For some reason, this time I remembered my childhood clearly. I saw my childhood from the very beginning. I was in a house quite close to other residential areas, and I was only four years old at the time. Stjue and Haha were busy clearing the snow piled up around the house. I could only watch my parents clearing the snowdrifts; they seemed happy and content.
After finishing the snow removal, Haha invited me to go to the city. The initial journey took an hour by bus. Once there, Haha and I met one of Haha's friends. She brought a little girl, who was very shy or, more precisely, timid around me. Haha told me to play with her. She was a bit shy with me, but eventually, we played together.
Since childhood, I've always had very few friends. At school, I was often bullied, teased, and insulted. Sometimes, no matter what happened at school, I always ended up being blamed, even though I hadn't done anything.
When I was little, I was also very whiny and timid. When playing, I preferred to be quiet rather than play with others, or I'd often play alone. I felt like I'd rather die than continue to be treated like this. After all, if I died, everything would surely be much better. But that feeling was healed after my first friend turned out to be that little girl.
That girl and I became close friends. We always went to and from school together, always played together, and even slept together after playing. She was my only good friend at that time.
On a Saturday during summer vacation, that girl and I played together on a beautiful hill. My parents and her parents were there too. I often played tag with her.
This time, that girl and I played with Suba-nee, who was still in 3rd grade elementary school, while I was in 1st grade. Suba-nee was her older sister. Suba-nee often played chase with me and the girl. Suba-nee also liked to play hide-and-seek near the temple. Suba-nee found me first, then the girl second.
Sometimes, during the summer festival, I, Suba-nee, and the girl, along with our parents, attended the festival celebration at the temple. And the most beautiful memory from that time was the magnificent fireworks display. I, Suba-nee, and the girl were always together.
In winter, many children usually went out to play snowball fights or build snowmen. At that time, I had a high fever and wasn't allowed to go out by Stjue and Haha. I really wanted to go out and play, even though I was sick. But this time, Suba-nee and the girl visited me even when I was ill.
This time, I was in 5th grade elementary school, and Suba-nee was already in junior high. This time, I made another friend named Narika. Narika was still in 3rd grade elementary school. Narika's parents also knew my parents. She often asked to play with me back then; she used to be just as whiny as I was. It wasn't just Narika who became my friend. Yusuke, Nanoha, Nadoka, Mitsuki, and Kojiro also became my friends.
Yusuke was my closest classmate. Kojiro was also my close friend. Nanoha and Nadoka were wealthy twin sisters; they were Suba-nee's friends. So I had to call them Senpai (upperclassman). Nadoka was Nanoha's older sister; her personality was very calm and a bit slow. Nanoha was her younger sister; her personality was very energetic and a bit tomboy. Mitsuki was Haruna's friend. She was a city kid who moved to the village.
Finally, I reached junior high. Suba-nee was already in high school. This time, Stjue's friend called because of a job offer in Surabaya, Indonesia. Stjue and Haha told me to transfer schools to Indonesia. Of course, I was very happy and proud to see Indonesia at that time. My old house was occupied by my grandparents after they got married.
"Eh? Moving to Indonesia?" "Yes, Papa and Mama want to live in Indonesia." "Hee~~~, we won't be able to meet again, then." "Ah, here, I'll give this to you, as a promise," I handed her an eye patch. "Th-this is...," "Daijobu (It's okay), I'll definitely come back to Hokkaido after I graduate high school." "But that's so long~~," She was disappointed. "Daijobu, we'll definitely meet again," I said confidently. "Um!! I'll keep waiting!!" "But... what's your name?" "Namae? (Name?) Atashi namae Haruna. Tachibana Haruna." "Boku wa Yoshimune. Date Yoshimune." "Yoshimune-kun! Yakusoku ne! (Promise!)" "Um, Yakusoku. I'll come back here once I graduate!"
Aftermath and Confessions
This time, I returned to my own reality. Unconsciously, I could now say "Aku" and "Saya" instead of "Gue". I looked around: white lights... white blankets... white curtains... everything was white. I looked at the clock; it was 7:30 AM. I tried to get up, and suddenly Haruna came to me, worried. "Fra..Franky! Are you okay?" "Ha... Haruna... Dokoi... ore wa.... (Where... am I....)" "We're at the hospital..... The bullet in your right eye has been removed."
