Holiday trip? Holiday trouble

The tour continued without trouble. The weather had held up, which was a blessing. After a few more stops, we resumed our way back. As we got back to our meeting point, and started the discuss the time for tomorrow, I remembered something.
“By the way, we had talked about those days of, right?”
“Ah yes. Something came up?”
“Kinda. Do we still stick with Wednesday and Saturday?” Everyone nodded “Alright. I have something planned for Wednesday.”
“Alright. Don’t worry, no pressure.”
“Thanks.”
We might not have gone top speed all the time, but still we had covered a considerable distance. We were all tired. Not exhausted, mind you, but that good feeling you get after sports, that feels as if you had accomplished something.
So, with quick farewells, we headed home respectively.

Once home, everything is fine. I give a greeting, and then head up to my room. Setting my things aside, I rest for a moment. ‘Might take a shower early today.’ But before that, there was something else I wanted to do.
First, I created a group in the messenger app. Then I added Ayame and Suzune to it. This way, whenever I had a question, I could write in here, and get an answer from whoever was first to respond.
Putting it into practice, I typed in my question for now: ‘Can normal people visit Mori’s café?’ It would be good to get an answer to this.
I put the phone aside, and went for that shower.
Several minutes later I got back into my room. Checking my phone, I was I had already received a reply. It was from Ayame. Remembering how Suzune was probably not that tech savvy, it was to be expected. ‘Perhaps that was why she only typed such a short reply, and then called me?’ I don’t know why, put it kind of did fit the image of her I had in my head.
Anyway, I read through the reply:

‘Good evening.
Yes, normal people can visit. Remember how I told you that you usually get lost on the way? If she chooses to, Mori can let normal people come in. She does it from time to time. Is there something going on?’

‘Well, I kind of mentioned it to my mother, and now she wants to visit.’

‘Is that so? When might you heading there?’

‘I planned Wednesday.’

‘I will let her know.’

‘Is that really alright?’

The previous replies had been near instantly. I take it Ayame had been chatting on her phone anyway. From here on though I had to wait a few minutes until I got a reply.

‘Talked with her about it, she gave an okay. For more specific things about it you might want to ask her directly instead of speaking through me.’

‘Thank you very much.’

‘You are welcome.’

And thus, our conversation ended. And I had arranged things for the outing with my mother. Everything was going swimmingly. The only question that remained was why. But I was sure that I would get an answer as she had written.

Later that night, Suzune finally wrote, only asking if she had to stay in the group. We said yes, which she begrudgingly accepted.

***

I had no dream that night. I had hoped for one, seeing as the last one had a new figure. But I couldn’t force it.

We met up again, riding our bikes to another part of the forest. Today the sun would be shining down strongly, so we chose to take tracking path through the forest, where we would have shade most of the time. We made sure to pack plenty of water, as there would be no vending machines in the woods.
Parking and locking our bikes in a nearby lot, we then set out on foot. The forests around here grew dense, their lush leaves providing cover from the harsh rays of the sun. The trail was wide enough for us to walk as a group and not single file. Summer grass could be seen blooming int the lush vegetation around us, releasing their floral scent in the air. It was a nice day.
And thus, we marched on, enjoying the scenery around us. The three lead actors of the day gave plenty descriptions of the plants surrounding us, at times pointing out which would carry berries that might be eaten. Roughly half an hour later, we came into a clearing.
A wooden construct was placed here. It had a rough boat shape, but wasn’t all planks. Instead nets, ladders and stairs had been built into it. A the top a slide gave a way down Next to it was a sand pit, which was followed by a pair of swings and a seesaw. A few benches and tables were strewn around the place. It was obviously a playground.

“Is there a reason you led us here?” I asked out of curiosity.
“Sure. Isn’t that right Ren?”
“Didn’t you want to get here Hiro?”
“No, I never said so.”
“Then, it might just have been our collective memories.” Smiling while remembering old times, Tanaka then explained to us. “You see, the three of us tended to play a lot in the area around here. And this was our meet up spot. But coming here today isn’t all bad. A lot of paths breach out from here, and…” His gaze focused on the person next to me.
Turning my head to match him, I took a look at Suzuki. His face didn’t look good, he was almost drained of color. His slight hunching posture didn’t improve the image at all.
The other two took notice as well. Much to the discomfort of the person in question.

“Do you want to lay down on one of the benches?” Ono asked carefully. As he had been the one to know the most of Suzuki’s situation, it might be best for him to approach.
“I am fine. But I will sit down for a minute or two.” He slowly walked over. Ono kept pace, steady by his side.
Sugimoto, Tanaka and me exchanged glances. We were all worried. Coming to a decision without words, we all nodded. Looking over to Ono, he signed for us to wait a moment.
Five minutes later, he called us over with a wave. Suzuki’s face looked better color wise, but he was grimacing. Not in pain, but guilt. Ono opened up. “I guess we are all in agreement to stop here for today.”
Everyone nodded. Suzuki’s face twisted more in response. Tanaka put a hand on his shoulder. “There is nothing wrong. We all agreed to it, so there is no reason to feel bad.” His tone was calm and reassuring.
“But!”
“Listen up.” Sugimoto took his turn. “It isn’t just because it is you. If anyone else feels bad, we do the same. So don’t feel down.”
“…Sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Ono tried to smile. “Do you think you can walk, or should we carry you.”
“Walking should be fine. Thank you.” He got up slowly.
And so, our trip got cut short. Knowing his previous state, it was to be assumed it might happen. We had wished for him to get some more time at the air outside, but it might have been too much. Yesterday might have caught up with him.
Thusly, walking at a slower pace, we returned our original path.

