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"Don't die, Aki…"
A promise I know I could never keep. No matter how hard I tried, it plays in the back of my head every day. Your voice makes it harder, but that's okay. I'll be going soon, so Himeno, wait for me…
-
I'm not sure where I am. All I hear are loud crashes of waves drifting in my ears, unable to open my eyes. But it feels warm. Only able to remember that I was going to die. I didn't have much time left, so I had to. I wonder if you would ever forgive me? It was to protect those dear to me for perhaps you wouldn't mind, for you have done the same.
-
I can't move my body, but the sudden touch of hands caught me. It felt familiar, but I wish I could remember. Everything is becoming a blur to me now Angel, Power, Denji, and Himeno. I don't remember those names. A promise I could not keep, for I was not strong enough to bear. I have lied to you way too many times, took you for granted too many times, so if I get to see you at least one more time, please listen to me and let me apologize.
"That's okay. You've kept it long enough, Aki."
As I recognized the voice, tears rolled down my cheeks, I couldn't believe it. Feeling helpless to speak, I wasn't too sure how I could start with,
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry for everything…"
My voice hitched at the back of my throat, I couldn't breathe. My vision was blurry, but I was certain it was her.
"I wasn't able to keep that promise, you were right… Maybe we should've lived a peaceful life but I was stup-" I felt something cover my mouth, so I decided to stay silent.
"You're not stupid, Aki, you only did what you thought was right. So how could I be mad?"
Feeling hysterical, I couldn't help but burst. A wave of emotions hit me, anger, sadness, happiness?
"You always say this when I do something stupid. Even if you know it's wrong yourself, you agree with me. Just like in the past."
"Hm"
Taking my eyes off the view of the ocean, I looked towards her, I wanted to see her. She looked the same except she had both her eyes and arms, when I think about it, I did as well. My eyes softened when she looked back at me.
-
"When that lady slapped you, I got payback for you by putting gum on her." The thought made the women chuckle. Aki smiled at that.
"You didn't agree to it, but it made you laugh right?"
"Right" the woman replied.
"When I wanted to fight the gun devil…" the bitter thought occurred in his head.
"You didn't reject that idea as well did you? You tried to help me but… I wasn't kind to you for it was I?"
The woman shook her head,
"Aki, I understand why you were like that, but I didn't care. I just wanted to help you even though I knew it would hurt both of us in the end. I believe you were my top priority as my pupil and as a friend."
"I see.." Aki grabbed the woman by her hands and placed both of them on the side of his face, partly covering his eyes.
"Himeno, I promise in the next life we go to. This time, I will never leave your side, that I will keep my promises. I will treat you better in the next. That's my promise to you. "
Himeno rested her forehead on top of his, whispering words to him.
"I'm sure there are others that need you more than I do."
Aki knew exactly what she meant and opened his eyes. "I want to take you with me, you are also my family." Gripping her wrist tighter, he didn't want her to leave him again.
"I already made my promise and I won't break it." Lifting his head from Himeno's lap, he stood up and looked down into her eyes.
"I know Aki, but that's where you truly belong, and I wish to not ruin it." But that just only made Aki smile. He grabbed her by the hand, holding her into a hug.
"You won't ruin anything, I don't want you to leave" hugging her tighter,
"If I were to leave you, won't you be alone? I don't want that, and if I leave you, I would feel alone without you."
Himeno began crying, "I'm not sure how long it had been since I felt this feeling. But I guess this is the reason I truly fell in love with you?" Aki didn't know she loved him and it made a pang in his heart. He had to be stupid to not realize that when she passed, he felt something for her as well, but he wasn't sure what it was.
"I love you too" was all he said.
-
Holding her hand tighter making sure she wouldn't leave. They walked together down the beach towards Aki's family, and their friends, waving to them and Aki's brother, yelling to them to hurry up. It was a very beautiful sight indeed.