Was it a double date...?

Though people get broken time after time, they still patch themselves to survive. They get hurt, fall down under heavy burden, yet they still emerge till their last breath. They keep healing themselves. But that's until they stop feeling those pains.

That's when they find themselves detached, unable to find the motive to rise up. They need something or someone to bring them up and enable the pain back, to know where it actually hurts. 

“What club?” Yoshino asked. Her figure was glamouring due to the subtle wind. 

“Soccer club.” I answered.

“So, you're joining…right?” Hideo asked. 

“Our soccer club ace, Akito Fujimura.” Ichikawa teased.

“Actually, I have decided not to join.” 

“What!?” Everyone retorted. 

“I mean it's your decision. But why?” Hideo was the first one to respond. 

“I…I want to enjoy every bit of time I have before college. There's no telling if I'll ever have the chance. Besides, I'm also out of shape. It will take time and dedication for me to get back to my best form.”

Honestly I can pull it off. The only problem is the dedication. I won't have the same motivation as in middle school. All the time I would be thinking about hanging out with them without putting in the extra efforts. 

If the brain lock situation wasn't there, maybe I would've joined the club. I could've covered up my time without sacrificing our group time. Right now it takes double the amount of time than usual for studying. I have to keep myself in the top 10 or else my parents will think I've dropped my grades without them.

“Well probably. But I'm sure it won't take much for you to become a main man.” Ichikawa said. 

“Haha…that's not something as easy as you said. But thanks for that trust.” Ichikawa chuckled at my appreciation. Ichikawa probably knows a little about my previous stage of life from Hideo. But not much in detail. 

“I've also decided to not join any clubs.” Yoshino cut in.

“Huh? Is this for Akito?” Hideo said, grinning openly. 

“Oh…that's so cute. You'll both spend time privately then.” Ichikawa also bantered. 

Yoshino and I got embarrassed at their playful teasing. So they're taking revenge now?

“No…It's because I have no particular interest in any of the clubs and grandma stays alone at home. She does chores in the house even if I told her that I would do so. Hence, it would be better if I get home early to help her.” Yoshino said, trying to stay calm. 

“Oh that's sweet of you.” Ichikawa mentioned.

Indeed, she really takes care of her. I've even seen it in person. 

“Have you guys joined the music club yet?” I asked, looking at Hideo and Ichikawa.

They were talking about joining the music club for a while. Although Hideo is joining on a whim because of Ichikawa. But he does have some talent playing instruments. 

He used to play basic acoustic well when he was little. Probably got from his mother. Aunt used to be a music composer for a small music band. She left it after getting married. 

“We will, right after Golden Week ends.” Ichikawa responds.

“Good luck to both of you.” I said holding up a thumbs up with both hands. 

“Thanks.” Hideo said with a sparkle in his eyes. He might take it seriously this time, considering Ichikawa is also there, he'll not let her down. 

After staying a little bit more, we went back to the hydrangea hill to thank Mr. Taiki again. We each bought a hydrangea flower pot as souvenirs. Ichikawa and Hideo took white colours. Are they secretly dating or something??

Though Yoshino took red and I took a blue one. Definitely not for having a reminiscent of her…Yeah.

We took a cab and headed back. The cab dropped us at our usual cross section, Meigetsuin St. The sun was still yet to set. The sky was part red and yellow. Which means Ichikawa will now go her way. 

“Hey, why don't you see her off to her house.” I whispered to Hideo while the girls were talking about something

“Huh? So suddenly. That would be weird.” He said quietly.

“You gotta step up sometimes. Chances like this aren't regular.”

“Alright. Just help me out then.”

“No problem.”

As they finished their talk, I spoke up. 

“Ichikawa, there's a book shop near your house, right?” 

“Yeah, just a couple of blocks away. Why?”

“I had a book that I wanted to buy. I keep forgetting it. So can you buy it and give it to me later?” 

“Sure.”

“Why don't you hand her the money.” Hideo jumped in.

“Oh, yes…Ahh, I don't have that much right now.” I said after pretending to check my pocket.

“Don't worry I have enough. Let's go, Kaori.” 

“Huh? I can buy it myself and I'll get money from home.”

“You can. But I also have a book that I wanted to check out.”

“... Alright. Bye then, Fumi, Fujimura.” 

“Take care.”

“Bye.” 

We parted ways and Yoshino now walks beside me. Feels like recently this became a common sight.

Honestly as much as I wanted to assist their ship, I also had an ulterior motive of my own. I had to visit her grandma to receive something. I can't tell Hideo about this or he'll keep blabbering in front of her.

“Umm…do you know…if Fujimura likes her?” Yoshino asked hesitantly.

“He's technically crazy for her.”

I mean he liked her for quite a while. So the urge to be with her now is at its peak. 

“I could say the same about Kaori. She used to deny it at first. But now she has started to accept it. Should we tell them about…this?”

“I think it would be better if they navigate this themselves. After all, they do have feelings for each other, getting to know about this from their own voice will make them happier. Though we can try to help them be more assertive.”

“Yeah you're right.” 

We arrived at the Yoshino household. She opened the door with a key.  

“I'm home.” She announced.

In a few moments her grandma came sliding a door open. 

“Welcome. Oh you've come then. I'm glad. Wait a minute.” Saying that she went to the kitchen probably. 

“A friend of hers sent some souvenirs yesterday from Kyoto. She wanted to give you some.”

“Oh that's nice of her but she didn't have to do that.”

Grandma came back with a box wrapped in purple cloth in her hand. 

“It's some baked Yatsuhashi I packed for you and your family. A friend sent me some as souvenirs.”

“I'm very thankful for this.” I said as I took the box from her. 

“I would've told you to sit but I'm sure you're tired.”

“Yeah. But I'll come over again this week.” 

I feel like I owe her a visit. I'll ask Aunt to prepare some dishes I can bring to them.

“Thank you.” Yoshino gestured.

“I'll be going now.” 

“Get home safely.” Grandma said.

“Yeah, take care. Send me the pictures when you're free.”

“Alright.” I waved my hand as I got out. 

I wonder how my grandparents were. It's rare for someone to experience a life without their grandparents from either Dad or Mom's side. Though they had me a couple of years after their marriage. So maybe it isn't odd. But it's somewhat disheartening to feel that I didn't get to meet them and spend time with them. 

Though I don't know, maybe life gave me another form of them. Yoshino's grandma kind of gave me that feeling. It's only been two times since we've met, yet she felt like a close person. She took care of me like her own. I guess an elderly person's selfless warmth spreads faster than usual.

I got home and greeted my Aunt. Uncle Noboru wasn't home today. The new project kept him busy even during holidays. 

“Where's Hideo?” 

“He went to drop Ichikawa to her house.” 

“Have they started dating yet?” She asked nonchalantly.

“Huh! Oh, of course.” After clearing my throat I continued, “No, but they're progressing.” I forgot that Ichikawa and Hideo's family are friends. Still, I didn't expect she would blatantly ask me that. 

“Well, it's time they come honest with themselves. Anyway, what's this?” She pointed at the box I was holding. 

“Oh, it's a friend's grandma who gave me this, there's some baked Yatsuhashi in here, from Kyoto.” 

“Oh my, that's so sweet of her. So, who's this friend?” She asked with a grin.

“It's Ichikawa's friend. She also went on the trip with us.” 

“So it's a girl. Was it a double date today?”

Oh, I didn't realize it until now. Half the time we were separated in pairs. Can it actually be counted as a date?