Behind That Tree

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"Mide! Come on, we're going to miss the train!"

"I know, I know! I'm coming!"

It's been a while since I went back to my grandparents house, I missed the forest that I always played around. Sometimes I'd go in it , but my everyone always said not to just because I'll find dead bodies in there. Although I do go in occasionally and I slither around the around the trees trying to get myself lost so I can play in the forest forever.

Sadly, that was 5 years ago. Being in high school for so long washed away my memories I made in the forest and so did the final exams. I still feel like sixteen, but I'm not, and the memories I used to make in the forest are gone, they now live in the back of my head. Sometimes I try to recall them but they never come back to me, I guess they're long gone.

It's just me and my mother this time boarding the train. Ever since last year, we've been alone on trips, I miss dad coming along with us. I've been on this train about a million times already and it never gets boring. The scenery always seems to amaze me and I will often wonder why.

"次は、青木ヶ原樹海。繰り返します、次は、青木ヶ原樹海。乗客は電車を降りる準備をしてください。(Next stop, Aokigahara Jukai. I will repeat again, next stop, Aokigahara Jukai. Passengers please get ready to dismount the train.)" the radio girl announced. 

"It's been a while, Ao." I say to myself as I prepare myself to dismount the train.

"Mide, could you look for your grandparents? I need to take down the luggage." Mom asked.

"Mom, no need to push yourself. I'm not a little kid anymore. I'll handle the bags, you go get Ojichan and Obachan " I insisted as I helped her take our bags of the train.

"As you say sweety, watch your back." Mom smiled and walked off. 

My grandparents' house is right at the border of Aokigahara, so it'll take some time to get there even if we go by car. I wonder though, when I could still run freely through the forest, I met someone.

I just can't remember who.

"緑の頭! (Green head!)" I hear a silly nickname get shouted by a drunken like voice from behind. I immediately shudder at the sound of it knowing it was trouble for me. Although, I wonder why she is here.

"お姉さん、久しぶり! (Onē-chan, it's been a while!)" I replied trying my best to sound excited while I turn around only to get washed over by a flood of hugs. My older cousin sister, Kyouka, has always been the worst to me. Teasing me, targeting me in everything, embarrassing me in front of my friends, ever since I was little she did this every single day.

"How ya doin', ya little rascal?" She tackles me by the neck. While she seems to be having fun, I am suffocating trying to loosen up her grip.

When I finally do, she picks up all the luggage with ease and manages to pat my head at the same time as I gasp for air. I slowly get up to see a boy rushing to me assisting me while I stand.

"Oi, Kyouka! Don't be so rough on your cousin." the boy said, I don't seem to remember him from anywhere. Was I supposed to know him?

"Sheesh so overprotective, Yuki-kun. He'll live." Kyouka said sarcastically while putting the luggage down, "Mide, this is Yuki Hasaki. He's our 'neighbour'."

"僕は刃先雪です。よろしくお願いします。(I am Yuki Hasaki. Nice to meet you.)" Yuki bowed.

"I-I'm Mide Kazuku. よろしくお願いします。(Nice to meet you too.)" I say bowing back at him, "How old are you anyways? Your English is pretty fluent."

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