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It's been a while since she has visited the shrine.
She has started a new life with her mom, without the consequence of their bickering.
Akinari used to come by, and so did a blue haired student whose name she learned to be Makoto.
She gave him a ring and he promised to marry her when she grows up! Yet… why hasn't he come by lately? Maiko thought he liked her, or so she thought. Or maybe it's high school? Maiko doesn't know about such matters. Well, even when she promised they will be together forever and that she was leaving, wouldn't he magically come to the shrine whenever she was there? It was kind of like that when he used to be here. He was just always there when she was.
Was that why she liked him so much? Did she see a father in the young boy? Maybe. Maybe not a father, just someone who cared more than the most important people in her life.
Where is Akinari? He hasn't been here for a while either.
Maiko heads for the green bench where he used to always sit, warm with the memory of him. She sets her red backpack next to her. Her small hands loosely sitting beside her, blinking as she takes in the site around her.
She looks up to the sky, then to the jungle gym. Makoto would always watch silently when she traversed throughout it. His silent presence was the most vocal thing to Maiko. Not in a displeasing way, but with the calm knowing that he was there for when she got stuck. It was nice. Knowing that there was someone there for you when you get stuck.
But now there isn't. Not for today atleast. Sure, she may have more people in her life now, but she knows damn well it will never be the same.
Without him, the world is... bleak.
Does the world get greyer when you're sadder? Maiko swears the colours were brighter before coming here.
She started making new friends… started spending time with her mom too. New friends and new delicious takoyaki to eat.
But why does she feel this way? Her small brows furrow at the thought, legs swinging in attempt to disturb her thoughts.
The shrine was peaceful. The air was still, filled with the distant calls of birds. The wind today was a mournful whistle. It's so... Quiet. Oddly so. Usually, that void will be filled with the occasional chatter from Makoto but now it's just radio silence. Of course he knew she was moving away, but it would be nice to see him again.
Whenever Makoto came to play, the world seemed more… bright. The sun felt warm and the wind felt like a gentle kiss.
But why now does it feel a harsh bite?
She started a new life, away from the bickering from her parents together. She came out here alone, her mother is working later than usual. At least the silence in the house isn't filled with the constant cries and pleas of god knows what. Maiko, time and time again, tried to block these out.
Yet inevitably, you can't block the pain that your body makes when it swells in fear.
She misses him. Who else is going to play on the playground with her now? She can play with her mom… but it isn't the same.
She loves her mom. But even with all the affection she has for her, it's unbeaten by her love for the high schooler that gave her the attention she needed in her hardest times. It's never going to be the same. Neither parent gave her the care that high schooler did.
The air was quiet, but the raging pounce of thought to thought is hurting her. She knows what loss is. She is all too familiar with it, but she can't help but feel the empty hole in her heart grow and grow with every fleeting thought of Makoto.
She can mistake the whispers of the wind for Makoto calling for her name. The world is cruel, grief is the price we pay for love.
Maybe it's a good price to pay if Makoto and maybe Akinari, found peace.
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