Winter in Hokkaido
Chapter 11 part 1: Passion

Add's story about his experience got me interested in following in his footsteps. Not a photographer, but a traveler. Life is not easy, but it may be very effective to get rid of thoughts about Dave and fill it with new things. Something that could one day make ordinary when remembered or accidentally met Dave.

Okay, I can start with a bike ride this morning. The first trip around the hotel is for starters.

Arriving at the hotel, I asked Uncle for permission. “Ken cycling first yes, Uncle.”

“Good. The weather is great for sports.” Uncle assented.

I left after handing over the car keys to Uncle. Why didn't I think about this from yesterday huh?! Ah never mind, the answer is because the thoughts are all about Dave. Hah, it's like I don't have a friend to talk to, talk to myself.

While picking up the bike in the parking lot, I saw Mayumi get off the car. Why did he come so early to the hotel, I thought. Hopefully it has nothing to do with me, even if I'm not sure.

“Ken...” He instantly called when he realized my position was perpendicular to his view.

I answered his call by nodding my head. Sure enough, he came to me.

“Where are you going, Ken?”

“Bicycle.”

“Who? I'm coming with ya?” He begged holding my hand. However, I felt that he wanted me not to just leave.

“Sorry, May. I want to bike by myself. After all, there were no other bikes. Everything is being used by hotel guests.” I tried to shift my eyes so that Mayumi did not look at the bicycle parking lot, because there are actually 2 more units.

He sighed, like wanting to let you know how disappointed or upset he was.

“Oh yes, Uncle is waiting for you in his room.” I also had to lie so I could ride my bike.

“Uncle?” He looked astonished. “I'm here to see you, Ken?”

It was clear he wanted to see me. Then, how should I?! I was looking to hunt the scenery by myself on a bike.

“I..iya.” I had enough trouble finding words for him to leave immediately. “I mean, coincidence. Uncle is waiting for you too. You can meet him first.”

“Really?”

“Heem.”

“Good. I met Uncle first while waiting for you there huh. Don't you take it long, Ken!”

I can't promise I'll be home soon. If I find a good and comfortable spot, I will enjoy it longer.

But just as Mayumi turned around, someone put my name on air. The pace of Mayumi stopped.

“Ken...” His voice is so loud.

Mayumi and I turned to the source of the sound. Oh, Add. He quickly pedaled a bicycle closer to me.

“You want to bike too? Coincidentally, come together!”

I looked towards Mayumi. He put on a sour face. I didn't lie to him if I'd cycled alone. Add just suddenly came, and I couldn't resist. He came by bicycle.

“Come!” Add pulled my arm to leave immediately.

“I go first yes, May!” Mayumi ignored my words.

Add took me to the hill behind the hotel. The panorama refreshes the eyes. The view that I had seen from behind the window of the hotel room was plastered wider without restrictions.

I saw Add start snapping some pictures. I also do not want to lose even if only with a cell phone camera. Usually, I would rather capture a scene in the brain than make a picture.

“Add, why photograph me?” I tried to cover my face with my hands when I realized Add was aiming his camera at me.

“I haven't photographed a human object in a long time,” he said as he looked at the shots. “Good too, once again yes. But with a more natural pose.”

“Add, you have to make a contract first if you want to make me a model pometratanmu.”

“Good. But now look that way!” Add directed my body to appear to be facing the scenery.

Surprisingly, I just follow. Even when he asked me to do it up to three times in a different style, I followed his will.

“Try see, Ken!” Add approached while showing me the photo he had just captured.

“Iya.”

“Iya, what?”

“Iya, good. Because I'm the model.”

“Haha..” Add laughs while embracing my shoulder. To be honest, I feel a little uncomfortable.

“We went up again a little yuk, up to the temple there.”

I saw the temple Add pointed at. The temple is interesting to visit.

“Oke.”

We pedaled our bikes and raced to get to the temple. Don't underestimate me, I'm good at cycling. Add was far behind and kept screaming asking me to wait. I'm letting. He was the one who was racing.

Add looked breathless. His sweat splashed up to the shirt he was wearing like skin stuck to the body. I know he's thirsty. I noticed on his bike there was no drinking water. I gave him the drinking water I brought.

“You're great too,” praise after killing thirst.

Haven't had time to brag a little in front of Add, Uncle called.

“Hello Uncle, what's up?”

