Chapter 381

Clear Skies

"There's hope."

"Things will keep changing."

"Nothing ever stays the same."

"A day from now,"

"A week from now,"

"A month from now,"

"A year from now,"

"Years down the road,"

"Things will be different."

"The past won't change."

"But the future will."

"The fight for that future is what's important."

Chapter 382

Clear Skies

A light breeze touched my face, whispering, dancing.

It was surprisingly warm, the scent of spring in the air.

A southerly wind?

The warmth spread from my finger tips,

up along my arms and right into my chest.

What was happening?

Then I looked up and a miraculous sight was before us.

Chapter 383

Clear Skies

As we stood there, still in an embrace,

all the color slowly returned to the world.

The dark grey clouds above were scattering,

golden sunlight released from Heaven's gates above.

Like honey, the grassy field in front of us turned golden, lit ablaze with vibrant color.

The grass began to sway back and forth counting to a beat,

dancing with the wind.

I stood there, wide-eyed like a child in awe.

Spring.

Spring has come.

Life.

Life has returned.

Chapter 384

Clear Skies

"Let's go." I said.

"Where?"

Where, she asked. I remained silent.

I had no idea where, but I knew there was a destination up ahead.

Someone had planned the rest of the road ahead.

A road that I must walk.

"There's alot to do."

"Hmm..like?"

"Like, winning the fight."

She grinned. "Like, getting up again."

I nodded. "Mhm. Like, fighting for the future."

I grabbed her arm and we took our first few steps into Spring.

Down this path,

who knows where it will take us?

Chapter 385

Clear Skies

There was a lot to fight for.

First on the list, I still had Aoi.

I will make a bright future for us both.

It will have to begin with me.

She's waiting for me to become strong.

That's what she had said before.

Chapter 386

Clear Skies

There's so much to fight for.

Everyone who believed in me.

Airu, who is helping me stand up once again.

Airu, who I must help stand up again.

I still had family. I still had friends.

Compared to the world around me,

there was a lot more sorrow that other people know.

The world full of bloodshed, disease, pain and tears.

Yet some of those who are in more pain fight harder than I ever had.

It was selfish to drown in self-pity.

It was selfish to make Aoi an excuse.

On the train ride home, the tears in my eyes was freedom.

No longer pain.

Chapter 387

Clear Skies

We sat side by side once again, just like we did on our way out of the city.

There was a comfortable silence between us, both of us deep in thought.

Around us passengers came and went, flitting by temporarily.

A bustle of soft voices and quiet hush of politeness.

The tapping of cell phone key pads and rustling of book pages.

The commute was a transient purgatory, while heading into something new, something more.

Destination: unknown.

Chapter 388

Clear Skies

On the train,

amongst the billions of faces we could have meet, these were the ones we saw.

Albeit for a moment, they passed by in our lives, leaving a little impression in our minds and hearts.

Each word spoken, each expression given, everything is a message between human beings.

We all partake in each other's lives. Whether or not our impact is small or large, depends solely on our decisions.

Whether or not we will be the one to help someone stand back up, is our choice.

Those who have made a lasting impression on my life become part of my memories.

Every person who became a part of my life is another reason to fight.

To preserve these memories and transform it into something new for the future.

Chapter 389

Clear Skies

"Seiji." Her voice snapped me back to reality.

"Yeah?"

"Arigatou."

"For what?"

"You'd be surprised how your words put me back up on my feet."

I shrugged. "Same goes for you."

She covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.

"Yeah, but you see, I was totally thinking of just helping you see what I saw while Obaachan was helping me.

I didn't expect it to be the other way around!"

I grinned. "That's ironic isn't it?"

She smiled.

"I have to thank you too, Airu. I think it's about time to fight."

"Glad to hear that. It's the new year after all!"

The train took us through the country side, now painted with a palette of warm yellows and oranges of the late afternoon sun.

"We'll fight together yeah?" She gave me an assuring look. "Side by side? Yakusoku?"

I nodded. "I promise."

*Yakusoku - Promise

Chapter 390

Clear Skies

"Shibuya, Shibuya desu."

A familiar jingle and the train announcement greeted our ears.

We followed the ever-growing crowd, rumbling voices, black suits, school uniforms

and pushed our way through, stumbling and jostling along.

Vacation or not, school uniforms somehow never ceased to exist.

The Shibuya Station is one of the biggest and busiest stations in Tokyo.

As soon as we emptied out into the main underground terminal,

the crowd thinned and at last, we could breathe.

All around were people streaming through the terminal,

like water, they diverge and filter through the exits and stairs;

North, South, East, West. Exit 1, 2, 3.

"We're here!" Airu grinned excitedly. "Let's go!"

