Trails of intertwined stars: Chapter 30

~Chapter 9: Hisako~

Zero stood in the kitchen, pressing the tomato gently on its top; before cutting it in half. He stood next to Setsu, who gently stirred a pot of pasta; she glanced over, smiling.
"You're quite talented with the knife there."
Zero smiled," I learnt knife skills and cooking back at home."
Setsu chuckled," You're so polite and well-behaved, my daughter could learn a thing or two from you."
Setsu walked over to the sink, carefully pouring the boiling water out.
"Ah right, Sebastian said he'd come to collect you to take you home in a few days. You know, he's really happy you're here."
"Hm, how so?"
"Sebastian was so happy to finally be with his children, it was one of the happiest days of his life. His only worry that day, was trying to make up for the years he didn't have with them. He was always anxious about Hikari the most, even if she tried, she could never exactly make any close friends. He's always been a worrier though. Oops, sorry, I probably shouldn't tell tales about him!"
Zero laughed, shaking his head," I know what he's like."
"We have so many pictures of you and Hikari that Sebastian sent us over the years. He's very proud that you became her friend. I'll show them to you later."
Zero turned to the sink, smiling slightly.
"Awww, Setsu, look!" Kiyomasa hummed, walking in, furrowing in a box," I just found the wind chime I made on our honeymoon! Little distraction from the heat!"

The floral designed, glass wind chime gently lulled in the window as the four of them sat eating.
"Oh, looks like your hair's growing Zero," Setsu hummed, glancing up.
"How 'bout," Kiyomasa smirked, snipping his chopsticks like scissors," A lil trim?"
"Right!" Tokumei laughed," That'd be a disaster!"

Zero lay fast asleep on the bed, his sketchbook on his stomach as photographs of him and Hikari lay strewn on the bed. Tokumei sat with the piles of them, staring at each image sadly and carefully. He couldn't help but allow the tears to build up in the corners of his eyes, trying his best not to spill them on any. Quickly, Tokumei stuffed an image into his pocket, hoping nobody would notice the disappearance. His gaze fell upon the sketchbook in Zero's hand, currently open on the page of Marnie in her party dress. Tokumei gently pulled it out of the entity's grip, flicking through a few pages, curiously. He met the image of the marsh house, coloured gorgeously. Above was the words "To Tokumei." The boy felt his heart strings tug. It was a present for him? He quickly flicked back to the page of Marnie, gently pushing it under the entity's arm. The boy panicked, watching Zero stirr slightly, swiftly grabbing a photo to pretend he was busy. Zero woke, yawning. The entity looked down at the sketch of the girl, his mouth tugging into a small smile.
"You must promise to look for me again."
The girl's words slightly span in the entity's head, turning to the clock. It was already high tide.
"Shit!" Zero gasped, tripping out of bed," Quick! It's high tide!"

Both Zero and Tokumei ran down the steps to the beach, running through the long grass to where the boat usually waited for them. There was nothing. Zero turned for the beach, running along the shore, hoping to find the girl as Tokumei ambled behind. Nothing. So she had to be at the marsh house waiting!? The two skillfully trudged through to the Marsh house, avoiding the high tide and waves. They ran up the stairs, the entity peered through the glass in the door. It was just an old, rusting home with blankets over furniture. Marnie wasn't there. Zero went over to Tokumei, who sat on the wall staring up at the girl's bedroom window. She'd have to appear at some point, right? Zero joined him, both staring up, determined to see the girl as grey clouds grew overhead. Rain spattered onto the stone, growing heavier with each passing minute. After ten minutes, they decided all they could do was go home.

Zero walked to the beach himself the next day, with sketchbook in hand. He'd wanted to test out that spot he'd seen the artist paint at, as it had a gorgeous view of the marsh house. He couldn't help but feel slightly disheartened by Marnie not appearing for so long, and slightly guilty. So he sat on a log, sketching over the image of her, fondly. He didn't even register the footsteps behind him on the soft grass. Zero jumped, watching as someone set an easel onto the grass, before displaying their image onto it.
"Would you mind?" She asked, smiling.
Zero shook his head, the woman looked much more friendly in person.
"Please, do."
"I see you are an artist as well," She hummed," Your drawing looks like someone I once knew. She was lovely."
"She is. But I haven't seen her for a week. I wonder if she's upset with me, because I forgot about her..."
"If she's a friend everything will be fine once you talk to her. Say, will you please take a look?"
"Oh!" Zero nodded, standing up," Sure!"
Ever since he'd seen the woman he had been quite eager to see what she was painting, so this was an opportunity he didn't want to give up. He gasped in awe. It was gorgeous, a practical replica.
"Wow!"
"Do you think the colours are too messy?"
"No, it's wonderful."
"I'm Hisako," Hisako smiled, warm as a flame," And I'm in love with that old marsh house. And you?"
"I'm Zero, and I love it too."
"Y'know, we're going to have to be quick with our artwork. Before the new folks move in. The renovation work is already underway."
Zero gasped, turning to her, horrified.

Zero ran over to the house from the shore, his expression fading to fear as he heard the sound of machines, and watched builders slowly repaint the roof. He paused, hearing the sound of a window slam open. In Marnie's bedroom was a ten year old girl, with brown ponytails and large, red glasses. She slammed the window, open, leaning out with a determined frown. Zero gasped, quickly trying to run off and ignore her stubborn glare.
"Hey!" She angrily called after him," Are you Marnie!?"
Zero froze, spinning around at the child, stunned.