Love, Past Tense

I feel strange. My heart is still beating fast but the world seems like it’s getting brighter. Like I can’t see anything but him. Is this the butterflies feeling people talk about? Is this love? Oh no, how embarrassing. How long have I been staring at him without saying anything! Are my cheeks blushing? I turn my head away and mumble that I’m alright now. Now?! What does now mean? Ah, I’m not making any sense.

“Hayahiko! It’s me!” Hota shouts and the keychain shakes around. What? How does Hota know him?

“Oh, is that you, Hota? I didn’t think I would meet you again so soon. Then that means you are not from here?” The boy named Hayahiko removes his hand. I try not to focus on the lingering feeling.

He knows I’m not from here already. Does he know I’m not from this time period? Was I that obvious? Won’t this cause a paradox in the memory world and spit me out? I’ve failed already! How could Hota sell me out like that! Wait a second. He could hear Hota talking. Then that means maybe even in the memory he already knows the drill so it’s alright.

“Um, yeah, I’m not. Haha. Did you perhaps have a contract with Hota, too?” I barely recognize my own voice.

The boy smiles at me. “Yes! It was just last year. Wow, I’d love to chat with you longer but we have to hurry. I’ll walk you to class at least. I’m Hayahiko Kayuko. What’s your name, miss?” His voice is so nice I can’t look him in the eyes.

“I’m Runa Imatoki.” I try my best not to sound awkward. I hope it worked. I can’t believe my luck in finding an ally so fast in this world. Not to mention such a gentleman. It’s not possible but, could this be fate? Hota tells him my class number and I follow him into the courtyard.

“I see. That’s actually my class too. Nice to meet you, Runa. Man, when I first saw you, I was worried you were being bullied and too scared to go to school. You were practically trembling. I’m glad you’re alright.”

I can only manage a noise of acknowledgement. He’s so nice. Too nice. Everyone else was just passing me by but he stopped to help me. How will I ever get over this? I won’t. How else am I supposed to take this? It’s fate. He’s also in my same class? How is this not fate at this point? I’m thinking these useless thoughts as I walk next to him.

The further I go, the more I realize it’s just like a normal school with normal classmates even with almost fifty years between us. The main difference being what’s popular now, judging by their idle chatter. Many of the kids are still into sports like soccer and the latest music. I feel a bit calmer about the whole thing. Well, it can’t be too hard to find one person in a whole school, right?

We get to our classroom and the first thing I notice is everything is made from wood. Plastic just hasn’t caught on yet. The desks are also meant to fit two students to one unlike what I’m used to. I feel a little out of my element here. Luckily, I find a mysteriously open seat in the back next to another girl for me while Hayahiko sits further up front. This is perfect. It will be easy to scan for suspects and nice for looking at the back of Hayahiko’s head. Not that I’m planning on staring or anything. When class starts I do my best to act natural and take notes. I just hope I don’t get called on. Time starts flying by.

I am so grateful for lunch to roll around; I’m starving! Today’s school standard lunch is a Showa era special favorite, as I like to call it. Fried bread agepan, noodles, milk, and a mandarin orange on a silver platter. Pretty carb heavy, but what’s the harm in indulging in the times? I clap my hands and dig in. Yep. As expected, it’s delicious. I see Hayahiko eating with some of his friends. I’m jealous, but I’m on a mission anyway.

“Ah! It that a Helmet Rider keychain on your bag? That’s so cool that you’re into it too!” A girl’s voice speaks to me from nowhere and invites herself with me for lunch. This is it. Time to play the part of a 70s middle school girl.

“Yeah, I just got it as a gift from my parents the other day. I know it’s not very girly but I think he’s so cool and manly.”

“Oh yeah, me too! Not a lot of other girls are into that show right now but I look forward to it every week. I’m Yumiko. What’s your name again?”

As I give my introduction, more girls come over to my table to join us. We talk about the original Helmet Rider series and I take care not to say any spoilers. It’s so strange to hear them talk about this show as it’s airing! I’ve watched the whole thing rented a while ago, but here, it has only started airing a year ago. I want to tell them that this show is still popular with kids from my time. I bet they wouldn’t believe me even if I did. I have fun talking to the girls even while trying to figure out if any are having suspicious love troubles.

The classroom door rolls open and another girl joins us. She must be from the other class. She looks more yankee than the others with her shoulder length hair dyed half blond, half grown out. Her eyes are sharp and remind me of Yona. There’s a certain strong presence about her from the way she walks to the way she sat down. It suddenly strikes me. It would make sense for the person I’m looking for to be in the next class over instead of my class. She could possibly remember all of her classmates but not the ones from others. My interest in this girl is suddenly sky high.

“Hey, Keiko, check out this girl’s keychain!” Yumiko tells the girl. So her name’s Keiko.

“That’s pretty awesome! I wanted to get this same one but I had no cash. What’s your name, girlie?”

“I’m Runa. Nice to meet you, Keiko. What do you like about Helmet Rider? I like the monster designs and fight scenes.” I strike a few poses from the show.

“Well those are nice too, but I love his bike the most. He looks so cool riding it; it really inspired me. I’m trying to save up for one.” Keiko gives a small laugh.

“Keiko is such a simple girl. I think it’s cool he’s smart like a scientist and strong enough to fight monsters. Not to mention the actor is handsome. He’d make a great husband.” Yumiko states with a happy smile. Is she talking about the actor or the character?

“Here we go again. You’re probably the only middle school girl in Japan to have a crush on him, Yumiko. He’s too old for you.”

“I bet that’s not true! I can’t be the only one!” Yumiko whines with both of her fists by her face. The group of girls giggle at her.

