Afternoon Sun

Red bean paste isn’t exactly my favorite, though its rich and nutty texture adds a warm sense to my mouth while coating my tongue in the process. I’m used to it though. Chocolate brings about the same nostalgic warmth with its sweeting numbness.

With that said, the ceiling has become a bit too constant. Miyazaki-san’s helping out right now— popping back and forth in between rooms like a rabbit jumping from one place to another. And here I’ve been savoring this bun for roughly 10 minutes, wondering when the flowers will get another round of shower.

Sigh. If only I have permission to walk around in places I’m not supposed to be in-

  “No! Don’t even think about it, Akio.”

That’s right. The event has just wrapped up, so the staff are moving all over the place. If they happen to catch me snooping around, they’d definitely call the police...

“Nhnn, just like during Halloween at school..”

Mio really did dial 110 when she saw me holding her friend by the wrist. God, I want to squirm away. It really did look like I was trying to assault her from far away…. She had this, ‘Thank god, it’s not me’  look on her face. “Yeah.. sounds like her alright..”

While the haunting air is memorable, I’d have to say the cold Christmas lights are what draws me in. Just like here, where the gleaming vine of light brings back the warm smell of hot chocolate on a chilly, hilltop morning.

Such a feeling only comes once a year for others, it just happens to be cold up there for me. I guess we all have our own fleeting feelings. I’ll just enjoy one while it’s here like I always do.

  “Ah... Looks like they’re stacking the chairs.” I said with my mouth half full.

It’s perfect timing, really. My legs have stiffened up from having to be in the same position for 20 or so minutes. Though I should at least help them before I start wandering around.

  “Right, let’s get started with the front row.”

As I pile the last of the chairs, I hear a familiar voice from behind the counter. It’s Haru-san. He’s waving at me. Even though we’re not too far from each other, he’s whispering as if we’re playing telephone.

    “Haru-san, do you need anything?” I asked.

    “Wow, Ryusei-san. I didn’t think you’d hear me.” He responded in surprise.

    “I’ve got good ears, Haru-san.”

    “Seems that way… But I called you because I wanted to give you this.” He said, handing me a card.

   “A card? Eh, what for?”

  “It’s a store coupon, not a card. Though it does look like a card…Okay, whatever. I wanted to thank you.”

  “Oh. If it’s about stacking the chairs, don’t worry.” I said, handing the gift back.

  “Thanks for helping, but it’s not for that. Selene looked really happy ever since you gave her the painting, so as her friend, this is my way of saying thank you.” He said with a bright smile.

  “In that case, I’ll accept it. It wasn’t my intention to make her happy, but if she felt that way, then I’m glad.”

  “Not your intention, huh.” He said while staring at me.

  “Haru-san, are you alright?” I asked.

  “Hmm? Yeah, I’m alright. Thanks again, Ryusei-san. Please, enjoy the rest of the flowers.”

He says that, but we’ve already gone through all of them… Ah, right!

  “Haru-san, where are the paintings?”

  “Hmm? Oh, the participants took them home already. It’s unfortunate that Selene didn’t win, your painting would look really nice in here.”

So that’s why... Thank you, Miyazaki-san.

  “Well, it happens. Where are they displayed?” I asked in a soft tone.

  He points to the left.  “They’re on the center wall over there.” 

After thanking him, I walk straight to where he pointed. They hung it up there, huh. It’s the perfect spot if you want people to stop and look, though not a great one if you want each piece to stand out individually. Regardless, I just have to see them for myself.

The year’s theme is unity and flower-wise, it should hold some sort of symbolic connection, yet none of the paintings have any flowers. “ But they’re—

  “Ryusei-san.” Her voice poked behind my shoulder.

  “Miyazaki-san! Haah…That scared me..”

  “Heh.. Sorry. Did I keep you long?” She smiled before asking.

  “Don’t worry about it. Are you done?”

  “Yup. Wait for me outside, I’ll meet you there.”

  “O-kay. See you.”

So she said. As I waited for her, the clouds have already passed by once or twice, leaving the sun naked for a few minutes. I’ve already said my goodbye to Haru-san, but it’s getting so awkward since we can still see each other...

