Emerald Leaf

A Fair Story

"Aki. Aki, wake up."

I woke up to someone shaking my shoulder lightly. Opening my eyes, I realized I was in a car. I must've fallen asleep on the way here. Was I really that tired?

I yawned and sat up, as Haru gestured to the window. "We're here. This is my house."

I looked out the window, to where Haru gestured. It was a small, but cozy place. I found myself wondering if his mom lived alone. And then shook my heads, realizing that's the kind of thing a serial killer would wonder.

Haru hopped out of the car as I followed him, Tsukishiro trailing along silently. Haru rang the doorbell, the sound echoing in the night.

A woman opened the door, and now I knew exactly who Haru took after. She smiled at Haru and her smile froze on her face as her eyes fell on me. Her eyes widened in surprise, but her face paled.

"Akina?"

I shook my head as Haru said, "This is Aki."

Hikari looked like she wanted to say something, but bit her lower lip as she eyes flickered to my hair and eyes. Strangely, I had somehow gotten used to this.

"Is dad home?" Haru asked, looking past his mother, through the door.

"He's still at work." She glanced at both of us in turn. "Come in." She stepped aside as Haru went in, while Tsukishiro and I followed. Tsukishiro gave me a gentle smile as he straightened his glasses.

I held onto Haru's sleeve as he led us to the living room, where Sumire sat with a cup of tea in her hands. Sumire smiled at me as I took a seat next to Haru.

"So, what was this about kids disappearing?" I asked, not sure whether I wanted an answer.

The temperature in the room seemed to suddenly drop as Sumire placed her cup down. "A lot of kids went out to play with their friends and then they were never seen again. The police are stumped, because there were no signs of a struggle or anything–they had just vanished into thin air. Most of us were asked to close down our shops, although I don't know what difference that will make."

Hikari walked in with three cups of tea and handed them to each of us.

"Thank you," I said.

I thought about what Sumire said about the kids disappearing. Could it possibly be because they had wandered too close to the tree? But why now? Why not before? Was all this perhaps my fault?

"Aki?" Sumire called, bringing me from my thoughts. I glanced up. "Would you like to stay here?"

Hikari smiled, and I knew she would be fine with it, but I noticed Haru's hands tightening around his cup. I realized he was in his own trail of thoughts.

"Aunt Sumire?"

"Yes, Haru?"

"The children who disappeared, where were they all from?"

"Near our little flower shop, and the surrounding neighborhood. Not many kids from here have gone missing."

Haru and I looked at each other, the same suspicion in our eyes. Those kids must've wandered off like Kakeru. I placed my cup on the table, wondering just how many kids had lost their way in the tunnels.

"Did anyone cross over?"

Many, so many.

"Mom, can Aki stay with me?" Haru asked.

I looked at him in surprise; Tsukishiro wore an expression close to mine.

"Haru?" I asked. I wondered if he thought losing me would be like losing Akina all over again, but I simply looked like her, I wasn't actually related to them.