Chapter 23: Closer - 3
The room was terribly small, and the walls were all white.
Even the only source of freedom that I imagined was way below my expectations – instead of gigantic glass windows, the windows here are fitted with heavy metal grilles. The beautiful sky view from the room was cut up into pieces by the grilles, and only gave off a sense of hopelessness and desperation.
I must have had a strange look on my face then, because the nurse explained why these grilles were installed – they were to prevent accidents from happening, just in case a patient decides to jump out from the window on a moment of impulse.
I touched the rusty window grilles and looked at the skies beyond. No matter how near I put my face to the grilles, I was unable to get an uninterrupted view of the skies. At that moment, I finally understood why Papa’s and Pi’s hearts ached for Kamenashi.
Papa never understood why Kamenashi refused to stay in a good hospital in Tokyo and chose to live in this prison-like room instead. Pi told me, whenever Papa returned to Tokyo, it seemed as if he had left his soul back in Hokkaido. He was longing for Kamenashi, and was worried about him at the same time too.
Because of that, Papa was unable to focus on his work, and it affected other members as well. Pi got angry over this and almost fought with Papa several times because of this issue. It was only until Kame’s ‘disappearance’ that it stopped.
After that, when Pi had to shuttle between Hokkaido and Tokyo secretly, he finally understood how Papa felt previously. It was as though he had only half of his heart with him whenever he left for Tokyo again.
“I did ask Kame if he wanted to move out from the hospice. I could get him an attendant instead as I have an unoccupied house in Hokkaido anyway. But he declined and said that he didn’t want to trouble me further… Later then I realised that the true reason he stayed behind in that hospice was because of the memories he shared with Jin in there. He didn’t want to leave that room that was filled with their memories.” said Pi.
*****
Dearest Pi,
I’m starting to develop temporary loss of sight. Although they lasted only a couple of minutes each time, the doctor told me that they will get more frequent as time passes. If I’m lucky, I might still have about 3 months of sight left…
I know what this represents. My time left on this world has started its final countdown…
Therefore, I must try to tell you all the things that I want you to know while I can still read and write. These are things that I didn’t tell you before, but are of utmost importance to me.
Pi, thank you.
Really, really… Thank you very much for everything through these years. I’m indebted to you.
Be it the Jrs. times or the initial period of our debut. Even during the difficult period when I just got together with Jin, you’ve always been standing my side and giving me all the support you can offer. Jin and I faced suspension from the jimusho and got ostracized by friends, but you stood by us and cared for us like a kin.
I would never forget what you told me when you discovered my love for Jin many years ago. You said, “No matter who you like, you’re still the same old Kame to me.” I was so relieved when I heard that from you. I was so glad that I didn’t lose you as a friend when you knew about my sexual orientation.
I was 14 years old then. I was so scared and worried when I realised my own feelings for Jin. I was too close to Jin for comfort, and I was worried that he would discover my abnormal liking for him. I was so scared that he would be disgusted with me. All these complicated emotions almost compelled me quit the jimusho. Luckily, you were always by my side and you listened to all my woes patiently. You always comforted me by saying that it was perfectly normal to fall in love with people and I shouldn’t feel bad about it. It was with your support that I got through those years.
I was able to persevere on with work and eventually shine on stage… I was able to get pass those helpless days… All these wouldn’t have possibly happened to me without Jin’s love and most importantly, your companionship.
Whenever I’m with you, I feel peace and comfort. This is a totally different feeling from what I feel when I’m with Jin. What both of you had given me in my life… I’m unable to put them on equal comparison. But the two of you are the most important people in my life, really.
Pi, do you know how many years we’ve known each other for?
13 years.
I turned 25 a few months ago… this meant that I’ve known you for more than half of my entire lifetime. Although I know you’ll say, “That’s how friends should be”, I still feel very fortunate and lucky to have a friend like you.
Being able to know you is one of the things that I’m thankful about. I believe that even if there is a next lifetime, I’ll never be able to meet another friend like you again. That is the amount of care and tolerance you have given to me and I’m thankful for that.
25 years of life seemed a little too short… But when I think about it again, I didn't have much regrets in my life. I have your care, I have Jin’s longing… that’s really enough for me. What I have with me now are precious treasured feelings that some people do not get in their lifetime at all.
Nowadays, I rarely cry anymore.
Of course, my pain did not go away in a flash, and happiness didn't come to me immediately as well. It was a long battle.
God knows how much strength, love and time I’ve used in order to heal my wounds. If I’m still unable to comprehend what happiness is now, I must have totally forgotten about my love with Jin and your care for me.
I’m still missing Jin, deep from the bottom of my heart, but I’m at peace with myself now.
I’m willing to exchange my entire life just for Jin’s happiness. Even if that is only for a small bit of happiness, I’m more than willing to do so.
Although my body is getting weaker day by day, it doesn’t stop me from being a fighter. I’ve strength to keep me going. I’m not afraid of my impending death, I guess that’s because I still have love in me.
My mind has a huge place that stored all my past, experiences, thoughts and emotions.
It also stored the most beautiful memories in this lifetime.
There is one person whom I want to meet again in my next lifetime… I wish to continue our love then.
Pi, thank you very much once again. Really.
I am a fortunate person, and you’re one of them who contributed to my good fortune.
You are the one who made me realised that I was never alone.
Don’t worry about me anymore. I’m getting on fine.
Promise me, you must live well too.
