Time Skip [1 year]
Keiko's P.O.V
It's been one year since Akemi left and I had no idea where she was or what she was doing. She never called or texted me.
Does she hate me now?
Why did she go?
All this questions were making my heart shatter. Even after one year I still missed her. I hate going to school all alone. Our project... I ended up having to complete it alone...
I hate to not have her by side...
Akemi's P.O.V
It's been one year already, huh? Well I don't really care much. Yesterday my parents decided to suddenly go back so now I'm stuck with packing my things.
Tsk. So annoying.
Time Skip
Ugh, finally here after almost 12 hours in the plane. I threw my bag on the bed as I got in and headed outside for a walk.
"Akemi! Unpack first!" my mother stated as I was walking out the door.
"I'll do it later," I simply said and kept walking.
I kept aimlessly walking down the sidewalk. Watching as the houses passed by. Soon there were no houses in sight, but instead there were trees all around me.
The cold breeze danced across my skin causing me to shiver.
They were familiar, these trees, the benches and the whole place was familiar.
Then I remembered.
'We used to hang out here sometimes.'
That thought hit me like a rock. I shouldn't be thinking about a mere... stranger?
I can't bear this place, it brings memories that I don't want nor need.
I sighed and turned around and took a step in the direction that I came from.
..but then I hesitated.
There's one place that I still need to see.
I turned back around and walked with a wavering confidence to the one place that would surely bring the most painful memories.
But I never stopped, I kept going towards the destination that I had in mind.
That's when I spotted it, a beautiful yet dull lake out in the open.
My head immediately turned left and right searching for a lone bench near the bushes.
Finally I found it to my left.
But that wasn't all, no.
There was someone already here. Their body was lying on top of the bench.
Their black hair was moving in the slight breeze.
It was unexpected, but I already knew who that person was and I wasn't waiting to confirm my suspicions.
I quickly made my way back and away from this place .
However, I stopped. Not intentionally... someone called my name.
"Akemi?!"
I tried to stop myself, but I couldn't help, but look back.
And when I looked into those blue eyes I could hear my heart shatter all over again.
All I could think of was a smile.
And a name.
'Keiko...'
Keiko's P.O.V
Is this real? Am I dreaming? Is my mind playing tricks on me?
Is she really back? She can't be. She left for good... right?
"Akemi ...is that you?" I asked.
The girl in front of me was frozen in her place. She didn't move. Not even a little flinch. I wasn't sure if she was even breathing.
As if in slow motion she slowly turned her head and looked at me over her shoulder.
Our eyes met and I instantly knew that she was truly back.
Am I hallucinating?
She's back! She's really back! I felt so happy and I could feel a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
I stepped towards her to hug her and ask her about the reason behind her sudden disappearance, to ask her why she never told me.
I stood behind her and held her wrist and attempted to turn her around and pull her into a hug.
...but I couldn't. She resisted. She pulled her arm away and at that moment I was able to take a closer look into her eyes.
They were just the same as before. Those eyes didn't belong to my best friend Akemi. They belonged to a coldhearted person that has felt so much pain and suffered a lot.
My smile instantly turned into a frown and I stared in shock and sadness .
I couldn't help, but utter four words .
"What happened to you?"
She didn't answer, but instead she glanced at the grassy ground, completely avoiding eye contact.
I asked another question.
"Why did you leave?"
And another.
"Why didn't you tell me?!"
Another...
"AREN'T WE SUPPOSED TO BE FRIENDS?!"
"NO!"
[Silence]
She finally answered.
But what an Unexpected answer.
"What?" I asked in a small confused voice.
"I said NO, we aren't friends! Try to let that sink into that thick skull of yours!! Stop being an idiot and realize that we are nothing but strangers!! You got that?!"
That was harsh... After all of the time I spent waiting for her this is what I get?
I couldn't believe it. I refused to believe it! I'll bring the old akemi back! I did it once and I can do it again!
I watched as she ran away. I watched her disappear again. Not for too long though. I'll never give up, I'll keep trying to bring her back even if it takes me years.
Yeah, I'll do it if it's the last thing I do.
