Ch. 35 - Long time, no see, Misaki

Right after my work shift is done, I made sure to check if everything is alright before I leave. As much as I am excited to see Misaki again, I dont wanna be reckless and get into trouble with my boss. If I get fired from my job, how am I suppose to plan dates with her?

It was late in the afternoon, I was so eager to see her again, I decided to go to the place written on the piece of paper she gave me. I know that she's always early when it comes to plans like this. I hope to see her before sunset.

Akagi run expeditiously to the location written on a piece of paper Misaki gave him. He ignores everything he pass by and only thinks of her all the way. Even though he is tired from work his excitement and eagerness to be reunited with his childhood friend, his love interest for a long time. Made him ignore what fatigue he had and with a smile on his face he reached the place where they're about to meet. He saw Misaki waiting for him in a familiar place. Behind her are green grasses, with trees slightly swaying around and a small hill, on top of which is a big old tree. He breathes in the fresh air and slowly walks towards Misaki, suddenly his past experiences with this place and the memories he once created on this place resurfaces as he recalls having sentimental feelings for this place.

His mind filled with wistful thoughts for not saying goodbye to her or leaving this place. But he knew he had no control over it, he wished that it went on a different path or at least be aware of his parents situation back then. He approach Misaki with a smile and a warm greeting. He was shaking in nervousness as he is fully aware people change throughout the years. In his case he didn't exactly know how to casually approach her anymore considering on how long they've been separated.

Misaki : "Wow! You finally came in early for once!"

Akagi : "W-well I dont wanna be late for our first meeting in 12 years..."

Misaki : "Took you so long to realize that..."

He looks at me and she was amaze on how I look now compared to when we were children.

"Oh my! Look at you! You're alot bigger now!"

She enthusiastically said as she grab and shook me by the shoulders. As she stood so close in front of me, I cant help but look at her glittering crystal blue eyes, her soft, silky black hair flowing with the wind. It arrays such fragrant scent. Her beauty is truly admirable and visible to everyone who layed eyes on her.

"You used to be a cutie, now you're a beauty~"

I replied to her.

She just giggles and we went to take a walk around the place.

"Remember this place, Akagi?"

She asked me.

I glance around the place and try to recall each moment I spent here. I knew we did alot of things here but I barely remember what those are about.

"We used to play alot in here, right?"

She nods.

I saw the big old tree at the top of the small hill, I remember we carve something on it. But I couldn't remember what it is.

"Didn't we carve something on that tree?"

I point towards it and Misaki smiled.

"Yes, come with me~ Lets check it out!"

She grabs my hand and she drag me towards the trees, she's so enthusiastic and happy. Her hands are so delicate and soft.

We reach the top and what stood before me is the same old tree I use to go to since I was little. I was surprised to see that its still here, standing strong and healthy, its branches still full of leaves.

Then I take a closer look, and saw the his and her name, carve on its trunk inside a heart. He looks at it closely and examines it. It looks new as someone was trying to preserve it by carving it. He caresses it with his hand. He couldn't believe that he could still lay his hands onto this, but now he feels like he accomplished something.

"Wow, it looks as new as the day we carve it, Misaki-"

Before he could finish his sentence, Misaki grabs him by the back of the head and smashes his head onto the trunk of the tree.

"You think you could've just show up again and expect me to forgive you that easily!?"

Her grip and the force she excerpts from her arms is unexpectedly strong. It hurts so much my nose is in unimaginable pain and wood chips are burried on my forehead. I fell down to my knees and I look at her all menacingly standing and angry.

"What did you do that for?"

She grabs me by the colar of my shirt and pulls me closer to her.

"Did you forget the promise we made? Did you know how much lonely I feel when you just suddenly disappear? Did you know how much I come to this place to preserve that mark we made hoping you'd be back? I was such in dismay when you left me, idiot!"

It seems like there is multiple things that hasn't change about her. Her loud, obnoxious voice, her violent tendencies, her scary and bossy attitude. She's still the tsundere like women I knew when we were kids.

"Are you gonna say something?"

She looks me dead in the eye furiously.

I get up and try to ignore the stinging pain left on my face. I brush my face with my hands to remove the tree chips still stuck on my face before I face her and started explaining things to her.

