[All] Family Reunion (Green)

>You push open the gate and begin trudging up the path.
>The warm colours in Sayori's garden are betrayed by how cold it is.
>You look down at your watch.
>Only a minute or two late, but they probably aren't ready anyway.
>The door is unlocked, you open it and make your way into the living room.
>There's a few people already there, your clubmates, a few relatives.
>The only person missing is Sayori.
>She always did take her time getting ready.
>To be fair, she always did dress beautifully for these kinds of things.
>"Would you like a cup of tea, Anon?"
>Sayori's mother gives you a kind smile and gestures to the teapot sitting on the table.
"No, I'm fine thank you."
>You return the smile before turning to your three clubmates.
>Natsuki fidgeting with her dress, Yuri sipping at her own teacup.
>Monika gives you a quick hug. A gesture you return silently.
>Sayori's father's voice fills the room now.
>"At this rate we're going to be late. Maybe we should wait outside."
>Everyone sort of nods, the sitting relatives stand and everyone makes their way out into the front yard.
>You hear Yuri sigh behind you.
>"God why does it have to be so cold."
>Natsuki cries out. Her dress doing little to shield her from the frigid late-November air.
>Everyone stands about awkwardly for a while. Small chit-chat is made here and there.
>Finally the front door opens again, catching everyone's attemtion.

>From it, emerges a dark brown box. Carried by four middle aged men.
>The brunette next to you lets out a sad sigh. Accompanying that of a few other members of the group.
>You stand aside and watch as the men pass you by, carrying the casket out into the street.
>Everyone begins to follow. First the few relatives, one or two friends and then you, Monika, Natsuki and Yuri.
>A black hearse leads the pack slowly, followed by the coffin and finally the mourning few.
>The trek to the church shouldn't take long, but today it almost feels like an eternity.
>A dull silence hangs in the air.
>Not the tweet of a bird.
>Not the voice of a person.
>Nothing. Just silence.
>A few passing townsfolk stop and watch as you and the rest of the group make your way down the street.
>Suddenly Sayori's father turns to you as the coffin stops moving.
>"C'mon, Anon. Me and you buddy."
>You nod, breaking way from your friends you follow the man towards the coffin.
>Her father replaces the front-left man carrying the casket, leaving you to take the right.
>You snake an arm under the coffin and place your hand on his shoulder, holding the coffin's golden handle with your other.
>The two men behind you are replaced by other relatives.
>When you're ready, the hearse in front of you presses forward once more.
>You bear the weight of your childhood friend on your shoulder.
>Such an innocent face she was.
>Blue eyes, a smile with warmth that would make many suns burn with envy.
>A few memories circle in your head.
>Helping her bandage her first cut after falling off her tricycle.
>Taking her to the carnival when her parents left town.
>You were essentially her older brother.
>Always looking out for her. Taking care of her.
>If only you'd known.
>You could have done something.
>You could have been there for her.
>Her shining light against the darkness.
>Her big brother.
>Maybe you wouldn't be carrying her right now.

>The hearse stops, it's trunk opening as two elderly men beckon you forward.
>You do so, slowly lowering the coffin into the back of the vehicle.
>The trunk shuts and you retreat to the crowd behind you.
>The funeral coach begins moving again, several sad smiles welcome you back as you reunite with your clubmates.
>It's not long before you reach the church.
>Everyone settles down and the usual funeral proceedings begin.
>"Ladies and gentlemen, we are here today to honour a little girl."
>"A daughter, a friend. A child of God."
>Once the speech is finished. The priest calls your name, beckoning you to the alter.
>"And now, a piece written by a dear friend. Anon."
>As you make your way forward you take a small piece of paper from your pocket and unfold it.
>You glance over at Sayori's coffin as you reach the podium. Wondering if she's at least smiling down on you.
>You can almost hear her bubbly voice.
>"Don't worry about me Anon! It's only a small bump, I'll be fine!"
>She said, as blood ran down her leg like a waterfall.
>Tears decorating her rosy cheeks.
>"I'm serious! You don't need to-"
>"T-Thank you.. Anon.."
>You feel a slight warmth on your cheek where she kissed you all those years ago as a thank you.
>You sigh, before beginning your reading.

