Warning:
The following work consists of the genre, shounen-ai, or boy's love. Please do not read if you may feel offended or disgusted with this genre.

Please refer to this link for notes (vocabulary, Japanese term translations, characters):
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Chapter 04: Memories of the Past

"You… You couldn't possibly be THAT Suzuki Taisuke!? You were smaller than me back then!" I exclaimed, exasperated.

However, now that had I taken a closer look, Taisuke does have the same features as that little boy whom I once knew years ago.

Going back in time, probably about eight years ago around the time Tou-san passed away, there was a young boy around my age who recently moved into the neighborhood; it was only a couple of houses away from Keita's and mine. If I remember correctly, he was a meek and shy boy; even more so than I was. He would always cling onto me since Keita's over excessive energy had probably shocked the little Taisuke. We frequently played together, the three of us, until roughly a year and a half later when Taisuke had to move again because Oji-san was an extremely busy businessman.

Who would have thought that the little Taisuke would grow up to be this tall and overly energetic!? There should be a limit to a person's change, even if it has been about seven years since then!

"Haha, seems like you had finally remembered me Rui!" Taisuke said while beaming, happy that I finally recognized him.

"You've changed way too much, it is only natural for me not to remember you right away," I replied, still shock from the transformation he had undergone.

"Is that so? You had not changed one bit though. Still so respectful to others even if they are the same age as you or younger and… you still remain so small!"

"Watch what you say, idiot," I warned, blushing slightly while knocking his head down with my knuckles.

"Oww… You didn't have to be that rough!" Taisuke complained like a spoiled child.

"That was for not keeping contact with us for all these years. Anyway, aren't you going to treat me lunch, Tai?" I said with an emphasis on 'Tai' as I walked up ahead.

That's right, the person other than Keita who I am best friends with is Tai. I think the reason Tai and I had gotten so close when we were little was because of his constant craving for attention from me. As a result, I was distracted from all the sadness of Tou-san's sudden death. Before I knew it, we were getting along very well.

"Eh… Rui! You're finally calling me by that name!" Taisuke exclaimed happily.

"That's cause I know who you are now… But why is your family name different?"

"Ah, it's because my old man kept traveling around constantly due to his job. Mom gradually became irked because of the number of transfers. To make things worse, everything went down the edge once she found that the old man was having an affair… So now they are divorced and I'm living with my mom, which also explains why my family name was changed to my mom's."

"Sorry to hear Tai…" I mumbled apologetically.

The same Tai that I knew from back then no longer exists. He has matured and strengthened both mentally and physically… Even more so than I.

"It really is no problem at all… I mean it would have happened sooner or later. Plus, I get to meet you again."

Ah that's right, Tai did say that he likes me…

"Sorry Tai, but although I like you as a friend, I…" I started the sentence, but Tai had cut me off immediately.

"Rui, I don't need an answer from you right now. Just act like usual with me and give me an answer after you get to know the new me."

Not knowing how to respond to that, I just nodded my head slightly.

Just like this, we went to a ramen shop where we shared stories and caught up on each other's past of which we did not know about. It was fun and it really did make me forget about my present troubles. After finishing our ramen, we went our separate ways. Seems like this time around, Tai is living in the opposite direction of Keita and I… Ah, speaking of which, I wonder if Keita remembers Tai?

Since I was lost in thought with my child memories, I am already two blocks away from my house before I even realized it. However, standing in front of the entrance is Keita with his hands crossed in front of him deep in thought.

Upon reaching Keita, I asked, "What's wrong Keita? Why didn't you just call me if you were waiting out here?"

"Ah, welcome back Rui. Nah its fine, just wanted to tell you something quick," he said as he walked closer to me.

"Hm?"

"Listen Rui, try not to stay too close to Taisuke."

Huh? Did I just hear what Keita said correctly?
"Wha-what are you talking about Keita? Don't you remember Tai? He used to play with us all the time."

"It is exactly because I remember who he is…"

"Then why?"

"It's because he kept hogging you all to himself! Even you were engrossed by him and didn't pay much attention to me back then!"
Once he realized what he said, he quickly averted his eyes away from mine.

My ears really must be playing tricks on me today… Does this mean that Keita was jealous of Tai?

"Hey… Keita… Are you by any chance jealous of Tai?"

After a long pause, Keita finally answered, "… Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow. Just remember not to stick too close to him, I don't like the way he is at the moment, it is making me feel uneasy."

"Keita… Tai is just a lot more outgoing and taller, but other than that, he is very similar to the Tai we knew back then."

"Fine! If that is the way you want it, just keep hanging out with him for all I care. Just don't expect us to be friendly while you do so Rui," Keita said in a fierce tone that had left me feeling extremely frightened.

Keita had never used this kind of tone on me before. After finishing what he probably wanted to say, he walked past me and towards his home. Unable to completely grasp the current situation, I lifelessly walked into my house. When will all this change…? Why is it so hard to grasp what Keita is thinking? Not to mention, the sudden confession of Tai… Too many events are occurring all at once. Getting frustrated and having a migraine from all this thinking, I took off my shoes and walked quietly into the pitch black, empty house. That's right, Kaa-san is rarely home even at this hour. She always comes home extremely late at night because of her evening job. Heaving a sigh, I sat down on the couch… The surrounding around me got darker as I drifted into a light sleep.

---

Hehe, Chapter 04 done, but it is a rather short chapter compared to Chapter 03… A little spark in Keita's feelings after Taisuke appears to push the story forward.

So what will Rui now do? More importantly, will Keita realize what he is actually feeling at the moment? Find out in the next chapter!

Kanyuu90