Silver Hearts | Sakusa Kiyoomi

26 | a beautiful world

The river was a ribbon of living turquoise, boldly flowing amid the green of the forest. No matter the chatter of the trees, it was steady, welcoming, refreshing. The community of trees stood tall, trunks reaching into the blue above, light filtering through leaves like perfect stained glass.

Matsushima ran along the edge of the river, escaping the reality he would have to face once he goes home. He didn't know where he was, nor did he know where he was heading. Matsushima had no idea what time it was, and he had no clue what day. All he knew was he had to keep running forward. Not stopping for anything.

But for him, he ran too close to the edge of the river and lost his footing. He softly gasped as he felt himself tilt into the waterway, but the result was not what he expected.

He felt his collar being tugged back and his body getting pulled away from the body of water.

"Woah there, lad! If I wasn't here, you would've fallen into that river and go who knows where!" A deep but warm voice chuckled out.

Matsushima turned around to see a wizened face peered out from under a wedge of a blue hat, which was the only thing on his otherwise bald and mottled scalp save a sparse fringe of white. His eye lines told of laughter, of warm smiles and affection.

"Now, what are you doing here doing something so dangerous?" The old man tilted his cap, revealing his forehead filled with numerous lines that told of his worries past and worries present.

"Um, well... I didn't want to do any more work. That's all I do at home..." Matsushima fumbled with his thumb and spoke quietly, he looked away and kept his gaze on a tiny rock he had found with his eyes.

Without further questioning, the old man knew what kind of situation he was in and smiled.

"Then why don't I teach you how to fish? How about it?" He lifted the rod in his hand up as Matsushima's eyes glimmered.

"Yes, please!"

Matsushima hunched over as he sat on the bench and stared blankly into space. His eyes were empty, devoid of any emotions.

(Y/N) slightly furrowed her brows, worried for his well-being. She had never seen him in such a state. She had only seen him as a cheerful, fun-loving person that always cracked a joke. So why was she feeling the air of melancholy surrounding him?

"That's amazing, Gramps! How do you do it?" Matsushima's eyes shimmered at the sight of the giant fish that the old man reeled in.

It has been four months since Matsushima met the old chap. Every day after school, he would go to the nearby river where the old man was always found fishing around.

"Be patient. Fishing is an art of patience and timing. It takes practice."

"So, I have to learn to wait? I'm going to grow a beard just like yours by the time I master fishing!" Matsushima pouted and stared at the giant fish.

The old man chuckled at his statement as he unhooked the fish from his rod and threw it back into the river. "Patience is more than simply learning to wait. Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting."

"Wahh..." Matsushima pursed his lips and hung his head.

"Enough about that, you seem down today, my boy. Did something happen?"

Matsushima dug into his pocket and took out a small, folded piece of paper. "This is the problem."

"My mother's making me do this algebra question, but I don't get it at all! I don't like it."