Preparing for the Trip

Thursday had arrived, and it had been almost a week since I last saw Yujiro and Aika. As I woke up, a sense of trepidation gnawed at my gut, uncertain about the outcome of meeting them again. However, remembering Ayumi's encouraging words, I mustered the courage to take a chance. The soft rays of morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, bathing the room in a warm glow as I finished getting dressed, each movement feeling like a heavy step toward the unknown. I hesitated before tying my shoelaces, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves.

A light breeze carried the faint scent of flowers from outside, mingling with the aroma of fresh coffee. I heard a gentle knock on the door, pulling me back to the present. Opening it, I found Ayumi standing there with a beaming smile that radiated warmth and support.

"Morning, Haruki!" She greeted cheerfully. "I can see you're ready for school!"

I managed a half-hearted smile. "Just need to walk Kaito and Sakura to school. You can come in if you want."

As we stepped inside, Ayumi looked around the room, taking in the cozy and lived-in atmosphere that reflected my simple and practical lifestyle. The soft hum of the refrigerator and the distant chirping of birds outside created a tranquil ambiance.

"Your place is quite cozy," Ayumi remarked, appreciating the simple charm of my home. I offered her a can of coffee, and she graciously accepted it.

As Sakura and Kaito rushed into the kitchen with their bags, their youthful energy filled the room, bringing a sense of liveliness that had been absent in my life for far too long.

"We're ready!" Kaito announced with enthusiasm, his eyes shining bright with anticipation.

Sakura, her radiant smile lighting up the room, looked at Ayumi with curiosity and admiration. "Who's she?" She asked, her innocent curiosity clear in her eyes.

I turned to Ayumi, realizing that Sakura hadn't met her before. "Oh, right! You guys haven't seen her before," I said, a small chuckle escaping me.

I introduced them warmly, "Sakura, Kaito, this is Ayumi. We go to the same school."

Ayumi greeted them with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with friendliness. "Nice to meet you both."

The room buzzed with youthful chatter as the kids engaged Ayumi in conversation, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for her presence, as she seamlessly integrated into our little family.

As Ayumi and I walked to the train station together, the morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of freshly bloomed flowers and the distant murmur of city life. The streets were painted with the soft glow of sunlight, casting long shadows that danced alongside us as we strolled.

The train ride offered a brief respite from the bustling world outside, as we sat comfortably, watching the world blur past the window. The rhythmic sound of wheels on the tracks provided a soothing backdrop to our conversation.

As we neared the school gates, my heart pounded in my chest, the mixed emotions of excitement and nervousness intensifying. Aika and Yujiro were just a few yards away now, and I felt a strange mixture of relief and apprehension.

"You'll be fine," Ayumi assured me, her voice gentle and comforting.

I turned to look at her, grateful for her understanding. "How did you know what I was thinking?"

She smiled, her eyes reflecting a deep understanding. "It is your first day seeing them in a while, so it would make sense for you to be thinking about them."

Her empathy eased my nerves, and I nodded, taking a deep breath to steady myself. "But what should I say?"

Ayumi's reassuring gaze met mine. "You won't need to worry about that. I'm sure you'll find the right words to say."

As we stepped into the school gates, I paused, and Ayumi followed closely behind, her presence like a reassuring anchor in the sea of emotions that swirled within me.

Sensing my hesitation, Ayumi asked softly, "Are you alright?"

I didn't answer her immediately, my gaze fixed on the familiar figures just a few yards away. My heart swelled with a bittersweet mixture of joy and longing. It had been too long since I had seen them.

"You'll be fine," Ayumi said once again, her voice unwaveringly supportive.

Taking a deep breath, I gathered my courage and nodded. "Okay."

As we approached them, Aika was the first to notice us. Ayumi waved at her with a friendly smile, and she turned to Yujiro, pointing at me. Aika tapped Yujiro's shoulder, and he turned around, his eyes widening in disbelief as he dropped his drink.

"Hey," I said awkwardly, my voice almost a whisper in the sudden stillness.

The world seemed to hold its breath for a moment as Yujiro's emotions spilled forth. He ran up to me, wrapping his arms tightly around me, squeezing me in a heartfelt hug. Tears streamed down his face, and I felt a lump form in my throat, choked with a mix of emotions.

