CotE: Dearest

Chapter 8 - Yuki.

𝕯𝖊𝖆𝖗𝖊𝖘𝖙

The weeks in college slipped by in a blur, each day blending into the next as we wrapped up our group projects and refined the details of our long-awaited trip.

And now, it was time.

"Don't you think this is a little... too much?"

I adjusted my scarf, watching as Yuki fussed with hers, nearly swallowing her face in its oversized folds. She looked ready to face a snowstorm, not a flight.

"It's just in case you'll get cold, you know?" Yuki explained, while almost her entire face was covered by the scarf.

In fact, she brought one for me too.

"Still..."

"I'm with Kiyo on this one."

Unlike Shiro—who looked like he'd rolled out of bed in pajamas—Yuki was dressed for the tundra.

Tachibana, beside them, looked every bit the well-prepared traveler, bundled in a light sweater, though her eyes darted around nervously.

"The flight's going to be long—maybe we should grab some food?" she suggested, fidgeting slightly with her boarding pass.

"That doesn't sound like a bad idea," Shiro said, nudging Yuki as they shared a conspiratorial look. "Water and sandwiches?"

The two headed off, Yuki practically bouncing alongside Tachibana and Shiro, her scarf trailing behind her like a flag. She looked like a kid about to board their first plane.

Manabu and I stayed back to watch over the luggage.

"You really didn't need to invite us, Kiyotaka."

Manabu sat beside me. His hands were tucked into the pockets of his jacket as his gaze followed Tachibana as she examined the options at a nearby kiosk.

I glanced at him, a slight shrug on my shoulders. "It's a thank you for helping me out."

"There was no need, really."

"900 Yen for ONE bottle of water?"

I heard Yuki and Tachibana scream out in unison from across the airport, both incredulously eyeing the price tags at a kiosk.

"That's what I'm saying! That's insanity."

Manabu smiled faintly, turning to me.

"It's not a given that someone would take care of me just like that."

I stared ahead for a moment, the noise of the airport blurring into the background as I thought back to how much he'd done for me—helping me settle into Tokyo, finding me an apartment, supporting me financially until the case with my father was resolved.

After my father's arrest, it had to be proven whether the money in his account stemmed from illegal sources or not, and eventually, it was proven otherwise, hence I inherited it.

It wasn't just what he did; it was how he did it.

He then started speaking.

"But... Thank you. For Suzune's sake, too. You've helped me with Suzune, something that, I think—no I know, without you would not have ended up how it's now.

"I'm sure you would have been fine," I dismissed.

With Manabu, everything felt different than with the others.

Shiro and I had grown close after reuniting, spending countless days together, sharing moments and conversations.

But with Manabu, even though we didn't see each other every day, we were close.