Red Riding hood

No way. The glossy brown shone off the surface. The smell of ink roaming around in the air. The comforting feeling of the cushion, and the saliva dripping off the side of my mouth...

“Ah… the sunlight’s beautiful.”

Once again the blinds were left open, but thankfully the windows are not directly facing me. I feel a slight warmth throughout my body. Not a burning sensation, but one that travels all the way to your head.

Nonetheless, being greeted by such a sight isn’t so bad every once in a while. Honestly, it makes my heart beat a little faster.

“Almost made me forget about the piece.”

I secretly hoped that it wouldn’t rain again today, or for any clouds to appear. At least that wish was granted to me. I don’t know what went over my head last night, but I just kept on going, hoping to be left with something.

Losing yourself to what you love is a rarity, but it doesn’t mean that you’re going to make great things. No many how many clays I mold, how many times I tried to make them look like the drawing, I just couldn’t.

In the end, I ended up with just a pile of clay. Staring at them I could see a void that eternally consumes, and eyes all around me.

“It’s fine. It’s not the first piece that I messed up.”

As if multiple needles had pierced my chest, I couldn’t help but want to take those words back. It is the only way for me to move on, the only way…

“Alright. Cheer up, Akio. You’ll just have to try again today.”

Try again, that’s right. I’ll try again. In this cycle of mine, the slow fall is suffocating but it’s peaceful when my eyes are closed.

“It’s a little bit hot..” My head spins with each step toward the door. Every time I blink I can feel my eyes falling back into my skull and creaking of wood resonate inside my brain.

The hallway stretches longer as if there’s no end in sight. “I need some water.” It’s 8:39, so I’m still a bit fatigued from last night. “Maybe I’ll head to bed afterward.” No, I can’t. I can’t fail this one, I need to.

“Who would’ve thought the bathroom floor was so cold?” It’s cold.. cold... Why was it cold? I don’t know. I….. My head is boiling.

I should get a bit more rest before heading in. “Living room is cooled right now. Heaven.”

The soft golden light touching the hallway brought back the sounds of pouring water of last night, mirroring the flashes of gold within yesterday’s clouds. “Thank god it’s not raining today.”

“There you are Ryusei-san!”

“….”

That voice, she’s here..?

“Miyazaki-san, I’m surprised to see you here.” As I make my way downstairs.

“Grandpa said you came by looking for me yesterday, so-”

“Are you alright? You don’t look so well, Ryusei-san.”

“No worries, just a little tired.”

“… It’s alright, Ryusei-san. I’ll come by later, please take a rest for now.”

“Ah, hold on, Miyazaki-san.”

My thought clenches onto the remaining pile of clay. If I did my part in successfully making it then I could give it to her now…Maybe it’s best if I spend some time alone for now.

“Never mind. Thanks for understanding, Miyazaki-san. I’ll see you later today.”

“Ryusei-san, there’s no need to hurry. We can reschedule if you’re not feeling well. Just make sure to take care of yourself.”

“I will. Thank you, but today’s alright.”

“… Make sure to drink some water, Ryusei-san. Your voice is a little dry. Take care!”

She’s right, I should really get some water. “Now that I think about it, how di-”

Blur. Everything is blurry. Move, please move. Ah…the sounds seem so faint now. Everything is melted into one single symphony. The numbness in my body feels so free. Surrounded by nothing but the sound of my voice.

What’s this? Who’s screaming my name? The voice sounds familiar.

Again, it keeps getting louder. My name. I can hear it.

“Ryusei-san!”

“Ryusei-san!”

“Ryusei-san, can you hear me?!”

It’s her. She has a worried look on her face as if something painful just happened to her. Don’t. I don’t like that expression…

“Your hair is so soft, Miyazaki-san.”

“Ryusei-san! Thank God. Does your head hurt? Does your body ache anywhere?”

Her voice is resonating, I can’t hear her well.

“Please, slow down for a moment.”

“I’m sorry. Let me help you up.”

