Saki's Home

“I’m so tired, Minoru,” Saki complained as she leaned against him. The two of them were sitting on a wooden bench with metal arms after exploring the entire festival. Throughout a third of the food stalls they had stopped at, Saki had purchased a snack to share along with Minoru. Even with the young boy sharing her meal, Saki had eaten more than her stomach could handle.

“I guess it is around time to go home,” Minoru stated as he surveyed the festival. While most of the stalls were still active, the number of participants had dropped quite a bit, leaving the streets with a bit more breathing room.

Glancing down at Saki, he noticed that she had dozed off slightly with her hands holding the blue dragon fish bag. He gently nudged her to wake her up as she let out a tired breath.

“Home… yes, let’s go home,” Saki mumbled half-awake. She slowly raised her hand and pointed down a dirt path to the side that led away from the festival. Black lamp posts lay across the path with small shrubs along the side. Not too far in the distance, Minoru could see a set of black roofs and warm yellow lights, indicating a residential area.

“My house is that way,” Saki told him before she rested her head against his shoulder.

“Hey,” Minoru gently shook her with one hand. “If you’re going to sleep, do it later.”

“You can carry me, Minoru,” Saki groaned as she snuggled up against his soft yukata. Minoru let out a sigh as the demure girl fell asleep, her light breaths audible.

There was a part of Minoru who didn’t want to leave the bench. Spending time sitting next to Saki with her sleeping against him was a moment he wished could last forever. Falling asleep beside her didn’t sound like such a bad idea next to her.

But the young boy knew it wouldn’t be responsible to stay outside for the entire night. Slowly, Minoru could feel the cold breeze settling in as the warmth from the festival’s fire slowly dimmed. It would be best to deliver Saki home.

Before standing up, Minoru first tied the plastic bag to his waist with the red rope the bag was tied with. He then gently lifted Saki upon his back. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck as she squirmed to get into a comfortable position. Saki gently blew into his ear, causing Minoru to stumble forward slightly as the sleeping girl giggled.

“Either sleep or walk on your own,” he warned.

“Fine, fine. I’ll sleep,” Saki let out a playful sigh as she rested her head on his shoulder.

Underneath the starry night sky, Minoru strolled down the dirt path that slowly transformed into a cobblestone street while Saki pretended to sleep. She occasionally peeked an eye open or would giggle quietly, glad to be carried by Minoru rather than have to exert any strength of her own.

As they entered the residential area, Minoru stared at the housing that surrounded them in the neighborhood. Many of the houses appeared to be almost void black except for the windows, similar to how a child would draw a cartoon. Flowerbeds were laid by the entrances of each house, each blue flower glowing under the night sky coating the atmosphere with a blue aura.

“You can let me down now, Minoru,” Saki stated as she lifted her head.

“Are you sure?”

“Positive,” she nodded with a grin. Kneeling, Minoru allowed Saki to get off his back before the energetic girl took a few steps forward and pointed to one of the houses.

“Right over there, come on!” She skipped ahead with Minoru following behind her. He let out a tired sigh. Despite how light Saki was, carrying her still cost him the rest of his energy.

“I’m home!” Saki greeted as she opened the door. Minoru gently closed the door behind him once they had entered as Saki switched out of her sandals and into a pair of pink slippers, placing her shoes on the gray-tiled entrance.

“You’re finally home, Saki!” A young woman with the same silver hair as her welcomed her back as she appeared around a corner. Upon spotting Minoru, she held a hand up to her mouth.

“Oh? Who’s this young gentleman you brought back?” She asked. Minoru was taken aback by who he saw but he managed to give a polite bow.

“I’m Minoru Akari. It’s been a while since we’ve met, Mrs. Fujisaki,” he greeted Saki’s mother.

“Minoru? My, I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you,” she let out a laugh before glancing over her shoulder. “Dear, it’s Minoru!”

“Minoru, eh?” Saki’s father appeared holding a cup of tea. “Hello! How have you been doing?”

“Hello, sir. I’ve been well,” Minoru replied as he stared at Saki’s parents. It felt strange seeing them again. Much like Saki, he had expected them to be gone after the incident but here they were, clear as day.

“Will you be staying for the night?” Saki’s mother asked as she gave him a pair of white slippers.

“Of course he is,” the father interjected as he took a sip. “Why else would he be here?”

