Revue Starlight Oneshots

Promise (SuzuMahi)

(Published December 25, 2020)

No One's POV

A kid with short dark green hair, brushed mostly to one side, was running towards a young pear tree, separated from the other trees. There was something about the tree that made it feel special, maybe it's because the tree is on its own.

Suzu has made it part of her morning routine to pass by the pear tree. She always gave it water. She didn't exactly have to when water from the river is just right beside it. That didn't bother her, she just wanted to feed the tree. Thinking it would be hungry. She doesn't know anything else what a young tree would eat, but only knew that trees love drinking water.

Another kid would find herself near the pear tree. She was a little shy and kept her distance, that was until Suzu noticed her. Suzu urged the other kid to take her time in taking a closer look.

Mahiru was flustered at the amount of energy Suzu has. Suzu even put her hands on Mahiru's shoulders, pushing her towards the young tree. Mahiru tried her best to get off of Suzu's case which was undeniably ignored.

Put in front of the young tree, Mahiru had no choice but to adapt to the situation. It was never her intention to take an up close look of the tree. She just wanted to adore another life start to take root, like the crops they grow in her family's farm.

Her curiosity got the better of her. Her eyes showed the glint of excitement that brought a big happy smile on Suzu. It grew even more when Mahiru reaches to touch the young leaves sprouting from the pear tree. The both of them were pretty worked up about it, they jumped in their places at the excitement.

The two kids continue to rendezvous by the pear tree, where they hang out and play together. Together with the tree, they aged with years passing by behind their backs.

One day, they decided to go back to their rendezvous place a few more years later. That's when they put a container, filled with things that had fond memories with them when they grew up together with the tree, and buried it just a feet away from the tree. Like a time capsule.

The two exchanged smiles when they finished burying the container. An unspoken promise that they'll meet again at the same place, a few years later.

They went their separate ways for highschool. As much as the both of them would've wanted to stay together, it didn't help that their parents signed them up for different schools, and very far from each other at that.

Whatever it was, absence makes the heart grow fonder. At least that's what they always say.

And just like that three years passed, with each of them focused on their own things in school. It doesn't seem like its a long enough time to take out a time capsule. But for the both of them, it's enough time.

Suzu was the first to arrive. Arrived at almost the same day they left their hometown. Spring had just welcomed her back into town. She stood in front of the pear tree, now looking up at it. The first she she stood before the tree was a fond memory, she was almost the same height with the tree then.

The sun was starting to set and a frown forms on Suzu's face. Another day had passed, still waiting for the other girl to come back.

It continued on. First it was days, then it became weeks, and went on to become months.

Suzu was starting to get antsy and nervous. Negative thoughts started to take root and appear in her mind. A number of 'what-if's' passed her line of thoughts, mostly going down the dangerous routes of endings.

It made her dispirited, even lifeless.

Her parents started to worry. Their precious little ball of energy became like a candle who lost its fire. They wanted to know the root of her unusual behavior. But as expected, Suzu pushed away their calls of worry, wanting to be alone and drown in the storm of her own thoughts.

Spring, Summer and Fall passed just as soon as they came for Suzu. The cold winter had started its reign.

As per usual, she headed her way to the pear tree. Snow still hasn't made its descent, but the cold still bites to the skin that peeks through the layers of clothing.

Rubbing her gloved hands together, she looks up at the tree again. There was a hopeful glint in her eyes, that she would maybe come back on this day. There was no basis on that but she couldn't stop believing on it. She put her hands in her pockets as she looked at her feet for a moment and back at the tree.

Her silent prayer was definitely heard. The feel of hands on her shoulders made Suzu flinch out of surprise. The hands moved to poke her cheeks, the fingers were cold. Suzu put her own hands over the new ones.

A relieved smile formed on Suzu's lips when she turn around and saw the person behind her.

"Long time no see, Suzu-chan. I've kept you waiting didn't I?"

"Really, you've made me wait so long..." Tears started to come out from Suzu's eyes, gripping tighter on the hands she was already holding. "I missed you so much, Mahiru."

"Me too..." There was a short silence after Mahiru replied. Both were basking in each others presence, holding onto the warmth they were holding.

As intimate the moment was, none moved to bring the other closer, craving for the others warmth. They both felt that wasn't needed, yet. They just stared at each other, as if memorizing the creases and details of the others face.

That was brought to a stop when Mahiru laughed.

"W-what's wrong? Did I make a funny face?" Suzu became flustered, but never made a move to let go on the hand she was holding.

"N-no! You were too serious, it was hard not to laugh!" Mahiru said in between laughs, Suzu couldn't stop the heat from going to her face. At least she was starting to get warm.

"S-stop it." Suzu made little resistance as she was definitely enjoying the sound the other was making. "Let's go home. Snow will start to fall soon."

"Let's save digging up the container another year then. It'll be difficult to dig now. And I'm starting to get hungry." Mahiru got one of her hands free and put that hand on Suzu's head.

Just at the right moment, Suzu's stomach rumbled. She became embarrassed.

"L-let's go!" Suzu urged Mahiru to run, pulling Mahiru just behind her.

"At a slower pace please. You still run as fast as ever." Mahiru was trying her best to keep up with the now taller girl. She was panting. They did run a fair distance now, but Suzu didn't even make a sweat.

Without another word, Suzu lifted Mahiru off of her feet making the latter embarrassed.

"This will be faster then." Suzu grinned at Mahiru.

"I-I guess..." Mahiru resigned herself to Suzu, concluding that she's not going to get through to her at this rate.

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That was Shun-chan!

I can't believe I fell asleep!

Merry Christmas everyone!

A junnanana will be posted by today, I guess.

As always,

Thanks for dropping by!