I still remembered the incident where Yanto shot me in the right eye. The pain was still present in my right eye. I held my right eye. Besides the bandage covering it, I held an eye patch. The design was the same as in my dream; the dragon motif was identical. That meant my suspicion was correct... Haruna had kept it all this time.
"Do you still remember... the eye patch you gave me...." "Ah... I still remember... I gave it to you so we could meet again.... and finally... we met again, Haruna...." "Yes, it's been a long time, Franky." "You don't have to call me Franky anymore, Haruna. Just call me by my Japanese name." "Ah, Hai... Yoshimune-kun." "Oh, by the way, how many days have I been unconscious?" "You've been unconscious for two days... today is report card day..." "Oh right... report cards.... at ten in the morning..." "It's okay, don't worry. I'll get it for you." "Thanks... Haruna... Sorry if I'm troubling you....." "Iie... Daijobu (No... it's okay), Yoshimune-kun, I'll get it for you...." "Hai... Haruna... do you want to hear my dream before I woke up?" "Yume? (Dream?)" "Um... I dreamed about my childhood when I was in Hokkaido. I still remember my old house in Hokkaido... then I met you, but sometimes I often forget people's names.... We always went to and from school together.... Sometimes you used to play at my house all the time... we even ended up sleeping together..... Do you still remember?" "Hai... I remember it... We also went to the temple during the summer festival with Onee-san (older sister) at that time. And you ate the most back then. You ate Takoyaki twice and Yakisoba three times, until you accidentally farted near a lot of people. It was loud too." "Haha... you still remember that, huh....." "Of course... it's the funniest memory I remember to this day. I also often remember your silliness back then." "Haha... Shikashi (However) Haruna.... why did you transfer here when I was in 3rd grade of high school? Even though I was about to graduate soon."
Haruna immediately fell silent when I asked that. Her face was very sad, her eyes glistening with tears. I didn't understand why Haruna suddenly transferred here before I graduated.
"Actually.... I chose this transfer to escape...." "Escape?" "Um... actually... Otosan to Okasan (Dad and Mom).... planned to arrange a marriage for me with someone..." "You were arranged to marry someone?" "Hai.... that was since I was in 2nd grade of high school, about to go into 3rd grade... Atashi (I) didn't like him either... I didn't even know him.... so I asked Yumi-Sensei for permission to transfer me to Indonesia.... Actually, Anata wa Otosan to Okasan (Your Dad and Mom) often called my family... they also often asked about you... I also overheard my parents' conversation when they talked about you on the phone.... When Otosan mentioned your school in Indonesia, I quickly wrote it down before I transferred to Indonesia." "I see.... that explains it... it felt like Stjue and Haha had planned all this. I was suspicious and didn't really believe it, but.... I also can't believe... I could meet you again...."
I looked at Haruna. Her face was even cuter when she was sad. Her body seemed to be trembling slightly, and her hands were shaking... I wanted to calm Haruna... I wanted to hug Haruna... I wanted to thank Haruna... and I honestly didn't want to be separated from Haruna. Before I could say anything to Haruna, her phone rang.
"Hello?... Ah, Anna!... Yes, Franky is awake!... Um, Bye!" "Are you leaving?" "Hai... I'll be back later... Jya-na.... (See ya....)"
I watched Haruna with my current vision. She looked sad as she left me. Haruna's head was bowed as she walked away. After Haruna left, I took off my eye patch and put it in the drawer. As I looked in the drawer, there was a photo from before the Battle Music event began. I was so touched to have been with everyone then.
Finally, I tried to get up. It took a hard struggle to get out of bed. It's much harder to get out of bed when you're sick than normally. But fortunately, my legs weren't injured during that fierce fight.
I walked to the restroom. I looked in the mirror. My head was heavily bandaged, covering my hair. My right eye was also covered with bandages. I touched the back of my head, and it turned out the bullet had penetrated quite far back. Luckily, the hole wasn't big. My body was also covered in bandages everywhere.
A New Beginning
It's 3:45 PM. Haruna still hasn't returned since I've been in the hospital. All I could do was watch TV and eat. I wasn't sleepy after sleeping for two days. I looked out the window; the sky was quite bright, the atmosphere very peaceful.
Suddenly, all the kids started coming, making my room cramped; it was incredibly crowded. They brought almost every bouquet of flowers to cheer me up. This time, Wenny also came to visit me. The Wushu Club members lent me some comic books and novels, while someone from the Samurai Club brought a PSP for me to borrow, my MP3 player, and even Husky. Wait? Husky? How did my dog get in here so calmly!? Oh, right, Anna brought his carrier. Husky kept licking my bandaged hand; he seemed very worried about me. The kids were all chatting in my room, making it hard to walk because it was so full.