"Misaki, listen. I have no control over what happened 12 years ago!"

She crossed her arms and looks at me silently.

"Look, I didn't want any of what has happened. Even couldn't believe it. I wish I could stay here and grow up with you."

She averts her head and spouts at me.

"Misaki, I know I can't do anything to change what happened, but im back now! Im here to redeem myself..."

She continues to sulk at me and remain silent.

I need to say something that could get her attention.

"My body may be in Shizuka, but my heart always belonged here with you."

*scoffs* "Since when did you learn to sweet talk?"

Great, now I had her attention I could explain it again.

"I didn't learn it, I just say what I feel. I dont know how lonely you felt when I was gone but I also suffered from loneliness being separated from you. I always think about you and always pray that I will be reunited with you again. Now that I am back, im ready to redeem myself."

She plays with her hair and continues to avoid eye contact with me.

"Well if you say so...you better be since about your words."

"I am! Just give me a chance. I will make things right and fulfill my promise."

"Tsk! You only have one change. Leave me again and forget about that damn promise!"

"I will not leave you, you've always been the purpose of my journey. The love of my life and the reason of my return."

"Stop sugarcoating your words, dummy..."

I actually made her blush!

She likes to act tough but she's so cute and girly in the inside. Could this mean she still has feelings for me? If she does then im lucky!

We sat down on the hill steppe in front of the tree, we talk more about what to do and how are things currently going for us right now.She mentions she's currently working as a convenience store cashier and she is trying to save up this summer break before she attends as a first year college student.

"So you're paying your own tuition?"

I asked her.

"No, my parents are paying for my tuition. Im only saving up money so I wont have to work for extra cash during mid semesters."

She answered.

"Are you're parents still around? I wanna met them again."

I asked, I remember years ago when we're done playing her parents would invite me to their home and eat with them. I was very close to them as I was the first friend she had when they move here, and I help them alot by helping them get around the neighborhood and by giving them advices of where to get good and cheap products.

"No, they already move to Tokyo 3 months before because my father got a better job there."

She casually told me, but I sense sadness in her voice. She must've been very lonely, she was very close to her parents.

"I know im in no place to judge, but why didn't move out with your parents."

She looks at me and she doesn't seem to know how to answer my question. She looks up in the sky all confuse and emotional. Maybe my question was too sudden and she didn't exactly know what to say, she might be feeling troubled over that matter and doesn't want to talk about it.

"Ah, its okay! If you dont want to talk about it its fine!"

I nervously told her, I actually got scared and worried. I might be getting too personal, I missed alot of things in her life and im in no position to barge in like this.

"Im sorry."

Her expression shifts from gloomy to being cheerful again.

"Dont say that! I already understand. The reason why I didn't come with them, is because I've been so emotionally attach to this place."

She told me.

"Oh, is it because you're still waiting for me? Hehehe~"

I jokingly said to lighten up the mood.

"Waiting for you is just one factor."

Oh, she actually did wait for me. I feel so guilty now. But she says im not the only reason, im curious and I wonder what the other reasons are.

"Firstly, I want to study here and the college I want to be in is in here. Secondly are the memories, experiences and first hand encounters I have made in this place. Thanks to you."

"M-m-mee?"

I said while stuttering.

"Yes, you know...We move here to escape the violence that is happening in my previous hometown. When we move here it was alot safer compared to our previous home, and the locals were all friendly too.

So my parents we're fine with me to finally go outside on my own, knowing I will be safe. However, im not so used to it and im scared being alone, fearing I will be lost. But you help me get around the neighborhood, you help me to be aware of my surroundings and you always look after me whenever I go, making sure im supervised. You were my only friend back then, and all of my first encounters and experiences being outside for the first time was thanks to you."

She smiled at me and leans on my shoulders. Together we watched the sun set together and made another promise to support and never leave each other again.

Hearing her say something this deep and getting all emotional without her getting violent is a new thing to me. Even though what happened and my sudden move are out of my control, I do feel so guilty about leaving her. After all this years she never lose hope and wait for me, even though im not the main factor of her reason to stay. It was touching that someone actually cares about me this much. Even though my arrival and first days here were full of misery, stress and difficulties. How tough and problematic I have become moving back here. It was some what worth it. This is home. My home is her heart.