Chapter 2: Spring Break

Finally, spring break is here.

I can now play the game with Tomora until Tuesday.

Before I could hop on the game, I got a text.

Confused I look down thinking it might be Tomora, but it was instead the class rep.

"Hey Sato, can we meet at Cherry Wick Cafe at 2:00 pm today?"

Oh, I forgot that I had plans with the class rep.

"Yeah sure, I'll meet you at the station."

Putting the game down, I head to my closet for clothes to wear.

Skimming through, I saw nothing good I could wear.

What the hell am I supposed to wear? 

I could combine this shirt with this jacket, but it's getting hot out now,w so maybe I won't do this combo.

I could do this button-up, but they do look kinda tacky.

Man, was it ever this hard for me to pick out an outfit?

-Tsukihana Himawari- Perspective-

Ok, I just sent him the information about the outing.

Yes, he said yes to the plans.

Ok, I have to look my best for him.

Maybe this dress or maybe this tank top. 

I'll just wear this dress.

I guess I should head there early.

#

She said 2:00 PM, so I'll head to the station at 1:30.

I hope I don't look so tacky in this button-up.

"Ok, I'm heading out."

Walking to the station, I encountered the person I'm staying with in the U.S. 

His name is Kuroyuki Renjiro, but we call him Ren for short.

"Hey Ken, long time no see."

"Yeah, I mean, I haven't seen you since graduation. How's college?"

"Bro, college in America is so different. Like the way they operate and even the people there."

"What do you mean, people?"

"No, no, don't get the wrong idea. Like how they act and how nice they are to include you in activities."

"Man, you're getting me excited for America."

At that moment, I looked at the time to see it was 1:42.

Oh shoot, I'm going to be late.

"Sorry to keep our reunion short, but I have to go."

"That's fine, just contact me whenever you want to talk about the transfer."

I nodded my head and headed to the stations.

Running there, I expected to be the first one there, but turns out the class rep was already there.

"Oh, did I keep you waiting?"

"Nah, I just got here."

Now, looking at her, she is pretty attractive.

"Uhh, you look good in that dress." I said with a flushed face.

"Oh, thank you." She said with a blush.

-Tsukihana Himawari- Perspective-

Wow, I didn't expect him to go out and say that.

I should probably say how he looks.

"Your outfit looks good today."

"Oh, thanks."

It feels like we're on a date, but I have to keep calm and focus on the topic.

"Shall we go to the cafe now?"

"Sure"

Walking there, we kept glancing at each other and looking away when we met eye-to-eye.

Finally, we were seated, and I ordered an orange soda and he ordered a cola.

"So what school did you choose Sato?"

"Um, I chose a school in the U.S. called Southern Atlanta High School."

"No way, I choose to go there too," I said with excitement

I didn't think Sato and I would be going to the same school.

I thought this was my last time seeing him.

That's the real reason I invited him out.

"Thank goodness I was kinda scared of going by myself." He confessed.

After confirming that we were going to the same school, we wrapped up and headed out of the cafe. Before we could even split, I asked if he wanted to watch a movie since we were out here.

"Sure, I don't mind. What movie did you have in mind?"

"How about this romance one?" I suggested.

He flinched back in embarrassment and uttered," Are you sure you want to do a romance?"

"I mean, if you don't want to, we could watch something else."

"No, no, it's fine, it just feels like we're on a date."

Taken aback, I was embarrassed when he said date. 

With haste, I went and bought the tickets.

He insisted on paying me back, but I told him it was fine and that I was the one who wanted to watch this movie.

We walked in and took our seats, waiting for the movie to begin.

#

It was a generic rom-com movie, but it looked like she enjoyed the movie.

"Wow, that movie was intense," I said

"Even the kissing scene was overwhelming."

"But it seems like you liked that movie Tsukihana."

Saying her name, it looked like she was blushing and nodded in agreement with what I said.

Walking more, it was noticeable that this awkward silence was consuming us. To break that silence, I suggested we go to karaoke.

"Sure, but I've got to go home at 6."

"Ok then I know a spot."

It was the place where everyone and I went for our last get-together.

We ordered a private room and were deciding what song to choose.

"It feels like picking a school again." She said

"I know what you mean, it's pretty nerve-racking."

Ultimately, we both chose our songs, and she went first to sing.

She chose this romantic but mellow song.

Hearing her sing was like a refreshing wave washing over me.

I don't know what it was, but it felt like she was glowing. Like a blooming flower.

When she was done, she snapped at me for not cheering and just sitting there listening to her sing.

We went back and forth until it was 5:30.

"Shall we call it a day then?"

