Bab 28: CHAPTER 27 - Akihiko's friends (6)
Ichiro's every movement was a symphony of pain as he raced down the road, attempting to keep pace with a moving car. His wounded body protested with each step, and his aches intensified with every jarring motion. Beads of sweat formed on his brow, and his breaths came in ragged gasps.
As the world whizzed by, Ichiro couldn't help but grumble to himself, "Ah, I sure didn't think this through." The pain was a relentless reminder of the brutal beating he had endured, but he knew that he had no other choice. His life depended on reaching Akihiko's place as quickly as possible.
Unbeknownst to Ichiro, the people around him were taking notice of his extraordinary speed. Conversations among pedestrians and passersby buzzed with curiosity.
"Hey, look at that kid."
"He sure can run."
"I wonder which family he's from."
Ichiro couldn't hear their comments, and if he had, he would have paid them no mind. Some of the onlookers possessed special abilities and were genuinely impressed by his athleticism. Little did they know, Ichiro was not merely displaying his physical prowess; he was engaged in a desperate battle for his life.
The road ahead stretched out for a great distance, filled with busy cars and people heading to their respective destinations. Shops were slowly opening their doors, and the city was coming alive with the rhythms of everyday life.
Ichiro glanced at his broken wristwatch, his only remaining possession from his former life. It told him that it was already past eight in the morning, and he couldn't help but wonder if Akihiko was awake. Despite his dire circumstances and the pain that coursed through his body, he hadn't arrived empty-handed. He had managed to bring a few ingredients with him, most notably six eggs – all he could afford with his limited resources. It was a small gesture, but it was a token of his gratitude for the support and guidance he hoped to receive from the enigmatic Akihiko.
Ichiro stood before Akihiko's door, his hand poised to knock, but hesitation gripped him. "Should I?" he wondered aloud, his brow furrowing. He contemplated the possibility that Akihiko might still be asleep at this early hour. Ichiro didn't want to impose, especially on someone he had only recently met. Although Akihiko had extended a hand of friendship, the two of them remained relative strangers, their bond in its infancy.
Just as Ichiro debated the best course of action, a sudden, sharp pain erupted in his abdomen. The relentless strain of his long run had taken its toll on his already battered body. He doubled over, clutching his stomach in a futile attempt to alleviate the agony. His breaths came in short gasps as the pain intensified, causing his vision to blur.
-Warning: Bodily function shutting off, fatigue level is at 99.99%- echoed in Ichiro's mind, the robotic voice of the system providing an unsettling commentary on his physical condition.
"Why don't you just say 100. Stupid system," Ichiro muttered, exasperation lacing his words. He leaned heavily against the wall for support, his knees pressed into his aching stomach. The world around him swayed, and his vision dimmed, leaving him acutely aware of the embarrassing vulnerability of his current state.
Ichiro couldn't help but feel a sense of shame at the thought of Akihiko discovering him in such a feeble condition. Despite their burgeoning friendship, he didn't want Akihiko to witness him at his weakest, and the prospect of being seen in this state left him conflicted and apprehensive about what lay ahead.
Ichiro's vision gradually cleared as he regained consciousness, finding himself in an unfamiliar room. The ceiling above him seemed oddly familiar, and he couldn't help but wonder how he had ended up there. With a soft murmur, he wondered aloud, "Ah, did he carry me inside?"
Before he could dwell further on his thoughts, a voice responded from nearby. "Yeah, I did..."
Ichiro's eyes fluttered open wider, his drowsiness slowly dissipating. He mumbled in response, "Oh, he did... I wonder if I was heavy?" His words were accompanied by a sense of lighthearted curiosity, despite the pain still throbbing in his body.
"Yeah, you're as fat as a cow."
The sudden and unexpected comment jolted Ichiro awake, and he shot up in alarm. "What?" His eyes scanned the room, finally landing on Akihiko, who was seated at his desk and appeared to be engrossed in work. The realization that he wasn't alone in the room sent a shiver down Ichiro's spine.
"Akihiko-" Ichiro began, his voice filled with a mix of surprise and uncertainty.
