Chapter three

I wasn't able to check for errors in chapter two so my apologies for some errors there. (I seriously tried crossing my arms across my "shoulder" and I failed. Hahaha. Forgot to correct it before posting.)

Childhood arc's a bit fast-paced like before, and as regards to the deviations from the first version, I hope the changes sit well with you guys. :)

Xx xX

The paintbrush made contact with the blank white canvas, leaving a trail of color as it ran across the white surface. After a few strokes, the brush ran out of paint to leave behind, and so the painter lifted the brush from the canvas and let its strands take the right amount of two different shades of blue from the color palette. Then it went back to the panel and did its job for today—remove its dullness by painting it with the colors it isn't familiar with at all.

Kotoha intently watched her father do a landscape painting on a small canvas, murmuring "whoah" and "amazing" from time-to-time as her father laid blends of acrylic paints on the white canvas. Her dad has always loved art, and she grew up watching him do quick sketches of basically anything that he liked whenever he's taking a quick rest from work. He said he learned art through patience and practice back when he was in middle school, and thus improving through the years mainly because of hardwork. Although, she doesn't know why he didn't take an art course in college. He loves art and he's got the talent in the field, but he took a technology course instead.

"Do you think Akashi will like this?" her father said, lifting his eyes from his work-in-progress to Kotoha who was sitting beside him. "I'm sure they've got a lot of paintings in their mansion. Not to mention that they are probably masterpieces of professional artists." He then asked her if she could hold the palette for a while, and she took it as she observed her father look at his painting without any confidence at all.

She stared at the canvas and observed the painting too, slowly nodding her head in response to her father's question. At the same time, she wondered why her father doubted his painting. It's not even halfway done yet since he still hasn't put much details, but by looking at it, Kotoha was sure that it will turn into something more beautiful later on. Even though she doesn't know much about painting, her faith in her father's skills was what assured her that his painting will be great.

Maybe he should just put more faith in his work, the way his daughter has on him. "He will, Dad. Is there a person who dislikes receiving gifts?" she asked. "I'm happy whenever I receive gifts. You and Mom too. My friends at school also loves receiving gifts, so I think Akashi will also love your painting!" she enthusiastically said.

Her father shifted his gaze from the canvas to her, somehow astonished, and then he let out a chuckle and patted Kotoha on her shoulder. "Okay, you said so. Now I should be able to finish this within an hour or two," he said, gave his child a smile and stretched his arms that suggested that he's about to go back to work. "In order to do that you'll help me paint the river and the flowers later, okay? Painting the river would be fun."

Kotoha giggled while she handed the palette back to her father since the intermission has ended and his mini art show will continue already.

"You know, I still don't get it why you didn't take an art course back then. Well, you never really explained why." The familiar voice made Kotoha look behind her, and then she saw her mother approaching them with a questioning look on her face. "You could've enjoyed working more if you did," she said as she wiped her wet hands with her skirt.

A chuckle came out of Kotoha's father's mouth, perhaps because of what his wife had just told him. "Let's say I did take an art course back in college and I was able to pursue my dream of becoming a professional artist. Do you think our roads would still cross?" He shot her a joking stare as he revealed a grin at her.

"Well, probably. If it's God's will for a thing to happen, then it will happen," she said. "Maybe things would be a bit different if you, for example, took an art course, but God will make a way for his will to take place. We won't meet at the same time or place as how we've really met each other before, but our roads would certainly cross if that were truly God's will."

He was going to reach for a brush but he froze in his position when she uttered those words. It was on-point enough to silence him for a short while. "Oh. Okay, you got me there."

She raised an eyebrow at her husband and drew an exasperated breath. "Come on, just answer my question," she said, to which he chuckled awkwardly and scratched the back of his head with his free hand.

"Then perhaps it isn't God's will for me to become a professional artist. He would've made a way for me to fulfill my dream. But he didn't so most likely he wants me to go try something else that would benefit me more," he said while he took an acrylic tube and put a minimal amount of paint on the color palette. "It isn't my parents' will, either. Anyway, I'm fine with it."

