Chapter 10: "Akira and Hatsu".

It had already been a full day since I had that confrontation with Harucchi at Hoshinomori Temple, and my pathetic way of losing was still going around in my head.

–– Ha… –– I let out a small sigh.

–– You're letting out a little happiness, sis…

Leaning against the corner of the hallway leading to the main hall was Ichiro-nii who was apparently waiting for me.

–– Don't bother me, will you… I'm not in the mood.

–– Are you still going on about yesterday?

–– Hm… –– I just nodded.

–– So start clearing your head, we've got a meeting with the advisors…

–– You go ahead, I'm gonna get my face wet before I deal with those old guys…

–– All right, don't be long.

–– As you say…

Ichiro-nii started walking towards the main hall and, as he disappeared from my field of vision.

–– As if I was going to show up to get lectured by those old men…

I left through a secret passageway that only I know exists and walked away from the temple as quickly and stealthily as I could, I didn't want to attract attention, I need time to think… about many things.

Once I got away from the security perimeter, I started to walk in a more relaxed way through the city.

–– Ha… Maybe I should go to…

When I want to relax I always go to the same place, it's a very special place for me… it's where… I swore my eternal love and loyalty to Akira-sama.

After a few good minutes walking, I arrived to my special place, it is a small meadow hidden in a leafy path of a forest in the South zone of the city… this place has as main focus a big tree that I used to hide from the sun rays in hot days and from the sudden rains.

I love this place just for the fact of the beautiful silence that is formed when the swaying of the wind began to blow making the leaves of the tree dance to their sound while falling to the ground, this "phenomenon" becomes even more interesting in autumn, when this place was tinged by orange colors.

After appreciating for a moment the views that this plain gave me, where the mountains and the Hoshinomori temple took all my attention, I approached the tree and touched its trunk.

–– Good morning Mr. Tree… it is time to freshen up.

I went to a nearby well, pulled the bucket full of water from the bottom, took it, went to the tree and poured the water while walking around it.

Once the water was finished, I went to the well, left the bucket tied up and turned around.

–– I stretched out my arms and looked at the scenery around me. –– Time to relax.

Once I reached the tree, I put my back against the trunk while crossing my arms behind it.

–– Ha… –– I sighed to relax. –– This place always relaxes me.

I stared at the horizon for a few minutes, almost staring blankly, thinking about many things, including yesterday's fight against Harucchi, my losing ways, and the possible sermon from the elder board that I escaped from.

–– Why am I running away? –– I turned away from the tree and began to walk slowly. –– I'd better get back... the council must be mad as hell and my parents worried…

–– And you can't imagine how worried you are, Hatsu…

–– Huh? –– That voice is from… –– Akira-sama?

–– The one who dresses and fits Miss.

Hearing his voice I approached the base of the tree again and, looking up, I saw him… There he was, sitting on a branch while leaning his back against the trunk with his hands behind his head while a small branch with a leaf hanging on it was sticking out of his mouth.

–– Akira-sama, since when?!

–– I got here about five minutes before you did.

–– That's a lie!

–– Uh… On what basis do you say that I'm lying?!

–– Because if I had been, my Akira-sama's sensor would have reacted as soon as I got here!

–– Akira-sama's sensor? Hehe… –– Akira-sama let out a small laugh. –– Sometimes you say really weird but funny things Hatsu.

"Why is he so cute when he smiles damn it!" –– My inner self tried futilely to come out in the form of a scream, as, I managed to hold back my impulses with all my might just by showing Akira-sama a small smile while clenching my hands tightly.

–– But well… what we came for.

Akira-sama came down from the branch with a jump and fell softly and subtly to the ground.

–– Akira-sama?

–– I've come to look for you, Hatsu.

–– To look for me, you?

–– Yes… Your father came to our temple asking for an audience with me and when I saw him, he was very nervous and worried.

–– Father…

–– Ha… –– Akira-sama sighed and turned to the tree. –– It's unbelievable that… –– As he spoke he touched his hand to the trunk. –– That little seed has grown so much to become a big and strong tree…

–– He's right about that…

That's why this place is so special for me, it's because here I keep my best childhood memories and because… Only I and Akira-sama know about this place.

–– Hatsu…

–– Hm…

–– Takumi Hatsu!

–– Yes! –– I shouted loudly when I heard my full name.

–– What's wrong with you? You seem a little distracted…

–– It's nothing... –– I approached Akira-sama. –– It's just that, I got a little nostalgic when I saw him caressing the tree we took care of together as children, haha.

–– Now that you mention it… It was quite a long time ago, wasn't it?

–– That was when we were five years old to be exact.

–– Five years, huh? Now that I remember… You disappeared out of nowhere that time too, right?

–– I apologized for that at the time… please don't remind me.

I'm not at all proud of what Akira-sama just reminded me of, but in retrospect it's one of my fondest memories of that time.

It all started when they appointed me and my brother as the new leaders of the Takumi clan, everyone was surprised by the decision of the council of elders, by tradition, only the firstborn males are those who take command, but our case was somewhat different, being born twins we both had the blessing of the family, so I could not be denied what was rightfully mine.

After the years and with the decision that Ichiro-nii and I would take charge of the clan as we grew up, something in me began to grow very quickly and without restraint… something called anxiety, anxiety about having to carry such a heavy backpack as it is to lead a family, such was that anxiety that before taking office, I escaped from the place and it was during that escape that I found this place.

–– Ha… Ha… Ha… No more… I want this…

Tired of running, I fell down in a clean wasteland where I could see the whole city without being seen by anyone, I don't think anyone will come here.

–– I don't want to… let anyone down… I… I… I… I can't!

I released all my frustration and fear in the form of a powerful scream that I accompanied with a violent swing of my arms to hit the grass of the place.