When then left the forest. Walking back to the bikes, preparing to return home. On the way, Suzuki started looking better, and his steps got more confident again. 'Did he maybe have an allergic reaction or something?’ I wanted to ask him that. But alas, that was not what happened. While walking to the lot, I saw a something move in the rice fields near me. Taking a closer look I saw a white fox. It sat down, looking at me expectantly.
‘You want something from me, right?’ I kept up the eye contact.
As I didn’t move, the others turned around and started asking me “Is something up?”
Taking this as its sign, the fox started moving again, running away from me. I didn’t think about it, I just followed after, trying to keep pace. From behind me I could hear startled cries of surprise, and more footsteps following me.
Continuing to run along the paths in the fields, the fox stayed in my vision. It led me further and further, until we left the fields, up a short incline. We were on a road leading around the forest. And soon enough, I could hear something. Quiet moans of pain. The fox turned around, facing me, but still running. Its ears twitched. ‘So you heard it too.’
A few second later, it stopped, peering down a short slope that dropped of the pathway. Following the line of sight, I could see an old man laying there. He was clutching his right leg. It might have been injured when he dropped the few meters.

Then, the others caught up with me. “Why were you running like- What the!”
“Come on. We should-” They didn’t ask me anymore. We all saw the man there.
The reliable class rep took charge. “Alright! Rentarou, call an ambulance.”
“Right!”
“Hiroshi, Yamazaki, help me carry him up carefully!”
“Got it!” “Alright!”
Tanaka was handing out the orders so we could act more efficiently.
Following them, three of us carefully stepped down the incline. Upon closer inspection, it looked worse than we had assumed. Not only was he holding his leg, he had scratches all over his body from sliding down. And judging by him not noticing us, he might have been delirious. there for a while. Making sure not to move him too roughly, we carried him up bit by bit. Tanaka and I had grabbed him under his arms, lifting and carrying him. Sugimoto was carefully holding his leg to prevent any movement to it.
Without much of a hurdle, we got him up. Setting him down next to the street, I watched out for approaching cars. Tanaka checked his belongings for a phone or contact information. Sugimoto unpacked his backpack, and tried giving the man some.
Meanwhile, it looked like Ono finished the call. He removed the phone from his ear, but still kept it on. “They should be here in ten to fifteen minutes. How does he look?”
Tanaka, who had the most contact by searching him, replied. “Bad. Scratches and a broken leg, but physically fine otherwise. There does not appear to be any broken bones beside the leg, nor are there any visible head injuries. Still he seems to be delirious. Whether from exposure down there or something else I don’t know.”
I thought for a moment. “We do not know what caused the fall. Worst case it could have been a stroke.”
Ono gave a nod, a resumed speaking on the phone, relaying our informations. All we could do now was wait and hope for the best…

The ambulance came by soon enough, picking up the old man. After asking us a few questions and a way for contact, they left, heading for the hospital. The mood was down, everyone feeling for the old man.
I tried breaking the silence. “Let’s head back. Someone else is waiting for us.”
“Yes.” I got a reply. And so, we set our feet in motion.
On the way, Sugimoto would then ask me. “So, why did you suddenly run to that man? Like, how did you know he was there? Or was it just a coincidence he was on your way?”
“Yeah, I wondered about that too.” Ono joined in.
“Well…” ‘How am I going to explain that?!’ As if to ease that inner terror, Tanaka stepped up. “Does that really matter? We should be happy that we found him before worse had happened.”
With his urging and my probably complicated expression, the other two backed down. ‘It might have worked for now, but I really need to think of an excuse for things like these.’
A few minutes later, we rejoined Suzuki. “Are you guys alright? What happened?”
“You see…” Ono gave a brief recollection. A shrew of emotions flew over Suzuki’s face as he listened. He regarded me for a while, then shook his head.
With this spectacle behind us, we all rode back. It might not have been all that taxing on our bodies, but it drained us mentally. ‘Shout-out to all the paramedics that mange to do that on a daily basis.’
After reaching our previous meeting point, we split ways once more. I headed home with several thoughts in my head. And they would only increase in the afternoon, as I received a message.
‘Good day, Suzuki Akihito here.
I had asked Ono for your number. I hope this was alright.
Once more, I wish to apologize for cutting our outing today short. I will be sure to recover properly on our rest day tomorrow, and be ready for the next trip!

Now, there was one thing I want to ask you. I know it might sound weird, so please ignore it if you think so, and don’t pay it any mind.
…Did you see a white shadow before running to the man?’