After finishing up a meeting for the library committee, I headed straight home. The sunset painted the streets a warm orange as I walked. When I arrived, I was greeted by the cheerful voice of my sister, Haruka, echoing from inside. But something felt... different.
Stepping into the house, I was met with a surprising sight—both my parents were home.
"Mom? Dad? W-what are you doing here?" I stammered, completely taken aback.
"Hey, that's a rude way to greet your parents, Himeya," Mom replied, crossing her arms with a mock pout.
"Now, now," Dad interjected with a gentle smile. "It's been ages since we've all gathered like this. Let's not ruin the mood with unpleasant memories, okay?"
I scratched my head, feeling a mix of guilt and confusion. "Ugh... Right. But seriously, what are you both doing here? Don't you have work overseas?"
Mom grinned. "We've been transferred back to Japan! So, we're moving home permanently."
"...What?"
"Yup, we're home," Mom chimed in brightly.
"Haru-nee, you heard that, right?!" I turned to my sister, half-expecting her to share my disbelief.
Haruka simply nodded with a serene smile that seemed to say, just accept it.
"Ugh... Fine. Welcome home, Mom, Dad," I said, trying to muster a smile.
"Aww, Himeya!" Mom squealed, pulling me into a bear hug. "I've missed you so much, my little Meyya!"
"Gah! Mom, not so tight!"
"Let me hold you just a little longer!" she said, burying her face into my shoulder.
"Alright, alright, I get it!" I sighed, surrendering to her embrace.
After a warm and chaotic reunion, we headed out for a family dinner at a restaurant. It was nice—pleasant, even. But when we returned home, I escaped to my room, eager to dive back into my manuscript.
Sitting at my desk, I began rereading the story I'd been writing. It was supposed to be about my feelings—subtle, poetic, meaningful. But the more I read, the more I realized something was off.
"Not good... This reads like a love letter," I muttered, burying my face in my hands.
A soft knock at the door pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Himeya? You still awake?" Haruka's voice came from the other side.
"Yeah, come in," I said, slumping in my chair.
She opened the door and peeked inside, her ever-calm presence filling the room. "Sorry to bother you so late."
"It's fine," I replied.
Her eyes fell on my desk, where the manuscript lay. "Still working on it?"
"Yeah," I sighed.
She picked up a page and skimmed it. "Hmm... Is this a story or a love letter?"
"Ugh... As I thought. Anyone who reads it would think the same."
"Is something bothering you?" she asked, her tone gentle but probing.
"No... I just—ugh, I don't know."
Haruka smiled knowingly. "How about some music?"
"Huh?"
"You need to relax. Let the rhythm flow through your mind. Once you clear your head, you can revisit your story with fresh eyes. Think of writing like connecting dots—lay down key moments, weave them together with inevitability, and let the story guide itself. It's like drawing words, not just writing them."
Her advice struck a chord. "Haruka... I think you're right. That's what Senpai was talking about—'scenery.'"
"Senpai?" she repeated, her eyebrows arching in interest.
"Ah—uh, no, forget it!" I blurted, my face heating up.
"Hoho, I see..." she teased with a smirk. "Well, I'll leave you to it."
"Thanks, Haru-nee," I said, giving her a small smile.
"Anytime," she replied, closing the door behind her.
Left alone, I let her words sink in. This story was tied to my memories with Senpai. If I could just tap into those moments... Reading together. Confessing. Playing. Feeling...
"Yeah, I've got this," I murmured, a newfound determination stirring within me.
I poured my heart into the manuscript that night, each word carrying fragments of my feelings. When I finally lifted my tired eyes, the moonlight illuminated my desk, and a quiet sense of fulfillment washed over me. With a contented sigh, I closed my laptop and drifted into a deep sleep.
The Next Morning
"AHHH! I'M LATE!" I shot out of bed, a frantic mess.
Rushing downstairs, I bumped into Haruka, who was yawning lazily.
"Morning... Himeya," she said, half-asleep.
"You didn't wake me up! Ahhh!"
"Wait, aren't you on summer vacation?" she asked, tilting her head.
"It's not that kind of vacation!" I snapped, slipping on my shoes.
Mom poked her head out from the kitchen. "Not having breakfast?"
"No time! See you later!" I shouted, bolting out the door.
When I arrived at school, I barely made it in time. Panting, I collapsed into my seat.
"Rough morning?" Touka asked, stifling a laugh.
"Ugh, overslept..." I muttered.
The girls nearby started giggling.
"What are they laughing at?" I grumbled.
"Himeya," Touka said, her lips twitching with suppressed laughter, "your hair..."
"Huh?" I whipped out my phone and opened the camera app. My reflection stared back, hair sticking out in all directions like a bird's nest.
"Don't move," Touka said, pulling out a comb.
"H-Hey, wait—" I froze as she leaned in, carefully fixing my hair. Her face was so close that I could feel the warmth of her breath.
"T-Touka, everyone's staring..." I whispered, my cheeks burning.
"Let them," she said nonchalantly.
Easy for you to say! I thought, my face as red as a tomato.
"All done!" she declared with a satisfied smile.
"Th-thanks," I stammered, avoiding her gaze.
It was already half past nine, and there was still no sign of a teacher in class. The uneasy silence stretched on.
"Um... Touka?" I leaned toward her desk, trying to keep my voice low.
"What?" She raised an eyebrow at me.
"Where's the teacher?"
