I was walking down the street not bothering anyone but still some people moved out of the way as I approached, That was because of my slightly larger than normal height and my face that many would describe as terrifying, but there is nothing I can do about it, I was born that way.
Many people in the past have mistaken me for a thug although I never did anything to earn that kind of name but that's not important, I was outside today because I had to pick up an important package at a special place.
My mother was a big fan of everything occult and super natural, which is why I ended up in a suspicious store hidden in some alleys.
???: Oh what is this? A young soul thirsty for the mysteries of the world.
Upon entering the store I was greeted by an old man with a sinister aura and speaking ominously.
'No, friend, I've come for a package, in the name of Shirogane Sakura.'
Old man: Yes of course, I have it right here.
The shop owner reached under the counter and handed me a sealed box.
Old man: Handle it carefully, the contents are invaluable.
'I'm sure of that.'
I paid for the priceless package and then I returned home, my mother is always collecting old texts, strange scrolls and creepy figurines, so this was nothing to write home about, just more stuff for my mom's collection.
When I returned home I put the box on our table and heard my mother's voice from another room.
Sakura: Oh Arata, you're back, did you have trouble finding the place?
Arata: not really.
My mother came out of her room and as always she had a big smile on her face, she looked young for her age, she had short pink hair and blue eyes, Unlike me, she had a very approachable aura.
I looked at her and was a little confused as she had some bags with her.
Arata: Are you going somewhere?
Sakura: WE are going on a little family trip.
Arata: oh no, i don't like the sound of that.
Other family trips were also driven by my mother's obsession, and we have ended up in abandoned buildings and old temples, That's why I wasn't excited about the trip.
Sakura: oh relax, we are going to the beach, we will spend a few days in a small town on the coast, you have been there when you were a child.
Arata: Well, that sounds pretty normal, although I don't remember that.
I was in the last days of vacation before the new school year started and I wanted to spend that time with friends but I guess that was out of my hands.
I grabbed the bags she had packed, and immediately felt how heavy they were.
Arata: What are you carrying here?
Sakura: Just the essentials.
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After hours and hours of traveling we ended up at the beach but I knew this wouldn't be a normal day when I saw my mother with professional recording equipment.
Arata: so that's the real reason for our trip?
Sakura: That's rude, this is a real family trip, but while we're here I couldn't miss the chance to prove real the local legends.
Arata: What kind of legends?
Sakura: Merfolk, mysterious entities from the ocean, swim a little far from the coast, maybe pretending that you are drowning to catch their attention.
Arata: And how will you know if I'm not really drowning?
Sakura: A mother will always know.
This isn't the weirdest thing she's asked me to do so I went along with it, I swam for a few minutes and even pretended to drown and... nothing happened, well not exactly nothing, there was a boy near me who was really drowning so I ended up saving him, my mother's response to all of that was, there's always next time.
We walked back to the house where we were staying and suspiciously there was a black car parked outside the place.
Arata: Are you waiting for someone?
Sakura: What are you saying? Don't you remember them?
Her answer didn't tell me much and when we got closer I saw a woman with dark blue hair and a girl my age with light brown hair.
I couldn't take my eyes off her, she definitely looked familiar but I couldn't say that I knew who she was, we entered the house but the girl and I didn't say much, the women were carrying the conversation.
Sakura: Rei, it's been a long time, how are you?
Rei: I'm fine, not much happens in this small town, time flies around here look how big and handsome Arata has become.
Sakura: Sun-chan is also growing into a beautiful woman, don't you think so Arata?
Arata: Yes, I guess so.
Sakura: You're being very cold, she's your childhood friend you know.
Arata: I don't mean to, I just can't remember her.
When I said that, Sun's mother looked at me seriously for a moment before returning to her calm demeanor.
Rei: Well that's understandable, you two haven't seen each other in a decade, maybe this will help you remember.
The woman Rei put a picture on the table of Sun and I when we were kids playing on the beach.
Rei: If you don't remember my daughter, you two will just have to spend some time together to reconnect.
Our mothers continued the conversation while Sun and I did not exchange many words but I guess I will spend more time with her these days, When they left I sent some messages to my friends who were in the city and then I went to sleep.