“Mayumi is waiting for you, are you still long on her bike?”

Hem, I guessed it. Uncle called to get me home quickly. “Ken just arrived at the Temple on the hill. Ken wants to enjoy the view here first, Uncle.”

“Ken, pity Mayumi is waiting for you from earlier. Tomorrow you can go there again.” Uncle's voice is rising.

“Iya, Uncle.”

I hung up. Just wanted to enjoy the beauty of nature longer, but Uncle told me to go home. Meet or chat or walk with Mayumi will be tomorrow too. Ah, my mood¬ instantly changed.

Huh! I can't argue with Uncle. He's like my own father.

“Why, Ken?” Add immediately asked when I put the phone in my pants pocket.

“Uncle told me to go home.”

“Oh. We'll just go back to the hotel. Tomorrow I will be back.”

We ride our bike more relaxed. Add kept trying to make me smile. Why am I this? We're the same age, but he looks more mature. While I, sometimes feel like a teenager.

“Ken, the woman in the parking lot was your girlfriend?” I almost lost my balance when Add suddenly asked about me and Mayumi. Fortunately, I am a reliable cyclist, it only takes a few seconds to balance the position back.

“Not.”

“Sgratitude.” Add stroked the chest with his left hand.

I was confused by this reaction. “Why Add?”

“No.”

He instead sped up his pace and forced me to chase. I haven't been happy like this in a long time. I felt my soul more alive, no longer alone.

Add went straight to his room and I rushed to Uncle's room when we arrived at the hotel. Actually not satisfied with cycling, because there are still many tracks that I want to follow. Hopefully today until tomorrow it doesn't snow.

I saw Uncle was seriously calling, while Mayumi was not in my sight. I thought about taking a shower first, and then I went back to this room again. But just about to open the door, Uncle called.

“Ken, you were a long time ago.” Uncle's forehead looked puckered.

“What's up, Uncle?”

“Mayumi just got home, tired of waiting for you.” So that's what made Uncle greet me in a rather high voice.

“Sorry, Uncle. Later Ken phone Mayumi.” I only bike for about 45 minutes. I didn't ask Mayumi to wait for me either. Let it! I don't want to argue with Uncle. “Ken shower first, Uncle.”

“Ya, shower there!” I heard Uncle's voice from behind the door.

What does Mayumi really want and expect from me? I don't like being friends with him. But after I found out he liked me, there was the thought of keeping a little distance. With him continuing to approach me like this will actually make friendship difficult. Uncle would think I liked him, and he himself would feel like I was just selling expensive.

For a moment forget about it, I can't wait to wash off the sticky body and smell because of the sweat mixed with bacteria. I turned my face over the water that was rapidly flowing from my hair to my toes. Bathing time feels good, because preceded tired.

I took the soap, and then flattened it all over my body. Chest field, although not yet sixpack. I have to exercise more regularly, for the sake of health and appearance.

After taking a bath, I made a shower without using the body cover of a thread. I saw the sides of my body from thick black hair, round eyes, sharp nose, wide shoulders, to my legs. This time I felt handsome. I should be able to look after him. I want my body to enjoy and be enjoyed only by people I love.

When I was still narcissistic, the sound of knocking on the door blew away all the words of praise for myself. I've guessed it was Uncle.

I just put the towel to my waist. But because of the sound of the knocking many times, I did not have time to tighten it with the knot – just with the grip of the left hand.

“What's up, Uncle?” ask me when I open the door. Seeing her posture was a little higher than me, I was made to be shocked. “Oh Add, I guess Uncle. What's up, Add?”

“I was bored in the room alone, Ken,” he explained while trying to get into my room, even though I have not invited it.

“Ya already, sign in Add! I'll put on the shirt first.” I was going to take a break, but there was no word to throw him out.

“I think you've taken a shower since, Ken.”

“So I went to Uncle's room for a minute.”

I forgot that the towel I had wrapped around to cover my vital parts was not tied around my waist. I used my left hand to pick up my pants hanging from the closet behind the door, while my right hand closed the door.

“So..so...sorry Add, I was unconscious.” I was really nervous and embarrassed.

“Apologies? Haha…. We are both men.” Add didn't stop laughing at my ridiculousness.

I immediately went to the bathroom and put on all-length clothes, long clothes and trousers. It was to cover up the embarrassment, because Add had seen all the details of my body. He was the first person to see me in such a state since I was no longer bathed by my mother.

