Chapter 23 “We Meet Again”
‘Hmmm? Where am I?’
Kaien walked around, but all he saw was nothing. It was so dark. No light, but the strange thing was Kaien still could see his own hand and his whole body. If it was really dark, he would not be able see anything.
Suddenly, a light comes, just above a boy figure, far away from where Kaien’s standing. The boy moved the swing slowly as he sat there. No one beside or near him. His face showed how lonely he was. 
Kaien could not figure out who the boy was. Slowly, Kaien walked closer. But, after taking a few steps, the light was gone and so was the boy. Kaien was so confused about what was happening.
Another flash came, Kaien looked into its direction and he saw the boy again. This time there were some other children too. They line up in front of the boy. Suddenly Kaien realized that those childrens were mocking the boy. Kaien immediately rushed there, wanting to stop the boy from being mocked and hit by other children. But then, the light and the boy disappeared again.
The third light showed up. This time, the boy looked older. He sat on a bench. A familiar bench. Kaien knew that bench. It was the same bench in the park. He finally realized…
It was Allen…
His love…
It disappeared again, leaving Kaien more confused. What on earth was happening to him? Wait, was he still on earth? He felt like he was in an unknown environment, but he felt strangely comfortable with it. As if he knew it for such a long time.
Flash after flash kept coming. Kaien saw all of it and realized it was all Allen’s past.
Kaien could not stand to watch the scenery anymore. He looked back, changing his sight. Allen’s father was hurting his own son that night. Kaien knew about it, Benji had told him. He finally understood all of Allen’s pain, because he was seeing it right now.
Allen had no other siblings or other family. It was just his mother but then his mother died, leaving him alone. Luckily, he got Benji. The other people did not want to be friends with him. They were mocking Allen’s background.
Then another light comes. This time, it was the adult Allen, not the child Allen anymore. He was crying so badly in the corner, a white blanket covered his body. Kaien walked slowly to the figure. He was afraid this one would go too. But he was not. Gently, Kaien hugged the trembling figure.
“No one ever truly loves me…” Allen cried.
“I do!” interrupted Kaien. “I love you…”
“You not…”
“Allen, I really love you, please Allen, come ba…”
“You’re not!” Allen shouted suddenly. “You pretend to love me!”
Then the figure left. Kaien felt his heart ache. He remembered the day he broke up with Allen. He really did not mean that, but… he could not change the past.
“Please Allen! I really love you!” Kaien shouted. “Please believe me!”
No answer, no more light. Only darkness.
“Allen, I know I made a mistake, I should have listened to your explanation first…Please forgive me…I’m sorry…” Kaien begged as he fell on his knees.
‘Leave me alone!’ Allen’s voice echoed.
“I won’t! I won’t Allen…You…You’ve been alone for so long, I won’t let you be alone anymore. Please Allen, let me be at your side, I promise I won’t ever leave you again…” pledged Kaien.
But then, a bright light came, Kaien felt his eyes hurt and immediately closed his eyes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
“Allen!” Kaien screamed as he woke up. He had fallen asleep next to Allen’s bed. He immediately looked up and saw Allen was still sleeping there. No different from other days.
Kaien looked down. He was disappointed. He thought, he really thought Allen would wake up. He really thought he succeeded in waking up Allen, from his dream, but it was just his hope, the reality was so different.
Kaien’s tears fell. This time it hurt so much. He did not know why. It just so… damn… hurts…
He turned around and covered his face as he cried badly. He could not stand it anymore, and the pain, the guilt, and the indescribable feelings were attacking him again. He was mad at himself. Why? Why in the world did he let all that bad things happen to Allen? Why could he not do something? He hated himself more than anything else.
“Allen, I’m sorry…” Kaien cried. “I…I was… a bad boyfriend… I let you… suffer… so…” Kaien continued to mumble. He needed to let all of it go away. It was driving himself crazy.
But then, a pair of warm palms touch Kaien’s back. Kaien felt someone was hugging him from his back. No way! There were no other people beside the two of them there. Kaien immediately looked back. He finally saw the smile that he missed so much.
“Aa…llen?” Kaien whispered, not believing his own eyes.
Allen nodded. Then, he kissed Kaien’s lips. Kaien pulled Allen closely before Allen broke the kiss. He missed his Allen so much. No one can know how much he misses him.
“Kai…hurt…” Allen mumbled when Kaien hugged and kissed him. Kaien finally realizes Allen was still not recovering fully. He let Allen go slowly, helping him adjust his position back on the bed.
“Allen, you have no idea how I missed you…I was so scared…” Kaien said as he smiled, leaning his own face to Allen’s. Allen wiped Kaien’s tears.
“No more crying, ok? I’m…here…” Allen said as Kaien pecked his cheek. Kaien nodded.
“I love my Allen, I won’t ever leave you again…”