The Sum of Our Parts

Chapter 12

A/N: I kiiinda based this off of the area around Funagawa Port. I won't name any place in particular since I'm entirely unfamiliar with Japan. lol But if you'd like an idea of the forrest/city/shoreline ratio I'm working with, you can take a look at satellite images on google maps of that area.

Saeko drove as far off road as the car would allow. She then went over the map with them as many times as she could. The sun was rising, but it did little to raise the temperature. It was going to be a cold hike.

"So basically, just keep going straight until you see the coastline. The docks should be visible that high up. Just head that direction." Saeko's finger trailed the line she had drawn for them to see. "You know where the meetup point is at?"

"Yes," Tobio confirmed.

"Good. Then you're all set." She patted the bag of water and ready meals she had purchased from the store earlier. That would get them through the day.

"How long will it take us to get there?" Shoyo asked, having no idea how to judge distance to scale. Not that Tobio knew how to either.

Saeko shrugged. "Depends on the terrain and how fast you walk. You should be there before the sun goes down. You don't want flashlights calling attention to you, so push as hard as you can this morning."

The flashlights she purchased were stuffed in the bag. Tobio double checked them to make sure they had everything. Shoyo fidgeted in nervousness for a while before looking up at Saeko with watery eyes.

"Saeko Nee-san... I'll never see you again!"

Saeko gave an indulgent laugh before pulling Shoyo into a rough but exuberant hug. "Don't be like that! Maybe one day I'll need to get my passport and travel a bit of the world." She laughed and scruffed Shoyo's hair as he nodded in agreement and sniffed.

She punched Tobio's arm lightheartedly. "Take care of him out there."

"Yes."

In short order, they were walking away, Shoyo turning multiple times to wave at Saeko. When they were out of sight, the sound of the engine revving in the distanced echoed through the trees around them. The area was hilly with bulging rocks, thick brush, and a tangle of trees. This close to the shore, the wind was harsh even through so much foliage.

They didn't talk much during the trek, putting most of their focus into where they were planting their feet. There wasn't a proper walking path, so it was tough going, with them often having to climb up and over places via surrounding trees. At least the physical exertion kept them warm.

The sun was high when Shoyo finally asked to stop, pointing at a cluster of rocks that would hopefully be enough to protect them from the worst of the wind. They settled down, huddling close to each other as they opened up their meals. The silence didn't last all that long, as Tobio expected.

"I talked to a lot of people about it, ya know. Especially Yachi."

Tobio didn't respond. He kept his eyes on the ground and just continued to eat. After all, what was there even to say?

"Did Yachi call you?"

"Yes."

"More than once?"

"Yes."

Shoyo had an unreadable look on his face as he paused to eat more. Perhaps he had wanted Yachi entirely on his side. But Yachi had always been on his side. Tobio attempted to explain that.

"In high school, Yachi told me often that I should end the suggestion and talk about things with you."

"Why didn't you?"