Charming Tails

Chapter 17 - Finding Lost Paths

Outside, the sun was up high in the summer's blazing heat. Children played joyfully in the cool shade of the nearby playground trees. Certainly it was a jolly morning but inside one particular room, a heart that was filled with love suffered in the aching pain of regret. Rouji lied on the bed as he looked outside the window as he sees birds fly across.

Katsune... I hope you're safe there..

His eyes were full of resentment. He wished nothing else but for his beloved to be safe. Then, a knock on the door broke his solitude of silence.

*Knock knock*

"Can I come in?" a young man's voice can be heard from outside.

"Yeah sure.. the door's open." Rouji replies.

The knob turns and the door opens with a boy who looked younger than him, possibly the same age as his younger sister. He had short brown hair in a semi-spiky style with a messy touch.

"Nagate, what's the matter?" he asks as he got up and sat.

"Ah nothing. Aneki sent me to check on you and see if you're fine."

"Ah, tell Rumi I'm just fine. How's Rika?" he asks.

"She's downstairs talking with Aneki." the boy answers.

"Ah, okay. Hey Nagate, did you miss Rika? Because she sure missed you after long years of not seeing each other. Hehe." Rouji smiles.

"Y-Yeah. I missed her of course.. I mean, without someone else likeh er around, I somehow felt lonely.." he blushes.

"Oh? Really? Don't tell me you have a crush on her?" he teases him.

"W-What are you talking about Nii-san?!" his ears and cheeks turn red.

"Hahaha just kidding!"

"Jeez. Well, I'll go downstairs for a while. Do you need something to eat? Or, do you need anything in particular?" he asks.

"Nah, I'll be fine. Go ahead downstairs now." he smiles.

"Okay.. see you later Nii-san."

Nagate walks out the door and closes the door.

He said he's alright but his face is riddled with depression.. he could still joke around and laugh though. He's such a strong person.. Nagate thought as he went downstairs.

"Nagate, how is he?" Rumiha asks him as he got off the stairs and headed to the refrigerator.

"He says he's fine but I can really feel that he's sad." he replies.

"Is that so.." Rumiha looks down.

Rika looked at Rumiha as they sat on the sofa. She went and held her hand.

"He'll be fine soon Nee-chan." Rika smiles for her.

"I hope so.."

Upstairs in his room, Rouji kept looking outside the window.

The only thing I need now is her..

*   *   *

The day passes by and a new day comes. Weird as it is, the skies grew darker and darker each minute the sun moves. Light rain soon fell on the roof.

"Rouji, I've brought you some milk and cookies." Rumiha calls out as she knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Rumiha opens the door and went inside. As soon as she got in, she smiled at Rouji and walked to him.

"How are you?" she asked as she placed the small tray on the bed-side table.