* * *

Hours later I sat on the moonlit grass, smiling dreamily at the luminous Japanese moon. I wasn't sure why I felt so happy; the only thing it was fueled by was the small pleasure of finishing a hard day of work. A small wish stole into m mind that Ayu was here.

Almost at once my contentment evaporated. If only she really was here! More than a friend, more than a sister, Ayu and I were so alike, especially in looks, that we could almost be twins.

In fact, many people mistake me for Ayu. We've been best friends for so long that we've even picked up each other's habits. But sometimes, as I watch her delighted face spellbound by a single butterfly, I wonder if we're all that alike.

- ªæª¹ª± (Yusuke)

"ªæª¹ª±! ªæª¹ª±!"

Hisato waved his hand in front of my face.

"Are you going to eat or not?"

I glanced at the barely touched bowl in front of me, still half submerged in my thoughts.

"ª¢ªÎ... (ano... / um...) if you're done I'll put it away for you." my brother offered uncertainly.

"ª¢ªêª¬ªÈª¦." (arigatou / thank you) I said a split second too late.

I got up unsteadily and tottered outside, past the lonely cherry tree and through the gate.

As I wandered toward the one place that could hold my troubled mind, thought chased themselves through my head. The face of the girl at the airport flashed before my mind's eye. So like Ayu... yet so unlike. Was I hallucinating, or was it real? After I had left Ayu, it felt as if I drifted through an empty dream.

My feet stopped. Looking up at the quiet grove of trees before me, it seemed as if a giant weight had been lifted from my heart. My thoughts seemed to drift through the trees, quiet now. But when I closed my eyes I could still see the face of the girl who looked like Ayu.

- ÇýÁø (HyeJin / Ayu)

"ÇýÁø NNN

* supposed to be in kanji.. *

Good luck ÇýÁø,

we'll meet again. - ª¢ªæ (Ayu)"

For the millionth I reread the card attached to the set of FLAME CDs that Ayu had given me. I didn't really care for FLAME, but anything from my best friend meant something, so naturally I never let it out of my sight.

Putting it back on to the desk I pulled out a sheet of paper and held my pencil poised over the paper, ready to write to Ayu. Nothing came to mind.

I drummed my feet on the floor.

Then in one sudden surge, the whole pressure of leaving Ayu broke through and I burst into tears (which I don't normally do so NO COMMENT)

After a while the tears subsided and I was left silent and drained. Slipping out of my room, I went out the door and drifted through the streets with no thought of the danger and only sustained by the memory of home.

- ªæª¹ª± (Yusuke)

Maybe it was the girl, or maybe it was something deeper, but whatever it was, it drew me to the airport for the next few days.

I knew it was hopless; by now the girl would either be home in Japan or thousands of miles away. I could only hope that she was home, or at least visiting, in Japan.

"ªæª¹ª±! ªæª¹ª±!"

For the second time in the last few days, Hisato waved his hand in front of my face. He gave me a strange look.

"Really Yusuke, what's gotten into you lately? This is the second time you've zoned out on me."

I looked at him, my brain slowly digesting what he said. My thoughts scattered, I cast about for something to say.

"ª¢ªÎ... (ano... / um...) I'm sort of tired... it's nothing..."

I got up stiffly.

"I'm done."

I pushed away my untouched miso soup. Hisato gave me a calculating look, then nodded slowly.

I gave him a small grin. There are some things only a brother like Hisato could understand. After all, we are twins, no?

Sitting resolutely at my desk I took out a sheet of paper and started writing, my pencil skimming over the paper like it had a life of its own.

- ÇýÁø (HyeJin / Ayu)

I felt as if I was coming up out of deep water. Shaking my head so that my naturally brown hair came loose, I opened my eyes again to find the beautiful grove still in front of me.

"ª­ªìª¤..." (kirei... / pretty...) I breathed, unconsciously falling back into Japanese.

As I stepped onto the delicate tufts of grass a happy tingle seemed to run up my spine, lifting the pressure that had weighed me down.

Instinctively I knew that no matter what happened, this grove would always be here to lift my troubles and calm my heart.

* * *

"ÇýÁø¾Æ... ³Ê ÇÑÅ× ÆíÁö¿Ô¼­!" (Hey Hyejin... a letter came for you)

Free of depression, I cheerfully took the letter from ªªª«ª¢ªµªó's hand. She smiled, seeing me so cheerful, and I smiled back with the first genuine smile I had made in days.

Up in my room, my spirits soared even higher when I saw it was from Ayu. Opening it deftly, I unfolded the crisp sheet of paper inside and began reading.

- ªæª¹ª± (Yusuke)

The next day, my appetite was back.

"I've decided to start eating again." I announced at breakfast.

Hisato gave me an appraised look with a lift of his eyebrows.

"What a surprise..." he commented.

A few days ago, this sarcastic tone would have depressed me, but today nothing could dampen my spirits.

I practically skipped outside, easily making my way down to my grove. All of a sudden, however, I stopped short. Looking closer at the grass, I noticed several bruised blades and a broken stem. And in the small circle of soil in the center of the grove was a single, conspicuous footprint.

* * *

All during dinner I was silent, half angry, half-curious about the footprint in my grove. I noticed my brother throwing sidelong glances at me, but I ate enough for two... though in ominous silence.

However, I was slightly cheered by the letter that I sent to Ayu. Maybe she would know who the girl at the airport was...

end of Kioku.