The gymnasium felt both familiar and distant. A decade had passed since I last walked these halls, but the reunion had brought it all back. I glanced around, the decorations and faces stirring memories of a time when life was simpler. People I hadn't seen in years were catching up, reminiscing. Beside me, Touka smiled warmly, her hand resting on her belly. The thought of becoming a father still felt surreal. Twins. Our first children.
I stood quietly, letting the nostalgia wash over me. The smell of the old gym, the sound of excited voices—it felt like I'd slipped back in time.
"Himeya, it's been too long!" A familiar voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
Takamine Hiro. He was just the same—sharp, full of energy. He clapped a hand on my shoulder, his grin wide as always. I couldn't help but smile back.
"Yeah, it really has," I replied, chuckling. "Still feels strange being back here."
"Strange, but good," Hiro said, glancing at Touka. "And I see congratulations are in order."
Touka smiled at him, her hand moving gently over her stomach. "Thank you. Twins, if you can believe it."
Hiro raised an eyebrow. "Twins, huh? You're going to have your hands full, Himeya."
I laughed, though there was a hint of nervousness. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. But... I'm looking forward to it."
As we talked, Yuka, Hiro's wife, joined us. She looked elegant, effortlessly poised, as she always had. Their daughter was darting around nearby, full of energy, weaving between the crowd. Yuka greeted us, her hand resting gently on Hiro's arm. Just behind her was Sumire, her younger sister, quiet as ever. Sumire had always been soft-spoken, and she hadn't changed much over the years.
"Sumire, it's good to see you again," I said, offering her a smile.
"You too, Himeya," she replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's been a long time."
Yuka glanced between Sumire and us. "Sumire's been busy with her concerts overseas, but she managed to come back just in time for the reunion."
Sumire nodded slightly. "It's nice to take a break," she said, her eyes scanning the gym. "Being back here... it feels like time stood still."
Before I could respond, a familiar figure moved through the crowd—Uguisu-senpai. Our old club president. She had aged gracefully, carrying the same calm, thoughtful presence that had always surrounded her. Now a well-known novelist, Uguisu-senpai's entrance turned a few heads.
"Himeya-kun, Hiro-kun," she greeted us with a warm smile. "It's good to see the two of you together again."
"Uguisu-senpai," Hiro responded, nodding with respect. "Feels like old times, doesn't it?"
"It does," she agreed, before turning to me. "And I hear congratulations are in order for you, Himeya. Twins, is it?"
I nodded, a little embarrassed. "Yes, twins. Still hard to believe."
Uguisu-senpai chuckled softly. "You've always been someone who faces challenges head-on. I'm sure you'll make a wonderful father."
Her words felt heavy, but in a comforting way. I wasn't sure I was ready, but hearing that from Uguisu-senpai gave me a bit of confidence. As the conversation carried on, laughter filled the gym as others joined us. The years melted away as we shared stories, and Yuka took the opportunity to tease Hiro about his high school antics.
"You were always scribbling poetry in the corner, trying to act cool," she teased, leaning into him.
"Hey, I was deep in thought," Hiro replied with a grin. "Besides, that poetry won your heart eventually, didn't it?"
Yuka rolled her eyes but smiled. "I suppose it did."
I watched them, smiling to myself. Their banter hadn't changed. Sumire stood nearby, quiet, her presence subtle but somehow reassuring. She didn't say much, just listened, occasionally offering a nod or a small smile.
As the night wore on, I found myself stepping outside for a moment of quiet, walking up to the school's rooftop. The stars above were clear, just as they had been back in high school. I stood by the railing, letting the memories settle over me.
A few moments later, Hiro joined me, leaning against the railing beside me.
"Funny how life turned out, isn't it?" he mused, staring up at the sky. "Back then, we spent so many nights up here, talking about dreams and stories. Now look at us—families, jobs, real responsibilities."
"Yeah," I nodded, my gaze still fixed on the stars. "Sometimes I wonder if we really knew what we wanted back then. But I guess it worked out."
"It did," Hiro agreed. "And here we are, both fathers—or almost, in your case. Remember when we thought the hardest thing in life was finishing a story for the Literature Club?"
I chuckled. "I do. It seems so distant now, but also... like it was just yesterday."
We stood in silence for a moment, the noise from the reunion distant below. Up here, it felt like we had stepped out of time for a while. I could almost hear the younger versions of us laughing, dreaming about the future.
"You're going to be a great father, Himeya," Hiro said quietly, glancing at me.
I smiled, though uncertainty still lingered in my heart. "Thanks, Hiro. I hope you're right."
As the evening came to a close, we all gathered in the gym for a photo, a snapshot to capture the moment. I stood beside Touka, her hand gently placed over her belly, Hiro and Yuka next to us. Sumire, Uguisu-senpai, and a few other familiar faces stood with us. Life had changed us, but in that moment, it felt like we were all still connected by the bonds we had formed so many years ago.
And as the flash went off, I realized that, no matter how much time passed, some connections would never fade.