His phone started to beep, signaling a new message. A frown was formed, since this text was from an unregistered number. ‘Who could’ve gotten my number?’ It was when he had opened it; Ryutaro stopped in his tracks, reading the message over and over again.

‘It seems that you’re still alive, after not contacting you for so long.’

It was simple, yet what had shocked him was what was at the end of the message.  In English it wrote, ‘I miss you.’ And out of everyone he knows, there was only one person that would text in English to him. 

Looking up from his phone, Ryutaro had started to frantically turn in every direction, in hope of seeing a familiar face.

There he was.

Just standing across the road, that familiar figure stood still in the crowd of moving people. Ryutaro felt his lips moving, hearing himself utter out his name. “K-keito.” Tears were starting to collect at the corner of his eyes, and he quickly looked down onto the floor. 

He can’t run over to the older boy like how he did in the past. Ryutaro can’t run into Keito’s arms and feel the older boy’s warmth like the past. Ryutaro himself couldn’t bear to look at Keito in the eyes, feeling guilt overwhelming him.

Another beep was heard from his phone, and this time the message wrote, ‘Look up, I really missed you. Don’t feel guilty already.’

Gathering his courage, he took a peek between his bangs, and spotted a tiny smile on Keito’s lips. He could see fatigue in the older boy’s eyes, and he couldn’t help but feel all guilty again.

***

He couldn’t believe he had bribed his friend to get another phone number for him, just so he could get in touch with Ryutaro without the Jimusho’s knowledge. Of course, it would probably be a matter of time for them to find out, or if they even bother to actually find out.

Keito had heard about how the younger boy avoided Yamada, Yuto and Chinen in school. He had also overheard Juri that Ryutaro had even avoided him too, even though both of them are classmates. It was like Ryutaro was trying to drown himself into a dark hole, avoiding everyone, anyone.

His heart fluttered a little, as he saw Ryutaro frantically looking around, knowing that he had seen the text. For a moment, their gazes were fixed on each other, before Ryutaro looked at the ground, as if afraid of looking at Keito.

“Ryutaro. Why?” 

Another text was sent, and he saw Ryutaro’s head being lifted, a tiny bit. A smile formed on his face. Of course Keito missed the younger boy. He misses Ryutaro so much. It’s probably because they’ve spent the most time together in the group. 

Or maybe it’s because … Keito was in love with Ryutaro. He had never gone about confessing to the younger boy. It’s just so simple between them. They didn’t have much spotlight together, so both of them would hide behind the scenes, goofing around and not being caught by the camera.

He enjoys the moments where Ryutaro would just hug him out of the blue. And it was these moments where Keito actually wonders if the younger boy feels anything for him too.

A text was received, and he saw Ryutaro looking back at him properly now. ‘You shouldn’t been contacting me. But I missed you too.’

And he spotted a lone tear rolling down the younger boy’s cheeks.

***

They just stood there, exchanging texts for some time, enjoying each other’s presences even though they were apart. What Ryutaro was shocked was receiving a mail that contains a voice recording. Pressing the play button, he hears Keito’s deep voice, “Ryutaro, I miss you. Take care of yourself alright?” 

How long has it been since he last heard Keito’s voice? Somehow, he had unconsciously missed that deep voice that used to joke with him every day.

***

A last text was received, and looking up, he didn’t expect what he saw. All nine of them were just opposite him. All nine of them were smiling at him. He sees Takaki giving him his usual goofy smile, Yabu and his ‘you-can-do-it’ look, Hikaru motioning for him to continue working hard. Inoo and Daiki gave him thumbs up, while Chinen was just himself, giving him a peace sign. Yamada and Yuto motioned for him to not avoid them in school.

And last but not least, Keito was in the middle in the nine-person crowd. He didn’t do anything, yet he did everything. Ryutaro saw the older boy’s lips move, mouthing to him the words, ‘Do your best, we’ll be waiting.’

It was the most important yet the simplest words that sum up everything. With that, Ryutaro turned and walked off, and the nine other members of JUMP went off in the other direction.

***

Although they were separated by a road, and walking in a different direction, Ryutaro can still feel the warmth provided to him from the other members. Silently, he was thankful to have met all of them.

Most of all, he was thankful to have met Keito, and he makes a mental note to tell the older boy what he feels properly when there’s a chance.