Uncle and I booked a flight to Japan a day after we met on the cafe. In the mean time, he spent the night in my apartment room. I heard from uncle that before we met, he used to sleep on hotels which made me feel bad.
"How are you feeling Aoi?"
"Do you mean how I'm feeling that you're lying next to me on my bed or how I'm feeling that I'm going back to Japan after a year of running away?"
"Well, I'm rather curious about the first one but the latter."
"I'm a bit scared but it's about time to see her."
The very next day, we departed from Paris to Japan. It was a bit nostalgic. Everything felt new considering how I cooped up in my apartment for the past year. I think I'm worthy enough to go back home now that I've kept my promise to Yukino.
After a few hours of enduring that long and tiring flight that I'll never get used to, we landed in Japan that made my heart pound harder. As soon as uncle and I got out of the airport, the group came rushing in to hug me.
"Why did you cut us off like that!? Don't ever do that again!" Said Shin crying as the others nodded in agreement.
"Aren't you guys mad at me?" Asked I.
"We know too well why you did what you have to. But don't ever do that again or I'm smacking you in the head okay?" Said Shin still tearing up.
We caught up with each other after a year long of not seeing each other. The rest were doing well with university while Haruto on the other hand already dropped out to pursue his dream as a light novelist.
"While you're out there winning awards in Europe, I've been a top writer here in Japan so you be prepared. I might catch up to you in no time Aoi." Said Haruto giving me a fist bump which we haven't done in a long time.
"Come, I have something to show all of you." Said uncle as he told us to meet up in his house.
We arrived at the house and it made me smile. Just seeing this place standing here still even after Yukino left us made it feel so special. Everything we did here came back to me and put a smile on my face.
"Sit there guys, I'll play what Yukino made for all of you." Said uncle as we sat in the living room.
Uncle played the video Yukino edited and the moment it started, we all teared up but this time we were smiling as if to appreciate everything that we did with her. It was filled with memories of us as a group and our night walks. Even the trip was there. We were laughing in some moments and holding each other's hands as we watched through the whole thing. At the end of the film was a group picture and a message that says "There's a photobook for you Aoi. Go get it in my room.".
As instructed, I made my way to her room which did not change even after a year. The arrangement of the things were still the same. On the bed was a photobook just sitting there waiting for me to pick it up. I smelled the sheets and it smelled like her. It was probably my imagination but it felt like she was with me that time as I flipped through the memories of us together. These moments will definitely have a special place in my heart. At the last page of the photobook was a photo that I never knew existed. A photo of Yukino and I by the lake while she was in a wheelchair and I was standing next to her. It made me cry but somehow, I felt light. As if she was giving me a hug. She was indeed special to all of us. After settling down, I made my back to the group.
"Ready to visit her?" Asked Hina.
"Yeah, Let's go."
We made our way to the cemetery as we bought flowers for her. What I brought was tulips which I gave her when we were still together. Back then I never knew what tulips meant but now I do. Even after all this time Yukino I still love you deeply. Even if I move forward to a future without you that will never change. You've already made your way to my heart and there's just no way of getting you out of it. I never know what the future holds for me but I'm ready to face it.
As I stood right in front of her grave, I set down the flowers and lit an incense.
"Yo, I hope you're doing well up there and sorry for the late visit. But here I am. I've won that award as instructed and I've become a successful novelist. I hope I was able to comply with your rather challenging requests. Continue to guide and watch over us okay? I love you."
As soon as I said those words, a gust of wind went past us as the leaves got swept away, we looked at each other wearing a smile on our faces.
The way Yukino changed our lives and made us happy will forever be in our hearts. There's just no way that we'll forget even if we try to. I just hope that wherever she is right now, she is happy and wearing a smile on her face just like we all do. Thank you for bringing light into my world my dear. Until next time Yukino. Goodbye.
END