Going out with friends is always fun especially when someone you like is there

“Are you sure your clothes are fine? How about you wear this? Oh, and don’t forget to bring extra clothes.”

“My clothes are fine, and I already have spare clothes.”

He wore a grey a grey jacket with a red t-shirt inside. For the bottom, he wore a sweatpants and his old running shoes. It definitely did not look that good, but he was aiming for a casual and comfortable fit.

“Do you have your handkerchief? Was breakfast not enough for you? Here, bring these snacks with you. Also, here’s money, and here’s some first-aid kit.” His mother handed him a bunch of stuff, a look of anxiousness palpable on her face.

It was Saturday, and after he reluctantly agreed on coming along with Ayako's group, he was going to the amusement park to meet up with Ayako and her friends.

“I’m going to be fine.” He calmly said to his mother before she filled his bag with excess stuff.

“It’s just that it’s been a while since you’ve gone out with friends...” Her concern was visible as she looked at him. His mother was often carefree and lenient but that didn’t mean she didn’t care about him.

“It has a been a while but that doesn’t mean I don’t know how to take care of myself.”

“Well, you’re going with Ayako, right? That does calm me a lot.”

Haru nodded. “Although she’s the only one I’ve been talking to within that group.” The group consisted of Ayako. her friends, and I. I barely knew her friends, but she still wanted him to come with her. It was weird but that was how Ayako was.

“Ayako really likes to string you along, huh? Oh, to be young!” My mother giggled.

“Whatever you’re thinking, it’s not that.” She was probably thinking along the lines of Ayako having romantic feelings for me, but she was just a beautiful, friendly girl, oblivious to the power her actions had in captivating someone's heart.

“Whatever you say.” His mother giggled again.

Suddenly, he felt a tug on his pants.

Holding Miko on her tiny hands, Hiroko looked up, her moist eyes glimmered, and with trembling lips, she said, “Haru, not going to play with me today?”

At that moment, Haru’s eyes darkened. He was ready to drop everything and instead spend the day with Hiroko. To Haru, she was much, much more important than hanging out with Ayako and her friends.

As Haru brought out his phone to text Ayako, His mother interjected. “Hiroko dear, it’s been a while since your big brother has gone out with a friend. Instead, how about I play with you today?”

“Haru going to play with friends?” Hiroko adorably tilted her head.

He got down to her level. “Yeah, I’m going to play with Ayako, you know, the blue-haired girl who came to our house before.”

“Fuyuki? I also want to play with her.”

Ayako, you lucky bastard.

“Well, I’ll tell her to come again next time.”

Hiroko happily nodded. “I’ll just play with Mommy and Miku today. You go and play with Fuyuki.”

Haru dejectedly nodded. He really would have drop everything just to spend the day with her. “Such a good girl. And a good girl deserves a reward. I’ll bring you cake later, okay?”

“Yehey, I love you, Haru!”

Haru left the house with a big smile on his face. He felt like he could take on anything. Such was the power of hearing the words I love you from his little sister.

He then went to the station to catch the train. The amusement park wasn’t far by any means and would probably take him around ten to twenty minutes.

Haru checked his phone to see if there were any new messages. He had been invited on a newly formed group chat. It consisted of Ayako, her friends and him. He mostly lurked, only replying when he was mentioned.

There’s no new message. They might be busy preparing.

The sky above stretched out blue as far as the eye could see, housing fleeting clouds that protected the bliss of passersby as Haru arrived near the entrance of the amusement park. Haru savored the winter breeze, tickling his nose, as spring was right around the corner. It was the perfect day to go to an amusement park, evident by the influx of people.

They all planned to go in together, so the plan was to wait for the others at the nearby cafe. When Haru arrived, he immediately noticed the gravitational pull Ayako had as their heads turned to look at her.

She boasted a long winter coat layered over a brown sweater. Her skirt reached just above her ankles paired with a black legging. She also wore a small beanie and with a small bag over her shoulder. Needless to say, she was beautiful.

Considering they were thirty minutes earlier than the supposed meetup time, it was no surprise that she was alone. She stood still, her posture straight, alternating between checking her phone and looking at her surroundings.

“Hey.”

Ayako broke into a smile when she saw Haru. “Ooh, perfectly on time this time!”

“Well, being late is rude. Did you wait long?”

“Hmm, maybe about ten minutes? I just arrived a bit early.”

“I see.” they went inside a cafe and took a seat at one of the tables. They also ordered some light drinks. “So, what did you want to talk about that we have to get here an hour early?”

“It’s about this!” He slammed down a paper on the table, causing the cups to tremble slightly. “The plan to get Sora and Umi together!”

“You did say you’re his wingman...”

The contents of the paper looked incredibly detailed but as Haru read it more, it basically boiled down to leaving them alone together on every rides, so they could further develop their relationship.

Ayako had a smug plastered all over her face. “Isn’t my plan too good? I did research on what rides and activities they have on the amusement park.” She said, then took a sip of her tea. “That way, I know when to pair them up.”

“Yes, yes, whatever you say.” Haru shrugged. “But honestly, this looks like you can do it by yourself. I could have played with Hiroko instead...”

“What are you talking about? I told you, you’re going to be my assistant, my wingman.”

Haru sighed. “I remember...”

Ayako grinned. “I’m so glad I can count on you.”

“I don’t want your compliment. Anyway, does Takata know about your plan?”

Ayako tilted her head. “Sora? No, I didn’t tell him anything.”

“Huh? Why not? Wouldn't it be better if he’s in knows?”

