HEY EVERYONE! I'M BACK FROM THE TESTS! SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING! BUT HERE'S A CHAPTER FINALLY.


Episode 12: Seeing Off

This morning, the sun seemed much more brighter even though it's winter.

A breeze lightly flowed through the treetops, and some leaves on the ground had also been blowed up. A feel of cold and silence swept over Otonashi, feeling chills.

"Will he come?" Otonashi thought in his heart. After a moment of daydreaming, he arrived in front of Yuri's house.

"Morning Otonashi."

"Good morning you brat."

"Good morning Otonashi-san."

Kanade, Iwasawa, Hinata and Yui arrived at the same time, no one could smile what with the simple greetings.

Otonashi smiled though, waving his hands.

Then, the door opened, and out came Yuri, she was holding a big trunk, slowly walking out of the door. Raising her head, she saw everyone standing in the cold wind.

"Kanade, Hinata, Yui, Otonashi, Masami, you guys…" She was shocked, because it was a school-day.

Kanade quickly went over to Yuri's side to help take the luggage, and faintly smiled: "Because today is an important day, everyone asked for a day off."

She didn't say it was seeing Yuri off. Because it's impossible to say those words, even though it's the truth.

"Thank you all!" Yuri didn't say anything more, and her eyes got teary.

Inside the house came a shout from Yuri's mother, and footsteps coming from the doorway. "Kouta, push Meiko out, be careful when going down the stairs."

"Alright."

Yuri's mother acted the same as Yuri when she first saw Otonashi and the group, but she also felt pleased. Because Yuri, and the years that she was here, the childhood, young days, all connected to them.

"It's you guys, forgive me, it's a bit hard to invite you all inside, I could do it later…." But then she realized that there was no later, she smiled apologetically.

"It's alright auntie, today, we are all going to be with Yuri until the train station." Hinata said loudly.

"Kay, everyone, come help carry these heavy luggage!" Yui says as she rolls up her sleeves and going in the house.

"Yui is as cute as always, sorry to give you trouble." Yuri's mother smiles again. Not stopping Yui, because she knows how the group feels, because today is a special day.

*Honk* *honk* The truck and Yuri's father's van came, and everyone started to help handle the luggages.

Meiko, sitting on the wheelchair came out the door with the help of Kouta. Seeing everyone busy, a happy smile rose on her face. "Thank you everyone!"

Such a pure smile, but who knows how much pain she have hidden under them.

After half an hour, everything was finished. Yuri's mother sat on the truck to show directions, while Yuri's father used his van to drive the others.

If it was normal, the van would be bustling with noise. But it was eerily quiet that day, it seemed like no one wanted to say a thing. Otonashi broke the silence. "It's far isn't it?"

If it was close, then they wouldn't be riding a train.

Yuri nodded, "It's in Fengdu."

"Will you be coming back?" Otonashi said, though he regretted saying it. This was a stupid question.

"Yuri, when you get there, remember to contact us, and, if you have time, then come back…" Masami strongly said, because if she loosened herself even a bit, then tears would come streaming down.

"Alright." Yuri lowered her head, not daring to look at anyone. The van only had the sounds of tears landing on the ground, or their clothes. All sounding very loud and ear-piercing, tackling everyone's hearts.

"Sister, it's all my fault!" Meiko dug into Yuri, her shoulders trembled because of her crying.

"No, no it's not your fault Meiko, Meiko, you're the nicest sister in the world!" Yuri petted Meiko, no words describing the feeling she has now.

Like this, the van dropped into silence again.

Time felt sped up, the train station's noisiness woke everyone from the silent van.

"We're here." Otonashi said in his heart. Not knowing whether it's we're here at the train station, or we're here now, to say goodbye.

Yuri's mother led the people on the truck to the consignment office, and everyone got out of the van, waiting.

"Yuri, Meiko, Kouta, remember to come back and play, we will all be waiting for you!" Masami said, turning her back towards them.

"What do you need to cry about, be happy, understand? Today is Yuri's…" Yui said, her own tears flowing down her cheeks.

"Thank you everyone!"

Everything seemed like a foregone conclusion.

Looking at the the family turning their backs, Otonashi and everyone's hearts completely fell down.

"Meiko…" A shout was heard.

Everyone was at shock, searching for the source of the sound, and Otonashi's heart came back up.

"It's Ayato!" Even though she hasn't seen him or heard his voice for more than a year, Meiko still knew immediately that it was him. Because somewhere deep inside, it's shouting to her that it's Ayato.

Ayato arrived in front of everyone's eyes, he exhaled heavily and his face is still covered by some new bandages.

"What are you doing here you asshole!" Yuri erupted. But at the same time, a pair of strong hands held her and Yui beside her. It's Otonashi.

"Otonashi, you…" Yuri wanted to ask something, but seeing Otonashi's serious expression, she went silent.

Without answering any questions or saying anything, Otonashi just shook his head, showing everyone not to do anything.

"I'm here Meiko, I'm sorry." A simple sentence, buried deep inside this upright boy's heart for one year. Today, he finally had the courage to say it.


And I will leave it there for now, I will update...I dunno, update some time, some day... :D