Chapter 1: Crimson Flower

It was May in Kashiwa, Tokyo and it was the day before the field trip for Yamato High. Inside a medium-sized house was a young boy about the age of sixteen doing last minute packing. The trip was for only four days and it was to Okinawa, the southern island.

 

“Orion, are you ready?” A feminine voice called out from the kitchen.

 

“Not yet, mum,” the boy named Orion replied from the living room. “Almost though.”

Orion moved to his bedroom and double checked his belongings. Deciding he was done with packing, Orion approached his suitcase lying on his bed and fastened the case. He lifted the bag and placed it by the dresser.

 

“I am certainly nervous about this school trip,” Orion mumbled to himself. He flopped onto his bed and stared at the ceiling. There were glow-in-the-dark star stickers plastered above. He counted the stars before turning around to take out his phone. He decided to send a message in the group chat with his childhood friends Mari and Satoru.

 

Hey, have you finished packing for tomorrow?

 

Mari

 Yeah, I’m done! How about you, Satoru?

 

Satoru

I’m about done, too.

 

Great. I’m pretty anxious for the field trip.

 

Mari

I get what you mean, Orion!

 

Satoru: I’m pretty good. You should relax though, Orion.

 

 

I know, I know. I haven’t been away from home, you know.

 

Mari: It’s okay! We’re here for you! :)

 

Yeah, thanks. I’m going to help mum prepare dinner now. See you tomorrow.

 

Mari: See you!

 

Satoru: Later.

 

Orion closed his phone and stuffed it into his pocket before walking to the kitchen. His mum had stepped away, so he decided to look into the pot and cutting board. The pot was boiling with various meat and vegetables while the cutting board had cut up onions and scallions. Orion decided he didn’t know what his mum was trying to make for dinner, so he exited the kitchen to spot his cat walking over to him. He knelt down and petted the cat whom was named Jiro.

 

“Oh, Orion? You’re done packing now?” a woman’s voice came through.

 

Orion stood up and turned around to face his mother. She had dark brown hair to her shoulders and sported a beige blouse tucked by a white skirt. “Oh, hello mum. Yeah, I’m done packing.”

 

“That’s good,” Orion’s mum replied. “Just relax there and watch some TV!”

 

“If you insist,” Orion shrugged before walking to the couch. Jiro followed Orion faithfully and as soon as he sat down, Jiro leapt onto Orion’s lap. He leaned back on the couch while petting his cat.

 

**

 

On the day of the school field trip, Orion pulled along his suitcase when he heard his name being called out.  Turning around, Orion noticed Mari and Satoru were running toward him.

 

“Orion! Wait up!” Mari called out as she pulled along her suitcase while jogging to her childhood friend.

 

“We’re ready too!” Satoru shouted as he tugged on his duffel bag.

 

As soon as Mari and Satoru arrived, Orion turned back around and led the group to the boarding gate where their class was waiting. Just as the group approached the class, a teacher walked up to them with a bulletin board in hand.

 

“Minamoto? Suzuki? Nakamura?” the teacher called out each name.

 

“Yes,” the three chorused.

 

“You’ll be in a group with Mizushima,” the teacher told Orion and the others.

 

“Mizushima?” Orion asked, tilting his head in confusion. “Oh, Kasumi?”

 

“Yes, she’s sitting in the front row in the gate,” the teacher nodded.

 

Orion led the group toward where a young girl was sitting. She had long brown hair that reached her lower back with a bow tied behind her head, wearing a pink blouse with a white skirt. The beauty, the femme fatale of the class: Kasumi Mizushima. As Orion approached Kasumi, he was keenly aware of his male classmates glaring daggers at him.

 

“Kasumi? We’re in the same group,” Orion introduced himself. “The name’s Orion. And here is Mari and Satoru.”

 

Kasumi turned around and beamed at the trio. “Hello! I hope we can get along for this trip!”

 

“L-Likewise,” Mari said nervously, twiddling her fingers on her skirt.

 

Satoru merely nodded.

 

As the time passed, Orion and Kasumi exchanged small talk until a flight attendant announced it was boarding time. The four walked up to the attendant and showed their boarding passes, walking into the passageway toward the plane. Orion and Kasumi continued their conversation, this time about their favourite animals. Mari and Satoru followed closely behind, with Mari feeling jealous that Kasumi was already making such talks with Orion and biting her lip in frustration.

