Pocket Calculator Love

The journey to the memory world happens just like last time. My watch glows with a strange light and it takes me to that strange place again. I feel like I can withstand the weird pressure I’m feeling a little better this time. I try to look around, but every direction leads nowhere as far as the eye can see. The torrent of clouds and winds swirl around me until a new light blinds me. There is no sudden noise to jar me and the air feels cool.

When I open my eyes I see that I’m in an empty part of a large library. It’s peaceful here with only a few shuffling or page turning noises in the distance. I’m glad I didn’t seem to make any noise when I entered. I check my surroundings. It looks like I’m not in a sailor outfit this time but a yellow plaid dress with a short sleeved shirt underneath. My hair is the same slightly longer, puffy haircut from last time, and I’m sitting at a wooden table with a few school books in front of me like I was studying. My attention is suddenly called to something next to my notebook.

I pick it up and look at it from all sides. It’s sleek and square. It’s a vintage pocket calculator from a company that’s still quite a big deal in my time. How adorable! I love the dark grey coloring on the body that perfectly goes with the green tinted display window. It’s bulkier than a pocket calculator from my time and has a large battery component but I love it all the same. I see on the other side of my table that it even came with a leather case.

“Another successful time hop, Runa! This time the year is 1973.” The calculator speaks to me.

I try my best to whisper as quietly as possible to not draw any attention. “Is that you, Hota? I see. We’re only one year past where we went last time.”

“It would make sense that those two ladies at the café would be around the same age so we would travel to around the same time period.”

“Fair point. I have my books out at the library but I’m not in uniform. Is it summer break right now?”

“Yes, it must be sometime in August. I don’t feel you have anywhere to be in a hurry but the time hop must have dumped you in this library for a reason. Be sure to keep a look out.”

“Easier said than done. It’s going to be hard to keep tabs on strangers in a library without looking like a weirdo but I’ll try my best.” How am I going to keep a look out for love troubles in a place where talking is frowned upon? Interactions of any kind is not really the point of libraries. Couldn’t the time hop bring me to a café or something?

“Well, the ladies looked around the same age. At least you have that clue. The person must be a girl around the same age as you, possibly a little older since we’re a year ahead of last time.”

“Another school girl’s love troubles, huh? Do boys get affected by Dust Bunnies as well?”

“Of course! Love troubles are definitely not just for girls. Most of the time they are youngsters though.”

“Young age and love troubles. Name a more iconic duo than that.” I say as I look around the room. It’s mostly young adults reading or picking books off the shelves. Not as many girls as there are boys. I twirl my pencil in my hand. The homework in front of me is going to sit unfinished as long as I have any say in the matter. Hardly anyone is moving; I’m wondering what I should do. Should I try leaving? No, that’s too risky in case I miss the person in question. It’ll be very boring, but I decide to stay here until closing or until I can’t take it anymore.

I tap randomly on my calculator, but Hota doesn’t seem to like that very much so I start doodling on my notebook. I stop myself from drawing Pokemal and think about something I like from the 70s. My pencil taps against my chin when an idea hits me. I’m no manga artist but my hand attempts to draw the main girl protagonist from “The Rose of Paris” manga. Her curly twin tails are fun but the best part is adding that giant sparkle to the eyes. A few minutes pass as I sketch some roses behind her. The whole page is covered before I know it.

“Oh, cute drawing! I love that manga, too.” A light, airy voice speaks to me. Her waist is bent forward so her long, fluffy hair almost tickles my face. She’s older than me, maybe a high schooler. More importantly, who gets this close to someone they don’t know? No time to be judgmental, this must be the opportunity I’ve been waiting for.

“Ah, you like ‘The Rose of Paris’, too?”

“Yep, it’s one of my favorites. I love the bold take on femininity. Although, shouldn’t you be doing your homework?” She puts her hand on one of my textbooks.

“Uh, you’re right, but I don’t want to.” I don’t know if I even could. When I looked it was different from the stuff I’m currently learning. Middle school really has changed in the last fifty years.

“I can’t blame you.” She holds up her library book with a grin. It’s another old manga. “My name is Mayumi. Do you mind if I sit with you?” She says that but she’s already taken a seat next to me. She’s wearing a nice light orange dress with tights.

“Sure, I’m bored anyway. I’m Runa.”

“That’s a rare name! Never heard that one before. What characters do you use to write it?” She takes out a small notebook from her tote bag and writes it down. After I tell her she adds little hearts and stars for decoration. She points her pencil at me with an evil grin. “I’ve written it down so there’s no escaping my spell now.” What an odd girl!

“W-what does writing it down do? Nothing bad, I hope.”

“Nothing bad, the opposite actually. I wrote it down cutely so cute things will happen in your life. I like to think of myself as a soothsayer. My divinations are always accurate!” She punctuates her last sentence with a wink.

“Thank you for the good fortune.” I can’t help but laugh. This girl is fun.

“Of course, I have deemed you worthy. A cute girl like you deserves cute things in her life. If I could, I would give you giant sparkles in your eyes but my powers are not at that level yet.” I’m thankful that her powers aren’t there yet; I don’t need something like that.

