shu1031

I’m Taki Tamada, just your average high school student. Well… not really. I’m kind of a lazy otaku who spends most of my time talking about anime and gaming. Surprisingly, I still manage to make it to the Top 15 in our exams. But honestly, I don’t care about grades. All I care about is enjoying my youth while it lasts.

There’s one thing I can’t forget, though. A promise.

Years ago, I had a childhood friend—someone I was really close to. But she moved to another country, leaving me behind. I don’t remember when she said she’d return, or even the exact words, but I know she will. One day, she’ll come back.

In the meantime, I’ve got my friends to keep me company.

Haru Tatsunagi and his younger brother, Tatsuki, are always around. Haru’s the cool and reliable one, while Tatsuki is energetic and full of mischief. And then there’s Yuki Hanagi. We’ve been friends since eighth grade. She’s different… quiet, but there’s something off about her. Even though she’s comfortable hanging out with us guys, I can’t shake the feeling that she’s hiding something.

I don’t know what the future holds, but I have this feeling… something big is about to happen.

And that’s where my story begins.

Threads of a Distant Bond

Taki's eyes fluttered open, the soft rays of the morning sun slipping through the curtains. His head still felt a little heavy, but the fever had mostly faded. As his vision cleared, he realized something someone was beside him.

He turned his head slightly, only to freeze.

Yuki was sitting beside his bed, her head resting on her arms. Her long black hair draped softly over the edge of the bed, rising and falling with her slow, steady breathing. She was asleep.

Taki's face heated up immediately.

"W-Wait, what?!" he thought, his heartbeat picking up speed.

His eyes moved about the room. A wet towel lay across his forehead, an empty bowl of soup on his nightstand. The air still held the faint smell of medicine.

Taki swallowed, trying to make sense of what was happening. It was not often that Yuki was like this—so serene, so at peace, totally without her teasing smile.

Just as he was going to call her name, Yuki stirred.

She released a soft sigh, rolling over in her sleep. Then, in a sleepy whisper, she said something.

"Idiot… don't get sick again…"

Taki's breath was caught in his throat.

Before he could think too much, Yuki's eyes slowly opened. She blinked a few times, getting used to the light. Then, her eyes met his.

Taki quickly turned away, embarrassed.

Yuki grinned, lounging with her arms stretched above her head. "Oh? Were you stalking me while I slept? Pretty creepy, Taki."

"N-No! You were just standing in my way!" he retorted, his fever rising again due to embarrassment.

Yuki laughed, ruffling his hair like a child. "Yeah, yeah. Sure."

The teasing ceased, and the room was silent for a moment. Then Yuki sighed softly.

Taki blinked in surprise. "Huh? For what?"

Yuki turned away, her mischievous face relaxing.

"You fell ill because of me…" she said. "You lent me your umbrella, don't you remember?"

Taki hesitated, the recollection flashing before his eyes the rain, the moment they shared, the way Yuki had whispered something inaudible to him.

"Ah… yeah, but it's okay. You needed it more."

Yuki sighed once more, her head shaking. "You're such an idiot, Taki."

It was a whisper, so soft he nearly didn't catch it. But unlike her typical insults, this one was. different. Warmer.

He looked at her, but she'd already turned away.

As Yuki assisted him in sitting up, Taki blurted out,

For the first time, Yuki hesitated.

It was only for a moment—a brief pause—but Taki caught it.

Then, her playful smirk came back, as though nothing had ever occurred. "Hah? Of course we have. We're classmates, dummy."

Taki wasn't sure, though. That moment of hesitation… that glance she gave…

She was keeping something from her.

Yuki rose from the bench, stretching out. "Anyway, get well soon. We have things to do."

She headed out but paused for only a second before she left.

Then without even glancing behind her said,

Taki stood before the door, his head reeling with too many unanswered questions.

He gazed out the window, the morning sun rising in the sky.

Something about Yuki felt like a memory he couldn't quite grasp.

And for the first time, Taki felt like his past was slowly catching up to him.

Chapter 6