The Everlasting Bond

Chapter 17: Responding to Feelings

Iori's eyes snapped open and immediately sat up, frantically looking around for a certain redhead to find no one in his room anymore.

He clenched his fists in frustration, cursing himself for falling asleep. All of the running around every stall as well as being told that someone he holds dear was going to leave and there was nothing he could do about it had taken a major toll on him, mentally and physically. Was the reason why Riku went to every stall because he knew it would've been his last time?

Whilst he had clenched his fists, he felt an object inside one of them. Confused as to whether he had anything in his hand before he fell asleep, Iori unfurled his fist and saw a silver. The same silver star he vividly remembered seeing Riku had on his hair clip the first they met each other.

It made Iori bite his bottom lip, seeing the single star in the palm of his hand. There were two stars on Riku's hair clip and one of them was in his hand whereas the other was somewhere else, both being separated from each other.

Eyes sore and a splitting headache present, the worst feeling was neither of them but the fact he wasn't able to say goodbye to Riku. He won't be able to see Riku ever again. Just like the two stars, he and Riku were separated.

Iori shook his head, hand clutching onto the silver star in his hand again. There must be a way for him to see Riku again, maybe someone knew more about Riku's connection with the galaxy. Iori kept thinking and thinking until a name popped in his mind, the person who might know more about the connection with the galaxy is Tenn.

Riku's twin brother.

Iori wasted no time and jumped out of his bed, rushing towards his drawers to get changed and not be in his yukata. At the corner of his eyes, he spotted a bunch of robes on the floor. It was the yukata Riku was wearing.

Unless Riku had for some reason taken his yukata off and ran off, it was proof that Riku was gone and which, Iori refused to accept.

He ran down the stairs once he'd finished getting change and met Mitsuki along the way to the front door, holding a tray full of fresh cakes.

"Afternoon, Iori! You slept longer than usual, I thought you- hm? Is Riku not with you, I thought he'd stayed over?" Mitsuki tilted his head from side to side, trying to spot the said person.

"He left earlier on," It wasn't a complete lie but it still left Iori feeling guilty, he didn't think it was necessary to tell Mitsuki everything since he'll be getting Riku back anyway. Hopefully.

"I see, I see. Is everything alright? You look very restless." Portraying worry in his voice and face, Mitsuki tilted his head once again.

Iori quickly assured his brother, "I'm fine, I need to go to Nanase-san's apartment since I've forgotten to discuss something with him, that's all."

"No need to rush about that, it's not like you're never going to see him again!" The irony in Mitsuki's words stung Iori a little. Of course, his brother doesn't know the whole situation.

Iori headed for the door, "Mn. I'll be going, I might be late coming back so I'll message you."

"Take care Iori! Tell Riku that I said hi and I thank him for staying with you during the summer festival!" With one hand still holding the tray of cakes, Mitsuki waved his other hand at Iori.

Iori's hand and movement paused as he was opening the door, he turned his head and nodded.

"I will."

*******

As expected, the one who opened the door was Tenn and not Riku. Although, Iori was grateful that Tenn was back in his apartment to answer the door since the night before he was staying at his friend's place from what Riku told him.

"Iori-san? Why are you here and isn't Riku supposed to be with you?" Puzzled, Tenn stood by the entrance.

"I'm guessing Nanase-san isn't here..." The small hope in Iori dropped, he couldn't help his small hope that Riku might be back in his apartment all along. Nonetheless, he was still determined to bring Riku back.

"I need to speak with you about Nanase-san." Iori said, earning a more puzzled look from Tenn.

After Iori explained how Riku's ability had consequences and him having to leave to be with the galaxy so that there won't be a future calamity if he had refused to go, Tenn clenched both of his hands together, his brows furrowing.

"That idiot, always being so selfless and not wanting to cause any trouble for anyone." Tenn muttered out through gritted teeth.

Iori waited for several minutes, allowing Tenn to process everything before going onto his next point. "Do you know where Nanase-san made his first wish? He told me what his first wish was but not where."

He remembered the night before that Riku had said '"My first wish was the beginning of everything."' which to Iori, it might be a clue on how he can see Riku again.

"Riku was thirteen when he received his ability and presumably when he made his first wish..." Tenn closed his eyes and gave it more thought. It didn't take long before he remembered something and opened back his eyes.

"There was this one time that might relate to his first wish." Tenn stated. "When his condition worsened, our family went to Itsukushima since there was a better doctor who could help Riku but the cost to help Riku's condition was too much for my parents. During the next early morning, I was bringing breakfast to Riku's hospital room to find him gone. My parents and I eventually found him lying in the shallow water under the floating torii gate in Itsukushima unconscious. I've always assumed that's where he made his first wish under the torii gate since his asthma was fully cured after. I only realised his ability later on when he heard me making a wish for money to help our family's financial problem, but he never told me how he'd gotten his ability. After I knew about it, I never wanted to use Riku's ability unless there was a desperate need and except for me and Riku to test out his ability's limits."

"...That's it..." Iori mumbled under his breath. "Maybe I can go to the galaxy and find Riku and bring him back by going to Itsukushima and make a wish under the torii gate as well, it was where it all began and how Riku was first connected with the galaxy in the first place."

Iori didn't think twice before standing up and hastily walking up to the door. Thanks to Tenn, he'd found a way that might help him find Riku. He was about to open the door when he heard Tenn.

"If you're going to bring Riku back, there'll be a future calamity. Are you sure you want to bring him back knowing that? Riku might be even more sad if you bring him back." Standing up, Tenn walked up to the doorway with a serious gaze and waited for Iori's reply.

The reply came in a heartbeat.

"I know there'll be a future calamity but I don't care." Iori turned his body around, sincerity showing on his face. "I finally realise how grateful I am to Nanase-san. He allowed me to open up more, coloured my monochrome life and enjoyed the time we did requests together. Therefore, I want to save him no matter what, bring him back and respond to his feelings."

Taken aback, Tenn didn't anticipate Iori's strong resolve. A bittersweet smile formed and he chuckled, "Alright. You better bring my brother back, Iori-san. I want to bring Riku back too since he is my dearest brother but I think you should be the one, Riku did trust you and told you everything."

Looking face to face with Tenn, Iori smiled.

"Mn. I will."

*******

On board the ferry that was heading for Itsukushima island, Iori was at the deck of the ferry with the gentle breeze rustling his hair. He watched the vast ocean swaying and just under the horizon, the sun was setting.

He made a mental note to himself to thank and repay Tenn back for the money he gave to help him get on the train all the way to Hiroshima train station and the ferry to Itsukushima, it was also a close call as the ship was just about to leave when Iori arrived.

Iori's gaze averted from looking out at the warm sunset to his hand where he was still holding the silver star, making a promise to return the star to Riku and bring the two stars together again.

"I'll bring you back no matter what, Nanase-san. Just wait for me."