lost boy » yuta

second ride。

As the alarm clock went off, Akane groggily stood up from her bed and did her best to get herself ready for school.

Now walking down the stairs while combing her hair in place, she took a look at the grandfather clock in their house-- it's 6:35 am; she still has an hour and twenty-five minutes before her class start and exactly half an hour before the train comes to their terminal.

"Wow. You're early" her mom said with a hint of surprise in her voice. What a wonderful way to greet her a good morning 

"Good morning too mom" she greeted slightly sarcastic and kissed her on the cheek.

"Oops, my bad" her mother said and softly laughed. "So how's commuting yesterday?" the elder probed, "I told you it wasn't that bad" she added while pouring her daughter a glass of orange juice.

"At night! morning travel was more stressful. there are a lot of passengers; more like warriors ready to push themselves inside." Akane blurted and took a bite of her sausage "Thank god there are not so many people sitting at the end part of the train. I can still freely breathe without inhaling someone's odor. Ugh." she said and shuddered at the thought of smelling someone during the whole trip. 

Her mother let out a laugh and encouragingly looked at Akane "Well that's how it goes honey. You'll get used to it eventually" her mom smiled

"Mom, why am I the only one commuting? Why does Ayane still have a driver? This is so unfair." she groaned with her face all scrunched up because of frustration. She then took a large bite from her sausage a shoved a spoonful of rice into her mouth. It's still morning and she's already stress-eating. how awesome.

"I would like to remind you Akane, your sister is only seven years old for Pete's sake," her mother said while rubbing her forehead.

Akane rolled her eyes "heh, see kids her age riding the train alone" she muttered under her breath "But still, I didn't adjust yet--" she reasoned

"--And that's because you're not helping yourself" her mother stated which made her pout.

"Hey, get going you're going to miss the train" her mom reminded which made her quickly finish her breakfast. 

"Bye mom!" she bid and gave her mother a peck on the forehead. 

"Bye honey, take care okay?" her mom said as she tenderly squeezed her daughter's hand in which Akane obediently nodded her head and smiled at her.

Akane stood patiently behind the yellow line and looked at her watch; five more minutes before the train comes. She felt the people gradually start crowding behind her. Good thing she came early and she's in front of the queue.

When the train finally came and open its doors, she immediately went in and sat at the spot where she seated last night; the spot where she met her senior, Yuta.

Once seated she instantly looked around like she was finding someone. 

Someone? who?  well, obviously...

he should've been here already. she mentally thought with her brows furrowed.

From her seat, she slightly extended her head to take a look at the front hoping to see the person she was looking for but instead, she noticed that it was too crowded there. How come they don't seat here at the back? not that she wanted to be in a crowded place but it was weird.

She looked around again and saw that there are only a few people seated at the back, she can count them just with her fingers including herself. She tilted her head out of confusion but eventually shrugged that thought.

Whatever I'm just being paranoid. She thought and stuffed her earphones onto her ears.

The whole day has passed and she is now making her way again to the train station. She slightly tilted her head up to release the tension on her neck because of exhaustion but then remembered that they still have a lot of homework due for tomorrow.

Ugh. dammit, I don't wanna go to school tomorrow!

Akane entered the station and went to the scanner to scan her ticket. As soon as she finished scanning, she lifted her head and saw Yuta standing behind the line. She smiled and was about to go to him when she accidentally bumped into someone.

"Oh! I'm so sorry" she apologized and saw an old lady in front of her carrying grocery bags. She sighed in relief for the woman didn't fall. she diverts her gaze back to the place where Yuta is but he's now nowhere to be found.

Huh? where did he go? she thought confused.

"It's alright,  just be careful next time" the woman said which pulled Akane out of her thoughts and gave the latter a warm smile. Akane thanked god for she expected the woman to be angry and will yell at her but didn't. She smiled back

"Are you also riding this train? here, let me help you" Akane offered "Yes I am. thank you so much dear" the old lady said gratefully. "No problem" she replied and let out a small chuckle. She suddenly misses her late grandmother.

Akane helped the old lady carry the bags at the end of the queue. "Thank you again, dear," the lady said and bowed at the young student. Akane reciprocated the elder's action "oh no don't mention it granny, it looks like you've gone a long way." she said worriedly as she stared at the tired old woman.

"Ah yes, my grandson was sick so there's no one that can buy our daily supplies. He needs some rest so I'm the one who bought the groceries for now" she said sadly; worried for her sick grandson who is currently alone at their home.

Akane gently tapped the old woman's shoulder, she doesn't know how to comfort her but at least she can make the elder feel that someone can understand and sympathize with her. "it'll be alright granny he will be better soon. I'll add your grandson to my prayers" Akane said and smiled at the elder.

"You have a great heart dear, thank you so much" the lady said teary-eyed, and gently squeezed Akane's hand. 

Akane felt warm, 'it's nice' she thought. "I see, you have the eye" the elder added which made Akane's eyebrows meet due to confusion.

Before she could ask the lady, the train came and people began crowding the entrance doors. The elder carried her bags inside and went to the front seat; which where Akane doesn't want to sit and so she went again on the end part of the train where only a few people occupies the place.

the old lady's words didn't left her mind. I have the eye? what does she mean by that?

well of course she has eyes. everybody has an eye! what is she telling?

was that a riddle? what's the answer?

"Akane!" a voice called her name which made her lift her head.

it was Yuta.