Tracing Memories

42: T e l l M e A S t o r y

"What do you keep reading all the time?" You flopped down on my bed beside me, one afternoon, making me get startled a bit. You were looking at me with curiosity, your head rested against your palm.

I chuckled at your question and turned the book to show you the cover page. It was a collection of short stories.

"Read me one of these." You said.

I turned to you with a slight surprise, "What's gotten into you today?Why are you suddenly interested in my books?" I asked with amusement.

"No reason." You brushed it off. I continued to stare at you quizzically so you spoke again, "What? You can do anything without any explanation and I can't?" You joked.

"All you ever do is things without explanations." I casually retorted before starting to read. I hadn't read out loud in a very long time and I could feel my voice quivering a little. I continued reading for a while, trying to focus on the book completely without glancing at you in between.

"So! How was that?" I asked as I finished the story. I turned to look at you and found you sound asleep. An involuntary smile etched on my face at the sight in front of me. You seemed to be in deep and peaceful sleep. Knowing how you had been running around helping me and taking care of me for the past week it was no surprise you had gotten tired.

I put the book aside and lay down as well since I too was feeling drowsy after reading. I lay on my side facing you. I looked at you one more time taking in the tranquility of the moment, before closing my eyes and slowly falling asleep as well.

When my eyes opened again the room was dusky which told me I had been sleeping for a couple of hours. After taking a look around, my gaze finally rested on you. Just then, you slowly opened your eyes as well.

"Uhh...did I fall asleep somehow?" You mumbled, more to yourself than to me, sleepiness still evident in your voice.

"Mhm." I didn't speak much. You were surprised to see me next to you. You probably didn't immediately recall you had fallen asleep in my room.

Before you could say something your phone rang. You got up and received the call. You had a short conversation after which you left saying a quick "I'll be back in a bit."

I didn't understand what just happened as I got up and watched you leave hastily. Our peaceful moment was interrupted again by what seemed to be something serious.

You returned after a while seemingly busy. I walked downstairs, since by then, I could walk pretty well by myself.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, following you around and with it I remembered how I was doing the same just before the onset of the last storm of troubles in our lives.

But unlike the last time, you immediately turned to me. You put your hands on my shoulders and gently asked,

"Kira, are you okay? Will you manage by yourself now?"

I was confused at this sudden question. I stuttered "Yah I think?"

"Then I'll be leaving now. " You announced and with that you began picking up your things.

"Wait, what? Is everything okay?"

"No, it's not." You replied busily, "Endou's in trouble. I have to save him."

Hearing your answer froze me for a moment. I looked at you in stunned silence for a couple of seconds before slowly beginning,

"What are you saying?"

You stopped when you sensed my tone and turned to me.

"I have to save Endou." You said slower and more definitively this time.

"But..." I didn't know why you were saying so,"...but Endou's dead. He has been for a month. Why would you say that?" I spoke gravely.

"You met him last week. Don't you remember?" You replied.

At this point I was starting to get agitated, "How can I meet him last week when he...!" I said but couldn't complete my sentence.

"No he's not!" You exclaimed and stared at me with conviction. I returned the gaze with a confused one. You seemed to be urging me to remember something important but I didn't know what it was.

Suddenly you facepalmed as if you were the one who ended up remembering, "Oh! Of course you don't know yet." You exclaimed. I remained quiet having lost my grasp at all sense of understanding.

You came closer and holding me by my shoulders again, you declared, "Endou is not dead. You have to believe me."

"He's not?" My eyes widened as I finally realised how adamant about it you were.

"Things are a little complicated right now but I will explain everything." You answered calmly and sat me down on the sofa.

You then explained to me how there have been attempts to erase soccer from history and it created a time paradox which resulted in the situation we had at hand. I listened to the entire thing with utter astonishment. I remained frozen several moments after you had finished speaking.

Finally, I began...