✅ Banana Fish - altenative ending [ENG]

Chapter 3

"Eiji," said Mr Ibe. "Do you want something to drink?"

The boy looked away from the window.

"Yes, please."

An artificially smiling stewardess put a bottle of sparkling water on each table. She did not wait for thanks. She must have been at this job long enough and was used to rude guests who ignore her presence.

"We'll be home in a few hours. I suggest you sleep." Mr Ibe stretched out in his chair, shooting circles.

"Yes, you are right."

The man glanced at his companion. The young Japanese wandered around the interior of the New York - Tokyo line. He didn't look at anything anymore. Finally, he turned towards the window again.

"I'm also sorry Ash didn't come to say goodbye," began Mr Ibe. "He must have had a good reason."

Eiji nodded without taking his eyes off the clouds swirling around. Somewhere down there was the United States and Ash. Flying here Eiji didn't expect that this trip would change him so much. He flew away shy and introverted and returned hoping for a better tomorrow. He wished Ash had decided to go with them. He wanted to show him so much, take a piece of his world, just like he did with his. The New York reality is brutal. You have to be sure of yourself and hide your weaknesses so that someone does not accidentally use it against you. It was there that Ash grew up and learned to live by the strict rules that imposed his life. Thanks to this, he avoided the deathclaws so many times and pulled his loved ones out of them. Eiji was convinced that he would never meet another such person. Ash is the only one and it is down there somewhere under the down cloud dome. As the plane left the runway, he thought, "I know we'll meet again, no matter how far apart we are." He remembered the sound of his voice involuntarily. The laughter that so rarely left his lips drawn in a mocking smile. Eiji knew that it was only a mask under which he hides the real self. Real Ash. A sensitive and caring who was ready to sacrifice his own life to friends who eventually became his family. He showed him that family is not only blood ties but also people who share common memories. Sorrows and regrets they experience together and the difficulties they face.

The boy pulled up the sleeve of his sweater to wipe away an unwanted tear. Ash would not like to see me crying for him. He felt someone grab his arm. At first, he thought of Ash. He quickly realized that it was impossible.

"Fasten your seat belt Eiji," said Mr Ibe. "We're landing."

"Did we arrive in Tokyo?"

Mr Ibe denied.

"Nice snowstorm unleashed. It would be dangerous to continue the flight in such weather, so we must land in an emergency."

"We are approaching an emergency landing at Los Angeles airport," a loud voice came over them from the speakers. "Please fasten your seat belt and we apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you for choosing our lines."

Eiji obeyed the instructions. He looked out the window. Snowy America was smiling at him, greeting her after a short separation. The boy also smiled. He felt like he was coming home.

***

At the same time, Ash woke up again. He thought he saw Eiji. It lasted only a moment. He was disappointed to see that he was staring at the empty chair next to the bed in which he lay. He didn't get as shocked as the first time he woke up in a strange place. Red lanterns disappeared from the ceiling, and Chinese symbols of unknown meaning appeared in black paint. He stated that he had to be moved to another room. A plastic tube was attached to his hand, which was attached to a blood pump. Eiji. Despite his weakness, he wanted to do something.

"Telephone. I have to talk to him."