Blue Eyes I First Saw

The calm but creepy cold wind of the forest blew my untied black hair as we headed onto a specific tree. The tree that has a loop tied rope on its branch that is meant for hanging. The tree that was supposed to be her last memory before dying.  The unnerving sound of silence was being disturbed by our footsteps. Darkness was all over the forest as it is from the very start, it was again sliced by the light coming from the flash of my phone. Huge roots on the moist healthy soil crawl dominating the whole place. Trees are standing tall, and huge as it's healthy leaves shed the light from the outside. It's just three in the afternoon at Narusawa yet it feels like night inside the rainforest of Aokigahara. I stopped on my track, looking up to the tree with a rope. A rope that took so many lives. She was supposed to hang herself there too. Placing the candle on one of its roots. I light the white scented candle and place the mirror beside. I heard a gasp from the man standing straight beside me. Taking a look in the mirror, there I saw my friend smiling contently. He looked at me and nodded. “Thank you for everything, Sei.” hearing it made my tears alive. This will be the last time I'll hear his voice. My sobs became audible. “I should be the one thanking you. T—hank you.”  and my tears started to flow down on my cheeks. I stepped backwards so the two of them could, at last, talk. I couldn't see their pain so I decided to turn my back on them and just cry silently. Mourning on my friend’s late wake. “Brother, I'm sorry for leaving you.” I heard my friend's voice that has a combination of pain, regret, and happiness. It sounds so peaceful yet painful to hear although it is not addressed to me. “I didn't want to bother you. You're working and studying hard at the same time. I can't— I can't disappoint you— for all the sacrifices you did for me. I don't want to disappoint you.” “W—why?” the manly low voice answered while sobbing. “I was looking for you— I've been looking for you for two years . . . I thought you just left— why?” “I failed my examinations. I didn't make it.”  “You're a bright man. How? I'll still accept you after that!” The man's voice was full of pain and asking for an answer. “Whole— the whole time in my junior and senior high . . . They are b—bullying me.” I cried harder hearing my friend's confession. I already knew that part and I can't hear it again. It was so painful that I couldn't bear to hear it.  With my blurry eyes because of the tears, I hurriedly stood up and left the two below the tree. I let my hand feel the pain on my chest. The jacket crumpled beneath my hand as I cried all the pain I am bearing. My friend will leave. All of my friends leave. I can't see him leave. I'll break down if I see him leave. The man talking to my friend walked past me. It made me run to chase him but he seems so lost. Did he leave? Did they forgive each other? Did their talk go well? “Sei!” the familiar voice called my nickname from afar. I still can see him. He's not leaving? I can see his big smile and happy eyes with tears in it. He glanced at the man that is now oblivious to his appearance. “Take care of him! Goodbye!” he said and waved his hand. When my eyes blinked, he wasn't there anymore. He— as planned, disappeared. Copyright©2021 ItsMeYourDay Day Biasca