Time Approaches

Everyone’s emotions were still high after Minoru left. The girls were all talking at once, including Makoto, who was trying to say more sweet words to Keiko. I think it was just making the situation worse. Not long after, she decided she had enough for one night and started to take off. No one could blame her. We all shortly followed suit. We were probably bothering the other guests anyway.

I wave goodbye to Yumiko and the rest of the girls. The night air was stale without a breeze. It was so dark outside; the sky seemed darker without much of the light pollution from my time. It’s not that late but I’m ready for bed. A lot happened today. I lean against a pole for a moment to rest in the welcoming calm of outside after listening to loud music for some time. Hayahiko comes up to me.

“I’ll walk you to your apartment, Runa. You don’t know the area too well.”

“Oh no, I’ll be fine! I’ve got Hota with me after all. You should hurry home!” I wave my arms around as if that will help convince him somehow. He finds it amusing at least.

“I’m already out so late already, I’m sure my mom would understand if she knew why I’m out for fifteen minutes more. Besides, it’s really dark on the way back. It’s not that safe for a young girl.” He’s right that the way back looks really dark, but he’s treating me like such a lady it’s going to make me blush.

I pout. “Ok, I guess I’ll let you walk me home.” My voice is sarcastic. For some reason I don’t want to let him know how happy I am about it. He laughs at me. Maybe he sees right through me. We start walking back the way we came. It is a little spooky given how dim it’s become. I start to get nervous and my hands are messing with my bag. I should say something to calm my nerves.

“Did you have fun tonight?”

“Yes, too much fun, really. I think I’m good on fun now for the rest of my life.” He sighs and makes an exhausted face.

“Oh yeah? Do you think you’ll ever dance again?”

“No way! I told Yumiko that I don’t dance! Didn’t you see how bad I was? I was so embarrassed I thought I was going to be called to heaven right then and there.”

“I thought you were dancing just fine. They call that kind of dancing “the robot” in my time.”

“You’re making fun of me, I just know it. Anyway, I can’t believe I was one of two boys with a whole pack of girls. I felt like some kind of devious playboy. I was right in thinking that those cafes are just too adult for middle schoolers.” He’s making it seem like he had his arm around all of us while we were swooning over him or something.

“Everyone did seem to enjoy your company, especially Yumiko. I’m glad you became such a popular ladies man for your once-in-a-lifetime night out. That’s every man’s dream, isn’t it?” I try to tease him.

“No man wants to be popular with every lady. Just the ones he likes.” He says he’s answer proudly but then quickly changes the topic. “Anyway, I don’t know if I’ll even remember tonight!”

“That’s a good point. It would be sad to forget it all completely.”

Hota takes that as his cue to speak up. “Our contracts are mysterious. Hayahiko may start keeping some of this memory from now on, but it’ll be really faint like trying to remember an old dream. It all depends. Some people are good at remembering dreams and some forget before they even wake up.”

Hayahiko makes a face. “I’m really bad at remembering my dreams in the first place.”

We eventually make it in front of my building. Half of the balconies are lit up and only a few still have people talking outside. The smoking continues. Hayahiko turns to face me.

“Thank you for a wonderful night, Runa. I want to let you know now that I won’t be able to join you for the festival tomorrow. I feel like I’ve already put my family through too much and I wouldn’t be able to talk myself out of a third night on the town. I hope you’re able to pick the imposter of this world correctly without my help.”

“That’s ok, Hayahiko! You’ve done more than enough for me! I really appreciate it!”

We say our goodbyes and he starts to walk home. I stay watching him. Suddenly he turns back around and waves his arm at me. “I’m glad I got to meet you, Runa! I’m sure I will remember you!”

Back in my tiny apartment, I sit on my futon having already changed into my spare clothing. I should be sleeping but there’s a lot on my mind; I just can’t get sleepy. My arms are crossed and my leg shakes up and down. Hota suddenly appears before me on my futon. His ears twitch and he raises his head at me.

“Tomorrow’s the last day, Runa. How are you feeling about it?”

“That’s what I’m worried about. Both Minoru and Makoto seem like real people that actually like Keiko. Keiko also seems to get all ruffled by both of them equally.” My face starts to scrunch up. “Argh! You didn’t tell me it would be this hard!”

“I didn’t say it would be easy either. Try to tap into your girly instincts. The ones that let you watch all those sappy romance shows.” Hota points his paw at me. I reach and give it a small shake. It’s so soft.

“Just because I like romance and romance shows doesn’t mean I’m an expert at it. What happens if I pick the wrong one?” Hota gives me his other paw for a small shake. He must really enjoy playing in his rabbit form.

“Unfortunately, I can only use my power once per memory world so it would mean the same as mission fail.” The pressure is mounting on me. “Don’t stress too much! It will just make your thinking go in circles. You still have the festival. For now, get some good, restful sleep so you can be ready for tomorrow.” Hota hops off of my futon to let me lay down.

