"...Ken?"
The name slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it.
He stood there.
In front of the class.
Like nothing was strange.
Like last night never happened.
My chest tightened.
Ken…?
Why is he here…?
Wait—
Wasn't he… something else?
My thoughts started rushing.
I thought he was a ghost or something…
Then how… how can everyone see him?
Or… does he have some kind of power?
What even is he…?
"My name is Ken," he said calmly.
"I recently transferred here."
His voice—
It was the same.
Soft.
Gentle.
Too familiar.
The teacher nodded.
"Take the empty seat beside Ikari."
He walked toward me.
Step by step.
Calm.
Like he already knew.
When he reached my desk, he paused.
Just for a second.
Then—
He looked at me.
And smiled.
That same quiet smile.
I quickly looked away.
My thoughts were a mess.
He sat beside me.
Like it was normal.
I leaned slightly toward him.
"...What are you doing here?" I whispered.
"Attending school," he replied softly.
I frowned.
"You know that's not what I mean."
"I do."
I stared at him.
Waiting.
But he didn't say anything more.
"You were at the station…"
"Yes."
"You disappeared."
"Yes."
"And now you're here like nothing happened?!"
He turned his head slightly.
Our eyes met.
"For you," he said quietly,
"For me??..
He didn't replied....nor i asked him again...i know he will not answer
After the class everyone crowded him and asked....where are you from??..
Why you look so good??..
Are you good at sports??...
He replied every question one by one calmly....
I looked at him and I was thinking...he always smiles but I know he was hiding his pain inside...is his smile even real?..then my eyes met those two boys.. they were staring at me again..they ignored me..
Did I did something wrong??..i didn't feel good..
Everyone returned to there seats i saw his notebook it was so good and neatly written...
This guy , there is no flaw in this man....he looked at me..
Hmm let me guess you didn't eat your breakfast nor the dinner last night am I right?..
B-But how you know?...you look tired anyone could say..he sighed
Little boy you can't even take care of yourself...."I can take care of myself it happened just because of you that I had only 4 hours of sleep...
Oh but don't forget you are only one who got on the train...i didn't even force you right...
Ok, well it's my mistake i accept....
He went out of the classroom..and when he returned he was having a bread and a milk in his hand...
"Here take this... this for you little boy...i know you don't even have time to pack your lunch also...
No....I don't bring lunch i usually eat from canteen because my parents work abroad and i don't know to cook also...
Ok then have this...this is from me...you don't have to feel shy..
I whispered thankyou....hmm could you pls loud i didn't hear anything...I said thanks..
Yeah ok now this is fine...
I felt nice....and not lonely...i noticed I am comfortable around Ken but still hides my feelings.....before this no one cared about me...whether I eat anything or not...
i usually not eat properly or half hungry...i don't always get time to go out and eat especially is rainy days...
I don't know who he is...but I want him near me..I have many things to tell..
The rain started...it was heavy and the weather is dark again the class felt chill and the air was gentle....the teacher was teaching....
The classes end and every one was leaving for their homes...
Ken?..where do you live...do you still leave in that orphanage which you told me before....
Ah.. that orphanage now I don't live there....then where??..i don't live anywhere now..
You don't live anywhere?....
Okay fine...I will not ask who are you?? or anything else whenever you feel is the right time you can say me everything... I know there would be a reason....
If you don't have any place to live....then?..will you come to my home...
His eyes softened....
Ah?.. Ryu will you don't have any problem if any stranger will live with you...
I am not saying that I know you well, there is a vacant room in my house, you can live there and pay the rent every month. Is that okay?...
Ahmm....No problem?...i would really like this offer... because I was searching somewhere to live...ok then let's go to home...
The air was still gentle....I want to know more about him...
We went to station....are we going to take 8:30 PM train??..
Yeah....because today i don't have any passangers i am free today....come we will sit on that bench...passengers??....if i think...when i got on the train which was at 11:59 Pm there was no passengers....except me...
What type of passengers come on that train...i was thinking this deeply...
Chapter 5—A Strange Night, A Gentle Presence