A Piece of Painful Memories

Seeing Ao realized it, Rei couldn't say anything but lower her head and looked at the ground.

"I don't mind to listen to you" Ao said monotonously and looked at Rei in the eyes. His face was close and next to Rei.

Rei kept silence for a moment thinking whether it's better to tell him or not. In the end, Rei decided to tell him.

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Ten years ago, on 25th December.

It was the day when her childhood friend passed away. She died because of her. It was all her fault! She died in front of her very eyes. Rei still remember that day. The red blood coloring the pure white snow into red.

Rei and her childhood friend were playing tag on their way home from the park and passed by a train rail. Rei was further ahead her friend, so her friend was chasing after her, but her friend fell down on the rail. 

She asked Rei to wait for her, yet she told her, "you should chase me". 

At first, Rei did not know her friend had fallen and her foot was stuck at the gap between the rail. Her friend then suddenly she screamed for help. When she turned around she could hear the sound of the train coming closer. she ran as fast as she could and tried to reach her hand but it's too late.

Her friend had been hit by the train. she couldn't do anything but cry as she felt the fresh blood dripped from her face to the ground.

Everything was her fault. She resented herself for killing her bestfriend. Rei thought that if she had reached her hand a second earlier at that time, maybe she would still be alive, next to her.

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Ao listened to Rei story without saying anything. Now, her cheeks were wet. Tears were flowing down her cheeks and she said,"It was all my fault!!! If I had been faster I could still save her!!"

The girl who had been holding back when she told the stories now broke in tears and slumped on the floor. Remembering her happy memories when her childhood friend was still alive and spent her time with her.

Ao hugged her tightly, patted her back to calm her and whispered right into her ear ," it's not your fault..it's an accident..you will make her cry if you said she has a grudge against you. It's an accident, Rei."

Rei clang to Ao, she's crying on his chest and her cry sounds like a desperate person who wanted to end her life. She cried for a long time in Ao's arms. As soon as she stopped she fell in a deep sleep. Ao carried her to her room and went back to sleep with a grim face.

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Rei woke up early, she walked to the living. The light was already on, someone must have woken up earlier than her. Rei stood in front of the door, the moment she pulled the door, she could smell the fragrance of miso soup. It was a very inviting smell that can make you droll.

"Morning, how do you feel?" Ao asked Rei without turning his head from the miso soup.

"Good morning, I think I am fine..I guess" Rei doubtfully and sat on the sofa

Ao turned off the stove and sat on the sofa across Rei.

"Do you still feel guilty?"

Rei didn't answer him. She lowered her head before answering him.

"I-I do... feel guilty ,but what you said were true. She would be sad if she saw me. But I feel my burden has lighten up. It isn't as heavy as before."

She slowly raised her head, smiled and said, "thank you for listening to my stories, Ao-kun." Then, Rei face changed into serious expression," Ao-kun, please don't tell this to anyone."

Ao stared at her and chuckled ," I wouldn't tell anyone's secrets to others. You should stop worrying about Shiina's accident and live your life to the fullest."

Rei and Ao now shared a secret. They made a pinky promise. Although Rei felt relieved, however, there was an unanswered question that she could not bring herself to ask.

How did he know her childhood friend's name. Ao was full of mystery that nobody knew.