The chill from her body is the only thing that I could feel. The numbness hasn’t completely gone away, and my body is filled with heat.

“You’re burning up!”

There’s a chill on my forehead...

“Ryusei-san…”

“Ah... I can’t move anymore.”

“It’s alright, Ryusei-san. You can go ahead and lay down here.”

“…Thank you.” As I grasp for air.

“Don’t talk. I’ll go get a towe-”

Again her voice is so far away. “I’m sorry.” My eyelids are heavy, and every part of my body aches. It’s uncomfortable, but the darkness in front is so…so comforting.

“This place is big! I have to hurry.”

Ha..ha. That’s what I said…That’s what I said.

There it is. The flower field that I always dreamt of. Golden field filled with flowers of various colors, and the one that stands in the center of it all is the ever so lively tree—isolated to look over everyone.

“There’s someone there, leaning by the tree.”

Gracing the petals as I walk towards the tree paints a nice picture in my mind. As if I’m giving away everything to be here.

“Hey, Akio.” Said the person under the blossoming green.

“How do you know my name?”

“How can I not know my own name?

“Ok. You’re not me. You don’t look one bit like me.”

“Who says I’ve gotta look like you to be me?”

“That’s true... But why are there two of us?”

“What do you mean two of us?”

“Like I said. There are two Akios here.”

“You may think we’re the same person, but we’re not.”

“…?”

“You’re you, and I’m me.”

“Now, back to what I said before. Akio, would you like to stay here?”

“I’d lo-”

“Before you say another word. Do you like the sky?”

“That’s an odd question to ask. But yes, I love the ocean blue.”

“Great, then you wouldn’t want to stay.”

“Why so?”

“You’ll find out when you look up.”

There’s nothing above at all. Only pitch black covers the whole field of gold. “There’s no-” No. I’m drowning. Everything here is dark too, with nothing in sight. He’s right, I wouldn’t want to stay.

Goodbye, Akio.

“It’s warm.”

My body is covered in a blanket, and I could feel a slight cool on top of my head.

“Wow, it’s damp. I love this feeling.”

As I stood up, I notice that the sun had already set but there she was. Sleeping next to the water bucket beside her. Blue silk covers the ground beneath, leaving behind an ocean-blue light.

I wonder if she stayed here all day. “Thank you, Miyazaki-san.” It’s a bit chilly in here, so I want you to have this warmth too.

She looks so peaceful. “Like the little red riding hood with that red blanket.” I let out a soft giggle.

“Nhhn. Ryusei..san?”

“Ah, sorry to wake you up, Miyazaki-san.”

“It’s alright. How are you feeling?” Rubbing both of her eyes.

“I’m feeling much better than before, thanks to you.”

“I’m glad to hear that. You still haven’t recovered so please take these medicine after dinner.”

“You bought these, Miyazaki-san?”

“I did. One for headache, fever, and vitamin C.”

“…Thank you again for helping me. It must’ve been difficult to travel back and forth, so I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize, Ryusei-san. I’m just glad that you’re okay now. I was really worried.”

“I’m fine. It’s just a fever, so I’ll get over it.”

“My heart dropped when you fainted, Ryusei-san. It was loud. To be honest, I didn’t really know what to do if you hadn’t woken up as fast as you did.”

“Luckily you didn’t hit your head hard.”

There’s still a hint of fear in her voice. It’s shaking with every word.

“Everything is alright now, Miyazaki-san. Everything’s fine.”

“I know. Now come on, let’s get you some food so you can take your medicine.”

“Dinner? From where?”

“Ah, I made it while you were sleeping. Hope you don’t mind me using your kitchen since you have the ingredients.”

“Not at all. Please join me, I know you haven’t eaten yourself.”

“Then please excuse me, Ryusei-san. It’s porridge, but it’ll be the best porridge you’ll ever have!”

“I look forward to it then, Miyazaki-san.”

I don’t know how I could ever thank her for this. From her messy hair to her welcoming smile, they were all so radiant under the yellow light.

“Sometimes I forget how beautiful she is.”