"You didn't check the class group chat?"
"Huh? Why?"
"See for yourself." She rolled her eyes and slid her phone toward me.
The message was clear:
Teacher: "Today, you'll study independently. I have a meeting with other teachers. Don't disturb other classes, okay?"
I stared at the screen.
Damn it!
Before I could stew further in my frustration, I heard a familiar voice.
"Hey, Shin."
"Huh?" I turned around to see Hirostanding nearby.
"You coming to the meeting later?"
"Yeah, after lunch break."
"Cool. See you then." He waved casually and walked off.
I sighed and decided to take a quick nap.
"Hey, hey. What's going on between you and Takamine?" Touka's voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Huh? Nothing."
"Doesn't seem like nothing. He's been trying pretty hard to be your friend."
"Is that so?" I muttered, trying to sound indifferent.
"You okay, Himeya?"
"I'm fine. Just leave me alone for a bit."
"Alright..." She hesitated but backed off.
The truth was, I felt bad for brushing her off. But it was better this way. She didn't need to know why I avoided Hiro. Not her, not anyone. It was all for them... especially Uguisu.
I must've drifted off because I woke up to the sensation of someone touching my forehead.
"Mmm... Touka...?"
"Morning, sleepyhead," she teased, her face close enough to block the sunlight.
"What time is it?" I groaned, half-awake.
"Already 11:00 a.m."
"Ah... okay..." I mumbled, trying to close my eyes again.
"Don't even think about it." She pinched my cheek hard.
"Ow! What was that for?!"
"I want to talk to you," she said with a mischievous grin.
"Then talk..."
"Ugh, what's with that grim face? Come on, lighten up." She clasped her hands together in a mock pleading gesture.
"Fine, fine. What is it?"
She leaned in closer. "It's about Takamine."
The name jolted me awake.
"What about him?"
"He just left for the library."
"And? The meeting's not until lunch."
"I don't know. He looked nervous as he walked out."
My eyes widened.
"HUH?!" I stood abruptly, my chair screeching against the floor. The entire class turned to look at me.
"Uwah, chill, Himeya!" Touka waved her hands frantically.
"I need to go," I said, grabbing my manuscript and heading for the door.
"Himeya, wait—!" Her voice faded behind me as I hurried to the library.
Peeking through the small window on the library door, I saw Hiro standing in front of Uguisu-senpai.
Why is Senpai here? It's still class time…
"Senpai," Hiro said, his voice trembling. "I've liked you for a long time. Will you go out with me?"
He bowed deeply, his voice echoing in the quiet space.
I froze.
Senpai looked uneasy, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Then, after a long pause, she smiled softly.
"Takamine... yes. I'll gladly be your girlfriend."
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. My vision blurred as my heart sank.
So, this is how it ends...
I turned and walked away, unable to bear watching any longer. Touka, who had followed me, noticed the despair on my face.
"HIMEYA!" she called after me.
I stopped but didn't turn around.
"Come with me," she said firmly, grabbing my hand. She led me to the parking lot without another word.
"Why are we here?" I asked in a hollow voice.
"Just drive."
"Where?"
"Anywhere. The beach."
Confused but too drained to argue, I complied. I started my bike, and we rode in silence.
At the beach, Touka dragged me toward the shore. The manuscript I had clung to felt heavy, like dead weight.
"Maybe... I should just throw it away," I muttered under my breath.
Touka's sharp gaze cut through me. "Don't you dare."
Before I could respond, a gust of wind tore the manuscript from my hands. The pages scattered into the sea.
"Ah!" Touka cried.
"Touka, stop!" I shouted as she dashed into the waves, her skirt soaked instantly.
She ignored me, chasing the floating pages.
"It's dangerous!" I yelled, running after her.
Her hands trembled as she picked up waterlogged sheets.
"The ink is ruined," she muttered, her voice shaking. "It's all ruined..."
"It's fine! Just let it go!" I grabbed her shoulder, but she shrugged me off.
"IT'S NOT FINE!" she shouted, her voice breaking.
I froze.
"Even if you were rejected, this story has nothing to do with that! Don't throw it away just because you're hurt! Don't you dare give up on it!"
Her words pierced through the fog in my mind.
"You idiot," she said, tears streaming down her face. "You promised me, didn't you? That I'd be the first to read it..."
"Touka..."
I stepped closer and hugged her tightly, letting the waves crash around us.
"Thank you," I whispered.
For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt something stir in my chest—hope.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. We returned to school to grab our bags, then headed to my house. After everything, I didn't care if my mom scolded me for bringing Touka home.
Inside, Touka took a shower while I fetched some of Haruka's clothes for her.
"Himeya, what are you doing with my clothes?" Haruka's voice startled me.
"Haruka?! What are you doing here?!"
"This is my room, idiot. What are you doing here?"
I tried to explain, but Touka's voice called from downstairs.
"Himeya! Are there any spare clothes?"
Haruka smirked. "Oh? You brought a girl home?"
"It's not like that!"
After a long and awkward explanation, Haruka let out a sigh.
"You're lucky I'm not Mom."
Later that evening, as I dropped Touka off at her house, she smiled at me.
"Thank you," I said, managing a small smile of my own.
"I'm just doing what I have to do," she replied softly.
As I rode home, I felt lighter. Haruka was waiting for me at the door, her arms crossed.
"Done well, haven't you?" she said, pulling me into a hug.
And for the first time in a long while, I let myself cry.