Even if Add was right we were fellow men, but still I was awkward my vital part was clearly seen by him. Huh, I regret having been so negligent.

“Why be so awkward, Ken?” add asked as I walked out of the bathroom in covered clothes.

“No. The air is cold.”

“Just relax, no need to directly cover so. I've seen.” Add just kept laughing. “By the way, yours is big too huh?!” the laughter gets louder.

I was also upset that he was talking about it. “Add, if you are still discussing it, you better just go out.”

“Ken, don't be mad like that! Sorry, I was just kidding.” Add stopped his laughter. “Begini Ken, I want to ask you to be my shooting model.”

Add's request sounds weird. “Model?” many ensure.

“Iya”, firmly Add while pulling my hand to sit next to him. I also follow the code.

“Not your shooting theme about nature?”

“Iya. But seeing you nude earlier, I was thinking of combining the beauty of nature with the beauty of your body. Will be many interested.”

I think he's serious. I began to ride apitam hear it still discussing my negligence. Spontaneously, my left hand choked both cheeks until he could not laugh. “Add, stop talking about that one or I won't let go of my hand?”

Hearing my threat, Add looked at me. Yes, the distance between our faces was only a few inches. Less than one inch of my hand. We were silent in a few seconds. He kept looking at me. His eyes reminded me of Dave.

Realizing that he wasn't Dave, I immediately let go of my hand. What I did to Add I used to do to Dave when he was joking around with me. My brain just kind of gives me a boost if Add is Dave. Ah, I'm being awkward.

“Sorry Add, I don't mean..” I have trouble setting the reason.

“It's okay. Sorry also Ken if my dress was a bit outrageous.”

The atmosphere was silent for a while. I can't control myself. It was very difficult to get Dave out of this mind. There was something that led my thinking to him. Or am I trying to put her in someone else? No. gabe. That can't happen. Dave suddenly dropped by back in my memories. My intention was to forget about Dave, not find a replacement.

“Ken, I'm sorry,” Add said break the silence. He also tried to lower both of my hands that were attached to his head.

“No. I'm it's okay. Oh yeah, how about we chat it over coffee downstairs?” The atmosphere in this room suddenly filled up about Dave so I wanted to find somewhere else.

Add immediately stood up a sign he approved my invitation. I felt a little guilty seeing her cheerful face suddenly become flat. I seem to be too sensitive to his jokes.

“Ken, this afternoon will take me around town?” pinta Add brought us two cups of coffee.

“But I don't quite understand the ins and outs of this city Add.” I'm not trying to resist, I'm just telling the truth.

“Instead it will make our trip exciting. We're going to hunt a new spot. You also want to be a model for my photos later?”

“Add...” I gave her a signal not to joke about it anymore.

“Ken, about you being my model, it's serious.”

That's why I'm not so interested. However, I found no reason to subtly reject it. Did I just say that I was doing a lot of work or Uncle wouldn't let me do anything else.?! Not likely. Should I make an argument to refuse? Nay! I don't want to make the lie an excuse to cover up the previous lie.

“Ken, do you mind? Yes already, it's okay.” Add's tone of voice sounded disappointed.

“Iya, I want.” The answer just came out of my mouth. Wh why? Because I feel sorry to see it.

“Thank you very much, Ken. About the payment, you just say how much, but give a reasonable price yes,” he said who returned cheerfully.

“Cause. I'm sincere in helping you.”

“But it's a job, Ken. I'll be professional.” Add tried to embrace me.

“You set it up!” I avoided his embrace by sipping coffee.

Before long, Mayumi suddenly arrived. I was surprised to see it in front of me. I don't think he's going back to the hotel for today.

“Ken, I called you many times. Why not lift?” He put on a pouting face.

“Handphone-ku in room. Sorry, May!” I lowered the coffee cup.

I saw Add looking towards Mayumi.

“Oh yes, May. It's Add. She is from Thailand but studied S-1 in Indonesia like you.” I tried to change her pouting face by spreading a smile.

Add immediately extended his hand to get acquainted. “It's nice to meet you!”

However, Mayumi only moved her head slightly and did not welcome Add's hand. Look Add trying to cover up the disappointment. What is it about Mayumi being so unfriendly?

