Aqua Terrarium (Nagi No Asukara)

Chapter Thirty-Seven

"I know it's going to be tough but I'm sure we'll be able to do it."

Hikari looked more energetic than usual when he announced that we were still going to do the Ofunehiki regardless of the fact that the adults weren't going to come and help us.

The entire class, surprisingly, hadn't given up on the idea either. Most of them voiced their willingness to help, a turn of events that I wouldn't have foreseen back on our first day here in Mihama. We were always clashing with the kids from the surface, always believing we would never get along and yet the sense of camaraderie before me told me that I was wrong all along.

"I can ask my grandfather to lend us a boat. It isn't much but we can repaint it for the festival." Tsumugu suggested from the sides just as Sensei entered to see all of us getting along quite well. Even he couldn't resist tearing up, going so far as to promise to treat us all to ramen after we finished with the repairs.

Even amidst the wariness that the salt flakes brought, this feeling of peace and belongingness had been something that I sorely missed.

Surely- this is the start of something good, right?

--*--

We arrived at Tsumugu's home along with the salvaged remains of our previous Ojoshi-sama.

The boat his grandfather had allowed us to borrow was small and rather old but we assured ourselves that a repaint and few reinforcements should be enough to help keep it afloat.

The work of doing so had been left to the boys. The girls were in charge of stitching the torn stuffed toys we made as offerings and to repaint a new stand for the Ojoshi-sama.

All through-out the activity, I've noticed that Hikari had been more excited and willing. He also looked much more cheerful, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his back. He even acted that way around Manaka, a far-cry from his irritable mood-swings ever since Tsumugu and Manaka met.

I should be happy for whatever made him act this way and yet, somehow, the peace that I see feels almost... Forced? Fragile? I couldn't make it out as I observed each of my friends.

"Aoi-nee!!" My train of thought was brought to the present when Takashi's voice yelled out my name, my eyes looking away from Hikari and Manaka to see Takashi, Sayu, and Miuna running to us with excited smiles on their faces.

"Taka-chan? I see you're here to help, right?" I walked towards my brother, his lips puckering to a pout when he noticed that I called him by his nickname.

"Eh, I didn't know you had a brother, Aoi." One of the girls commented next to me. "Isn't he adorable. He looks like a mini-you!"

Her compliment was enough to make Takashi turn red, his brows furrowing. Takashi was never good with compliments. He'd turn tomato red the moment someone gave him one and he'd be unable to talk to that person normally ever again. He's far too shy for his own good yet, lately, it's thanks to Sayu and Miuna that he had been pulled out from that shell of his.

Well... Almost.

"Ah! Takashi is red!" Miuna yelled in alarm, almost as if she had known that Takashi had a tendency of blushing mad when he's praised.

I observed the interaction between the three friends, noticing that Sayu had gone and changed the topic to avoid further embarrassing Takashi. My eyes had widened slightly at her rather protective stance when she got in between Takashi and the girl, my lips smiling softly at their bond.

"Aoi! We need help with the sewing." Another of our classmates called me, my eyes turning away from the trio as I called out that I'd be on my way and left the scene.

He definitely found a place to belong in the surface.

--*--

"Achoo!" I sneezed before shivering as I put away my work and began rubbing my arms to keep warm.

For such a sunny summer, it's surprising how chilly it can be. Maybe it had to do with the salt flakes falling, coating the ground in white like a large blanket. Ever since it had, the winds have begun to pick up speed and the weather had been going awry as if the seasons were clashing with each other.

"Are you okay, Aoi? You have to keep warm if you don't want to catch a cold." Chisaki commented from beside me, her hands deftly sewing the tattered side of the stuffed sun fish.

"I can prepare some tea if you need something to warm up with." Tsumugu offered to which I shook my head before resuming my work.

"There's no need. It's gotten chilly but I can manage."

"Really? Weren't you always the one who got sick first whenever we went out to play during winter?" Kaname's teasing voice joined in the conversation.

My lips trembled with embarrassment at his comment, betrayal coursing through me at what he had said. "You- That's... That's unfair, Kaname!

"Now that you mentioned it. Aoi rarely went out to play during winter. When she did, her mother always wrapped her up in layers of scarves that she looked like a sushi."

"Not you too, Chisaki! You're both ganging up on me in front of Tsumugu." I whined before giving them the stink-eye when they both chuckled at my expression.

Even Miuna, Sayu, and Takashi had joined in on the teasing, my cheeks turning even redder now that nearly everyone had gone against me. "You're all so unfair!"

"It looks like Mt. Aoi is about to blow. If you'll excuse me, I have to go get the wood for the reinforcements before I get caught in it!"

"Wait- don't think you'll get away with this, Kaname!" I yelled at him when he made a run for it.

I huffed when his figure disappeared behind the corner of Tsumugu's home. I made no move to chase after him, knowing well that I'd get my vengeance eventually when we head home.

Chisaki's giggle next to me made me cast her a disapproving glare. I didn't think both of them would take advantage of me like this. Yet, deep inside, seeing them this happy... I really couldn't deny that it felt good even if I got teased for it.

It's a good step forward. Maybe just a few more and I could finally have the courage to-

I didn't get to finish my thoughts when I saw Chisaki rise up-  only to nearly collapse on the ground had Tsumugu not caught her. Time seemed to have stopped then, worry eating my inside as I immediately aided Tsumugu to steady Chisaki.

"Are you okay?! What-what just happened?"

"Maybe I caught your sniffles too, Aoi. You 'were' sneezing next to me without even bothering to cover your nose," Chisaki joked but I couldn't muster a laugh. Chisaki rarely got sick. When she did, they were always the scary bad ones that left her bedridden for nearly two days.

Chisaki must've had the same thoughts as mine when she assured me that she was fine. "It isn't a fever if that's what you're thinking."

"Maybe it's your Ena drying up. I'll help you go freshen up," Tsumugu surmised when he and I helped hoist her up and steady her.

"I'll help." I offered before turning to my brother. "Takashi, do you mind telling the others where we are if they ask?"

Takashi nodded quietly at me but his eyes showed worry when he looked at us. I patted him on the head as we passed them, assuring him that we'll be fine and head on back as soon as Chisaki had her dip.

It was normal for us to dry up when we stayed too long on the land. Manaka and I knew that experience first-hand. It shouldn't be a problem but the fact that her Ena dried up even before the announcement worried me.

It was far too early and I couldn't help but wonder why.