Chapter Text
It was supposed to be a one-time exploit, if Sae found out, Rin would be grounded when they returned home to Japan, but in the end, Rin was leaving as soon as ten minutes passed after his parents and brother left. What could he do? He was a rebellious child like his brother had taught him, after all, he didn't like being bored.
And this time, he wouldn't get lost, he learned how to use the map on his phone. Sae was definitely suspicious when Rin asked him, but Rin smiled innocently and was soon insisting that Sae give him more German lessons. His mother listened and encouraged Sae, despite his suspicious looks. It was very useful in the end, that way, he could communicate with Michael better.
When he got to the field, Kaiser was already there. Kaiser looked at him and smiled, running over to him as if he hadn’t seen him the day before. This time, Rin was prepared. He put his bag down and took out two pairs of soccer shoes. It helped that his parents had given him more money when they left again, and probably—probably—Sae wouldn’t notice that one of his shoes was missing. It was a used one, and Sae didn’t wear it much because she didn’t like the color.
Kaiser couldn't believe Rin had brought this to him, but he accepted it hesitantly, part of him wanting those shoes very much and another part of him thinking they might just think he stole them.
– My brother won't even notice. He has a lot. – Rin assured with a confident and innocent look.
Kaiser doubts it very much considering those shoes looked expensive. Kaiser would notice they were missing.
– Now we can play – Rin took off her coat and put her bag aside, putting on her boots. – Without hurting your feet.
Kaiser would like to say that his feet are stiff from walking barefoot, that he was already used to it, that even walking on the sidewalk during the day didn't bother him as much as it should, but it was the first time he had received a gift from someone. Rin barely knew him and was even worried about his well-being. Kaiser thought that Rin should be careful or he might meet some malicious person who would take advantage of his kindness in the future.
Kaiser accepted the shoes and put them on, thinking how strange they felt on his feet, but he tried walking and running a little, and they were quite comfortable and this time, the pebbles in the sand didn't bother his feet. The shoes weren't too tight either, but they were still a huge contrast to his old, ragged clothes.
Rin didn't care about any of that and it really made Kaiser wonder how no one was keeping an eye on Rin now. He could get lost in the city, get kidnapped or robbed, and an endless list of things that could happen with Rin alone walking around. Kaiser frowns but doesn't ask, after all, Rin seemed happy even though he was alone.
***
They played for over an hour, just kicking the ball to each other or trying dribbling moves that most of the time didn't work. At the most important moment, Rin ran and left the ball behind. After pushing the ball to the side, Kaiser ended up using too much force and the ball went out of the court.
At some point, Kaiser showed off by taking a shot from a great distance away from the goal and kicking it into the air, which made Rin completely fall to the ground and laugh. The trail of sand raised was large, but the ball didn't even move. Kaiser looked horrified and embarrassed at the same time.
– That wasn't nice.
– I wish I had recorded it.
– Forget it!
– It will be forever engraved in my mind. I will never let you forget this. – Rin states carefully and acceptingly, much to Kaiser's irritation. Despite being very cute , Rin could be quite annoying when he wanted to.
After playing, Rin was hungry and took them out to eat. Kaiser kept saying that he didn't need food, but Rin deliberately called him an "idiot" when she heard his stomach growl and forced him to eat anyway.
However, without knowing almost any local food in Berlin, Rin was very lost and despite living in the city, Kaiser also didn't eat many different delicacies considering that his father only had money for drinks and cigarettes.
They were both equally lost.
So they ate the thing that smelled best on that street.
– Currywurst [1] is very good! – Kaiser said with shining eyes.
Rin nodded, her cheeks full and dirty with sauce.
The next thing they ate was Kebap [2].
“I’ll try to be rich in my next life.” Kaiser closed his eyes dreamily as he chewed.
Rin nodded with her cheeks puffed out like a hamster's.
Then they eat Brezel [3].
– If I'm dreaming, leave me in a coma. – Kaiser almost feels tears run down his cheeks with emotion.
Rin looks at Kaiser with her mouth full and nods in acceptance.
After eating so much that he can't eat anymore, Kaiser shows Rin some of the sights. Even though he's never been allowed in, he still knows a few things and can show Rin these places, after all, the boy has been very nice to him. The least he can do is show him some of the good things about the city. Maybe that way, Rin would never leave.
But it was getting late and it was almost time for Rin to go back to the hotel. He always had to get back before his parents and take a shower so they wouldn't see his dirty clothes. If his mother saw that he was out and how dirty he was, she would have a fit and start complaining around the house, which would put his father in a bad mood and then Sae would come and punish him for going out.
This was the saddest moment for Kaiser, especially considering that Rin was going to leave, to another country this time. Rin told him that he had come with his parents for a company party, that they would stay for two days, but would leave the next morning for home. He couldn't stay.
Kaiser was expressively saddened by the news. It was the first friend he had made in nine years of sad and suffering existence. Rin gave him his boots and let him taste delicious food without expecting anything in return.
– I'll miss you. – Kaiser whimpers and hugs Rin, squeezing him against himself.
– When I become a famous soccer player, I'll come visit you. – Rin says in his serious and innocent way.
– This will take a long time. By then I will be dead. – Kaiser looks horrified at having to wait so long.
Rin smiled.
– Then become famous too and meet me halfway.
With those innocent and gentle little eyes, with that kind smile, Kaiser couldn't help but feel moved. His heart even beat strangely at that moment, causing him to feel momentary dizzy.
– I will. – Kaiser agrees with wide, hopeful eyes.
Rin stretches out his hand.
– What is this? – Kaiser looks confused at the paper Rin handed him.
– My number. We can talk in the meantime.
– I don't... I don't have a cell phone. – Kaiser is a little embarrassed to admit it. While Rin has so much, Kaiser has so little.
– When you get a cell phone, you send me a message! I'll never change my number, I promise! – Rin clenches his fists, affirming confidently. – Pinky promise! – He shows his pinky finger to Kaiser, who is a little confused. – It's a promise that can't be broken. The liar will swallow a thousand needles.
“That looks painful!” Kaiser grimaces in pain, imagining the scene, but his expression softens. “Then… I’ll work hard and meet you halfway, Rin.”
– We need a word that only the two of us understand in case we meet again. – Rin crosses his arms and places a hand on his chin, thoughtful. – A secret code.
– Football?! – Kaiser suggests intelligently.
– Parolá ! [4] – Rin then says. – It was from a movie I watched and... –
– Parolá then. – Kaiser agrees. In the end, Kaiser is sure he would agree with everything Rin said at this moment just to be able to see him again at this point in the game.
When Rin says goodbye that night, entering the hotel, Kaiser tries not to be sad. Even if it was just for a short time, he had a friend and received a gift and a promise of a better future. On the other hand, a tear runs down his face, knowing now the feeling of not being alone and having to be again, was a very heavy feeling for him.
At six o'clock the next morning, a plane takes off. Rin looks out the window, leaving his new friend behind. One day, when they are famous, they will meet again. And this time, they could play for longer. Rin believes it.