Once is Luck, Twice is Fate

The bright sun stirs me out of my sleep. It must be late in the morning already. Today is the day. It’s the day Mayumi and I have to make a decision between Hiroshi or Takashi, although for different reasons. The pressure and stress make me stay in bed. At the very least there will be no worries with the time limit. My thoughts drift to Hayahiko and the time I first met him. He was so encouraging and nice, I’m sure he would say something similar if he were here now.

With that embarrassing thought, I pick myself up and start the day. My thoughts wander as I fix my hair in the small mirror on the desk. I try to make a cute face to inspire confidence but it fails. Hota hops to my side.

“Ready for today, Runa? Are you thinking the fake is Hiroshi or Takashi? Personally, I haven’t got a clue.” He can be so helpful sometimes.

“I don’t know, Hota. They’re both awkward but nice guys. They even work in the same job and started at the same time so I don’t feel any clues there. I feel like the date with Hiroshi today won’t be helpful either. I’m thinking of asking what Mayumi feels before the group date.” If I wasn’t here on a mission, I’d say both of the men are real love interests for her.

“Sounds like a good plan. I wonder if she’ll keep pressing you to bring someone.”

“Oh no. Anything but that! Doesn’t she understand the precarious situation I’m in?” I lament and let out a groan.

I’m not from this time. Even if I did find someone somehow, I risk making too big an impact and failing the mission. But if Mayumi keeps pestering me about Hayahiko, I worry I’ll run my mouth and say something that’ll make me fail anyway. I run my fingers through my scalp in frustration. Hota pats me on the back with his tiny paw. I hug him to make myself feel better. His soft fur always makes me happy.

Outside I notice Mayumi still isn’t up so I take it upon myself to wake her. She’s got to be the most ready one between the two of us! I help her pick out an outfit. Today it’s a yellow shirt with a plaid skirt and a matching plaid loose scarf. Plaid seems to be all the rage these days with young women; even I was transported here in a plaid dress.

“What’s today’s lucky color, Mayumi?”

“Well, I thought red looked so good yesterday we’re just going to say it’s pink today” she says as she pulls out some pink blush. That’s a pretty nonchalant way of looking at lucky colors.

“I wish I could be as laid back as you.” I say as she puts some on my cheeks. I like the way it looks, makes me feel mature.

“You think I’m laid back? I think I’m super picky. If people aren’t interested in the things I like, I get bored. I wish I could be as caring as you, Runa.”

“M-me? Caring?” I think Hayahiko said something similar but I still don’t believe it.

“Yeah! You’ve helped me out so much these past few days and you barely knew me! You are a very kind and caring soul.” I can’t help but blush at the compliment. Why is everyone so nice to me? I do have an obligation to help her, but I’m glad she likes my company that much.

“A-anyway, where are we meeting Hiroshi today?” I want to change the topic to the upcoming date.

“Oh yeah. Dad said to meet him at Yoyogi Park at noon.” I look at the clock. It’s ten minutes till noon. Poor Hiroshi, he needs a lucky charm more than Takashi. Mayumi notices as well and shrugs. She really is lucky she’s a pretty girl.

The sun is hidden mostly behind the clouds today. It’s great for keeping the temperature down but it’s still hot. Mayumi and I make our way to the park. It’s not as crowded today since it’s a weekday, but I still see a lot of teenagers and couples enjoying themselves on their summer break. We quickly spot Hiroshi resting by a tree. He’s fidgeting with the collar of his shirt. Even though he’s not at work today, he’s still dressed like a business man without a tie. Maybe he just wanted to look sharp for today. A large backpack is on the ground next to him; it’s almost half his size.

“Hello, Hiroshi!” Mayumi loudly calls out to him and waves. I give a small wave as well. He looks happy to see us.

“Mayumi! And I think I heard you are Mayumi’s little sister?”

“Yep. New appointed little sister Runa here.” I introduce myself and Mayumi ruffles my hair. Hiroshi looks very confused. Who could blame him?

“Runa is here to be my lucky charm.” Mayumi explains. Hiroshi’s confusion grows.

“Well, I’m sure Mayumi needs all the luck she can get.” Mayumi gives Hiroshi a look. “I mean, it’s a good thing to be lucky, right? Not that I think you are bad luck, just that girls have it hard these days, right? I mean… Ah… I’ve got some gifts for you, Mayumi!” Hiroshi quickly starts messing with his backpack. “I feel like you already have the three scared treasures of post-war Japan at your house, so I brought you some sacred treasures that every girl wants.” Hiroshi pulls out a silk pouch and hands it to Mayumi.

Mayumi opens it delicately. Inside is a small letter opener, a bracelet of small round jewels, and another pouch. They are all very fashionable looking. The pouch must have a compact mirror inside, right? She opens the pouch to reveal a small broken mirror. Mayumi and I gasp. That’s seven years bad luck Hiroshi just gave Mayumi as a gift.

“D-don’t look so sad. I’ll take it back!” Hiroshi says.

“No, then you’ll have the seven years of bad luck.” Mayumi pulls the mirror away from him.

“It’s seven years of bad luck? Seems a lot for just a broken mirror. Don’t let some bad luck scare you.” Mayumi pouts at that but Hiroshi puts his hands over the mirror. “Bad luck, bad luck, fly away! There. Should be ok now.” Mayumi bursts out laughing. Hiroshi looks painfully embarrassed. Hopefully that’s a good point from Mayumi.

“What else is in your bag, Hiroshi?” I ask hoping to put him at ease.

“Oh, um, I brought my camera, some homemade sandwiches, and my skateboard.” There’s a lot to unpack there both physically and metaphorically.

“Wow, Hiroshi. You’re a really well-rounded person, aren’t you?” Mayumi seems impressed. “Show me how you look on a skateboard!”

