risingwinds | Twenty-Fifth Shooting Star

[It's been a while now since Fuuko's departure. During that time, Ven's been quieter than usual. Not tearful, but a bit more subdued than his usual, goofy self.

Even when he addresses the journal, his tone's a bit soft.]

You know, I gotta wonder. I know lots of you guys have found love here, but how do you guys deal when that person disappears? D'you keep waiting 'til they come back, or do you just... move forward? It's kinda tough spot for me. I'm not gonna let it bring me down or anything, but it's still sad. And it's just like when anyone else leaves-- unexpected.

But it was nice while it lasted. Fuuko's a great person, and I think she brought something special to the village. Who else would go outta their way to throw a huge starfish festival? To tell you the truth, I don't think I'll ever look at starfish the same way.

[He pauses.]

Wonder what Terra and Aqua'd think, though. It's been almost three years now...

[He doesn't expect anyone to react to that last bit. After all, his friends haven't shown up in a long time.]

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Fuuko went home?

... I'm happy for her. She'd been here a really long time.

[Well shit]

You won't let it get you down?

Yeah. Longer than a lot of people.

[Heh. Maybe that's why it surprised him so much.]

I hope she's doing okay. All her friends were probably waiting for her back home.

I've gotta at least try! Fuuko wouldn't wanna see me sad.

[Nor would Terra and Aqua, or Minako... Or a lot of people.]

I'm sure someone like her must have a lot of friends. She was really nice, even if she was a little strange sometimes. It was hard not to like her.

I... I always look at starfish in different ways. But I'm gonna miss her. I had a lot of plans for that next starfish festival, too...

Wow.

[A part of him wants to question how much he even loved her if he's able to just be collected. Let alone decide that he is just going to be okay and "not want to be sad." But he doesn't, instead he whistles a little]

Huh?

[His tone suggests he isn't succeeding in being as chipper as he hopes, though he's had at least a few days to cool down. Not that he's gonna start skipping around in glee any time soon.]

Wait, what're you whistling for?

Aw, I didn't think she's that strange. Sure, she didn't use "I" a whole lot, but I think that's just part of made her Fuuko.

Well, who says we can't throw one ourselves? Like... in Fuuko's honor. I think she'd still want us to keep celebrating the starfish.

You must be Ven.

[Sheena hasn't met him that she can remember, but he might have heard a lot about the tea shop from Fuuko.]

[That question honestly tugs at Selphie's heartstrings but she doesn't understand why. In the end, she concludes that it's ultimately due to empathy that she's feeling for Ventus more than anything else.]

I think the only thing you can really do is move forward. The person you love wouldn't want you to be sad. Don't get me wrong, it's okay to be sad but you can't stay that way forever, right?

Besides, it looks like you're on the right track anyway. Remember the good time you spent with them and the amazing person they are.

Friends of yours?

I felt painfully hurt, and stuck.

[Even now, being a few hundred years older, she's still trying to figure out what she should feel like.]

Oh, just a little sign of my dismay. Fuuko-chan's sweet.

[Yep]

She would. I'd really like to do that for her.

Oh, I didn't mean strange in a bad way, just... Fuuko was Fuuko. I've never met anyone else who was quite like her.

'Course she's sweet! She's one of the sweetest people I've ever met.

[But why whistling? Masaomi sure acts funny sometimes.]

Maybe we can try drumming up interest sometime. Summer's almost over, though, and I don't know if there's time to whip something together before winter sets in.

Yep, that's me. And you're... Sheena? The lady running the tea shop, right?

[Ven probably heard her name at least in passing, though man. Talk about somber circumstances for a first meeting.]

See, that's what I'm trying to do. Like... it's sad. I'd have to be crazy to think otherwise, but it's just no fun being sad forever. How would I ever see the sunny spots in life if I latched onto all the shadows? There was always a chance this'd happen.

And you're right about Terra and Aqua! They're not just my friends; they're my best friends.

[Pain? Yeah, he understands that. And feeling stuck... hm, sometimes it feels that way. Ven's been in Luceti so long, while his friends have come and gone, never staying for more than a few months.

Sure, friendship's different than romantic love, but both kinds of bonds are important.]

Does it still hurt even now?

I'd say she's one of a kind. All the best people are. Can't say I know everyone who Fuuko met, but I'm sure she made a difference in all their lives, big or small. That's just the kinda person she is.

[Sweet, enthusiastic, outgoing, and quirky... It's hard to imagine someone filling her shoes.]

When I think about it, it does.

[It doesn't hurt nearly as bad, since she's fallen in love back home, but being back here just makes it all confusing.]

Hm... You're right. It shouldn't be when it's too cold. But maybe we can try making it... next month or something?

Yeah. And I'm sure that the people here won't forget her, not with all of those starfish she handed out to everyone. I bet just about everyone here must have one by now.

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