…haaah—
…haah—
My breath was loud.
I slowed.
Stopped.
Hands on my knees.
…huuuh—
Leaned against a wall.
Quiet.
A delivery scooter somewhere.
Birds.
The sun wasn't really up yet.
The street was empty.
I stayed like that for a while.
Haaah~ Peaceful.
I pushed up.
Wiped my forehead with my sleeve.
Started walking.
Legs heavy.
Then —
I slowed.
My chest tightened.
…
…
across the street, on the corner.
A little girl.
A soul.
Standing.
Looking down at the ground.
…
I stopped walking.
…
…
…
…
…
My mouth opened.
…
Closed.
…
I looked away.
…
…
I didn't cross the street.
Didn't say anything to her.
…
…
…
I started walking again.
Toward home.
…
…so it's today.
…
…
The world tilted a little.
***
I opened the door.
Closed it quietly.
Mom was at the stove.
Didn't turn around.
"Morning, Hikaru."
"...morning."
Plates were already on the rack.
I kicked off my shoes.
Washed my hands. Splashed water on my face.
"Mei, where's my—"
"On the chair."
"Which chair—"
"The chair."
Dad came down the stairs. Tie half-done.
"Morning."
"...Morning, Tou-san."
He grabbed his jacket off the chair.
Mom turned from the stove.
A plate in her hand.
Set it on the table.
Eggs. Rice. A bit of fish.
"Eat."
"...Thank you."
I sat.
She was already moving. Bag. Phone.
Then she stopped.
Looked at me.
"Tonight."
"Mm?"
"You're going to the Kurosakis."
"...Yeah."
"Take something."
"Take?"
"You can't go to dinner empty-handed."
"Oh..."
"I'll leave money on the counter. Stop at the konbini after school. Get fruit. Or a cake. Something."
"Okay."
"Not chips."
"...Okay."
"Hikaru."
"I won't get chips."
"Mm."
Dad was at the door. Shoes on.
"Mei."
"Coming, coming—"
She came back to the table.
Reached over.
Brushed the hair off my forehead.
"Have fun tonight."
"Mm."
She grabbed her bag.
"Tell Kurosaki-san we said thanks."
"...I will."
"Mm." Dad nodded once.
"Bye, Hikaru."
"Bye, Tou-san."
The door.
Click.
…
The house went quiet.
I looked at the plate.
…
…
Picked up the chopsticks.
…
Took a bite.
***
I looked at the money mom dropped.
It was next to the candy bowl.
I picked it up. Slid it into my pocket.
Patted it once.
Click.
Cool air.
I closed my eyes for a second.
Opened them.
Ichigo wasn't there.
I leaned on the wall.
Waited.
…
The street was quiet.
A petal fell.
Then another.
…
I watched.
…
***
"Morning."
"Morning, Ichigo."
I pushed off.
We walked.
The street was bright.
Petals on the path. A cat on someone's wall.
A neighbor across the street was sweeping her steps. She glanced up. Waved.
We waved back.
"...Ichigo-san."
"What."
"When's your birthday?"
"Haaah?"
"Birthday."
"...July."
"July when."
"...Fifteenth. Why."
"Just wondering."
"...Don't get me anything."
"I didn't say anything."
"You were gonna."
"Nope."
"Don't."
"Mm."
…
A pause.
…
"Yuzu-san would help me pick something good."
"OI—"
"Hahaha~"
"Don't you dare drag her into—"
"Too late."
"HIKARU—"
…
A bicycle passed.
The breeze moved.
…
"Tch."
"Mm~"
He shoved his hands in his pockets.
"Yuzu's been at it since this morning."
"At what?"
"Dinner."
"Already?"
"Since six."
"...What's she making?"
"Won't tell me."
"Eh?"
"Said it's a surprise."
"...Can't wait."
***
""HIKARUUU—!!"
"Morning, Keigo-san."
WHUMP.
"YOU LOOK TIRED—!! ARE YOU SICK—?! TELL ME YOU'RE NOT SICK BECAUSE I CAN'T HANDLE LOSING ANOTHER FRIEND—"
"Haha, I'm great."
"YOU SURE—?!"
"I'm sure."
"Hikaru-kun." Mizuiro. Walking up. Phone in hand. "Morning."
"Morning, Mizuiro-san."
"Mm."
Mizuiro looked a second too long.
