Hidoko

Tuesday, June 16, 199811:28:14 AM

Journey2

Soujirou woke up to a bright new day. The night at Machi's room was cosy, and Machi was snuggled into a ball in the other blanket. Soujirou smiled at the comical little-boy posture of Machi's, and got up to wake Machi up.

Machi thrashed at Soujirou, who dodged all the familliar attacks, and tickled him. Machi woke up screeching, and almost slammed into the cupboard.

Finally, when things simmered down, they went out to have some breakfast and then went over to set up Machi's stall. Machi's was a stall selling collectibles of wide selection, ranging from jewellry boxes to platinum nail filers. Machi explained that things sell well among girls, and joked that Soujirou would bring more business. Soujirou laughed adorably, and said nothing. Finally, it was time to start selling. Indeed, many girls turned their heads at Soujrou and many rich girls bought things just to invite Soujirou over to dinner, which Soujirou pretended to be not understanding in order to refuse. The whole day it was bustling with people, especially Machi's stall. Machi was so pleased about how much they earned that he treated him to some posh food at some posh restaurant.

Over dinner, Soujirou asked Machi why he never upgraded his home.

"No, I prefer a cosy house. Seems more homely. Instead, I upgrade my business. It makes me happy to sell the things I like, and besides, you should see the way the girls' eyes sparkle at the things they like. Which reminds me of the way their eyes sparkle as they look at you and dribble all over."

Soujirou laughed, and resumed eating. It was a nice day, and it was nice the way people treated him, but he was still unused to the life. He would prefer to stay in the forest and hunt for food, though it was rather risky since there might not be one single animal for days.

Machi asked Soujirou what he planned to do, and Soujirou confirmed the fact that he did not know. Wandering aimlessly had been his aim, but somehow it seemed kind of meaningless. Still, he had nothing else to do, and he was rather tired of life. Machi snorted at that, and seriously asked him to live as a normal teenager should, though both of them knew that through what had happened before in Soujirou's life, Soujirou would never live normally.

That night, Soujirou went out to the bridge to look at the flowing river underneath and the stars above. It was a beautiful sight, and Soujirou liked that a lot. He liked the quietness that it brought, and it seemed to echo with his soul the sparkling cold song of his heart.

He would do almost anything to have this quietness forever, but it was never that way, and he could never do anything. Still, he wished…

He decided to slay anyone who came onto the bridge afterall. He hated intruders, and besides, it was his nature to kill. Not that killing pleased him.

A dark figure could be seen coming over to the bridge, and he unsheathed his sword. The figure waved, and Soujirou realised that this was no intruder, but a person who also liked to dwell in this serenity. Still, it disrupted his serenity. He debated for a while, and relented to spare his close friend. He sheathed his sword, and Machi's face showed in the dim light of the heaven above.

"Soujirou…" Machi stood by his side, and looked up at the sky for the moment. Soujirou smiled at the beautiful face of Machi's for a moment, and resumed looking up. There was a falling star, and Soujirou knew his purpose in wandering after all. He made a wish, and hoped it will come true. Machi whispered something, and Soujirou looked over. Machi opened his eyes to meet Soujirou's, and asked, "Will you stay after wandering so much?"

"Why not…" Soujirou looked down. Could it be the true purpose? He asked himself silently. Looking for a place to contain him and his past, and bringing him some warmth. Still, he himself could not contain himself. Would any place contain him?

He would have to question that.

Even Machi's…

Author's notes…

Wednesday, June 17, 19983:22:12 PM