We talk some more about manga and cute charms when someone tells us to be quiet. “Ah, we are in a library. I kind of forgot.” Mayumi says with her hand on the back of her head. How do you forget that? Not that I have any good excuse either. Mayumi checks her watch. “It’s time for me to head out anyway. I have a good idea! Why don’t you come with me? You don’t seem to be focused on your homework. Unless you’re busy?”

“No, I’m not busy. I can follow you. Where are we going?”

“I have to meet my dad and my potential fiancé. They’re waiting for me by Meiji Shrine.” That sounds very promising. I pack my bag making sure I put the Hota calculator carefully into the leather case first. I’m not sure scratches will affect him but I don’t want to risk it.

“They’ve actually been waiting there a few minutes already.”

“Why did you make them wait?”

“I was on the way when I saw this library and remembered I wanted to pick up a book. I thought, ‘they’re already waiting, they can wait a bit more.’” That book she wanted must be the manga she showed me. She really lives life at her own pace.

We leave the cool air-conditioned library and enter into air as hot as an oven. It’s late in the day in August so the sun is beating down and taking no prisoners. Still, the streets are crowded with people going from place to place. The buildings are tall and covered in signs, though they lack the LED billboards I’m used to. The whole atmosphere looks almost familiar. She said we’re going to Meiji Shrine so we must be in Shibuya. It’s a nice feeling to recognize the area even from decades ago. A big difference being the lack of foreigners in the crowd. People’s clothes also seem to have no pictures on them, only plain fabric.

As we move through the mass of people, Mayumi doesn’t look disturbed by the heat at all. In fact, she walks with an air of grace. I’m jealous. I hope I look even half as nice as her in high school.

“By the way, I noticed you were using a pocket calculator from my dad’s company. It’s another reason why I went up to you. My dad’s company is good so I trust people that use his brand.”

“You’re dad works for that big company?”

“Yep. He’s a boss there. This is already my last summer as a high schooler, so my dad wants me to get married when I graduate. He found me two potential fiancés from the team he leads.” She’s only around seventeen and she’s already going to be in an arranged marriage after high school. That’s really rare nowadays.

“That’s nice. I wish I didn’t have to worry about going to university and just get married to a nice husband.”

“Ah, I hate studying and school too, so I’m glad. A housewife life is the life for me!” I cheer in agreement. “But I haven’t met either of them, and it’s really annoying that I have to pick one. If I have to choose, I want to feel a real spark between us like fireworks.” So she’s a romantic. I feel bad. If her memories weren’t being tampered with, I bet there is supposed to be only one potential fiancé and this arrangement would have gone smoothly.

“You haven’t met them yet? So this is a big moment! Are you sure I should come along?”

“Why not? We are already bound by my spell. If I stay with you and you stay with me, it’ll increase our cute luck!” I don’t have a good comeback to this.

The entrance to the shrine is exactly as I remember it. The long pathway lined with large sake canisters give me a nostalgic feeling. Can you be nostalgic for the future? A little closer in and Mayumi waves at two men in suits by the shrine. One is older and who I can only assume is her dad. There other man is skinny with a large camera in his hands. He looks like he’s going to pass out from the heat. When he notices us coming he wipes his forehead and straightens himself up.

“Hello! Sorry, did you wait long?” Mayumi cheerfully strolls up to them with no remorse in her voice. I timidly walk behind her.

“Oh no. Not at all.” The skinny man replies.

“Mayumi, I know I told you to meet us here a while ago.” The older man crosses his arms.

“Sorry, dad! I had to go pick up my little sister, Runa.” She puts her hands on my shoulders. Huh? Does she mean me? I look up at her in shock.

“Oh, I see. Of course. Hello, Runa.” Her dad goes along with it. “Mayumi, I’d like you to meet Hiroshi. Well, don’t just stand there!” He smacks the man’s back.

“Oh, um, hello. My name’s Hiroshi. I work for your dad.”

“She already knows that, Hiroshi.”

“Ah, I brought this camera. Is it to your liking?” Poor guy seems tongue-tied.

“It’s wonderful! Let’s take a family picture.” Mayumi gathers her dad and me together. Ah, this is so awkward but they’re going along with it so naturally! “Ok, we’re ready. Do you know that new English saying when taking pictures, dad?” Is she talking about “cheese”?

Her dad takes a second to respond. “Of course I know it.” I’m not sure he does. Hiroshi raises the camera and makes a hand signal. “Creeeeam!” Mayumi and I burst out laughing.

“No, dad! It’s ‘cheese’!” Mayumi says while covering her mouth to laugh.

“I think the boss is also right. I’ve heard foreigners say ‘cream’ before.” Her dad turns to Mayumi while pointing at Hiroshi.

“He’s just saying that because you’re his boss!”

With the picture fiasco wrapped up successfully, Hiroshi chatted with Mayumi for a while. She even did a palm reading for love compatibility. When he leaves, he says he has more work to finish at the office before going home even though it’s already dinner time. I hope he doesn’t work too hard. I’m getting pretty hungry myself.

“Dad, can Runa eat dinner with us?”

“I don’t see why not, she’s your little sister and all.” I guess this is my new life now. An adopted little sister to a well-off family. I thank them for their kindness.