"I'm sorry, Haruki! I'm so sorry!" He exclaimed, his voice trembling with remorse and relief.

"I-it's alright," I managed to say, my voice barely audible as I patted his back, trying to offer comfort in my own awkward way.

"I shouldn't have said anything!" Yujiro continued, crying.

"All is forgiven. I'm sorry for ignoring you for so long," I told him sincerely, my heart softening as I realized how much pain he had been carrying.

He held onto me for a few more seconds before finally releasing me, wiping his tears away and managing a weak but genuine smile.

"Glad to see that you're back," Aika said, embracing me in a softer hold, her eyes brimming with warmth and happiness.

"Hey, Aika," I replied, my voice steadier now. As we backed off from each other, I looked at both of them and suggested, "So, should we head inside?"

Yujiro chuckled a bit, the heaviness lifted from his shoulders. "You're still worrying about school, eh?"

"And I can see that you're still the same jokester," I retorted, a playful glint in my eyes.

"I'll never stop joking," Yujiro declared, finally acting more like his usual self, and the world around us seemed to brighten.

Aika turned to me and asked, her eyes soft and inquisitive, "So what made you come back?"

I gestured towards Ayumi, my gratitude for her support evident in my smile. "Thanks to Ayumi, I decided to take a chance and return."

They both looked at Ayumi, their smiles growing wider as they expressed their gratitude without saying a word.

"Thanks," Aika said gratefully.

Ayumi smiled back and said, "No problem. We're all friends, right?" We all nodded, and together, we started heading into the building, carrying on as if it were an ordinary day.

--❦--

"So, have you decided whether to come with the club on the stargazing trip?" Ayumi asked as we all walked out of school.

"Yep!" I replied enthusiastically, the prospect of stargazing filling me with excitement. "Luckily, since I worked longer last week, I managed to get enough time off!"

"Great," Yujiro exclaimed, rubbing his hands together with a playful grin. "We can all go on this trip!"

Aika looked at me and inquired, "What about Sakura and Kaito? Are they just staying at home by themselves?"

I waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry about that. Mr. Izumiya said it was fine if they came with us. So, we're all going!"

Ayumi smiled, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Stargazing is a fascinating subject for all ages." I nodded, sharing her excitement.

"So, we all meet each other at the train station tomorrow, right?" Yujiro asked.

"Yeah," Ayumi confirmed, and the thought of tomorrow's adventure filled my mind with wonder.

"Me, Haruki, and his siblings will already be on the train. And according to Izumi—"

"Izumi?" I interrupted, a bit confused.

"Yeah, Mr. Izumi Izumiya. I just call him by his first name," Ayumi explained with a playful grin.

I nodded, allowing Ayumi to continue. "Okay, so anyways, we get off at the fifth station at Taji. We should see the group near the outside of the station."

"Okay then," Aika said. "We better all finish packing for tomorrow." As we reached a fork in our paths, we waved to each other, saying our goodbyes as we went off in our respective groups.

Ayumi smiled at me, her eyes reflecting excitement and camaraderie. "This is going to be so much fun."

I grinned back, sharing her enthusiasm. "Taking a break to stargaze is something I haven't done in a long time."

"I'm so glad you decided to come with your siblings," she said, looking at me with genuine admiration.

"Me too," I replied, a warm feeling spreading through my heart. "I haven't taken them to many places in a long time."

"I'm sure this will be one great experience for them," Ayumi said, her voice filled with anticipation and a hint of sentiment.

--❦--

Upon returning home, I found Sakura and Kaito already packing for the trip, their excitement palpable in every movement.

"Excited about tomorrow?" I asked, feeling a sense of joy seeing their youthful anticipation.

"Yeah!" Kaito exclaimed, his eyes shining with enthusiasm as he rummaged through his backpack to make sure he had everything.

I walked to the kitchen to prepare dinner, the comforting aroma of home-cooked meals filling the air. "We're going to have to wake up earlier than usual," I mentioned, placing a pan on the stove, the sound of sizzling filling the kitchen. "Don't get too hyped, otherwise, you won't be able to sleep." Despite my warning, Kaito continued to run around and jump on his bed, his excitement bubbling over.

I sighed, amused by his energy, and focused on cooking dinner, the sounds of sizzling and the aroma of food intertwining to create a sense of comfort and belonging.