“What's up, May? Sit first!” I wish I could cool the heated atmosphere between the three of us.

I can't believe Mayumi would rather stand up. He turned his lips slightly, then pulled my hand. “Ken, we go yuk!”

I reflexively looked at Add. Because, I had already promised to accompany Add.

“Ken..” Mayumi wiggled my hand. He seemed to realize I was focusing on finding the code from Add.

“Emmm...” I was confused to respond to Mayumi's request. Think on! Try to think a little calmly, I asked myself. “Bby, but in the afternoon we go home yes.”

Mayumi would be disappointed if I refused. On the other hand, Add would feel the same way if I ignored my approval earlier.

“Why? I'm gonna take you all day around town, and then we'll go home after dinner. Can you, Ken?”

I looked at Mayumi and Add in turn. How'this?

“Sorry, but Ken has an appointment with me this afternoon.” Add became my spokesperson for a moment. I feel saved, but I might also get in trouble.

“Where?” Mayumi focused on looking at me.

“Circling the city and..” Haven't had time to Add continued his speech, Mayumi immediately interrupted.

“Really, Ken?”

I can only nod. Mayumi clearly showed her disappointment. He immediately let go of my hand. I didn't even realize he was holding my hand.

“Ya already, I'm home.” He immediately turned his body.

“May...” I tried to stop his steps to give an explanation so that he understood.

I got up from my chair and tried to chase after Mayumi. However, Add stopped my intention by pulling my hand.

“Sorry, I didn't mean to make you fuss or misunderstand,” Add explained.

I sit back. There is a point that Add said. If I go after Mayumi, it will create a misunderstanding between me and her. Like Add thought we were in a relationship.

Let Mayumi lash out first. Anyway, I didn't think I'd do anything with him all day. Tomorrow or afternoon he will definitely come back or call me, I will explain at that time.

After Mayumi left, one of the restaurant staff met me. He said, Uncle's looking for me. No doubt Mayumi complained to Uncle. Sometimes I get confused myself, which one of me and Mayumi is still acting like a teenager.

“Yes already, I'm back in the room. Don't forget I'm going to your room at 10! You wear casual clothes and just bring two pairs of changing clothes,” explained Add when I stood up to see Uncle.

“OK. But later we meet in the lobby, Add.”

I'm not comfortable with Add in one room. I don't know. Maybe I was thinking too far. I'm too confident that Add has an interest in me. Ah, forget that!

I walked half-run towards Uncle's room. Before meeting with Uncle, I should have prepared at least one paragraph to explain the reason for refusing Mayumi's invitation earlier.

When I entered, my eyes immediately looked for Mayumi. But as far as the eyes go, he is invisible. Maybe he went home after complaining. I prepared with all the possibilities of Uncle's ravings.

“Ken, have you contacted Mayumi?” ask Uncle with a look that seems to be fretting.

“But.” I'm trying to calm down.

Uncle turned his body around and took his car keys. Then, when he turned around again he sighed. “What Mayumi was here for?”

Huh huh? Means Uncle didn't know Mayumi was here. I've mistaken Mayumi. There was a feeling of guilt, for it was so bad to him.

“Yes, he was here a minute.”

“Oh...” Uncle just said as if surprised. “Oh yes Ken, this is car key. Uncle is going to Seoul in the afternoon. Maybe it'll be there for two weeks. Uncle also tipped home and hotel”

“Hah! Two weeks, Uncle?” I could not hide my surprised expression. Two weeks is a long time for me to carry out the task that Uncle has secured.

“Iya. What's up, Ken?”

I tried to explain my objection. “Why new Uncle story now? It's very sudden. If you're just looking after the car and the house, Ken's ready. But if you help take care of the hotel, Ken..”.

Not done talking, Uncle interrupted immediately. “Indeed the show was sudden. After all, you mean help your uncle keep an eye on the performance of the employees here. You don't have to stay here all day. You can still go anywhere with Mayumi.” Uncle's expression turned even more cheerful when saying Mayumi's name.

“Iya. But Uncle what event is there in Seoul?” I'm curious.

“Business solution.”

“Hopefully smooth yes, Uncle.”

“Thank you very much, Ken.”

I wish Uncle would take me to Korea too. As Add said, traveling can fill the mind with fun and challenges. But yes, I will try to enjoy Hokkaido with all my heart. I came from Indonesia to be friends with this place.