The One Who Slipped Away

-Account of Katsuri Ayase- Part III

-Account of Katsuri Ayase-

Part III

"I thought so..."

"Katsuri?" my mom said bewildered with what I've just said.

"Doctor, I've been having the symptoms since I entered middle school... I thought it might be dad's disease, it turns out it is."

"Why didn't you tell me about this Katsuri!?" my mom shouted.

"Would it make any difference if I told you? My dad told me about his disease but did it change anything?"

"W-well, there might be a chance to-"

I slammed the doctor's table and said "There is no cure! Stop being optimistic!"

"We can't say for sure... but..."

"If there were any cure at all, my dad would still be alive!"

I rushed out of the doctor's office.

I didn't know where to go.

I had no place to run off to.

I kept running and running till I couldn't run anymore.

I still feel alive, being able to do what I can.

But, I knew deep inside this feeling wouldn't last long.

I returned home, where my mom was waiting for me to return.

"Katsuri! Where have you been?! I've-"

I hugged my mom.

"I'm sorry mom..."

My mom sighs deeply.

"Oh, Katsuri... please don't make me worry again..."

"Mom, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"Please let me continue studying." I told her as I looked at her straight in the eye.

"Katsuri... I know how you feel but..."

"Mom, I want to do the things I can do... Dad told me that... to do the things I can still do."

"Alright. But, I want you to attend rehabilitation sessions after school. Is that alright with you?"

I smiled a bit and hugged my mom.

"Okay mom..."

I was relieved somehow.

Months after this had happened, I continued living my life.

I was now a third year student.

I've come to terms with my disease now.

It was the start of classes around Autumn.

But, as I walked from school today, I felt spring winds blow behind me.

I looked behind and saw a boy.

He seems to be a transferee.

"Good morning." I said greeting him.

He seems surprised, I simply smiled at him and went on my way.

It was orientation at the first day of classes.

It lasted long till the bell was heard.

Lunch break.

Many of my classmates left the room and bought at the cafeteria.

Some stayed behind to eat their homemade lunches with them.

I decided to go down as well.

As I approached the stairs, I felt this sensation once more.

I lost control of my body and started falling down stairs.

I steeled myself for I knew I was about to hit solid ground but for some reason, someone catches me.

At that moment, I felt like I was in the arms of my dad again.

We both crashed into the floor.

It was the boy I saw this morning.

"Oh, a first year. What are you doing here?" I asked him as I gently stood up.

"W-well... the restroom at the second floor was locked."

"I see. Just turn to your right as you reach the third floor. Its near the stairs.

I continued walking down the stairs.

The boy suddenly called my attention.

I asked without thinking "What's your name?"

"Katsuri Ayase. Thank you, Mr?"

"Oh, Haru Kanzaki, F-first year Class B"

"Bye bye." I replied as I waved back at him showing my appreciation.

"So he was a first year." I thought to myself.

A few minutes later, lunch break was over.

I decided to go back and finish today's orientation.

I gazed outside as I pondered on him.

Haru Kanzaki.

A first year student whom I just met today.

I didn't realize that classes were over.

"Ayase, classes are over. Let's go." one of my classmates said.

"You go ahead, I'll be going somewhere first."

My friends went ahead home.

I decided to take a stroll at the art shop near the station.

I gazed on the paintings inside the art shop.

It reminded me how my dad liked painting.

I missed my dad so much.

Then, out of the blue, I met him again.

"Oh, hello Haru." I said to him as I walked closer.

"I-it's quite a coincidence to find you here, K-Katsuri-senpai."

I smiled back at him and asked "What brings you here at this time of night?"

"I just needed to buy some paint and a paintbrush. How about you?"

"Oh, I was just admiring some of the paintings here. Can I accompany you for awhile?"

"S-sure, Katsuri-senpai."

"And... drop the formalities. We're not in school remember?" I replied.

I was too shy to be called by others senpai even though it was appropriate.

I accompanied Haru for a while and afterwards, we walked towards the station.

"So, do you like painting, Haru?"

"Its a past time hobby of mine. I'm actually not that good..."

"Let me see that painting when you're done okay?"

"If you don't mind looking at it, then sure."

"It's a promise then." I smiled at him.

It was a first time once more that I get to see someone's painting.

I wondered, who Haru might draw?

What did he want to preserve?