Shards of War: Eclipsian Secrets

Chapter 64

The next morning began with the usual rhythm of a busy house preparing to leave. After breakfast, Matsu and his sisters gathered their bags and took them outside to load them into the car. The sky was clear, with a soft morning breeze sweeping through Ironhaven as they packed everything up, ready to head back to Eclipse City.

As Matsu placed the last bag into the trunk, he noticed a familiar group of figures approaching. He smiled to himself, already recognizing his friends from their silhouettes. Blaze, Wally, Angelo, Orca, Terry, Jackie, Opal, and Marina were all walking toward them, ready to give a proper send-off.

"Leaving without saying goodbye?" Blaze teased, her ponytail bouncing with each step. She crossed her arms and smirked at Matsu as they got closer.

Matsu chuckled, shaking his head. "You guys always show up last minute. I knew you wouldn't let me go without a farewell."

Blaze grinned and lightly punched his arm. "Of course! We're not letting you disappear without a proper send-off."

The others gathered around, exchanging hugs and playful banter. Wally, shy as ever, smiled quietly but was visibly glad to be there. Angelo made a sarcastic remark about Matsu leaving them to handle everything back in the city, earning a laugh from Orca, who teased Matsu about returning with some gifts. Terry joined in with a quick quip, while Jackie stood quietly beside him, offering a soft wave and smile.

As Matsu embraced each of his friends, there was a moment of warmth shared between them. He knew these goodbyes weren't forever, but it was still hard to leave the comfort of home and the people he cared about.

After a few more moments of exchanging jokes and stories, Blaze handed him a small package wrapped in plain brown paper. "Something to remember us by," she said with a wink.

Matsu opened it, revealing a framed photo of all of them from a recent hangout. The image was candid, everyone laughing mid-conversation, a snapshot of a moment that perfectly captured their friendship.

"Thanks, Blaze," he said with a soft smile, his heart warming at the gesture. "You know I'll never forget you guys."

"Well, you better not," she replied. "Just a reminder that we're always here."

Matsu carefully placed the frame in the car and gave each of them one last hug. Just as he thought the farewells were wrapping up, he saw two more figures approaching in the distance.

He didn't need to think twice—it was Calie and Marie, unmistakable even from afar. His heart did a small flip as they got closer, Calie's lively energy already radiating as she waved with both hands and called out.

"Matsu!" Calie practically ran toward him, her black-to-pink gradient hair catching the morning light. As soon as she reached him, she threw her arms around him in a hug that lasted a little longer than it probably should have.

"You didn't think we'd let you leave without saying goodbye, did you?" she teased, her voice soft but playful, clearly continuing the flirtatious energy from their texts the night before. She looked up at him with a smile that was both mischievous and affectionate.

"I figured you'd be here," Matsu said with a grin, looking down at her.

Calie leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "Miss me already?"

Before Matsu could answer, Marie stepped up behind her cousin, gently tugging on Calie's arm as if to reel her back in. "Alright, Calie, give him some space," Marie said with her usual calm demeanor, though the slight upward quirk of her lips betrayed the fact that she was amused by Calie's antics.

"But I wasn't done yet," Calie pouted, though she made no real effort to resist as Marie pulled her away. Even then, her gaze lingered on Matsu, her smile full of unspoken promises.