A Chance Meeting with the Past

"The two of you are going out today, right?" Shihoko

inquired as the four of them took their seats at the breakfast

table.

Amane's parents looked very pleased, and Amane started

to regret telling them that he and Mahiru had made plans.

But his mother didn't mean to tease them. "I'm sure

you're bored being cooped up in the house," she added

quickly.

"Well, we're not really going anywhere in particular," he

replied, "just taking a little walk."

"We haven't gone anywhere yet, so I'm looking forward to

it," Mahiru added.

In the three days since they had arrived, Mahiru had gone

shopping with Amane's father on the first day, but aside

from that, they had passed the time at the house. Amane's

parents had been keeping Mahiru busy, and it wasn't like

she was going to wander aimlessly in an unfamiliar

neighborhood.

Amane had expected his parents to take them out to

places, but instead they had chosen to relax at home, so he

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figured he would at least show Mahiru around town.

"There's really nothing around here except parks and a

supermarket, you know? It's a different story if we go into

town, though. Do you want to go?"

"No, taking a stroll with you sounds just fine. I'm happy

just walking together."

"…Is that so?"

He knew the answer. Mahiru didn't have any particular

place she wanted to visit—just going out and spending time

with Amane was enough for her. Her affection gradually

warmed Amane's chest. He could see by her expression that

she really was happy being with him, and he found himself

looking away out of embarrassment and joy.

"You know, they already seem like they're more than just

dating," his father remarked.

"We were like that when we were young, too, Shuuto," his

mother replied.

"No, you weren't as well-behaved as Shiina here."

"Oh, that's not nice!"

"But I thought you were cute just the way you were."

"Well!"

Shihoko blushed as Shuuto complimented her. Thinking

that it was too early to be listening to that kind of thing,

Amane focused on stuffing his face with the omelet his

mother had made for breakfast.

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It was tasty enough, but even so, he really did prefer

Mahiru's cooking—and not just because she was his

girlfriend. Now that he was accustomed to Mahiru's cooking,

he found his mother's food somewhat disappointing.

He looked over at Mahiru, thinking that he should ask her

to make breakfast some other day, and saw her looking at

his parents with a mixture of adoration, envy, and acute

bashfulness.

Amane knew what she must be thinking and began feeling

embarrassed, too.

…Of course, I don't think we could ever be as lovey-dovey

as those two…

Even so, he did think it would be nice if they could get

that close, to have what Mahiru was imagining. He did want

that, even though he couldn't admit it out loud yet.

Looking again at his parents, who had always been

affectionate toward one another, Amane imagined his own

future someday and blushed slightly.

"Well, should we get going?"

Shortly after his parents left for work, Amane turned to

Mahiru, who was sitting on the sofa.

It was still morning, and they weren't planning on walking

that far. They were just going to take a relaxed stroll around

the neighborhood, so he figured they would easily make it

back in time for lunch—Mahiru was planning to make

carbonara. They would return to the house by midday, so

they wouldn't be outside for that long.

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"Yep. I'm all ready."

"Well, there's not much to get ready for… We're planning

to go into town another time anyway, right?"

"…On a d-date?"

"Yeah. But today, we can take it easy."

Amane figured Mahiru would want plenty of time to get

ready for a real date. Today, they were just going on a simple

outing. Even if it met the strictest definition of a date, it

didn't feel like one for either of them.

A date was a special occasion, and Amane wanted to plan

a whole day together. This was simply a casual stroll.

Mahiru couldn't conceal her delight at the idea of going on

a date soon. She broke into a soft, euphoric smile.

"I'm looking forward to it."

"Mm. I still have to come up with a plan, so don't get too

excited yet."

"I told you, as long as I'm with you, anywhere is fine."

"I know that, but since we're going to the trouble, I think

it would be nice to go someplace that will make you happy."

Mahiru had told him that she was satisfied by just

spending time together, and Amane could see that in her

expression, too. Nevertheless, as her boyfriend, he wanted to

impress her.

"Well, that's a discussion for next week. For now, let's go

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on a normal walk, shall we?"

"Yes."

Amane offered her his hand, and she accepted with a little

squeeze.

That made him feel nervous, and he smiled a little to hide

his embarrassment as they left the house, holding hands.

Even though Amane hadn't been home in about a year,

the area around his childhood home hadn't changed much,

and as he guided her down familiar streets, he began feeling

a little nostalgic.

They continued holding hands as they walked, and people

looked at Mahiru enviously as the young couple who looked

the part of students on vacation passed by. Amane found

this a little funny and laughed.

The stares alone were proof of what a beauty Mahiru was,

which was a good thing, but the number of people who

stopped to look was amusing.

"Why are you laughing?"

"Hmm? Because you're so beautiful. You're turning

heads."

"Well, I can't help it if other people fall for me."

"And what if I fall in love?"