Chapter 391

Clear Skies

We left the terminal and headed up the stairs.

Immediately we were thrown into a swirling, whirling world of colors and excitement.

The air opened up above us, the sky, limitless blue.

The sun beaming down its still golden epiphany.

People here, people there, people everywhere.

Signs and big screen TVs.

Mobile phones and gadgets.

Wireless waves all around.

Music and noise from the traffic.

Laughter and loud voices.

Soaring buildings and gleaming surfaces.

Glass, metal, colors, colors everywhere.

Everywhere, excitement.

Everywhere, intensity.

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Clear Skies

The excitement. The intensity.

Memories flooded back of the night before my birthday.

Before it all happened.

Shibuya in all of its glory at night, lights flashing, dancing.

Aoi's hand in mine, her laughter and warmth;

vibrant, lively, the pure joy in her heart.

I could feel it. I could feel it now.

And I missed it so much.

Why did it have to happen to us?

I felt tears in my eyes.

Fighting won't be so easy i realized.

Chapter 393

Clear Skies

Fighting wouldn't be easy.

Yet there was no way to return to the past.

Those have become memories. Memories I will always cherish.

Memories of our last summer together.

Whatever had happened, had happened.

It happened for a reason perhaps.

There was no turning back.

There's nothing left to do but to push on forward.

And one day, I will meet her again.

Chapter 394

Clear Skies

Airu tugged my arm and we entered the stream of people heading for the main intersection.

There were people jam packed shoulder to shoulder, a sea of people stretching as far as the eye could see.

Most of them were our age, young and beaming, promising futures ahead.

Was it so?

Were they happy?

What have they been through?

Whatever it is, I hoped they would hang on to this excitement.

The intensity all around. Let it be strength and energy to drive forward.

Chapter 395

Clear Skies

"Airu..."

"Hmm?" She beamed.

"What are we here for?"

She threw back her head and laughed.

"To shop of course!"

"What?? You and whose money??" I teased.

"Yours!" I heard her laugh again.

"Just kidding. But it's a new year. It's a fresh start.

And we're on vacation. Let's feel fresh too."

I smirked. "That sounds like an excuse just for you."

She ignored me, laughing and led us through the crowd.

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Clear Skies

Shop after shop,

plunging and diving

through the crowd;

bodies against bodies,

grabbing for this and that.

Parting the Red Sea.

There were stores of all kinds.

Clothes. Shoes. Jewellry. Accessories.

Electronics. Games. Entertainment.

Food. Snacks. Drinks.

Plushes. Collectibles. Useless junk.

Everything times ten.

The intensity of Japan and the innovative inventions completely overwhelmed our senses.

But colors, colors, colors were the main theme.

Chapter 397

Clear Skies

"How bout this??" Airu asked excitedly.

I could barely see her hands waving something from afar.

The gadgets I was gazing at were mezmerizing.

Available in different colors. Boasting features of every kind.

They were trying to combine everything into one.

That is always the industry standard.

She managed to reach my side through the cramped interior of the store,

products lined up on both sides like a trench.

"Isn't this nice?" Her eyes sparkled dreamily.

"That's cool. How much is it?"

"Only 2300 yen."

"Only?" I stared incredulously at the bags in her hands already.

"Yes only! You're so uptight about cash." There was her laugh.

Where was she getting this cash?

What else did I not know about her?

Chapter 398

Clear Skies

"You know, you're going to have to help me out here." She pouted behind me.

She stumbled out of the store, hands full of bags.

Bags of all kinds. Big, small, plastic, fabric, paper.

White, black, red, blue, yellow.

Laughing and teetering like a mad drunk, she stumbled on one of the bags.

"Careful there, rich lady."

I caught her by the shoulders.

She grinned.

"Sheesh... look at you."

My hands took a few bags from her, brushing against her fingers for a moment.

Chapter 399

Clear Skies

I ignored the tingling feeling creeping up my arms.

Was it from where our fingers touched?

Instead I turned my attention to the street.

A maze of an urban core it was, unexplored by cars,

a protected sanctuary for the young Japanese shopper.

Intricate side streets and corridors criss-cross, dissecting buildings into pie slices.

A multitude of predestined paths and possibilities,

yet any choice will be lined with shops and stores,

live houses, clubs, restaurants and internet cafes,

to fulfil the every need.

"Where to next, princess? Where does your purse lead you?"

She laughed in reply. She's been laughing alot with me.

Amidst giggles and an inability to answer, she pointed.

She's hungry.

Chapter 400

Clear Skies

"A Chardonnay Calamari Seafood Linguine please."

"What would you like for your side, miss?"

"Can I have a chicken breast Frisco salad with,"

She emphasized with rising intonation, "extra tomatoes?"

