The Falling Star: Part 1

Chapter 15: Apus

    There were many thoughts and emotions going through Hiroto's mind when Pan revealed Mindy's identity to him. The first was his confusion in regards to the significance of being a "goddess of life". To him it sounded the same as any other title he had heard the gods be called. The second was why this revelation had shaken Pan in such a way, it was unlike him to sound so worried about something. He likely would have gone through all of the leftover thoughts had he not been brought back to reality by Pan's speaking to him.
"Uchiyama!" Pan said for what might have been the third time.
"Yeah." Hiroto acknowledged.
"We need to meet." He said, "Can you get to your apartment soon?"
Hiroto looked to Mindy, who was still wondering exactly what was going on.
"Yeah, just let me do something first." He said, "Then we'll be there."
"All right." Pan said, and hung up.
Hiroto put his phone back into his pocket as Mindy scooted closer to him.
"Hiroto...your face is pale." She said, putting her hand to his cheek, "Are you all right?"
Hiroto looked at her for a moment, the colors of her eyes reflected by the room's light.
"I'm fine, but we need to go home." He said as he put his hand on hers, "I think...we're about to learn everything."
Mindy tilted her head, it was clear that she wasn't fully sure what was going on. But she understood enough to give him a nod and stand up. Just then they heard the door open behind them, and Namie returned holding a tray with some tea on it. The look on her face indicated that she had calmed down since leaving the room, though she did look concerned when she saw Mindy standing up.
"Is everything all right...?" She asked as she sat the tray down.
Hiroto stood up and put his hands into his pockets.
"Everything is fine, but we need to go." He said, "Something's...come up."
Namie looked at him for a moment, before turning her attention to Mindy. Hiroto glanced at the goddess from the corner of his eye, she was doing a poor job of concealing the worry on her face. It was clear that Namie wasn't buying that nothing was up, so he tried to think of a lie to appease her.
"The truth is...Mindy isn't feeling very well." He said, "She didn't want to upset you, so she tried to come spend time with us anyway. But I really think I should take her home."
Namie's eyes never left Mindy's face, even as Hiroto spoke. But eventually she averted her gaze to him again.
"...I understand." She said, "I'll see you next time you come by, then."
Hiroto nodded, walking over to the door. Mindy didn't follow him at first, she walked over to Namie and stood in front of her.
"Sorry." She said with a quick hug, before following Hiroto out of the apartment.

Hiroto lit a cigarette as they walked on the sidewalk. He had to admit, something was off with Namie when they said that they had to leave. It didn't seem that she fully believed the story he gave, but he didn't exactly have time to worry about it now. Mindy was also obviously concerned about what might be coming next. He glanced over at her, and as he exhaled smoke he tried to think of something to say. But Hiroto had never been the best with words, so instead he simply took her hand and held it, something she had done to comfort him so many times before. Mindy didn't glance over at him, but her face did soften considerably. It seemed to him that both girls had more on their minds than they let on. Hiroto decided that it wasn't much use dwelling, and returned his own gaze forward as they walked. Eventually they reached his apartment, and he stomped out his cigarette as they reached the stairs.
"Are you ready to go in?" He asked Mindy, "And learn everything?"
Mindy looked down at her feet for a moment, before looking up at Hiroto.
"Are you?" She returned the question.
Hiroto cleared his throat and closed his eyes.
"Of course. This is what we've been working towards." He said, "We can finally get you home."
He felt Mindy put her hand on his chest, and he opened his eyes. Tears were streaming down her face, and suddenly he was reminded of their previous conversation, about finding out who she was. Neither of them spoke a word, they simply stared at each other for a moment, maybe their last moment having the kind of life that they had now. Hiroto felt strangely empty for a moment, but steeled himself and turned towards the stairs.
"Let's get going." He said dryly.
He could see Mindy softly nod in his peripheral vision, and she followed him when he made his way up the stairs.