My Heart Was Wounded Deep
Chapter 59's

Kikan was watching the pitch so people wouldn't know they were talking about something more important than the game that had started. "You can't prevent what has happened to me."

"I shouldn't have added to your problem." Rey.

"You're in love with someone else, a better candidate. Lori is prettier, more popular, and more successful at school. He also has a good family, which is similar to your family. All of this is a testament to the best qualities for a young man like yourself."

"Proof quality?" ask Rey.

"What else is more appropriate? Status similarities?" Kikan recalled Lori walking along the side of the road in the minutes leading up to the terrible fatal accident and goosebumps, as she always felt. It took him ten years to make him feel sick. Being in that car alone was bad enough, but it was blamed.....

" I wish he hadn't died, you know. I wish I never said bad things about him. Never pointed at himself. Maybe Via won't make that joke, and I won't laugh, and he won't grab the steering wheel, and maybe you're married to Lori now."

" I also wish Lori was still here." from her tone, Kikan was sure Rey was also looking forward. "For her sake, for her family's sake, for yours. But I'm not going to marry him. I don't love her."

Suddenly, Kikan was not too worried anymore with the attention directed at him. His heart was pounding with urgency to announce to everyone that he was innocent. Although Kikan has struggled for years to cope with the insistence, he has come to realize that the longer and harder he protests, the more guilty he looks, temptation does not want to disappear from time to time. It seems so unfair that no matter what he says, no matter what he does, everyone remains convinced he deliberately harms another human being.

" I also hope you believe me," Kikan said in a soft voice. "That somehow you can figure out I didn't hit him on purpose."

Kikan thought he'd get a typical answer like "I don't like to judge, but I'm not too sure you deserve it." Which he had received often before. Not just from Rey, but from others. It felt as painful as openly expressed disbelief or even scorn. But he was surprised to hear Rey's sincerity when he said "Me too"

Kikan raised his hand to his chest. "Trust me, you mean? You know I don't hold the steering wheel?"

Rey looked at. "Persis that's what I mean."

" Hey is that Jason's mom?" Someone called.

Kikan had already prepared himself to step aside so that they did not seem too conspicuous. And when Rey confirms Kikan's identity and several people come to see him, Kikan smiles and nods and pretends to be just like the other mothers. He soon understood that Rey had been sitting next to him on purpose. Rey gives an example of how other parents should have treated Kikan, making sure they understood that they would offend Rey if they were unwilling to accept Kikan. The attitude itself was enough to make haru, and Kikan became very relieved.

Finally someone believed it. Really believe him. And it's not just anyone, it's Rey.

♪

♪

As soon as the game ends, Rey insists on bringing Jason biscuits, and Kikan doesn't stop her. Rey knows Kikan doesn't really want to keep up with the excitement on the pitch. He was already quite happy standing by the fence and waving at Jason, who recognized him by throwing a wide smile.

After Jason received the biscuits, the food ran out immediately, and some children yelled at Kikan to tell him how delicious the biscuits were.

Catastrophe resolved...

" They love it" Kikan said as Rey walked ahead of him out of the stadium.

Rey smiled at the astonished tone in Kikan's voice. "Biscuits?"

Kikan lifted the empty container. "Of all the ludes."

" I saw it. Not a little bit left."

" I'll make more for the next game."

Hearing that, Rey almost tripped. "Surely, of course. That's very nice. But.. Maybe later you can make it in my house."

" Why?" kikan asked, sounding confused.

" So you can show me how." and Rey can confirm the result.In this case, she has more experience in baking than Kikan.

The woman looked flattered. "Do you really like biscuits?"

Rey really likes Kikan, otherwise, it is impossible Rey would bother to change biscuits as hard as a salty stone made by Kikan. "Yes." answered Rey.

" You have a lot of magic power" Rey joked.

" Really?" Kikan glanced at him quickly. "What-like?"

Like Rey kept thinking about it. "You really don't want to come to the cottage to celebrate my birthday?" Rey suddenly changed the subject

" Is Jason coming?"

Kikan seemed to wonder if it was a family event. "No, he'll stay at Tristan's house. It's gonna be a show from a friend." Technically, it will be a show with friends with each other's partners, but Rey doesn't want to scare me.

" With your usual group?" ask Kikan again

" Yes."

" Where's the cottage?"

" Near the blue lake, it's actually Simon's cottage. You know him, right? The famous model."

" It's impossible!" kikan

" Sadly so, you don't know?" ask Rey.

" I'll be out of the neighborhood" Kikan said flatly. "Actually, I've never been in the same circle as you."

Rey ignored that statement. "Simon was one of my friends who used to walk with me in high school."

" I remember him, we met in health lessons. You probably thought my mom would have told me that."

" Your mother wrote you a letter when you were in prison?" ask Rey.

Kikan kicked the pebbles as they walked. "I told you he's not as bad as he looks."

" How often does he call you?"

" Once a week. He's the only one who's brought me news, so I don't think it's any surprise I'm showing loyalty to him."

Rey cringing. "You must hate me."

" If only I could" said Kikan, but smiled broadly at Rey as they reached his pickup.

" So how?" Rey asked after opening the door for them to get into the car.

" About the cottage? Will Simon be there?"

" That's the idea" Rey replied as she turned the machine on.

" The Blue Lake is quite far away."

They left the parking lot. "I'll be with you, of course." Rey tried to convince.

" But that means I'll be there all weekend" Kikan said.

They're getting closer to admitting that it's some kind of date. Rey knew it was not in line with her decision, to take a slow approach in order to be with Kikan, but it was Kikan she wanted to be invited there, so it was hard not to ask for it.

"The cottage is quite large." Said Rey.