"You sure are crazy," Akihiko interrupted, his tone uncharacteristically blunt. "I never told you to start a war with your family. Look at you."
Ichiro furrowed his brow, puzzled by Akihiko's accusation. "Do you think I'm crazy enough to start an argument or a fight with them?" he retorted, his voice tinged with frustration. He gingerly examined his bandaged body, noting the careful and precise wrapping. His gaze shifted back to Akihiko, and he couldn't help but wonder if his mysterious acquaintance had been the one to tend to his injuries.
"Did you?" Ichiro asked, seeking confirmation.
"As if…" Akihiko's response was as nonchalant as ever, and he shook his head with indifference, pointing out that he was not the type to engage in such caretaking gestures. The tension in the room hung in the air, and Ichiro realized that he had much to learn about the enigmatic Akihiko and the motives that had led him to intervene in Ichiro's life.
Ichiro couldn't help but wonder about the person who had tended to his injuries, a mix of curiosity and gratitude washing over him. "Then?" he asked, wanting to know who had taken care of him and briefly feeling a pang of concern.
Akihiko leaned back in his chair, an air of nonchalance about him as he continued, "I called our family doctor, of course. Well, our family doctor is one of my siblings. Don't worry, he's not the type to spread rumors if you're worried." Akihiko's words were intended to put Ichiro at ease, assuring him that his injuries had been treated by a trusted individual.
Relief washed over Ichiro as he absorbed Akihiko's explanation. He felt a tinge of embarrassment at having assumed that Akihiko had personally tended to him. It became clear to him that Akihiko was not the type to get his hands dirty with such matters.
"I'm sorry," Ichiro apologized, realizing the error in his assumption.
Akihiko responded with a peculiar smile and continued, "But I did carry you inside. Why didn't you just knock on the door? I ain't your servant for you to carry you around."
Ichiro's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and he hung his head slightly. "I'm sorry," he repeated, this time for the inconvenience he had caused Akihiko.
Akihiko's smile faded as he scolded, "What's worse, you made me clean up the hallway."
"Clean up?" Ichiro inquired, bewildered.
Akihiko sighed in exasperation. "What were you thinking, crushing the eggs in between you? Do you think eggs are made of diamonds?"
The realization hit Ichiro like a ton of bricks as he recalled the events leading up to his collapse. He had been clutching the eggs tightly when he fainted and had inadvertently crushed them between his legs and stomach. "I'm so sorry," he muttered, his apology sincere as he hurriedly got down on his knees and bowed apologetically towards Akihiko.
Akihiko waved off the apology with an air of indifference. "Whatever. Get changed. Your clothes are still in the wash. So, use mine."
Ichiro nodded, grateful for Akihiko's understanding and the assistance he had provided. As he moved to change into Akihiko's clothes, he couldn't help but feel a growing sense of curiosity about the enigmatic figure who had entered his life and the mysteries that surrounded him.
After changing into the spare clothes provided by Akihiko, Ichiro felt a renewed sense of comfort. He couldn't help but smile, appreciating the fact that despite Akihiko's often indifferent and cold demeanor, he had a kind heart.
With determination, Ichiro declared, "I'll start cooking."
Akihiko, still engrossed in his work, offered a dismissive response. "Yeah, yeah, do what you have to do." His attention was focused on the task at hand, but he couldn't help but be relieved that his neighbor had knocked on his door earlier, alerting him to Ichiro's situation. Had the neighbor not intervened, Akihiko might have remained oblivious to Ichiro's predicament. Thankfully, the neighbor didn't report the situation to the cop nor to anyone.
As Ichiro began to prepare a meal in Akihiko's kitchen, he couldn't contain his gratitude any longer. He turned to Akihiko and said, "Akihiko-kun, thanks again."
For the first time, Ichiro had addressed Akihiko in a casual and relaxed manner, dropping the formalities. Akihiko remained silent, his response or lack thereof shrouded in mystery. The complex dynamics of their budding friendship and the enigma of Akihiko's true nature continued to intrigue Ichiro as they shared this moment of connection, however fleeting it might be.
Hadiah
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