“There’s nothing wrong with a celebrity crush at your age.” I try to comfort her. “Better to have loved and lost than never loved at all, as they say. If you keep that love muscle strong, your next love will be even better!”

“You’re talking like I never had a chance…” Poor girl.

I decide to press Keiko a little for information. “What about you, Keiko? Any crushes, celebrity or otherwise?”

Before she has a chance to answer, one of the other girls speaks up. “Keiko doesn’t believe in dating. She’s cooler than any boy.”

“Yeah. Boys are nothing but trouble.” Keiko says rather quietly while looking away. If that’s not suspicious, then I don’t know what it.

A rough boy’s voice comes into our table. “Boys don’t like you because you’re not girly enough. Try at least sitting like a lady.” His friend beside him laughs.

“Shut up! I’m actually so popular it’s annoying right now! I’m trying to turn down two boys at once but they won’t give up.” Hm? Did she mention ‘two’ boys? The girls give her sympathetic pats on the back.

Lunch ends before we get a chance to talk about it more. I make a mental note to keep an eye out for Keiko after school. So far she’s my best lead for this case. She looked like she has many feelings she’s not willing to share to her friends. A girl’s love can be so complex. Just be honest with yourself, Keiko! And boys, be courageous! But I understand, it’s hard to just lay your true feelings out there. I wonder if maybe she actually did have two guys after her or if one is a Dust Bunny in disguise. Ah, that would really stink if both boys are true memories. She’s my only lead. Hota did say something about a time limit after all.

Class finally grinds to an end. The school bell rings throughout the hallways and everyone starts to leave. It wasn’t so bad. Though it did almost make me giggle when I saw that the history textbook only goes up to the 1960s. I’m so easily amused. Like, don’t they know what’s going to happen in the future? Isn’t it obvious? I pack my belongings into my bag and start following the class as they leave school.

Now that I’m thinking about it, I don’t really have a plan of action. There are only a few things I know right now. Keiko from the next class over is having love troubles that involve two boys. Her and Yumiko seem like good friends so if I don’t see Keiko, I think I can get more information from Yumiko. Today I will try to tail Keiko if I see her leaving. If I don't, I’ll just have to try again tomorrow. But wait. How will I know which boy is fake? What happens when I do find the culprit? I’ll have to talk with Hota about it.

I’m already by the school gates lost in thought when I hear a familiar voice. “Hey, Runa!” It’s Hayahiko. His footsteps pad the ground in a rush towards me. Me? What could he want with me? Is there something on my uniform?

“Let’s walk home together. I was thinking about it and I bet this is your first time in a memory world. I thought you could use some company.”

I’m shocked. He’s seen right through me and I’ve barely talked to him. “How did you know? Do I look that pathetic? I knew I shouldn’t have come here.” My confidence is failing again.

“No! It’s just, this morning by the gates, you were so scared. I mean, nervous. So I just thought that… Um…” Hayahiko looks flustered. His hands move about and behind his head.

“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, Runa. The poor boy is trying to help!” Hota chooses now to break his silence. I’m being talked some sense into by a keychain.

Hota’s right though. I messed up. Why am I acting like this? I should be happy to spend more time with Hayahiko. Grateful for someone so nice and not to mention helpful for navigating this unfamiliar world.

“Ah, sorry. I’m just a little high-strung right now. I have a lot on my plate.”

“No worries. I know how it is. I was the same way when I first started. That’s why I thought I could help you!”

The crowd of students has already thinned out. Oh no. I’ve totally missed Keiko. I was supposed to be keeping watch for her here. That’s why I was waiting here. Now it kind of feels like I was waiting just for him. I guess there goes my plan for the day. I can try again tomorrow. I should start heading home while talking with Hayahiko. That will lift my spirits. Hold on a second.

“Hota, do I have a place to stay here?” I ask my friendly keychain a very important question that I should have asked a while ago.

“Hota didn’t tell you about that?” Even Hayahiko knows before I do.

“We got here with not a lot of time to spare so I thought I should let Runa focus until after school. School is important, you know.”

“Even if it’s not my real school?” I can’t help but interject. Now I know why Hota’s always so quiet during school hours. He’s like a respectable adult. Who gave a rabbit watch keychain the right to act so mature?

“Well, whatever. Tell me about where I am going to stay and even eat tonight.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. I can lead you to an empty apartment. Just like how you are somehow registered at this school, you are registered at that apartment too. Your wallet should also have a bit of cash and the key. Remember, in a memory, as long as you act like you belong no one will think anything different of you.”

I let out a sigh. “That’s oddly convenient. Well, that’s a bit of a load off my mind. Sorry, Hayahiko. I bet you want to get out of here already.” I turn to face outside the school.

“Right behind you.”

Hota tell us about the apartment I’m to stay at and Hayahiko offers to walk me at least most of the way there so I won’t get lost. What a gentleman. We only get a few feet from the school before I have to cough again from all the smokers. Hayahiko gives me a concerned look. “Are you alright? Do you have sensitive lungs? That must be hard.”

“No, I’m just not used to so much smoke.” On second thought, maybe I shouldn’t talk about my time too much. That wasn’t very bright of me.

“Oh yeah. You’re not from this time. Do they smoke less in the future? That would be nice. Well, you shouldn’t tell me much more than that.” He’s nice and smart. Is he perfect? “That’s right. I wanted to talk to you about those girls you had lunch with today.”

“Hm? What about them?”

“Did any of them seem suspicious? With love troubles?”

“Yeah, I think that Keiko is the one. She has two boys after her.”

“Oh, Keiko! I’m glad it was her. She’s a bit famous. I don’t know much about her but I do know where she likes to hang out.”