Only A Memory

Chapter Four: Unknown Senses

It was the day after, and I was getting even more stressed out about more things than one. How my grandmother must be dealing with being alone. She said she can take care of herself, but I don't believe it for a second. That's why I'm leaving today to see her. I don't know what that would do for me being here. I just know that I have to leave soon. I feel it... I feel like she's in trouble. So I leave my house and go to the main building.

Izumi caught me from behind and then she turned to me, a sympathetic look in her eyes. "Hey, Belaflora-san, how has your first almost full day been? Especially since you're in a house, but too bad you're not in mine. At least it's Celsian's house." She was clearly trying to divert me from my thoughts. The look on my face showed that maybe I was thinking of doing something. Something not good.

"That's exactly what I'm regretting," I sighed, my thoughts still lingering on my grandmother and the uneasiness I felt. "He's been avoiding me, I think. I'm also trying to stay away; what happened was too awkward. I don't know how to face him. On top of all of this, his younger siblings won't leave me alone, they are also happy we are in the same house."

Izumi reached out and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "They are basically little kids. Do you know what you should do? Just talk to each other about what is going wrong. Girl, you have been best friends since we were so small. Communication is key in everything, if you talk maybe you can clear things up."

I nodded, appreciating her support but still unsure. "Izu, don't you think I've thought of that? You're the one who is good at communicating, I'm bad at socializing in general. Especially in moments like these, problems that I have to fix with speaking."

"You thought of it but haven't tried to do it. Everyone can be good at it, especially when we are dealing with friends." Izumi advised, her voice filled with earnest concern and support.

"You're right, Izumi. I need to find a way to talk to him. I do need to clear the air and understand each other. It's just... I'm nervous about how he'll react." I sighed.

She smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Belaflora-san. True friendships can withstand any awkward moments. I'm sure you'll find your way back to each other. Just give it a chance."

Her words filled me with a sense of hope. A sense of determination that I desperately needed. I would gather the courage to confront the situation, to have that much-needed conversation with Celsian. After all, true friends are there for each other through thick and thin, and I was determined to restore our bond, no matter how daunting it seemed.

Then I saw him in the corner of my eye. This was my chance I could apologize or he could. We were both wrong in some way. So I and Izumi said bye and I ran after him. "Ciao, Izumi."

"さよなら, Belaflora-san." She said behind me.

I was going through the crowd of students to find Celsian because I lost where he was. I had to find him to resolve our issues, and a surge of nerves coursed through me. My heart pounded in my chest as I kept walking in the bustling corridors, searching for a glimpse of him. Finally, I caught sight of him near the entrance to his Verdant Nature class. Why had he chosen that particular class? It was the only one I wasn't enrolled in with him. Perhaps it held some significance to me not being there. Was he really that mad at me and for what?

"Cel, come here, I want to talk to you," I called out, hoping he would hear me over the noise of the passing students. First, he pretended not to hear me but eventually, he turned around to face me, a mixture of anger and confusion spread on his face.

"Can't you see I'm busy? What do you want?" he snapped, clearly still harbouring resentment from our previous encounter.

"Please, Cel, can you follow me? I want to talk privately," I pleaded, hoping he would agree. To my surprise, he shrugged and reluctantly followed me, his anger still palpable.