If I had a nickel for every time where I watched an anime where a young person who lost their mother moves in with their aunt, eventually has beef with a local animal and somehow ends up in a strange world where our rules of time don't apply, I'd have two nickels. This isn't much but it's weird that it happened twice.
You could barely believe it even as you walked away from the abandoned neighborhood you had stumbled into mere minutes ago. It was eerily silent, and the sinister abandoned buildings left you feeling scared and regretful for coming in the first place. You were, however, somewhat comforted by Souta’s firm, calm resolve.
He was kind enough to carry you on his back as you went up the hill under the scorching sun. You were both sweating profusely, and were both quite tired from the trip. Souta was guiding you back into the little coastal town, from where your journey began. You had been looking forward to soaking a bit in the crystal clear water that seemed to be even more inviting as you melted under the intense summer heat, but now you were just attempting to process what you had seen.
Complaining would get you nowhere, especially considering you’d agreed to come with him. And asking questions wasn’t necessary, considering he had already told you most of it before.
♡
“Say that again, and slowly this time so that you can process what’s coming out of your mouth.”
Brow raised and jaw slack as you looked at the handsome bastard in front of you. His story baffled you beyond what your vocabulary could express.
Souta was a funny, kind and very clever man. He had a tendency to disappear on spontaneous trips. He was young after all, and this was the best time to explore the world. You liked him enough to cheer him on and wait for his return, but maybe not enough to have him play in your face.
“I know, it’s shocking and it sounds insane…”
“You got that right, at least,” you snorted.
“But, it’s true. I thought that if we were going to get serious, you needed to know about this.” The seriousness in his tone almost made you believe him, but the sheer ridiculousness of what he was telling you wasn’t something you could look past.
“So you go around Japan closing cosmic doors that cause natural disasters?”
“Yes.”
“Souta, if you think I’m this stupid, I don’t think we’re going to work out,” you sighed, closing your textbook and stuffing it in your bag.
“What?” he exclaimed, genuinely shocked at the turn of the conversation he thought would strengthen your blooming relationship. You packed the rest of your things as Souta stumbled over his words, but you barely even understood what he was saying. Not that you were putting in the effort anyway.
“I promise I’m telling the truth,” he said desperately, following you out of the campus library. You rolled your eyes, still ignoring the rambling man.
“Sure… I believe you. I’ve seen my fair share of supernatural things too,” you said cheerily. There was a glimmer of hope in his eyes and he felt relief slowly sink in. “My closet is actually a doorway to a monster corporation that focuses on scaring children to half-death. It’s quite dreadful.”
He deadpanned. He scoured his brain thinking of how to make you believe him, and it lit up like a light bulb in his head.
“Come with me this time.”
♡
Damn you and your curiosity.
You decided to walk the rest of the way when you reached level ground. Souta had let you soak everything in. A part of him was worried you’d definitely leave, but another part of him was glad that he was able to show you this very important side of him.
A refreshing breeze blew by, cooling you slightly. The mental exertion gave you a headache and the heat worsened it. Your hand was in Souta’s, sweaty and all, but it felt imperative to keep touching him in some way. Almost as if you were scared he’d disappear. You thought of the story you so carelessly dismissed and the fear of potentially losing him to such a dangerous task, no matter how important it was.
You found a bench by the beach. The view was breathtaking. The setting sun cast a golden glow across the sea.
The words were hard to come by. You had no idea what you could possibly say other than “I’m sorry”.
“What are you apologising for?” he chuckled, turning to look at you. He seemed so at ease, so peaceful and you couldn’t understand how. He truly was a strong man.
“For how I spoke to you a few days ago on campus,” you clarified. The shame you felt peeked through in your voice.
“Don’t worry about it.” The smile on his face was so tender, you wondered if you deserved it.
“So…” you began awkwardly, “doors, huh?”
He cackled, “Yes, doors…”
“And what happens if you don’t make it in time?”
“Disasters,” he responded flatly.
“Huh…” was all you could say in return in light of his nonchalance.
“Do you do this alone?” you asked.
“Yep.”
“Is that even more dangerous?” You frowned, feeling a bit concerned.
“Yes but I’m used to it.”
“Would you want company?”
“Why? Do you wanna join me?” he teased. “You were horrified back there. Are you sure you’d be able to keep up?”
“I think I’d feel better actually being with you,” you admitted. “I don’t think I’d have any peace whenever you’re gone.”
“Sure,” he said, smiling. “If it will make you feel better.”
“It will,” you said, laying your head on his shoulder and watching the sun on the horizon.