“Well, I know Sora, he’s gonna be way too self-conscious for this plan to work. He’d squirm like a fish out of water if he knows we’re doing something in secret. Next thing you know, he doesn’t want to do it anymore because he’d think we’re doing something wrong.”

“Hmm, yeah, I can totally see that.”

“That’s why we’re going to keep it a secret! Ignorance is a bliss, you know.”

“Yes, yes, whatever you say.”

“Oh, you two are early.”

Haru slightly flinched as a familiar voice came from behind him. He turned around to find Takata. Incidentally, just like Ayako, the gravitational pull he had made all the girls and even some of the boys in the cafe to look at him.

He wore a denim jacket with the sleeve rolled up, layered over a black T-shirt. Paired with a black jean and white shoes, Takata looked more like a model than a high school student.

With two popular students wearing their best clothes, Haru couldn’t help but feel embarrassed by his own outfit. He looked like a beggar in comparison.

“Thirty minutes earlier. As punctual as ever, Sora.”

“I’m surprised you’re this early. You’re never this early. Didn’t you say you had something to do?” he said as he took one of the vacant seats.

Ayako averted her eyes. “I-I finished it early, and now here I am! I’m just that excited, you know? Hehehe...” she then nervously chuckled as she took a sip of her drink. As expected, she was a terrible liar.

Takata’s eyes slightly narrowed and then turned towards Haru. “Good morning, Shiraishi. You’re early, too. You wouldn’t know anything about her being this early, would you?”

“Nah, I just got here, too. It’s Saturday, wouldn’t want to be ordered around the house. That's why I left early.” Haru said nonchalantly. A complete contrast to Ayako’s lying.

“Hmm, well, in any case, it’s better to be early than late.” Takata took out his phone and typed something. “I told the others where we are. Now, we’ll just have to wait for them.”

The two spent some time talking to each other. They talked about mundane everyday things and Haru could see how they really were childhood friends. The two got immersed to their conversation that he was sure they had forgotten about him.

“Yo! You guys are early.”

The next ones to arrive were Noguchi and Iwamoto. Though why they arrived together, Haru was clueless.

Noguchi wore a black jacket and slim-fit pants. The jacket looked a bit tight on her, thus making her chest looked even more pronounced. Overall, she looked like a pretty tomboyish girl, especially with her grey hat and her backpack.

On the other hand, Iwamoto wore a casual red shirt and black pants. It was like those outfit you’d wear when you need to buy something in the grocery store. But Haru was glad he wore something similar to his outfit. Otherwise, he’d be too conscious of the others.

Iwamoto sat beside Haru while Noguchi beside Ayako.

“Wow, you look so good in your outfit! And you smell so good, too!” Noguchi then embraced Ayako.

Ayako laughed as she got smelled. “Yume, stop! That tickles!” She then tried to push her away from him, only for her not to move even an inch. “How are you this strong!?”

Noguchi giggled. “I’m from the volleyball club, remember?” Her eyes then bulged as if remembering something and then started to smell herself. “I don’t smell bad, do I? There was a morning practice, but I showered and headed straight here.”

Ayako smelled her. “No, you smell really good! Makes me want to smell you more!”

“Stop it, Fuyu! I’ll smell you, too!” Noguchi giggled. In the middle of a busy café, two girls were smelling each other. Well, it was certainly a sight to see.

“So, that’s why you two were together.” Takata mentioned.

“Just a coincidence. I didn’t even know she had Saturday practice. We just saw each other at the gate when we’re about to leave.” He then munched on the bread he was eating.

“That surprised me, too.” Noguchi interjected. “I thought you’re going with Fumio.”

“Nah, that guy probably just woke up after binging an anime or manga.”

“Haha, that much is true.”

“And what slander am I hearing just now?” Behind the boys, a voice rang out. It was Adachi. He placed a couple of containers on the table. "I'm perfectly on time, you know!”

“Oh, you’re here.”

“Wow, you’re already here?”

Takeshi and Noguchi both slowly clapped, applauding him in a sarcastic way. But it was true. He arrived exactly on time.

“What are those?” Takata pointed at the containers.

“Actually, Umi and I kinda arrived here together. She gave me a lift after seeing me. The containers here are hers. ”He then pointed out a car in the distance.

There was a black car stopped by in front of the cafe. Seta was talking to the driver which was wearing a suit. It was like those things in anime or movie where a rich person

“Sorry for the wait.” Seta said.

Seta wore a pinafore dress extending all the way to her ankles, beneath it was a long-sleeve blouse. She looked pretty that Takata couldn’t look away from her.

“No need to apologize. You’re exactly on time.” Takata said. “By the way, what are these for?”

“I heard amusement parks food are notoriously expensive, so I prepared a bit of food for us.”

A bit? There are like ten containers here!

“Well as the saying goes, with Umi, you can never go hungry! I’ll be looking forward to it!” Noguchi excitedly said.

“Yeah, thank you for always providing delicious foods, Umi.” Takeshi said.

“You guys are making me blush.” Seta said, a red tinge on her cheeks. “But really, I made it for all of us especially Fuyuki. It’s been awhile since we all of us are together, so I want to enjoy this with delicious food.”

Noguchi sniffed looking like she was about to cry. “You’re just so kind-hearted!”

“Yea, you’re the best girl, Umi!” Fuyuki said.

Both of them hugged her.

Haru looked at Takata for a moment. He looked at Umi with admiration.

Well, she’s a great girl. No wonder he likes her.

Takata picked up some of the containers. “Alright, let’s get going. Let’s enjoy the day while it’s still early.”

“Let’s go!”

Except Haru, all of them nodded in excitement as they went to the entrance.