Aoi Shiori [Part 2]

Hiyori walked the rest of her way to the park deep in thought about forgetting again. She stewed over the situation with a worried crease between her brows before she took in a deep breath and let it out in a huff. "How could I let him get to me so bad… I should know better!" She said, clenching her hand into a fist before sighing and letting her hand fall back down at her leg again. She had to tell him what happened at school today; maybe he could help her figure out what was wrong. "Anyway, why am I so worried…?" She questioned herself before she stopped in her tracks and took a look at her surroundings. Her brows furrowed in confusion as she realized she was now in the park. "Huh. I wonder why I felt the need to come here." She mumbled to herself, still looking around like a lost puppy. Something in the back of her mind was nagging at her again; what was it that she had forgotten this time? Whatever it was, her heart was beating rapidly, indicating that it was something very important. Meanwhile, a certain unpopular God was making his way toward her at break-neck speeds; His mind in a tizzy about the possibility of her being able to forget him so easily, so quickly!

Yato landed without a sound on the light pole nearest to the park and let his eyes wander among the small crowd that had gathered there for daily fun. When his eyes landed on Hiyori they widened somewhat at the look on her face. She looked absolutely confused. What was going on with her today! "HIIIIYOOORIIIIIIII!" Yato yelled out from where he was before he jumped down from the pole and started running the short distance toward her. He watched as she searched the area, clearly having heard her name called but not once were her eyes connecting with him. Oh no, please, no! He thought before he stood just in front of her and reached out, hesitating a moment. "…Hiyori?" He said quietly and watched as she looked directly at him, but not really. No, she was looking through him. His eyes grew wide with fear before he gripped her hand in his in a desperate attempt to make her see him. When he did, her eyes went wide as she took a deep breath in. Hmmm, nice smell… was all she thought before her eyes focused on what was in front of her. "Ya…to…?" She said in a small voice before her eyes grew wide and she flung her arms around his neck. "Oh, Yato! How could I have…" At this point he was holding back tears that had been threatening to run free and Hiyori was allowing hers to roll down her cheeks like rivers. Yato slowly wrapped his arms around her in a gentle embrace and sighed into the bend in her neck. "It's okay, we will figure this out. Just tell me what happened. What do you think caused this?" His voice was hoarse; his throat dry from the worry and fear that had just been strangling him.

After at least a half an hour, Hiyori's sobs slowed to a minimum and she began explaining her run in with Yato's father that day in school. "He said… that he hoped I wouldn't forget anything today…" She said before she took in a deep, steadying breath. Yato's eyes narrowed before he cursed under his breath. "Damn him, I knew he had something to do with this! But…" He trailed off, keeping a firm grip on Hiyori's hand before walking back in the direction of her grandmother's house. "I'm going to stick to you like glue until I figure this out." He said in a determined tone, and Hiyori knew from the look in his eyes, and the tightness in her chest that she had no room, or will for that matter; to argue about it. "…Thank you." She said quietly and at first Yato looked startled at the words but before long he was smiling at her. "Anything for you." The words just slipped right off of his tongue and it caused both of their cheeks to flush a bright red and they snapped their heads in the opposite directions to not be able to see. The rest of the walk back to her grandmother's was silent, but as soon as they arrived her brother came running out of the house, wielding a duster. "Stop holding my sister's hand, you!" He bellowed before swinging his duster at Yato, causing Yato to release Hiyori and jump out of the way of his attack. "Whoa! Wait just a tic, Masamoi!" Yato's voice came out in a desperate plea before his eyes darted to Hiyori, who was now staring at her brother in mild curiosity. "What are you doing with that duster out here? Get back inside and dust!" She ended her words with a swift kick to the lower end of his back, causing him to stumble forward before he managed to straighten up and look at her, confusion all over his face. "I was attacking Yato for making a move on my little sister, duh!" He bellowed in reply as he attempted his play on being a good big brother. "Whatever." She said with a roll of her eyes as she started to head inside her grandmother's house. "And who the hell is Yato, anyway?" She added sharply as she ascended the stairway to the front door, leaving Masamoi gaping at her in the front yard. He turned himself quickly to face Yato with a worried expression. "What's happening?" He questioned quietly, but the pained expression on Yato's face made the rest of what he had planned to say lag behind; lost on their way to his mouth. "Someone has decided it's best if Hiyori forgets who I am…" Yato's voice came out in a strained whisper and trailed off with a pained, groan like noise. "How can I fix this?" He questioned quietly to himself as he gazed up at the sky. "She can only remember me if I'm in physical contact with her." He said, a little louder so her brother could hear and Masamoi's eyes widened.

"I see…" Her brother said as his shoulder slumped. "Well, what are you waiting for then?! Go up there and make her remember! You have my permission to hold her hand as long as you need to today." Yato's eyes widened at her brother's honest words and smile before he nodded firmly and quickly head inside. "Hiiiiiyori!" He yelled as he dashed through the house; finding her in the kitchen he slowed to a quick walk and stood behind her before reaching out. His palm pressed against her back and he felt he gasp in surprise before she turned around quickly, Yato keeping his hand on her elbow now. "Ah, Yato… AGAIN?!" Promise me, at least you'll remember me and the days we have shared… but still, I cannot shake the feeling that something is wrong here…