After getting Sakura and Kaito to sleep, I finished packing my bag and headed outside. I leaned down on the grass, looking up at the sky. Even with the lights from neighboring houses, I could still see some stars shining above, their distant brilliance a mere glimpse of what awaited us on our stargazing adventure.

"Just think," I said to myself, the awe in my voice unmistakable, "when we're away from all these lights and sounds, the sky will be filled with stars and peace."

Closing my eyes for a moment, I rested on the grass, a sense of tranquility washing over me as the cool night air caressed my skin. The three of us would soon get to hang out together again, just like in the past—me, Yujiro, and Aika. I never would have thought that joining some clubs would have such a profound impact on my life.

--❦--

"Haruki!" I opened my eyes, finding Sakura standing next to me, her presence a gentle reminder of the bond we shared as siblings.

"I must have dozed off," I thought, the softness in her voice pulling me back to the present. It was still nighttime, but everything seemed eerily still, as if time itself had paused.

"Why are you awake at this time, Sakura?" I asked, my voice a soft whisper, matching the stillness of the night.

"I can't sleep," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of vulnerability.

"Too excited?" I guessed, my heart warming at the thought of her anticipation.

She nodded, her eyes reflecting a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. "Come on," I said, standing up and shivering slightly in the night breeze. "Let's go inside; it's cold out here." We went inside, and I poured two cups of warm milk, the soothing scent filling the air.

"Here," I said, walking to the bedroom and handing Sakura a cup, the warmth of the milk a comforting embrace.

"What were you doing outside?" She inquired, taking a sip.

"Just relaxing," I replied, sitting on my bed, the quiet night offering a space for heartfelt conversations.

"Are you feeling alright?" She asked, her concern evident in her voice, and I marveled at her sensitivity.

I smiled reassuringly, touched by her caring nature. "What makes you think I'm not?" She shrugged, her eyes searching for answers in the darkness.

"I just feel like something's wrong," she confessed.

"Has there been any trouble at school?" I probed gently, wanting to understand her worries.

"No, school is pretty simple right now," she responded, finishing her milk and setting the cup aside.

"I guess I've just been thinking about Mom and Dad," she mumbled. Sakura had never talked about them before.

"Well, it's just... what were they like?" She asked, looking at me. "I don't remember them much."

"Well," I lay down on my bed, contemplating the memories. "Dad was a nice guy. Every Saturday, he would take us to the lake to fish."

Closing my eyes, I tried to recollect those moments. "You and Kaito would use nets and try to catch some minnows."

Sakura smiled. "I think I remember that." I nodded.

"Those days were fun. Dad and I would catch fish and release them at the end of the day. Once, when Dad caught a huge one, it managed to escape when I tried to take a picture. The fish slipped out of his hands, and he fell into the river trying to catch it!"

Sakura laughed. "What about Mom? What was she like?"

I sighed. "Mom was pretty laid-back. She always made sure everything was fine and that everything had to be clean and organized." I looked at Sakura, studying her features."You know, you do kind of look like her."

"I do?" She asked, surprised, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"Yeah, your eyes and your smile. You have her smile," I said, touched by the resemblance.

Sakura grinned widely, her heart warmed by the revelation. "Really?"

I chuckled, feeling a sense of connection with our parents at that moment. "Yep. When you smile like that, it reminds me of her."

Sakura's expression softened, and a sense of warmth enveloped us.

"I wish I could have known them better," she confessed, her vulnerability creating a deep connection between us.

I reached over and patted her head, wanting to offer comfort and reassurance. "I'm sure they would be proud of the person you've become. And they would be glad to see you smiling like that." Sakura hugged me tightly, and I held her close, feeling a sense of warmth and comfort in that embrace.

As we pulled away from each other, I said, "Let's get some sleep, alright? We have an exciting day ahead of us tomorrow."

Sakura nodded and climbed into her bed, pulling the blanket up to her chin.

"Goodnight, Haruki," she whispered.

"Goodnight, Sakura," I replied, turning off the light and tucking myself into bed, the events of the day swirling in my mind as I drifted off to sleep.

As I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind wandered through memories of our parents. I missed them dearly, but I knew they would want us to live our lives to the fullest. And so, with that thought in mind, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep, eagerly anticipating the adventures that awaited us on the stargazing trip.