He agrees and pulls out a long yellow board with brown wheels. It looks smaller and more ovular than the ones I know. We walk over to a part of the park where others are roller blading or skateboarding. I would have never guessed that this hobby was popular all the way back in the 70s. He starts riding on it like a natural. Mayumi does a little cheer.

After showing off for a while, Mayumi asks if she could try it out given that she knows how to roller skate. He agrees but warns her it will be completely different than roller skating. He helps her up and she almost falls immediately. After a while she gets the hang of it just enough to not fall. I make sure to cheer for her.

“Wow, this is harder than it looks. You must be really athletic, Hiroshi.” Mayumi compliments him.

“Oh, I’m not all that athletic. It’s probably just the fact that you have less muscles.”

“What?”

“Well, you’re female so you’re smaller…”

“I guess…” Get it together Hiroshi.

“I mean I like that you’re smaller; it’s girly. Uh, you look very nice!” I have to save him.

“Hiroshi, you said you made sandwiches yourself?” I try to bring the conversation to food. Food is always a good topic.

“Oh, yeah. I always make my own lunch. It saves money. Nothing fancy but I thought you might like one.” He seems pretty embarrassed to admit that he makes his own lunch. Maybe he thinks it makes him seems less manly. I think it’s a good trait.

“I think it’s wonderful that you make your own lunch, Hiroshi.” Mayumi seems to agree, luckily.

“It’s lunchtime anyway. We can eat these by the tree.” He gestures back the way we came.

We make our way back to the tree with Hiroshi holding his skateboard in one hand. I’m still fascinated by the fact that he randomly knows how to skateboard. He’s more awkward than Takashi, but maybe he would get along with Yutaka if he married Mayumi. Come to think of it, if he knows the basics of cooking, maybe Mayumi can live a more carefree live with him. What is she thinking about him right now?

Hiroshi pulls out a small bag of sandwiches and tea. He thought I might be coming along so he brought enough for me as well. How thoughtful. We sit on a nice patch of grass and enjoy the simple meal. I casually look around at the other couples on the grass around us. One is even boldly hugging in the grass. I feel a romantic mood. I hope Mayumi feels the same. Hiroshi pulls out some cards out of his bag.

“I heard you were really into fate and stuff so I brought a tarot card deck.”

“Oh, how cool! I love tarot cards!” Mayumi scoots in closer to him.

“Yeah, I don’t really believe in this stuff but I thought I would give it a shot.” That sentence was a bit unnecessary, but whatever. Mayumi looks a bit hurt as well but holds her tongue. Honesty is a virtue I guess?

He starts to shuffle the cards. The long cards fly between his hands. He’s treating this like a normal playing card deck. “First, you have to ask the deck a question.”

“Hm, will I have good luck in my love life?” Mayumi asks a general question. I think I remember that general questions are not the best for tarot cards, but I won’t say anything.

Hiroshi asks her to cut the deck and pick three cards. She does and lays the cards out on the grass. Oh no, Hiroshi looks a bit lost. He struggles to form a complete sentence. The atmosphere grows heavy and stiff.

“Um, uh… Well, this card is…. Wait a second…” Suddenly he rummages through his backpack. He face grows pale. “What? Where is it? Well……” There is a long pause before his slumps forward. “….I don’t think this is going to work out, I’m sorry.”

Mayumi doesn’t take it well. “What do you mean ‘it’s not going to work out’? You mean between us? You think I’m just a dumb girl that’s into luck and fate. It’s very important to girls, you know!” She crosses her arms.

“No! No! That’s not what I meant!” Hiroshi looks devastated.

“Come on, Runa. Let’s go buy some shaved ice. We’ll be right back.” Mayumi gestures to me and gets up. I follow along. I feel a bit bad for the guy. As we walk I turn back and see him staring at the cards she picked.

There’s a small shaved ice stand a short walk away. The welcoming blue flag with the red character for ice is hanging by the front. A few foldable tables and chairs are already full of patrons enjoying their treat in the August heat. We order two small cups of strawberry flavor. I look around for a spot to eat.

My breath leaves my chest. Huh? Why am I so surprised right now? I can’t be seeing straight; maybe the heat is getting to me. My heart is pumping. I look at the splitting image of Hayahiko eating a shaved ice at a table a few feet from me. He’s close! He’s wearing a casual shirt and brown pants instead of a gakuran. So that’s what he would look like outside his uniform. No, not the time for that thought. Mayumi notices my sudden change in emotions.

Her face lights up and her mouth curls into a sly smile. “Oh, is that your crush? How lucky for you, Runa! Go talk to him. I’ll walk back to Hiroshi and try to work things out with him so you can be alone with him.” She nudges my shoulder before walking ahead. “Good luck!”

No, she doesn’t understand! Even if this was Hayahiko, which it isn’t, the chance of him remembering me is almost zero. I stand frozen in place as Mayumi disappears into the distance. My head is going blank. I must look so weird just standing here while my ice is melting. I sneak another glance at the boy. He does appear to be a bit older but it undeniably looks like Hayahiko.

I hear Hota’s voice yell through my bag. “Hayahiko!” Idiot Hota!

The boy glances in my direction with a confused look. I dare not move. He scans me before tilting his head. His hand touches his chin and closes his eyes in deep thought. It feels like this world exists just to torture me right now.

His voice breaks the silence. “Runa?” My emotions are high. I want to cry. There’s got to be a limit to Hota’s magical contract. How could he remember me in a different memory world? As awful as I feel, there’s happiness mixed in. I put up my hand weakly.

“H-hi, Hayahiko.”

He gently smiles at me. It feels like old times. He gestures over to an empty chair besides him. I selfishly take him up on his offer. The shaved ice continues to melt in my hands.