The Last Wish

The Visit

In the morning, when the junior group was watching television, an advertisement flashed on the screen, about a traveling agency for traveling around the country. Kakeru screamed as he pointed at the advertisement. “It’s the one, it’s the one! Isn’t it, Haru-san?”

Haru glanced up from his laptop and nodded. “Yes it is, Kakeru.”

Ray tilted his head a little to see what it was.

“So they offered you the job?” asked Kai, leaning against the couch next to Haru.

“Yeah, they did. But we declined it. We already have too much work to do,” said Haru.

“I can understand.”

From behind them, Ray peeked over their shoulders to look at what they were talking about. As soon as he saw the advertisement, he said with a low voice, “Home.”

“You live there?” Shun said from behind Ray.

Startled, Ray turned to Shun. “I said nothing and you heard nothing, okay?”

Shun stared at Ray for a second and a smile flashed across his face. “You said something and I heard something.”

“What’s the matter?” asked Kai, looking between Ray and Shun.

“Ray said something,” said Shun with a smile on his face.

“No, I didn’t say anything!”

“Yes, you did say something about home,” said Yoru, looking around from behind Shun.

Ray glared at Yoru, and felt shivers down his spine.

“What did you mean by home? Do you live near Kyoto?” asked Shun, gesturing to the television that was now showing the temples of Kyoto. Sadness fluttered across Ray’s face and he fought against the feeling in his heart that told him it would be better to hide. A newer voice called out from within him. ‘Tell them where you used to live. They are the ones who will get you to the place you belong to.’

Ray thought for a while and he took a deep breath before answering. “Kyoto is not exactly where I used to live, but there’s a village near that town. That is where I used to live.”

“Is that so? Do you want to visit your home?” asked Haru, walking towards Ray.

Ray fidgeted slightly. “No… yes… maybe… I don’t know. Maybe I want to visit my home. Is it possible?” he asked softly, as if he still couldn’t believe he was asking.

“I think it is possible,” said Kai as he scrolled through his phone and searched for something. He looked to Haru, who smiled back in return. Everyone looked between the two of them in confusion, unsure what they were silently communicating about. “Got it! Let me just make a call, I hope it works,” said Kai.

As soon as Kai said that, Haru picked up his phone and called someone. Everyone was still watching them, questions racing through their minds. After a while, they both received a call, and with a smile on their faces, they glanced at each other and then at everyone else. “Done. Now we can go to Nagiso, the village Ray used to live in." The room burst with noise and excitement. Ray smiled, before his grin faded and he looked away.

“I didn’t know they would let us go after we declined their offer,” said Kai.

“Ray?” asked Kakeru, a little bounce in his voice. “Aren’t you happy? We’re going to visit your hometown.”

Ray looked down to the floor. “Um… Yeah, I’m happy.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing everything Ray told us about that place,” said Kai, wandering the room with bags in his hand.

“When are we going?” Today or tomorrow?” Kakeru asked, his eyes brightening with excitement.

Haru checked his phone and replied. “We’ll depart tomorrow at five in the morning.”

“That’s too early for me to wake up,” muttered Shun from the other side of the room.

“You have to wake up early tomorrow or we’ll leave you here and go without you,” said You.

“No, you can’t go without me,” said Shun.

“You won’t even know we left you until we do.”

Between all the chatter, Ray was standing near the window, looking up at the stars. Feeling someone’s hand on his shoulder, he turned to see Hajime behind him. He shoved Hajime’s hand away and asked with a hint of anger in his tone, “What do you want?”

Hajime looked at him as if he were just an angry cat, and then patted his head. “It feels like you aren’t as happy as the others. Is something wrong?”

“It’s nothing!” Ray’s voice could be heard even over the chatter of the room. He made to walk away, but Shun grabbed him, defying the rules of the material and spiritual world.

“You can tell us if something is bothering you, Ray,” said Shun, a gentle smile on his face.

Ray looked up at him and shook his head. “Leave me alone. It’s nothing you can help me with.”

“We can help you if you tell us,” said Haru, his voice carrying over to them.

“Fine,” huffed Ray. “It’s nothing important. I just don’t want my parents to be sad, if they find out I’m still here. I was already a burden to them when I was alive.” Ray’s voice was filled with pain.

Hajime and Haru shared a look. “No one is a burden to their parents,” said Hajime. “You know they loved you, and they always will.”

Kai placed a hand on Ray’s shoulder. “They might be a little sad, but somewhere inside, I’m sure they’d be happy.”

Haru glanced at the clock ticking away in the common room. “Everyone, go to bed. We have to leave tomorrow morning, so all of you need to wake up early,” called Haru.

They filed out of the room, a good night tossed here and there.

“Ray, it will be okay.” The senior group smiled at him, a smile that gave him a sense of comfort.