Wait for Me

[Kokuten]

Osaka, Japan
Shin-Osaka Station
Five Years Before the Disappearance of Percival Caxton

A young man pressed his way through the back and forth crowds of Shin-Osaka Station. The wheels of a worn roller bag carrying all his worldly possessions clacked along behind him. His train didn’t leave for another half hour, but something deep inside him desperately wanted to find someone, anyone, to see him off. Perhaps it would be an accidental glance to a familiar face looking for him, or a bundle of friends bursting forth to say goodbye. He had graduated at the top of his class at Nishi-ku, dated the prettiest girl in school, and was part of the Menagerie, a group of mages whose name could not be better known in the unseen world.

This young man was Percival Bredon Caxton, and he was standing on the edge of what was the end of his childhood. He had been a boy that had always claimed to be an adult, but had never truly had to face what that meant until now. It drew his quick, purposeful stride across the station again to an aimless stop.

No one was coming to see him off.

Today was Percival’s last day in Osaka, having picked up a scholarship to Tokyo University. He had said goodbye to some people a few days prior, but this was it. This was the parting moment. This was Percival leaving a place that had changed him so deeply that he had stopped at the washroom to get the tears out of his system.

His parents had moved back to Wales almost a year ago to take care of his aging grandparents. They weren’t coming.

Riley was chasing something on the other side of the world.

Jane lived in the area, but Percival could never tell if she even liked him.

Miyuki was in basic at the JSDF, in a division that was specifically for her type of mage.

Ruarc and Laoise had been getting more and more involved in druid business they could never talk about.

He wanted the world to stop for a minute and realize how big a deal this was for him. All of his friends and family should be sending him off! This was his day!

“Ano…”

A voice hesitantly directed to him brought his mind back to the station. A woman was staring at him, with a concerned look on her face. The little pin on her lapel marked her as one of the station’s staff.

She tried a little bit of English, asking him if he was okay.

Was he okay? He clarified in Japanese, surprising her.

Yes, he was just standing there, seeming distressed. Apologizing, she said she mistook him for a tourist, quickly adding his Japanese was good, in what little she had heard.

After taking in the fact he had planted himself in the center of a thoroughfare, he apologized. He mentioned he was about to head off to university, but no one was there to see him off.

Oh, that’s sad, she answered, putting on a proper face, but not without appearing pressed for time.

“Yes, I suppose it is.”

He quickly excused himself and made his way to his train, feeling a little ashamed for getting so caught up in himself. With a little balancing he tugged out his ticket, checked it, and then set it in his shirt pocket.

Bzzt.

In an explosion of limb, Percival went palming for his phone. A call? He knew Miyuki got to make calls sometimes, they hadn't spoken in... Oh. A text.

How's it going?

He pursed his lips.

Fine.

Just as he was beginning to feel discouraged, another message came.

Are you at the train station?

His heart suddenly became light as he looked around the station for a head of white hair. Solid, reliable Laoise. Of course!

You remembered.

The next response came back much faster.

What, did you think I'd forget?

A big, stupid grin spread on Percival's face as he haphazardly typed away.

I can dou le back to the gate I stil hav time befor my train leaves

Choosing not to wait, he spun on his heel and began walking. Laoise was always so thoughtful, it was very much her to remember things like this. He couldn't say how much it meant for her to see him off, but he could definitely return the favor: flowers, chocolates, maybe a nicely written letter? Just as he was contemplating how to reciprocate, his phone buzzed again.

Don't worry about it, we're still in Austria.

That message made him quite literally deflate. His thumb floated over the keyboard, trying to think of something to say that wasn't depressing.

It's got to be almost 4 in the morning there.

He shoved his phone back into his pocket, furious at himself for getting his hopes up.

3

I know this was a big deal for you

I'm sorry we couldn't be there.

Percival rolled his eyes, and figured he'd just drop the conversation. He'd write her back when he got a clearer head. Then, he thought better of it, Laoise was the only person who showed up, she didn't deserve the cold shoulder.

Don't suppose you could shake Ruarc awake

Argh, damn you, Percival, that wasn't very 'clearer head'. Again, he tucked his phone away, and smacked the side of his face. Again, Laoise wrote him back.

Ruarc's been taking the split up of the group pretty hard. You guys are family.

Don't say that.

And you're all moving on with your lives. He's going to need time to accept that.

Don't say it.

But I don't need to tell YOU that.

He grit his teeth as if that last message had been a knife to his side. Damn stupid, perceptive dove. She knew him too well.

As he reeled, the call to board came for his train. He'd have to finish the conversation at his seat, but he found it hard to step over the threshold. A couple of people brushed past him. He stepped aside, a little bewildered by his own reticence.

Bzzt.

When he rallied, he circled back, but again froze at the door. A man behind him asked to step by, and again Percival found himself shuffling to the side. His heart was pounding.

Bzzt.

"Not now, Laoise," Percival turned to make for the door again, but found it repulsive to even look at. His face was beginning to become pale at the idea he might miss his train on sheer anxiety alone. Another station attendant asked if he was okay, and he waved the man off. He hurried along the platform, a few more cars down, beginning to panic as each one felt like a bear trap waiting to snap on him.

"Someone help me," he strained under his breath, "please."

A bead of sweat began to work down his temple, and he checked the time on his phone. Again, he saw the notification for Laoise's message, so he decided to open it.

Promise me you'll come home.

Every week.

Home. The word brought fresh air to Percival's lungs, enough to calm him down, enough to type a response.

I promise.

The last message came quick.

Good boy.

Check your coat pocket.

What? Blinking, Percival began fishing into the breast pocket of his blazer, nearly dropping his phone in the process and fished out a small metal object. A key? A key. A key to the cottage. Oh, Laoise, there was no time now to go find a washroom. So, he pressed his wrist to his face, and bit his lip. Her words rang in his mind.

You guys are family.

Misty eyed, he looked up, and saw the still open door to the train. It was still daunting, still intimidating to look at, but the key in his hand gave him the gumption to move. When he took that first step, the next one became easier, and before he knew it, he was on the train, drifting off to his seat. It took some time to transfer up the length of a few cars to find it, but eventually he found his spot.

As strain melted away, he felt a sense of tranquility wash over him. It finally occurred to him to write something back. A thank you, perhaps?

I hope you don't mind me bringing my laundry back with me.

A few people passed by, finding their seats, and one last call over the intercom came as the train prepared to depart. His phone buzzed again, he checked it, and smiled.

As long as you don't mind it going back dirty.