Another Chance - (A Hotarubi No Mori E FanFiction)

Chapter One

"I probably won't be able to look forward to summer for a long time."

She hugged him like there's no tomorrow.

"My chest will hurt."

She smiled.

"My tears will be overflowing."

With tears streaming down her face.

"But this warmth in my hands and these summer memories will live on in my heart."

She cried. Hopeless, as he disappeared into tiny warm lights, just like fireflies.

Just like snow, disappears when touched.

×××

Her eyes jolted open, sweats covered her face, tears blurred her vision.

Her eyebrows curved upward as her lips slowly formed a smile. Tears started running down her face like a waterfall as silent sobs echoed through the empty room.

"Hotaru?" Gentle knocks were heard from behind the door. "Are you okay, my dear?"

Her sobs got louder and eventually stopped the moment after. She wiped off the tear strains on the arm of her pajama before forcing into a smile.

"You bet, Mom! I'm totally fine!" She replied with fake enthusiasm.

"I hope.." Her mother sighed before walking away from her beloved-one and only-daughter's room.

This has been a routine for the Takegawa household.

Her mother has always wondered. What happened to her? Why would she act this way?

Thoughts circling around her daughter, the smell of fried eggs and toasted breads lingered in the air as she made breakfast for her daughter.

As the table had finally been filled up with mouth-watering breakfast, soft footsteps echoed through the silent house and the sound of screeching door being opened made the mother of our important character gasped and walked as fast as possible to look at the door.

Hotaru had left to school without a word, knowing about the fact she hurts the feeling of her mother.

A few minutes after staring at the door sadly, her cellphone beeped twice, signaling she received a message.

From : Hotaru
To :

Sorry, Mum. I'm just so late. I forgot that I'm on duty today! I'll come home early to make it up to you, okay! ;)

She once again stared sadly at her cellphone. That's what Hotaru have been saying everyday. She never came home early, though.

Moving on to our beloved brunette, she walked as slow as possible through the side pavement of the busy road. It even seemed like her live have been edited by someone to make everything around her look fast-forward. Even people walking by her easily went pass her.

Finally reaching the school, she halted right in front of the gate. Cracking a forced smile as best as she could, she gripped on the strap of her empty school bag and walked into the school with more than enough enthusiasm.

"So, what did you have for breakfast today, Takegawa?" A ponytail brunette approached her and slapped her back softly while asking playfully. She was startled.