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[IV]
“It’ll be strange not to see everybody anymore.”
“Going to miss you.”
“Omedeto!!”
“I’m glad that we were friends…”
“So are you ready to go?”
Shinobu turned from the scene and nodded at his parents. “Just let me get my things.”
Shinobu walked slowly back into Greenwood, the quiet hallways echoing with remembered sounds of shared laughter, friendly quarrels, good-natured teasing. The good times, the bad times. The memory of the last three years a warm shelter against the cool autumn. His steps echoed in the silent corridor.
“You don’t have to walk in Akira’s footsteps to be somebody, Shinobu.”
He walked up the steps and entered his room. It was barren save for the bags that lay in a corner, waiting to be picked up. Their television had been transferred to Shun and Suka’s room in the morning. Shinobu walked forward. His luggage sat neatly against a wall. On it were printed three bright words in kanji, words that he recalled stenciling all those years ago before his journey to Ryokuto Academy. Tezuka Shinobu.
“But you’re not Akira.”
He emerged from his room and blinked to see Suka and Shun standing outside, waiting for him.
“We’ll help you with that, sempai,” and without a word, they took the bag from him and went down the stairs before him. He stared after them, startled.
It seemed they’d grown up more than he had. Shaking his head, he followed after them, their quiet treads a loud echo in the empty dormitory. He stood in the doorway and watched Shun and Suka introduce themselves to his parents before helping the driver load his luggage into the car. Turning back, they walked to where he stood and stopped.
“Good luck Sempai. Take care.” Shun hugged him before skipping back into the building, followed by a solemn Suka who repeated the hug, though more awkwardly.
He stepped into the car, the chauffer nodding silently before closing the door behind him and getting into the driver’s seat. He faced his father and grandmother and acknowledged them with a small nod before looking back out the window as the graceful building was left behind.
Greenwood.
He would not be coming back.
And just as the car pulled out of the driveway, Shinobu caught a flash of amber. He turned and caught a glimpse of Mitsuru, standing by the corner. Somehow the latter had managed to slip out from his admiring fans, family and friends and come to wish his friend farewell. Even though they had their differences, and hadn’t talked to each during the graduation ceremony, Mitsuru wasn’t going to let their friendship end without saying a goodbye. They were friends after all.
Shinobu closed his eyes. Mitsuru was like that.
“I just wanted to tell him that he needn’t have to always be the bad guy to live his life. That the bad guys would eventually get their just deserts and even though being compassionate and kind meant being weak, they were still happy.
It is not a fair world, but it had not gotten to such a stage where he had to bury his heart.
And therefore, there was no need to act the way he does. He doesn’t have to hate himself his whole life.”
My whole life.
Phantom laughter. The whisper of promises to come. The dreams and plans that they had shared and made.
Did it all have to end so soon?
“So, Mitsuru, what will you be doing after graduation?”
Shinobu watched as his friend struggled with the little girl for the currypuff.
“The currypuff is MINE!!”
“…”
“Mitsuru… what are your plans after graduation?” Shinobu asked again, wondering if trying to engage his friend’s attention with food around was a hopeless task.
Mitsuru turned and looked at his roommate.
“Well, if we’re going to get an apartment, I’ll need to start saving since 90 000 Yen is about all I can afford. Either that or we could …”
Shinobu had found his attention wandering after the first line.
We.
Shinobu stared out of the window, watching the trees pass by.
You’re giving up your dream to live another’s dream.
What does going to Harvard prove?
I... It has to be done, thought Shinobu grimly. There is no choice.
And yet…
Yet…
“At least your brother made his choice.”
“Otosan,” Shinobu called as he leaned forward in his seat. “We have to talk.”
* * *
Mitsuru –
See you in Tokyo. Will be there on the 21st.
Tezuka Shinobu.
P/s. And Mitsuru? Thank you.
~~ owari ~~
comments? Pls send them to Jop/Yen. Domo!!! ^__^