Chapter Text
Four years ago~
The cries of cicadas echoed from tree to tree as the warm breeze swept across the trees, teasing branches as it swung back and forth. Dragon flies skimmed over the mustard fields while bees busily buzzed around the sweetest flowers. Summer always suited the village as the villagers lay below the shade of the old tree, talking about kings and warriors while reminiscing about the days of their youth.
Suguru, with a small woven basket filled with freshly picked mangoes tugged to his side, ran past them with a bright smile. He ran along the narrow path cutting through the mustard fields. His excitement clearly showed on his face as he hurried towards the stream where his two friends were already waiting for him.
“There you are!” He called out loud when he saw the sight of the two boys who turned their heads at the sound of his voice.
One of his friends was already knee-deep in the cool water, his sleeves were pushed to his elbow and trousers were rolled up to his calves. The boy's face immediately lit up, as he enthusiastically waved both of his hands.
“Suguru! Suguru! You're finally here!!” The boy shouted back as the other boy, unlike his cheerful friend, was sitting upon a smooth stone at the water edge with only his feet being soaked, quietly watching suguru coming.
Suguru grinned as he held up the basket towards his friends, “I brought mangoes!” he announced excitedly as the cheerful boy's eyes sparkled and hurriedly walked through the running stream, splashing water here and there with him.
The quieter boy raised his eyebrows and asked, “So that's why you were late?”
Suguru nodded his head, clutching the basket in his hand, and replied, “I had to climb to the top of the tree. Though my Kachan said I shouldn't, the sweetest one only grows at the top. So that's why I'm a bit late.”
“Wow! It looks really delicious, Suguru! Can we eat it?” The cheerful boy asked eagerly as his eyes never left the mangoes but Suguru shook his head.
“No, Haibara. I didn't wash the mangoes as soon as I picked them straight from the tree. So we need to wash them before eating them.” Suguru says, earning a nod from the quiet boy.
“Oh! Then let's wash and eat it!” Haibara excitedly says as Suguru crouch beside the stream and gently dumps the mangoes into the flowing water. “Let me help you” The quiet boy stood up crouching beside him, carefully rinsing it.
“Thank you, nanami.” Suguru smiles and keeps the washed mango into the basket. While Haibara patiently waits for the moment they can finally eat.
Later, the three of them settled beneath the shade of a tree beside the stream. Suguru carefully peeled the skin of the mango with the knife his father had given him, his hands were covered with the golden juice that dripped from his hands towards the ground as the sweetness of the mango hit his nose.
“It smells so good.” Haibara says, leaning close as if he could taste it through the scent, beside him Nanami admitted it too.
Suguru gave the peeled mango to Haibara who immediately took a huge bite of it and let out a moan at the bliss of the sweetness that covered his mouth.
“Mmm~ So tasty!” He exclaimed, mouth full of mango, as Nanami sighs beside him. “Don't talk with your mouth full.” Nanami says but Haibara ignores him. Suguru smiles and passes another peeled mango to Nanami who takes a small bite of it.
“It's really sweet, Suguru-san.” Nanami admits it as he takes another bite of it. Suguru giggles as the three of them sit together, eating the sweet mango, laughing and talking about what they should do tomorrow.
When the colour of the afternoon sky started to change into chestnut with pastel red and orange, the three boys gathered their belongings.
“I should get home before Tochan and Kachan start worrying.” Suguru said, as he carried the empty basket to his side.
Haibara stretched his arms above his head and grins as he looks at his friends. “Don't forget, we're meeting here again tomorrow.”
“We won't.” Nanami says, giving a small nod to Suguru. The three of them walked through the mustard field and when they were out, all three waved their goodbye and headed off in different directions that led them back to their house.