Chapter 23: Closer - 3
The room was terribly small, and the walls were all white.
Even the only source of freedom that I imagined was way below my expectations – instead of gigantic glass windows, the windows here are fitted with heavy metal grilles. The beautiful sky view from the room was cut up into pieces by the grilles, and only gave off a sense of hopelessness and desperation.
I must have had a strange look on my face then, because the nurse explained why these grilles were installed – they were to prevent accidents from happening, just in case a patient decides to jump out from the window on a moment of impulse.
I touched the rusty window grilles and looked at the skies beyond. No matter how near I put my face to the grilles, I was unable to get an uninterrupted view of the skies. At that moment, I finally understood why Papa’s and Pi’s hearts ached for Kamenashi.
Papa never understood why Kamenashi refused to stay in a good hospital in Tokyo and chose to live in this prison-like room instead. Pi told me, whenever Papa returned to Tokyo, it seemed as if he had left his soul back in Hokkaido. He was longing for Kamenashi, and was worried about him at the same time too.
Because of that, Papa was unable to focus on his work, and it affected other members as well. Pi got angry over this and almost fought with Papa several times because of this issue. It was only until Kame’s ‘disappearance’ that it stopped.
After that, when Pi had to shuttle between Hokkaido and Tokyo secretly, he finally understood how Papa felt previously. It was as though he had only half of his heart with him whenever he left for Tokyo again.
“I did ask Kame if he wanted to move out from the hospice. I could get him an attendant instead as I have an unoccupied house in Hokkaido anyway. But he declined and said that he didn’t want to trouble me further… Later then I realised that the true reason he stayed behind in that hospice was because of the memories he shared with Jin in there. He didn’t want to leave that room that was filled with their memories.” said Pi.
*****
Dearest Pi,
I’m starting to develop temporary loss of sight. Although they lasted only a couple of minutes each time, the doctor told me that they will get more frequent as time passes. If I’m lucky, I might still have about 3 months of sight left…
I know what this represents. My time left on this world has started its final countdown…
Therefore, I must try to tell you all the things that I want you to know while I can still read and write. These are things that I didn’t tell you before, but are of utmost importance to me.
Pi, thank you.
Really, really… Thank you very much for everything through these years. I’m indebted to you.
Be it the Jrs. times or the initial period of our debut. Even during the difficult period when I just got together with Jin, you’ve always been standing my side and giving me all the support you can offer. Jin and I faced suspension from the jimusho and got ostracized by friends, but you stood by us and cared for us like a kin.
I would never forget what you told me when you discovered my love for Jin many years ago. You said, “No matter who you like, you’re still the same old Kame to me.” I was so relieved when I heard that from you. I was so glad that I didn’t lose you as a friend when you knew about my sexual orientation.
I was 14 years old then. I was so scared and worried when I realised my own feelings for Jin. I was too close to Jin for comfort, and I was worried that he would discover my abnormal liking for him. I was so scared that he would be disgusted with me. All these complicated emotions almost compelled me quit the jimusho. Luckily, you were always by my side and you listened to all my woes patiently. You always comforted me by saying that it was perfectly normal to fall in love with people and I shouldn’t feel bad about it. It was with your support that I got through those years.
I was able to persevere on with work and eventually shine on stage… I was able to get pass those helpless days… All these wouldn’t have possibly happened to me without Jin’s love and most importantly, your companionship.
Whenever I’m with you, I feel peace and comfort. This is a totally different feeling from what I feel when I’m with Jin. What both of you had given me in my life… I’m unable to put them on equal comparison. But the two of you are the most important people in my life, really.
Pi, do you know how many years we’ve known each other for?
13 years.
I turned 25 a few months ago… this meant that I’ve known you for more than half of my entire lifetime. Although I know you’ll say, “That’s how friends should be”, I still feel very fortunate and lucky to have a friend like you.
Being able to know you is one of the things that I’m thankful about. I believe that even if there is a next lifetime, I’ll never be able to meet another friend like you again. That is the amount of care and tolerance you have given to me and I’m thankful for that.
25 years of life seemed a little too short… But when I think about it again, I didn't have much regrets in my life. I have your care, I have Jin’s longing… that’s really enough for me. What I have with me now are precious treasured feelings that some people do not get in their lifetime at all.
Nowadays, I rarely cry anymore.
Of course, my pain did not go away in a flash, and happiness didn't come to me immediately as well. It was a long battle.
God knows how much strength, love and time I’ve used in order to heal my wounds. If I’m still unable to comprehend what happiness is now, I must have totally forgotten about my love with Jin and your care for me.
I’m still missing Jin, deep from the bottom of my heart, but I’m at peace with myself now.
I’m willing to exchange my entire life just for Jin’s happiness. Even if that is only for a small bit of happiness, I’m more than willing to do so.
Although my body is getting weaker day by day, it doesn’t stop me from being a fighter. I’ve strength to keep me going. I’m not afraid of my impending death, I guess that’s because I still have love in me.
My mind has a huge place that stored all my past, experiences, thoughts and emotions.
It also stored the most beautiful memories in this lifetime.
There is one person whom I want to meet again in my next lifetime… I wish to continue our love then.
Pi, thank you very much once again. Really.
I am a fortunate person, and you’re one of them who contributed to my good fortune.
You are the one who made me realised that I was never alone.
Don’t worry about me anymore. I’m getting on fine.
Promise me, you must live well too.
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..
