Against Time and the Universe

DAY: ZER0

Hina had been waiting all her life for this. For him to finally ask her just about anything for the sake of hanging out again. This is what she wished for from the stars last night. To atleast spend sometime with her long time childhood friend again at her special day.

“Where do you wanna go?” Hina could sense nervousness at his tone although Hiro was smiling.

“Surprise me,” she replied. Both laughing , the pair exited the school premises. They wandered off the streets casually talking and joking around as if they were kids again. They would often point out some things relating to their childhood and would end up chuckling at the stupid things they did when they were little.

“Hey, Hiro-san, remember that one time when we hid from our maids and almost got lost in the city? I really thought that we were done for back then. It was one of the best memories that I had and I still haven’t thanked you for that so I’m taking this chance to do so,” she smiled at Hiro and the boy’s heart did a 360 degree flip.

Of course he remembers every detail of that day. He was nine and Hina was eight that time. They were playing at the Shirogane’s private park just within the city and they were pretty much annoyed with their maids and chaperones always following and aiding them around so they ran away to explore the city. They wandered endlessly into the unfamilliar streets, not even scared of the strangers. It was like playing hide-and-seek with the whole city as the playground. Being smart kids, they surely got away with it.  Little did they both know, that it was the last.

“I really did have fun hiding with you that time . It would not have been much fun if you weren’t with me so I guess I’d have to thank you too,”Hiro replied timidly.

Hina gave a smile in return. “Oh, we’re here!” the boy exclaimed. They were standing in the playground where they used to play when they were little. The place was repainted but it was still pretty much the same.

“Tag! You’re it!”, Hina ran upon tagging Hiro and they both went around the grounds, laughing and not giving a damn about anything. They played with the swings, seesaw, and even made a castle in the sandbox.

By the end of everything, they found theirselves in the tower. Both tired yet happy.

“AAAHH! Look at the sky! It’s so pretty! This afternoon is just perfect! ”the young lass stared above her with delight.  The skies turned into a lovely shade of pink and violet.

It is perfect. Everything with you is. Hiro can’t help but to gaze at her with so much awe. She never changed since.  He couldn’t even believe that this was ever happening at all. He suddenly had the urge to hold her hand, but he thought that it would be too much.

It wouldn’t kill me, right? I could just ask her. But wouldn’t it be inappropriate? Plus, we’ve only just started actually talking to each other again. Maybe it would just ruin the mood. But ..

It would be nice. To just hold her. In this nice afternoon.

“Hey, why are you staring at me like that?” Hina soflty chuckled as she noticed Hiro franctically avoid her eyes.

Crap. He was caught off guard. He didn’t even notice his own self staring deeply at her. Now it’s awkward.

“Oh, sorry ,” he tried to laugh it away too.

A few minutes passed and the silence was disturbed by a phone call. It was her chauffeur, calling to get her.

“I guess have to go now Hiro-san. I really had fun today! This is the best birthday I had in years to be honest ,”Hina started to grab her things. A black sedan appeared and her chaperone was already calling her again.  She started to walk away from the boy.

“Hey, Hina!” he rushed towards her. “I almost forgot, I still haven’t greeted you properly yet, Happy Birthday Hina-san,” he smiled at her which made the girl lose all control. She came in for a hug and Hiro felt like everything went all crazy.

“Thank you so much Hiro-san. Let’s hang out like this again please, “ the both of them got a little emotional bidding each other goodbye.

The smile painted on Hiro's face was so bright that even though it was already dark, you could see it from a mile. After the playground hang-out, he went back to the school to get his bicycle.

Maybe I should ask her out at lunch tomorrow. But wait, that would be too hard for me. I should just probably text her by the time I get home.

His thoughts were disturbed when he noticed a group of people crowding in the middle of the road intersection where he is supposed to pass through. He assumed that there was a road accident so he decided to take the alternative route.

Oh crap, I forgot to give her my gift. Hiro passed by a jewelry store causing him to remember that he had forgotten to give her the necklace. I have been so distracted earlier that it actually slipped off my mind. He stopped for a while to search his pockets and he sighed with relief as he found it still there. It was a silver necklace with a diamond moon pendant.

He thought that she would like it since she loves watching the night sky so much.

Maybe it would be nice if I could also give her something intangible. He was thinking of something that wouldn't break or be forgotten.  He was considering something immaterial, so that it wouldn’t deteriorate or get lost.

He was almost near his neighbourhood when he thought of giving her another gift.

How about a poem? Wait, too cringy? But she'd appreciate it, right?

By the time he reaches their house, he tried to see if Hina was already home. Something felt really off and his gut was telling him that something wasn't right at all. He looked around and he found out that Hina's black sedan still hasn't arrived.

Her parents were outside their house and were rushing as if in panic. Hiro figured that they just came back from States since they've left Hina alone the whole weekend for a business trip.

What are they so hurried for? They just came home. He watched them get into their car and as they disappeared by the end of the block, his mother went out to him.

"Hiro!? Oh dear, I'm so glad you're safe!” Mrs. Nakamoto was worried sick.

"Mom? What's wrong?" he was perplexed.

"Honey, i-it's H-Hina. Sh-she —", before she could even finish, Hiro ran past by her.

He had no absolute idea to where he was heading but somehow his feet led him back somewhere. Connecting everything that happened earlier in the interval of 30 minutes, he came to an inference which scared him.

No, it can't be. It was the only possible outcome that horrified him the most. He had never run as fast as he did that time. He could feel his heart pounding and every step grew heavier. It only took him 10 minutes to get back to the road intersection and upon arriving, he felt as if the whole world went into a complete halt. The winds and the busy street went silent, the skies became darker, and not a single utterance escaped from the universe.

She was there.

Still just as beautiful but barely alive. Even a genius like Hiro couldn't put what he felt into words. He went completely numb and blank.

When he regained his senses, he tried to go near her but the officials stopped him. They took her inside the ambulance and he watched her disappear. With no hesitation, he fetched a cab and followed. He was scared to his wits and all that he could think about was Hina. The cab stopped at the Kindaichi Aoyama Hospital. It was the main private hospital owned by the Shiroganes. Hiro made his way into the emergency room but by the time he arrived, it was already over.

7:47 pm, she was announced dead.

Everything came crashing down all at once, Hiro couldn't even catch up. All of his emotions were scattered. He didn't understand a single thing. He wanted to scream in agony. He wanted to throw a tantrum and whine like a little kid but all that escaped was a tear. His parents arrived shortly at the hospital.

"Mom, she is d-dea —" Hiro was starting to sob as he struggled to find comfort in his mother’s arms.

"Sshhh. Hush now, Hiro", Mrs. Nakamoto tried her best to soothe him down while holding him dearly.

Her voice always calms him down. She was his lighthouse in the storm. When he was still a child, he would often come to his mother when he was sad and she would always find a way to make him feel alright. But this time, this wound would be hard to cover even for Mrs. Nakamoto.