[1st part: Shouta Kazehaya's work experience]
[2nd part: Sand]
[3rd part: Takanashi]
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Is it possible? That I must do my best in order to leave this part-time employment. The job isn't anything I despise. It was simple to communicate with the customers, and their drinks were simple to prepare. Simply combine all of the ingredients in a plastic glass. Yes, I struggled at first with the work, dropping clients' drinks, and creating a mess all over the place. However, I'm grateful that the clients were understanding and patient enough to wait for me to remake their beverages. Then there's my companion, Mohammad Abdul, a foreigner from the Middle East. He speaks fluent Japanese, which is fortunate for me. He would tell me about his own nation during our breaks. Who'd have guessed that someone from a wealthy background would come here and get a job like this?! I wanted to ask him about it, but my mouth wouldn't cooperate. He claimed to be in his final year of junior high, two years ahead of Mia. When I asked him where he wanted to go after he graduated from junior high, he said he wanted to go to college. I only received an I'm not sure. I was irritated, but it was most likely personal information that he didn't want to discuss with me. Maybe he didn't think I was close to him? Is it necessary for me to be his friend in order to know where he wants to go? No. It isn't possible. I'd like to be friends with people who are honest with me, and I'll tell you everything about them so you can learn more about them. I should definitely go to work right now; lounging in the break room isn't going to pay the bills. The manager is most likely approaching the door, eager to consult with me and return me to work. But that's not going to happen! I'm going to get off of this chair and head back to the counter to take customer orders. And so I thought of a way to make myself look good in front of the customers but that'll cause trouble and I don't want trouble. I don't want to get fired. This is my first time doing an activity that helps the country's economy. Well, only a fraction of it that is.
—Before leaving his house, he reminisces about those memories as he puts on his shoes. How weird. His mind stated. Those were only experiences of his first week of his part time job and many things happened.
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The outside air was warm, Shouta was leaving his house in the middle of the day, wearing only shorts and a white shirt. He had no idea what to do, he planned to go to the cafe his mother mentioned two days prior but he wasn't ready to do some interview.
"Life couldn't be boring as ever, am I right?"
"Yes, you are right!"
"Now then, to the real question"
"Yes?"
"How did you suddenly appear beside me?"
"Fufu… I used the magic of the [blinding lights]! No one can see me when I use this po—"
Her words were suddenly cut short by a soft tap on the head. It didn't hurt at first, until Shouta added force.
"Don't be like that!"
"—ow!"
"Don't play around now! I can't believe you're the smartest in school but having such a weird personality. Wait, you're very different when you're in school and not in school"
The Takanashi Ichika that he was seeing at the moment was more of a weeb and giving off more of a middle schooler that only imagines about anime and manga. But sometimes, she would change back and out of a more serious persona. That would happen when she discusses serious matters.
"So, Kazehaya, where are you going?"
"Don't know… summer ain't feeling really well"
"How can? My summer has been doing fine, really"
"I didn't ask, thank you very much"
"Hmph!"
"Don't you hmph me, Tsundere"
"Shut up!!"
If it was the serious Takanashi Ichika saying that, Shouta would tremble and "submit" to Ichika, as if he was forced by someone that has control over everything and everyone. But the Ichika he is seeing now, the way she said "shut up" was somewhat cute.
If you're trying to be cute. You can't beat the cuteness of my little sister!!
.
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The beach. Where sand meets water and where people would hang out and have fun in the water. Kids would run around the sand, playing tag or doing a race for fun. As for Shouta, he was there to take a walk, taking off his sandals and then walking on the soft and warm sand. Ichika was following him, taking off her shoes and carrying them in her hands. Shouta left him near the staircase leading to the beach.
"So, what do you usually do on the beach?"
"Not much. Walking on the sand is all I do if I'm alone"
"Is it fun?"
"What do you think?"
"Umm, the feeling of the soft sand on my feet is great. But I nearly stepped on a rock. I'm glad that I avoided it, it would've hurt so much"
"Oh yeah… do be careful of rocks. I got a scar because of one"
"Really?! Can I see it?!"
"Why are you so excited to see a scar?!"
"Cause that's always the coolest thing a boy can get!"
"The person who told you that must be a weeb!! Having a scar is a nightmare!"
"Oh… But he isn't a weeb. I mean, I don't know if Riyuu is a weeb or not"
"Hold a moment. Riyuu?"
