Chapter Text
Soft wind, and the sound of grass rustling under soft steps. The orange and yellow tints of autumn leaves adorned the walkway, rays of light shining through them, illuminating as far as the eye could see. As far as her eyes could see.
“I swear this path gets longer each day…” Kazuha said as she looked around, her eyes met the same array of colors over and over. “...I hope I’m not late” Dragging her feet out of the sea of leaves and up a flight of stairs.
It was always the same path, always the same stairs, always the same way.
But all of it was more than worth once she reached her destination.
“Kazuha, I thought you wouldn’t come” The blue-haired girl couldn’t help but to scold herself mentally, trying to catch her breath as she made a final attempt to get towards the kiosk that sat at the stop of the stairs. “Are you okay?” Concern shown almost immediately.
“Ah… I… I’m fine, just thought I wouldn’t make it in time” She took the sole free seat at the other side of the table, “I’m sorry for making you wait, Kanaho…”.
“Ah! But myself arrived just recently as well, don’t trouble yourself like that” The soft-spoken, silver-haired girl declared, “Here, let me serve you some tea, it might be a bit hot” The clinking of cups and plates, and the smell of the beverage emanating gently from the porcelain was mesmerizing.
“Ah, thanks” She was unsure as to what kind it was, but after so many times, she stopped caring overall. “Also, again, I’m sorry, I’ll try to get here earlier next time” All she knew was that it was sweet, almost enough for her to wish for the cup to be bottomless, but there was one thing that kept her from that wish.
“Here’s some cake too” And that was Kanaho’s expression as she did menial tasks with signature delicacy, “Already finished? You must have been really thirsty from all that climbing stairs”. With the back of her hand she covered her mouth as she let out a soft laugh, both statement and action causing Kazuha’s cheeks to tint a faint pink as she looked away.
“Don’t tease me like that…” The second she dared to look back, she was welcomed by a piece of cake with an extra cherry on top, a bit beyond that, once again, Kanaho’s smile.
“I’m sorry, I really don’t get to this much often, but I guess I could say I feel a little bit more of freedom with you around” Her words fading as the sentence went, getting lost in the whistling wind before she finished. “Though, I guess I’m being a bit selfish here, you must have done a lot since we last met, haven’t you?”
And as much as she wanted to pry further, Kazuha knew she wouldn’t get the answer she wanted, leaving the only option to comply and update her companion on her latest ventures and whatnot.
And as more words went by, so did the minutes, and hours. The rays of light soon blended among the trees as sunset took place. Dusk was soon to follow.
“You have really done a lot these past days, Kazuha, I really enjoy hearing about you” Kanaho looked at the empty cup in her hands before her gaze went towards the girl at the other side of the table, offering a sincere smile, “It is unfortunate, though, it’s getting late, your friends are probably waiting for you”.
Kazuha finished the last bit of cake from her place, gulping down before uttering a single word. “I guess so… I would really like to stay a bit longer”. But even if she were to protest, she couldn’t, she never could.
“You should know what happens now…”
“I do…”
A brief exchange, troubled looks, and the distant ringing of a bell echoing along the wind.
“I will see you again… will I?”
“I don’t know, but I would love to”
The ringing getting louder and closer, Kazuha felt as if it was coming from inside her, while slowly stretching a hand towards her companion, who mimicked the action in a quicker way. Kanaho knew what Kazuha feared.
“You… know what to do, right?”
As if she was losing all the strength in her body, the blue-haired felt her grip on the other’s hand loosening, a dash of fear taking over for a moment, but she complied.
“Close your eyes, Kazuha…”
Even if she didn’t want to.
“I won’t let go of your hand, I promise…”
It wasn’t the first time it happened.
“I… will see you again”.
Words lost as the wind grew stronger and the ringing louder. And just as the darkness set in behind her eyelids….
An audible gasp, Kazuha bolted up from the bed, her hand stretched forward, only to clutch at nothing in particular, even the warmth lingered between her fingers.
Frustration building up, soothed by the image of the silver-haired girl’s smile still imprinted in her memories.
Again… that dream
First it was every day
Now I’m lucky if I get there on time
But this time… why did it feel so real?
Real or not, the last thing Kazuha wanted was to let go.