Chapter 23

What… does she mean by that?

A week had passed since Tsukiko officially told him about being called back. Tsukiko acted just as she usually does, doing her best in both the cafe and the antique shop, sprinting straight back into action the second her cold cleared. Amaya forced her to stay put, or else she wouldn’t feed her.

She mentioned making the correct decision…

Did this mean she would be returning? Logically, that made sense. A much brighter future awaited her in the big city. Tsukiko hadn’t confirmed it outright, but of course, she wouldn’t. She wouldn’t want to look ungrateful to them, jumping straight back into her old job the second she got her offer.

But… this time… Did she make the wrong decision last time? When?

Kenji had no idea. He tried thinking about it throughout the week, only to remember he hadn't known Tsukiko that much in the last few years. 

What does she want me to do? Or maybe…

Maybe he misunderstood. Tsukiko was sick. She simply told him that she would be returning. Maybe ‘last time’ referred to when they kicked her out, or maybe before that. In her old job, in her old high school. Somewhere away from him. A chapter of her life he wasn't a part of. 

Maybe she considered her time here to be an unfortunate turn of events. Maybe she wished to return the second she washed up on the island. 

If that’s what she felt…

Then he had even less reason to keep her here.

Tsukiko’s… going back…

Kenji stared at Tsukiko’s back. The girl ran from one table to the next, taking orders and delivering food with a bright smile on her face.

But… she seemed happy?

If she considered what happened to her as a series of bad events, then would she smile like that? A genuine smile, looking like she enjoyed her job?

“Brother.”

Kenji turned around to see Amaya’s light brown eyes, the same color as his, staring coldly at him. She sat next to Kenji, leaving the kitchen empty. Kenji looked around. Starbeach wasn’t particularly crowded, giving them a bit of time to relax.

“If you like her, you should just tell her.”

“I- I didn’t-”

“Oh, you dislike her? Should I send her away then?”

Kenji tensed up. “Of course-”

“Amaya, two set menu As!” Tsukiko shouted. She picked up the coffee cups on the tray and delivered them to a young couple sitting by the window.

“That’s supposed to be your task, by the way.” Amaya stood up, about to head into the kitchen. 

“Yo- You didn’t say that!”

“Well, you work here. Do I need to guide you around like a baby? Goo goo ga ga?”

Her mother said he used to dote on her when they were young. Kenji found that hard to believe.

“Weirdo.”

Amaya sighed. “Brother, you’re old enough to know what you need to do, right?”

“Of course! I’ll just deliver the next-”

“Brother, let me rephrase it. You’re old enough to know what you want, right? Or do I need to spell it out for you?”

Kenji fell silent. Amaya turned around and headed back to the kitchen.

“What I want to do…” he murmured, watching as Tsukiko cleaned up the table.

A customer raised his hand. Not wanting to draw his sister’s ire again, Kenji rushed to his side.

“What can I get you, Mister Okubo?”

“Oh, just usual.”

“Alright. Please wait a moment.” Kenji turned around.

“Kenji,” Okubo called before he got far.

“Yes? Would you like something else?”

Okubo pumped his fist with a smile. Kenji looked at him, confused.

“Fight!” he said, leaving Kenji with even more confusion. Tsukiko looked at the scene from far away and laughed.

•••

“Good work, everyone,” Amaya said after the three finished cleaning. Kenji and Tsukiko lifted their hands in cheers.

“Also, I have a special announcement to make.” Amaya pulled out a poster from her back pocket.

Kenji had seen Amaya rolling up the piece of paper earlier. He caught a glimpse of the picture. He also experienced something similar before, so even before the announcement, he could guess what she would say.

“This year, we’ll be opening a stall at the summer festival. The Starbeach Official Summer Stall! Or SOSS, for short.”

Mamoru, who had stayed behind, booed. “That’s a terrible name.”

“You’re not invited this year!” Amaya said, pissed at the booing. Mamoru always booed, mainly because before this, he would be the one dragged in to help.

“Wait, it’s a yearly thing?” Tsukiko asked.

Kenji nodded. “Every year, she acts as if this is our first entry.”

“What will we be cooking?”

Amaya puffed her chest with pride. “Yakisoba!”

“Boring,” Mamoru said with a mocking expression.

Amaya rolled up the poster and threw it at him. Maybe the lack of lighting impeded his eyesight, as he failed to react in time, the poster smacking him in the head.

“But yeah, festival yakisoba. I expect you to help, Tsukiko.”

“Of course!”

“It would be your last task.”

Last task…

Kenji’s heart ached once more. Maybe there was nothing more to it. Tsukiko wanted to return, end of discussion.

But… Wait, why is Amaya looking at me like that?

Kenji returned her sister’s stare. Once their eyes met, Amaya averted her gaze. Her words from before returned to his mind.

You’re old enough to know what you want.

•••

“What do you want to talk about?”

Mamoru accompanied them back to their home. But just as Kenji was about to enter the gates, Mamoru held his shoulder. They waited for the girls to enter. Tsukiko turned around. Kenji gave her a nod, and she closed the door behind her.

“You like Tsukiko, right?”

Kenji turned his eyes away.

“This may be your last chance.”

“I can’t, Mamoru,” Kenji said, unable to look at his friend in the face. Unlike him, his friend dared to confess. He’s no coward.

“I don’t deserve-”

“That’s not for you to decide, is it?”

Kenji fell silent.

“Back then, when I asked for your opinion, do you remember what you told me?”

“... Amaya’s the one who decides whether she likes you or not.”

A lot of time had passed since then, but Kenji remembered the moment clearly. Back then, Mamoru was the one with concerns. He got over those worries and decided to admit his feelings. Had that not happened, the two wouldn’t be together.

“What’s important is your feelings for her. Now tell me, do you like her?”

“... Yes.”

“Romantically?” Mamoru asked to confirm, not giving him a chance to evade the question. He knew the answer, not even a hint of doubt in his mind.

“... Yes.”

Kenji could feel his cheeks turning red. The last seven weeks reminded him of how much he loved Tsukiko, how he never found interest in any other girl, even after she left. He felt happy being beside her. He wanted to protect her. He wanted to care for her.

He wanted to be the one next to her when she needed someone the most.

Before Tsukiko washed up on shore, what was she experiencing? What caused her to take such extreme measures? To abandon the life she had built up to that point? Could Kenji have alleviated the pain? Even if only slightly? What if he had called her? Maybe have a quick, ten-minute talk with her? Will things end up differently?

“See? It’s that simple.”

“But… what if she said no?”

“How’s that any different from you not confessing and her leaving the island?”

Without her grandparents, Tsukiko had no reason to come back. Once she got back to the mainland, she would stay there.

Once she made that trip, it would be too late.

“If you don't confess now, will you keep up communications with her?”

Even at a glance, it was clear who put more effort into maintaining their previous relationship. Had Tsukiko not sent the occasional message or two, they might be complete strangers by now.

“I’m going to tell you this one last time, Kenji. Count it as advice from your future in-law.”

“I wish you had said ‘advice from a friend’ instead.”

“That as well. You have a long life ahead of you… Assuming you didn’t get swept away by the waves.”

“Hey.”

“Make the wrong choice, and you’ll suffer regret for the rest of your life. Make a choice you won’t regret.” Mamoru waved and left, leaving Kenji alone in front of his house.

A decision I won’t regret.