Kingdom Hearts: Dream Team

Chapter 29: The Farewell Song 💜

A/N: Sad Chapter

When Mr. Hanekoma said he was an angel over the phone, I had expected him to look more... impressive. But no, he looked just like a normal human being, the same way Joshua looks like a normal human being. Then why was I still terrified? Oh wait, I'm autistic. I don't know how to make meaningful conversations with people. Wait, was he coming over to talk to me? Oh jees, I felt like I was going to faint.

"You must be Aislynn," Mr. Hanekoma said to me. "It's nice to finally meet you in person." I was too afraid to meet his eyes, so I stared at my shoes as I talked. "The feeling is m-m-mutual," I stuttered. I looked briefly at his face and saw that he was smiling. "Don't be afraid," he said, trying to reassure me. "I don't want to hurt you. You can trust me." That was enough for me to meet his eyes. "That's better," he said. "Wow, it's no wonder Josh likes you. You're lovely!"

"I like Aislynn because of her personality," Joshua said, trying to stifle a giggle. "The way she looks has nothing to do with it." That was pleasing to hear. My bracelets jingled on my wrist: another sound I love. What can I say? I like what I like. "And I like Joshua for who he is," I responded. Clearly, Mr. Hanekoma was pleased to hear this. Soon, we had a huge reunion on our hands.

Not only was Joshua happy to see his old friend again, everyone else was, too. Neku chatted with Mr. Hanekoma, who called him "Phones". Shiki talked about how she actually got to design for the first time. Rhyme even gave Mr. H a huge hug. Unfortunately, I interrupted the mood by asking him why he was here. "I've come to take Joshua and these four back to Shibuya with me," he stated.

Mr. H went on, explaining how he found an incantation that would open a portal to this world. "I've tried for days to get it to work," he explained, "but Cyrena had created an interference which kept it from opening. Now that she's defeated, the lanes are open again, which will allow you guys to return." Roars of excitement erupted from my teammates. This made me happy, but at the same time... sad.

Ever since they first arrived in my world, I had made it my mission to help them get back to Shibuya. Now that Cyrena was gone, they had no real reason to stay here. So why was there an ache in my heart? During the final battle, my mission and my heart spoke as one, but now, they couldn't have been more different. It was my heart that I had always followed, though, and I had to stick with it. "Wait," I said as my teammates were about to pass through the portal. "I don't want you to leave."

Mr. Hanekoma approached me. "Aislynn," he stated firmly, "they don't belong in your world. Shibuya is their home and the Reaper's Game needs Joshua." I wanted to make an argument, but he held up his hand, silencing me. "You can't come to Shibuya, either. Your place is here." Pain swelled behind my eyes. "So, is this goodbye?" Mr. H nodded. "That's the way it has to be." I had to give my team some parting words before they left.

First, I spoke to Rhyme, my little sister in spirit. "Rhyme, I hope that your memory comes back," I said. "I hope that you're able to get back to your brother when you finish the game." She hugged me before she passed through the portal. Now, I understand what it's like for parents to let go of their children. Beat squeezed me tightly before he followed his little sister. My only advice for him was to keep Rhyme safe and to put her needs before his own.

For Neku, I told him to be himself, but to consider Shiki's feelings and opinions before making a decision that was too hasty. To Shiki, I told her to be proud of who she is. I reminded her to talk to Eri about what had happened and find out the whole story. Before she crossed through the portal, her last words to me were, "You should talk to Kaylee. Tell her everything that's happened." With that, she passed through. Shiki's right, I thought to myself. Kaylee is my best friend. She deserves to know the truth.

The only members of our original team remaining were Joshua and myself. I especially felt sad that he would leave me. I love him more than I love myself, and that's saying something. If I could make him stay I would. "I'm the composer, Aislynn," he simply told me. "Shibuya needs me. Plus, as a chosen wielder of the keyblade, you have other responsibilities."

To try to make him stay, I brought up the fact that we're partners because we made a pact. "It doesn't work that way, Aislynn. You're not affected by the Reaper's Game." A tear was forming in my eye. Why wouldn't it? Joshua said I was first girl he actually loved, and now he was letting me go? Boys are so confusing. But I knew that I had to do something for him.

So, I gave him a single parting gift... my keyblade necklace. "Aislynn, why are you giving me this?" I smiled, though I knew I was close to tears. "I won't be needing it anymore. Plus, you look like you need it more. Promise me one thing, Joshua. Promise me that you won't forget the first girl you truly loved." Joshua nodded, removing my necklace and fastening it around his neck. It was almost like it wanted to be with him. Gazing into his eyes for probably the last time, I asked him a question that made me feel kinda sick.

"When we kissed... before, I didn't know it would be our last one. So, I wanted to know if..." My question was immediately answered when Joshua gave me another surprise kiss. Unlike the first kiss, I wasn't freaked out. Instead, I embraced it immediately and it was wonderful. All of that trouble was a distant memory and the two of us were the only things left in the world that were real. But as soon as the kiss was over, I was back to reality.

"I'll miss you, my love," Joshua whispered into my ear. "Come find me if your travels ever bring you to Shibuya." With that, my boyfriend followed the café owner through the portal. Finally, I had realized what I had just done. In one last attempt to bring them back, I ran for the portal, but it closed. Suddenly, the tears that I knew I had been holding in burst forth. They were two waterfalls that had been blocked for thousands of years. Why wouldn't I cry? I had lost my teammates, some of my best friends in all of the world.

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I had to call my parents and ask them to give me a ride home. My mom asked me why I was crying, but I refused to answer. In the car, I couldn't stop crying, so I came up with a way to help me cope with my loss: Listening to sad music! I got out my phone and turned on the YouTube App. "Simple and Clean" was what I chose because I thought it fit my current mood the best. I stared out the window as my parents took me home.