Chapter 1
“Haru! Over here!” Natsu call out from the other side.
“Natsu… slow down.” I said breathlessly.
“Come! Look!” Natsu said and point at the grass field. I properly look around and see nothing, then slowly, something begins to light up… Fireflies!
“It’s… pretty…”
“Right? I found it yesterday when we were looking at the stars.”
I smile and lie down on the grass, Natsu did the same. We exchange looks and laugh.
The next day,
“Mom, I’m heading out.” I said.
“Okay dear. And remember, be home by 5.” Mom said.
“Yes, mom. I’m off.”
“I love you, have a safe trip. And don’t be late honey.”
I rush to the train station where Natsu is waiting, “Natsu!” I call out.
“You’re so slow, Haru!”
“Tee-hee. I kinda overslept. But it’s all Natsu’s fault!”
“Ha?! Why me??”
“It’s because you showed me the fireflies, I stayed up late looking at them.”
“Oh, so it’s like that huh? Fine! I won’t show you to places anymore then!”
“Eh?! No way!”
“Don’t care. The train is here.”
The train arrive and we both got on. I pout and glare at Natsu, Natsu laugh as he sees my pouting face.
“Baka Natsu!” I shouts.
After school….
“Hey, Haru, wanna go somewhere today?” My friend, Shiro ask.
“Ah, sorry. I’m kinda in a hurry today. Maybe next time?”
“Eh…? Fine then! But you owe me a meal!”
“Ha?! Why??”
“For leaving me alone.”
“I refuse!”
“Haru! Ready to go?” Natsu call out from the door.
“Heh. You’re prince is here, Haru.” Shiro tease.
“Stop it!”
“Hahahaha. Alright see ya.”
“Kay’. Bye.” I said and walk to Natsu. “Let’s go.”
“I wonder what we’re having for dinner tonight that our parents needs us back home so early…” Natsu said as we walk home together.
“Who knows? Maybe it’s some kind of celebration?”
“But it’s not my birthday yet….”
“Do we only celebrate nothing but your birthday? Baka Natsu.”
“Heh, jealous?”
“Of you? Heh. I’d rather eat salt for dinner.”
“That’s mean…”
“Hahahha.”
After a while, I reached home at exactly 5 p.m.
“Mom, dad. I’m home.” I said.
I open the door, walk in and got my foot hit by a cupboard box. Huh? We’re packing? I thought.
“Mom!” I call out, “What’s with all these boxes?” I ask.
“Ah, Haru. Welcome home.” Mom said and stop packing for a minute and went back into it.
“Why are we packing?”
“Sorry I didn’t tell you earlier dear… But your father got a job transfer.”
“EH? Where to?”
“Osaka.”
“Eh…?? That’s so far…”
“Yep. It’s a 5hrs trip. So start packing dear.”
“But this is so sudden… and when are we leaving?”
“The day after tomorrow. I know it’s sudden but please go with it.”
Suddenly, I got a text from Natsu.
Hey, can we meet up at the park for a bit? ---Natsu---
“Sorry… I gotta go out for a bit.”
“Okay, but hurry and come back honey.”
“Okay, mom.” I said and went to the park.
Natsu was sitting at the swing, “Oh, hey. You’re here.” He look up and said.
“Didn’t ya send me a text to meet up here? So, what’s up?”
“Nah… just wanted to talk to ya.”
“Is that so?” I ask and walk to sit on the other swing.
“So, what did your parent want to talk about?”
“Ah… well… I’m moving.”
“What? Where?”
“Osaka...”
“Wow… That’s a 5hrs trip from Nagano.”
“Yeah… and I’m leaving the day after tomorrow…”
“Hm… So soon…”
“What about you?”
“Well… it’s not anything important really…”
“Not fair! I told you mine, now you tell me yours.”
“Well, my parents are getting divorced…”
“What?!”
“I knew this would happen sooner or later, but I didn’t expect it to happen now…”
“That’s awful… and what’s gonna happen to you?”
“Ah, well. I’m staying with my Dad here.”
“And Kouki?”
“He’s going with mom to Yokohama.”
“So you guys are gonna get separated? That’s so sad…”
“Yeah…”
“So, when are they moving out?”
“Next week.”
“…”
The silence grew stronger until we went back home. I start packing and before I know it… It’s was already the day.
“Honey, are you ready?”
“Yeah.”
“Did you forget anything? Double check everything?”
“Yep. I’m ready mom.”
“Alright. Let head to the train station.”
At the station, Natsu was standing there waiting.
“Yo, Haru. Good morning, Mrs. And Mr. Takashi.” He said.
“Ah, Natsu-kun. Good morning. Here to see Haru off are we?”
“Yes, mam. Can I help you with any of your luggage?”
“Ah, no. We’re fine. You two take your time.”
“Okay, mom.” I said and turn to Natsu, “Heh. Gonna miss me?”
“You wish. I’m just here to offer help with the luggage.” Natsu said jokingly.
“Oh is that so?” I ask and we laugh.
“I’m gonna miss ya.” Natsu said.
“Yeah, me too. Now don’t go crying on me, haha.”
“Heh, yeah right.”
“Stay safe.”
“I’d like to say the same to you. Don’t go around tripping and falling on things. Knowing you, you’ll probably fall the first thing you reach there.”
I punch Natsu and laugh.
“The train will be leaving soon. Passengers please board the train.”
“Ah, gotta go. See ya.”
“Bye.”
I got in the train and find a place to sit. Then, the train begins to move, I can see Natsu waving to me through the window. I smile and wave back. And so, I’ve left Nagano…. I wonder what Osaka will be like…
