Chapter Text
It was just another regular day for me and my brother here at the mountain. We were doing our daily tasks while keeping a certain distance from each other. My brother, Yuichiro was very grumpy and non sociable as always. I knew trying to chat with him would be useless. He'd just tell me to shut up or just call me useless like always. I felt so alone during those moments. I only wished that I had someone else to talk to, like my mother and father. But they are gone. It was just me and the cold brother against the world.
That day, I was chopping some wood for the fireplace as winter would be coming soon. I was tired and hungry since I haven't eaten yet. I felt my stomach grumble. And my brother and I would still have to cook our lunch. If only our parents were here with us things could be a little easier.
“Mui-Kun!!” I heard a very familiar voice calling me. My eyes widened as I got up and saw a young girl around my age walking towards me. Her name is Yoriko and she lives with her family about a mile away from us. They are our only neighbors here at the mountain.
“Yoriko!! Hey!!” I greeted her as we got close to each other. I noticed she was holding a box in her hands. “What do you have there??”
“Oh, just some leftovers from our dinner and lunch. I thought it would be best to bring it to you instead of wasting it.” She said with a kind smile.
“Really?? Thank you so much!! You didn't have to.” I said bowing to her while accepting the food.
Yoriko is a kind girl, and the only one I can call my friend. She would often stop by to see me and say Hello. And sometimes we were able to sneak out and play together in the forest. I couldn't help but find myself enchanted by her cute soft features. The way her dark blue hair with purplish highlights would flow with the wind. Even though we didn't have much here at the mountain, she still managed to look as cute as a girl who lives in a village.
Suddenly, I saw my brother, Yuichiro, coming towards us. He seemed grumpy as usual, but I smiled at him. “Look, Yuichiro!! Yoriko brought us some leftover food!! We won't have to cook today.” I said, showing him the bento box.
Yuichiro, however, growled at us. “Give it back!!” He roared. Both me and Yoriko looked at him confused.
“W-What??” I asked incredulously.
“You heard me!! Give it back to her!! We don't need any food from them!!” Yuichiro said while storming at Yoriko. “How dare you bring us leftovers from your meals!!! Do you think we're dogs you can throw scraps at??” Yuichiro screamed while pointing at Yoriko who looked at him in shock.
I was just as shocked as her. How could Ichirou be so rude to someone who was trying to help us?? We should be thankful for any food that is given to us. And poor Yoriko is just trying to help us. She doesn't have to do anything for us if she doesn't want to, but yet she does. That proves she has nothing but good intentions. How can he not see that??
“Yuichiro, stop!! Yoriko is just trying to help!! She's our friend and is just trying to make sure that we're okay.” I tried to convince him, even though I knew how stubborn he could be.
“We're doing just fine on our own!!! And she's YOUR friend, not mine!! If you want that food so much you can have it all to yourself. I don't care.” Yuichiro said as he walked away and went inside our house.
I looked at Yoriko worriedly and my heart ached when I saw her trying to hold back her tears. “Yoriko…. Please don't cry…. Please ignore what my brother said. I know you don't think about those things. And I promise I'll enjoy every piece of this meal for both of us.” I vowed to her as I tried to make her feel better.
Yoriko used the sleeves of her kimono to wipe her tears. Then, she gave me a smile. The brightest smile I've ever seen. “It 's okay, Mui-Kun. I know he didn't actually mean it. He's just mad at everything that's happened.” She said in the most understanding way I didn't even know that was possible. Neither did I have that level of understanding with my brother.
“Still, I'm sorry for everything he said to you. You are so kind to us even though we can't give you anything in return.” I said bowing to her again.
“I don't need anything in return, Mui-Kun. All I ask for is your friendship.” She said with some blush on her face while looking away. She looked so cute.
I smiled at her and giggled. “Of course!! I'll be happy to be your friend forever, Yoriko-Chan!!” I said, smiling back at her. My cheeks warmed up although I didn't know why.
Yoriko’s face lit up and she giggled. Her sadness washed off her completely. Then, she grabbed my hand and made me follow her. I smiled as I already knew where she was taking me to. We had a secret place where we'd sneak out whenever we wanted to play or talk about life. It was a clearing near a river that had two rocks where we could sit and talk.
Once we made it there we sat on the rocks and I unpacked the bento box. My eyes widened at the beautifully placed meal. The rice was as white as the clouds in the sky and there were some fish too as well as chopped veggies.
“Woah!! This looks so good!!! The fish looks so fresh.” I said as I took the chopsticks so I could eat.
“Right?? My Dad caught them yesterday.” Yoriko said, smiling. Her father was a fisher so he could fend for their family. Just like mine was a lumberjack to support us.
I took some of the fish and hummed as it was perfectly seasoned. “Hmm!! Tastes so good!! I wish Yuichiro had agreed to have some too.” I said before taking some more in. “So, how are you doing, Yoriko-Chan?? How's your mom doing??”
