APRICITAS [ENG] || Johan Liebert || Monster

Chapter 3 - The journey begins

"It's okay, my dear, it's normal." Mika said, sitting on the bed and looking at the suitcase. "Haven't you forgotten anything?"

"I have no idea..." Young Tenma confessed sincerely, closing the door to the room. "I've never been away from home for so long and it's so far away from here... But I don't care. If I forget anything, I can shop on the spot, there are also shops in Europe, right?"

"We really only came by for a moment, we don't want to disturb you with your final preparations." Risa pulled a chair towards her and sat down on it. "We just want to say goodbye to you Emiko, because when will we meet again all together?"

"You silly." Emiko came to Risa and ruffled her hair. "Stay at least long enough to have a tea with me. I don't have much to pack... and my parents are gone, because they went on a business trip this morning."

"Did they say anything while leaving?"

"Well... Dad told me to take care of myself and that he wished me to come home safely. Mom, on the other hand, well..." Emiko tilted her head slightly towards the door to hide her face. "She said that it is the biggest stupidity I do in my life..." At the end of the sentence her voice trembled slightly and both friends rushed towards her to hug her tightly.

"Let her say what she wants, we believe in you, Emiko-chan!" Risa exclaimed, feeling her throat choke, and hugged her friend even tighter. "Don't worry about her!"

"Exactly." Mika agreed with her. "You know, you're very brave? I don't know if I would take such a step, if I was in your place..." Emiko sniffed harder and smiled.

"Thank you..."

"Don't risk unnecessarily, okay? We'd like to see you again..." Risa spoke again, because despite everything, she was worried about her friend who was leaving because of such a dangerous matter.

"I won't, I promise you. I also want to come back home safe after all this..."

The girls stood there pressed into each other for a longer moment, then, as promised, they stayed for a tea. The three of them talked about everything and nothing for the last time, starting with Emiko's travel matters and ending with silly jokes straight from manga comedy speech bubbles... Finally they said goodbye to Emiko, while wondering when they would meet her again. They hoped it wouldn't take too long...

****

The day of departure has finally arrived. That day there wasn't much crowd at the airport, because it was a time without any holidays. Ren and Emiko (and her suitcase) headed towards the gates for customs clearance. The departure was supposed to be at 10 p.m., so the boy had arranged a night with a friend who was currently living in Tokyo, so as not to be forced to travel at night, or in the worst case - staying the night at the train station. There were no communication at night in Japan, and if he missed the last train, he would have to wait for the next one until morning.

They both arrived at the airport three hours before the departure of the plane, to calmly settle the matters related to baggage and customs clearance. Emiko couldn't wait to find herself in Germany and solve the case in which her brother was involved as soon as possible. Maybe even prove his innocence? But this was to be found out by her later.

She and Ren went to the airport gates; they didn't queue however, but went to the side for a moment to say goodbye. The young man's heart started to beat like crazy.

On the one hand, he terribly wanted to confess to her how he felt about her, and on the other, he didn't want to add any more thoughtful things for her, because he knew how much she was worried about Kenzo... He swallowed from the accumulating emotions in him, and realized with horror that his hands were starting to tremble.