Chapter 1 - First sight
"You've changed," without looking up, Ayu put down her spoon and starring at the small cup of strawberry ice-cream in disgust.
"I can't believe so many people are coming to this place, seem to me, it is more famous among Van Dan high school's girls than the rest," She laughed.
That's right, High School. It has been too long since Ayu mentioned these words on her lips. Unlike most students, Ayu really enjoyed her high school life to its fullest. More than that, they are the best years of her life. A life that was filled with dreams, friends, smiles, gossips, and sweet tales of love. On the night of her graduation, Ayu cried for the first time in four years; it's not because the best years of her life has almost came close to an end but it's her confusions and clueless for the life of adulthood awaiting for her.
Sitting inside a crowding ice-cream shop with full of young teen girls, at the age of 34, the place seem like a foreign land for Ayu. Everything from the pictures hanging on the walls, noises of little girls' conversations and their laughters, those flashing colorful lights, the loud pop music, to the reduced amount of oxygen and its counter-part dioxide have given her more than just a light headache.
"Is that bad?" The young girl speaks, sounding more amuse than concern.
"Never in my life have I tasted anything more nastier than this stuff." Ayu claimed.
"I am not talking about your ice-cream," "you said I have changed"
Dropping the napkin she was holding in her hand into the full cup of melting strawberry ice-cream, Ayu gave out a sight.
"I think you just reminded me the reason why I am here," sounding more serious than before.
"Miki, is there a reason why you didn't go to school lately?" She paused. With a more gentle voice, Ayu continued, "If it is because of your aunt's death, then I understand that. But it has been almost a year, you have gotten to move on with your life. And if she knows that, it would make you her so much happier in heaven."
"Aunt Cici did not believe in heaven, you know."
"You know what I meant!" "I am telling you to go back to school and stop wearing those kind of clothes."
"I understand that black isn't your favorite color, but it is mine." without looking up, Miki gives out a sweet smile.
"I am fully understand what you are going through right now, trust me! It hurts me as much as it hurt you." With a lower tone, Ayu gives out a sight. "But that doesn't give you the excuses to be like this, just come back home, ok?!"
In silence and through the windows of each other's souls, their sorrow and emotions from a painful past are slowly visible in the naked eyes.
"I am sorry for those harsh words, Miki, but please try to understand the situations like an adult." Trying to hide her tears under those glasses, Ayu exclaimed.
"Just go back home today, we will talk more when I come home this afternoon." With a soften look, Ayu eying the little girl who still sitting quietly in her own chair.
"Ayu!" Miki called out.
"Don't worry, just wait for me at home" "And just like how you called my sister, address me as Auntie, little girl." Without turning her back, Ayu ran out of the door behind lines of high school girls in their uniforms.
