First thing in the morning, I texted Kawashita after I woke up. I waited for a minute but he didn't reply. I got ready and left my apartment, checking my phone again. Still no reply.
Saturday was dry, cold, and dreary. Even more so inside the house. We didn't linger in the temple because Grandma and my mother's younger brother, Minoru-ojisan, weren't able to come. Uncle's wife hurt her hips, so I spent the morning after the visit talking on the phone with Grandma while Mina prepared the food.
My relationship with Mina and her kids wasn't exactly bad, but it wasn't particularly great either. I lived with them for three years and I could have stayed with them and commute from here to school, but I always felt like a stranger in this house. So before high school ended, I begged Dad to let me get an apartment near the university. He relented when I managed to enter the most prestigious school in the country.
Eventually, I forgot about checking for Kawashita's reply until I felt desperate enough to leave the house which happened an hour later after lunch. Miki was already asleep, and Daiki was out with friends. I didn't want to see my father and his wife interact during my mother's death anniversary.
An envelope appeared in my screen when the doorbell rang out of nowhere, making me jump. Mina went to check it while I opened the message. I received it an hour ago. My stomach rolled as sour taste filled my mouth. What if it was too late now?
Quickly typing a reply, inviting him over later at my apartment, I paused and fretted until a booming man's voice echoed in the house. I hit send. I didn't want to be a part of this whatever this was.
A stout man with a receding hairline followed Mina along with the dark-skinned boy from last night, the Setos as my father introduced them. Seto-kun, the part-timer, wasn't a part-timer after all. They were neighbors who moved into the same building and became good friends with the family over the year.
"You would have met them if you came home more often," Dad said with a disapproving glance.
I just looked—sort of glared at him. What did these men have to do with Mom's death? They didn't even know her. But as Seto-san, the father, replaced me as my father's drinking partner, I acknowledged the need for outsiders. My phone vibrated, and my spirit lifted, not expecting the quick reply. Kawashita was confirming the time with me. I changed later to in thirty minutes.
"Do you have a girlfriend, Yuya-kun?" Mina asked as she sat beside me, sipping her tea.
I stopped drumming my fingers and glanced at Mina. Why on earth would she ask that now? They were close enough to be invited over when it was my mother's death anniversary, so she must have known details like that. Mina's eyes shone behind her tortoise eyeglasses. I shifted and began to suspect something.
Seto-san chuckled. "That's impossible. The kid is too shy with girls?"
Dad then gave me a meaningful and hopeful smile. Ah, I get it, I mused, fighting a scowl from forming. I knew Dad didn't approve of Jun-senpai because he was also a law student, and we were four years apart. My Dad never confirmed my suspicion until now. I hadn't even had the chance to tell him we broke up, but he was clearly pushing this Seto-kun towards me.
"But he plays baseball, doesn't he? Didn't he play in Koshien in high school?" Mina said. The hint of smile was clear in her voice even though I wasn't looking at her. "He must be popular with the girls."
We all turned to Seto-kun who had his head down. My irritation eased and felt bad for this guy. My Dad and his matchmaking.
Seto-san grinned and shook his head. "He avoids them altogether."
Mina laughed while I just looked at him when Dad added, "You should watch one of his games next season, Reiko. You like baseball, right? They did pretty well this fall."
I cringed inside as the scrutiny of their stares turned to me. I liked baseball. That was true but I hadn't worn my Giants black and orange cap for almost a year. I couldn't just agree especially when I knew what they were up to. But the pressure built up. All of them—even Seto-kun—was waiting for my answer. I gulped, ready to divert the topic when my phone rang.
The weight on me dissipated as I stood, excused myself, and answered the call. My voice almost broke when I heard Kawashita's voice. I need him. I was sure of it now. The risk, the awkwardness, I could withstand it. I had to.
"Dad, I need to go." I came back for my bag to find Mina gone. Dad and Seto-san were already drinking while Seto-kun was watching baseball on TV.
"You're not staying for the night?" Dad's brows furrowed.