"…I'll let you stare as much as you want," Mahiru teased,

smiling impishly.

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"Well then, I'll have to look to my heart's content once

we're home." Amane smiled, too, and pulled her by the hand

into a nearby park.

The park was relatively spacious, with lots of greenery, so

it was a place where people in the neighborhood came to

relax.

In the large sandpit, kids played in the sand, screeching in

their high-pitched voices, or took turns going down the slide

that was next to the jungle gym. Their parents watched them

from nearby benches and sometimes got up to play with

their children.

Amane and Mahiru smiled a little at the very mundane,

yet charming, scene.

"They're all so lively," she said.

"They look that way because we're not as energetic. We

can't run around like that anymore."

"You never liked running anyway, did you, Amane?"

"No, I don't mind it. I just hate it when we have to run at a

particular pace, like in gym class."

Plenty of people disliked gym. Not all of them hated

exercise, they just didn't like being forced to do it in front of

others. Amane was like that. On his own, and moving at his

own pace, he actually enjoyed exercising. He just hated the

class.

"Hmm, maybe I'll go play with the children," Mahiru said.

"That might look weird, and you're not really dressed for

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it. Besides… What am I supposed to do while you leave me

here?"

"You're right… But I think it looks kind of nice. I never got

to play like that when I was little, so…"

Mahiru added that she had mostly played alone in her

garden, and Amane squeezed her small hand again.

"…Still, maybe not right now, but, well, how do I put it? …

Someday, I hope we do have a chance to play here."

"Huh? O-okay…?"

Mahiru didn't really seem to understand what Amane

meant. But he didn't mind that she hadn't caught on to what

he was implying. He figured they had plenty of time to talk

about that sort of thing later, well after high school was over.

He didn't need to pressure Mahiru into thinking about a

future family—and anyway, he didn't think she would turn

him down.

Mahiru had tilted her head in confusion, so Amane smiled

and gently tugged at her hand. Staying in the shade as much

as possible, they slowly walked through the park relaxing

while gazing at the flowers blooming in the flowerbeds and

enjoying the refreshing breeze that blew through the gaps in

the trees.

Occasionally, one of the married women from the

neighborhood would greet him as she passed. "Oh, aren't

you the Fujimiya boy?" The women would smile and wish

him well. It wasn't unpleasant, but it was rather awkward.

The two of them ambled around for a long time and

eventually decided to take a break. They purchased drinks

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from a vending machine and settled down on a bench in the

shade.

"Come to think of it, you're already totally used to my

parents' house, aren't you, Mahiru?" Amane asked after

taking a swig of his sports drink.

Mahiru blinked her caramel-colored eyes several times in

surprise at the abrupt change in topic, then her face softened

into a smile.

"Yes, I am, thanks to you all."

"Actually, you fit in better than I do."

"I—I do?"

"You do. Like it's already your home."

Mahiru blended in so well into the Fujimiya household

that it was almost like she had belonged there from the

beginning. Of course, Amane's parents were always

affectionate, but Mahiru seemed to receive special attention.

Even without Amane around, his parents doted on her so

much it was like she was already their favorite daughter.

Mahiru, for her part, seemed to be growing more

comfortable in their home.

"Are you enjoying your time at my house?" he asked.

"Yes. Heh-heh, it's really been nothing but fun since I

arrived at the Fujimiya household. Your parents have been

so kind to me."

"They're doting on you even more than I do."

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"Amane, you mustn't pout."

"I'm not pouting. Not while you're with me."

"…Okay."

Amane was glad to see that Mahiru was being welcomed

into his home, even if it did mean that he was somewhat

neglected. He was hopeful that eventually she might one day

become a permanent member of the family.

Amane was happy as long as Mahiru was with him, and

she had already shown him that she would always come back

to him. So he didn't have a problem with his parents

monopolizing her a bit. And he knew that once they returned

to their apartments, he would be able to have her all to

himself again.

Mahiru seemed embarrassed by Amane's words, and she

pressed her forehead against his arm to hide her face. He

reached out to stroke her hair, thinking that she was so cute

when she did that.

"…Fujimiya?"

His hand stopped at the sound of someone's voice calling

out to him.

When he looked up, he noticed someone else nearby. He

had been so absorbed in his conversation with Mahiru that

he hadn't seen the other person approaching.

Oh, that's right, I knew there was a chance I would see

him if I came home.

The voice belonged to someone Amane had tried for the

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longest time to forget, even avoiding him in his dreams. He

had left his hometown to get away from that person,

although he'd always known that they might run into each

other again someday.

In the recesses of his heart, Amane had been anticipating

their meeting.

This time, however, Mahiru was there beside him, and

Amane stayed calm and composed. He took a deep breath,

letting his hand fall, and turned to face the voice—to face a

boy who stood at the center of so many memories.