February has entered and all seems to be going well. Lately even my professors started praising me for my effort of not skipping class these days. Same as it did today when I came to school even earlier than the others.
I entered the lecture hall at around 7:45 AM, 15 minutes earlier than our scheduled time. There were other students already here but it sure was quiet. I took the seat at the far end of the hall by the window and settled down.
A few minutes later, Arata and Kaito walked inside with the professor and sat at the front end of the hall. The professor looked around the room as the two of us locked gazes with each other then he smiled as if he was happy I was here early.
After the lectures ended I went straight home to write my novel. I then had a video call with my editor for some minor revisions but nothing too big. My novel has been getting a lot of attention these past few days, I even ranked number 1 on this weekly ranking which really boosted my confidence and drive in writing. It's like I'm living the dream right here, plus the pay of course is increasing.
One thing that's been bugging me is that Haruto might have entered a slump. I heard from my editor earlier that he's been struggling these past few days to produce new chapters, which is kind of worrying the company a bit. My editor told me to check him out knowing that we are close friends. So I decided to call him after work.
"Yo what's up?"
"Aoi?"
"Yeah, want to go on a little evening roadtrip?"
"What's up with you? Aren't you going to do that with Yukino?"
I actually have a plan with Yukino tonight but I guess I'll cancel. I'll explain the situation to Yukino and I'm sure she'll understand.
"We don't have any plans today, I know a great great place."
"But I'm busy."
"Oh don't sweat it. A little night stroll won't be too bad."
"K. You'll pick me up right?"
"Yeah, just send me the address."
I called Yukino to inform her of what's happening so she gave me the permission to spend this night with Haruto but also saying that "Make it up to me okay?".
That being settled, I put on a sweater and jeans before going. Haruto sent me the address and I made my way on to Haruto's place. Thinking about it now, we've been friends for quite some time now but I haven't had any idea where he lives so this might be interesting.
Haruto's place is about 30-40 minutes away from my apartment. I questioned myself if I arrived at the right place because this house is a huge modern house that even has a lawn with a fountain on it so I called Haruto.
"Oi? Are you sure you sent me the right address?"
"Yeah why?"
"I'm in front of a really big modern house right now. I think I'm lost."
The phone call ended and soon after a window from the modern house opened.
"Oii Aoi! Wait for me there! I'll get dressed."
Is this kid serious? He seemed amazed at the apartment complex asking me if I was a rich kid when he lives in a home as grand as this one? You've got to be kidding me right? Is Shin even aware of this? Shin, you might have grabbed the rich kid of your dreams.
A few minutes later Haruto came out, reached his hand out for a helmet and I stared at him not saying a word as I handed out the helmet.
"What? Why are you staring at me like that?"
"So who's the rich kid now?"
"We aren't rich."
"No average person lives in a house like that. Are you with someone there?"
"Not really, that's my house."
This kid, what's he on about?
We rode on my motorcycle at night and Haruto was unexpectedly silent the whole ride. He didn't even bother asking where we were going. I guess there really is a problem with him considering how quiet he was. Was it with Shin? Or is he just in a slump? Probably the first one. I decided to bring him to where Yukino and I would always go to try and cheer him up with the view on that place and play some piano for him while we're at it.
We arrived at the place so I parked for a bit on the side of the road by the railing and Haruto was just in a daze.
"Oi! Look to your right."
Haruto did so and he was surprised. I was also surprised when I first saw this place when Yukino brought me here. I guess this is the natural reaction huh? But I can't blame him. Even now I find this place so amazing like I was here again for the first time. This place never ceases to amaze me every time I visit here.
"Beautiful right?"
"I feel like my whole life's been a waste."
"Huh? What?"
"How did I not know of this place? This place is amazing, Aoi! Take a picture of me here sitting by the railing."
Haruto sat by the side rail and made a pose asking me to take a picture of him. I'm guessing this will be his new profile picture in all of his social media accounts.
"Be careful, that's a cliff behind you just so you know."
"What are you, my dad? Just do it already."
I passed the phone back to Haruto after taking the pictures and it looks like he really enjoyed the spectacular view as much as I did.
"Follow me, this is not even the best part."
"What? There's more?"
We made our way to the trees and Haruto had the same reaction as I did when I first visited this place.
"Are there no ghosts here? I'm getting a bit scared."
"Who knows?"
"Oi!"
How funny, the same exact reaction. We arrived at the piano and Haruto's jaw dropped.
"What in the world is this place? It's filled with lots of surprises. This place is so magical Aoi! I should write about this in my novel!"
We sat by the piano as I lit a cigarette. And to my surprise, Haruto asked for one.
"You sure?"
"Just spare me this once, I'm actually curious how you feel when you smoke."
Haruto lit the cigarettes and inhaled it as he coughed right after. I guess that's to be expected.
"Heh? So this is how it feels huh? Quite calming to be honest."
"Don't get used to it."
"Yeah, I just wanted to try it. Anyway, I heard you can play the piano, try playing it."
I played the piano, the same piece I played for Yukino back then. After listening to it his eyes closed, he let out a tear that flowed down through his cheeks. A few minutes later, I finished playing and Haruto clapped.
"You're a good pianist Aoi!"
"I get that a lot but I'm not."
"So I guess you heard it from my editor already." Said Haruto.