Ch. 4: To Pick Out His Voice
The next morning…-
I went with Flu to the courtyard.
The fresh green leaves were sparkling with morning dew.
OO: “The garden is beautiful…”
Flu: “I’m glad you like it…”
Beside me, Flu let out a sigh of relief.
Flu: “I wanted to thank you, so I thought this was the least I could do…I was a little worried you wouldn’t like it.”
The smile he gave warmed my heart.
Flu: “Would you like to go to…my special place…”
OO: “Special place?”
Flu: “Yes…actually…”
Younger Brother: “So this is where you were!”
A bright voice called out to us, cutting off what Flu was saying, and Flu’s younger brother came over to us.
(H-him again…)
Younger Brother: “Since you came all the way here, let’s go to a party!”
He spoke to us with a sparkling smile.
And then…-
Flu: “…”
Flu hung his head, apparently giving up on getting a word in.
(Flu…)
OO: “Thank you. But would you mind if I went out with Flu for a little bit first?”
Flu: “OO…?”
I greeted the younger brother, then took hold of Flu’s hand.
Ch. 5: I Hear Your Voice
Holding onto Flu’s hand, we walked further into the garden.
With the walls of greenery blocking anything outside, the garden seemed like a maze…
OO: “It’s like a secret flower garden…”
At that time….-
Flu pulled on my hand.
OO: “Flu?”
Flu: “Why…I…?”
I looked at Flu as his voice disappeared.
Flu: “That’s…it would…be better…”
OO: “What…?”
(His voice just keeps getting quieter and quieter…)
Flu glanced at me as I listened.
But then he averted his gaze again.
Flu: “I’m sorry…”
OO: “Flu.”
I turned to face him, then grasped Flu’s hand in mine.
Flu: “Eh…?”
His clear eyes stared straight at me.
OO: “Yesterday, when you invited me to this garden, I was really happy. I want to hear your words, and your feelings.”
Flu: “That’s…”
OO: “Won’t you tell me?”
Flu: “Eh…?”
OO: “What’s on your mind?”
Flu: “OO…”
Flu’s eyes seemed to start to sparkle.
Flu: “…I wanted to walk with you in the garden.”
He spoke each word carefully and deliberately, as if to make sure I heard them.
Flu: “I want…to spend a lot more time.”
OO: “Flu.”
Flu: “I….know…”
Once again, he grew quieter and his voice vanished.
I placed my hands on both of his cheeks.
Flu: “Eh…?”
OO: “…I didn’t hear that last bit.”
I said that, and smiled.
Flu: “…I…”
OO: “Yes?”
Flu: “I want to know more about you.”
OO: “…!”
At those straightforward words, I felt my heart pound as he looked at me.
Flu: “Is something the matter? Your face is red.”
OO: “Oh…um…”
My voice grew quieter as he stared at me with those crystal clear eyes.
The stillness of the garden watched over us in silence.
END