章 67: 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.
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