…
"...You sleep well?"
"Yeah."
"Mhm."
***
Class.
Math first.
Then English.
Then a break.
I stood up.
Walked to the window.
Leaned on the sill.
The field outside was empty.
Just sun on the grass.
A breeze moved a curtain near me.
Behind me — Ichigo at his desk. Chin on his palm. Looking at the wall.
Just sitting.
…
Footsteps closer.
"Oi."
I turned.
Tatsuki.
"Mm?"
"Sisters."
"Mm?"
"Karin and Yuzu. They acting normal lately?"
"Yeah… Normal."
"Mm."
She studied my face.
"...You sure?"
"Yeah."
"Mm."
A pause.
"You're going over there tonight?"
Nodded with a smile.
"Mm. Tell them I said hi."
"I will."
"Mm."
She glanced past me at Ichigo's back.
"...And tell that idiot to do his homework."
Behind me — a chair shifted.
"OI—"
"Haha, I'll try."
"Mm."
She walked back to her desk.
I turned back to the window.
Sun on the empty field.
DING DONG.
Class.
I went back to my desk.
***
Between periods.
The corridor was loud. Students moving.
I left the bathroom.
A flash of white. Glasses.
He didn't look at me.
Walked past.
"Ishida-san."
He paused.
…
"Was it you?"
…
He didn't turn.
"...You are mistaken."
"Oh, It was really you."
"Thank you a lot."
His shoulders went still.
"…How."
"Hm?"
"How did you know."
I scratched the back of my head with a smile.
"Ishida-san."
"...What."
"There's not many people like us. You know?"
…
A long pause.
…
He was facing forward.
Not walking. Not turning.
"…We are not the same."
"Haha… I can tell."
"..."
"Thank you a lot. Really."
…
His finger went to the bridge of his glasses.
"Don't misunderstand."
"I did not act for your sake."
Then he walked.
Didn't say anything else.
I watched his back disappear into the crowd.
I shook my head, smiling.
***
DING DONG DING—
Last bell.
Chairs scraped. Bags zipped.
Keigo passed my desk. Bag already on.
"See you tomorrow, Hikaru."
I smiled. "See you tomorrow."
Mizuiro slid past. "Bye, Hikaru-kun."
"Bye."
Chad nodded. Kept walking.
Ichigo at the door. Bag on shoulder.
"Coming?"
"Mm."
I stood.
Slung my bag.
We walked out together.
***
The street was quieter now. Side road. A bicycle bell somewhere behind us.
The sky had gone fully orange.
Ichigo had his hands in his pockets.
I had mine swinging.
Didn't say much.
Didn't need to.
We turned the corner.
…
I slowed.
…
The corner.
The flowers.
Tipped over. Spilled.
Three guys laughing about something.
And down the other street.
Hands behind her back.
Watching.
…
…
…
Ichigo's eyes followed mine.
His bag hit the ground.
He was at the corner before it landed.
…
I took his bag and walked to her.
She looked up at me.
I smiled.
"Hi."
"...Hi."
"Don't watch this part, okay?"
"...Okay."
I turned slightly. Stood between her and the corner.
Behind me—
THUD.
Ichigo kicked the biggest one first.
"What the hell—!"
"First you kick Yamachan down—!"
"...Huuh." Ichigo scratched the side of his head.
"Say something, you—!"
The leader's fist went up.
BANG.
Ichigo's heel met his face.
…
…
Haha… how high does that leg even go.
The leader dropped.
Ichigo's foot kept going. Up. Down. Up. Down.
"Y-yamete—!"
His friends stared.
"O-Oh— Toshirin's getting—!"
The soul girl's eyes flicked up over my shoulder.
I crouched.
Brought my hand up.
Soft. Over her eyes.
With a smile "Don't peek~"
"...Okay."
"SHUT UP—!"
Then—
WHAM.
This time the heel went down hard.
The leader's head met the curb.
Cracked into it.
"All of you. Look at this." He pointed at the vase.
"First question."
"What. Is. That."
He pointed.
"You. In the middle."
"H-Huh?? Uh, well—! Flowers— flowers for the kid who died here the other day—?"
"Correct."
THUD.
The guy sprawled flat.
"Mitchan—!"
"WE'RE SORRY—!!"
"WE'RE SO SORRY—!!"