---
I sat alone under grey skies
Teetering on the edge of the garden wall

You sat down next to me and smile
Offering me a white bag of peppermint swirls
Our rain-kissed wellies dangled above sodden mud
For a moment the rainclouds parted
And light peaked over the horizon
You offered me another red and white candy
They were my favourites, you knew that

And now, our wall lies battered
I perched upon war torn bricks, alone
The taste of peppermint came to my mouth
But no white bag was held out
No loud crunches as we chewed together
I miss the joy of sitting with you upon that wall
You were my favourite, I wish you'd known that
---

>You fold the piece of paper again and return it to your pocket.
>Returning to your seat, Monika gives you a nod and whispers to you.
>"That was beautiful, Anon. Sayori would have loved it."
>Yuri, who was listening in mutters in agreement.
>"Quite. She'd be proud you've improved over the months."
>Natsuki remains silent, her blank stare fixated on the pew in front of her.
>You can only "Mm" in return, words fail you at the moment.
>Soon enough the proceedings are finished and the coffin is lifted once more.
>Sayori's family and friends follow the girl outside and into the adjacent graveyard.
>The coffin makes it's way through the rows of graves until it stops at a hole dug into the earth.
>You stare down into it. Face as rigid as stone.
>At least Sayori is living the dream of sleeping forever you guess.
>The casket is lowered into the hole and, after another short speech, is buried.
>Buried.
>You just watched your childhood friend be buried.
>Around sixteen or so years of friendship. Gone.
>You'll never get to see her radiant smile again.
>Never hear her childish giggles, nor tend to her woulds.
>Never mend her frown with a bowl of ice cream adorned with all sorts of decorations.
>That's it. It's over.
>All over.
>Time passes.
>By now, you and the three girls are the only ones left.
>Sayori's mother begged to stay, her cries falling on deaf ears as her husband dragged her away from her daughters grave.
>"It's too cold to stay out here, we can do this at home."
>If you didn't agree with him about the weather you'd call him selfish.
>But he wasn't the type for that. After all he is where Sayori got her kind heartedness from.
>He probably just wanted to mourn in private.

>Natsuki stands at the foot of the grave.
>You, Monika and Yuri behind her.
>You have a hand on her shoulder and an arm around Monika. Yuri standing next to her.
>The little girl hadn't let out a single peep since the coffin left the house.
>Her face was more stone-cold than yours, almost emotionless.
>And then suddenly.
>"Hrk"
>Natsuki falls to her knees, hands clamping across her face. Her body shaking violently as she begins to sob into her palms.
>Screams fill the yard as she wails on the ground.
>Yuri is the next to break, although her tears are silent in comparison to the little girls agony filled ones.
>Monika follows shortly, taking a handkerchief from her purse and wiping her face.
>Finally, even you succumb to the hole left in your little circle. A few tears rolling down your cheeks.
>More time passes.
>The sky is starting to darken and the wind feels a little colder on your skin.
>You're not really sure why you're still there.
>Natsuki and Yuri left a good while ago.
>But you can't bring yourself to move.
>A quiet voice breaks the silence.
>"Anon.."
>You let it wash over you completely however.
>"Anon please."
>It's Monika.
>"Anon, I know it's hard, but we need to go home."
>"Plea-
>You cut her off by speaking softly, not to her. To someone else.
"I'm sorry I let you down, Sayori."
>"Oh Anon don't be silly. You can't blame yourself for this."
"I was her best friend, Monika. I was like a brother to her."
"And look what I let her do."
"She's gone now."
>An arm wraps around you. The girl hugging you choking back what tears she has left.
>"A-Anon please."
>"Please don't do this.."
"Sorry."
>You return the hug.
>"Let's just.. Go home, okay?"
"Okay."
>You let Monika drag you away from your friend.
>As you walk, your gaze raises to the skies above. Clouded by blankets of grey.
"I'll visit you soon, Sayori. I promise."