Chapter 7:

A good time!

The Significance of Love

“ I can do it myself, but thanks!”

“ There’s no need to be shy. Let’s catch it together!”

Ryuji didn’t argue further. Although nervous and sweaty, he remained focused throughout the way. At the end of the day, the white stuffed animal was finally caught and that was thanks to their excellent teamwork.

“ See! By working together, we were able to catch it more freely.”

“ You’re right! I should have listened to you.”

…

“ Who should this white stuffed animal go to?”

…

“ Primarily, it was supposed to be for me, but as we both caught it together, then—-----------”

Josiane looked at the white stuffed animal and Ryuji and thought they were perfect for each other.

“ I know—---- Why don’t you keep it, Ryuji?”

“ Me? No, it was supposed to be for you. You should be the one keeping it.”

“ That’s true, but it suits you better than me. Look at how cute he is, and his eyes are similar to yours. You’re the perfect match.”

Ryuji was embarrassed by my sudden surge of compliments. He slightly flushed and looked away momentarily.

“ Thank you! I’ll treasure it.”

…

“ May I say something selfish?”

“ Yes! What is it?”

“ You look even cuter and approachable than when you’re at school.”

…

“ I wish I could be the only one who could see this side of yours.”

Realizing what she just said, Josiane looked all embarrassed and thought of apologizing to Ryuji, but—---------------------

“ In that case, I’ll be showing this side only to you. Can I take this as if you’ve finally forgiven me, Sakamoto-San?”

“ Not Sakamoto-San! Call me Josiane like everyone else, and yes, I’ve forgiven you way back than you might think.”

“ Thank you!”

“ It’s getting late, doesn’t it?”

“ Yes, you’re right! We should probably head home now.”

…

“ What is it, Ryuji?”

Hearing his name being pronounced by Josiane startled him a bit, as it was the first time she was addressing him by his given name.

“ Before we call it a day, I’d like for a memento of this day.”

“ A memento? Like what?”

…

“ If it’s not too much to ask, could we picture this day?”

…

Josiane understood the sound of Ryuji’s words and message.

“ I see what you mean. You’d like for us to take a Purikura together, right?”

A Purikura is similar to a photo booth where people take pictures either alone or in pairs.

“ Yes!”

“ Why would it trouble me to take a Purikura with you?”

…

“ Let’s look for one and immaterialize this moment!”

We looked for the nearest photo booth we could find and took many pictures together in a variety of positions. We took many individual pictures as well, but most of them were a duo.

“ These pictures came out okay, don’t you think?”

“ I look funny in all the pictures we took. We should retake them.”

“ I don’t agree. You look great in all the pictures we took. You shouldn’t be ashamed of those pictures because that’s what makes you the person you are. That’s your true self and I like it very much.”

…

“ As long as you like it.”

We shared the pictures in our possessions and I took mostly the ones where Ryuji looks funny as I thought of them as being the most natural and expressive.

“ I had a good time together with you, Ryuji. Next time, I’ll be the one to invite you out.”

“ I also had a good time with you, Sakamoto-San.”

“ I’m not used to calling you by your given name just yet. I need time to practice.”

…

“ In the meantime, may I keep calling you, Sakamoto-San?”

“ Sure! Take all the time you need.”

Ryuji’s chauffeur came back several seconds later to fetch Ryuji.

“ Sakamoto-San, is it okay if I drop you back at your house?”

…

I wanted to decline him, but as I thought of his feelings and expressions, if I were to refuse, I couldn’t go along with it.

“ Of course!”

And thus, Ryuji’s chauffeur dropped me back at my house, and we bid each other goodbyes.

“ I’ll see you on Monday, then, Sakamoto-San.”

“ Yeah! Have a safe trip back home!”

Two hours later, Ryuji was back at the Fujimiya Estate. To not be seen and questioned by his father, Ryuji entered the house, using the rear door.

(Today was the best. Sakamoto-San forgave me.)

Ryuji looked at the pictures they had taken together and smiled throughout them. He rolled down on the bed, looking at the pictures again and again.

Josiane at her house was doing something similar. She also was looking at the pictures they had taken together.

(Ryuji looks so free in those pictures. I wish for him to always be this smiling. These pictures truly are the best. I truly enjoyed myself today.)

I called my friends to tell them about my day. They had a hard time believing my claims, and they asked for proof, which I promised to bring them on Monday.

The next day at the Fujimiya Estate, Ryuji was all happy and singing. The staff as well as everyone in the estate found it intriguing.

“ You look happy today, son. Would you like to share with us the source of that joy?”

“ It’s nothing like that, dad. I’m happy for no apparent reason.”

“ Sasaki must truly make you happy, huh?”

That sudden comment froze him in an instant. He did his best to retain the smile that was starting to suddenly vanish.

“ I’ll excuse myself, dad. I’ll be in my room if you need me.”

Ryuji goes to his room and phoned up Anthony to share his joy with him. Anthony was happy for him and suddenly asked for them to chat via video call.

“ I’m glad to see you this happy now. Does that mean you two are friends now?”

“ I don’t know. She did tell me that I could refer to her by her given name.”

There was slight jealousy in Anthony, which Ryuji picked up right away.

“ No matter how many friends I have in the future, you’ll always remain my best friend, and that won’t ever change.”

“ You didn’t have to say it, but thanks. I feel better now.”

“ I’m glad that Sakamoto-San and I finally reconciled.”

“ If she gave you the get-go to call her by her given name, why are you still referring to her as ‘Sakamoto-San’?”

…

“ I’m nervous and can’t quite call her that just yet.”

…

“ Would you bring the pictures you took together? I’d like to see them.”

“ Sure! I’ll bring them tomorrow.”

“ See you tomorrow, then!”

“ Yes! See you tomorrow, Anthony!”

The following morning, Ryuji was accosted by his fiancé, Sasaki before he had the chance to meet up with Anthony.

" I've missed you, Ryuji."

" Likewise!"

(Why did she have to show up now?)

" How was your weekend? You're not too tired, are you?"

Ryuji almost forgot the lie he told Sasaki. Fortunately, he was able to pick himself up before it was too late.

" Yeah! I'm aching from everywhere, but I'll be alright."

I had to pretend to be in pain for Sasaki to believe me. Playing two different personas isn't easy.

Josiane Sakamoto, who was passing by with her two friends, unexpectedly saw my performance. Our eyes locked, and I felt like I was in a different dimension with just the two of us. Sakamoto-San smiled at me joyfully before quietly walking away.

" What are you looking at? Is there something there?"

Sasaki looked in the direction where Sakamoto-San was standing a while ago with her friends. Fortunately, she didn't see anything, as Sakamoto-San was already long gone and not even a shadow remained.

Several steps away, Sakamoto-San and her friends were talking.

“ I can’t believe he’s the same Ryuji Fujimiya from these pictures.”

“ Appearances are deceiving, I guess!”

…

“ That Sasaki girl doesn’t know her fiancée’s true persona. She’s there, believing that she’s loved and everything.”

“ Why do you think that he acts like that around her?”

…

“ What’s your opinion, Josiane?”

“ Why are you asking me? How would I know?”

…

“ You guys are like the new best friends around.”

“ Is that jealousy I’m sensing?”