An Overbearing Promise

Ayame, having remembered the night that just passed, sat in her room staring at the ceiling. She couldn’t help it, and especially after what Atsuko said to her.

Her face turned red, then she buried her face into her pillow, “I knew Atsuko liked me, but I didn’t know she felt like that,” she stated muffled.

The gravity of both situations is heavy, but the one about her going back to the past was the one that weighed her down the most. According to Ryoma she would be traveling back to the Feudal Era of Japan during the Momoyama period. Ayame loved everything about Feudal Japan, but she never thought that she’d be able to witness it first-hand.

“On your sixteenth birthday you would take up the Dragonaut and travel back to the year of 1596. 4 years before the singularity event; that would give you more than enough time to make allies, train, and defeat the enemies that stand in your way,” Ayame remembered Ryoma stating.

The thought really scared Ayame, because on one hand she gets to experience Japan at its most tense time, and on the other she may very well die at the start of this.

Then there was a realization that occurred to her, “I’m going to be twenty-years-old when this is over!?” she exclaimed.

“An all grown up Ayame? Count me in please,” Atsuko replied while standing in the doorway.

Ayame looked over at her, and she remembered again. The memory caused her to blush again, “A-A-Atsu, when did you get here?” she stuttered.

Atsuko grinned. “Oh, I’ve been here.”

“So, what’s up?” Ayame asked, still nervous.

She thought it was weird, because she never got nervous around Atsuko. But that night really changed the entire nature of their friendship in Ayame’s eyes. Not only that Atsuko seemed more confident around Ayame than ever before.

Atsuko raised her hand, “Nothing much, I just wanted to check in on you,” she replied as she walked over to sit next to Ayame.

As she plopped down on Ayame’s bed, Ayame stared at Atsuko up and down, “You’re different,” she noted.

Atsuko heard her, and got confused, “What do you mean? I’m still the same Atsu.”

“No, you’re definitely different.”

“That’s not making me feel better,” Atsuko grumbled.

Ayame smelled something, almost sweet like flowers sitting next to Atsuko. “Oh my god, you’re wearing perfume,” she said. This surprised her, because Atsuko is never this girly. Nothing wrong with wearing perfume, but this is Atsuko, so that seemed to have shocked her.

“You’ve been mean to me ever since that night…” Atsuko began to say.

“Of course, I have. I mean you all hid that from me, and then you,” Ayame retorted in frustration. “You basically stole my first kiss not once, but twice!” she yelled.

“Then it’s not a first kiss,” Atsuko snickered.

“That’s not the point!” she screamed. “I’m already confused enough, but you just made it worse with your confession and that kiss.”

“I just wanted you to believe me.”

“I do believe you now, but that kiss shouldn’t have happened.”

“Okay, okay. I see what you’re saying.”

Ayame wanted to believe that she wasn’t playing with her, but she already knew Atsuko was. The tension between them was there but it was a lot less than it was that night. Tension was with everyone and Ayame, but Atsuko somehow got over it faster than the others. It began to worry her about Shiro and Natsumi, because she hasn’t seen them ever since that night, and that was a week ago.

“Hey, Atsu,” Ayame mumbled.

Atsuko already knew what her question would be, “You’re worried about Shiro and Natsumi too, aren’t you?” she asked.

Ayame nodded, and her expression was a mix between guilt and worry. “I know I said some pretty mean things to them, but it’s already been a week since I’ve seen any of them. I wanted to say sorry to them.”

“I haven’t seen them in a while either, but I’m sure they’ll come before your birthday.”

Ayame realized that her birthday was coming soon, “Wait it’s already here?” she asked in shock. “I’ve been so preoccupied with this stuff that I completely forgot.”

“Yeah, you’ll be sixteen now.”

Her shoulders slumped, “Yeah, some birthday coming up,” she stated depressed.

“Look before you go, I can try to throw you a party,” Atsuko reassured.

Ayame perked up, “Really Atsu?” she asked with a gleam in her eyes.

“Really,” replied Atsuko.

Ayame was about to say something, but her door opened, “Why are you always trying to hog Ayame to yourself?” Shiro asked. Ayame and Atsuko both turned around to see Shiro and Natsumi standing there. They both looked as if they had been happier, but they still looked bothered by something.

“Shiro, are you jealous?” Natsumi asked.

“Be quiet, besides, I wanted to get some advice from Ayame on our little predicament.”

Ayame got surprised. “Why me?”

“Because I know you’d give me the right advice of course,” he stated.

She was still confused, but she had an idea of what he was asking. Something that she couldn’t believe, but also believe at once. “Shiro, did you finally?”

She saw his reaction, and that answered her question, “Can I talk to you right now?” Shiro asked bashfully.

Ayame has never seen him bashful, but this was a first. Shiro grabbed Ayame’s hand, and he dragged her outside.

“Why did you say something out loud?” Shiro said.

“Because I got curious, of course,” Ayame replied quickly.

“But Atsuko is going to tease us now.”

“No, she won’t,” Ayame said, but then she thought about it. “No maybe you’re right.”

