Flame Dragon's Story

Chapter 6: A Small Change

"暑き日を

海に入れたり

最上川"

"Takata-san, Ayumi-chan, I'm sorry for leaving you behind."

"It's fine. It could've been worse but let's forget about that..."

The exhaustion could be felt, I headed away from the group to the nearby balcony. Leaning on the rail gazing towards the city of Kyoto, I spent a bit of time alone before Yuna came back to me. Felt like this time she had something serious to talk about. I wonder...

"Takata-san, there's something that I've been keeping for a while..."

"Something you've kept for a while...?"

She nodded, then proceeded to continue.

"Well, you seem to be starting to gain popularity among us in school. N-No, it's not that I don't like it. You've adapted to the school so well. It's just that, I'm afraid if you lose yourself to unwanted people."

What did she mean by that...?

"Takata-san, I... I love you... I want to be your girlfriend... But it's fine that if you don't want me to."

"Don't... Don't come to me like that..."

This wasn't expected. There was so much to think of, and now this...

"I'm sorry... I'm not accepting any proposals..."

"I understand, after all I'm happy that you took your time to listen to my feelings and thoughts..." Yuna added.

"Keep yourself and your friends at priority. Your moments with them are more worth it than me..." I tapped her shoulder, then proceeded to walk away from her to avoid any more conversations. I needed some time alone.

Isolating myself as I sat on a bench a distance away from the gathering, the thoughts of the conversation started to replay in my mind. Why is this happening? What kind of changes am I experiencing in my new life? The thoughts started to compare the current life and the past life that I had. Why couldn't I just stop thinking about this?

"Takata-san!" I heard Motoki shouting out for me. "Let's all take a picture together!"

"Huh? Y-Yeah, coming."

I'll just stick to thinking what could possible come up for this new future. For now, I should let myself experience what was supposed to come in the moment: spending some time together with friends, as Motoki took a group photo together with all four of us. The more I have moments with them, the more I started to think: maybe a good future for me would be possible. Who knows...

Field trip was about to end as days passed by. A lot of things were done. Time sure had gone so fast. Back at the accommodation, I got some time to suit myself alone while packing up to leave. The others, already waiting for me I guessed. Well, sayonara, Mount Hiei.

And thus, ends a the field trip of the year. I wondered, what could possible come up next. The world started to fade as the thoughts and voices came into my mind. The same voice...

"Dai-chan..."

Mother...

"Mother, how long am I going to live like this? I miss you so much."

"I'm sorry I couldn't be with you, sweetie. But I want you to know, someone out there is looking for you."

"Mother, there's nobody else to look for me. What do you mean?"

"Dai-chan, put your trust on me. Someone you know, is out there looking for you. Keep it in mind."

"Mother, don't go. Please! Come back!"