Summer Memories [Part - 2]
I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the wordNow in the morning I sleep alone Sweep the streets I used to own
As they walked away from the abandoned warehouse, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the city. Dazai looked over at Chuuya, a grin playing on his lips. "That was quite an adventure, don't you think?"
Chuuya nodded, a sense of accomplishment washing over him. "Yeah, it was. I never expected to find so much history in that old place."
They decided to head to a nearby café to relax after their exploration. Sitting at a table by the window, they ordered some drinks and snacks.
"So, why do you think your mom's picture was in there?" Dazai asked, sipping on his iced coffee.
Chuuya shrugged, tapping his fingers on the table thoughtfully. "I'm not sure. Maybe she had some connection to that warehouse in the past. Or it could just be coincidence."
Dazai raised an eyebrow. "A coincidence? In a place like that? I don't buy it."
Chuuya chuckled. "Well, we may never know for sure. But it did make the whole experience more intriguing."
As they sipped their drinks, Chuuya glanced out the window at the city slowly settling into the evening. The sky painted in hues of orange and pink, a serene backdrop to their conversation. "Do you think we should investigate further?" Chuuya asked, turning his attention back to Dazai.
Dazai leaned back in his chair, considering Chuuya's question. "I don't see why not. It's not every day we stumble upon something like this. Plus, it could be a fun little mystery to unravel."
The waiter brought them new drinks and snacks, and they dug in while discussing their plans. "We should start by asking our moms if they know anything about that warehouse," Dazai suggested between bites of a pastry.
Chuuya nodded in agreement. "Good idea. They might have some insight or at least point us in the right direction."
After finishing their snacks, they paid the bill and left the café. The sky had darkened further, the city now illuminated by the streetlights and the glow of buildings. They walked towards their home, where both their mothers were waiting for them.
Kouyou greeted them at the door with a smile. "Welcome back, boys. How was your day?"
"It was great, Mom," Chuuya replied, taking off his shoes. "We found something interesting today."
Dazai chimed in, "Yeah, we explored an abandoned warehouse and found a picture of you, Kouyou-san. Do you know anything about it?"
Kouyou's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her features. "A picture of me? In an abandoned warehouse?"
Kouyou's tone carried a mix of curiosity and concern. She ushered them inside, gesturing for them to sit in the living room. "Tell me everything you saw. Where exactly was this picture?" Her eyes narrowed with a subtle intensity, indicating her keen interest in their discovery.
Chuuya recounted the details of their adventure, describing the eerie ambiance of the warehouse and the strange assortment of objects they found. "The picture was in a dusty old frame, hidden behind some crates. It looked like it had been there for years," he explained.
Dazai added, "It was a portrait of you, Kouyou-san, from what seemed like a long time ago. Do you have any connections to that place or remember anything about it?"
Kouyou's gaze drifted momentarily as if lost in thought before she refocused on them. "That warehouse... It does ring a bell, but it has been ages since I have been there. I was in that area for some reason, but I can't recall specifics."
Chuuya leaned forward, intrigued. "Do you think there is something important tied to that picture? Or is it just a coincidence?"
Kouyou's expression softened as she regarded her son. "It's hard to say, Chuuya. Sometimes the past hold secrets we may have forgotten. Perhaps it's worth looking into, but be cautious."
Dazai nodded in agreement, his eyes gleaming with the prospect of uncovering hidden secrets. "We will be careful, Kouyou-san. But we also want to solve this mystery."
Kouyou smiled, a mix of fondness and concern in her eyes. "I know you both are capable. Just remember to stay safe." She stood up, glancing at the clock on the wall. "It's getting late. Why don't you two get ready for dinner? I will see if I can find any old records or documents related to that area."
Chuuya and Dazai thanked Kouyou and headed to their respective rooms to freshen up. As Chuuya washed his face and looked at himself in the mirror, thoughts raced through his mind. The picture, his mom's mysterious connection to the warehouse, and the anticipation of uncovering something significant filled him with excitement.
Dinner that evening was a cozy affair, filled with chatter about their day and plans for the upcoming weekend. Kouyou mentioned that she found some old maps and documents related to the warehouse area, promising to go through them later that night.
After dinner, as Chuuya and Dazai lounged in the living room, Kouyou joined them with a stack of papers and photographs. "I found these while going through some old files," she said spreading the documents on the coffee table.
The papers included maps of the city from decades ago, blueprints of buildings, and photographs of various locations, including the warehouse. "This warehouse used to be a storage facility for a shipping company," Kouyou explained, pointing at a faded photograph. "It was active during the early 1990s but closed down due to economic reasons."
Chuuya studied the documents intently, his curiosity growing with each detail Kouyou revealed. "Is there anything specific about why your picture would be there?" He asked, looking up at her.
Kouyou hesitated for a moment before picking up a small, weathered envelope from the stack. "I found this with the documents. It was addressed to me, dated back to the time when I frequented that area." She carefully opened the envelope and pulled out a yellowed letter.
The letter, written in elegant cursive, spoke of memories shared in that warehouse, of meetings and conversations that held significance to Kouyou's past. "I remember now," she said softly, her eyes misting with nostalgia. "I used to meet someone there, a friend from my youth. We would talk for hours, and they took that portrait of me as a gift."
Chuuya and Dazai listened attentively, drawn to the story unfolding before them. "What happened to your friend?" Dazai asked, his voice gentle.
Kouyou sighed, a mix of sadness and longing in her expression. "They passed away many years ago. That warehouse holds a lot of memories, both happy and bittersweet."
Chuuya reached out to place a hand on Kouyou's shoulder. "Thank you for sharing this with us, Mom. It's like discovering a piece of your past that was hidden away."
Kouyou smiled through her emotions, patting Chuuya's hand. "You are welcome, dear. Some things are meant to be remembered, even if they are from a long time ago."