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ASAI RIKO

"Mei" a voice woke me up

'Huh' now thinking of it where am I? A car? Ohh right we are supposed to be going back in Tokyo.

"Oi wake up and help me with the luggage" I looked towards the source of the sound. It was my brother, Shinji.

"Wait for a second then." I stretched out my arms and legs. Sleeping in a car is one of the most worst to do while travelling. My back hurts like hell. Moral of the story never sleep in a car again. I stepped out of the car and lifted a bag of luggage.

"Follow me" he started to lead the path to me like I never lived here before. The house had been my home for 8 years and reason we left was me and reason we came again it's me.

Soon I entered the house, nostalgia hit me.

The house was a familiar cocoon, warm and comforting like a second skin that had been worn for years. It held memories and secrets, and had witnessed the growth and changes of its inhabitants.

I smiled a bit as the memories flooded inside my mind. As I ran my fingers along the walls, I could feel the smoothness of the paint and the slight bumps of the wood grain. The familiar textures were comforting and brought back memories of playing hide-and-seek with my siblings.

The wooden floors were rough under my bare feet, splinters threatening to pierce my skin with every step. The leather couch was worn and sagging, the cushions lumpy and uncomfortable.

The stone steps leading to the front door were worn smooth from years of use. The wooden door handle felt cool to the touch, and the doormat was worn and frayed from countless feet stepping on it.

I stepped forward after I finished scanning the entrance.

"I am taking your room," I said declaring. I wasn't going to ask his permission, why would I? Because I know that if I did answer would be no. I didn't give him time to reply. Of course because if I did he was going to argue saying he wants that room.

"But that's my room! You can't just claim it like that!" Shinji protested, crossing his arms in front of him.

"Well, you don't even live here anymore. I do," I retorted, matching his stance.

"That doesn't matter! It's still my room!" he argued back.

"But it's the perfect room for me. It's spacious, gets regular sunlight, and most importantly, it's on the second floor," I reasoned.

"So? What does being on the second floor have to do with anything?" he asked, confused.

"Think about it. If I want to sneak out at night or have some privacy, a room on the second floor is ideal. Plus, you have your own car now. You can easily stay at a friend's house if you need to," I pointed out.

Shinji sighed and looked defeated.

I grinned victoriously as I made my way up to the second floor, leaving Shinji grumbling behind me.

As soon as I entered my new room, I felt a sense of belonging wash over me. The walls were painted a soft shade of blue that gave off a calming aura. Large windows allowed natural light to flood in, making the room feel bright and airy.

I walked over to the closet and opened it eagerly. Inside was empty except for some hangers and shelves. Perfect for me to fill with my clothes and belongings.

The bed was positioned near the large windows, giving me a beautiful view of our backyard garden. A desk sat against one wall and a bookshelf against another.

I couldn't wait to start decorating and making this space truly mine.

With a satisfied smile on my face, I began unpacking my bags and putting away my things.

Shinji slowly advances towards the other room, his jaw clenched and eyes narrowed in silent anger. He gave up arguing with me ages ago, considering it a futile waste of time. Now, he completely ignores my attempts to provoke him when I'm bored or restless. His responses are curt and blunt, a clear indication of his growing irritation towards me. I fear that soon he will no longer speak to me at all, leaving our friendship shattered beyond repair.

****************

As the sun descended towards the horizon, the shadows stretched out across the ground, casting the neighborhood in a warm orange glow. The sky was painted with hues of red and gold, as if on fire from the setting sun. Only a few large clouds dotted the sky, their edges tinged with pink. The streets were quiet except for the occasional car rushing by, and rows of identical brown houses lined each side. In the distance, a blocky elementary school could be seen, blending into the somber landscape. We worked tirelessly to move all our belongings into our new home, tackling one daunting task at a time.

As I approached their doorstep, my heart was torn in two. Part of me wanted to run and never look back, just like last time when I left without a word. But the other part longed to see them again, despite ignoring their letters and messages for so long. The guilt and uncertainty swirled within me.

My mouth feels dry as I swallow the lump in my throat. A bitter taste lingers, a mix of guilt and regret that I can't seem to shake.

In that moment, my mouth tasted dry and bitter, like swallowing down a pill I couldn't bring to swallow.

My throat felt dry and parched, as if I had just eaten sand.

But if I ever go back to past will I change things

.

.

.

.

.

Probably NO.

With a heavy heart, I declared to the empty house that I was leaving. My mind was in chaos and I needed to escape, even if just for a little while. But as I stepped out into the world, I couldn't shake off the persistent thoughts that were weighing me down. Maybe grabbing food from the convenience store would distract me, or maybe it would only amplify my struggles. Either way, I knew I couldn't stay trapped in my room any longer.

It is not completely dark. The sun sinks to the horizon and its reddish glow still lingers. It makes the western sky look reddish and beautiful. The sunset scene on a river is very charming. Darkness then begins more over the world. The first star of the night makes it's appearance. Walking down in such scene makes me feel relaxed. I am not thinking anymore, just mindlessly walking on the concrete stones.

As I approached the convenience store, the bustling crowd grew in size and noise. The neon lights from nearby shops illuminated the area, casting a kaleidoscope of colors onto the people passing by. Perhaps there was a cram school nearby, with students grabbing snacks and drinks before continuing their studies. I found comfort in the chaos of the crowd, easily blending in and disappearing into the sea of faces. It was a safe haven for someone like me, who preferred to observe rather than stand out.

I took a packet of sandwich and a flavoured milk and stood in line. There were 3 people ahead of me,  talking about something that definitely caught my attention.

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