Boots fell on the dirt, scrunching, trampling, sliding, and tracing a familiar pattern of a trail. From somewhere, nearby, drips leaked from a brown coated plate, playing a choir with the harmonious drizzle.
Covered by a hood, a man lifted a tarnished tarpaulin dangling from the entrance of an odd plated structure shaped in a dome.
Upon entering, “I knew it,” covering his nose, he said, “it’s too dusty.”
“Oof!” he muttered.
“Come on,” from behind, a black-haired pushed and said, “someone else’s in line.”
Tumbling further in, “W-woah!” the black-haired boy swung his arms in an exaggerated manner, “that was close.”
Ahead, the girl walked deeper into the structure, lifting and bowing her head as she scanned the interior: scraps, dried leaves, shattered glass, and animal droppings littered the floor, dust blanketed the broken furniture, blotches painted the walls, and puddles of water drenched the place.
Turning around with her hands held from her back, “Hey, Mark,” called Claire.
Dusting his hands, “What?” he asked.
“We need to clean this place.”
Closer, while pulling down his hood, revealing his short black hair, Mark approached the girl and observed the place.
“We sure do,” scratching his head, he said, “but it will take some time.”
Squinting, the girl frowned and said, “Oh, don’t you have too much time?”
Heaving a sigh, “Haah… Fine, fine,” he waved his hand to dismiss the girl, “it’s for Rena anyway, so I’m willing to do some grunt work.”
Raising the corner of her lips, “that’s the spirit,” the girl lightly clapped her fair hands.
Smirking, “what are you talking about?” he asked, “Claire, you’re cleaning too.”
With a frown, “are you dumb?” Claire said, “Unlike you, I’m willing to clean this place for Rena.”
“Anyway,” nodding in her direction, Mark said.
Together, wearing a reminiscent smile, ““We’re back, Rena,”” they greeted their old friend.
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Day after day, they took turns in cleaning, and at times, they worked on cleaning the place together.
With a broom in his hands, “Say, Claire,” called Mark.
Turning her head, Claire halted in picking scraps on the floor, “What is it?”
“Do you remember back then?”
“I won’t remember if you don’t specify which.”
Grinning, “back in summer,” he looked through the window, “in the forest,” turning around to face Claire, “we caught something like this!” then he threw an object towards Claire’s direction.
Falling on her, she felt a shiver down her spine before brushing the object in a panic.
“W-whaa!” Screaming, she brushed her shirt repeatedly and ran away from her spot, “What the fuck Mark!” she bellowed.
Chuckling a grin, “Y-you haven’t changed!” Mark suppressed his laugh from the side.
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With a slap, Claire hit Mark’s shoulder.
“It’s not funny!” she protested, “You know I hate insects! Only you and Rena liked them!”
Unable to hold his laugh, Mark failed to reply.
“If you’ll act this way,” she turned around and headed for the entrance, “then I’ll leave for today!”
Ina hurry, Mark followed behind and embraced her from behind. “Okay, okay,” placing his mouth beside her ears, “I’m sorry so please don’t leave.”
“Treat me to some sweets later,” demanding, she said.
“Fine,” he smiled, “but you know, you really like sweets, but it all ends up,” snaking his hands towards her chest, “AAAAAAHHH!!!” he screamed in pain.
Irritated, her smile twitched.
“Want me to break these poor fingers?”
“AAAHHH! NO! DON’T! I’M SORRY! I’M SORRY!”
From behind, a short creak caught their attention. Curious about the sound, they separated and moved towards the source.
“Haah…” sighed Claire, “I thought it was something.”
“Ahaha,” chuckled Mark, “I forgot to lock the window,” while balling his aching left hand in victory.
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Raising his fist into the air, “done!” Mark shouted.
“It took a while,” smiled Claire, “but finally, it feels like we're back in the past.”
Scratching his cheek, “I miss those days. You, me, and Rena.” “I hoped too,” expressed a lonely smile, “the three of us used to play here so often that this became our hideout.”
“We even divided this place between the three of us,” chuckled Mark.
Pointing to one portion of the room to another, “Mine, Yours, and Rena’s.”
“We even built cardboard castles back then!” reminisced Mark, “Ahhh, those were the days.”
“You were stealing our cardboards though,” Claire muttered, “you scum.”
Glancing a smile, “that’s how the game worked,” he said, “and I’m great at stealing resources!”
Mischievously, “then why don’t we try that again?”
Snorting a grin, “Heh, I’ll break through your ramparts in an instant.”
Reaching out her hand, “We’ll see about that.”
Clasping it in return, “then like usual, we’ll gather materials first.”
“Deal.”
As they shook hands, they left the room talking about how to go with the deal.
They look happy, voiced a girl on the corner of the room, I wish I can join…
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Like an immature adult, Mark stood with crossed arms. Armored in pieces of cardboard, Mark stood haughtily, sneering at the cardboard castle opposite his.
“Ha ha ha ha!” laughed Mark, “thee you art protected, thy castle shalt fall into mine hands.”
Smiling, “you really like to play the role of the villain,” Claire stood with a fewer amount of cardboard covering her body, “but this time, the hero shall prevail!” raising her cardboard sword into the air, she pulled down her visor and shifted into a stance for thrusting.
After a moment of silence between the two, ““pfft! Ahahahaha!”” they laughed with their arms on their waists.
“I bet we looked like morons!” laughed Claire.
“Aren’t we?! Ahahaha.”
“Ahaha,” wiping her tears, “that was hilarious.”
Jumping and trampling over his castle, “You’re wide open!” Mark took the chance to invade Claire’s.
In a panic, she stepped backward, trying to dodge his assault. Unfortunately, she stepped over her own cardboard and tripped backward.
Falling over the cardboard, “Whaa!” she screamed.
Moving closer, “Thy castle hath fallen!” Mark pinned Claire.
Holding her by the hand, he loomed his head over hers, “the hero is mine now,”
While Marked inched his lips closer, “Mark,” Claire looked into Mark’s eyes, “are you sure about this?”
“Why not?”
“You used to go out with Rena, during and before she contracted leukemia,” she said, “aren’t you feeling anything about doing it here?”
Sealing her lips, “I don’t think Rena will mind,” he said.
Then again, his lips caressed hers.
“Haahh… Mark…” breathed Claire, “this, feels wro-…”
“Like I said, I don’t think Rena minds.”
“Wai-! Mnnn…”
Sniff, from the corner, I mind, you know…
Clutching her ghostly dress, tears ran down her cheeks. In agony, she bit down her lips as she watched them make out.
I can’t believe this…
Curling herself like an infant, she cuffed her ears and closed her eyes, but to her dismay, the sounds reached deep within her core.
I can’t believe you’ll exchange me for someone else this quickly…
As she uttered words of grief, her body paled and became less apparent.
To pass away like this…