Sweet Hell on Earth [2]

​‘Something is wrong. Heed my warning, Yoshio, or else you'll regret it.’ The voice was deeper and monotone. It was a perfectly flat, dead-eyed drone.

They were in rows that seemed as if they stretched on forever. Lavender, sunflowers, and poppies. For the first time in a long time, I once again understood the meaning of the word ‘breathtaking,’ and yet I felt like my heart was screaming as my body trembled:

​TERROR

​HORROR

​PAIN

​SUFFERING

​ANGUISH

​I ignored it as I breathed a few times. Never had I noticed how nice the flowers looked, even though we've been coming to this tree house for almost a decade now. Usually, she'd look at them while I slept like an infant. But today, I finally understand why she liked flowers so much.

​PERSISTENCE

​‘It's all going to go horribly wrong. Darkness is coming. I tried to warn you, you stubborn fool.’

​WILL

​It was now monochromatic, as if it was coming from every direction. It didn't seem like she could hear it, which put me at ease. Why, though?

​DISTORTION

​We lingered there in silence for a while, simply letting the peaceful zephyr do the talking; the yellow rays of the sunlight warmed our fair skin.

​The sky was clear and as blue as the ocean, glimmering and slightly yellow and red. It was as if the colors came together, made peace with one another, and painted the sky in a creative mural.

​A few minutes went by, and then Yuzuki inquired. But that certain inquiry was something I wasn't expecting. Her tone was serious—her face also serious, but with a touch of sadness that nullified her beauty.

​“Yo-kun, is it true? Are you really changing schools? Be honest.”

​She pulled her knees to her chest as she placed her chin on top of them. I hesitated since I didn't know how to respond. But I had no other choice. She would've been mad if I hadn't answered.

​“Not quite. I'm moving next year. Mom decided that it's about time I lived with my father's family for some reason. She says it's to get to know where I come from or something similar to that. Hold on, how'd you find out?”

​“Mom told me; she heard from your mother. So you were planning on hiding it from me, huh!”

​Dammit, Mom! I thought while sweat beaded down on the left side of my head.

​“No, it's—not like that. I just… I didn't want to make you sad…”

​“And you figured hiding it from me was better? For someone so smart, you sure do make some dumb decisions.”

​“Look, I'm sorry, alright? I was gonna tell you, but later rather than sooner.”

​“That literally makes no sense.”

​“…I know…”

​She looked away from me as she continued staring at the flowers, while my eyes still lingered on her, a sense of shame and regret appearing on my face. While looking out into the distance, she asked:

​“Do you know which school you're going to?”

​“No… I'm still in the dark about the whole thing.”

Philosophy

​‘The shadow of death is knocking on your door. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Whatever you do, don't look away. Yes, you. The shadows spare no one.' It was now aseptic. Thin. Sharp. High-pitched. Vibrating with a metallic edge. 

​Will you shut up!

​‘You. Have. Been. Warned. Koizumi. Yoshio.’

A POINT OF NO RETURN 

​Yuzuki stood up and got closer to the window as the wind flowed through it, making her hair sway slowly. I joined her as she turned to me, a wretched smile curling her lips as she murmured to the floor.

​“I guess… this means I'll never see you again…”

​Having said this, she embraced me tenderly as her eyes began to glaze, and then she sobbed. “I don't want you to go…”

​“I'll make sure to visit during holidays… so please—don't cry.”

​Her tears streamed without hesitation, like a dam breaking, as she tightened the embrace. “Please… don't leave me behind—Yoshio-kun…”

​Her sobs only grew louder as I began stroking her hair gently. We stood there for a long while as she looked at my face with teary eyes. I wiped those tears with my thumbs as I smiled compassionately.

​“Listen, Yuzuki. It's okay. Just because we're apart doesn't mean we can't be friends.”

​“I know, but… what if you forget me?” Her voice lowered to a whisper I couldn't quite hear. “And besides, I…”

​“I'll never forget. Ever.”

​“Then it's a promise. You'd better keep it—dummy.” She hiccuped through a sob, her smile so wobbly it almost looked like a grimace. I'm confused. Is she sad or happy? I'd say she's happy-sad, if that makes sense—which it doesn't.

​We stayed in that same warm hug as we simply stayed quiet. There was no need for words. We simply let our beating hearts do the talking.

​Time flew like money being spent, and before we realized, it was 6:58 PM, almost seven o'clock. I switched off my phone and tossed it into my pocket as we descended from the tree house.

​I crouched and held my hands out behind me. “Get on.”

​“Why?”

​“I'm offering a piggyback, but if you don't want it then—”

​“I do! I mean, I do want one.”

​“Then get on.”

​She approached me with hesitation, but then she got on top of my back as her large bust pressed against my back. Holy fun bags, I thought as a blush crept up my neck.

​“Hold on tight.”

​“Okay.”

​I started walking, heading towards the road. It was a different route than the one we used when we came here. This just might have been the worst mistake I've ever made, regardless of whether I had a good reason or not.

​“Why are we taking the long way around?”

​“Your house is closer to this road. If we use my house's route, you'll get home later than you should.”

​“How thoughtful of you,” her voice softened as she purred with a teasing look on her face, “Yo-kun.”

​“Whatever… just so you know, I'm not gonna get embarrassed.”

​She pouted as she turned her head. “Hmph.”

​The woods rustled and snapped as I took each step. I felt sharp gazes aimed at me. Each one carried more and more malicious intent. Was this all my imagination? Yes. But even so, it still felt like I was being watched, almost like we were in purgatory.

​We reached the road as I stood on the sidewalk. The streetlights lined on said sidewalk as they offered a hopeful glow to what approaches.

'​Are you sure about this?'

​I ignored him, and it seemed like she did, too.

​‘You think she ignored me? You really are stupid, aren't you?’

​I wasn't listening. Apparently, a great tragedy will befall me. How stupid. What does he think this is, a webtoon?

​‘You'll see soon enough…’

​Yuzuki poked my cheek as she adjusted her body up high as if riding me like a bike. “Yoshio-kun, listen, I've been meaning to tell you that—”

​She was cut off by the screeching tires of two vehicles that were supposedly being driven by drunk maniacs.  

FOOLISHNESS 

[To be Continued...]