Unfamiliar Feeling

A Chance of Happiness Chapter 24: Unfamiliar Feeling

Words can be interpreted in a variety of different ways. Minor things like the tone of voice, situation, facial expressions, and more. The same methodology applies to actions, whether or not someone is genuine or not can become clear upon the varying factors and circumstances.

The effect of these words and actions can be overlooked by most as they don’t realize the power they carry. While it’s possible that words and actions can have little effect, it’s just as possible for them to have monumental impacts as well. Lasting mere minutes, hours, days, months… or even years. And sometimes, these effects can be irreversible.

Time seemed to stand still as Mai cried out her words of apology to Jin. If any of the past few days have defied his expectations, today… was absolutely no different.

Jin stood before Mai, speechless after hearing her apology. His thoughts were racing, unable to form them into words. Mai raised her head to make eye contact with Jin, her regretful and tearful expression was clear as day to him.

“It’s… been years… and you probably don’t remember… but back in junior high… I said some terrible things to you. This feeling of guilt has always stayed with me, but I could never bring myself to reach out and find you myself… and then you showed up here.”

Mai stood up straight, taking a deep breath.

“So, regardless of whether or not you remember, whether or not you even care, even if you won’t forgive me after all this time… I just needed to tell you… I’m so sorry… and so grateful to you. For what you did back then, and what you’re doing now.”

“What I’m doing now?” Jin thought to himself.

“You might not realize it, but you’ve saved my sister again. I really don’t know how you did it… but she’s smiling… out there with the rest of them. Talking, laughing… enjoying being around others. Since even before you helped her the first time, she’s always struggled to warm up to people… and I was never able to do what you’ve already done for her. So… thank you, truly…”

Mai took another deep breath as she wiped her tears, her expression showing signs of determination.

“And… even if you won't forgive me, if you’d prefer to never see me again… please… give her a chance. She’s so much brighter than I am, so much more talented, and I know… it’d make her happy. So please… I know I have no right to ask you this… but please, be her friend.”

Mai bowed again as Jin stood before her, speechless. He’s heard many things over the years, harassment, rumors, even threats, but nothing he’s ever heard before even came close to this. After all this time, Jin had finally heard a heartfelt… genuine… apology.

“My heart… is beating so fast… what am I feeling? What do I even say?” Jin thought to himself as he gripped his chest.

“A-Are you okay? I’m sorry I shouldn’t have–” Mai began, noticing Jin’s expression.

“No… it’s fine… I’m fine…” Jin took a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself down. “I just… I don't know what to say… other than… thank you.”

“But… I didn’t.”

“The apology. I’ve… never heard anything like that from anyone… and… it made me feel…” Jin paused for a moment, trying to find the right words. “... better. So… thank you.”

“Y-You don’t have to thank me… after what I said–”

“It’s okay. I… forgive you.”

“But… just like that? I–”

“You were worried about your sister… I can’t imagine anyone doing any different. Because you care so much about her.”

Mai shrugged up, showing an expression somewhere in between relieved and embarrassed.

“You… really are a nice person…”

Jin smiled. “Your sister… said something similar.”

A loud popping noise came from outside, followed by a couple cheers. Jin and Mai turned to the window to see Mina, Kazuto, and Aoyuki watching the sky.

Mai started to clean off her now running makeup. “Sorry… it looks like I made you miss your rocket's first launch.”

“I’ll get to see it at school, don’t worry.”

The two turned back to eachother with relieved smiles.

“And… about your request… I’ll… do my best…”

“You… you will?!” Mai yelled, her expression quickly shifting to show her excitement.

“But… if it’s okay with you… I…”

“I told you things were gonna start changing, didn’t I?” Vernon’s words echoed in his head for a moment as Jin thought to himself. “Is this… really ok?”

Jin looked down in concern, lost in his thoughts.

“What is it?”

Jin looked back up at Mai. “I… don’t…” he paused, taking a deep breath. “I don’t see… why we can’t be friends.”

Jin’s statement appeared to catch Mai off guard, even so, her eyes lit up with happiness.

“I… don’t see why not either…” Mai smiled. “As long… as long as you're ok with it…”

The two began to talk, just like people who had really, and truly met one another for the first time. They talked for a while before Aoyuki came into the house looking for them.

“There you guys are. Yuriko-san and Okamato-kun said they’re getting ready to go since it’s getting late.”

Jin and Mai looked up at the clock on the wall.

“I didn’t even realize.” Jin and Mai spoke together.

“Should you walk him? Or should I?” Mai looked mischievously at her sister.

“I’ll do it. You stay here.”

“Say goodbye to the rest of them for me.”

Aoyuki nodded as Jin followed her back outside to the garage.

“Sorry if my sister annoyed you, she can be that way sometimes…”

“No… it’s ok… I didn't feel that way in the slightest.”

The two stepped into the garage as Aoyuki began to finish cleaning up.

“Did you need any help cleaning up?”

“No, it’s ok, I just need to put a couple things back and roll up the poster.”

“The poster…” Jin looked around to find the poster lying on a table.

The design was methodically etched out onto the paper, detailed and neat descriptions properly written, with a colorful sketch of their model in the center.

“It looks great, I mean it.”

“T-Thank you…”

“And about what you said earlier…”

“Huh?”

“You were right… but I think… the same can be said for you.”

Aoyuki gave Jin a surprised look.

“You… shouldn’t hide away either. Your art… is pretty amazing.”

Before they could continue, Kazuto called from outside the garage.

“Yo! Rento-kun! Wanna walk to the station with us?”

Jin and Aoyuki turned to see Kazuto and Mina outside, just like when they arrived.

“Sure, I’ll be right there.” Jin replied, turning back to Aoyuki.

Jin looked at the expression on her face, showing signs of being conflicted.

“You don’t have to worry so much. After all, we’re friends aren’t we?”

Aoyuki’s expression quickly changed the moment she heard those words. Showing signs of both surprise… and relief.

“Also… you have a nice singing voice. I never would’ve guessed.” Jin turned around and waved goodbye as he headed towards Mina and Kazuto.

Aoyuki sat in silence for a moment, before imploding into redness.

“All set?” Kazuto asked. “You missed the launch y’know?”

“Sorry… I was… helping clean up a few things.” Jin responded as Mina gave him a curious expression.

The three headed towards the station, with the colorful array of the sunset stretching across the sky, slowly starting to dim.

Aoyuki walked into the house, slamming the door behind her, quickly looking around to find Mai in the kitchen, cleaning the dishes.

“Mai!” Aoyuki yelled, sprinting over to her sister.

“That’s me!” Mai yelled in surprise, holding up her hands as if surrendering.

“You said you wouldn’t show them the video!”

“I didn’t! Well– I did but I didn’t…” she shrugged. “You told me not to show them THIS video…” Mai pointed at her phone. “I just… showed them a different one I had…”

Aoyuki’s jaw dropped along with any remaining life she had as she stood there speechless, completely red in the face.