Chapter 3: Hinata’s request

Ai looked sort of nervous after we met Hitori, “You both can hang out, I am going to my room,” Ai said, going to our room. 

When we both were alone, we were silent for a few minutes, not knowing what to say or do. 

“Umm, Kiko, want to hang out?” Hinata asked, blushing. “Uhm, sure,” I said, that is when I realized….I liked Hinata. He was nicer than Wei definitely and I was sure I could trust him with what Miyoko told me. 

He took me outside the house and we walked down a small path next to it. I then saw a pink cherry blossom tree, tall and intact. How? Most trees fell down from the asteroid…

“This is the only tree that survived, I often come to hang out here when I need to think,” Hinata said. “It’s…it’s beautiful,” I said. 

“Kiko, what did Miyoko tell you?” Hinata asked, looking serious. I was slightly intimidated at his change of tone. 

“Umm…Miyoko told me that I should not trust Hitori and that I should escape,” I said. “you don’t have to do any of that. You trust me and Ai, don’t you?” Hinata asked. He looked a little angry now, what did I do? 

“I do! Calm down!” I said, nervously. “Okay, Kiko. Nevermind Miyoko, let’s just continue hanging out,” Hinata said. “Hinata…you scared me back there. What happened? Of course I trust you, I was just telling you what Miyoko told me,” I said. 

“I get angry sometimes…” Hinata said, like it was no big deal. We continued walking around and talking with each other. 

“I might plant some more trees tomorrow, we are trying to bring the world back to what it used to be,” Hinata said. “Woah, that is tough, the world is big and we are only 6 people, 5 if Hitori is not included,” I said. 

“Yeah, it is hard, that’s why we need your help,” Hinata said. “Okay, what can I do?” I asked. “Maybe you can help me water these plants,” Hinata said, pointing me towards a garden of growing flowers. 

There was a watering can on a shelf behind me and I used it to water the plants. There were a bunch so I needed to refill the watering can sometimes. 

Hinata helped me with some too. “All done, Kiko, do you want to come inside?” Hinata asked. “No, I might just stay out here,” I said, smiling at him. He stared at me uneasily as if he thought I would escape. 

I wasn’t planning to but I needed to think for a moment. I decided to lie on the grass for a while before going inside with Hinata. I wondered if Miyoko was right, after the way Hinata acted today, I was unsure if I could trust someone who was so scared of me escaping. 

I decided to then go inside since it was getting cold and I was only wearing a black sundress. 

I went back in and saw Wei playing his Nintendo switch. “What game are you playing?” I asked. “Animal crossing, leave me alone. God, you are just like Ai,” Wei said. 

“Leave her alone Wei, she is just trying to be nice to you,” Hinata said, coming to my defense.