Tracing Memories

43: W a i t i n g

"H-how is this possible?" was my first question.

"I know it seems unbelievable but it is the truth." You answered promptly.

"And you know this how?" I asked again.

"Because of this." You extended your hand to show me what appeared to be a bracelet of sorts. You explained how that thing let you see the time paradox for what it was without getting confused by it.

I stayed quiet after a long time mulling everything over, my gaze fixed, unblinking. You patiently remained waiting for me to fully grasp it, ready to answer any of my questions.

"So where is Endou?" I suddenly exclaimed after a couple minutes of silence.

"He is in trouble, that is true. But don't worry, we will save him. Kidou and I, and the entire Raimon team, we will save both Endou and soccer." You replied straightforwardly.

"Is there anything I can do?" I had now calmed down significantly than a few minutes ago. Even though I still wasn't sure what was going on I still believed it because you told me so. Had it been someone other than you I could never be convinced of it. But I knew if you said something you meant it so it was no doubt that once again I was ready to help you in any way I could just the way I had done so before.

"Just stay calm...okay?" You put your hand on mine in assurance. I nodded in response.

"Well, I have to go now. Time is of the essence here." You remarked and quickly got up.

"Keep me updated." I replied before you left and I closed the door.

When I woke up next morning the house had dead silence again. Usually I could hear you downstairs walking around or doing something as soon as I woke up, for the past week but now that you were gone, silence reigned again. Except this time, instead of feeling peaceful like it always did before you, it felt empty.

I was fully awake but I remained laying. I sighed, my mind already swarming with a barrage of thoughts, most of them revolving around you. I was nervous hoping everything was alright. I hoped that you would let me know how things were going soon enough.

I didn't hear from you for several days after that. I started to get worried after a while but you had specifically asked me to stay calm so I tried not to go after you. But I couldn't concentrate on anything knowing you and the team was fighting something that was stronger and much more complicated than anything ever before. Endou's life was at stake and so was the entire existence of soccer.

I tried to stay put but I was restless all the time. I picked up my phone several times to call you or text you but stopped myself at the last moment. You had told me you would keep me updated, you had promised you wouldn't leave me behind this time.

I waited a couple more days, then one day it all got too much for me to bear and suddenly I got up and made way towards Raimon. I didn't know what was I going to do, I didn't know if I would find you, or Kidou, or Haruna there, or if they would be able to tell me anything. I just walked with all conviction and no plans in my mind.

I walked in through the school gates and the first thing I saw was a group of kids practicing in the fields. They seemed to be learning about their new powers because the things they did, I had never seen before. But I didn't have time to stop and watch, I quickly moved forward towards the new soccer club building. That's where I hoped to find Haruna.

I went straight for the club meeting room and sure enough, as I expected, I found Haruna talking to a couple of kids who, I knew, were members of the team. As soon as she saw me she smiled in a welcoming way. The kids then noticed me but they didn't react in any particular way since they didn't know me.

"Hey Kira! It's been a while. How are you?" She began cheerfully gesturing me to sit down. However, I remained standing and probably my expression looked one of worry as well since she quickly grew serious.

"What is going on Kira?Is everything alright?" She asked again.

"That's what I came here to ask you. How is the mission going?"

"We are making progress. If things stay on this course we will solve everything in no time." She answered with a reassuring smile.

Hearing this lifted a huge weight off of my chest. I sighed happily and flopped down on the chair behind me in relief.

"You have no idea how restless I was until now. I am so relieved to hear this." My voice was lighter now.

"Don't worry anymore. We can do this." Haruna replied as she took a seat beside me.

"I don't know much of what has been going on lately but if I could I will try to help in any way."

"Does Gouenji not talk about it?" Haruna asked realizing how clueless I was.

"He explained some things in the beginning but that was several days ago and I haven't talked to him since." I looked down, slightly glum.

"That is strange." Haruna wondered, "He was here the other day."

"How is he?" I blurted automatically before I could even think.

"He is fine." Haruna answered with a smile, "Next time he comes here, I'll tell him to go see you."

"No, don't bother " I instantly protested. I didn't want Haruna to get distracted from her tasks because of me.

"As you wish." Haruna shrugged.

I thought I had already taken up too much of her time and interrupted something important so I did not stay any longer. As I made my way through the campus, glancing occasionally, out of curiosity, at the kids who were still practicing, I suddenly saw you coming from the opposite direction. You spotted immediately and your eyes widened in surprise,

"Kira? What are you doing here?" You asked without missing a beat.

"I just came to check up on things. I was worried."

"I'm sorry I just got caught up in things." You looked away.

"It's okay, I know." I didn't know what else to say to that.

"I'll see you soon." You said to me as gently as possible, looking at me as softly as possible. I nodded in response and then we continued on our respective ways.