"Frank, are you okay?" Wenny asked worriedly. "Ah, Daijobu dayo. Boku wa genki da yo. (It's okay. I'm fine.)" "I thought you were dead....," Halim said, trying to be cool. "You were hoping I'd die, huh?!" I snapped, annoyed. "It looks like Franky is fine," Nina said. "Yeah... It seems so," Budi said. "How many more days until you can leave the hospital?" Kevin asked. "Two days before leaving for Hokkaido." "Oh, by the way, we've packed your things, so you don't have to worry." "Oh... Thanks.... I thought only Haruna was cleaning it..." "Aren't friends supposed to help each other? That's what friends are for," Kwang said. "We didn't help for free, you know," Ario said casually. "You want to charge a sick person? Do you want to be fried or boiled?" I retorted. "Wow-wow... it gets lively when Franky's around, huh," Wenny smiled.
I was so touched that my friends were still willing to help me, who was badly injured. Between my injuries and Aaron's, mine were far worse. Aaron even had his hand in a cast for five weeks. The atmosphere became lively again as all my school friends came to visit.
After visiting hours were over, the clock showed 8:25 PM. Finally, it was just Haruna and me. The room felt so spacious once everyone had gone home. The nurse was changing my bandages (a real nurse, not a ghost nurse!). Haruna was still showering in the bathroom. My wounds were starting to dry, and there were many stitches around my body. Finally, the bandages on my body were put back on. Haruna also finished showering.
"Nurse, how are his wounds?" Haruna was still worried. "Don't worry, his bleeding has stopped. He can go home tomorrow." "Yokatta... (That's good)... thank you very much," Haruna sighed with relief. "You're welcome."
The nurse finally left my room after changing my bandages. I looked at my report card and Haruna's report card. Both passed. Haruna got A's and B's, while my grades were B's and C's. Far behind Haruna, but I was relieved that Haruna and I both graduated high school. And that meant I could return to Hokkaido peacefully, celebrating my success when I went back.
Suddenly, my stomach growled. Haruna went to the cafeteria to buy food for both of us. What I would do now was meditate. I closed my eyes and placed my hands on my thighs. I just calmed my mind and heart. I shouldn't think about anything else; I had to be patient and calm.
Not long after, about 30 minutes later, Haruna returned from the cafeteria. She bought two burgers and two iced teas. Coincidentally, my hunger wasn't too brutal. Finally, Haruna and I ate together. Accidentally, Haruna drank my tea.
"U... Haruna... that's mine...." "I know... I just wanted plain tea."
Immediately, Haruna drank it without hesitation. Wait a minute... Haruna drank my tea. That means... that was an indirect kiss!! And she drank from my cup too!! I couldn't say anything else now!! She had an indirect kiss!! Kyaaaaa~~~~!! (By the way, I was panicking, not being a wimp...)
"Haruna...." "Hai?" "What do you want to do after high school? Shigoto (Work)? Kōgi (Lectures)?" "Jitsu wa ne (Actually)... I want to open my own ballet school." "A ballet school, huh... so you're choosing to work...." "Hai... because I love ballet. I want to open my own ballet school. What about you, Yoshimune-kun?" "Uh.... maybe I'll just be Stjue's assistant or Haha's replacement. That's all." "Yoshimune-kun...." "Hm? What is it?" "Once we arrive in Hokkaido... where do you want to go?" "I want to go to the temple first... then I'll go to the city. Kimi? (You?)" "Atashi... I'll go with you..." "Eh?" "I'm still scared... what if Otosan to Okasan still want to arrange a marriage for me with that person, that's why... I want to go with you, Yoshimune.."
Haruna's hands started trembling again, and her body was shaking. She started to panic uncontrollably; she was genuinely terrified to go back to Hokkaido. What could I do... I had to do it to calm her down. Here we go...
"Haruna... can you come closer for a moment?" "Eh? Why?" "It's okay... just come closer. Sit next to me and close the curtains."
Haruna finally sat next to me and closed the curtains. I made space for her. Haruna and I looked at the light, then I held Haruna's hand, which was smaller than my large hand, and held it with feeling. Haruna's face turned red when I held her hand.
