The boy walked quickly, and Aikura Ai could only see his back in the distance.
"Pl-please wait a moment," Ai called, slightly out of breath.
The boy, carrying a bag over his shoulder, continued walking as if he hadn't heard her.
"Please wait, Gennai-kun," Ai decided to run in front of him.
The boy stopped and looked at her. "How do you know my name?"
"You... you may have forgotten, but I'm Hasegawa Aiko's classmate, Aikura Ai. I once met you at Aiko's house."
Masashi thought for a moment and vaguely remembered. "Hello, is there something you need?"
"I... I just really wanted to thank you for what you did earlier." Ai, flustered by his direct question, struggled to find her words.
Seeing her blushing and awkward, Masashi softened his tone. "It was no trouble. But next time, if something like that happens, don't stay silent. Tolerating it just emboldens those perverts."
"I... I understand. Thank you," Ai murmured, almost inaudibly.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be going. Don't you need to get to class?"
"Yes, I… could I have your phone number? I… I don't mean anything by it. I just… want to thank you properly sometime. Please don't misunderstand." Ai hurriedly explained, flustered.
"Got a pen? I'll write it for you." Masashi smiled, seeing her in such a panic.
"I'll get one now, please wait…" Ai quickly opened her bag to search for a pen.
"Where should I write it?" Masashi asked, pen in hand, smiling.
Ai froze, realizing her mistake. "Sorry, I'll find a notebook." She immediately started rummaging through her bag again.
"Forget it; it's not like I'm a celebrity. Here, lend me your hand." He took her hand and wrote his number on her palm.
"If you need to, you can reach me at this number. But you'd better hurry to class or you'll be late."
"I… thank you," Ai said, bowing to him.
"Alright, then. Bye."
"Goodbye."
Ai stood still, watching as he walked further away. She gently clasped the hand with his number, feeling her cheeks heat up.
He'd probably forgotten, but their first meeting wasn't actually at Ai's house; it was in a park, and he had saved her that time too.
Compared to a year ago, he had grown taller, his face had changed, but his eyes were still the same.
She hoped that the next time they met, she'd have changed enough for him to notice her, even just for a moment.
***
"Senpai, haven't you had a haircut this past month?" Rumi teased, snuggled next to Masashi, while playfully toying with his hair.
"I forgot. Do I look like a delinquent now?"
"Not really. It's just that I'm so used to how you normally look. It's a bit jarring." Rumi continued to study him intently. He had tanned and seemed sturdier than before. Maybe it was because of his longer hair, but he seemed a bit different. Yet, she couldn't pinpoint exactly why.
"Is there something on my face?"
"N-no…" Rumi, flustered, lowered her head.
As she looked down, she realized that both her hands were holding onto his right hand. Normally, she wouldn't think much of such a small detail, but now it made her heart race and her cheeks flush.
"Are you feeling okay?" Masashi asked, reaching out to touch her forehead to check her temperature.
"I… I'm fine. I'll go see if I can help Aunt and Kazumi in the kitchen," she stammered before quickly heading to the kitchen.
Not long after, the sound of a plate crashing echoed from the kitchen, followed by Rumi's repeated apologies.
This little girl is acting strange today. Could it be… that time of the month? Masashi shrugged, deciding not to dwell on such private matters as he reached for an apple on the table.
Soon, dinner was ready. The table was filled with all of Masashi's favorite dishes. Just as he was about to dig in, Rumiko began scolding him for being away for so long. As she spoke, she even wiped away a tear or two with her sleeve.
Masashi shot a pleading look at Kazumi, but she just made a face at him before resuming her meal.
Silently cursing her for leaving him in the lurch, Masashi went over to comfort his mother, apologizing repeatedly.
"Mom, did you invite that guy Maeda to join us?" When nothing else worked, Masashi decided to bring out his last resort.
Sure enough, at the mention of Maeda, Rumiko's cheeks reddened instantly.
"Watch your manners! How can you call Mr. Maeda by his last name like that?" she chided.
"What does it matter? He's practically family. It doesn't matter what we call him." Masashi grinned playfully.
Rumiko's cheeks turned even redder, and she lightly tapped him on the head. "Hurry up and eat. You're so cheeky."
Masashi chuckled and sat back down.
"Rumi, eat more. Look at how thin you are, and you too, Kazumi," Rumiko said, piling food onto their plates.
"Thank you, Aunt." Rumi kept her head down, avoiding Masashi's gaze.
Watching this, Rumiko beamed, feeling more affection for this shy and sweet girl.
Realizing what Rumiko was thinking, Masashi could only sigh and focus on his meal, pretending to be unaware of her intentions. Karma really came around quickly.
***
The next morning, the three of them headed off to school again.
Having had a month of freedom, Masashi wasn't too eager to return, but the kendo girl practically dragged him out of bed.
"Senpai, you missed a whole month of school. What about your assignments?" Rumi asked, her face filled with worry as they stood in the subway car.
"Relax. Even if I have to, I could answer the exams with my toes and still get a perfect score." Masashi yawned.
"Senpai, I'm being serious. Can't you be serious for once?" Rumi's expression showed her dissatisfaction with his attitude.
"Sigh, you're such a worrywart, little one. Don't worry, I still remember our bet." Masashi said, smiling as he patted her head to reassure her.
And there it was again, that feeling. Whenever he touched her, her heart would start racing, and her face would burn. It had been the same last night. What was happening? Was she sick or something? Rumi thought, both anxious and puzzled.
When they arrived at the school, Masashi noticed a large sign set up at the entrance, decorated with colorful ribbons. The center part of the sign was covered with a red cloth, concealing whatever was beneath it.
As they walked through the school grounds, they saw wooden stalls of various sizes lining both sides of the track. Some were half-assembled, exposing bare frames, while others were fully decorated. Banners on the stalls read things like "Freshly Grilled Squid Balls," "Shooting Game," and "Authentic Gypsy Fortune Telling."
The doors and windows of each classroom were adorned with ribbons and balloons. In some classes, students stood on chairs, sticking decorations on the doors.
"Can someone tell me what's going on?" Masashi turned to look at Kazumi.
"Silly, did you forget? Tomorrow is the annual school festival. The whole school is getting ready for it."
Masashi searched his memory and recalled something like that.
Each year, the school held a festival on the anniversary of its founding, inviting students and teachers from a nearby private school to join. In return, when that school held its own festival, students from their school would attend.
During the festival, there was even a small inter-school sports competition. This tradition had been going on for almost ten years. Last year, Masashi had missed the other school's festival due to a hospital stay, so he hadn't been able to participate.
"Kazumi, what's your class doing this year?" Rumi asked excitedly.
"A boring stage play."
"A stage play? What kind? Are you performing?"
"Class is starting. Let's go." Kazumi ignored her question and walked ahead.
"Come on, tell me! What role are you playing?" Rumi hurried after her.
"You'll find out tomorrow. Come on, let's go."
"Why so secretive? Just tell me!" Rumi tugged at Kazumi's arm, determined to find out.
Watching the two girls walk ahead, Masashi smiled. "The school festival, huh? Since I've got nothing better to do, might as well check it out."