The next morning came in a blink of an eye as the sun did his work like usual. Suguru, after finishing his chores, carefully packed the lunch his mother had prepared for the three of them. Inside the small cloth wrapping cloth were Mugi-meshi1, shaped into a small neat ball and wrapped in fresh karashina2 leaves, along with the slices of crisp white radish pickles and tucked into one corner was a portion of pork that his father had brought home yesterday.
“Share with Nanami and Haibara, okay?” his mother reminded him with a smile as she combed his short hair.
“I will.” Suguru replied cheerfully as he carried the cloth. With a quick peak in his mother's cheeks, he dashed out of the house and followed the familiar path leading towards the stream.
As he had expected, Nanami and Haibara were already there waiting for him. Haibara looked like he was teasing Nanami who rolled his eyes and saw him.
“Suguru-san!” He calls out as Haibara also turns his head. “Suguru! You came!!”
“Of course, I could. Didn't I promise yesterday?” Suguru says as Haibara was already beside him.
“Yes. Yes. You did.” Haibara nodded his head before grabbing Suguru by the wrist. “Come on! We have to leave now or all the fish and crabs will disappear.”
Suguru laughed, “I don't think fish and crabs will disappear just because we're a little late.”
“They might!” “They won't,” Nanami replied flatly, making Haibara pout. Suguru continued to giggle as he let Haibara drag him who was now complaining how Nanami was mean to him.
After nearly walking for 15 minutes, the three boys finally reached their destination. The dense trees and bushes gradually parted, revealing another hidden stream deep into the forest.
Unlike the one stream of their village, this stream was wider and crystal clear. Suguru’s purple eyes widened in amazement. “It's so beautiful and peaceful here.”
“I told you!” Haibara beamed proudly, placing his hands on his hips. “There are lots of fish and crabs here. We can take it home.”
Nanami looked around the surrounding if there's any danger. When he sensed none, he nodded his head and laid down the bamboo mat he had brought with him.
“I didn't know you were actually telling the truth.” Nanami says, as he takes a seat on the mat. Near him, Haibara gasped.
“When did I ever lie!?” He asked, as Suguru also took his seat on the mat. “Yesterday.” Nanami replied.
“Nanami, that doesn't count.” Haibara says as he huffs, “I'm going to catch fish and crabs now. Wanna join me, Suguru?” He asked and Suguru immediately stood up.
Soon, the silent forest was filled with Haibara's loud and energetic voice and Suguru and Nanami laugh as they catch the fish and crabs. Even sometimes splashing water to one another.
When the energy was drained and the stomach yelled for the food, they finally settled down on the mat and opened their lunch. Haibara brought grilled fish with roasted sweet potato, while Nanami brought salted plums, Mugi-meshi, and simmered vegetables.
The three of them shared their lunch and ate in silence, until Haibara who was chewing Mugi-meshi halted and let out a gasp.
“Guys..” Haibara whispered, his voice barely louder than the sound of the flowing stream. “Look over there.”
Both Suguru and Nanami turned their head towards the direction he was pointing and the moment their eyes landed on the opposite bank of the stream, they froze.
Two beautiful deer stood near the water. One was much larger than the other, as its ears twitch whenever it lowers its head to drink from the clear water.
“They are so beautiful!” Suguru says as he was about to move when Nanami held him. “Don't move, otherwise they'll get scared and run away.” Nanami murmured as the three of them stayed perfectly still, watching the beauty in front of them.
The three boys were so captivated by the scene in front of them, that none of them or the two deer noticed the faint whistle cutting through the air. It happened so suddenly and in the blink of an eye that they didn't notice from which direction the arrow came and struck the right into the larger deer neck.
Suguru's smile vanished as his eyes widened with horror when he saw the deer fall down to the ground while the smaller fawn jolted in fright and ran away.
The boys gasped beside him as the three of them could now hear rustling from the other side of the forest and people talking.
“Let's go. Let's go now!” Nanami whispered-yelled as he hurriedly held Suguru's arms and made him stand up while Haibara immediately carried all their belongings.
Tbc~