I turn the light off and tuck myself into bed. It’s nice and warm. I start to relax already. “Hey Hota, will I be able to remember all of my memories from this world when I leave?”

“Yes, the details might be a bit fuzzy, but it will certainly be a stronger memory than an old dream, like for Hayahiko.” He knew I was thinking about him so easily. I must be so easy to read.

I turn on my side away from Hota. I start thinking more about Hayahiko and my heart flutters. This really is weird. Is this my first crush? He’s nice and smart. He’s a perfect gentleman like I imagined the one for me would be. He has risked getting in trouble for me just to spend a lot of time with me. I really enjoyed our time together, too. I wonder what he thinks of me.

No, this isn’t right. I can’t let myself get so attached to him. Even if he does somehow remember me in my time, he must be in his sixties by now. Realistically, he may also have gotten married and started a family. There’s just no point in getting a crush on someone like that. The thought makes me incredibly sad. My heart drops in my chest and I want to cry. No, crying would be a waste. I close my eyes tightly. Somehow, I managed to fall asleep without any tears.

Pounce!

Hota wakes me up by jumping on my face again. I tug on his ears until he cries uncle while he laughs. Doesn’t he know any better ways to wake me up? Just because it’s effective, doesn’t mean he has to do it every time.

I begrudgingly start getting ready for the day. It feels like today is midterm day with the festival drama coming up. This has been a nice adventure but I really want to see my friends and family again. I miss my grandma’s cooking and my grandpa’s lame jokes in the morning. I put my shoes on and head out the door. I definitely won’t be missing that tiny apartment. I get two melon breads from the same bakery on the way to school. I will be missing the food, however.

The school day passes without much incident. The girls talk about what they’re looking forward to most at the festival, and wonder if there will be any cool bikers there. Apparently, there will be food, game stalls, and a dance at the end. It all sounds like a typical festival from my time. I wonder what kind of something special Makoto and Minoru are planning. I stop myself from stealing too many glances at Hayahiko.

Back in the day, the only day off students had was Sunday. It’s the end of the day on Saturday and there’s a festival this weekend so the students are in a good mood. True to his word, Hayahiko rushes out the door as soon as class is over. I hope he didn’t get in too much trouble last night. Yumiko grabs my shoulders from behind, startling me.

“Runa! Let’s go straight to the festival together with everyone! Unless you have to go home first?”

“No, I can come with you guys.” I would in fact like to get this ‘test’ over with.

“Great! I’ll go grab Keiko. I know she says she hates boys and all, but I really think she’s going to choose someone tonight.”

“I just hope she makes the right choice.” I’m speaking more for myself than for Keiko right now.

We all head to the festival from the school in a group of six girls. They live up to their delinquent reputation by talking loudly and taking up the whole sidewalk when they walk. I try my best to fit in but I still feel bad. Keiko is being the loudest by far.

“Man, this bites. I hope those guys don’t show their faces around me at all tonight.”

Another girl speaks up. “Aw, don’t be that way Keiko! I know you like the attention.”

“No way! They are both so serious about me. It’s like they are imagining getting married and having kids without me even agreeing to dating them first. It’s creepy. I don’t want to ever get married. Both my mom and my sister have had their lives ruined because of marriage.” Keiko looks at us with a disgusted face.

“Your sister’s life may have been ruined but her husband sure knows how to cook.” Yumiko says with her hand by her cheek.

“I wish she never met that guy. That tiny restaurant doesn’t even make them much money.”

Hm? This is starting to sound familiar. Lines start connecting in my head. A tiny restaurant with a couple running it, where it looks like the husband does the cooking. A waitress with sharp eyes like Keiko. “Does your sister work at the small restaurant with the low doorway? By those large apartments down the road from school?” I ask her.

Keiko looks at me surprised. “Yeah, that’s the one. Did you eat there?”

“I did the past two nights. It was really good. I didn’t know that was your sister and her husband!” The similarities are so obvious now, I can’t believe I didn’t notice sooner. “Why do you think her life was ruined? They looked really happy together.”

Keiko looks down the road with an angry expression. “My sister used to be so cool. She never put up with the girly act we are supposed to put on for guys that don’t even care about us. She’s ten years older than me so she was in university during the student protests. She used to be out there every night fighting the law. I used to really admire her strength and courage for standing up for those injustices. She never put up with our deadbeat dad, either.”

She turns to us and continues with a fever in her voice. “But then she met that guy, and he transformed her into a stereotypical no-spine wife! She doesn’t fight anything anymore. She does whatever that guy tells her and lives right above poverty with him!”

“Money isn’t everything, you know. Did you know she thought I was a girl from a troubled home and wouldn’t let me pay for my dinner? I think she still has her strong moral compass.” I can’t help but defend the nice waitress even at the cost of failing the mission. I hope I didn’t stand out too much just now.

Keiko looks away from me. “Yeah? I guess that’s sweet of her.” She’s pretty quiet the rest of the way there even while the others talk. I wait a few seconds before taking a deep breath. It looks like I’m safe for now.