"Haruna... I'm the same... I actually get bored being alone all the time.... I actually need someone who can understand me and accept me for who I am.... I remember everything now after all my childhood memories have come back... I realize now who I gave the eye patch to as a promise to meet again.... Haruna.... Boku wa.. Anata wa... suki da. (I... I like you.)" "Yo... Yoshimune....," Haruna was shocked and blushed. "I know you have a boyfriend in Hokkaido because you told Budi.... maybe I'm just a close friend to you... Yeah, probably just someone you confide in.... Haruna... I just want to know your answer.... If yes... I will always be with you and will never hurt you forever... If not... it's okay, I'll accept whatever you decide..."
My heart ached at my own words. I didn't want to be betrayed. I didn't want to constantly be seen as a failed product if my life was always spent in loneliness. I also needed someone more than anything, someone who would share with me no matter what, someone who would never betray me, someone who could understand me, someone who would accept me for who I am, someone who would pay attention to me in all situations, and also someone who would always be by my side before I die. I also didn't want to die in vain.
Honestly, I'm easily hurt when everyone around me is in a relationship. I experienced that once when I went to the mall alone for dinner. Many people were dating around me. Not just in front, but behind, right, left, everyone was dating. I felt like I was being massively mocked just because I was alone. I felt so heartbroken that I wanted to cry, like a thousand swords piercing my heart, difficult to remove. After all, if I die with this emptiness, the feeling inside me will remain forever.
I slightly loosened my grip. I also remembered Haruna saying she had a boyfriend in Hokkaido. But I couldn't hold onto my old feelings for long after remembering Haruna for so long. She was afraid of an arranged marriage... but it also seemed like she liked her boyfriend. All I could do now was wait for Haruna's answer. YES or NO. If she said NO, I would just stay silent without a single word.
As I released my four fingers, Haruna suddenly grabbed my fingers quickly before I could pull my hand away from hers. I was surprised she suddenly held my hand again, and I also heard Haruna crying.
"Ha.. Haruna....." "sobs Atashi... Atashi.... I was just lying then....," Haruna cried. "Kimi wa... Uso ka? (You... lied?)" I was surprised.
Suddenly, Haruna buried her face into my chest to hide her tears. I finally hugged Haruna.
"Ung, I was just lying then.... sobs... Actually, I don't have a boyfriend.... I've just been waiting for you all this time.... I was actually so lonely without you... and I've been thinking about you all this time.... I feel empty without you.... sobs..... That's why..... I don't want to be separated from you..... I don't want you to move away from me.... I want to see your smiling face... I want to see your face..... I want to hear your voice... I want to touch you.... I want to always be with you....," Haruna poured out her heart. "Haruna...," I couldn't say anything. "Yoshimune-kun.... Aishiteru (I love you)...."
Quickly, Haruna kissed me on the lips, tears still streaming from her eyes. Haruna clutched my shirt tightly. So Haruna and I kissed and hugged each other tightly. Unconsciously, tears also welled up in my eyes. Haruna and I finally had a deep kiss. I kept kissing Haruna, and our tongues danced together, until Haruna and I ran out of air. I also felt a sad feeling during the deep kiss. And finally, Haruna and I caught our breath after the deep kiss.
"Panting Ha... Haruna..." "Yoshimune-kun.... Panting.... Kimochi desu wa (It feels good)." "Ah... yokatta na.... (Ah... that's good....)" I was still panting. "Ano... Yoshimune-kun..." "Hai? Nani o, Haruna? (Yes? What is it, Haruna?)" "Motto... Motto Kisu shite.... (More... Kiss me more....)" Haruna still wanted more.
I kissed Haruna once more. I had finally gotten my answer from Haruna; Haruna liked me too. It turned out she hadn't betrayed me. She was just like me, always wondering if her memories were still clear or not. She was much lonelier than I was; she truly needed me. She wanted me more than anything. I felt like the luckiest person in the world.
Finally, my last day at the hospital was over. All the bandages on my body were removed. All my body wounds were gone, except for my right eye, where I wore the eye patch from Haruna. And this time, the doctor gave me a souvenir: my right eye with the bullet hole (Ugh! How could this doctor do that?!).
Finally, Haruna and I walked out, holding hands. As we reached the exit, many of the kids were waiting for me to leave the hospital. And still.... they brought Husky too....
"Welcome back!! Franky and Haruna!!" "Tadaima yo, Minna! (I'm home, everyone!)"