A respite of normalcy

I reentered the café, and explained my predicament to Mori. After laughing, she gave me directions for the way I needed to go. Adding to it “If you want to come back here, the amulet should guide you. You will know what I mean next time. And then, knowing how it feels, it will able to lead you back the same way.” Such an aid would certainly prove useful.

On the way back, I noticed the lights again. However, contrary to this morning, they seemed to be clearer in outline. By no means could I tell how they actually looked like, but it was an improvement to before. …Improvement, huh. Did that mean I was getting closer too? Now, that I knew what was up with the dream, part of the mystery had been unraveled. But, I wouldn’t be satisfied with just that. I wanted to know who that person next to me was. This was also one of the reasons why I decided to stay in this world. But, I couldn’t do it right now, I would have to wait. Not much I could actually do right now.

And so, albeit a bit late, I returned home. “I’m back.”
“Welcome back. Did you have fun with your friends?”
‘Oh right, there was something.’ “Kind of, I guess? We were mostly discussing things, so it was a bit tiring mentally. But, on the upside, we have found a new café to go to.”
“Oh, how was it? Maybe you could show it to me in the future?”
“…” ‘Think, Minoru, think!’ “I doubt you would like it…”
“And why is that?”
“Well, it caters to a different crowd, so…”
“… And what might you be insinuating with that?”
“N-Nothing.” I had wanted to make it seem like a café where a lot of students gather, but then I got reminded: Talking about age with my mother was a bit precarious at the current time. So, I hoped to change subjects in a effort to quell the rage before it erupted. “Where is dad?”
“Satoshi called earlier. Work will be taking longer, so he will come home late.”
“Why is that?”
“Apparently he has to help out plan for some celebratory event during next week. Maybe you know more about it? If I understood him correctly it is a festival.”
“Ah yes, I have come across that in my research…” It should have distracted her enough by now. “So, will we be waiting for him with dinner?”
“Yes. Or are you that hungry? You are a growing boy after all.” Warmth spread in her smile.
“No. Just, if we wait, I want to take the time and follow up on some homework.”
“Nice to see you diligent like your father. Alright, up you go.” I ascended the stairs to the second floor halfway when mom called after me. “I still wish to see that restaurant though.”

Time flew by quickly. I did the homework quickly. I wanted to focus on it to keep a clear head. I could think about our discussion before going to sleep. But, as fate had wanted it, I finished too quickly, and kept repeating the same thoughts in my head, always running in a dead end, a wall, nearing a headache. It prevented me from reaching any conclusive points. In turn, this rose my frustration. I could only hope for further progress in regards to this by visiting the shrine.
Soon, I got called to dinner. A normal affair, it passed by quickly. Still, my mind preoccupied, I didn't catch much of the conversation. Dad mentioned something about the project he was working on, and a helpful lady assisting him with local details. This had gotten mom’s attention, and made him give a reflective comment. “She is a young girl, perhaps around Minoru’s age. It might be good to introduce him, as they could get along.” I gave an absentminded nod, and continued eating.

Afterwards, I lay in the bath tub, hoping for the water to somehow clear out my head. It was no use. At least a bit refreshed, I fell into my bed. Picking up my phone, I saw I had a message. Quickly, I read through it. It was from Fujiwara:
‘Good evening.
I hope you got home safely. Sorry for forgetting to lead you back, I had urgent business. I had called Mori, and she had reassured me she sent you back properly.
Now, onto the main point: We will meet Suzu this Sunday, around 11 am. Please be at the shrine on time.
On a side note: I gave Suzu your number, in case of emergency/anything should happen. I hope this was alright.
Now, I do not wish to keep you awake for too long, so I am going to keep this mail short and end it here.
See you tomorrow,
- Ayame.’
With more details, I could plan around it. First, I gave a short positive reply. Then, reminded of this part of the world, I took a look out the window. The lights were still flying around, hovering in the air. While some could be seen in the town, many more stayed closer to the forest.
Hoping that, in contrast to the last few days, I might get a good night’s sleep, I tucked in for the day a bit early. Mental exhaustion did its thing, and soon enough, I was fast asleep.

***

The next day, I woke up feeling well rested. I didn’t have the dream again, which was actually normal. It wasn’t that I had it every night, just semi-often. Still, that it would not continue on when I got more direction in the matter of remembering things... Maybe it had to do with nearly remembering the details and then the headache? Might it be some kind of protective mechanism? Pondering sadly did me no good, as it didn’t provide any answers, only more questions.
Descending to the first floor, the morning played out as normal. The walk to school hadn't changed much as well. The lights were still there, so it wasn't my imagination for just yesterday. As before, I chose to continue ignoring them. But they should be a harmless occurrence. I had forgotten to ask about them as I had been overwhelmed with other things during our discussion in the café. Nevertheless, if I wasn’t warned about them, they should be a regular thing. So much so that it wasn’t worthy mentioning for my two guides.