“Hi,” I said while waving at him. Guh. I want to run away…

  “Sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s go, Ryusei-san.” A voice peaking from behind.

  “Don’t— Miyazaki-san, your clothes..”

That’s why…

  “The dress wasn’t mine, so I had to change. Sorry if it was too long.” She said with her hair swayed to the left.

  “It’s alright. Let me hold it for you.”

  “Thank you, Ryusei-san. Let’s go,” she said with sparkling eyes.

By the time we got out of the busy street, the time has already hit 1:00. I could hear the chaos in my stomach as the smell of food from the stalls lingers in the air. Miyazaki-san also looks like she’s being pulled by the smell.

Now that I got a closer look, she really had it painted. I’m sure it’s happier to be with her.

  “Ryusei-san, I called Grandpa in advance, so food will be ready by the time we’re there.”

  “That’s great! I’m getting blurry, so anything will do..” I said with octopus in mind.

  “Same here, honestly... I’m starving.”

The distance isn’t far per se, but it gets dragged further with the voices of people by the river. Children can be seen skipping rocks and playing tags, while parents watch. “How fun,” I told myself.

  “It is, isn’t it?” She said.

  “Eh..? Ah, yes. That’s right.”

Did She catch me wandering? No… I guess my thought just slipped. I should focus more.

  “We’re here, Ryusei-san.”

  “After you, Miyazaki-san.” I said as I slide the door.

My mind spins the moment the smell hits. It is as though I’ll faint before getting to actually eat.

  “Akio, Selene! Finally, you lots made it. Have a seat over here, I’ll bring them out.”

  “Will definitely do, Gramps.”

While we wait, our eyes were filled with hunger by the golden aroma. Right after the food came, we didn’t even thank the gods, we just ate as if we had missed breakfast. Though truth be told, I only had tea and slices of bread.

  “Whoaa, that was great, wasn’t it, Ryusei-san?”

  “I’m ready to sleep, Miyazaki-san. Please tell me you have a bed upstairs.”

She looks at me straight with a smile. “Follow me, it’s something better.”

The floorboard creaks with each step, but we made it to a room isolated by the corner. She holds the door open. “After you, Ryusei-san.” I thank her, then my eyes soon meet with drawings and pencils littered all over the floor.

  “… Woah, Miyazaki-san…”

  “This is my old room, now it’s where I rest in between work.” She said as the door closes.

What should I say? It reminds me much of home.

  “Listen, Ryusei-san. You gave me time to think. I don’t know what I would’ve said if you hadn’t, so thank you.”

Her eyes are ocean bright with the afternoon light, and her words… mean a lot. I responded by nodding my head and smiling.

  “Hearing you say it’s beautiful takes my worries away. To be honest, my world came crashing down when we lost. I realized that I might’ve ruined what you had worked so hard on for a chance to let the people see, but I was naïve.

I misread your intention. I thought you wanted to be heard, but instead, you wanted me to hear you. Ryusei-san, your painting spoke to me. Imagine how others would respond if you speak to them.”

I don’t know what to say… She poured all the bottled feelings onto me.

Sitting across from me, she holds the picture up. “Ryusei-san, do you know? Blue Hydrangea symbolizes unity, but it also means gratitude. That’s what I felt from your painting, that’s why I drew it behind the moon.”

Ah… I can’t believe this… she knows.

  “I’m glad, Miyazaki-san…”

  “Ah... Ryusei-san…” She said while panicking.

For the first time since he left, I finally let my heart speak.

  “Thanks, Miyazaki-san. I’m alright.”

She looks at me as though my words didn’t mean anything. It’s okay, Miyazaki-san. It’s fine for me to be like this, I’ll be fine.

As my feeling calms along the falling leaves, I look straight at her. “Miyazaki-san, let’s put the painting up here.”

“Up here?” She asked.

“I meant the restaurant. Everyone will see it; how does that sound?”

She smiles with a surprised look. The wind brushes up her hair as afternoon light reflects blue all over the paper. It’s as if I’m floating while she looks at me with those crystal eyes. Surrounded by nothing, but ocean blue.

“Ryusei-san, I want it in my room instead.”