The flower-
However it was for naught, the magical lights of last night were gone. However hard he tried, Souta couldn't recall what the color he saw looked like.
Was that a dream..? Surely not, I'm quite sure I had just laid down in bed.
A trick of the mind? But how could my mind show me a…color?
He glanced at his phone.
8.46 A:M 22.7.2001
Ample time before they'll be at my door. Uhh..should I style my hair somehow…no wait what am I even thinking about.
With a few brushstrokes he got his hair to stay down.
Not as silky as yesterday but this'll have to do.
The house was silent, only the faint ticking of a clock coming from the living room. Outside some birds were already having a singing competition, which slightly displeased him, as his head was still a mess from yesterday's happenings. He walked downstairs and into the kitchen.
No one seems to be home. Do I really have to make my own breakfast?
Souta walked over to the fridge and found some eggs which he threw on the frying pan.
Where were the spices again…
Once cooked, he threw the fried eggs on top of a toast, and poured himself a glass of orange juice. The grey liquid looked like it would kill him, but Souta knew that it was delicious.
Still, what was that last night? Did Airi's story have so much of an impact on me that I would start hallucinating about colors…or was it something else about that day. Nothing extraordinary happened that I know of, I would even argue that it was the opposite; a string of bad luck. I didn't enjoy the day and I'm not looking forward to this one either.
Definitely not.
I do not enjoy this.
The breakfast was surprisingly tasty. After finishing it, Souta had a sudden thought.
Yeah why not
He rushed upstairs, and after debating with himself for a bit, he chose black steel rings as his earrings.
Is a necklace too much I wonder.
In the end he chose a simple tear shaped stone, tied to the end of a black leather string as his necklace, put it on and hid the stone under his black shirt.
Can't have them thinking that I haven't grown up at all.
Souta glanced at the flower, but it was still the same, stale dark grey as he remembered it to be. He tried looking at it from different angles, shining a light on it, poking and prodding to see if anything would happen.
Nothing.
***
"Soutaa are you awake?"
Airi's voice rang from the outside.
I should have hid myself somewhere
"Ah..yeah I'm coming. Just a second."
Outside Ryuo and Airi were waiting for him, both with their bikes.
"Should I take mine as well?"
"Yeah, Miyuki's and Kaito's houses are some ways off, it's faster this way."
"And you don't have to risk your life with two people on a bike."
Ryuo had a smirk on his face
"Hey, it's a real concern! I could have easily fallen over, these roads are so full of holes. Anyways, Ryuo, did you ask your parents about them?"
"Oh yeah, I was explaining to Airi earlier, they've seen the families around town as late as this summer so chances are they still live here. They didn't mention seeing their children, but I'd expect for them to have come here for summer break."
"Ah..that's good."
"I'll lead the way! You boys always somehow get lost in this small village."
"Not my fault I'm bad at directions, and I think Souta doesn't even look where he is going most of the time."
"I do!"
"Oh! Are those piercings real!"
"Ah..yes..I made them myself a few years back."
"That's so cool! Our school has a strict dress code, so none of the girls have any, at least not visible! They suit you."
"Thanks I guess."
"I fear they would rip my ears in half playing soccer, so I'm not getting any soon."
"Yeah that makes sense. Well let's get going!"
With Airi leading the way, the three made their way through the village. The day was cooler than the previous, towering clouds sometimes hiding the sun. A nice breeze cooled them off as they biked. Even Souta was feeling thankful for the clouds, though he hated how menacing they looked.
"We'll go to Miyuki first! She lives closer to here!"
"I can't hear ya! The wind is too loud!"
"We'll go to Miy-!! Whatever, just follow me!"
Signaling with her hand Airi pointed to the directions they were turning. Left, right, left, left again, right…
They were leaving the rice fields behind them, now surrounded by a flowery meadow. The flowers were swaying in the wind.
There are so many flowers, it reminds me of the night sky. Others brighter than others, it might be even more beautiful.
Mesmerized by what he saw, Souta almost drove his bike into a ditch.
"Hey Souta, now's not the time to stare into the void!"
"My bad."
After the meadow, the old forest was rising like a wall. On the border, there were a few houses, bigger than most around.
"It's that one on the far right if I remember correctly."
"Let's leave our bikes here and walk there to see if anyone's home."
"Yeah, good idea."
They hopped off their bikes, and walked over to the big, two story family home. A nice garden surrounded the house, a small stone shrine to the side.
"This is such a nice house, I wish our family had one like this. We just live upstairs from our diner."
"Her parents must really take care of this place."
Before they even got to the porch, the door flew open. An elderly woman was standing there. Souta quickly averted his gaze.
"Well well well isn't this a surprise! Are my old eyes playing tricks on me or is that really Airu and Ryoma! And Soutama!"
"Ah, Mrs Takahashi I presume. I'm Ryuo Fujisawa, This is Airi Minase and that guy is Souta Aokawa. Childhood friends of your child, Miyuki. Might I ask if she is home?"
Suddenly he sounds a lot less like a rascal and more like a professional, well mannered businessman.
"Ah, my grandchild you mean! Of course she is! Come in come in, don't stand there in the wind!"
The three stepped inside after the grandma. Similar to the outside, the inside of the house was also spotless. The white walls were decorated with paintings, shelves filled with sculptures and useful stuff. Many bookshelves were spread throughout the house, reaching from the floor all the way to the roof, stuffed with books.
"I didn't know their family was so…uh…cultured?"
Ryuo whispered to the others, who silently nodded back.
"Miyuki come down! You have visitors!"
The grandma turned towards them.
"She enjoys spending time up there, reading books. Hardly ever comes down for other reasons than to go outside to read more. Seriously she should get another hobby. Meeting with friends will do her much good."
"I'm coming! Who is it?"
"Come down and you'll see!"
A girl came slowly down the stairs, book still in hand. She was wearing a long, white dress, adorned with flowers. Almost as tall as Ryuo, her straight black hair extended well over her shoulders.
"Miyuki! You've grown tall!"
Souta, already knowing what to expect, lifted his gaze.
Mist. As before.¨I wonder…
"Uh…do I know you guys?"
"Miyuki, it's us! Me, Airi, remember? And Souta and Ryuo, your friends?"
"Oh…sorry, it's been such a long time. I didn't recognize you. Is..uhhh..what was his name..Kaito? Is he also with you?"
"We're going to find him next! You'll come with us right!"
Miyuki, flustered by the question took her hair in hand and twirled it around.
"I..uhh."
That's when Souta saw it. Hanging from her ears were also earrings. But not just any earrings. To glistering small chains were attached two orbs, one darker than the other.
Two moons.