FMS Episode One 37 (Patreon)

"Aya…"

Chihaya was taken aback. Yes, that was the deal. I had been so caught up in my own happiness, I didn’t bother how Aya was feeling.

(Really?) (That’s great, Chihaya) Aya's cheerful voice from the other day rang inside Chihaya’e ears.

"I…I’m sorry."

Chihaya said after a long silence.

"I was so full of myself. I’m ashamed now."

"..."

"When I first came to the island, I was very nervous. I wondered if I could get along in a strange place with people I didn’t know. But now I really like it here."

"..."

"And that’s all because of you, Aya. It's you who decided I’m worthy of your care and showed me how beautiful it was here. With great things. Thanks to you, I’m a new girl now."

“…” Aya was blushing as she looked down.

"So it makes my heart sink now that I know I need to leave this island. But at the same time, I’m happy and thrilled that Mom and Dad finally asked me to come home."

"..."

“Now I really want to go back home and help them. Until now, I think I was just waiting. Waiting for people to do favors for me. From now on, I must do something in return."

"..."

"Let's go home, Aya."

"...No." Aya embraced her key on her breast with her hand and stepped back. "I don't…I don’t get what you are saying. At the end of the day, you’ll be gone for good, right? I don’t like that. Not one bit."

"Aya..."

"Stay away," Aya held her hand firm. “I’ll just get rid of this key. Then you won't be able to go anywhere but stay with me." Aya leaned back on the round porthole behind her and grabbed its handle, like threatening to break the cabin’s airtightness.

"No, Aya!" Chihaya said firmly,

Aya jolted in reaction. Her hand gripping the hilt swung down hard, inadvertently releasing the latch.