As far as he could remember, Juka and him always been friends. They had been living in the same neigborhood until he left for Tokyo, when he was sixteen, four or five years ago, with his parents and siblings. As every children who have five or six years old, they were playing that same old game, cop and thief. Even if he always thought it was unfair because Juka was always winning those childish fights, he kept playing with him, it was such a wonderful game. And Juka was his best friend...

I was 5 and he was 6

We rode on horses made of sticks

He wore black and I wore white

He would always win the fight

He will always remember this game... They played it almost until he left... Sat on a chair, beside one of the rare windows of his pocket-sized appartment, Kaya was remembering those good times. Juka who is running behing him with a plastic pistol, imitating the sound of a real one with his mouth. Bang, bang ! Faking to be hurt by a bullet, he fell on the ground, his right hand on his heart.

-What an aim ! You shot me... I’m dying !

-Sure ! I’m the best cop in all Nagoya, sir !

-Oh my God ! Look at all the blood ! I’m... dying...

-I win again ! And you lose ! ‘Cause I won !

How could he forget this ?

Bang bang

He shot me down

Bang bang

I hit the ground

Bang bang

That awful sound

Bang bang

My baby shot me down

Time past, but it was always the same game. Even when they realized that they weren’t just friends anymore. They were fourteen and fifteen when this happened. Once again, Juka had shot him to death, but something was different. He wasn’t laughing.

-What’s the matter ?

-What ?

-... It’s not like the other times... You’re not laughing...

Still laid on the ground, Kaya sat down to talk to his friend, who sat right beside him.

-You’re right... It’s not like the other times...

-... Why ? You’re not ok ?

-I can’t be better than now...

-... I don’t understand what you mean, Ju-kun...

-Don’t you love me ?

-Wh-what ?

-... ‘Cause I do love you... I’m pretty sure, now...

-... You... you love me ?

-Yes... I do... But if you don’t...

-Hey ! Don’t say that !

-Wha-... ?

-I don’t know if I can call this love but... I think it is it...

The other smiled, and sweetly kissed him. They were young, but they were really feeling love for each other, and at their ages, nothing could be more innocent than their feelings.

But, two years of pure happiness later, Kaya had to leave Nagoya, his father had a promotion in Tokyo and his family had to move in there. Since this time, just one time they have been together again, though it was just for one day. Kaya was nineteen, Juka, twenty. During all those years, they kept loving each other as much as they did since the begining, and it really hurt the youngest to have to left his lover again, after this complete day of rememberances.

Seasons came and changed the time

When I grew up I call him mine

He was always laugh and say

Remember when we used to play

Bang bang

I shot you down

Bang bang

You hit the ground

Bang bang

That awful sound

Bang bang

I used to shoot you down

And time past so fast... Kaya’s parents gave him no choice, he had to get married... They never knew for Juka and him. They would never tolerate their relationship. Of course, invitations to his wedding were sent to Juka's family because he always been known only as Kaya’s best friend, so they came. The groom couldn’t be happier to see him one last time before getting a wife... He was twenty-one, at this time.

Music played and people sang

Just for me the church bells rang

And right after the ceremony, he saw his love leaving, without taking a look at him one last time. He thought he saw a tear on his cheek. How would he like to earase it ! And since that day, in four years, he haven’t seen him again. And sometimes, when his wife is not home, like today, he sits beside that window, remembering the hurting past, crying for it. He never knew why he left like this, why he didn’t said anything, why he didn’t even looked at him... He never knew why... And will never know either...

He just didn’t take the time to say goodbye because he didn’t wanted to lie and hurt him more than ever...

Now he's gone

I don't know why

And 'till this day, sometimes I cry

He didn't even say goodbye

Didn’t take the time to lie

He heard the door of his appartment open, then close right after. It was probably Reiko coming back from the grocery store. Some steps in the entrance. He didn’t even take a look to who was coming near him, coming talk softly in his ear.

-Remember when we used to play bang bang ?

Couldn’t believe it !

-Juka ! I wasn’t hopping for this moment anymore !

-I know...

-But you look so sad...

-... It’s ‘cause I am...

-What ? What happened ?

-The question is... not what happened... but... What will happen ?

-I don’t understand, Ju-kun...

-Don’t you love me, Kaya ?

-... Of course, I do ! Don’t you ?

-Yes...

-Juka put his eyes down on the floor.

-... What’s wrong, then ?

No answer, the older just put his hand in one of his jacket’s pocket.

-Juka... ?

This one came kiss him... so sweetly again. Kaya could feel the tears of the other fall on his own cheeks.

-I don’t understand...

-I have a contract, Kaya... I’m so sorry !

-A contract ? But...

He would never end his sentence... Never will he talk to him again, never could he ask him why... He will never know the answer... And when she’ll come back, Reiko will know that she now have to call herself a widow.

Bang bang

He shot me down

Bang bang

I hit the ground

Bang bang

That awful sound

Bang bang

My baby shot me down

OWARI