Ue O Muite Arukou

He took a long drag of the cigarette, filling his lungs with sweet smoke. The same kind that filled him since he was nine. Just a small rest and indulgence of the familiar. Cigarette in one hand, and his other scratching his already greying hair. Another day at the shop.

The latest shipment from Japan was a week late. Import taxes had already hit pretty hard. Sales of the foreign knick knacks and decorations were steadily going down. Hiro wondered how he'd manage to keep the shop going. One last drag. Inhale. Release.

"Come on, son. It's time to close up shop. Close your books, let's go home."

The small child packed up his books in a tattered backpack, while staring at his father's cigarette.

"Remember, these are terrible for you. I don't ever want to fucking see you smoke these."

Nod. "I know."

"That's a good boy." A gentle pat. "Let's go. Stick close."

Light off. Door shut. Metal bars down. Padlock secured.

Just like every night, Hiro looked back at the shop, crossed himself, and prayed.

You're dead to me

"You're dead to me and you'll be missed," I grinned. "This is where we part ways. We all sail on the ship of Theseus, and the next time we meet, who knows who we'll be. A new mast, sail, or deck? The voyage ahead will shape us in many different ways. It is somewhat unfortunate, but the you that I know dies when we part. So... You're dead to me ^_^."

"You're weird, Franco -_-."

A girl with a kite

Happenstance. I saw her standing there with the tight brown shirt and white skirt. One hand a kite; the other a dark silhouette. Staring up pleasantly and smiling at the day. That same smile she wore when mesmerized by nature and the beauty of the world itself.

It's been a while. Years. I'm glad she's happy. It's certainly been a long time. Too much for a normal person, but I'm glad I can say that without malice. My best friend. How could I have ever wished anything other than happiness?

It'd been a while. Years. I knew I had healed, and it was time to repair whatever bridges were burned. Small chatter. Like the kind you make when standing next to an acquaintance during a long elevator ride. How's life? Distant. That's fine, I had been much too distant myself. Oh. Are you sure? I'm sorry, I don't understand. Well, when you change your mind, I'll be here, ready to listen to your stories.

It'll be a while. Years. I hope when that time comes we'll both still be here. It certainly won't be the same, but we'll enjoy the conversation. Art. Life. Family. The magnificence of humanity. I'll hug your new love and say thank you. Thank you so much for making her so happy. We'll part ways and live our lives, but for that one moment, I'll know that I never lost a friend.

Not today. I knew there was still not much to say. Eye contact. Slight wave. Smile. Turn away.

You're a good writer

"You're a good writer," she said to me.

I stared. Incredulous.

My gaze quickly switched to a corner. No I'm not. That was just a simple outline of my life. It was just random crap that I threw on the page, because you told me you wanted to know a little bit more about me. It's nothing. I'm not a great writer. Hell, during school, I was such a slow, lazy writer. I'm not creative.

"Thanks." I mumbled, staring at my hands.

"So what do you want to talk about?"

"I'm not sure. That's just a small outline of my life. I mean, does anything interest you in there?" It's not that interesting. "Do you have any questions that I should answer?"

"Why are you here?"

"My friends. They suggested I should look for a new therapist. I... want to get better?"