The morning sun bathed the Miyamura family's dining room in a warm glow. As they gathered around the breakfast table, the aroma of freshly cooked eggs and toast filled the air.
Izumi, who had been half-awake until then, rubbed his eyes as he slowly woke up to the sound of clinking cutlery and his parents' gentle morning conversation. His mother, Iori, had a cheerful smile as she prepared a plate of scrambled eggs and placed it in front of her son.
"Good morning, Izumi," she greeted him, her voice filled with warmth. "I hope you slept well. Today's a special day."
Izumi yawned, his sleepy eyes meeting his mother's. "Special day? What's so special, Mom?" he asked with a hint of curiosity.
Naozumi, Izumi's father, chimed in, "Your mother and I have planned a little outing today. We're going shopping."
Izumi, still groggy, blinked a few times before realizing the implications of his parents' words. "Shopping? What are we shopping for?" he inquired.
Iori leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We're going to buy all the gear you'll need for your volleyball training," she revealed. "You'll need proper attire, shoes, and a good volleyball. We want you to be well-prepared for your practices."
Izumi frowned, thinking about the shopping trip ahead. "But can't I just wear some old clothes? Do I really need all that stuff?" he protested.
Naozumi, ever the reassuring presence, patted Izumi's shoulder. "Izumi, when you join a club, it's important to have the right equipment. It shows your commitment, and it makes training more effective."
Izumi let out a small sigh, understanding that his parents had his best interests at heart. "Alright, I get it," he conceded, albeit with a hint of reluctance. "We can go shopping."
Iori's smile brightened. "That's the spirit, Izumi!" she exclaimed. "It'll be a fun trip, I promise."
After breakfast, the Miyamura family got ready to embark on their shopping adventure. Iori and Izumi hopped into the car, with Naozumi behind the wheel.
As they drove towards their destination, they talked about the ongoing renovations of the mall they owned in the commercial district. The discussions about business gradually shifted to other topics, creating a pleasant atmosphere inside the car.
Soon, they arrived at the shopping center where their excursion would begin. The day held the promise of new beginnings for Izumi, a journey into the world of volleyball, and a bonding experience with his parents.
The Miyamura family's first stop was a bustling sports shop. The moment they entered, Izumi's eyes widened at the sight of rows upon rows of sporting equipment, gear, and vibrant jerseys neatly displayed.
A friendly salesman approached them, sensing that they were in search of something specific. "Good morning, folks! How can I assist you today?" he greeted them warmly.
Iori exchanged a pleasant smile with the salesman. "Good morning. We're here to buy some volleyball gear for our son. He's just joined a club."
The salesman's face lit up with enthusiasm. "That's wonderful! Volleyball is such a fantastic sport. We have a great selection of gear right this way."
As they followed the salesman, Iori began discussing the essentials they needed for Izumi's training. "We'll need proper shoes, knee pads, and a jersey," she mentioned.
Naozumi chimed in, "And of course, a high-quality volleyball. Izumi's quite eager to get one."
Izumi nodded eagerly, his interest piqued. "Yeah, I'd like to have my own ball to practice with at the yard."
The salesman led them to the volleyball section, where they examined different shoe options, knee pads, and jerseys. Izumi tried on a pair of comfortable volleyball shoes, his parents making sure they were the right fit. He also picked out a set of knee pads that provided good protection.
Next, they focused on selecting a jersey. Izumi had a preference for a particular color, and with his parents' guidance, he found one that suited him perfectly.
Finally, they arrived at the volleyball display. The salesman presented a range of volleyballs, each with its unique characteristics. Izumi looked at the options, his eyes drawn to a high-quality, vibrant ball that seemed to beckon him.
"That one looks great," Izumi said, pointing to the ball he had set his heart on.
The salesman picked it up and explained its features. "This is an excellent choice. It's durable, has a good grip, and perfect for both practice and official games."
Iori and Naozumi exchanged knowing glances. It was clear that Izumi was truly embracing his newfound passion for volleyball.
With all their shopping completed, they made their way to the cashier to finalize their purchase. Izumi's parents exchanged pleasant conversation with the salesman, who shared his own love for sports and offered some advice for Izumi's training.
As they left the sports shop, Izumi clutched his new volleyball with excitement. His parents had supported his journey into volleyball wholeheartedly, and he couldn't wait to start practicing at home.
Their shopping trip continued, as they headed to the mall they were renovating to check on the progress. The day was filled with family bonding, laughter, and anticipation for the exciting new chapter that awaited Izumi.
As the Miyamura family arrived at the building under renovation, they were greeted by the workers and the head of the renovation team. Mr. Miyamura (Naozumi) and Mrs. Miyamura (Iori) exchanged pleasantries with the team, inquiring about the progress of the work.
One of the workers informed them, "Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Miyamura. We've made significant progress. The electricity connections have been established, and we've checked them thoroughly. We're also nearly done with the coloring of the interior."
Naozumi nodded in satisfaction, and Iori smiled. "That's great to hear. Thank you all for your hard work."
While they were discussing the renovation, a new person entered the building. Naozumi recognized him immediately and greeted him warmly. "Ah, Mr. Adagaki! It's been a while."
