Banana Fish Fluff

chapter seven

Eiji translated the thank you to his mother, to which she replied that Ash was always welcome to have food there. Soon after everyone began to return to their rooms, getting ready for bed.

So, Eiji did the dishes and hummed as he did so. He was so content. By now, Eiji and Ash were the only two awake. “They seemed to like you a lot!” Eiji commented as he scrubbed, smiling widely. He didn’t expect anything less but... still, it made him happy.

Now seemed like a good time to bring up what they had ignored earlier. “Ash... how badly were you hurt ?” Eiji asked. He knew that whats had to have happened, even if it pained him. His composure changed. He was a bit... solemn now. Worried and anxious.

He needed to know. Was there anything Eiji could have done to help Ash the day he was hurt? Why didn’t anyone tell him? It hurt... did Ash still not trust Eiji all the way? He fell silent as he waited for a reply.

Ash watched as Eijis family left one by one, he had stayed with Eiji though, deciding to help him clean up. The house fell quiet and he noticed pretty much everybody had gone to sleep, except him and Ash. He wasn't really tired though, but he knew if he were to stay here with Eiji he'd have to get used to the time zone here at some point.

When he heard Eiji talk he froze, unsure of what to say. "Well uh.."  he paused for a moment, not wanting to lie to him. "I was hurt pretty badly..."  he sighed and ran a hand through his hair, leaning against the wall.  "When I first got your letter I just let my guard down when I was going to the airport...one of the Chinese stabbed me, probably to get back at me for killing shorter"

he smiled slightly and walked over to Eiji, hugging him once more. "Its not impossible though...Im here with you and that's all that matters"

Eiji stiffened, though not because Ash had touched him. He was shocked. He stopped washing the dishes. His letter... caused Ash to get hurt badly ? It was his fault...

Eiji looked at Ash with tears spilling down his face. He was heavily blaming himself. The letter he spilt his heart into got Ash hurt. Sobs began wracking his body harshly. “I’m sorry... I’m sorry.” He muttered it over and over. this absolutely shattered Eiji.

He became incoherent, mumbling, “I-I just wanted to tell you how I felt but instead I... I got you hurt !” He said desperately, crying harder. He was so tired of feeling at fault for other people getting hurt. For Skipper... Shorter.. Jeniffer... and now Ash? It was too much.
“I just.. wanted to tell you that I lo-“ he cut himself off and turned away, embarrassed and crying. He’d almost outright admitted his feelings.