Finally in the classroom, we guys got together and quickly decided where to meet up after school. We had to do it quickly, because Tanaka needed to return to his own classroom. I had expected more comments from Sugimoto, but he looked tired. Probably stayed up part of the night to finish his part. At times during the lessons, I checked up on him, and woke him up when the teacher was about to say something to him.

Later, after school, all of us headed out to a restaurant-slash-café. One of the few around here, making it was well frequented among the student-body. We gave out orders, and then prepared our presentations. Tanaka and I had taken written notes with us. Ono had his on a smart phone, but mostly spoke freely, having committed everything to memory. Sugimoto had brought his laptop with him, and started an actual presentation. If nothing else, he really had put in the effort last night. He took the ‘knocking us out of our socks’-part more seriously than I had imagined.
In the end, we had come to a consensus about the locations to visit, and dived up a time-table. After discussing the plans with each of our families, we would write an okay in the group chat. And if it happened that one of us could not attend on one day, we would go without him, and carry his spirit with us.
…Not that dramatic, but we wanted to ensure no one felt bad if they couldn't make it. Rather, I think they came up with this for me, as I was new and would probably feel the most peer-pressure. Really, they are good folks.
Our plans would officially start on Monday next week, leaving the weekend for everyone to themselves. Ono explained the reasoning behind this to me:
“You see, we all take this time off to finish all homework for golden week. Otherwise, some of us,” he stared at Sugimoto “may just play around all the time, not doing anything in the evenings, and forcing us to cram at the last day.”
“Hey, it wasn’t that bad!”
“Because we pushed you.”
While the two bickered, Tanaka leaned to me. “We actually get together on the last day to compare and make sure everyone got everything. Just, we learned from the past this was the best way to motivate him.”
“So, he really is does his work when there is a reward in it for him?”
“Yes. Despite his goofy nature, he has the willpower to pull through.” Once more, I had to correct my assessment of him up. Actually, not really. Somehow, I always had the feeling Sugimoto was the reliable sort.

After the small quarrel had ended, we finished our drinks and were about to pay and leave. Then, I brought up another point that had been bugging me for some time.
“Say, about Suzuki… Do you think he could join us?” It was the name of the boy sitting to my left in school: Suzuki Akihito. He had been absent for this week, and half of last, apparently due to illness. Like me, he didn’t know anyone from middle school. Not only that, he was rather shy, and had trouble making contact. At least that was my impression after sitting next to him for about a week. I had intended to ask him to join us, but was unable to do so.
The other three guys took a quick look in the round, then answered.
“Sure, why not. The more, the merrier.” Sugimoto replied first, with a smile on his face. His open nature was a godsend for these situations.
“Yes. It would be good to help out a fellow student, and become better acquainted with them.” Tanaka’s moral compass guided him well.
“I don’t mind. In fact, if you hadn’t brought it up, I might have just dragged him with me.” Leave it Ono, the human information network. Still…
“How come you know him well enough to do so?”
“Actually, I don’t. But he lives in my neighborhood. And his mother and mine are getting along well, meeting up and talking practically every day. I had already been asked if I couldn’t take him along.”
“Then why-”
“Of course he wouldn’t bring it up, it isn’t his style. Right?” Sugimoto interjected. After taking a look at his close friend, he continued. “By now I know how you think. If you simply brought him with you when we met up, there is no way any of us would refuse. That way, it would work out for him, no matter what.”
The man in question gave a shrug and lightly shook his head. “I give up. It is as you said. Not that I assumed you would refuse in the first place. Bringing him along as a surprise would simply have been more fun.”
The reasoning was a bit off, but nonetheless, the concept fitted. Now that that last part was taken care of, we had finished our business. Parting ways, everyone made their way home.
‘It is nice when things take care of themselves. Just like last time, I do not even need to bring up an excuse for my other meeting.’
All things were planned out so far, meaning I only had to continue walking the path.

***

The next day passed uneventfully. Fujiwara had continued no contact. I wasn’t really sure if I should initiate anything, so I better let it be.
As it was the last day of school before the holiday, everyone left in high spirits. Many went out to party. Our group nodded to each-other, and we marched out, to our respective battles. Which were actually just the homework.
I spent a good chunk of Friday afternoon on it. Then, Saturday, consisted mostly of me sitting at my desk, finishing a week’s worth of exercises, problems and questions in one day. From time to time, mom came checking in, asking if I needed anything. She was really supportive of me. ‘I should do something soon to show my appreciation.’ But that would happen after the holidays. During them, I would leave her mostly alone. Dad also had time off, so I wished to let them enjoy it together.
In the end, I finished on time. Sunday came, and with it, I could take another step forward to my future.