Cbapter 2 - Message

As far as he could see, Hikaru was only see a vast green meadow with a bright blue sky without clouds. The land structure was hilly, making the meadow look less monotonous. Half admiring and half confused, he looked around to understand the situation.

What is this place? No matter how hard he tried to find another object, Hikaru couldn't find anything there. There were no shrubs or trees, just empty green pastures.

Hikaru closed his eyes, he tried to sharpen his hearing. However, no sound could be heard other than her own exhaling and the wind whispering softly in his ear. Hikaru hated silence like this, so he tried to find the slightest sound. He wished he could hear birds chirping or the sound of small hiding animals. But, he still can’t hear anything. Slowly, he finally opened his eyes again.

"Grandma? How? Where you come from?" Hikaru was surprised to see the figure of his grandma who was standing about 2 steps in front of him. Hikaru only closed his eyes for a few seconds and then his grandma appeared from the empty meadow like magic.

This is very strange, he thought.

“My grandson, how are you? You're getting taller and more handsome, huh?" His grandma walked closer and then gently stroked Hikaru's cheek. There was warmth and longing in every caress of that old lady's hand. Without realizing it, Hikaru shed tears and grabbed the wrinkled hand that was still stuck to his cheek.

"Grandma, I miss you." Hikaru kissed his grandma's forehead gently. “Grandma, is this a dream? Is this … heaven?" Hikaru began to notice the strange situation he was in.

"Heaven? Of course not. That place is far more beautiful than anything you can imagine. This place is your subconscious. Just call this your dream." His grandma explained with a warm smile on her face.

“Even though it's just a dream, I'm very happy to see you healthy and look so happy. It's been 3 years, right? Oh, I've always wanted to see you even in a dream. But it's not as easy as I thought. Then, why this happened?" Hikaru looked astonished.

“Aren't you 20 years old soon? Do you still remember something grandma said when you were 5 years old? Soon … when you’re turn to 20 years old man, you will find your miracle." His grandma looked happy, while Hikaru could only frown, trying to remember what his grandma meant.

"Ah, that fairy tale? About me the child of fullmoon, right?" Hikaru tried to sharpen his memory.

“Hikaru, that's not just a fairy tale. You really will get that miracle. Be friends with the moon and from now on, always take the pendant with you." The grandmother gripped Hikaru's hands tightly.

Actually Hikaru was very confused. But, he never wanted to disappoint his grandmother. Finally, he could only nod his head slowly. His grandma seemed satisfied with her grandson's response. Hikaru's gaze then faded away. Green grasslands, clear skies and the figure of his beloved grandma who kept smiling disappeared from his sight.

***

"Hikaru ... Hikaru!"

The gentle shaking of his body made Hikaru start to wake up. He blinked, trying to adjust his sense of sight that had just returned from the dreamland. Hikaru's neck stiffened a little to turn to the left. When he managed to turn around, his mom's face which had been covered in light make-up was the first thing he saw.

"Oh, God! Why are you falling asleep like that? Are you all right?" His mom looks worried.

"Ah! My neck hurts so much, Mom." Hikaru massaged his neck to loosen the stiff muscles.

Last night Hikaru worked late. While waiting for the email to finish being sent, he intends to rest his neck for a while with arms on the table. From that moment he couldn't remember anymore. Maybe he fell asleep in that position without knowing it. No wonder his neck hurts now.

“Oh, why are you sleeping in that position, huh? Your laptop also turns on with the power cord connected. It's very dangerous." His mom unplugged Hikaru's laptop charger then gently massaged her beloved son's shoulders and back neck.

“Yes, I'm fine. I see you was already dressed. Wanna go to visit dad's restaurant? ” Hikaru tried to stop his mom who was still gently massaging his neck.

"Yeah, your father said there would be an important meeting with his business partners. He asked me to be there. So, I will go. Are you going to go outside?”

Since his parents were still dating, they have indeed become co-workers. When the two of them got married, they started to build a culinary business together. Hikaru's dad could have looked for other people to help him with his work. However, he felt that there was no one else he trusted more than his wife, Joshephine.

"I don’t know yet but I'll let you know if I'm leaving." Hikaru gently rubbed the back of his mom's hand so that she didn't have to worry about it.

"Okay, then I’ll go first. If you are hungry, just warm the food in the refrigerator." After saying a few things, his mom immediately rushed and disappeared behind the door of Hikaru's room.

His mom's footsteps were clearly heard going down the stairs one by one. The quiet condition of the house also makes the creaking of the shoe cabinet doors clear. Even though he wasn't looking, Hikaru knew that his mother was picking shoes and fitting them by stamping the front end of the shoe against the floor. After that, there was the sound of the front door closing and it automatic lock ringing. Now only silence accompanies Hikaru.

