1981: ch—1

Take Me Back

To the Year

1981

Chapter one:

"The Morning Light of Sapporo"

It started on a quiet morning as the golden sunlight filtered through the window of Haruto's room, a sign that the sun had already risen.

The time was 7:09 AM in Sapporo, a city in Hokkaido.

Currently, Haruto was putting on his school uniform while gazing outside. The weather seemed nice today—clear skies, warm sunlight, and a soft breeze rustling the leaves.

After adjusting his uniform, he proceeded to gather his things—his bag, books, and notebooks. He was busy arranging them in his backpack when his mother's voice called out from downstairs.

"Haruto, hurry up! Souta's already here, waiting for you outside. And be quick! You don't want to be late for your first period today, do you? And if you do plan on being late, don't drag Souta into it!"

She was scolding him again, but it wasn't out of annoyance—just a mother's usual concern.

"Typical," he muttered under his breath.

"I'm going, I'm going!" Haruto called back, slinging his bag over his shoulder. He moved toward the window and glanced outside.

There she was—Souta—standing in front of his house, waving at him with that bright, familiar smile of hers. The one that never failed to make his heart race.

He had gotten used to it—the sight of her waiting for him every morning. It had always been like this. Souta would come to fetch him, and they would walk to school together.

With that thought, he made his way downstairs. His mother was waiting for him by the door, holding out a bento box.

"Don't forget this again. Last time, you left it behind, and Souta's mother told me that your best friend was the one who paid for your lunch." She shook her head, folding her arms as Haruto took the bento from her hands.

"Right… sorry," he murmured, walking past her. This was his daily life.

Almost every morning, he would receive a light scolding from his mother before heading off to school.

He crouched down, put on his shoes, and, once done, turned around and gave a small bow.

"I'm off now," he said before stepping outside.

Closing the door behind him, he left his mother standing there, watching as he walked away with his best friend.

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On the other hand, as soon as Haruto stepped outside, he was greeted by Souta's ever-familiar presence.

She was standing there, her hands resting casually on her bag straps, her signature bow clipped neatly into her hair, and, of course, that bright smile on her face—one that always captivated him.

"Good morning, Haruto!" she greeted, taking a step toward him. "Let's go now! We're going to be late!" She chuckled softly before grabbing his wrist and dragging him along.

Haruto groaned in protest. "Gah, it's not that late!" he complained, though in reality, he was just trying to hide the blush threatening to creep onto his face.

Souta never failed to make his heart race.

She walked a few steps ahead of him, still holding onto his wrist, before glancing back at him with a playful grin.

"Hm! It is late already! You only think it's still early because you're too lazy to go to school," she teased. "Like always, Shiranami."

Haruto averted his gaze when she called him that. He knew she was teasing him again, and his heart was already pounding so loudly he was afraid she might hear it.

He liked her. How could she not notice?

"I'm not lazy. You're just an early bird," he mumbled as he pulled his hand away from hers.

She simply laughed, not minding his reaction, and continued walking beside him.

Haruto shoved his hands into his pockets as they walked. He stole a glance at her. He never failed to notice even the smallest details about her—the way the wind gently played with her hair, the way her bow always stood out, the way she carried herself with a certain charm that made her presence comforting.

It was one of the things he liked about her. The way she dressed, the way she styled her hair, and the little accessories she always wore—it all suited her so well. And when combined with her personality, it became something unforgettable.

As they continued walking, Souta excitedly talked about the day ahead—about the subjects they had, about their classmates, about the upcoming school festival. Haruto listened to her, nodding occasionally, but in truth, he was too focused on her to fully process what she was saying.

Before he knew it, they had arrived at the school gates.

The entrance was already bustling with students. Some were chatting with their friends, some were hurriedly finishing their homework, and some were yawning, still half-asleep.

As they stepped through the gates, Souta suddenly turned to Haruto and walked backward while facing him, her hands tucked behind her.

"You're awfully quiet today," she noted with a curious tilt of her head. "What's up?"

Haruto blinked, snapping out of his thoughts.

"Nothing," he said, looking away. "Just thinking about how you never run out of things to say in the morning."

Souta gasped dramatically. "Excuse me? I'll have you know that I'm an excellent conversationalist, Shiranami!"

Haruto rolled his eyes, though the small smile tugging at his lips betrayed his amusement.

"Yeah, yeah. Let's just get to class before you start another lecture."

Souta grinned before looping her arm around his and pulling him along once more.

"Come on, let's go! We can't be late!"

And with that, they disappeared into the crowd of students, just like any other morning.

Just like always.