Meet You Again (Banana Fish)

Mourning The Dead (6)

-Eiji Okumura-

I stretched my arms while I frantically took a seat on my chair. I then turned my laptop on then plugged the USB into it.

***

-2 Weeks Ago-

"Ibe-san," I called out his name. "Hmm?" He hummed while taking a sip of his coffee. "Can I get a copy of your pictures in your old camera..?" I asked hesitantly. "Is it urgent?" He asked while looking at me. "Oh, not really."

"Sure, but why'd you suddenly ask for it?" He said before taking another sip of his coffee. "I...I just need inspiration right now." I said while looking down at my hands that were clasped together. "For what?" He laughed softly. I looked at him and gave him a slight smile. "I'm not sure myself.."

***

I browsed the "Photos" folder and looked at each picture with a soft smile on face.

I looked at my sister's birthday picture and I chuckled. She looked so cute with her baby cheeks.

I was checking the photos by the order of the recent ones to the old ones. It's been 30 minutes and here I am, smiling ear to ear as I look at each picture with admiration. I suddenly felt a familiar feeling I often encountered. I missed the memories the past gave me. I felt lonely after I realized my feelings.

I sighed as I covered my face with my hands. I shook my head to brush off the thoughts.

I clicked the mouse and stared at the next picture. I felt my chest and breathing heavier as the person in the picture stared back at me. A blonde boy with emerald eyes looked at the camera with a slight smile on his face. "Oh, Ash." I sighed and felt my breathing heavier and heavier in each second.

I bit my lip and looked at the ceiling while slowly closing my eyes.

***

-Ash Lynx-

I looked at the bouquet of white flowers in my hands then looked forward, the sight of someone's grave getting closer with every step I take. I bent down and gently put the flowers in front of the gravestone and stood back up. "Hey, Jen..." I mumbled quietly.

It's been years since the day she got shot, and this was the first time I visited her. Maybe I didn't visit her because of shame and regret. Maybe I didn't want to visit her because I felt bad, that I was the reason she's gone now. But I realized that I had to apologize and finally say goodbye to her.

"How are you up there?" I said, knowing that I won't get any response. I smiled bitterly at myself. "I'll be leaving tomorrow for Japan...and I regret visiting you only right now." I looked at her gravestone carefully and observed the cracks and dirt on it. "I realized that I was a coward and I'm not happy about it." I chuckled. I looked at the sky and admired it. "You must have a nice view up there every day."