"Yes, certainly. What about you sir?"

I opened my mouth but she cut in.

"He'll have a Grilled New York Striploin Steak."

I stared at her in disbelief.

"How would you like your steak sir?"

"Medium well done." She said in perfect English.

"And your side," The waitress looked directly at me, "sir?"

Airu didn't give it up and grinned. "Sweet potato fries!"

The waitress smiled nervously and bowed,

her sleek ponytail bobbing up and down.

"Certainly. Please wait a moment."

Chapter 401

Clear Skies

I watched awkwardly as the waitress stumbled off quickly as if she was escaping from wild dogs.

"What was that for, sir?" I joked after she left, shaking my head.

"Well I'm not letting you have your little sandwich! You'll make me look like a pig!"

I started laughing. "You pig!"

"Hush!"

"I'll call you pig from now on! Buuutaa! What kind of girl eats that much??"

She threw a paper napkin at me and made a face. "That's cruel."

"I'm already resisting!" She added.

I grinned. I guess that was another thing I didn't know about her.

To eat that much normally and not put on weight is quite a feat.

Hopefully, that would be the case for me as well.

Chapter 402

Clear Skies

It was surprising when Airu decided on a western style restaurant.

Upon a high glass and metal pedestal rising above the urban streets below,

floor to ceiling windows opened the view to the downtown Shibuya core.

Like swarming insects, pedestrians below spilled through the cracks, this way and that.

To another, they were wandering blindly without direction.

For them, there was a destination in mind.

Our destination was unfamiliar territory for me.

Even as we rode the elevator, I had a feeling this was an expensive place.

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Clear Skies

Everything was prim and proper... and expensive.

Even Airu's slim form immediately held an air of elegance.

Rich honey neutrals, light bronze and snow whites;

quiet green accents of delicate little plants;

the sharp black and white of staff uniforms;

soft velvety carpeting and smooth polished wood.

Just the occasional muted tink of a cup or plate was deafening in the polite hush of the restaurant.

In a friendly gentle tone foreign waiters and waitresses greeted us in unfamiliar English.

I couldn't help but feel underdressed.

Moreover, shouldn't I be the one taking Airu here?

I suddenly felt very out of place.

Chapter 404

Clear Skies

"Chardonnay Calamari Seafood Linguine."

Our waitress presented Airu a huge white plate

with a mountain of cream colored pasta,

accents of little specks of red, orange,

green leaves here and there,

doused in glistening light ivory sauce.

The smell wafted from her dish

filling my senses until I was lightheaded.

The waitress smiled triumphantly before turning to me,

ready to deliver the prescribed wrath for me.

I gulped as my 10oz steak was placed in front of me.

I was not very hungry.

And I never waste food.

Chapter 405

Clear Skies

I decided it wasn't so bad after I finished.

Airu finished her salad and pasta consecutively before preying on my fries.

I fought back but declared defeat when half the side was gone.

In the end, it certainly made my job easier.

"Now that was good." She looked content rubbing her tummy.

"Seems like you needed to devour my fries as well!"

Her face turned a slight tint of pink. "I'm sorry."

"Looks like I found out something new about you huh?"

She tilted her head inquisitively. "Hm?"

"Buta!!!"

We both started cracking up and laughed until we felt like throwing up.

Chapter 406

Clear Skies

A little leather bound folder came our way shortly after.

Between it's jaws was the small sheet of paper that I had decided to snatch.

There was no way that my pride would let her pay after all this.

After insisting, she gave in and I plucked it quickly from her.

Instead the secret smile inside was extinguished.

I gawked at the receipt.

5300 yen.

Chapter 407

Clear Skies

Nevertheless we left without much incident,

escorted out by the waiters, wishing us a pleasant day.

It was a pleasant day. With a pleasantly beaming sun and pleasantly exciting places.

But I couldn't help but remind myself of Aoi, who was left alone,

silent and frozen in time like a cyrogenic chamber.

But the feelings for her were no longer pity or pain. Rather, I was carrying both of our lives.

I would live to the fullest, because I was sure Aoi could see the things I was seeing.

This pleasant day in the new year. A fresh start.

I made sure to take note of the name of the restaurant. La Vie.

It meant Life.

When Aoi regains consciousness, I promised myself to bring her here.

Spring was coming.

Chapter 408

Clear Skies

"Alright Seiji. Now it's your turn!" She said as soon as we stepped back out on the street.

The streets hadn't changed.

All around people still filled our vision,

channeling through the narrow pedestrian walkways and side streets.

The main intersection was still a sea of people, waiting for the lights to change.

"Turn for what?"

She grinned and grabbed my arm.

"This way."

Chapter 409

Clear Skies