Chapter 458

A Journey

I heard the line connect after a few moments.

"Yuya, it's Seiji."

"Yo Seiji, how's it going?"

"Can you do me a favour?"

"Yes, of course. What is it?"

I gritted my teeth. Did this consider as breaking my promise?

Depending on another person to look after her...

Was something I didn't want to do.

"Please take care of Aoi!"

Chapter 459

A Journey

I couldn't deny the excitement coursing through my body like a powerful drug.

It's been a long time since we went anywhere.

It was refreshing, like I was leaving everything behind,

with the luggage at my feet, finally going somewhere in life.

I knew my promise to myself included fighting for my lost dreams.

The change of scenery and the rock festival was what I needed.

I just hoped everything would be fine.

No, i knew everything would be fine.

Yuya would take care of Aoi.

Besides, what could happen in five days?

Chapter 460

A Journey

We finally left the city.

Away from what we called home.

After an hour of travel, the train had been emptied of its passengers.

Here and there people with much time to kill lounged,

reading, browsing, exchanging mail on their cell phones.

The only noise was from our group of seven, taking up half a train car, laughing, carefree.

Outside, the countryside sped by, unceasingly, fields stretching out to infinity.

It was warm now and there were alot of people on bicycles.

Spring was finally here.

But for us, it will only officially begin with the cherry blossoms.

The new school year would be welcomed by the blossoms.

Then the future will blossom.

Chapter 461

A Journey

"Seiji!"

"Hmm?"

Airu sat down beside me excitedly. "Let's take a picture."

"Eh why?"

"We don't have any pictures together! Can you believe that?"

She grabbed my arm and leaned against me, raising her cell phone up high.

We smiled and froze for a moment. Snap.

Captured for eternity.

"Alright, how bout all of us now?" Airu waved at everyone.

"The memories shall start now!"

More memories to add to our existence. More memories to protect.

I will remember everything.

Chapter 462

A Journey

"So what's our next stop?"

"We should stop at Mount Fuji."

"Yeah that's good. We can take some pictures."

I laughed. "Never knew Airu was such a photographer."

"Pictures are important! Our precious memories."

Suddenly, I thought of Aoi and I. Why didn't we have many pictures?

I flipped open my phone.

One of the only ones we had was on my cell phone, as my background.

It was like the one Airu just took with me.

Was this enough to be special? Was this enough to remember everything between us?

I hoped we would never forget. Aoi would always be here with me. Inside me.

Chapter 463

A Journey

Mount Fuji was drawing near outside,

its shadowy form was blurry from the distance,

ominous yet serene. Around the mountain,

green plants and rising landscape was its worshippers.

All was under its presence, under its protection.

It was the greatest symbol of Japan.

We could even see its mighty shape from Tokyo on a clear sunny day.

Watching over japan for all eternity, it was something that never changes or moves.

Something strong.

One day, we will be just as strong.

Built up from the trials and obstacles we face,

shaped and honed, weathered from life.

Yet we still stand and fight on for the future.

For others, for ourselves.

Chapter 464

A Journey

We got off the train and onto the platform,

taking in a deep breath of fresh air.

Here, pollution of the city was nowhere near.

The pure air was like ecstacy,

filling every corner of my lungs,

every vessel and muscle,

every bone and cell,

with inexplicable energy.

It was enough to chase away all the worries of life.

Nature was our real home, our healer, our peace and quiet.

Mount fuji was like a blessing from the heavens.

"Let's go." Takashi said quietly.

There was no doubting it anymore,

A journey was what I needed most.

Chapter 465

A Journey

"Let's do this quick, the next train is soon!"

There were alot of tourists of different nationalities wandering here and there.

Luckily this was low season and we managed to find a perfect spot,

mighty Mount Fuji in all its splendour behind us.

We hurried into position, laughing and grinning wide, in high spirits.

"Excuse me sir, would you mind taking a picture for us?" Airu asked a foreigner in english.

The man assured us it wouldn't be a problem and we took our places.

"Here we go!"

Laughing, we all leaned against each other,

arms on shoulders and hand poses here and there.

I could feel Airu and Takashi pressed up beside me, Juria in front.

We made faces and under the beaming sun and bright blue sky,

one moment in time was captured. A fragment of a memory. Forever.

This feeling. It was like family.

Chapter 466

A Journey

"We have to get some of those!"

Airu grabbed my arm and we hustled ourselves into the gathering line,

wedged between a group of tourists and locals, wielding digital cameras and cell phones.

"You guys have to hurry, our train will be soon!"

Takashi glanced at his watch. Always on time as ever.

"Hey get us some too!" The other two girls came running over.

"Alright alright. Which ones do you want?"

The stand was small in size but the counter was full of multi-colored dango dumplings on skewers.

Green, red, white, yellow, colors of all sorts, little puffs of steam dancing above them.

"The green tea and red bean ones please!"

Then, Soshi waved for our attention.

"The train is coming!"

Chapter 467

A Journey

We managed to squeeze on board the train just on time,

while the doors were closing behind us, nipping at our heels.

So amusing was being late for a train that we could not stop laughing,

attracting slightly bemused but annoyed looks from the locals.

It was etiquette to remain quiet on board trains,

but in tourist areas, it was expected to be a little more rowdy.

Still, we were together, cheerful, excited and with nothing to fear.

Little did we know, some things might change.

Chapter 468

A Journey

The dango were still in their paper bags,

fresh and warm, enough to share amongst the seven of us.

Little orbs of happiness made of rice flour, bright colors

and a warm, sweet stuffing inside.

"Cho umai!"

"I know! It's so delicious."

We looked outside the window and watched

as the great slopes of Mount Fuji disappeared slowly into the distance.

"Sayounara Mount Fuji."

Beside me, Airu smiled sadly at the fading mountain.

Another moment in time had passed by.

The view of the mountain slowly faded from our memories.

The only evidence of our visit was the picture we took.

I wished Aoi had been in that picture.

*Cho umai - cho = very/super (slang), umai = good/delicious

*Sayounara - Good-bye

Chapter 469

A Journey

Slowly, one by one we drifted off to sleep.

As if the mountain was still watching over us,

singing us a lullaby, quietly, gently.

I saw nothing. I dreamt nothing.

But I heard Aoi's song again and again,

following the rhythm of the train tracks,

winding through the mountains and hills.

Was that Aoi's voice humming or the piano playing?

I tried to listen more carefull, but I couldn't tell.

Chapter 470

A Journey

Aoi...

Be okay...

Wait for me to be back...

Nothing will change between us...

I promise.