268 Chapter six, 2017, spring break: 5 (1/2)

A day after they returned back to Tokyo from their coaching sessions in Nagoya, Ryu got a call from Ai-chan. She needed to meet him, and she needed to meet him right now.

With a lump of discomfort in his stomach he took the train and subway to Shibuya. Ai-chan had taken a liking to wait by the statue of Hachiko.

When he arrived she sat behind the bronze dog. Her eyes were lined with red, as if she had been crying and tried to mask it with make-up.

”What's up,” Ryu asked.

”Not here,” she answered. ”Let's go somewhere where we can be alone.” For once she didn't glare at the other girls giving him evaluating glances.

He nodded and took her hand. For a short moment it felt like she was about to take hers back, but then she lodged her fingers around his. They crossed the great intersection and made their way into the smaller streets on the other side.

”So?” Ryu wanted to know when the crowd had petered out into nothing.

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”I'm so angry,” she began. ”Dad listened to some stupid rumours, and he said you're bad for me.”

'So it was like that after all.' ”And now you want to break up?”

”No! I don't want to at all. I like you. But I'll have to keep it a secret.”

Ryu shook his head. ”Sorry, no can do. I'm never ashamed of those I like. I won't agree to hide that you're my girl.”

”But...”

He felt her grip on his hand tighten. Ryu squeezed back. He really did like Ai-chan. More than like. In a way he guessed he loved her. ”Sorry,” he said. ”We're either together and face whatever problems we run into, or we're not together at all.” He was his father's son, and his mother's. They'd think less of him if he huddled in the shadows.

”I… I can't. Dad scares me.”

”Look, Ai-chan, I really like you. I won't force you to make a choice, but I'll never hide that you're my girlfriend. I'm proud of you and honoured you wanted me by your side instead of some other boy.”

They reached the H&M shop Kuri referred to as her first clash with reality since she arrived in Japan. Ryu led them down the street to avoid the people around them. A bit further away the street dug under train tracks, and the noise should block out any unwanted listeners.

”I'm so sorry. I love you, but I don't dare having a fight with my dad. Let's break up.”

Ryu bowed and stole a last hug and kiss. ”I have to respect that. I want you to know I'm not doing this happily, but let's break up.”

Ai-chan's lips turned down, and it looked like she was going to cry. ”Just once more!” she said and pulled him to her. She tasted of salt.

”Friends?” he whispered into her ear when they hugged after the kiss.

”Friends, always,” she said.

He left her there, under the bridge. His chest hurt, and he didn't dare to turn and look after her. If she still stood there waiting for him he wouldn't have it in him to continue walking.

'Now that's a shitty way to spend spring break,' he thought when he had come far enough up the street to know he wouldn't be able to see the bridge even if he turned around. For that reason he did just that. Just to see if she had followed him. She hadn't.