7 Years From Now

Chapter 23: The Decision

“Umm.. mr Kodama, do you happen to have a matchbox with a cat logo?”
“ cat logo? Hmmm.. yea now that you mention it.. I do have something like that in my home.. how did you know?”
“ Just a hunch..”
“A hunch?”
“I’ll take my leave now..”
“But the coffee…”
He went inside the cabin..
“Dr ichiri…”
“Ohh hey.. what brings you here?”
“ I need a favour”
“A favour huh.. ? ..what is it?”
“ Send me back to Monday..”
“.. what’s the reason??”
He didn’t answer..
“ What did the director speak to you yesterday?”
He was silent..
“If you won’t speak, it’s hard for me to help you..”
Haruto told him about the talk with him and the director.
“I see..is there anything you want me to ask?”
“No..”
“No?? No questions?”
“I remember you never said that Kakeru and Honaka would be better. It was me who rushed into wrong conclusion..you helped me and I found out the truth ..that’s all .”
“But I kept quite , even though I knew your motives. Won’t ask anything about that?”
“Even if I did. Nothing will change.. so it’s true.that I can’t help my friends. I was hoping that would say that the director is lying..haha..”
“I’m sorry.. but why do you want to return to Monday..?”
“I just want to go back to the first time..”
“First time?”
“just go back to how it was.. without meeting the director or the manager and staying here till me spring break ends.. I originally came here because of the promise I made.. but she is no longer here.. Kakeru’s and Honaka’s illness won’t be cured.. everything was a lie.. and I don’t even know who is telling the truth.. and that Kodama..”
“ He’s with the hospital as well..”
“I know that! And YOU are telling me NOW!! I guess it doesn’t matter anymore..I did get a lot of memories after coming here. But there is nothing more that I can do.. so..”
“What will you do with your friends? Are you gonna ignore them?”.
“No.. I’ll tell Riku to call of his investigation.. and then I’ll meet everybody even after the spring breaks..”
“Fine.. if that’s what you wish for..”
“Thanks ..and don’t worry.. I’ll tell you about the time leap when I return..”
“Relax. You don’t have to tell me anymore..”
“but you said..”
“ That’s fine.. but in exchange.. I have one request.. “
“Yea?”
“I want you to learn about director’s past.. “
“I don’t want to do anything like that. I don’t wanna sound rude but I don’t trust the director or yo—”
“Pen and paper.. he won’t lie then right?”
“?”
“I want you to read his diarry..”
“ His diary?”
“I want you to take decision after reading that diary. Whether you want to quit and walk away..if you’re feelings don’t change after that.. then do as you wish.. but if they do change.. please drop by here and tell me about it. I’m betting my precious experiment .. what do you say?”
He thought for a while..
“Okay.. this will be the last..where is his diary?”
“Its on his cabin. There is a safe. And the code is 2140. His office is open during early morning. So you can get it by then..”
“ I will manage that..”
“Alright then.. let’s get ready..”
He took him to his room. The same old machine.
“Don’t forget.. 2140…”
“Yea..”
He slept..
“ You will be fine H-Haruto.. it’s your 5th time.. after this….”

29 March, Monday
“—ruto. Haruto!”
“.. yea..”
He saw Dr Ichiri in front of him..
“Are you alright? You seem a bit off”
“Yea yea I’m fine.. “
“Sure? What day is it today?”
“yes ..it’s Monday 29th March..”
“Good ..looks like you are fine.. “
“Yea.. I’ll get going.. I have some work to do..”
“Ohh okay.. take care..”
Haruto left..
‘I remember the director would be going to his office and the paint is gonna fall on him. It ll buy me some time so that I could sneak in and get the diary.’
He went towards the cabin. And unlocked the locks. He found a red diary
“Alight got it. Let’s get going..”
He heard a noice..
“Damn it .. someone is here ..”
The director came in as usually. Haruto made out of the room just in time .
“Phew that was close.. I’ll read this later. Guess I’ll meet saki now.. “
He went towards her room. He saw her walking on the corridor. Just as he expected because of the time leap , she was humming a song he thought..’ I’ll meet saki now. Then I’ll meet the other’s tomorrow and then I’ll get out of this town..
He stood behind her..
“Hey saki..”
She turned back and hopped. She was astonished..
“H.. Haruto !!!!? “
“Yaa long time no see..”
A beep sound came up. It was time fir Saki’s check up..
“Damn it.. I have to go.. But .. Haruto .. would you come up here again??? I mean I need to go urgently..”
“Yea sure.. I’ll wait..”
She left. Haruto stood up at one place he looked out of the window and starred at the clouds and blue sky . ‘.. this is it.. ' he had been doing a lot of things that made him so tired that it was even hard for him to talk. His expression went cold. He had nobody to trust upon. He just stared at the sky.
“Hey..”
He turned around. It was Saki. Saki could see his eyes were heavy. He himself couldn’t stand properly. He had no expression.

“ what’s wrong Haruto..?”

To be continued…