"So you're one of the many who decided to choose a path that their parents want them to? Although that's not what the children really wanted?" she asked and her tone suggested that she was going to rant about something she disapproves.

He reached for a brush and took a little of the paint he has just put on the palette. "Yes, we can put it that way," he said as he painted the mountains. "Still, I'm the one to be blamed since it is my mistake to allow my parents to decide for me. They said that graduating from a technology-related course in college has various opportunities waiting for you, so they wanted me to take that. Yes, that's actually true since Japan's one of the leading countries when it comes to technology.

"But I should've held onto my dream, no matter what." He placed his brush and palette on the table beside him, and then he turned around his chair to face his wife. He sighed, telling his daughter and his wife that he still regrets the decision he has made. "I didn't even try explaining myself to my parents. Thus, letting them decide for me on what I'd be doing for decades."

Meanwhile, Kotoha silently listened to her parents as they discuss her father's career. They usually ask her to leave the room if they'll be having an "adults only" talk, but this time they didn't tell her to do so since maybe it was something that they also want her to know. The topic was serious but it wasn't too much for an eight-year-old child to hear. So she took in all the words from her parents and she tried to remember them with her heart. If it's God's will for a thing to happen, then it will happen.

"Nevertheless, what's done is done. One cannot live his present life to the fullest if he focuses too much on his regrets." He smiled at his wife, who sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "Besides, I'm okay with my job, and I'm okay having art as leisure, not as something that causes me problems. What matters is that I can sustain you both, and I also have the time to be with you. There's no point in getting frustrated over it because all are well today."

Though she looked like she still wanted to talk about it, she let out another sigh and nodded in surrender. Her husband probably doesn't want to talk about it anymore, so she zipped her mouth instead. She went behind her husband and put her hands on his shoulders, giving him a good, relaxing massage. "Yeah."

"Now that we've talked about it," Kotoha's father diverted the topic while he leaned his back on his chair and enjoyed his wife's massage. He glanced at Kotoha and smiled. "What do you want to be when you grow up? You once said you wanted to become a doctor, right?"

The question surprised Kotoha, making her eyes grow wide. She has never thought this through in the past years. As what her father has mentioned, when she was in kindergarten, she wanted to become a doctor because, like every other child, she wanted to help all those in need. However, things are different today, and she isn't that interested in becoming a doctor anymore. She believes she's too weak to carry the heavy responsibility of a doctor.

"I don't want to become a doctor anymore. I don't think I can handle seeing people in pain," she said with a frown. "Maybe I'd just become a..." she trailed off and thought for a moment, even holding her chin to make it more evident that she was trying to think about what she wanted to be in the future. Her parents laughed at her, yet they waited for her answer. They were also curious.

What would she be if she wanted to help the lives of people but at the same time, she doesn't want to bear a doctor's responsibility? She wants to make people smile while she herself enjoys what she does. Doing something merely because you feel obligated to do it is boring. Also, just like what her father did to the blank canvas—that is now filled with various colors Kotoha couldn't even name—, she wants to paint people's worlds with bright colors and save them from the dullness that has embraced their worlds. What could be a perfect job to fulfill her dreams?

Something popped into her mind, and it was such a great idea for her that she found herself grinning widely at her parents. "I'll become a teacher. That way I can help other people who are braver than me to become doctors."

Her parents looked satisfied with her answer, as they chuckled and nodded at her. "That's great, but I'm sure that's not yet final," her mother said, who has just finished massaging Kotoha's father. "It will surely change through the years, but if you desire to uphold that dream of yours, then we'd loved to see you receive your diploma as a teacher in the future."

"Your mom's right. Choosing a career will be difficult, but teaching is one of the best professions out there," Kotoha's father said, giving Kotoha a pat on her shoulder. He turned his chair around again, and it looks as if he's continuing his painting already. "However, don't you want to become an artist? Just in case you want to be the one to reach your father's dreams for hi—ow. What was that for?" His wife had slapped him on his back lightly, and so he started rubbing it while saying that violence should never take place in their home.