"Yeah, he told me that when we were still in 8th grade"
"And you still remember it till this day"
"I am good at remembering, you know!"
The reliable, not always forgettable Takanashi Ichika. She is always there when you need help with something that you forget, even down to the smallest detail, she will know. Sometimes, when Ichika would buy food, she's asked about the direction of a certain store. Of course, being not always forgettable, she tells the person asking where the store is and how to get there. She also adds when the store opens and closes.
Despite having good memories, she still lacks something. There is something missing about her. And she knows this.
"Hey, Kazehaya"
"Shouta is fine"
"..."
"..."
"When did you become friends with Fujiwara?"
"We're childhood friends, remember? Didn't I tell you the story?"
"When?"
"When I was at your house for that barbeque!!"
"Ohh… I remember now"
So much for the unforgettable.
.
.
.
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"I'm home". She opened the front door slowly. It was almost dark. She had some club activity, so she had to stay late.
"Welcome home, Ichika"
A woman greeted her with a lovely voice. She was standing near the kitchen, carrying two plates. Apparently, her mother knew when she was going to arrive and prepared dinner for her.
"How was school, honey?"
As Ichika's mother asked, Ichika put her bag down on the table. She sat down near her mother and looked up. Her blue eyes shine with the light reflecting on it.
"Nothing much, the test was easy… as usual"
The young Ichika told her mother in a bored voice. She wasn't smiling nor looking happy. She grabbed her bag beside her and opened the front side. There, she kept her test results which were all perfect scores as her mother looked at them.
Ichika, you have a talent. My tests weren't as flawless as yours, and I've never seen such perfection.
"Hm? What're you thinking, mum?"
"Nothing"
With that, Rikka smiled adorably. Thanks to that, Ichika was confused and she scratched her head as she looked back at her tests.
"Alright, let's eat!"
"Yay!"
Both mother and daughter shouted energetically. As they did, they ate the food on the plates in front of them. And within an hour, Ichika finished her plate and walked to her room, while her mother cleaned all of the plates and then went to the couch to watch the tv.
Rikka Takanashi is a typical housewife. When everyone goes, she cleans the house and prepares everyone's meals. Her gray hair is long and straight, and she wears a flower pin on the side of her left eye. Even though she is 40 years old, she appears to be in her twenties and has been mistaken for a newlywed. She doesn't mind being referred to as "young." However, if someone observes her age, she would try to persuade them that she is youthful. It works some of the time and some of the time it doesn't.
Now. What to do. What to do. What to do. What to do. What to do. She asked herself as she walked around in circles inside her, well lit and cold room.
"Haah"
She sighed as she fell on the soft carpeted floor of hers. And again, she still thinks about something to do. But she can't find anything to do, that is without a doubt a curse of hers. Being too special to the point she has nothing else to do.
Girls at her age usually go out with their friends and talk about the cute boys in their school. But sadly, her friends are too busy with themselves and Ichika wasn't into romance either.
And to make it worse, she doesn't have a phone. She always texts her friends to her computer which looks outdated but it still works to message and send documents to her friends.
Suddenly, with a faint noise, the door to her room opened slightly and a head entered her room.
"Ichika, your favorite anime is airing tomorrow"
Her mother said as she gave Ichika a small smile. Now she was in the room with her, standing near the door and holding the tv remote.
"..."
"You'll catch a cold if you lay down on the floor"
"But it's carpet"
"It's still the same, Ichika"
Rikka looked at her daughter as she rolled around the carpet, making herself comfortable on the soft carpet. She looked like a pet trying to find a spot that is good to sleep at. It was a sight to see because of how cute Ichika rolled her body.
Ichika stopped in front of her mother, facing upwards at the ceiling.
"Mum, what's your dream?"
She was crouching down as Ichika asked her a question. She looked at Ichika with a plain look, nothing special.
"My dream?"
"Yeah"
"Why do you want to know? Curious?"
"Of course I am!!"
Ichika shouted as she turned her body around, facing her mother in a, not upside down, position.
"Lets see, what is my dream?"
"You don't remember?"
"Of course I remember, it's my dream!"
"Then what's your dream?!"
Ichika looked at her mother, waiting for her to answer her question. As she did, her eyes were filled with curiosity like a child that wants to know how babies are made. Rikka noticed that, and smiled as she turned her head to Ichika.
"———"
"...?"