Mr. Adagaki, a businessman who had booked several shops in the building, returned the greeting with a friendly smile. "Indeed, Mr. Miyamura. It's good to see you again."
Naozumi introduced his wife and son, saying, "This is my wife, Iori Miyamura, and our son, Izumi."
"Nice to meet you Ms. Miyamura" to which Iori politely returned the greetings.
Mr. Adagaki nodded politely and then turned his attention to Izumi. "Nice to meet you, young man. I have a daughter around your age. Perhaps I should bring her to meet you someday."
Izumi, who was still clutching his newly acquired volleyball, managed a polite smile. "Sure, that would be nice."
While the adults continued to discuss business matters, including the Adagaki family's interest in booking additional shops in the mall, Izumi's thoughts drifted. He couldn't help but wonder about Mr. Adagaki's daughter and if they would get along.
After the business conversation concluded, the Miyamura family bid farewell to the renovation team and Mr. Adagaki.
They left the building with a sense of satisfaction, knowing that progress was being made on the mall project and that they were building connections with other business owners in the area.
After finishing their shopping and checking on the renovation progress, the Miyamura family returned to their cake shop. Naozumi, decided to take on the role of the chef as he is the baker of the bakery.
As they gathered in the kitchen of the shop, he casually mentioned the idea of expanding the shop.
Iori, who was busy preparing ingredients, looked up and responded, "Let's focus on completing the mall project first, dear. We don't want to take on too much at once."
Naozumi nodded in agreement, acknowledging the wisdom in her words. They both knew that managing the renovation and the cake shop required their full attention.
At that moment, the doorbell chimed as a customer entered the shop. It was a girl who appeared to be around Izumi's age, with chestnut brown hair.
When their eyes met, there was an inexplicable connection between them. They were both too young to understand the nuances of these feelings.
After a brief yet intense second of eye contact, they broke away, and the girl awkwardly placed her order. She requested a mikan-flavored cake, and Izumi, who was equally flustered, quickly jotted down the order.
However, he realized that he hadn't asked for the customer's name.Turning back to her, he asked hesitantly, "Um, may I have the name for the order, please?"
The girl, equally caught up in the strange connection they felt, replied softly, "Write it as Hori."
With the name noted down, Izumi turned away and headed back to the kitchen, leaving both of them with lingering thoughts about the same thing
'what was the feeling that I just had?'
Izumi returned to the kitchen with the order and a distracted expression on his face. He handed the slip to his parents and said, "It's an order for a mikan-flavored cake. The customer's name is Hori."
Iori noticed Izumi's preoccupied look and couldn't resist asking, "What's on your mind, Izumi? You seem a bit lost there."
Miyamura hesitated for a moment, then decided to share his feelings. "Well, Mom, it's just... when I met that girl, Hori, something strange happened. It's like we had this connection, but I don't even know her."
Iori couldn't help but smile at her son's newfound curiosity. She leaned in playfully and teased, "Oh, Izumi, you're growing up, aren't you? Maybe it's the start of something special. Young love, perhaps?"
Izumi blushed furiously at his mother's teasing, stammering, "N-no, Mom, it's not like that! It's just... a strange feeling, that's all."
His mother chuckled, patting him gently on the back. "Well, whatever it is, it's okay to be curious, sweetheart. Who knows, maybe you'll see her again sometime. Life is full of surprises."
Izumi nodded, still feeling a bit flustered but also intrigued by the idea of what this mysterious connection might mean.
As Iori playfully teased Izumi, Naozumi had already finished packing the cake. They had a cake of that flavor ready in the shop. He looked at Izumi and said, "Izumi, could you deliver this cake, please?"
Izumi nodded, taking the cake box in his hands. He turned to head out, and Iori, still curious, followed behind him. Izumi couldn't help but ask, "Mom, why are you following me?"
With a teasing glint in her eye, Iori replied, "I want to see the girl who caught my boy's attention."
They reached the shop counter, where Hori was waiting. There was an awkward silence between Izumi and Hori as they exchanged the cake and money. Izumi's mind was racing with thoughts about the girl named Kyouko.
Iori watched the interaction with a smile, her curiosity satisfied. This brief encounter left Izumi with a mixture of curiosity, embarrassment, and a sense of intrigue about what the future might hold.
The brief encounter ended when a woman's voice interrupted them. "Kyouko, did you buy the cake already?" Hori, whose first name was now known to Izumi, replied,
"Coming, Mom! Wait a sec." She paid for the cake and headed out to meet her mother, leaving Izumi with a mixture of curiosity and embarrassment.
'So her first name is Kyouko' wondered aizumi
His mind was still spinning with thoughts of the encounter as they walked back home. Iori couldn't help but giggle at her son's distracted state, and she couldn't resist sharing the moment with Naozumi.
Later, as they settled back at home, Iori regaled Naozumi with the tale of the encounter and teased Izumi about the incident. "Well, Izumi, you never know where life might lead you," she said with a knowing smile. "Who knows, maybe you'll bump into her again someday."
Izumi rolled his eyes at his mother's teasing but couldn't deny that he was intrigued by the unexpected connection he felt with the girl named Kyouko.
[A/N- The first metting of two person bound to each other by destiny takes place]