SAMSARA

SAMSARA [2]

Finally, Akaza finishes his ice cream. Man, sometimes I don't get how he eats so slowly. I finished way earlier than he did, so most of my time there was spent with me talking rather than eating. But, really, I did enjoy Kirk's ice cream. My sky blue eyes stare at him, with one of my eyebrows raised in a questioning manner.

"So? Where to next?" I asked him, tilting my head ever so slightly. Though I suppose the action is somewhat overused these days. Both in those shows I watched while bored and in real life.

He grins at me. For what feels like thirty seconds, that's the only response I receive. But then he speaks up. "Why don't we just walk around? Don't think I thought that far yet, man.."

I stared at him unamused, then I eventually agreed to his words and, saying goodbye to Kirk on the way out, we both left Kirk's Frozen Treats. Man, I missed that place, huh? Oh well. Destiny is a path you take, but unlike most travels, you remain unsure of your final destination..

"Do you think, hey, we might encounter some, uhh.. say.. freaky, mutated Ulv'djevler on that excursion? It'd be something new and cool for a change." I started a conversation after we got some distance away from the store. Though he merely scoffs at me, followed by his words, "That's never happened before, Shirou. So don't get your hopes up too much man. Plus, I did tell you the excursion was just a passing rumour among the higher years."

I nodded, not giving a verbal response. We continued on our walk, our dark blue and raven black hairs swaying in the wind respectively. It kind of got boring again since my attempt at a conversation ended up terribly. My sky blue eyes then tried scanning the buildings in our surroundings, looking for something new. Unfortunately that search didn't really land on anything of note. "You know, man, it'd be funny if we ended up seeing someone from school." Akaza suddenly started from my left and I snorted at him. "Well, that wouldn't be ideal, Akaza."

"And.. why exactly?"

"Do I even need to tell you? There's like a hundred possibilities on who, when, where and why. Those scenarios make my head hurt, man. Plus I'm not up for socializing right now. Well, except with you, I guess." Man, I haven't rambled on like that in quite a while. Feels nice. At school I don't usually do that. It's hard keeping my mouth like that, honestly.

"...What?" Oh, Akaza, you've got to be kidding me. All that and you just say a simple what? Though, that is very much like you, I suppose.. actually, that's like the second time I've thought that today.

"Man.. I'm not dumbing it down for you, but I just don't want to talk with people from Tempesta Defense Academy right now. Though you're an exception. We practically grew up together, Akaza."

"Oh. Cool, cool, man." Simple answers from him are pretty much the norm. Ah, whatever.

Though, of course, we just had to encounter the large gates to Tempesta Defense Academy. If anything, I didn't even know we were on this street. I should probably pay attention to signs on the street more often. Of course, it's closed and locked, since this week is a break for both faculty and students. "Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.." I muttered.

"Well.." Akaza looked sheepish, rubbing his neck with his arm. "I didn't mean to?"

"Poor excuse. Minus one bro point."

"We don't even have a point system!"

"I know. I'm just messing with you. It's easy to." I laughed to emphasize that it was a joke. Honestly, maybe he'll eventually realize my behavior's a semi-act. I have been feeling different these days, hence me basically ignoring Akaza.

"So... what do we do?" He asked me then. My only response was me staring at him with a blank stare. Though, someone familiar started approaching us from the opposite end of the street..

That long scarlet hair in a ponytail isn't easy to forget. Aurora Leroux, a girl in the same year as us. Her monochrome eyes are a striking contrast, too. "Shirou, Akaza, fancy meeting you two here near TDA.."

"How do you know our names-" Akaza is quick to start, but I cut him off. "She goes in like, almost every class we go. Also we've talked a dozen times by now. Please stop forgetting people, man."

"Sorry.." he sighs and apologizes to Aurora. She only smiles at him softly as she starts speaking up, finally having a chance to talk, "It's alright. Why are you two even here? This week is our break."

"We're just passing by.." I start off, not really wanting to talk with fellow students at the moment, "Akaza here wasn't really looking where we were going since I let him take the lead."

"Hey! You weren't, either!" The man in question was quick to accuse me in turn. Sick.

I merely sighed. "Fair."

"Well, uh, see you next week.." Thankfully Aurora caught on to my unwillingness. Nice. "I'll continue on my way. I was just here for sightseeing." She continued then, though I was a bit confused. Why would you go to Tempesta for sightseeing? Ah, people have different tastes I suppose.

We watched her leave by walking directly past us, presumably in the direction we came from. "At least she ended the conversation?"

I grumbled out of annoyance. It was audible, of course. "Yeah, like it wasn't obvious."

"Sorry man.. jeez." Well, he apologized. I'll let it slide. I suppose.

"How about we.. uh.. don't stay here? We should continue walking." I started suggesting, and prodded him on the right arm. Thankfully Akaza agreed to my suggestion and we strayed further from Tempesta Defense Academy grounds, much to my relief. You see, while I usually enjoy being at that place and the students and staff there, this week just isn't my socializing week I suppose. It happens to most people.. probably.

"Should we head to another food place?" He looks at me as we walk. Though I stare at him as I think, that isn't really the best thing to do while walking on the streets. "No, we just ate at Kirk's Frozen Treats," I sighed.

"Oh well.. wandering really isn't my style man," Akaza mumbles in disappointment. I merely shove him lightly via my left elbow as a joke. "C'mon. You like adventure. Is that different in the city?"

"Well.. no." He says, defeated. Ultimately we do wander around in the city looking for something to do. I'm sure we'll find something of note. This is Winflame City, after all.