Ten Years Later

I blinked against the sun's glare as I stepped off of the train. I'd be meeting up with some old friends later on, so it was good to see that the weather would be holding up. I offered up a silent thanks to the blue skies, and started walking. The meet-up had me feeling nostalgic. It had been a while since I had last reminisced about the past, and everything that had happened since the last time we had seen each other.

After I had graduated, I moved to Tokyo while I studied at university. Ayane was pursuing a similar path herself, so we both decided to rent a small place together. Being with her under the same roof had felt weird at first. I was often caught off guard whenever I woke up to see my girlfriend's sleeping face beside me.

But after the first few months, we had both gotten accustomed to living together. Our day to day routine consisted of waking up, taking turns making breakfast, and then heading off to our morning classes. Once the day's lectures had ended, Ayane would go off to her part-time job. My own work shifts were on the weekends, so we typically wouldn't see each other until the evenings. We made sure to spend any free days we had together though, either by going on dates or just enjoying each other's company snuggled up at home.

It was during this period, in my second year at university, that I had finished writing my first full length novel. It hadn't been a major hit or anything like that, but the response from those who read it had been largely positive. So I stuck with it, and that was exactly the reason for my trip this morning.

I had just recently worked on the finishing touches for the draft of the fourth volume of my ongoing series. I had forwarded it to my editor the day before, and was now heading towards a meeting with them to discuss it.

I reached the publication company's office and made my way through the lobby to the elevators. As I stepped off, the young woman who greeted me shook my hand. I caught sight of the ring glistening on her finger, and couldn't help but smile to myself. 

Tachibana Ayane gave me a frown, “what?”

“Oh, nothing, nothing!”

Ayane was a stickler for this kind of thing. Whenever we were in the office, even if it was just the pair of us alone, she’d still adopt her professional mode. I think she just didn't want to seem like she was playing favourites.

“I've read through your draft. It's good, but there are a few parts that I think could do with a touch up.”

She led me down to her office. Even with her distant attitude, I still couldn't help but think she was cute. Her hair tied back into a ponytail, combined with the business suit she always wore just suited her to a tee. I kept that certain thought to myself though. As much as I would love to tease her, we still had important matters to discuss.

We sat down together and she pulled up my manuscript. 

“So first, with this chapter here…”

For the next few hours, we discussed my work in depth, going through each of her suggestions for improvements. Eventually, Ayane stretched her arms above her head and glanced over at the clock.

“Ahh, we'll have to leave it there for now,” she concluded, “we need to get a move on if we're going to make it in time.”

I nodded and packed up my things. She leaned over and gave me a quick peck on the cheek before we left together.

That afternoon, the pair of us had returned to our hometown. It had been a while since we’d last visited, but the old streets were just as we remembered them. We made our way over to a cozy looking café and the bell rang as we stepped inside.

“Welcome to… ah, it's you guys, hey!” The bearded man wearing an apron grinned as he waved over to us. Shinohara Ryuji slid around to the other side of the counter and strode over to greet us.

Before I could react, he clapped me on the shoulder and pulled me into a firm hug.

“Man, it’s good to see you!”

Ryuji released me and turned to Ayane, his grin softening into something more playful. “And look at you, Ayane-chan! Still keeping this guy in line?”

“Someone has to,” she chuckled.

“Thanks a lot,” I gave a mock huff, before replacing it with a smile, “it's good to see you too, Ryuji.”

“Come on, sit down,” he gestured to a seat by the window, “Iwasaki-chan is already here.”

We looked over to where he was pointing, and sure enough, another of our old friends was waving to us. If it wasn't for Ryuji, I might not have even recognised her. Her hair had been cut into a bob, with her bangs falling just above her eyes. It was such a radical change from the long, flowing hair that the Iwasaki in my memories had. But I couldn't deny that she looked good.

We sat ourselves down at her table as Ryuji called out towards the kitchens.

“Miyu-chan, they're here!”

“Ah, I'll be right out.”

We heard Miyu's reply coming from the backrooms, before her head popped around the doorway.

"It’s good to see you two," She said, wiping her hands on a towel, before joining us at the table.

"The café looks incredible, Miyu," I said, looking around at the cozy, yet modern decor, “you've both done a great job with it.”

Ayane nodded in agreement before adding, “I'm just sorry we haven’t been able to visit as often as we’d like…”

Miyu gave a small, understanding smile and waved it off.

"No need to apologise. I know how life gets. Besides, you're both back in town for the next few days aren't you? It'll give us all plenty of time to catch up.”

“That it will,” I grinned.

Ryuji leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. “So, tomorrows the big day, huh?”

“How're you feeling Chizuru, nervous?” Ayane said, turning her attention to her.

