(Chapter - 14)

  [This One Person]

  “It felt like a heavy stone was weighing on my heart… I couldn’t say anything, I even failed to comfort my friend. I can't tell him what I've kept from him… There’s so much more than whatever I show or tell.”

  Tori's mind gets heavier with each thought, sitting on his bed, after Asroy went out. His heart aches.

  “I’ve been suffering so much, and keeping things to myself since the time I got lost, separated far away from my family. Just… How much longer do I have to hold it all inside? My heart feels like it would be smashed if I take on any more burden of thoughts… I don't wanna bother anyone, but I really need to clear my mind for now…”

  He comes in the wind forest, walking in the dark, exhaling from suppressed pain. He looks up at the darkened sky.

  “I'll just take out my anxiety by polishing my powers, like I've always done since I was 6…”

  He lights up his powers. His eyes glow and a soft blue light radiates from his hands. He slowly swirls them, turning it into curved lines of blue radiating water.

  “I'll be fine. I have to be fine… Here, I'm all alone by myself… To let out my stress and sorrows.”

  Tori closes his eyes. The wind flows, swaying the trees of the wind forest. His blue hair plays along with it. The glowing blue water moves around him, later going slowly in spirals, softly lighting up Tori's nearest surroundings. He fully immerses himself in focusing on his powers, away from all the worries.

  “I was somewhere no one would even see me or hear me. I’d endure all my burdens alone… Or so I thought.”

  “Tori??” A sudden calling of his name, in a familiar voice, breaks through. He looks around him, only to see Mehaki coming out of the dark, into the blue light he has created.

  Tori : Mehaki!?

  He stops his powers and it becomes all dark around.

  Mehaki : Ah-!

  Tori : Oops! Sorry! Wait…

  He creates the swirling, blue radiating water again. Mehaki's eyes sparkle with awe as she looks at it and Tori can't take his eyes off her.

  “But as soon as this one person appeared in front of me, it felt like all my stress and anxiety melted away… For some reason, her presence only calmed my unrested mind.”

  And now, back to the moment when Mehaki is overjoyed for being able to create a small, pink glowing flower in her hands. Her first successful attempt at using the power of the Ariya flower. The place is subtly brightened up with pink and blue lights. Then, her joyful eyes meet Tori's softened gaze and smile.

  Tori : Congratulations, Mehaki…

  Mehaki’s gratitude shows all over her face. She smiles softly—lovely enough to make Tori’s gentle heart race.

  Mehaki : Thank you so much, Tori! I wouldn’t have figured it out so fast, if it weren’t for you.

  Tori : No need to thank me. You're more capable than you think.

  Mehaki has been holding the flower in her palms since she created it. But she realizes it just now, showing it to Tori.

  Mehaki : Oh, what do I do with this now?

  Tori : Haha… Just think of whatever you want it to do. And it will do.

  Assured by him, Mehaki lifts her hands and the flower quickly rises up, turning into glittery sprinkles that fall slowly around them.

  “Wow!!” Mehaki and Tori both exclaim at the same time and laugh.

  Tori : What a match!

  Mehaki : We said the same thing together.

  Tori : Who knew you’d be this amazed by your own magic?

  Mehaki : Hahaha!

  They sit back on the grass again, laughing together. After they’ve caught their breath, Mehaki remembers something.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Mehaki : Hey, Tori…

  Tori : Yes?

  Mehaki : You said before that you’re stressed, that's why you came here. So, what were you stressing about today?

  Tori : Oh… I don’t even remember that now.

  Mehaki : What?

  Tori : Really.

  Mehaki giggles softly, subtly covering her mouth with her hand.

  Mehaki : That's great then! Whatever stresses you, it should disappear every time. Just like now.

  Her playful, encouraging smile makes Tori blush slightly, without him knowing it himself.

  Tori : I hope it will. *The reason it disappeared… Is probably you. Will it disappear again if you're not here? I don’t know…*

  They look at the radiating water floating around, together. Wind flutters their hair as a sense of peace flows through their minds. A while later, Tori walks Mehaki to the edge of the wind forest, in front of her home.

  Mehaki : Ah, one more thing.

  Tori : What is it?

  Mehaki : Whatever you saw or heard from me, please keep it a secret. I don’t want anyone to know yet. Especially Asroy…

  Tori : Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone about this. Your secret will be safe. And… About Asro-...

  Tori pauses midway of talking, feeling it would be better to not ruin her happy mood now, with anything related to Asroy.

  Mehaki : Hm?

  Tori : Never mind… I'll tell you later, or maybe soon. Just keep the joy you have now intact.

  He laughs gently, playful enough. Mehaki doesn’t feel the need to ask any further. She simply trusts him on this.

  Mehaki : Okay, see you later!