 

As the class settled in the plane, Kasumi took the window seat in her row. Orion checked his seat and discovered he was sitting right next to Kasumi. He made himself comfortable, having taken out a small plush as a small comfort on the plane ride as he had never ridden a plane before.

 

“That’s so cute,” Kasumi smiled, pointing at the small raccoon plush in Orion’s hand.

 

“Hahaha, thanks,” Orion said sheepishly. “So, uh, have you flown before?”

 

“Me?” Kasumi said, almost as though she was thinking about it. But instead, she said immediately, “Lots of time!”

 

“That’s nice,” Orion nodded. “This is my first time on a plane…”

 

“It’ll be fine,” Kasumi beamed at Orion. “Just relax. When the plane is taking off, just keep  your mouth open. It’ll help with your ears.” She flashed a smile at Orion to reassure him.

 

“Thanks,” Orion said, nodding. “I’ll remember that.”

 

“Hehe, I’m just used to this,” Kasumi smiled.

 

An announcement suddenly came on the intercom. “This is your captain speaking, we’ll be taking off in a minute. Please keep your seatbelts fastened as we ascend. Please put your phones in airplane mode or turn them off for the duration of the flight.”

 

Just then, a video clip came on the monitors that were mounted on the back of the seats in front of them. The video depicted the demonstration of the safety procedures for the plane. As the video played, the flight attendants gesticulated the mini movie.

 

The plane then started to move slowly and as it sped up, it started ascending to which Orion opened his mouth and looked at Kasumi. He gesticulated the question by pointing his mouth and then doing an “OK” sign with his hand.

 

“Yes!” Kasumi nodded. She patted Orion’s hand and gave it a little squeeze. “How are you feeling?”

 

You are reading story Crimson Flower at novel35.com

Orion nodded vigorously.

 

In a few rows behind Orion and Kasumi, Mari was sitting in the middle with Satoru at the aisle seat and they could hear the conversation between the former two. Mari felt uptight, clenching her fists in place while Satoru could only watch with a pang of regret to be able to do anything for Mari.

 

‘She’d only want comfort from Orion anyway…’ Satoru thought bitterly.

 

“Satoru… Um, do you mind if we switched seats when we’re up in the air?” Mari asked meekly.

 

“…Yeah, that’s fine,” Satoru replied after a slight hesitation, sighing a little.

 

**

 

In about three hours, the group entered Okinawa and everyone was in awe with the weather and scenery of this island. Mari and Satoru tried to hurry to catch up with Orion, but they were pushed back by other students in front. The two decided it was best to try to get to him after disembarking.

 

As all the students dismounted the plane, Mari and Satoru had finally reunited with Orion and Kasumi. The four then proceeded to the baggage claim and waited for their luggage. The four discussed trivial matters as they waited until each one had their suitcases, before going toward the exit where the class were to rendezvous at.

 

“So how was the flight for you guys?” Kasumi asked the group.

 

“It was… fine,” Mari said dejectedly.

 

“It was good,” Satoru nodded. “Have you flown a lot, Kasumi?”

 

“Quite often,” Kasumi giggled. “I’m pretty beat now, though. I might take a nap if there’s nothing to do after we get to the hotel.”

 

“Same,” Orion yawned.

 

“All right, everyone,” the teacher suddenly came up to the group as the class gathered around. “We’re going to the hotel and then you’re free for the rest of the day. We will regroup tomorrow at 8 AM in the hotel lobby. Got it?”

 

“Got it!” the entire class chorused.

 

The class boarded the bus outside the airport and they drove to the hotel in central Okinawa. Orion and Kasumi had fallen asleep next to each other on the bus. Mari brooded at the sight of the two, but she did deep breathing exercises to calm herself.  Then she sighed, sneaking a peek at the sleeping duo.  They appeared to be fast asleep, and Mari gave another heavy sigh. That was when Orion woke up.

 

“What’s wrong, Mari?” Orion asked, rubbing his eyes.

 

“H-Huh? Uh… it’s nothing…” Mari said, averting gaze.

 

“That was one heck of a sigh,” Orion said warily. “Now tell me. What’s wrong?”

 

“I-It’s really nothing, Orion!” Mari stammered. “I mean… I’m probably just feeling off after the flight.”

 

“Well, if you insist…” Orion said hesitantly, but he didn’t want to push his childhood friend. “I’ll leave it at that. But let me know if something bothers you.”

