Chapter 2
I remember … you.
The young girl was sitting up in the hospital bed, gazing out the window watching villagers partake in their everyday activities. A few people she felt she recognized but she couldn't grasp a clearer picture in her mind of who they were or how she knew them.
"I see you're doing well," A soft female voice brings the young Lillian's attention to the room. Dr. Ayame stands in the doorway, a gentle smile resting on her face. "How are you feeling today?"
"I feel a little stronger than before. The medicine you gave me has helped with the aches I've been having." The girl fidgets with her blanket, unsure of what else to tell the doctor.
"Do you feel comfortable going home and finishing your recovery there? I know it's hard, having forgotten your memories. I'm sure being there will help you remember things."
"I guess," She says quietly. "It's just that I don't know where 'home' is."
"I do," A deep voice surprises both the young girl and doctor. "I can take you there."
"Kana," The doctor looks at the young man as he enters the room and towers over her. She returns to face the young girl who continues to stare at Kana.
"If it's okay, I'd like to take you home. I want to make sure you get there safely." He scratches the back of his head, a light pink overtaking his cheeks. Dr. Ayame chuckles quietly at the sight.
"If only I had someone who looked at me the way you look at Lillian," she whines playfully. Kana's face turns another shade red and the doctor can't help but laugh. "I'm only teasing, Kana." She pats the man's shoulder before leaving the room.
Lillian blushes as her eyes meet Kana's. Is he my husband?
Kana averts his eyes from Lillian's, regaining his manly composure. "Whenever you're ready, we can go." He refuses to look at her as he exits the room. Several minutes later, Lillian opens the door wearing a light pink dress. Her violet eyes sparkle in the sunlight peeking through the window and Kana can't help but want to touch her.
She gazes up at him, being a few feet shorter than him. Why is she so damn cute? Kana thinks to himself. He clears his throat before opening the door. Doctor Ayame waves at the two as they exit. "Although losing her memories has a huge impact on their friendship, I hope it brings them closer," she whispers to herself.
The sun was bright and Lillian raises her arm to shield her eyes as they walk outside. Noticing, Kana stands beside Lillian, trying his best to block the sun's rays. "Thank you," Lillian says, a small smile teasing her lips.
"Yeah," Kana mumbles. The two walk down the dirt road leading north of the village into the area where Kana's house rests. He glances at his horses, all of them grazing the green summer grass. Lillian's horse, Snow, blends in with the rest.
A sudden blur catches him off guard and he spots Lillian rushing over to the fence. She breathes heavily, her body still recovering from the accident, but her face is bright. She watches the horses, and holds out her hand as if gesturing for them to come to her. Kana's chest tightens as he watches her smile at the animals. She may have lost her memories, but she hasn't changed at all.
Snow is the first one to approach Lillian. She nuzzles her hand and whinnies happily that her owner has returned. The girl smiles and scratches the head of the horse happily. A scene flashes through the girl's mind of a small girl running around a field with a white foal chasing her. The girl trips and the foal began to chew at the girl's hair and she calls for the animal to stop.
"Snow," the girl says out loud. The pony whinnies and chews the hair of the young girl. She giggles and Kana's eyes go wide.
"You remembered her name." He says in disbelief.
The girl looks down at the ground, as though she's ashamed of something. The horse nuzzles the young girl, causing her to smile again. "I'll keep watch over Snow as you continue healing." Kana says and pats the mare's neck.
"Is this your ranch?" Lillian asks, continuing to pet her best friend.
"It is," Kana replies with a bit of sadness to his voice. "You would come here nearly every day and we'd ride together or you'd sneak treats to my horses without my knowledge. I even scolded you, worried they'd become overweight but you gave me the biggest pout when I told you to stop. I couldn't help but let you continue bringing them treats," Kana chuckles at the memory.
Lillian stands there quietly; briefly an image of Kana scolding her appears but is gone just as quick as it came. "I think I remember."
Kana looks at her with hope in his eyes. "You do?"
"I just remember your angry face," she says and giggles at how silly he looked.
His face grows warm at her sudden giggle. "Was I really that funny looking?"
"A little," she says with a smile. The sound of an owl announcing that it was getting late brings the two back to the matter at hand. "We'd better get going." Kana leans off the fence and walks back towards the road. This time checking to make sure Lillian is never too far behind him.