Seishun Buta Yarou Series - Volume 9 - Chapter 2.4

4

White surf rolled in on a shore bathed in pale moonlight. The water growled like a low groan, trying to drag anyone who came near out to sea. The beach at night was a special kind of creepy.

The polar opposite of the glittering waters he’d seen through the window that morning. This was still Shichirigahama, but it seemed like a totally different place.

Sakuta didn’t really remember how he’d made it here from his father’s place. But the last two years had given him homing instincts, and his feet had naturally led him back.

This was home to him. Where he belonged. The home where he wanted to be.

“And maybe that’s why Mom forgot me.”

He made a face, scowling at himself.

All that time he’d spent trying not to think about her.

Trying to forget and be happy.

And this was the result.

Dad, Mom, and Kaede. A happy family of three.

Seeing that had made him run.

An extra-large wave rolled in. It came all the way up the sand to Sakuta’s toes. He didn’t jump back, not bothering to take a step back to safety. Little things like that weren’t enough to bother him now.

His heart was as deep a blue as the ocean at night.

Even on a normal day, this view would seem sad, and possibly scary. Even to Sakuta. But today was different.

Watching the nighttime surf was calming him down. It felt like he was melting into the endless blue. It felt good.

Wrapping himself in cold.

Like a chill embrace.

And by letting that happen, he didn’t have to think anymore.

Sakuta offered up his emotions to the ocean as a whole. The swirl of dank emotions washed away, given a new home.

His heart had been weighed down by dirty water, but sitting here cleaned all that out, leaving him with one thought.

The smile of the one he loved.

Okay, she wasn’t actually smiling. She was kinda mad at him. Possibly rebuking him for not going to see her.

“I miss Mai,” he said, giving voice to the emotion.

And then—

“Are you lost, mister?”

A voice behind him.

“……?”

Baffled, he turned around.

There stood a little girl in a red leather knapsack.

She looked just like Mai.

The same girl he’d met on March 1.

“I’m not exactly lost,” he said.

“Why not?”

“I didn’t expect that question.”

“……?” She just crooked her head.

“Are you sure you’re not lost?” he asked.

“Why would I be?”

“I mean, it’s kinda late for a kid your age to be wandering around alone.”

“I’m with you, so I’m not alone.”

This kid logic wasn’t all that funny, but Sakuta broke into a laugh anyway. Then he realized this was his first time talking to anybody all day, and it was a surprisingly huge relief. This, too, was a bizarre phenomenon, and perhaps laughter was an appropriate reaction.

“You can see me,” he said.

“Are you invisible?”

“Apparently.”

“I knew you were lost!”

This time he didn’t argue the point. Lost was certainly one word for it. He had no destination in mind and no clear idea where home was.

“Lost in life.”

“Then I’ll go home with you.”

He wasn’t sure how that followed, but before he could ask, she put her hand in his. Her little fingers squeezing Sakuta’s hand.

He could feel the warmth of her palm. Human warmth. He could feel the heat of her body, the soft touch of her skin on his. Her little hand proved that he was still alive.

And the sea breeze felt much stronger. And the scent of the salt grew as well.

“C’mon.”

Heedless of his thoughts, the girl pulled his hand. Sakuta didn’t resist. He took a step. Two, then three, matching the girl’s pace.

They reached the stairs and climbed up to the road above. They crossed at the light and walked away from the water, to Shichirigahama Station.

They waited for a bit, and when a train arrived, the girl got on. It was past ten, and the train was pretty empty. The girl pulled him to a bench, and they sat down together.

She never let go.

The other passengers still couldn’t see Sakuta, so no one looked at him funny for being with a little kid.

The train ran slowly along the coastal tracks. The car swayed pleasantly. His eyes started to close.

He’d gone to school and then to see his mom and Kaede. Now he just had to go back home. In two more hours, the day would end. He was tired.

They’d be getting off at the end of the line, Fujisawa Station.

There was no risk of sleeping through it.

And with that thought, his mind slipped closer and closer toward slumber.

He’d have to stop at the convenience store on the walk from the station. Buy some dinner. Enough for this girl, too.

Then tomorrow he’d go see her.

Even as his mind drifted off, Sakuta thought about Mai.

And that was the last thought he had.

But the train he was riding never made it to Fujisawa Station.

Or at least, Sakuta never did.

When he woke up, Sakuta wasn’t on a train.

He was in a warm bed.