Chizuru, who had been quietly stirring her drink up to now, looked up with wide eyes.

“Nervous? Me? No way,” she said, though the slight waver in her voice betrayed her true thoughts.

Miyu chuckled. “You say that, but you’ve been fidgeting since you sat down.”

Chizuru huffed, setting down her spoon. “Alright, maybe a little. It’s just… a lot to take in, you know?”

Ayane reached over and gave Chizuru’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “You’re going to be fine. And we'll all be there supporting you.”

Chizuru gave us a small smile, “thanks, guys. That means a lot. It's just such a big change, you know? Its going to take some time for it to feel real.”

“Big changes can be scary, but it's also exciting…” Miyu said, quietly.

Ayane frowned at that, like she had noticed something in Miyu's voice that the rest of us didn't. She always was the most perceptive of us.

“Something up?” 

Miyu let out a small, sheepish laugh.

“There is… though I was going to wait to tell you all.”

Her gaze fell to the ground. Or…no, maybe a little higher than that, maybe she was staring down at her stomach.

Ayane’s eyes widened, realization dawning. “Wait… are you—?”

She hesitated a moment before answering, “mhm… Ryuji and I are expecting.”

A brief silence fell over the group before Chizuru let out a delighted squeal, reaching over to hug her. “Miyu! That’s amazing!”  

The rest of us joined in with the congratulations, and I patted Ryuji on the back.

“It’s gonna be quite the change for us,” he rubbed the back of his neck, grinning.

It was a surprising turn of events. But maybe I should have expected it. It seemed like we were all heading into the next chapter of our lives.

***

Then came the day of the wedding. It was a small, yet intimate, gathering of people. Iwasaki Chizuru appeared at the end of the aisle, looking stunning in her flowing white dress.

Oh! I guess I can't be calling her Iwasaki anymore, huh? I'd have to start getting used to calling her Kumada Chizuru.

I still saw Kumada Juro as the timid, little first-year who joined the Light Music club after seeing her performance during the cultural festival the year before. While he never said anything back then, it was obvious to all of us that he was smitten with her.

Back then, whenever Chizuru would so much as glance his way, he would start fidgeting or fumbling over his words. But he would often stay behind at the club to help her pack things away, or to get in some more bass practice. I suspected it was just an excuse to spend more time around her.

I kept this part to myself, but watching him was like seeing my younger self. I saw that familiar awkwardness and hesitation I used to have. But somewhere along the way, Juro had found his confidence. When he had finally confessed to her over the summer break, I think it had caught Chizuru by surprise, but she accepted him all the same.

Now, as Juro stood at the altar, watching her walk down the aisle, I no longer saw that same shy first-year. He was the man Chizuru had chosen to spend her life with. She met his eyes as she made her way over to him and in that moment, all the nerves she'd been feeling yesterday seemed to melt away. By the time she had reached him, a soft smile had appeared on her face.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Ayane had started to tear up, quickly wiping at her face as if to hide it. Ryuji, a few rows ahead, wore a proud smile, his hand resting on Miyu's.

Then, without a word, Juro reached for Chizuru’s hand, his touch gentle. She looked up to him and he leaned in, their lips brushing together in a tender kiss.

***

Our car pulled up at the house. Ayane and I stepped out, taking a moment to breathe. The last few days had been wonderful, filled with memories we would never forget. But it was nice to be home. It felt like the world had slowed back down.

Ayane unlocked the door and we immediately heard an excited voice calling from down the hall.

“Daddy! Mama! You're home”

Tachibana Shiori, our little girl, came running towards us. I scooped her up in my arms and she giggled playfully as she told us about her day.

“...And then she took me to the playground. I went on the swings, and the slide and—”

My mother chuckled at the sight.

“Thanks for doing this,” Ayane said.

Ami smiled warmly. “Oh, it’s no trouble at all.”

“I hope she hasn't been too much trouble,” I asked, prompting Shiori to give me a small pout.

“Not at all,” Ami laughed, “she's been a little bundle of energy, though!”

“Glad to hear it,” I said with a smile. “You’re a lifesaver, Mom.”

Ayane glanced over at me, her voice softening as she turned back to Ami. “You don’t have to go just yet. Want to stay for dinner?”

Ami hesitated, “I appreciate it, but I don’t want to be a bother.”

“Nonsense,” Ayane interjected with a warm smile. “You’re family.”

Ami’s eyes softened as she looked at the two of us, and after a pause, she nodded, her smile returning. “Then, I'd love to.”

“Yay,” Shiori smiled gleefully, hopping out of my arms and tugging at Ami's sleeve.

I stood there for a moment, watching them all dissappear inside as I smiled to myself. I exhaled softly, then quietly pulled the door shut behind me and hurried to join my family.