"Haven't you learned a lesson in your story?"

Kotoha giggled as she watched her parents act sweet with their small, unserious quarrel. "That was just a joke. Anyway, I should be continuing this painting already," he told the two and took the brush and palette, smiling at Kotoha again before continuing his work-in-progress.

Entering the Akashis' mansion through the front door was pretty ordinary for Kotoha. She would love to try something else that's why instead of heading to the front door today, she went straight to where Akashi's room was. She knocked on the glass window to get Akashi's attention and waited for him to open the window for her. It was big enough for her to enter through it so there isn't any problem at all.

Her father has finished the painting a week ago, so she thought of visiting Akashi today to give it to him. It has been months—she can't remember how many months though—since they became friends, but she realized she hasn't given him any present yet. She and her parents had a hard time thinking of what she should give him because he simply has everything and he can have everything Kotoha can enumerate. In the end, however, they realized that a gift's value isn't measured by how much it costs, but by how heartfelt the gift was made.

"What's taking Akashi too long?" Kotoha murmured as she impatiently stomped on the grass and gripped the straps of her backpack where she put her gift. A little later after she knocked, Akashi still hasn't responded. So she knocked again and this time, she called out Akashi's name so he wouldn't think someone's making a prank at him. "Akashi!"

Afterwards, the curtains of the window slid to the side, revealing Akashi who was holding a calligraphy brush on his one hand while the other was holding onto the curtain. He blinked at Kotoha, because who would even expect her to head there instead of the front door? Most likely he already thinks that she acts weird at times.

Akashi opened the window for her and immediately asked, "What are you doing there? Is the front door closed?"

"I just feel like using the window of your room as a door," she said as she climbed up, with Akashi assisting her by pulling her up. When she finally stepped her feet on the room, she smiled in satisfaction before she took off her shoes and sat on Akashi's fluffy bed. She actually felt like jumping on it but Shuuko once scolded her because of that, so she always restrains herself from doing so.

"By the way, are you doing calligraphy today?" Kotoha asked, taking off her backpack from her and leaving it on Akashi's bed. Then she went to Akashi's workplace to look at his works while Akashi was closing the window.

It didn't surprise her to see a well-organized workplace, but what particularly took her attention are his beautiful calligraphy works and his exam papers settled on his table too. Not to mention the three-digit number encircled on top of his every paper that made her eyes grow wide. It's a given, but the fact that Akashi can do that still amazes her. He got a hundred in all his exams. That's awesome.

She immediately turned to Akashi when she heard the windows close and moved away from his table. "Yeah, but I'm nearly done," Akashi said as he arranged the curtains. "Anyway, you know, you're really weird for thinking of using the window as a door."

"I just wanted to try it. That's all. Anyway, I have something to give you," she said and then she went to her bag and took the canvas out of it. She handed it to Akashi who clearly has no idea on what's going on. "Come on, take it."

A bit hesitantly, he took it and removed the paper that was covering the canvas. He blinked as he looked at what welcomed him upon opening the present, an image of a peaceful paradise painted on a framed small canvas.

He sat on his bed while Kotoha remained standing in front of him with her hands kept at her back. Guesses about what could probably be running inside Akashi's mind stormed in her head, and those thoughts made her smile. "Dad hopes you'd like it. He did his very best to paint that for you."

A smile appeared in his face while he kept his eyes on the gift Kotoha has given him. "This is beautiful. I love it," he said, lifting his gaze at Kotoha and letting his smile grow even wider. "But why... did you give me this?"

"It's our gift to you," she said and then giggled. She can clearly imagine herself in front of the canvas with a brush in her grip and her father guiding her on painting the blue river. It is not as perfect as the other objects in the painting, but the painting still looked fine. "'Our' because I helped Dad paint these flowers"—she pointed at them—"and the river! He guided me so they still turned out okay."

He wasn't letting go of the canvas as if it badly needs to be secured, and Kotoha did her best not to laugh. He can absolutely buy any painting that he likes. He just needs to approach his parents to ask them to buy him a costly painting, but he is still very appreciative of the painting Kotoha's father personally made for him. "Gift? But there isn't any occasion today."

