Secondhand Memories (Pioneer English Cell Phone Novel)

A Story

Chapter 244

A Story

There was a quiet knock at the door.

I turned around and got up from the stool I was sitting on.

Approaching the door cautiously, I couldn't help but wonder who it was.

Chapter 245

A Story

"Hisashiburi na."

Yuya was seated at Aoi's bedside now.

"Yeah, it's been a while."

"You've grown quite a bit, Seiji."

"How's that possible?"

I shook my head and laughed it off.

I haven't seen him in three months.

Chapter 246

A Story

There were rumours of him coming and going
but I never bumped into him.
Every now and then I would catch little things he left at Aoi's bedside,
little flowers, a new rough draft recording of his CD,
a pack of sweets from wherever he had just gone.
He was always on tour with his band, since his music career started picking up.
I heard their first album was coming out in a few weeks.

Within a few months, so many things have happened.

I had ask myself how I could keep going on like this
when Aoi wasn't moving at all.
It was as if we were all aging and not a single day passed for her in her frozen state.

I was leaving her behind.

Chapter 247

A Story

"Sorry I couldn't make it for sis's birthday yesterday."

"Nah it's okay. I'm sure she understands. You've been busy with the band." I smiled politely.

After such a long time, I didn't know what to say to him. I could only say courteous words.

When we were younger,
while he was still in university,
we hung out alot.
Every now and then he would take Aoi and I out for dinner
at a family restaurant and let us order anything on our minds.
In the summer, he took us on long trips like to Mount Fuji
or even further out, reaching Kyoto or Osaka.
I had come to love riding on the train across the country.

But as we all grew up and got busier, I barely talked to him.

Chapter 248

A Story

As he sat there in front of me now,
I was overwhelmed by all the times we had,
just like I always would be reminiscing in my memories with Aoi.
Thinking back now, he was the reason I got to know Aoi-chan.

His long hair was swept back now,
a few bangs falling over his face.
He was always the perfect balance between cool and friendly.
This year he was probably turning 26 now,
but his face was untouched by adulthood,
and he came across as only a few years older than us.

Every time I looked at his eyes however,
I was shocked by how old his eyes were.
That same amber in Aoi's eyes were completely different in her brother's.
Where Aoi's would glitter
with excitement and youthful joy,
his eyes shone steadily
with such mysterious depths and wisdom,
I could have sworn there was the spirit of an old man inside of him.

"How have you been doing?" He asked me, studying me with his old old eyes.

"I'm doing okay."

He paused. "I mean, how are you really doing?"