Chapter 65: Visiting

Time passed as Hajime and I drank without saying a word to each other. He offered me a cigarette as if he knew that I was urging for a smoke.

"Do you smoke?" Asked Hajime.

"Yeah. Thanks." 

"Thought so. You look like someone who is a heavy smoker." 

"Really? Do I? I guess I have to keep my smoking to a minimum." 

"Well, I can't blame you considering what you're going through." 

"What do you mean Hajime?" 

"Well, the walls on our apartment is surprisingly thin considering that it is a dorm for musicians, so I overheard your conversation with Lambert. Better lower your voice next time guys. Didn't mean to eavesdrop anyway, it's just that I'm next door." 

"I'm not hiding it anyway so that's fine." 

Once again, silence accompanied us as we smoked some cigarettes. We were here for quite a while so I wonder what time we'll be going back to our apartment. A few minutes later in between that soothing silence, my phone rang. I checked and it was Shin so I quickly answered after lighting another cigarette that Hajime offered.

"Shin? What's up how are you guys doing? It's been a while huh?" 

"Well, I have something to tell you Aoi." 

"What's with the tone. You're creeping me out here." 

"Don't be too shocked when you hear this news okay? Yukino will be hospitalized." 

"What?" 

"Yeah. She's close to dying Aoi. But she's facing everything with a smile." 

The phone line cut after that and A slammed my head face down on the bar counter which seemed to surprise Hajime.

"What's up dude? Are you drunk?" 

"My ex girlfriend, she's close to dying. She'll be hospitalized now."

"What dude? Then go back for a while. Send her off properly. You may not be in the best of terms right now but still, do it. She might send you away but that's not her true feelings. She wanted to be with you the most so go there." 

"But she told me to not see her." 

"Just get your ass off of here and book a flight right now." 

"What about work?" 

"Argh! You're making too much excuses dude! Do you think you'll be able to work properly knowing that she's dying and you guys never had any closure? You never did right?" 

"Yeah we never did. She left me after all."

"Then book a flight!" 

After the call that night, Hajime helped me book cheap flight back to Japan in 2 days. It wasn't really cheap but for a rushed booking, I have to say that it's quite reasonable. 

2 days passed and came the day of my departure back to Japan. I've already told Lambert that I'll be going home for 3 days and he gave me his full support and approval which surprised me. I expected him to not allow me to go home until we finish my book. 

On my way back to Japan was another tiring flight which made me lost in thought of how I should face Yukino. She told me clearly not to show myself in front of her but here I am about to go back home just to see her. Should I give uncle a call first? Maybe I should. 

The flight felt really quick compared to my first flight a month or two back when I first landed in Paris. I mostly slept through the whole flight. As soon as I landed back in Japan. It felt so nostalgic despite being away only for almost two months. 

No one knew that I was back in Japan even Shin. I kind of want to surprise them that I'm back also to not let the news get to Yukino. By doing so, Yukino won't be able to take any precautions to not meet me. 

I made my way out of the airport and took a cab to my apartment. I missed this place if you ask me. Yeah Paris isn't so bad and I'm comfortable with the apartment I was given there but nothing feels like home. My real home. 

I made my way to my apartment and it was clean. I bet Shin would clean this place regularly. I better thank her when I get the chance to. The smell of the apartment was the same as before I left it. Thank God Shin knew I hate air fresheners. 

I was tired from the long plane ride so I made my way to the bed lying face up staring at the ceiling. I remembered how we drank alcohol in this very place as a group that made me smile for a bit. 

I wondered if that would still happen in the near future. It probably will but I guess Yukino won't be here anymore. My tears fell down from my eyes to my cheeks. I wondered how much Yukino would want to be here. All of the memories in this room with Yukino was recalled vividly in my mind like it was a sad movie scene being played at the end. 

After settling down and finding it hard to sleep, I decided to take a walk outside since I missed how I would walk around this neighborhood to relieve myself of the things that I'm thinking. It became a therapy along the way. 

I walked around the neighborhood accompanied by the sound of cicadas being heard all over the place. Sure summer is hot but it gave a different vibe that brought me back to my childhood days with Shin. In all honesty, despite the heat, it felt refreshing.

I sat by the park to find Hina smoking a cigarette. She was surprised just as I am. She went for a hug as if she just saw a ghost considering how wide her eyes are. 

"You know this place prohibits smoking right?" Said I.

"Oh yeah. I forgot." Replied Hina throwing the cigarette in a bin.

"You better pick places for your smoking habit if you don't want other to see you in shock after seeing you smoking in a playground in broad daylight." 

"Yeah I'll keep that in mind. But what are you doing here? Are you back already? Is your book finished?"