“I'm okay and my mom is doing fine. My baby brother keeps her up at night with his kicks but she gets plenty of rest during the day.” She told me giggling
“How are you so sure that you're having a baby brother??” I asked with my mouth full of fish and rice.
“Well, after my parents told me that I am going to be a big sister I've had a dream where I met my future sibling and he was a boy. And coincidentally my mom and dad had a similar dream so we're all pretty sure that it's a boy.” Yoriko said, smiling. She seemed to be excited to become a big sister.
I smiled before I continued to eat. We continued to talk about other mundane things. Even though we didn't have much to talk about we'd still find something to comment on. Whether it was about the weather or the change of season. We'd just never get tired of each other's presence for some reason.
However, I could feel that she had something else in her mind.
“Yoriko” I called her once I was done eating. She looked at me and I placed the now empty bento box on my lap. “Is there something you're not sharing with me??”
Yoriko seemed surprised at my question, but then she looked away and lowered her head. I tilted my head with curiosity. “Mui-Kun, have you ever thought of the future??” She asked me.
I blinked in surprise at her sudden question. “What do you mean??”
“I know it might sound stupid, but I've been thinking a lot about what the future has in store for us. I mean, things might be okay now, but what about tomorrow?? Are they going to be the same as today or will they be different??”
“Well, not all days are the same, you know. It's only natural that things are going to change from time to time.”
“Yes, but I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about us.”
“Us??” I questioned.
“Yeah…. I wonder if we'll still be friends in a few more years. If we'll still be in each other's lives. Sometimes I feel that our houses being the only ones here at the mountain can't be a coincidence. Maybe we were like….. meant to be together.” She hugged her knees and hid her face in them. Her fluster was way too obvious.
I looked at her with my mouth half open. Her words made me question those same things. The future was such a mystery for all of us. Yes, I wish I could tell where I'd be in a few years, but honestly, thinking too much about it seemed pointless to me. And I believed that Yoriko needed to realize that too.
I placed my hand on her shoulder and she looked at me from the corner of her eye. I smiled at her.
“Look, I understand that you are worried. But hey, if you keep worrying too much about what's going to happen next you'll miss all of the things that are happening right now. And although I am flattered that you worry about us being friends, maybe we should just focus on being friends right now and worry about the future later, right??” I told her while trying to get her to see from my point of view. She looked away from me once more as she was processing my words. Then, I had an idea.
“Hey, how about we make a promise right here, right now??”
“A promise??” She looked at me confusedly.
“Yeah!! Let's promise to be friends and to always be there for each other no matter what.” I said with determination.
“Okay. How about we choose our words so we can remember them whenever we say them from now on??” She suggested.
“Sure!! Sounds perfect. I'll go first.” I said as I tried to think of a word. “Everlasting.” I decided.
Yoriko smiled at my chosen word. Then, her face became red as she thought of her next words. I tilted my head wondering what was in her mind. Then, she looked at me. “True love.” She said and my eyes widened in surprise.
“True love??” I asked myself. She looked down shyly, her face as red as a pepper. I couldn't believe that she was indirectly confessing to me in a way. I felt my chest swirl with feelings I couldn't understand yet, but I was sure of one thing. Whatever we had, could be described as true love. I smiled at her and completed our promise. “I am yours.” I completed it and she looked at me shocked. All I did was smile at her to let her know that I was being serious.
Yoriko looked at me for a few seconds before blinking as tears wetted her eyes and a smile formed on her face. Then, our hands found their ways almost automatically to each other as we continued to stare at one another. For a moment, it felt like the world had stopped and just the two of us mattered at that moment. “Now, shall we repeat it together??” I asked her, breaking the silence, but not our connection.
She nodded with a shy expression. Then, we held both of our hands together before we repeated together. “Everlasting, true love, I am yours.” We said it together in unison. We both giggled when we were done. It sounded so silly, but it was ours. And no one could take it from us. “There. Now we are bonded forever.” I said before hugging her tightly, both of us laughing and giggling like two children. Hearing Yoriko’s laugh made all of my worries and doubts wash away like sand in water. I wanted to be right here with her for all eternity. But then, the sun began to set, and the Clearing’s light became dim, which meant that it was time to return home before the animals went hunting. We both looked at each with saddened expressions, knowing that we’d have to depart.
“I have to go now, Mui-Kun.” Yoriko said looking down. Her sad face brought me grief.
“Hey, we’ll still see each other again tomorrow, right?? Don’t worry, everything will be fine. Now go back before it gets dark.” I reassured her as I placed my hands on her shoulders. Her smile was back on her face.
“Alright. Good night, Mui-Kun!!” She said giving me a hug before rushing back to her house. I did the same and walked the opposite direction towards my own home.
I rushed so it wouldn’t be caught by the darkness and soon I made it to my house. "I'm back, Yuichiro." I announced myself as I walked in and closed the door.
I saw that Ichirou was sitting on his futon sloppily. He had a very obvious frown on his face while looking at me. "How was it with your little girlfriend??" He asked me out of the blue and I was shocked.