Footsteps. Dragging. Gone.
I lowered my hand.
She blinked.
Ichigo walked over.
Looked at the vase on its side.
Picked it up. Set it back.
"...I'll bring you fresh ones tomorrow."
She bowed.
"Thank you for getting rid of them.
Now I shall be able to rest in peace, onii-chan."
"You're welcome.
I hope you get to rest in peace soon."
Her eyes moved to me.
"Onii-chan."
"Mm?"
"Thank you too."
I smiled.
"You're welcome."
She waved.
Small hand. Big smile.
…
Gone.
…
…
I looked at the empty curb for a little long.
…
Then turned.
Ichigo was waiting.
I smiled.
Bright.
"...What."
"You're scary, Ichigo-san."
"Haaah?"
"That curb thing."
"What about it."
"Do you do that to everyone?"
"Only idiots."
"So me too?"
"Especially you."
"...Tch."
"What."
"...Nothing."
"…"
"…"
"Hahahaha~"
"...Idiot."
We kept walking home.
***
The street was quieter now.
The orange was fading.
A streetlight flickered on somewhere ahead.
Ichigo's hands were back in his pockets.
He hadn't said anything since the corner.
Neither had I.
Just footsteps.
A bird somewhere.
A scooter, far.
***
Our street.
The lights were on in his kitchen already.
Ichigo slowed at his gate.
"Oi."
"Mm?"
"Tonight."
"Yeah."
"Don't be late."
"I won't."
"Mm."
He pushed the gate open.
Stopped.
"...And don't bring anything weird."
"Eh?"
"Yuzu said you'd bring something. Don't make it weird."
…
"Oh..."
…
"...Ichigo-san."
"What."
"I gotta go—"
"Oi—"
I was already running.
"BE BACK SOON—!"
"HIKARU—"
…
Konbini. Konbini. Konbini—
***
Ding dong.
Footsteps inside.
The door swung open.
"Hikaru-san!"
Yuzu. Apron on. A smudge of flour on her cheek.
She bowed quickly.
"Welcome!"
"Thank you for having me!"
I held out the box.
"...Cake."
She took the box gently with both hands.
Tilted it. Read the label.
"...Chocolate?"
"Yeah."
She looked up at me.
"...Onii-chan likes chocolate."
I smiled. "Lucky."
She smiled.
Bright.
"Come in, come in!"
I stepped inside.
Slid my shoes off. Set them next to a smaller pair.
The hallway smelled like miso. And something fried. And something else I didn't know the name of.
Warm.
She kept walking.
I followed Yuzu down the hall.
***
The living room was warm.
Steam from the pot.
Yuzu was at the stove on tiptoe, stirring something.
"Hikaru-san, you can sit!"
Isshin at the head.
"OH HO HO HO— HINATA-KUN!!"
"Good evening, Sensei."
"WELCOME!!"
Karin already at the table.
"Yo."
I nodded "Yo."
I sat across from her.
Footsteps.
Ichigo dropped into the seat next to me.
Didn't say anything.
I bumped his elbow.
With a smile "Hi."
"...Hi."
Yuzu carried the pan over carefully.
Set it down in the middle of the table.
"There!"
Curry.
Isshin clapped.
"YUZU IS A GENIUS!!"
"Dad, shh."
Yuzu served. Careful. Hers last.
Sat. Smoothed her apron.
I bowed.
"Itadakimasu."
"Itadakimasu!"
"Itadakimasu."
"ITADAKIMASUUUU—!!"
"...Itadakimasu."
Took a bite.
Oh.
"Woah, that's good."
Yuzu lit up.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Really."
"I'm glad!"
Karin pointed her spoon at me.
"Hinata."
"Hm?"
"You good at games?"
"...Games?"
"Soccer."
"...Not really."
"Hm."
"Sorry."
"What are you good at."
"Mm..."
I thought about it.
"...Running?"
"Running?"
"Yeah."
"Like — track?"
"No."
"Then what."
"Just running."
"In the mornings?"
"Mm."
"How long."
"Half an hour. Sometimes an hour."
Karin tilted her head.
"Huh."
"What?"
"Didn't peg you for it."
"What did you peg me for?"
"Sitting indoors."
"Haha~"
"Mm."
"Maybe a little of that too."
"Mm. Knew it."
Ichigo was looking at me.
"...You run?"