"Who said you can't give gifts when there isn't an occasion?" she asked and pouted, sitting on the floor in front of Akashi. "Anyone can give anyone gifts at any time they want!"

"It's really amazing to receive a gift even during ordinary days, so it will be too bad if you won't experience it," she said. Akashi looked at her with a grateful expression after she said that and it made her feel so happy.

"Your dad is an amazing artist. Thanks for this," he said and looked at his friend who was sitting across him, patting the canvas lightly. Kotoha, in return, showed a closed-lipped smile and gave him a two thumbs-up. Then, he stood from his bed and went towards his study table, where he temporarily displayed the painting by leaning it against the wall. "I don't really receive gifts that much during ordinary days, except from my mother and Shuuko-san."

She kept her eyes at Akashi as he took all the exam papers on his table, compiled them, and inserted them on a blue folder on the same table as well. She frowned but then smiled again later on when Akashi faced her. The fact that Akashi was able to ace all his exams also scares her at the same time. "I saw your exams earlier before you hid it," she said while Akashi went back to his bed and sat there. "You're really smart! Is that why you always study during your free time? Because you want to get perfect scores in your exams?"

Akashi gaped at her in response to her question. That caught him off-guard, and it silenced him for quite a while. Afterwards, he shook his head. "That's what my father wants me to do. He wants me to learn a lot so he tells me to read and study often."

"Oh," Kotoha uttered. "Do you like what you're doing?" she asked curiously, looking Akashi in the eye as she waited for his answer, if ever he likes to give one. He doesn't usually talk about his father nor his relationship with him, but Kotoha was curious about what Akashi really feels towards him and the things that he wants his son to do.

"Sort of. It's fun to learn things," he said and forced a smile, and it didn't escape Kotoha's notice.

She stared at Akashi and his forced smile, and then she sighed. If Akashi thinks he can trick her with his obviously fake smile, then he's absolutely wrong about that matter. Why does he need to keep his problems in secret? She was about to speak when someone knocked on the door. It creaked open, and it was Akashi's mother.

"Oh, Kotoha! There you are," she said, surprised. "I was waiting for you outside since the guard has told me that you came because you wanted to give Sei a present. How did you get in here, though?"

"She used the window to break in," Akashi sort-of joked, to which Kotoha made a face.

In denial, she shook her head and defended herself. "I didn't break in. Akashi opened the window for me so what I did isn't counted as breaking in, Shiori-san."

Shiori chuckled at the two. "Okay, I get it. But next time, use the front door instead, okay?" She smiled when Kotoha nodded in response and apologized before she entered the room.

She headed towards Akashi's study table and saw an unfamiliar painting displayed there. "Wow, this is beautiful. Is this what you gave him, Kotoha?" she asked and Kotoha said 'yes'. "It's really nice," she said as she took blank papers and two pens from the table.

"Anyway, I thought of an interesting activity for today now that Kotoha has visited again," she turned to the two and approached them.

As soon as she has sat beside Akashi, she asked Kotoha to sit beside her so she would understand what to do. "Is that what the papers and pens are for?" Kotoha asked, and Shiori nodded. She suddenly felt excited and she wanted to start the activity as soon as possible.

"One secret to a stronger friendship is having goals that you both want to achieve. When you ask? Depending on the conditions that would permit you to achieve them. My best friend and I once made a list of all the things we want to do together," she explained as she uncapped a pen and wrote "The Bucket List" on top of a paper. "Then, whenever we achieved something included on the list, we put a check beside it.

"However, if there's something written there that you think you can't even achieve—but you once thought you could—,you can cross it out but," she put a strong emphasis on the word, "you need to replace it with a more plausible goal."

"What if we were able to achieve everything on the list?" Akashi asked as he watched his mother scribble the number one just below the title and "remain friends for a lifetime" just beside the number. His mother smiled and chuckled at him since she has answered his query indirectly.

