It was a sunny day. My father and I were having another picnic under the huge tangerine tree. The cloth we used was yellow, and the basket specifically had 2 orange blossoms and random foods we liked. I don’t know why I dream about this every night; it’s really weird. And the day after this, which was the day before my 18th birthday, Grandma started to get terribly ill.
“Oh, Luca, it will be alright. I’m going to be okay. I wouldn’t want to ruin your big day…” Grandma Airi assured me softly.
Grandma caressed my face softly, then she smiled. I didn’t really believe that it would be alright, considering the symptoms she got were exactly like how Dad was before he passed. I was scared and terrified; I didn’t want to lose another person again. But, maybe, just maybe, I could do something for once to stop it?
The next day came, and Grandma’s condition just became worse and worse. But, even though she still went through with my party, I didn’t want to continue anymore. Guests and friends came to our house and farm, but I couldn’t help but worry about my grandmother’s condition worsening. And like I expected the next day, she died in her sleep. Just like Dad. After that, everything just fell apart in my life.
First, the town mayor demanded that I take down our tangerine farm, which was basically all I had. And I didn’t have much money anymore for my school. If I ask my aunts and uncles, they would simply say they don’t have funds too…which was a lie. With all these problems, I felt so pressured and tired, and sometimes, I considered quitting life.
But the next day after I came home from my last day of school, there was some guy in front of me and my dad’s favorite tree, which was really, really weird. I went over to him, and when I came closer, he smiled at me.
“Hello…Uh you can’t be here; farm visits are temporarily unavailable…” I told the mysterious visitor.
He glared at me again for a few more moments before finally speaking. “Well, I’m not visiting the farm; I am visiting you.”
I was taken aback by this because I have never ever met him before. I went to sit beside him, and I just sat there with him for a while looking at the scenery surrounding the two of us. He stayed silent the whole time. And there we were, sitting together as if we had known each other for years.
“Uhm…So…Why’d you visit me?” I asked awkwardly as I looked to the side.
“I came here because I heard you had problems. Many problems. Am I right? Luca?”
I almost screamed. How the heck did this random guy know my name? My face was a bit scared after asking, what if he was some demon or stalker?
“I know you, because your grandmother sent me to be here for you. When she died.”
This couldn’t be true. Grandmother always told me everything. But I just believed him, because there was something about him that felt so…Genuine. “Really? Well, I do need help with my problems…” I admitted.
“Well, I heard you have problems with money? Well, sell your old things; maybe that will help,” he suggested as he closed his eyes.
I remembered Dad’s picnic baskets; those were really rare. I remember him saying that to me in my dreams. “Oh, thank you…That’s actually helpful.” My face slightly turned red; I didn’t actually think he would be helpful to me.
We both stayed there for a while. Again.
“Uh…what’s your name? ” I asked nervously now, scratching the back of my head.
“Shu. Shu Yoshida.” He smiled warmly before standing up and going to the exit.
“Wait-” But it was too late already; Shu had already left.
The next day came, and I did exactly as he told me. I went to the attic to find my father’s things and I found his baskets. I checked the price of these things, and they were actually worth lots! I found a seller for the baskets and finally had enough to go to school again. And with that, every day, Shu would be at that specific tree and he’d always have a solution to any problem I had. He was like a magical advisor that would be the cure to everything. And even though I didn’t have problems, he’d be there and we’d have a little chat. But that problem I had with the mayor asking for our farm to be destroyed always remained.
Until that day.
I found Shu again the next day. This time he looked different than his usual white hair and yellow eyes, but right now, he had black hair and purple orbs. He was wearing such different clothes than usual, so something was definitely up.
“Shu? Is everything alright? ” I walked closer to him, trying to hold his hand.
“Luca. You’ve…been too dependent on me. It looks like I’m doing good for you but…I’d do you a favor if I didn’t help you this much.” Shu looked down at the ground, almost crying. “So…I’ll stop talking to you now.”
“N-No! You helped me so much; what do you mean?” I was so confused at this.
“Since I’ve helped you so much now, you’ll be nothing without me. And I did this so you’d be more dependent and stuff…But I failed. He was now crying a bit, and I kind of felt bad.
“Shu. You helped me. And I don’t care if you failed with your true intention,” I reminded him before giving him a hug.
And with that, there we were. We stood there hugging. And for once I didn’t think about that problem. We were hugging. Under the tangerine tree.
About the Author
Ikay Ricio is a young artist and writer who writes as a hobby and makes stories about the characters she draws. She enjoys watching VTubers like Shu, Millie, and Luca. Ikay hopes her stories inspire others to let their creative sides shine!