To break the silence, Hikaru opened the song player application on his cellphone, then went to his comfortable bed. The soft tone lulled his hearing. While laying down, he closed his eyes again.

"What does that dream mean? Why is Grandma there?" Hikaru muttered to himself as he recalled the contents of his dream.

If he remember it again, grandma who he saw in his dreams was the figure of his grandma he saw when Hikaru was 5 years old. Grandma who looks fresh and healthy. Grandma who can still play with little Hikaru who likes to run around. Grandma happily read fairy tales about the moon to him every night.

"Oh, yeah, grandma’s pendant!" Half screaming, Hikaru who was lying down then sat on the edge of his bed. "Where do I keep the box? I don't think I've seen it in a long time."

Indeed, since Hikaru was 13 years old, some of his toys and items that he would never use again was started to get rid of by his mom. Some of the furniture in his room was also replaced, adjusting the age of Hikaru who is no longer a child. Regarding the storage box for his treasure, it should be in his toy box which has also been removed. Most likely it is currently in the warehouse. But, it is also possible if his mom has been donated the toys to the orphanage.

"Oh no!" Hikaru ruffled his hair. Feeling frustrated at the thought of the bad possibility that pendant might have disappeared by this time.

Hikaru took his cellphone, intending to contact his mom with the aim of finding out the whereabouts of his treasure storage box. However, at the same time, Hikaru remembered that the box had a key and he always hid the key somewhere secret in his room. Yes, that place was his cupboard. The only piece of furniture that was never replaced.

Hikaru opened the cupboard slowly. Inside was looked ordinary, but actually the bottom of the cabinet could slide and form a small gap. Hikaru shifted that part, felt it with the tips of his fingers and found a very small metal object. Hikaru took it and confirmed that the metal object was really the thing he was looking for.

"Thank goodness mom never changed this cupboard." Hikaru patted the cupboard and felt very relieved.

"Now it remains only to find my treasure box. But, it's not good to bother mom at a time like this. Then, I’ll do it later." Hikaru returned to keep the small key in its original place and then went to the bathroom to clean himself.

***

The atmosphere of the café that afternoon was not that crowded. Only a few young people were seen using their laptops. From the appearance, maybe they are students who are doing assignments and are looking for a more relaxed atmosphere than having to do it in the campus library.

Hikaru combed his gaze across the café area. In one corner that looks shady, he saw two figures of his best friend who had come first.

"Sorry, I'm late." Hikaru scratched his non-itchy head while putting on an expression of regret.

“When are you not being late? Even though right now, you don't have much to do.” Yama teased Hikaru with a sneer.

"Right. It hasn't changed from the first." Mika joined in teasing him.

"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry, okay?" Hikaru apologized once again to his friends.

"Okay. Have a seat, I've ordered your favorite ice coffee as usual." Mika ordered Hikaru to immediately sit opposite her.

Yama and Mika have been Hikaru's best friends since the high school admission ceremony. Even though they are from different junior high schools, but somehow the three of them get close in an instant and are very suitable to hang out until now. Even if the three of them have very different characters.

Yama and Mika, who aspire to be diplomats, are very happy to hang out with Hikaru, who happens to be fluent in English. Of course it's all because Hikaru often use English with his mom. That condition makes Yama and Mika feel that Hikaru is the best English teacher who can lead them to success in entering one of the top universities.

"So, is that true? You finally intend to continue your education after 2 years as a freelance writer?” Yama opened the conversation just as the waiter was delivering the drinks they had ordered earlier.

"Yeah, what do you think?" Hikaru took turns looking at Yama and Mika for an answer.

"For me … I support it." Mika answered casually.

"I also agree with Mika." Yama sipped his coffee ice coffee first. "What study are you going to take?" Yama asked curiously.

“Looks like business. I want to help my father run his business." This time, it was Hikaru who was sipping his ice coffee.

"Huh? Business? I thought you would choose journalist or something." Mika widened her eyes, feeling very surprised at the choice Hikaru had made.

"I want that, really. But if I think about it … as an only son … my father must be secretly hoping I can continue his business someday, right?" Rather than asking Mika and Yama, it seemed like the question he was asked for himself.

"Right. But if you do something just for pleased someone else, it won’t be good for you." Mika argued that was supported by a vigorous nod of Yama.

"I know it. But, I really want to do it. I thought running a family business was quite a challenge. Writing will always be my hobby. I can still do it in my spare time."

"Oh, I see. I didn't expect you to think like that." Yama began to understand Hikaru's thoughts.

“If Hikaru is determined, we can only support him. Right?" Mika again asked for Yama's support, which Yama replied with a quick head nod. "Then, how do your parents respond about it?"

“To be honest, I haven't conveyed this to them. I'll just say it tonight, after the Nishigawa family dinner time." Hikaru raised his eyebrows. "We'll see … what would their response after hearing this?"

***

[to be continued]