Brave Story - Miyuki Miyabe [360]
“Wait—of course. I get it.” Wataru nodded. “I can take you two home first, can’t I?”
At the end of this strange city, Mitsuru was waiting. Wataru would win—he had to win—but what if he failed? He forced himself to think about it.
Okay, then who should I go meet? Wataru didn’t have a lot of time. Even as he was walking here, the demonkin were spreading through Vision below. He needed someone he could give the birds to without having to explain all the details, someone he could trust…
Wataru’s face brightened. Of course. How could I have forgotten?
Katchan. My friend. My real friend in the real world. I’ll go see him!
Back in the real world, it was evening.
Katchan was upstairs in his room, sitting at his desk. He was swinging his legs back and forth. A textbook and his class notes were open in front of him, but he didn’t seem to be studying. He was staring off into space, his elbow on the table and his cheek resting in his hand.
Outside the window, the last glimmer of pinkish light twinkled in the dusky sky. The veranda was empty—his mom must have already taken in the laundry. The warm night air floated steamily through the screen.
He stepped out of the Corridor of Light directly behind Katchan. For a moment, he merely stood there, staring at his old friend’s back, the nape of his neck turned dark by the sun. He had probably been to the pool every day over summer vacation.
“Katchan,” Wataru said, putting his hand on his friend’s shoulder.
Katchan flew out of his chair so fast he knocked Wataru backward. Katchan’s eyes were as large as chestnuts. His mouth opened wide.
“Sorry to scare you.”
At the sound of Wataru’s voice, all color drained from Katchan’s face. Even his tan seemed to fade in an instant. “Wa-Wa-Wa…”
Wataru smiled.
“Wa-Wataru, is that really you?!”
He nodded. “Yup, it’s me.”
Katchan hugged him. Before he knew it, Wataru was crying.
“Where have you been? What happened to you? Where did you go?” Katchan fired question after question at his friend, shaking him by the arms.
“I’m sorry, Katchan. I can’t talk about everything right now. I don’t have time.”
“Huh? What’s that?”
Wataru grabbed his friend by the arms. “Look, I need you to do something for me. These birds…” The two birds were flapping their wings, clinging desperately to Wataru’s shoulders. He could feel tiny claws pricking his skin. “Can you release them for me—just let them out the window or something? That’s all you have to do. You’re the only one I can ask to do this, Katchan. Please?”
Katchan’s eyes were swimming. He looked like he might pass out.
Wataru reached out to steady him. “Stay with me, now.”
Katchan’s head wobbled on his neck. When he spoke, his voice was barely a squeak. “Why’re you dressed so funny?”
Wataru laughed.
“You look like a character out of Eldritch Stone Saga or something.”
“I guess I do. Look, I’ll explain later—once I’m home for good. I’ll tell you everything. I’m just in kind of a hurry right now.”
Wataru gently picked up the white bird and held it out to his friend. Katchan loved animals. As disoriented as he was, he picked up the little bird with natural ease. “Where’d you catch this?”
“Actually, I freed it.”
Katchan gave the bird a pat on the head with a tan hand. “I think I’m dreaming,” he muttered.
“Probably not far from the truth. Open the window, quick.”
Katchan shuffled across the room, carrying the white bird on the palm of his right hand, using his left to open the door to the balcony.
He stuck his hand out, and the white bird flapped its wings a few times, then suddenly took off. It swept past the railing and disappeared into the night sky.
“Now this one,” Wataru said, holding out the black bird. The bird panicked, missing Katchan’s hand and instead flying straight up to smack into his forehead.
“What’s with you?” Katchan said, waving his hand around and snatching the bird out of the air.
“Whoa! Watch out! Don’t crush it!” Then Wataru laughed. “Well, maybe you can crush it just a little. This one’s given us a lot of trouble.”
“This