what he did, right?" Kouya said with an optimistic smile. "So, when they will come?" "In a few days, perhaps, maybe before the Ooshima Inn's guest party." I'm feeling a little of shiver or tense. "But maybe not just my uncles and cousins and my sister are coming for me." "What do you mean?" "Kouya, did I ever mentioned my parents?" I leave Kouya to think and he stares at me with an answer. "No, I have not." He said. "So what's wrong? Are you having with some family problems?" "Maybe or perhaps a little." I said. "Uncle Henry, he, umm, kept this incident in silence from my parents since they were in Seattle." "And your parents just found out." I blinked by surprise of how he can tell, but… "Yes, and they arrived in Tokyo and Dad is very upset at Henry for what he did, and Sylvia told me that was just an unusual behavior of Dad and I think there's something more than just being mad at Henry, I think he never talked to us about it, and I'm worried." "And that's how you feel about your father now, Kelly?" I nodded. "Yes, but what is the cause?" I said and look down at the empty table. "Did…anything changed after your brother left home?" I look up at Kouya. "It can't be…" I quietly said. "I'm… I'm only saying is that none of your family members don't know where your brother is, but you do, Kelly. I think your father still have feelings after he left… wouldn't it? He's coming for you because he's worried about you… He doesn't want to lose you as a son." Kouya remarked. "I… I think that's what it is." I said. "Kouya, should I…?" "I think is best to tell him and your family the truth that your brother is okay and well, and protected by the program. Maybe they would understand." "Kouya…" My eyes are heating. "It's been two years… I can't take it anymore." "Even if that's not the case, would you tell them?" Kouya said. I wiped my leaking eyes but... Oh, forgive me Konnor… "Y-yes… Okay… I will, Kouya. Even if is not the case…" I sniffles. "I just don't want my family to fall apart because of me." "Kelly... Don't blame yourself for everything, alright? This not your fault… Just… Bad things happens to good people." "Yeah," I calmed, "bad things happens." I lastly said. A little of short silence. I started a different subject. "So, how are things with you father, Kouya?" "My dad? Oh, sure, we're getting along just fine. All that what had happen between us is now in the past." Kouya smiles confidently. I smile too. "I'm glad to hear that." I said. "I know you two had a rough time back there, but I'm sure you two will recover from your wounds and your friendship. And being a family always stays together, and together, they can fix the damages." "I've learned the hard-way like that, Kelly." "People change, Kouya, people change." "You've changed too, Kelly. I can see it in your eyes." Kouya said and holds my hands. "Really…?" He nods. "You were just a poor, lost soul when they found you under the debris. You slowly became stronger by the time. You were brave enough to open your heart after everything that've happened to you, and you went to the dark path with a light on your hand." Kouya said. "And you're my light…" I smiled. My heart beats in my chest. I stand up from my seat and approach to Kouya and hug him… I didn't cared in the whole-wide-world how many people were in this café. I bet he's blushed and surprised. Feeling the warm embrace, I whisper him, "Thank you, Kouya. Because of you, I wouldn't know what would happen to me because of all of this. There were so many things that happened to me because I was already in the reality. I've learned so much because of it. And when you were around, you made me a total better person that I wanted to be. I'm glad I've met you. I love you." "That's… sweet of you. Uh, Kelly? Y-you're making a scene here." Kouya said. "I don't care." I muffled. But still, I let go. We had a nice lunch together and… Then Kouya wanted me to come with him, I asked why, and he told me to relax. It was nothing particular. We just simply came back to the music store, I was puzzled. I asked again. "Why we're here?" Kouya haven't removed his little smile. "Okay, hmm, what… What was the last time you've played the piano?" What was the last time I've played the piano? Hmm, know that he mentioned it… Uh… I recall… No… Pretty much before I flew here in Japan. And during the first half of my vacation I have never played the piano, because my uncles sold theirs and no one in the house plays it. And it was included when Henry bought the house when they moved in. While thinking hard, I was blanked, but with an answer. "Kouya, it's been almost two months since I came here. It's really been a while. So, why you ask?" "You seem tense, well, not so tense. But, I thought, that maybe you could relax a little by doing something what you enjoy the most." "Well, I do enjoy playing the piano." I chuckled. "But wait a minute. The only piano I see in the studio room is Yuuki-san's music keyboard. Would he mind?" "I don't think he would mind about it." Kouya assured. "Okay then." Entering inside the store and a few more steps and we're in the studio room of the music shop. Is nearly empty, except us. I see the keyboard next to the other instruments. I take a seat and stare at the key boards. I felt a sense of insecurity for some unknown reason. "Aren't you gonna play?" Kouya said sitting next to me. "I am… Just…" "Is it your right wrist?" "No, is healing." I slowly remove my wrist wrap. The pain just faded, but still a slight of discomfort. I look at it, is no longer swollen like last time I saw it. "Are you afraid that you will never play the piano again because of your arm, Kelly?" "I have thought about it, I'm not sure if…" Kouya gently holds my wrist and kiss it. I blushed. "Better?" He smiles. "Let's find out." I smiled and place my fingers on the keyboard. I like playing the classics, so maybe one of Beethoven's most popular will do: Moonlight Sonata. I can play this without reading the musical notations pages. Practicing since I was seven, still a talented pianist. I enjoy every moment of it. With no problems with my right hand, I still got it! The music is slow, symphonic and pretty beautiful to hear. I relaxed and exhaled when finished. Kouya claps. "That was beautiful." Kouya said. "Thank you, Kouya. I really needed that." "Are you going to play again?" "Sure, but, I'm gonna spice it up this time." I smirked. I place my hands on the keys again and started a rough start of Vivaldi's Summer. Feeling that summer energy on my veins. I'm so into it! I have the skills of a pro! Every rhythm and melody light up my passion. I always somehow picture this song with my sister dancing ballet with a summer ambience, is a wonderful sight. Making a final climax, I finished Vivaldi's Summer with a thunder-like deep tone. "That was… Spontaneous!" Kouya cried. "Years of practice." I said in confidence. "When did you started playing?" "Like, when I was seven. I found an upright piano in the attic after my family moved from the suburbs to the city. I started making noises, tough, heh-heh. But then, Mom taught me to play and now I'm here. Heh-heh." I said. "Do you play Christmas songs back home?" He smirks. "Yes!" I laughed. "It was really fun with my family, singing along and drinking eggnog or hot cocoa!" We both laughed. After recovering our laughs, Kouya asks. "So, Kelly, how do you feel now?" "I feel… great, Kouya. Thank you so much for this. I really missed this." "And also, you feel now confident to talk to your parents?" "Yes, I guess." Kouya extents his left arm around behind my shoulders. "Kelly, you're one fortunate guy, you know that? You can do things that no one has and you can do it without no one crossing your path. Remember that. And don't worry about the future, just be prepared of what's going to happen next." He said. "Thank you." I move a little closer to him on his shoulder. "Are you going to miss me when I'm gone?" "Yeah… But don't worry about it. We will be in touch." "Hmm, you might as well better give me your phone number, though." Kouya and l laughed. "Another round?" "Yeah, and this time, we'll sing." Kouya smirked. And so, Kouya and I continue playing the piano and sing along like how family sang back home during the holidays. Let's enjoy this moment together while it last.