Yumiko was in a strange place, her surroundings were completely white and empty, maybe not too empty. She looked around and found a figure, it looked like Akira standing under a big tree , unlike any other trees, this tree was completely black, Yumiko walked toward it, didn't seem like she's walking, though, more like floating. When she approached the figure, turned out, it was Akira. He didn't speak a word. Yumiko raised her hand and touched him, suddenly, his body started to shatter. Souls more shattered than reality. She woke up, it was 2 PM, her whole body is all sweaty.
Yumiko went to school, it was a day like any other, last night, she stayed up late thinking about a way to "give therapy" to Akira, and she thought that an evening stroll would be perfect. But still, she worried that he wouldn't accept to come with her. Yumiko took her courage to ask Akira
-Hey, Shota-kun, do you mind having a walk with me? Like this evening?
-What for?
-We gonna talk about your problems
-...Deal. Where should I meet you?
-I don't know, maybe at the Central Park? You should really get some nature.
-Sure. See you there.- Akira said firmly with a gentle smile.
After school, Akira packed up his things and let Yumiko lead him to the park. It was a big park, much bigger than Akira's expect, there's enough space for both a fair and a music concert at the same time. There's a lot of trees here that Akira have not seen in a long time, and grass that he also haven't touch in a long time. As they were strolling along the park's graveled path, Yumiko asked him:
-Were you feeling down this whole time, like the whole 2 years?
-Yea, pretty much, yea.
-Why haven't you tell anyone yet?
-I don't want to bother anyone.- Akira answered genuinely
-Well, actually, you can feel free to bother me.- Yumiko dropped a friendly smile on Akira.
-You know? Having someone that can understand me is pretty difficult.
-Why, though?
-I don't open up with many people. They don't understand my problems.
-And I do, so please, feel free to rely on me, I'm here to help you, remember?.
-You are?- Akira whispered
-Yes, I am, I definitely am.- Yumiko whispered back
-And you won't see me as a coward?
-You are having problems, not cowardice. The thing you lack is solutions, not courage. You are a man with problem.
- Anyways, we'll start with your basic problems. I don't say you'll need to forget that girl of yours or anything, you need to accept it. - Yumiko stated firmly after several seconds of silence.
-Sounds difficult.
-Yea, but you can do it. Here's a tip, instead of avoiding the memories, you can try to remember them, when you have grieved enough, your pain will start to relieve. I will help by asking you to tell me your story everyday.
-Noted that.- Akira nodded
-But noted this one, too. This method is very painful and torturing. I suggest you not doing it. Might even be harmful to our friendship
-You... Ugh, ok, what's next on the list?
-To accept your past, you can try meditating, this method is much more painless and effective, but it will require you to put some effort into.
-Sounds just good enough.
-Every weekends, you should try spend five minutes or so trying to meditate, remember to sit in a quiet room. First, you wanna try to train to concentrate into your breath first, then you can slowly switch to reviewing your memory and accept it the way it be.
-Cool, I'll try.
-OR you can try to completely forget the past.
-How? You just said that I can't forget...
-You can use this method called Heart of The Rose, I think. Everyday, get a branch of rose, you will want to be at a quiet place, stare into the Rose heart, worship the beautiful of the Rose petals. Try not to let any other thoughts interrupt you, at first, it'll be difficult but after some time, you'll be able to master it.
-Ok, how does that help?- Akira was confused
-This method helps you concentrate into the present, you'll forget your past in no time. Very efficient.
-I'll go with the first method.- Akira said calmly
-What? It's very painful. You should reconsider.
Akira laughed, it's been a long time since he last laughed.
-I got plenty of pain already, a little bit more shouldn't hurt.- Akira grinned,- Nice pun, me.
As he was done with saying that, a gentle chilling breeze approached them, although it is just cool to him, Yumiko was trembling in the cold. Of course, Akira was wearing pants, a T-shirt, and a leather jacket, while Yumiko was wearing just her T-shirt and a skirt, at least she's got some stocking. Akira unbuttoned his jacket, got it off and gave it to her.
-Huh?- Yumiko expressed her confusion to the item that was handed to her.
-Put this on.- Akira said in and ordering voice.
-But,...- Yumiko said shyly.
-Put it on, I don't want you to catch a cold, would be troublesome, after all, this walk is to help me with my problems. Furthermore, I'd feel bad if I let you catch a cold while I wear warm stuffs like this.
-But, still, I can't?- Yumiko said, trying to signal him something he couldn't decipher, her face is getting red, though, either from the cold or from some unknown reason.
-Don't worry, I'm not cold. I could also promise you that after you use this I'll throw it in the washing machine, no trace or scent left, I swear on god.- Finished the sentence, Akira grabbed two sides of the jacket and throw it over Yumiko so it covers her shoulders.
The two continued to walk for a long while in silence, until they decided to part ways, Yumiko to her home and Akira to his. When Yumiko handed back the jacket, Akira didn't even dare to put it on, got to put it in the laundry immediately, he thought.
YOU ARE READING
Fates: Akira's story (Debut)
RomanceAkira Shota is a normal guy like any other until one day, he got his heart broken. His life then starts to get only worse and worse. At one point, he was about to commit suicide, but he met someone and all of a sudden, his life changed...
