Year Without Zatch
It was New Year's Day. Kiyo Takamine was sitting in his room, watching the children play nearby and watching the snowflakes fall. Every snowflake is different, the young man in high school thought, as with every new year. It seemed only yesterday that Zatch had been one of the children playing in the snow. The mamodo boy had squealed happily when a snowflake landed on his nose. He had begged Kiyo to play with him during those snowy days, and Kiyo had reluctantly agreed to his partner's simple request. As he had watched Zatch play in the snow and run, Kiyo had remembered his own childhood. It was strange to his mother that her only son hadn't wanted to play as a child – he mostly found joy in reading books with his father or by himself. Although Kiyo had not liked playing as a child, he admitted to himself that he had enjoyed playing with Zatch. They had even made a two snowmen. "The bigger one's you, Kiyo! The little one is me! Maybe next year we can build Tia and Megumi too!" Kiyo didn't have the heart to tell him that there most likely would not be a next time. The battle for Mamodo King had steadily dwindled. Kiyo remembered of how Zatch had cried and whined over the loss of the snowmen when they had melted when spring came, and Kiyo had surprisingly found himself sad as well. Why am I blubbering over a stupid snowman? Kiyo had thought to himself many times when he had looked over at the yard.
Now the young man realized why he reacted the way he did. I wasn't mourning the loss of the snowmen, exactly. I was mourning the loss of losing Zatch. Kiyo looked forlornly at the barren bedroom. Books were shelved everywhere, leaving hardly any room for many pictures. A desk centered the floor, stacked with piles of homework Kiyo had yet to do. He had meant to do them as soon as he came home, but thoughts and memories of Zatch rendered him useless to the task. For the past year, Kiyo's life had been bombarded with assignments and school, leaving him no thought about the past. And not surprisingly, his dreams were of Zatch, of the little mamodo who had changed his life. Now as he sat at his desk, Kiyo thought of his mamodo partner. What was he doing right now? Was there such a thing as snow in the mamodo world? Kiyo had no idea, but somehow he imagined Zatch happy, playing with other mamodo children despite being king. Kiyo's mind darkened as he thought of what Zatch would think of him now. A sullen teenager who had yet to explore and live the world. That was even worse than his former self. Restless, Kiyo sighed. He reluctantly grabbed his coat and went outside.
It took a couple of hard tries, but eventually Kiyo got it right. A small snowman stood before him, smiling. Kiyo's heart shook at the thought of Zatch, who greatly resembled the tiny snowman, and tried to ignore the sting in his eyes. It's just the cold, he told himself. But memories kept on resurfacing, and Kiyo felt the warm thickness of tears tracing his face. I miss you so much. Zatch… He looked at the snowman. I guess I should live now, huh? No more hiding. Kiyo felt his lips tingle in a small smile. I need to live again without you, Zatch. Maybe I should visit Megumi. She must miss Tia as much as I miss you. Kiyo looked up at the sky, and felt the snowflakes coat his face. One landed on his nose. It'll be a full year without you, Zatch, and I promise to do it right. The final tears fell from his eyes, and Kiyo walked inside the house.