When my fist made contact with the ground, I realized that I had crushed something in the process, as I raised my fist, I realized that it was a small tree sprout that went unnoticed by me.

–– This sprout… –– I placed my hand lightly on the sprout… –– Forgive me… I didn't want to hurt you…

Why is that? As he caressed the little bud I feel more and more calm, my insides begin to calm down and all restlessness vanished from my heart.

–– I see… –– As I uttered those words, tears began to fall from my eyes. –– You… You're like me, aren't you?

I bent down so as to hold that little bud in my arms and let my feelings completely dominate my being.

Tears blurred my field of vision and my cries and sobs filled my ears, I'm not usually like that, a member of the Takumi clan should be cold and calculating, but… I'm not like that…

A part of me was relieved that no one was watching this scene, but another… I wanted a support, someone I could count on… someone…

–– Hatsu!

–– Huh? –– That voice…

I quickly turned to where the voice was coming from to see if I was right… and yes, I was.

–– Aki… chan

The owner of that voice was the young first born of the Hoshinomori clan, and the current candidate to lead the new generation that I am part of, Hoshinomori Akira, he was a boy a little taller than me, with brown hair and deep red eyes that could captivate anyone, he is quite reliable and kind at the same time, although he can be a little arrogant, he is quite polite... That double facet that he has is a little curious to me.

–– Did something happen to you? –– Aki-chan came up to me and bent down. –– Why are you crying?

–– Aki-chan… Me! –– I rushed to Aki-chan leaning my head on her chest and grabbing her shirt with my hands. –– I don't know what to do, I don't want to let my family down, but I don't feel ready for this responsibility either!

–– Defraud? And why do you think that Hatsu?

–– I… no, I don't know, but when I think about everything that comes with being a clan leader… my chest starts to hurt… and that pain won't leave me alone, I find it hard to sleep, I feel uncomfortable every time the subject is touched…

–– So… –– Aki-chan placed her hand on my head and then smiled. –– I'll carry that backpack, hehe.

–– Huh? –– My eyes widened like saucers when I heard that statement.

–– So stop crying Hatsu. –– Aki-chan started wiping the tears from my eyes and cheeks. –– You just keep being you, the cheerful girl in the group and someone I can trust with my back at decisive moments.

–– Aki-chan…

–– Do you think you can handle it?

–– Yes, of course I can!

Somehow, Aki-chan's words managed to make me feel better, his way of expressing himself, his ranting… his choice of words… How you can tell he's the favorite of the council of elders to replace Yuudai-sama…

–– So… You promise you'll always be there to watch my back? –– Aki-chan raised her little finger.

–– Yes, I promise! –– I also raised my pinky and intertwined it with Aki-chan's pinky.

–– All right… it's time to go, Hajime-san is very worried about your whereabouts, you know…

–– My father?

–– Yes… He may be a formidable warrior, but when it comes to you…

–– He apologized on his behalf.

–– Don't worry about it Hatsu. –– Aki-chan stood up and stretched out her hand to me, which I took and stood up as well. –– The important thing is that you're okay, huh?

Aki-chan turned her gaze to the small sprout next to us.

–– This is interesting…

–– Eh, why do you say that?

–– This moor is unviable for seeds… But, even so, this little one is growing, hehe.

–– How do you know that, Aki-chan?

–– This is my private meditation place, I found it by chance one day, you're the only one who knows of its existence.

–– Hm…

–– And come to think of it… You look a lot like this little sprout…

–– Huh?!

–– You look weak, small, as if you can only depend on other people, but… as you grow slowly, you will become very strong and reliable, I'm sure that, just like this sprout will become a big tree that gives a good leftover in summer and a home to animals, you will grow to become a great woman that everyone will trust, hehe.

Eleven years have passed since those statements… and looking back… maybe that moment was the moment when I fell in love with Akira-sama…

–– Hatsu…

–– …

–– Takumi Hatsu!

–– Yes, sir!

–– On the moon again?

–– Yes...

–– Ha… –– Akira-sama sighed. –– Well, never mind, we should go before your father does something stupid.

–– He's right.

We started walking towards the forest that served as the entrance to the wasteland, as we walked along the leafy path towards the city, I let my selfishness speak a few words.

–– Akira-sama…

–– Hm?

–– May I make a selfish request.

–– Sure, as long as it's within my powers as a leader…

–– You see… I was a little nervous, so much so that I started to play with intertwining my fingers. –– Can I go back to calling him like I did when we were kids?

–– Huh?

–– Can't you?

–– Hm… –– Akira-sama paused for a moment as he remained silent.

–– I'm sorry Akira-sama that was very disrespectful of me.

–– Sure, why not?

–– Huh?

–– As long as you do it while we're alone… You can call me whatever you want…

–– Akira-sama…

–– Come on, they're waiting for you at home.

–– Yes, Aki-chan!

Ah… I'm very happy, so happy that it doesn't matter the punishment imposed by the council of elders, I'm willing to receive it for the sake of the clan and my position, if with that I can continue walking next to Aki-chan, I… I'm willing to do anything.

After a few minutes, we were already in front of the main entrance of my clan's temple and Aki-chan was ready to leave.

–– I'm leaving Hatsu, be patient with the elders… you know they're going to report any stupid things you do to me, okay?

–– Okay…

Aki-chan turned around and started to walk home, but… she won't leave without listening to me first.

–– Aki-chan!

–– Huh? –– Just at the moment when Aki-chan turned her gaze I smiled at her.

–– I love you!

–– Hehe… –– Aki-chan turned her gaze back to where she was looking before, raised her hand and started waving it in farewell.

Seeing him say goodbye, I started to walk up the stairs quickly to meet the elders, no matter what they say... I have already chosen my path and I will go with my head held high to walk it with no regrets.