Along The Sea

This is a one-shot starring Miyuki Watanabe.

When love saves a life.


I had spent the day with a group of my friends, at a place close to the sea. Miyuki had come to the get-together. As our group walked along the beach under the bright winter sunlight, she appeared completely at ease. But whenever she seemed to think no one was looking at her, a shadow would pass over her face. I tried to come up to her and ask her what was wrong several times, but she always subtly turned away.

Everyone was having carefree fun, but I couldn't take my mind off Miyuki. As the afternoon went on, I suddenly realized that she was missing. It seemed she had left so quietly that no one had noticed. When I told my friends, they all began to insist she would "be fine" and "probably come back soon". Despite knowing how impulsive she tended to be, I left to look for her immediately.

For nearly two hours I searched the beach, fearing for her and calling her name. Then I finally found her, sitting on top of the highest rock.

Even though I shouted to her, she didn't respond in any way. I started to climb up the rock quickly to reach her. As I came closer, I saw that she was staring into the distance, her eyes focused on the horizon of the ocean. Miyuki stood out against the gray rocks, as she wore only a white dress that fluttered in the icy wind. She was frozen in place, hypnotized by the rough waves of the cold sea.

As soon as I was near enough, I grabbed her arm and gently pulled her towards me.

'''You shouldn't be here. There's a storm coming soon. Let's go back,''' I implored.

She didn't say anything, just moved her arm from my grasp. There was silence for a moment, as I wondered what to do next. Then Miyuki suddenly spoke, in a soft voice barely audible over the sound of the waves.

'''I'm not afraid of the ocean. I'm not afraid to die on the rocks, under the waves... Because... Even if I drowned, if I disappeared forever, who would care? In the end it wouldn't matter to anyone.'''

'''Miyuki, how can you say something like that? I promise that isn't true,''' I exclaimed. Her words seemed to pierce through me like a knife. Looking at her blank expression and glassy eyes, I was overwhelmed by sorrow. I wanted to take her hand in mine and continue to reassure her, but she only shook her head at my words.

'''The sea is my home. Everyone says that I'm just a fisher. They all do. No one has ever said that I'm more than that to them. Nobody has ever told me that they really love me,''' Miyuki whispered.

As I heard her words, my heart started to pound, and a tide of emotion rose within me. Before I knew it, I had taken her hand in mine. She finally turned to meet my eyes, tears beginning to run down her face.

At that moment, I kissed Miyuki for the first time. Her lips had the salty taste of tears... Like the salt of the sea.

I'll tell you, I murmured.