  Tori : See you, Mehaki…

  Mehaki walks into her home as Tori keeps looking. Then, he returns to his home as well. As he cheerfully walks into his room, Karu—who had already been sitting on the bed, looks at him attentively.

  Tori : Oh, hey Karu.

  Karu : Where are you coming from?

  Tori : I was just training a bit. You know I train when I'm sad or bothered.

  Karu : I know, but it doesn’t look like that at all.

  Tori : Huh?

  Tori's face has brightened up from the time when he went out. He's looking so full of peace, as if joy itself had brushed over him. Karu is happy to see that, but can’t resist teasing him.

  Karu : You look too bright for someone who had been sad or bothered a few hours ago.

  Tori : Yeah-... I told you that I was training. That's why it's all gone now.

  Karu : *Teasingly* Hmmm?? I've known you closely for years, Tori. Of course I'll notice any changes in you.

  Tori gulps nervously, a bit embarrassed. He tries desperately to keep his composure, but his flushed cheeks do otherwise.

  Tori : Haha… What’s changed?

  Karu : Here, it's true that you’re good-looking enough. But it looks like you have an extra gleam in you today.

  Tori : I do…?

  Karu : Something special happened today, right? Other than just practicing? Hm?

  Failing to hide it any more, Tori covers his face, gently with one hand. His heart beats fast at the thought of the ‘Reason’ his sadness is gone, flushing with embarrassment. Karu gets confused. He's teased him for a bit of fun, but it turns out he's right anyway.

  Karu : Huh?

  Tori stays quiet and turns red from blushing, this unusual behavior of him amuses Karu much. He laughs, feeling satisfied for being right and teases him more.

  Karu : Whoaa! Haha! What's that!? What's that reaction? Heyy!

  Tori : N-Nothing dude!

  Karu : C'mon! You can't hide it from me! Hahaha!

  Tori : …

  Karu : You've never acted like this before! That means something special did happen today. What was it? Got a new crush on someone on the road?

  Tori : No, that's-

  They hear footsteps coming towards the room. As they look back at their room door, they see Asroy, somewhat tired and weak, passing by and going straight into the next room, which is his anyway. No words, no looking, no nothing.

  Karu : Asroy got home?

  Tori : Looks like it.

  Karu : But what's up with him? Acting strange since earlier and now as well.

  Tori : He seemed a bit… Weak?

  Karu : I wonder what he's been to. Wait, I'll talk with him.

  Karu goes to Asroy's room, only to see that he's collapsed completely on the bed, like he craves sleep so much right now. Karu feels a bit doubtful and confused. Tushar, who is already in the room, seems as confused as him.

  Tushar : Dude!? Are you good?

  Asroy : Yeah.

  Asroy's voice sounds exhausted, like he can barely talk. He groans without even opening his eyes.

  Asroy : I'm tired.

  Karu : Where have you been, Asroy? Why are you so tired?

  Asroy : Just let me sleep.

  Tushar : Wow… What happened to the guy who will ‘Talk to dad for sure and ask for answers’ and all? Dad's not even home yet.

  Asroy : I'll talk later.

  Tushar : *Mumble* You're quite the big talk, aren’t you?

  Karu observes them for a bit, then turns to Tushar.

  Karu : Tushar, let's not bother him. If he's tired, he can sleep. If you wanna chat with us instead, come on.

  Tushar : Sure.

  Karu signals him with hand, to come out of the room and go to Tori’s room. Tushar seems bored. After Miraz returns, Karu and Tushar tell him about how Asroy has gone to bed so early, looking all tired after coming home from outside. Tori, as his usual self, talks the least.

  Miraz : But he didn’t even have dinner.

  Karu : I don’t think he will.

  Tushar : He was all frustrated and just stormed out. Then hours later he came home slumping, and just plopped on the bed like that. Honestly, we have no idea where he went or what he did.

  Miraz : Why was he so frustrated all of a sudden? Did you guys argue?

  Tushar : Well…

  Karu : We didn’t argue.

  Miraz : Then?

  Tori : …*Should I tell him? How would he react?*

  Karu : Something actually happened, but… I wanna talk about it with him being included. Cuz, it had all 4 of us involved.

  Miraz : Hmm… Very well then. Let's have dinner now, and I'll go check on him after that.

  Karu : Okay.

  Just as Miraz has said, after dinner, he goes to the room to check Asroy. Tori, Karu & Tushar follow him as well. Asroy has wrapped a blanket around himself, he looks so sickly. Out of concern, Miraz checks his forehead.

  Miraz : He has a fever.

  “Huh?” all the three boys are left in wonder. Shock strikes them, and their confusion raises a lot of questions. Asroy left in anger, came back looking exhausted and now a sudden fever? Before any of them can speak, none of them can piece together just what has happened and how.

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