I had a long... sad dream. The last thing I remembered was your face when you looked back at me. The way my hands reached out, the sounds of my cries in despair. What a sad dream it could have been... too bad it was real.
I was woken up by the sound of the alarm on my dresser. 7:00 am on a Monday morning. As I got dressed for school, the smell of coffee filled the house. No one expects me to show up because of you, but I insist. I can't let you cloud my thoughts anymore. Mother was pouring her coffee when I entered the kitchen. I poured myself a bowl of cereal. She did a double-take as she looked at me, "Why are you dressed like that on a weekend?"
I gave her a fixed look. Weekend? She rested her hand on my forehead, "Are you feeling well? You're acting strange today."
"I-it's M-Monday."
She stared at me before chuckling, "Did you stay up too late studying for that exam tomorrow?"
She leaned on the counter while holding her cup, "I mean, you were studying right? Not staying up talking to Shou again?"
My body jumped in response to the sound of your name. The crash of my bowl shattering on the ground caused her to jump. "Yuna?? What happened?"
I stared at the milk puddle expanding before I suddenly dashed from the kitchen and into the living room where my little brother had been watching his Sunday cartoons. Wait, Sunday Cartoons?
I snatched the remote from his hand and flipped to the daily news. He started to pout but I couldn't focus on his whining. My eyes widened as the anchor of the show started his daily introduction.
"Good morning, Kyoto City. Today is Sunday, the 2nd of April... Blah blah blah.."
The rest of the world was drowned out as I tried to put together what was happening. My mother's confusing looks, the exam, the Sunday show. Did I... somehow go back in time? Was it all a dream? If it really was the 2nd of April, that means I traveled back 10 days before...
I suddenly jerked upwards and found myself running toward the door. My mother called after me as I slipped on my sandals and ran out. The cars beeping and the shouts of the people I pushed past were all numb as I tried to contain my hope. There it was, the yellow house that stood out in the crowds of apartments, yours. I burst through the door so suddenly, my knees scraped the floor. Your mother ran into the living room, shocked. The last time I had seen her, she was a mess. Black clothing, makeup running down her eyes. She was kneeling on the ground.. holding onto you.
"Yuna?? What brings you here in such a rush, dear?" I looked up at her, too tired to speak. She helped me to my feet and dusted me off.
"Are you looking for Shou?"
My breath caught at the sound of your name. She put her hands on her hips, "He left early this morning to take some pictures of the park. I thought the boy would've at least told y-"
She couldn't even finish her sentence before I was running down the street again. I could hear her calling after me but I couldn't afford to be polite. I just had to see it. I had to know that this was all real.
But I wasn't prepared. There you were, sitting on the top of the hill with your camera, as real as you could be. All I could do was fall to my knees and stare. I guess the sound of my ragged breathing caught your attention as you turned to face me.
"Huh? Why are you here? What's wrong?"
The sound of your voice filled my heart with a rush of mixed emotions. Should I be happy? Should I be upset? I guess my tears had given it away. There you were, frantically trying to dry them the way you do when I cry.
When I had calmed down, I finally took it all in. I decided not to tell you about what I had seen with my own eyes because I didn't want to worry you. Here you were, right before my eyes, taking pictures just like you used to. You were so focused on your shots, you didn't even notice my staring as I tried to put it all together. We still have time, Shou.
By the time we had left the park, it was late afternoon. Watching you wave goodbye to me as you entered your house was when I finally had it all figured out.
I may not fully understand why I was given such a gift to see you one more time. But I do know that I will never let you out of my sight again.
And I will definitely save you, Shou.
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