Sora & Fumiko

Chapter Thirty-Nine

One week quickly passed by after my prom night and all that time I didn't visit Sora.

I knew I should've because our time together was coming to an end but I couldn't out of fear.

I was going to him now though because I wanted to hold onto that feeling I had by seeing him one more time before I left. It still felt unreal that he loved me but I knew he did because I had seen it for myself.

I pulled my bags tirelessly and cursed myself for taking them this far with me rather than leaving them behind until I returned.

I huffed and tugged at my suitcase and went on my way again but with each step I took I was exhausted.

I continued anyways before slowing my pace when I realised that they were going to be my last coming here for a very long time.

I was going to stay in the city with one of my mother's friends until my classes started in September, so seeing Sora now was going to be a goodbye.

I approached his house after a few minutes and to my surprise he was there seemingly waiting for me by his porch while looking out sadly into his fields.

"F-Fumiko!" He stuttered surprised.

"Sora" I breathed while releasing the grip I had on my bags and running to him.

I burst into laughter when he held me and ran a hand through my hair so I buried my face into his clothes softly.

He grasped my wrist and pulled me onto the porch with him while I stared deeply into his eyes.

All the love I had seen before was still there, my heart wrenching with regret I didn't see it earlier.

It was so painful holding everything back now when it was obvious how we both felt. The pain of not knowing each other's heart was horrible but now it was just slow and unsteady.

I was going to leave him and I only had now to say goodbye.

"So you're finally going to the city." he said looking at my bags. His downcast eyes reminded me of a child's - able to understand that I was leaving but unable to cope with it.

"Yeah, I guess it'll be kind of ... different." I peered out at the crops growing far in the distance that from where I took a seat, didn't look that much different from grass.

"Nothing in the city is going to be like this."

"I guess, maybe."

"What time today are you leaving?"

"In a little while, I'm going to catch the morning bus out of town. If I miss it, I'll have to take the noon one."

"Oh, I see"

I turned my focus back to him to realize that he was looking at my chest, more particularly the chain and pendant around my neck.

"I gave you that for your birthday." he laughed before his expression fell away sadly.

"Yeah, it's kind of special."

"You also wore it on your prom night didn't you?"

I nodded, surprised he remembered.

"I'm sorry I won't be here for your birthday."

This moment between us was so bitter sweet that I didn't know if I should've been crying or smiling.

"When will you be coming back?"

"Sora," I reached over and grasped his hand with my own calmly.

"Fumiko-"

"I'm not sure yet," I told him because I had no reason to lie. "I don't know when, but I will find my way back to you, I promise."