Holiday trip day 1

And thus, our week of fun began. At least, we had planned it to be fun. For how exactly it would go, we would see. Sunday night, Ono updated us on the meeting time and location. The change meant we would have an additional member join us. Things were going well, so I fell asleep with ease in my heart.

***

I was in the clearing once more. But, it felt different from before. Usually, I could tell it was a memory since my body felt different, smaller. This time however, I was normal sized, my point of view higher than before. And I could move about freely.
I took the chance to first look all around me, and then walk a bit. The clearing was fairly spacious, with a small pond to one side. Lights flew all around, playing in the field. ! I could tell they were playing around. How?
Then, a presence distracted me. At one point in the trees enclosing this space, someone, something walked forward. The blurry, shadowy figure gave me no clue to its color, but the shape was familiar to me: it resembled the foxes from today, but bigger. Way bigger, towering above most dogs. And it stared at me.
Despite the eerie looking shape of it, I felt no malicious intent. Rather, the vibe it gave odd was something akin to curiosity, perhaps even an interest in me. Continuing to look at me, I felt compelled to approach it. It didn’t move, just keep a steady gaze on my. As I went closer, it seemed as if dimmed light was flowing out from behind it, stretching its rays outward.
Once I was in front of it, it had to crane its head up to keep looking me in the eyes. There was a glint in them. Was it compassion? No matter what, I stretched my hand out, wanting to rest it on its head. And surely, shortly before I made contact, my surroundings faded, and I woke up.

***

And yes, I got up a bit peeved. Still, the feeling passed quickly, as I thought about it. As time passed, it would happen more often, until I finally was free of the seal. Imagining that it could become a near daily occurrence, I needed to learn to deal with it accordingly.
Joining my family downstairs for breakfast, we had a talk.
“So, what is your plan for today?” Mom asked me as she set the food on the table. Dad peeked up. Even if he said nothing, he would be listening along to the conversation.
“Today I will be given a tour of the area. The others want to show me interesting and their favorite spots around here. As it will be a lot of ground to cover, we will be heading out cycling. For the rest of the days, we will switch our plans around as needed, depending on the weather of the day, and if someone has to skip out or is feeling unwell.”
“My, you sure have found good friends.” She smiled to herself. I was sure the two of them must have worried about me relocating to a different school, but I was fine with it, even happy about it.
“The only event that is really set in stone is the shrine festival on Sunday.” This made something light up in my head. “Oh yeah, I had forgotten to mention it yesterday, but I had met up with someone there. Not only that, I had met a shrine maiden. As I talked with her, it turned out she is the contact person dad had mentioned previously.”
“Oh my, what a coincidence. Isn’t that right dear?”
“Yes.” He took a look at me. I thought he wanted to ask me a question. Either he changed his mind, or it hadn’t been important enough to warrant it, as he remained silent.
Unknowing of his thoughts, I dropped the subject too, and resumed eating. In between, I would ask “Are you planning on doing anything special?”

“Well,” Mom glanced next to her, than back to me “I hope Satoshi manages to finish with the arrangements before the holidays are over.” Dad shirked a bit in his chair. “Aside from that, I will meet up with a few people from the neighborhood, chatting and drinking tea. Oh, and then there would be the two of us heading to that café.” A feisty smile was directed my way. She wouldn’t let it go.
“I got it. I will talk with the others today and see which day we will take of.” The smile became kind now.
“You don’t have to. I wouldn’t want to interrupt the time you have with your friends.”
…I couldn’t just betray her like this when she was sincere. So I talked despite knwoing it might be better not to. “Actually, we had reserved one to two days of individual activity for this week. In case families want to do a thing with their children, or as rest days.”
Mom’s smile spread. “That is a good idea. Honey, how about the three of us do something too?”
Dad pondered on the idea for a moment before answering. “Yes. Though I don’t know what we should do.”
Mom mimicked his expression, before it clears up. “I know. Minoru will have more experience in the area around here by then. Perhaps he can show us around.”
“…Aren’t you originally from here?”
“Yes, but so many things could have changed over the years. Just think of it as a stroll with the family.” I could tell mom was planning something, but not what. So, I accepted for now.
“Got it. I will talk it through with the others, and see what happens.”
“Give it your best!” Mom cheered me on, but I didn’t know what for. Dad regarded me with cool, analytic eyes. ‘Both of them must be in on it.’
Accepting my fate, I finished eating breakfast before heading out.

An hour later, I arrived in a small park in the suburbs. ‘Looks like I'm last.’ In front of me were four people waiting, at the ready to head out.
“You are late!” Sugimoto yelled at me.
“No I am not, you all just arrived early.”
“I take it you intended to do the same?” Ono joined in. “But ended up getting lost on the way.”
He hit. I kept silent and watched to the side. Tanaka came to my rescue. “It is normal when you still aren’t used to the area, so don’t take it to heart.”
“He is right! And that is why we will show you the area today!” Sugimoto goaded.
“You are the one who complained first Hiroshi!” And was promptly admonished by Tanaka.
“Well, what can I say.” He shrugged to deflect the blame. An action that didn’t sit well with the straight and narrow friend.
Ignoring those two, I turned my gaze to the last person here that hadn’t talked yet. A small framed boy, with a bowl hair cut. His gentle face was true to his docile nature. The until recently sick classmate, Suzuki Akihito.
“Nice to have you along too Suzuki.” Slightly startled by me suddenly talking to him, it took him a moment to reply.
“Thank you for having me.” He gave a meek reply
Ono had mentioned yesterday that talks had been successful, and he would join us for some trips. Depending on his health, that is. If Suzuki had a relapse and would get sick again, joining us would of course be hard. So, we would make sure to keep physical activity in moderation.
But now, that everyone was assembled, it was time to start the tour. “Everyone, follow me!” Sugimoto shouted from the front like a cavalry captain.