“Wouldn’t he be staying at his grandmother’s place?” She asked her husband as Minoru froze upon hearing the last few words.

“My grandmother?” He repeated in a hushed whisper. Minoru’s grandmother had passed away a few years back. Her death had been both expected yet so sudden. While she had been staying at the hospital for a while, her health seemed to be getting better. It was a surprise for Minoru’s entire family when she suddenly passed away the next day.

“That’s enough,” Saki interrupted them as she pushed Minoru forward. “Minoru’s had a long night so he’s staying here tonight!”

“That’s fine,” her father shrugged as he placed a shoulder on Minoru. “Feel free to stay in the guest room as long as you like.”

“Thank you,” Minoru gave a grateful smile. However, he felt the grip tighten on his shoulder as Saki’s father glared at him with a smile that seemed more threatening now.

“In the guest room,’ he repeated. The young boy understood his message as he gave a fearful nod, trying to keep a polite smile on his face.

“Let’s go, Minoru!” Saki slapped her father’s hand off Minoru before leading him toward the guest bedroom.

Upon opening the door, Minoru was greeted with a spacious room with light vinyl flooring that matched the hallway. In the corner of the room was a white bed adjacent to a large window. Two brown drawers stood next to the door with golden knobs. An oval red rug rested at the center of the room with frills circling the edges.

While Minoru admired the quaint room, Saki ran out before returning with a half-filled small glass bowl for the blue dragon fish. She snagged the plastic bag off Minoru’s waist before pouring the creature into the bowl.

“There you go, little fella!” She beamed as she tapped the glass lightly. In response, the dragon fish swam twice in a small circle as if expressing its delight.

“As Dad said, you can stay here for as long as you like,” Saki stated as she held her hands behind her. Minoru didn’t reply as he stared around the room, focused on where he had found himself at.

“Minoru? Hello?” Saki waved a hand in front of him. The young boy finally snapped out of his daze before he gave her an apologetic nod.

“Huh? Oh yes, thank you,” he redirected his attention toward Saki.

“Is everything alright?” She asked him with a worried frown.

“Yes. It’s just…” Minoru placed a hand on the drawer, feeling its smooth wooden top. “This place hasn’t changed one bit.”

“Silly Minoru, what are you talking about?” Saki giggled as she shook her head. “Of course it’s the same.”

“I guess I’m just sleepy,” Minoru admitted as he let out a yawn, causing Saki to yawn as well.

“Mmhmm… I’m going to my room then,” Saki gave Minoru a small wave as she placed a hand on the door handle. “Goodnight, Minoru.”

“Goodnight, Saki,” the young boy smiled at her before she closed the door. Taking in a deep breath, Minoru plopped down upon the white sheets as he stared out of the window. As he pondered everything that had happened today, he glanced down, recalling what Saki’s mother last said.

“My grandmother’s still alive?” He muttered under his breath.

“Who’s your grandmother?” A squeaky voice asked. Minoru shot up from the bed as he glanced around the room, startled by the sudden reply. He was sure he was alone in the room as there were no obvious hiding places for any intruders to lurk. And even if it was Saki playing a prank on him, the voice didn’t seem to be coming from behind the door.

“I’m down here, Minoru!” The voice called out again. Minoru turned his head towards where the sound had come from. His attention was directed towards the brown drawer where Saki had set the glass bowl.

Slowly, Minoru made his way over to the glass bowl where the blue dragon fish resided. He kneeled down and stared at the creature who seemed to be staring back.

“Hello there!” The fish spoke, startling Minoru as he took a step back.

“Y-you can talk?!” He asked as the small fish nodded its head. “Can all fish talk in this world?”

“Of course not,” the dragon fish replied with a light giggle. “I’m no ordinary dragon fish. I’m a spiritual dragon fish!”

“A spiritual dragon fish?” Minoru tilted his head in confusion. “What does that mean?”

“It means I can do this!” The blue creature began to swim in a circle, increasing in speed before it became a blue blur. It then flew out of the glass bowl as its form changed, emitting a sharp white light that blinded Minoru as he fell to the ground.

Slowly, Minoru opened his eyes as he glanced toward where the blue dragon fish had been. But instead of seeing the fish in the bowl, a light-blue-haired girl in a blue dress with translucent white sleeves stood before him. Her light blue and white tail curled behind her as she grinned at Minoru.

“The Sapphire Dragon Fish of the Emerald Sea, Azurillia, at your service!”