 

“Will do, thank you,” Mari said, bowing her head. She then turned around and noticed Satoru was staring at her. “Satoru? What’s up? Is there something on my face?”

 

“Oh, no, not at all,” Satoru quickly replied, averting his gaze. “I was just… worried.”

 

“Oh, I’m sorry…” Mari said guiltily, bowing her head.

 

“It’s nothing,” Satoru said. “I…”

 

“Hm?” Mari said, looking up at the boy.

 

“It’s nothing,” Satoru said, feeling depressed. He wanted to cheer up Mari, but it looked as though Orion beat him to it. Sometimes he felt frustrated with Orion, being susceptible to others’ feelings and able to help Mari instead of him. He wanted to hate Orion, but Orion was still his closest friend aside from Mari.

 

“Um, okay…” Mari said hesitantly. She felt Satoru was hiding something from her, but she couldn’t just push him to tell her anything. Sometimes she didn’t understand or read Satoru, even though they were all childhood friends.

 

“Uh, are you guys okay?” Orion asked worriedly.

 

“I’m fine!” Mari and Satoru chorused at the same time.

 

“…Well, okay,” Orion said, feeling a little hurt. He thought they trusted him, but it seemed both Mari and Satoru weren’t telling him anything. Both said they were fine, but he knew they were certainly not okay. But what could he do? Just respect their wishes. Orion sighed and noticed Kasumi stirring. “Oh, did I take you up?”

 

Kasumi rubbed her eyes and looked at Orion with her brown eyes. “Um, is everything okay?” She asked drowsily.

 

“Yes, everything is fine,” Orion said, glaring daggers at his childhood friends.

 

“Y-Yeah,” Mari said nervously, avoiding glancing at her friends.

 

“It’s all good,” Satoru replied stoically.

 

“Uh… but alright,” Kasumi said. “Oh look, I think we’re at the hotel.”

 

The bus had stopped and a large hotel stood towering. The building was beige-coloured with large double sliding doors at the entrance. Two bellboys stood outside the entrance, with stoic expressions on their faces. The class descended the bus and walked through the doors, following the teacher.

 

Once the check-in process was completed, the teacher handed each pair their room key. Kasumi and Mari were paired up while Satoru and Orion were in another room. It appeared everyone was assigned a room based off groups.

 

“I’ll see you guys later?” Mari asked.

 

“Yeah, let’s take a nap first,” Orion replied.

 

Everyone nodded and headed to the elevators. The four were on the same floor, which was the twelfth floor. Kasumi and Mari went into their room and then followed by Orion and Satoru to theirs.

 

As Orion entered, he placed his suitcase on the floor and collapsed on the nearest bed. “Sorry, Satoru, but I guess this is my bed.”

 

Satoru placed his suitcase on the dresser and moved to the other bed before sitting down. “Typical.”

 

“What? Anyway, I’m going to nap for a bit,” Orion replied before turning away and curling up into a ball. “Wake me up in two hours.”

 

Satoru sighed. “Alright.” He took out his phone and debated texting Mari. Then, deciding not to, Satoru flopped on the bed with his hands under his head as he stared at the white ceiling. He wondered what will happen on this school trip. Sighing, he turned over to face the window, his arms folded in front of his chest.

 

**

 

Back in Tokyo, a youngish man was walking down the streets with his hands in his pocket. He had messy, short black hair and wore a dark trench coat. He had a slight smirk on his face as he walked through the night, looking at each house number. Once he found the house, the man walked up to the door and rang the doorbell.

 

A young woman in a white dress with bobbed hair opened the door. She had a look of surprise to see the man standing there. She was about to go behind the door when forcibly grabbed her arm.

 

The woman squirmed in place, trying to free herself from this man. But it was to no avail, for the man overpowered the woman and forced her into the house, shutting the door with his foot. He moved his hand from her arm to her mouth and moved through the house while pushing the woman. Finding the bathroom near the kitchen, he pushed the woman inside the bathroom and then shoved her into the bathtub. The woman’s head struck the wall and fell unconscious. With that deed done, the man turned on the faucet to hot water and let it fill to the brim.

 

With his mission accomplished, the man walked out the house. The first victim was done and he was prepared for his second task.

You can find story with these keywords: Crimson Flower, Read Crimson Flower, Crimson Flower novel, Crimson Flower book, Crimson Flower story, Crimson Flower full, Crimson Flower Latest Chapter