Based on the music video for 'What A Catch', by Fall Out Boy.
Musings In The Pacific
By Autumn Win-Dow
Kazumi had never tried to sail a rusty old boat before in his life.
Neither had he ever felt such nostalgia when he trailed his fingertips against the railings of his rented ship.
He was well aware that he was a man of forty, of whom always remained rooted on the ground, restraining his head from moving up into the clouds. Despite how his life was well worthy of a fantasy novel, Kazumi was a realist. Nothing could really stop him from being a practical thinker – not even the vibrant colours clouding his eyes whenever he would absently glance at a photo of his deceased brother.
Having to dream was not an easy thing for Kazumi. Whenever he wished for the peace and happiness of his family, his students, and Alice Academy, there would be a part of him whispering reminders that it wasn't so easy.
Dreams are meant to be dreamt, not to be pursued.
It was awful. He felt awful. Kazumi was never able to shoo that cynical, wrong voice from his head – but yet again, he never attempted to. The voice was a contributor to his negligence, and his negligence ultimately led to the loss of his last relative.
His apparent last relative, of whom could not be more different to Kazumi in attitude, died in the very school in which he had sworn to protect.
The impulsive kid. How much space is there in his heart, to have such a capacity to love?
Kazumi gripped the steering wheel, as the ship swayed gently in the icy cold waters of the Pacific Ocean. The gusts of wind nipped at his nose, and he wound his scarf tighter around his neck.
He had prepared for the boat trip thoroughly. There were extra jackets in the duffel bag. A raincoat hanging on the wall. First aid in an easily accessible location near his feet. Rice balls in a plastic box, wrapped in multiple towels, thanks to the school's resident cook.
Too many rice balls. He wasn't expecting anything to happen to him on that day, but he chose not to speak up about it.
He did not have time to brood over such petty, petty things.
Kazumi needed to just think about the fact that his brother had left the world, unknowing about the fact that he had a daughter. A daughter, of all things!
He wanted to scold Izumi for all the chaos he had abandoned in the living world because of it, but of course, there was no way he could ever do that.
Kazumi could only brood. Think. Consider. Wonder. Ponder. Muse.
His broodings were interrupted when he sighted something unnatural in the wide sea in front of him. Quickly, he grabbed his binoculars and peered through, sighting a sinking cruise in the distance.
"Oh dear…" Kazumi muttered under his breath as he readied the boat to accelerate, when a voice called out to him.
Just leave them. You never know, they may already be safe. Called a helicopter, perhaps?
A brief silence ensued as he stared at the seemingly meaningless speck, his hands slowing in their actions. But then, he surprised even himself.
There's not enough time to ponder.
Never did he expect to find another chance so soon. He could not save his brother's life, but he was surely intent on saving someone out there.
A/N: It's a rambly piece, I know. But I needed to break away from my writer's block somehow.