"Huh?? You mean Yoriko??" I asked him confusedly.
"Oh!! So she is your girlfriend?!" He asked me in an accusing tone.
"What?? No!!! We're just friends!!! Why are you saying that??"
"I've heard your conversation with her. Everlasting, true love, I am yours." He said mimicking Yoriko's voice mockingly. "Seriously, Muichiro?!?! Do you really think that she loves you?? A useless nobody?? Wake up!!" He spat at me.
My eyes widened when he said that. "Yuichiro..... Why are you saying that??"
"I'm trying to warn you before you make a fool of yourself, you idiot!! Yoriko is only after you because she's isolated here at the mountain. As soon as she meets other guys who live down in the village she'll lose interest in you." He said with a condescending look.
"Don't say that about Yoriko!!! She's a kind girl and would never turn her back on me. We've promised to be here for each other!!!" I screamed at him with teary eyes.
"Oh my gods, how can you be so naive?? Promises don't guarantee anything in life!!! You promised our mother that our dear useless father would be back with the herbs but guess what?? Both of them died anyway!!!" He yelled back at me angrily.
I couldn't hold back my tears any longer. I started sobbing right there as his words dug deep in my chest. How could he say those things about Yoriko?? She’s my best friend!! The only friend I have in this world. She would never turn her back on me, and neither will I on her!! I cried for a few more minutes before I composed myself and Yuichiro told me to shut up already so he could sleep. I remember I stumbled towards my futon and just dropped myself onto it, feeling weak from crying too much. At least my tears brought me some refreshment during that hot night. But after a couple of hours I had to open the door due to how hot it felt inside. I tried to sleep but the heat was just making it impossible to do so. Then, I got up and walked over to our water bucket and drank some water. My eyes caught Yuichiro looking at me from where he was laid on. I was about to go back to my futon when I noticed something weird. There was someone standing there. Someone we didn’t know.
“Aww dammit. Nothing but a couple of rats, huh?? Well, that 's okay. That other family back there had ceased most of my appetite. You two are going to be my dessert.” That person said as he came towards me with weirdly looking shaped hands.
I stared at him in shock. Did he mean Yoriko 's family?? That was when I noticed that his clothes were splattered in blood. A chill came down my spine as I realized what he meant. My mind went blank for a moment. The world seemed to stop as I processed everything. “Yoriko and her family… are dead??” I thought to myself. “No!! Impossible!! Yoriko and her family are okay, right??” I tried telling myself as I didn’t even see the creature attacking me.
“Muichiro!!” I heard Yuichiro screaming as he jumped in front of me and the creature. The sound of flesh being ripped apart woke me up, and the next thing I knew I was holding my brother who was screaming while holding his missing arm. Blood splattered all over the place as the creature walked towards us threateningly. My whole body shook as I held Yuichiro close. His screams of pain made my heart sink and my sanity decreased.
“Shut up!! Shut up!! You’re too noisy. It’s useless to scream, you know?? No one is coming for you. Even that family nearby was more cooperative than you. They were tasty by the way, especially the mommy. It’s so rare to find pregnant ones these days.” The creature said mockingly and mercilessly. My heart aches when he mentions Yoriko’s mother. Images of Yoriko smiling came to my mind as a flashback. She was so excited to be a big sister… Now neither her or her baby brother are going to be able to live together.
“Mui-Kun!!” Her voice echoed in my head. And at that moment…. all I could see was red. I don’t remember much of what happened next, but all I could hear was a loud and savage roar that left my throat as the rage flowed all through my body. When I recovered myself, the creature was completely mutilated by every sharp utensil that we had at home, and soon he vanished when the sunlight hit him. I was so tired that I had to crawl myself back to my house. Once I’ve finally reached inside, I could hear the faint sounds of Yuichiro’s voice. I was shocked and relieved that he was still alive. I crawled towards him to try and take care of his wound, but I was so exhausted that I failed on the ground. But I could still hear his words.
"Please dear God Buddha.... Anyone out there who’s listening…. Please save my brother..... He doesn’t deserve this…. He's a good kid, unlike me..... That's why Yoriko liked him better than me..... She's also a good girl...... I had no chance with her anyway..... I hope that she can forgive me for all of the mean things I said to her….. And my brother too…. He says wants to help others but I got in the way of his dream…. It 's my fault.” Yuichiro prayed in his weak voice. Tears wetted my eyes as I tried to process everything I just heard. Did Yuichiro like Yoriko as well?? Does he really care for me all that much?? I began sobbing as I held his remaining hand. I asked myself how things could have turned this way. How could everything be so fine in one moment and the other we simply lose everything good we had left?? I remembered my last conversation with Yoriko that day. How she was worried about the future. Our promise. Damn, our promise!! I cried even more when I remembered our promise. I wish I could apologize to her for not being able to keep it. Soon, my eyes became heavy and my body was way heavier than I could handle. I slowly slipped out of consciousness, while thinking of when I saw Yoriko for the last time.
If I had known by then, that it was our last time together… Would it’ve been different??