"...Yeah."
"Since when."
"...A few weeks."
…
…
He looked at me a second.
Then back at his curry.
"Mm."
…
Took a bite.
Didn't ask anything else.
Karin glanced between us.
Shrugged.
Went back to her plate.
***
Plates emptied.
"Gochisousama deshita."
"Gochisousama."
"Mm."
"GOCHISOUSAMAAA—!!"
Yuzu stood.
"I'll get dessert."
"Eh?"
"I made shortcake."
"...You made cake too?"
"Mm."
She walked to the counter.
Karin shrugged.
"She bakes when she's bored."
"...Mou, Karin-chan."
Yuzu came back with a tray.
Slices of strawberry shortcake. The chocolate cake next to it.
One plate. Both.
Set it in the middle.
"Itadakimasu."
I took a bite of hers.
Light. Soft. Real cream.
"...Yuzu-san."
"Mm?"
"You made this?"
"Mm."
"By yourself?"
"Mm."
"...You're—"
"Stop."
"—amazing."
"Stop, stop—"
Hands over her face.
Ichigo. Second bite of the chocolate.
I bumped his elbow.
"Which one's better."
"...Mm."
"Tell me."
"...Yuzu's."
"...Onii-chan?"
"Always Yuzu's."
Yuzu went pinker.
Isshin slammed his hands on the table.
"MY DAUGHTERRR—!! MY GENIUS BAKER DAUGHTER—!!"
"Dad—"
"MASAKI!! MASAKI ARE YOU WATCHING?! YOUR DAUGHTER—"
"DAD—"
"—IS A GOD AMONG MORTALS—"
"PLEASE STOP—"
Yuzu's whole face was red now.
Hands still up.
Karin, into her cake:
"He does this every time she bakes."
"...Every time?"
"Every time."
"...Yuzu-san how do you survive—"
"I don't know—!"
Isshin was on his feet now.
"HINATA-KUN!! YOU WITNESS!! YOU EAT THIS CAKE AND YOU TELL ME— IS THIS NOT THE WORK OF AN ANGEL—"
"...Haha— Sensei—"
"ANSWER ME—"
"It's— it's really good—"
"YOU HEAR THAT YUZU—"
"DAAAD—"
I was laughing.
Couldn't stop.
My cheeks hurt.
***
Plates stacked.
Karin stood.
Karin glanced at me. Didn't say anything.
Handed me the first plate.
We worked.
Water.
The window above the sink was dark.
Behind us — Isshin was telling Yuzu about a patient. Old man. Bad back.
Ichigo had his chin on his palm.
Eyes half closed.
I dried the last bowl.
Set it on the rack.
Wiped my hands.
Looked out the window.
Streetlight.
Empty street.
"...I should head back."
Yuzu turned.
"Eh? Already?"
"It's late."
She got up.
"Wait, wait—"
Hurried to the counter.
Two containers.
One — curry, rice on the side.
One — a slice of each cake. Side by side.
Lid on.
Held them out. Both hands.
"For Mei-san and Fei-san."
"They didn't have dinner."
I took them.
Both hands.
Still warm.
"Thank you, Yuzu-san."
"Mm!"
"...For everything tonight."
"Mm. Come again."
She smiled.
Karin nodded from the sink.
"HINATA-KUN!! THE DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN!!"
"Yes, Sensei."
"AAALWAYS!!"
"Yes, Sensei."
Ichigo stood.
"I'll walk you."
"Mm."
***
The hallway.
Shoes.
Containers in my left hand.
Ichigo leaned against the doorframe.
Hands in his pockets.
I stepped out.
Cool air.
A streetlight on the corner.
A moth around it.
I turned to face him.
"Goodnight, Ichigo-san."
…
…
"...Goodnight."
I smiled. Bright.
He lifted his hand. Small wave.
I waved back.
…
The few steps to my own door.
Something slid down my cheek.
I stopped.
…
Touched it.
…
…
…
…
…
I wiped it. Slow.
Kept walking.
Keys.
Click.
I stepped inside.
Closed the door behind me.
"Hikaru? Is that you?"
"...Yeah."
"How was dinner?"
"...Good."
"Yuzu-chan can cook?"
"Yeah. She's great."
"Mm. Bring some next time."
…
I looked down at the containers.
…
"Already did."
I pushed off the door.
Walked to the living room.