“Exactly, but listen Ayame, I’m sorry for everything I’ve hidden from you. I hope you can forgive me.”

“I already have forgiven you all. I won’t forget, but I can forgive Shiro.”

Shiro stared at her in awe. “You’re incredible.”

“I know that,” Ayame replied smugly. Her nose seemed longer, and she had a twinkle around her eye.

“Anyways, Ayame can I have some advice on relationships,” Shiro wondered.

“Yeah, but I don’t know why you’re asking me though.”

“You’re a good listener, and I know you’ll be able to help me out.”

Ayame didn’t think she could help him with anything, but she wanted to try her best for a friend.

“So, you and Natsumi are in a relationship? You finally confessed?”

Shiro nodded, but he seemed reserved about it though. “I did, I mean I’ve been wanting to for a while now, but I never knew how. Now that I’ve done it, I feel like I can ruin it at any moment.”

She stared at Shiro, and she thought about his comment. She knew she had no experience with relationships, but she wanted to try her best for Shiro.

I want to give him good advice, but what should I say? I mean I never expected him and Natsumi to get together so soon. I knew they liked each other but this is crazy. Not only the truth for me came up but the truth for everyone as well.

Ayame admired Shiro; he was smart, strong, confident, kind, and on top of everything else he was the first boy nice to her. Ayame really wanted nothing but the best for him, he deserved it. Natsumi as well. Even though they hid the truth from her, she still loved them. Well besides Atsuko who had her more confused than anyone.

It’s a joke. Even though she’s infuriating, I still love her, but just as a best friend.

They were both silent for a moment, the air seemed tense as they both thought about their relationships with Atsuko and Natsumi.

“I wonder what they’re talking about?” Atsuko whispered.

She and Natsumi were both spying on them from behind a corner. Atsuko insisted of course, but Natsumi was also curious about it too. They felt like they were the subject of discussion anyway, but still she was nervous at the same time. She didn’t know how Shiro truly felt, he just suddenly confessed to her a day after telling Ayame everything. Which baffled her in a way, because she knew Shiro better than she knew herself and he was never really the type to confess.

“Just be yourself Shiro,” Ayame answered.

Her answer confused him, because the expression he made was a cross between confusion and frustration. “What does that even mean?”

“I know what it means,” she replied. “Shiro look, you’re not a bad person. In fact, you’re amazing, you’re everything I wanted to be.”

“Even a boy?” he questioned.

“Not what I meant!” Ayame snapped at him. “Stop being so nervous. Natsumi likes you for you, cliché I know, but it’s the truth. It’s been this way since we were younger. Kind of obvious now that I think about it, but you’re a boy so you can’t be blamed for not noticing those emotions you’re all naturally dense.”

They both stared at each other, as they did nature seemed to have started harmonizing with them, because the birds began chirping louder, the wind grew stronger, and the air seemed to have warmed up. It was supposed to be winter, but this type of weather wasn’t winter-like.

Ayame smiled at Shiro, and he hugged her, “Thank you,” he said with a sincere tone.

“Don’t worry Shiro, I know you will make Natsumi happy,” Ayame reassured as she patted him on the back.

“Stupid, I could’ve given him the same advice, you know?” Atsuko growled.

“Be quiet,” Natsumi said as she pushed her. “I know why he went to Ayame. She’s the nicest one of us all, and she’d knew exactly what to say.”

“You may be right, but what gave you the right to push me?”

“Listen, I’m happy that things are turning out this way now. But I’m also sad that you and Ayame are leaving. I want all of us to be happy together, but fate won’t allow that.”

Atsuko stared at Natsumi, and a weird feeling washed over her, almost like guilt. Why guilt though? She had no reason to feel guilty towards Natsumi. So why, why was she feeling this emotion.

“It’ll be fine,” Atsuko reassured.

“The brat is right,” Shiro agreed. “I have faith in the both of them, and even if I haven’t met or confirmed that he’s real, I have faith in Katsumi too. Once Ayame completes this, will you both come to our wedding?”

Natsumi blushed at his statement, and Atsuko was confused.

“Thanks for the offer,” Ayame stated. Everyone looked at her, and they noticed her expression. It was different, almost not like her. “I really appreciate it truly, but the reality of the situation is that there may not be a chance that Atsuko and I won’t return.”

“Yeah, true,” Atsuko said.

Shiro nodded, “I expected this answer. So Ayame I want you to make me a promise,” he answered. The statement baffled her, but her expression changed.

“What is it?” she asked.

“I want you to experience happiness for yourself. Promise me that you will find happiness in this situation.”

Ayame stared at him, “Shiro, question. Why do you sound like a father right now?”

He chuckled. “It’s because I care for you Little Iris,” he stated as he hugged her.

She giggled. “I care for all of you too. I don’t want to leave, but I have no other choice. I’m sorry that I won’t be able to see you both grow together.”

The weather seemed to have adjusted to their mood. To find happiness, but how can I when there’s so much going on? Ayame thought as she looked up at the sky.