The tour was pleasant. The weather was fine, some clouds for shade, not too hot yet, and a nice breeze was going. Our trip quickly brought us out of the town proper and into the surrounding farmlands. While it would have been more practical for me to learn about some inner parts of the town, the boys had already agreed to show me around there bit by bit after school. Going outside like this would take too much in regular days, so we only had chances like these. And the weekend, but I couldn’t monopolize their free time all the time.
Accordingly, for today we visited a lot of interesting places.
First was a small lake hidden from view, where fishing was allowed. Sugimoto actually owned a fishing license, so he came by from time to time. He even started planning out a day for all of us to fish together, and perhaps head to the coast. It would be a nice idea to do so during summer vacation, so we put it on the back burner for now.
Afterwards we headed up the roads of a mountain, making our way to the top. Once there, we decided to take a break, and eat lunch here. A park-slash-playground had been constructed, for families to have a nice outing. And the view was nice. As it was a clearing on the north side of the mountain range, meaning the trees behind us blocked of the sun a bit, letting it cast shade. And we could see inwards of the country. The view stretched on for a while, and gave plenty of chance to see the far fields and charming country roads of the region. It all got encompassed in a hug of more mountains, giving this valley a protective, idyllic feel.

After taking in the sight, we took our seats around a table, and started eating. Everyone had brought a little something. While others might make a kind of buffet out of it, sharing with everyone, we were more practical, and everyone ate their own food.
“How are you holding up?” Ono asked Suzuki.
Since we knew he had just recuperated, we went at a slightly slower pace. And he had kept pace without complaining, so I took it as a good sign.
“I am doing fine, thank you.”
“But seriously, what did you have? Must have been serious to miss shortly after school started.” ‘Sugimoto, ever heard of delicacy?’
“Well…” Suzuki looked a bit uncomfortable.
Taking up his usual role, Tanaka intervened. “You do not have to tell us if you do not want to.”
“Ah, that is not it.” It appeared we had the wrong impression. “It’s just… I don’t know how to describe it. And I do not have many recollections of it. Apparently, I had collapsed in the streets.”
“That’s bad!”
“Yes. Luckily, someone happened to pass by, and saw me laying there. They picked me up, and carried me to a police station. From there, I was taken to the hospital.”
Ono got skeptical. “…Wait. My mom told me you were resting at home.”
“Yes. After a short assessment, they didn't find anything wrong with me. Saying I just need rest, I was released immediately.”
“So, how did it turn out?” Tanaka’s voice carried concern.
“Well, I slept for almost an entire week. From there on, I managed to get back on ym feet, and here I am.”
That was impressive. “Quite the strong willpower you got there.”
“Willpower?” Not only Suzuki, everyone else was also a bit puzzled.

“Let’s say, you are sick. Very sick. Almost dying. If you lose the will to live, your body won’t recover. Don’t look at me like that! It might be extreme, but it is the easiest way to explain it! Now, back on topic. Many people would be very sluggish after sleeping an entire week. Your body may be fine, but that doesn’t mean they just get up immediately. A lot of people need time. So, adjusting back that quickly speaks of your will.”
“I guess that makes sense.” Sugimoto might have actually understood it. While Tanaka nodded to himself and Suzuki started thinking by himself, Ono gave rise to a comment. “It sounds almost like you have some personal experience there.”
‘I knew he was sharp, picking these things up.’ “There might have been something in the past… But putting that aside, Suzuki.” I moved the topic back to him. He looked up from his thoughts, facing me. “Do you know who carried you to the police?”
“Argh, that is that point.” He got visible frustrated. “I can’t clearly remember them. And they vanished before the police could ask them anything.”
“Might they have hit you?” Ono asked before I could. It was a logical conclusion.
For most of us at least. “But why would they then carry him to the police?”
“To make it look like they didn’t do it. Or perhaps it was an accident and they felt guilty.”
“I don’t think so.” Suzuki quickly came to the defense of the unknown rescuer. “It might be irrational, but I got the feeling they actually cared for me. I don’t know why though.”
That hit a note with me. “You should trust that feeling.” He looked hopefully at me. “Again, it is irrational, yes. But most of the time, you should trust your instinct on these things.”

“Back to rational.” Ono got us in order. “Shouldn’t the police have a security camera? Simply look at it to at least know what the person looks like.”
“That is the weird thing.” Suzuki sounded like had already had that idea. “But apparently, the image is blurry, as if a shadow had cast itself over the person helping me.”
‘Wait… No, it probably is just-’ “That’s technology for you. Normally in working order, but fails when you actually need it.” Sugimoto spoke up before I even finished my thoughts. And judging by the tone of his voice, there was some personal experience involved.
Everyone fell quiet for a moment, contemplating what to do. Tanaka took the lead. “Alright. The past is done. We can only hope that you might meet your savior in the future. For now, let us focus on the present, and continue our tour.”
“Alright, class rep.”
“Was he in the past?” ‘I mean, his personality would fit.’
“Sure was. With a 100% approval rating.” Sugimoto replied with pride, as if it was his accomplishment. But it sounded genuine. And to be honest, if Ono had said it with the same feeling of pride, I would have assumed he had rigged the election somehow. But something like this seemed beyond Sugimoto.
“That sounds awesome.” Suzuki got hooked.
“Not really. It just showed that the people trusted me. So I couldn’t let them down, and worked my best to meet those expectations.”
‘Maybe he could become a successful politician?’ But thoughts like these of the far off future were miss at place right now. We continued on chatting about nothing of importance for a few more minutes. Then, we cleaned up, and resumed our tour.