"I guess so, I had fun on our outing." She said cheerfully

"I did too. Next time we should go out in the U.S."

"I'll hold you up on that."

Saying our goodbyes, we parted ways.

#

When I got home, I was greeted with a little surprise.

Apparently, Kuroyuki was going to stay at my house until I got to America with him.

"Yo Ken, want to go to a festival with me on Thursday?

"Sure, but don't you want to do anything else while you're here?" I exclaimed 

"Nah, I'm pretty busy with some work from college. Wanna bring all your friends?"

"I'm good, they're probably busy preparing for the transfer."

"Well alright, just me and you then. I'm gonna go do college work now."

Walking away, I texted Tomora if he wanted to play some games.

He agreed, and we played games every day till it was Thursday.

Ren had already finished all his work and was now free. He insisted that he didn't want to do anything until it was time, but I could tell he was dying of boredom.

So I suggest we should at least do something to pass the time.

He agreed reluctantly, and we decided on the arcade.

He was jumping for joy when he finally left the house.

Once we got there, we hit the claw machines and won ourselves a couple of prizes

After getting those prizes, we went to every game we could play and won some tickets, and got our well-deserved rewards.

"Man, we won a lot of stuffed animals," Ren said

"That's your fault. You kept going when you won one by the time I tried to stop you, you had already won 13."

"Yeah, that's on me, but hey, look, we wasted some time and now it's about time for the festival."

"Man, we spent 2 hours just playing arcade games."

We hopped on the train and headed to the Asakusa Spring Festival.

When we got there, it was pretty crowded. 

"Alright, I'm pretty hungry, let's go get some food," I suggested

"Yeah, I'm starving."

Walking around, we got some takoyaki and yakisoba.

"Damn this takoyaki hits the spot man," Ren said.

"We should probably head near the parade."

"Right now?" Ren pouted, " We just got food."

"Do you want a better view or not?"

Unhappy, he agreed, and we left to go to the parade.

"We're almost here Ren, just keep up."

Hearing silence, I turned back. Turns out Ren and I had split up.

Man, I swear it feels like I'm older. 

I turned back and went to look for him," Ren! Ren!" I kept calling out.

No answer, I reached down to my pocket to call him, but before I did, in the corner of my eye I saw Emi-chan.

I didn't think too much about it, but looking at who was next to her, it caught my attention.

It was a man, but not the same man that she was with when I caught her walking with.

Was she two-timing? Or was she cheating?

These thoughts came flooding into my mind. 

"Well, she's not my girlfriend, so why does it even matter?" I said to myself

Getting back to looking for Ren, I got a text from him.

"Yo, I'm here at the gate. You've got to see this view."

You've got to be kidding me.

I texted back in frustration," Ok, just stay right there and don't go anywhere else."

Walking to the gate, I got closer and closer to Emi-chan.

At the point we met eye to eye.

"You…"She uttered in anger 

She said something to the man next to her and headed in my direction.

"Why are you following me?" She said coldly

"I'm just here to see the parade, just like you are."

She looked at me with frustration and then softened her expression.

"That's fair. Sorry to bother you then."

Just as she was about to walk away, she was bumped and fell into me.

We both looked at each other and were a bit flustered.

"Sorry," she said, embarrassed.

Bright red, I said," Nah, you're good."

She stood up immediately and walked away quickly.

I was left there a bit stunned and confused. I wonder if she's going to make it to the parade.

Hold up, I need to find Ren. 

Realizing this, I ran to the gate trying to find Ren.

Spotting him, I yelled out," Ren! Ren! I'm over here!"

He looked over and told me to come where he was.

Totally over it, I mangled my way to where he was.

As soon as I got to the spot, he pointed up and I saw how nice the view was.

Seeing the mikoshi and hearing the music, I was fully immersed in the parade.

"Told you this view was good," Ren said confidently.

Looking at him, I grinned and said, " This was worth it."

When they passed, he suggested calling it a day. I agreed and we headed home.

When we arrived home, my parents told me if I was done packing.

I was only half packed, but they pushed me to pack it today because the flight was in two days.

I went upstairs and started packing, reminiscing about Japan. I was a bit sad to go, but it was only for a year. It wasn't that long, how much could everyone change in one year?

Having this in mind, I continued packing.

2 days later, it was already time for me to leave with Ren.

My mom was crying, and my dad was comforting her.

"Please call, and if anything happens, don't hesitate to call us," my mom said, sobbing.

"It's 8 hours long, so be sure to eat properly," my dad said.

"Yeah, I will, I'll see you guys soon."

Saying our goodbyes, I was pretty sad about leaving my parents, but this new school will open new paths for me.

Headed forward, Ren and I headed to our gate to America.