She gave them a paper and pen of their own. "I'll leave the rest up to you, but always remember that your number one goal is to remain friends for a lifetime. Achieving a hundred other goals is pretty useless if you'd still end up breaking your friendship," she said and patted the two children on their heads. "But please don't hesitate adding more if you've achieved everything aside from the first one. I'll leave you both for a while but I'll return later to check you out."

Before she left the room, she looked at the two again and said, "Give me a copy of your bucket list, okay? Enjoy!" Afterwards, she left the two thinking of what things they would want to achieve together.

"Let's go to the same middle school," Akashi suggested right after his mom left his room. It surprised Kotoha because she didn't know that Akashi was taking the list seriously. He looked at her and put on an expression that asked her if she doesn't mind writing it on their list.

She transferred again from the bed to the floor so she can write it properly, and then she grinned at Akashi. "That's cool!" she exclaimed while she wrote the title, their main goal, and Akashi's suggestion on the paper she's holding."That way we can see each other more often than today. Should we go to the same high school and university too?"

"I don't know if my father would encourage me to go abroad for college, though," Akashi said as he sat on the floor beside Kotoha and wrote his idea. "Do you want to go too just in case?" he said and smiled at her. Maybe that was a joke, and Kotoha found it in some way funny.

"Never mind. Let's just go to the same high school since it's more possible than going to the same college."

"Then maybe it would be better for us to attend each other's college graduation, instead."

Kotoha glared at Akashi because she wouldn't be able to afford a plane ticket. However, on the second thought, it might just be one of the best ideas ever because she would have another reason for her parents to allow her to ride an airplane. "Sure, as long as you'll pay for my plane ticket, I don't really mind," she joked, accompanied with a laugh. "Kidding. I have more than a decade to save for it. Would saving ten yen a day enough?"

"I don't think so. Maybe twenty yen a day would do."

She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "Okay. For the sake of your graduation and for the sake of seeing the clouds up close, I will."

They spent more or less an hour exchanging ideas and goals, and everything that seemed plausible and reachable enough are included in their bucket list. The brainstorming alone helped them get to know each other better and this was the instance when they enjoyed talking to each other the most. Both of them stopped when they were able to write eleven goals because although the activity is fun, it was still exhausting their minds. They agreed to add whenever an idea crosses their mind but for now, they left the list as that.

"Do you think we can do everything written here?" Kotoha asked as she read the list for probably the tenth time since they stopped from doing the list. "The last goal in the list is difficult."

Akashi was copying their list on another paper since his mother wants to have her own list too. "For someone cheerful, you sure are pessimistic in some ways. Besides, you're the one who suggested it."

She pouted and drew a deep breath. "I know, but I just want to do it," she said and frowned as her gaze rested on the last two goals they agreed to include in the list. "Can we achieve the first one without doing the last? Because if you think we can, then we should just erase it and—" she faltered off and glanced at Akashi. "Replace it with something easier."

He placed the pen on the floor and shook his head. "Just let them be. I also want to accomplish that in the future when we're brave enough. Even Mom couldn't do it today, but who knows we might be able to do it in the future."

The frown on her face slowly turned up into a small smile before she folded the paper and put it inside the pocket of her backpack. Akashi has just encouraged and filled her with determination today. And that's when she fully realized that friendship is not a one-way relationship. It requires you to help each other always. Every time. In every situation. In all the ups and downs of life's ride.

Shiori came back a few after they've stopped writing, and she was smiling as she read the list. "Great job. I hope you'll be able to accomplish everything here, especially the first one..." she trailed off and her eyes widened. The two children were sure of the reason. "And the last one too."

The Bucket List

Remain friends for a lifetime

Go to the same middle school and high school.

Attend each other's graduation

Get to know the neighborhood kids and befriend them.

Get a pet cat and name it Seiko

Learn something (but not in school)

Help someone in need (check this if he/she has thanked you)

Watch a meteor shower together

Conquer a fear

Help one another change a bad habit/trait

Tell Akashi's father about our friendship.

Xx xX