Pain.

A constant of the universe, a constant that affects everyone.

Time.

Another constant of the universe. Another constant that affects all human life.

Everyone must endure pain and time, for these are things one cannot avoid, that one cannot deny, that one can never escape. However, people deal with these two constants in their own ways. Some through exercise, others through work, others through arts. Whatever means is available to deal with pain and time, will be utilized. Usually, that is.

There are those, who hate these two constants so much that they will do whatever it takes to forget them. Through drinking, drugs, and of course, retreat. Retreat into the subconscious, retreat to forgetfulness, retreat.

While retreat provides temporary escape, that is all it is. Temporary. Pain will always hunt you down, time shall always find you.

The case of Jyou Kido, an adolescent boy, who despises the pain he suffers now and hates the time that robbed him of his peace. For many years he has been in denial of both, and has hidden it. Through shyness, cowardice, and complaining. However, time and pain discover all, and now, they have discovered Jyou Kido.

~~~~~

"Lonely."

One word, a word he hated. A word that shattered his world, his reality. A word that rung so true in his heart that he could not deny it. However, if he gave no indication of it, none would ever have to know.

Except himself.

"You're lonely, aren't you?"

His lips were sealed. What could he say to defend himself from himself?

"Lonely for friends..."

Did he have friends? Had he ever?

"Lonely for..him...no?"

Him...

"Why is that? Do they hate you? Does he hate you?"

No.

"You complain too much."

I'm the only one who’s cautious! Someone has to be!

"You spoil their fun."

That's not true! This isn’t about having fun it’s about getting home safe, the sooner the better! Someone has to be responsible.

"Is that your excuse?"

Excuse? It's the truth!

"Are you sure?"

Yes! Someone has to be cautious and remember what's really important, and that's getting home! We could get hurt really badly unless we're very careful. This is a very weird place and nobody knows we're here.

"While they’re off having fun, you don't want them to leave you behind."

I'm fine on my own! I'm just trying to look out for them. I'm the oldest; I have to be responsible.

"Is that right?"

Yes! I have to look out for all of them since I'm the oldest. I'm the most responsible and I have to make sure they all get home safe! Otherwise what will their parents think of me if something happens to them?

"You're being left out. That's why you’re complaining. If you didn't, they would leave you alone. They just don't want to listen to you. They hate you."

No! We're a team! We have to look out for each other, and I have to look for everybody!

"Is that true?"

Yes! I'm just being careful, they don't hate me or anything like that, sure I can be really annoying but I don't think they hate me. Why would they keep me along this whole time? Just because I was there?

"But then...why did he leave you?"

...

"He left so suddenly. He just pushed you away. Why did that happen?"

...

"When was the last time you talked to him, before summer camp? When he needed to interview someone older than him for his home economics class? You were the only elder he knew?"

...

"Only valuable for schoolwork, for a material purpose, aren't you?"

...

"He hates you."

Shut up! This is just a bad dream!

"Perhaps. But is it not the truth?"

SHUT UP!!! He pushed EVERYONE away, not just me!

"Are you sure?"

...

"Do you have all the facts?"

...

"He hates you."

Please...please...no more...shu...SHUTUP!

~~~~~

"Shut up!" Jyou gasped as he woke up with a start. He sat straight up, his shoulders shaking, his breath quick. He felt a strange wetness on his face, and he lifted a hand to touch that wetness.

Tears?

Had he been crying?

Jyou looked over at him, as he remembered the first day the other boy went to school.

~~~~~

"But I don't want to go to school!" the little boy sobbed miserably.
"Koushiro, sweetheart, it's not so bad! You'll make new friends if you go." Mrs.Izumi tried to comfort her dear little boy.
"But I already HAVE a friend! Why do I need more than one?" little Koushiro said defensively, glancing over at his best friend he called 'nii-chan'..

Jyou Kido, at eight years old, had come over first thing in the morning to walk Koushiro to school for his first day. He was nervous to go back too, of course he was used to school by now.
Poor little Koushiro was not.

"It's not so bad Koushiro, besides, I'll be with you! Well, till I have to go to class anyhow." Jyou tried to sound reassuring, however he only upset the little boy further. Koushiro sobbed again.
"But I want to be with you the whole day!" Koushiro crossed his arms and humphed.
"Well...tell you what. I'll play with you at recess, I'll meet up with you at lunch and I'll walk you home after school."
"Everyday?" Koushiro sounded hopeful, sniffing a little and wiping at his tear-stained face.
"Of course! What are best friends for?" Jyou smiled cheerfully, putting his hands on his hips.
"Ok then, I'll go!" Koushiro put on his backpack, grabbed his lunch pail, and was all set to go.
Mrs.Izumi smiled at Jyou. "Thank you, Jyou. You always know how to handle him."
"No problem, Mrs.Izumi." Jyou bowed, blushing a little.
"Well C'MON, let's go!" Koushiro sounded, racing out the door. "Bye mommy!"
"Bye sweetie!" Mrs.Izumi mother waved.
"Hey Koushiro wait for me!" Jyou called, racing after him. "Bye Mrs.Izumi! HEY KOUSHIRO, WAIT ALREADY!!"

On the way to school, Koushiro stopped in his tracks when he saw other little boys his age.
"What's the matter, Koushiro?" Jyou asked, kneeling down to look Koushiro in the eye. "I'm sure you'll make friends with all of them. Don't worry. They're all nervous too."
"If you say so.." Koushiro said, sounding a little worried.
"Chin up already! I don't like seeing you pout.." Jyou said, starting to pout.
"Well..nii-chan..." Koushiro looked at Jyou, a very worried expression on his face. "I want us to be best friends forever and ever! I don't want anyone else to be my best friend."
"Is THAT what you worried about?" Jyou chuckled. "I'm glad, Koushiro, because I've always felt like that." Jyou held out his pinky finger to Koushiro. "Best friends forever?"
Koushiro looked at the finger then grabbed it with his own. "Forever!"
The two pinky fingers squeezed together in a promise.

~~~~~

Jyou looked at Koushiro, the changed Koushiro. The one who pushed him away three years ago. The one who had forgot about their promise. Best friends seemed to mean nothing to Koushiro now...
"Forever." Jyou whispered as he lay back down, curling into a fitful sleep.