Chapter Twenty-Seven

*Third P.O.V*

After the incident that happened on Mido's first day, Megamo had been trying to talk to Ayoshi to apologize. He was always very busy because of his Student Council responsibilities, but every chance he could, he went off to find Ayoshi.

However, Ayoshi wouldn't give him the chance to talk, he avoided him in every attempt. Megamo was very upset by being ignored, but he never gave up. He wanted to fix his relationship with Ayoshi as quickly as possible.

And his efforts finally paid off. He managed to stop Ayoshi on his way out of the school after club activities.

"Ayoshi-Kun, please stop." Megmao called out.

Ayoshi stopped mid shoe changing, "Yes?" He questioned.

Megamo walked up to Ayoshi, he didn't understand this feeling in his heart. Was he nervous? No! It couldn't be, he's never been nervous before. So why is he now?

Megamo coughed into his fist, "I've been wanting to apologize."

"Why?" Ayoshi asked.

"I was being childish and acted improperly with the way I interacted with our dance teacher. And the way I acted to hide our conflict made you feel stupid. So my apologies."

"I accept your apology." Ayoshi said, even though he still wasn't sure why Megamo was apologizing.

Megamo smiled, he felt relieved, "So you won't ignore me anymore?"

"Ignore you? What do you mean?" Ayoshi asked with a tilted head.

"Every time I tried to talk to you, you would avoid me. I would call out to you in the halls, but you wouldn't answer me."

"Oh, I was listening to music."

Megamo's eyes slightly widened, "Music?"

"My friend said that I had to listen to her playlist. She listens to alternative music and can't find anyone who listens to the same bands as her."

"So you weren't ignoring me?" Megamo questioned with a strange tone.

"Mm." Ayoshi hummed out with a nod.

Megamo let out a long sigh, "That's good, I'm glad you're not upset with me."

Megamo gave Ayoshi a gentle smile, "Can I walk you home? I would love to talk and catch up with you."

"Ok." Ayoshi said as he was picking up his bag.

And the two slowly walked, as they had small talk.

***

Mido saw how Megamo and Ayoshi had made up. He thought for a long time and decided that it was finally time to clear up the misunderstanding.

It was lunchtime when he finally found Ayoshi walking with Megamo. He let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.

He walks up to the two, "Aishi-Kun, I was hoping we could speak." Mido spoke more professionally, hoping Ayoshi won't shrug him away again.

"Speak." Megamo said.

Mido gave Megamo a quick glance, "Privately."

"Ayoshi-Kun, I don't think this is a good idea." Megamo said as he gave Ayoshi a serious look as he advised him.

Ayoshi gave him a reassuring look, "I will be fine." He looked towards Mido, "Shall we go?"

Mido gave him a soft smile, "Yes, I'll lead the way."

Ayoshi nodded to Mido and then looked towards Megamo, "Bye Megamo-Kun."

"Bye Ayoshi-Kun."

***

The two were walking down an empty hallway, their footsteps echoed. They were silent throughout the whole journey outside.

Mido led them to the back of the school in a quiet and peaceful seating area. Mido gestured for Ayoshi to sit, then sat next to him. Ayoshi sat next to him and they sat there for a few seconds while saying nothing.

Mido struggled on how to start off the conversation. He let out a sigh, "Aishi-Kun, do you know who I am?"

"You're my dance teacher."

"Do you not recognize my name? Does it not jog any memories?" Mido asked, hoping that Ayoshi would remember.

Ayoshi shook his head no, causing Mido to let out a sigh once again. Then he smiled, "Everytime I see you, you're always cloud gazing."

Ayoshi's eyes slightly widened, 'It's been so long…since I've last heard those words.'

Mido's smile grew bigger when he noticed the look on Ayoshi's face, "Do you remember now?"

"Mm, I remember you now. I'm sorry." Ayoshi apologized as he looked into Mido's eyes.

Mido's face grew soft, "Don't be sorry, you were young. It is not unexpected for you not to remember me. It did slightly sting, though."

"Why are you here?"

Mido let out a small laugh, "I wanted to see you. It's been so long since we've last seen each other."

Ayoshi looked down at his feet, "You left, without saying a goodbye."

Mido's jaw clenched, "I didn't have much choice in the matter. One day I was hanging out with you and the next my entire house was packed up. My mother had met some rich man and was going to take us to live with him. She only told me the day of, the moment I arrived home she pushed me into a car. No matter how much I protested, she wouldn't let me go back to see you one last time. Neither of us had phones, so I couldn't call you."

"That's what happened?"

"I wanted to go out and find you, but not long after arriving at the new house, my mother filled up my entire schedule. Class after class, I had no time for myself. I could never find the opportunity to slip away." Mido said with a frown, but his eyes lit up with happiness soon after. "Luckily, about a year ago I moved out of my mother's and step-father's home. It was the best decision I ever made, I was finally happy after so long. I was able to fulfill my dream of becoming a dance teacher. I've done pretty great so far. However, that isn't the only thing I've been doing."

"What have you been doing?" 

Mido smiled at Ayoshi's cute head tilt, "I've been watching you."

Ayoshi raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean"

"I wanted to see you, but I felt like it wasn't the right time yet. So sometimes I would go back to our old park to see if I could catch a glimpse of you. When I would come to school, I would walk around and watch you. I would ask people about you. I've missed so many years, I wanted to learn more about you."

"Sounds creepy."

Mido let out a loud laugh, "Now that I'm saying it out loud, it does sound quite creepy, but it was worth it." Mido looked into Ayoshi's eyes, "When we first met you always had this cold air about you, you were always alone. Besides me, you would never interact with the other children at the park. I anticipated so much when I was first going to see you last year, but you were exactly the same as I had left you. Alone."

Ayoshi broke eye contact with Mido, he looked up towards the sky, with a slight dazed look. Mido gave him a sad smile, lifting his hand to caress his head. "I was always hoping that you would put yourself out there, hoping that someone would reach out to you. I had hoped for so long, and it finally happened."

Mido turned Ayoshi to face him, giving the smaller boy a bright smile. His eyes spilled with a proud warmth. "Ayoshi, you're no longer that sad, lonely little boy who was lost in life. Who knew nothing about himself. You've gained so many friends, such kind, precious friends who care so much about you. You're going out, trying new things. You've learned so many things about yourself. You may not show it, but I've never seen you so happy. You've grown so much, my heart can rest at ease now that I know that you're going to be ok. Ayoshi, I'm so proud of the wonderful person you've grown into."

Ayoshi rushed into Mido's arms, hugging him tightly. After the initial shock, Mido wrapped his arms around Ayoshi. "I…I waited day after day for you, but you never came. I missed you so much."

"I missed you too, and I'm never leaving again."

"Promise?"

"I promise you, I'm never leaving again."