Three of Hearts: Part 6
"Oww! That hurts!"
"Good, it means you’re alive." Naoto winced as Ken placed the ice cold, wet hand towel
on his face to prevent his cheek from swelling. Both stood on the balcony, feeling the warm rays
of the setting sun play across their faces, a cooling breeze rustled their hair. For the last hour
since Maria had hurriedly left, neither of them had spoken. Ken didn’t know what to say after he
had spoken about the revelation he had had; Naoto remained silent since he hadn’t expected to
hear what was said. They were both hoping the other person would speak first and break the ice
that had formed between them.
"Naoto..."
"Ken..." They stopped, having spoken at the same time.
"You go first," Ken finally said.
"What you said, was it true?" He sighed; Ken knew Naoto was going to ask him that
question, but how would he reply? The truth, he finally decided, was the best thing. He gazed
towards the setting sun, just visible over the rooftops of buildings, collecting his thoughts before
speaking.
"It’s true. I realized that Maria, though she was the person I had envisioned marrying as
a child, was the exact opposite of what I wanted her personality to be like. She was spoiled,
self-centered, conceited, still is actually. I always wanted someone who was warm, loving, and
kind. Someone a lot like you. Not you, per se. But someone like you." Naoto blushed at his
words, pressing the towel more firmly to his face to hide it. "Does it bother you?" He shook his
head. It didn’t bother Naoto at all now that he thought about it. He just found it all so sudden
and unexpected.
"I’m glad actually," Naoto said.
"Why’s that?"
"Because when you first came here, you looked depressed, a little sad. My first thought
when I saw you was that you would look better if you were happy. I had hoped that you would
find a way to be happy since you seemed like someone who deserved it." He smiled warmly as
he turned to his Japanese-American friend. "You’re happy now, aren’t you?"
"Yeah, I guess I am."
"Then, everything’s okay. Nothing to worry about. Ah, it’s almost time for dinner." He
watched as Naoto pushed off the balcony railing, heading inside and for the kitchen. Ken
remained outside for a little bit longer, watching the sun as it disappeared behind the structure
studded horizon. Another page of his life’s story was turning; tomorrow would be another day in
his new life and another page to that story. This story, like all the ones Naoto wrote, would have
a happy ending.