Before You, Fall in Love With Me: Part One

Katsumi woke up to the sound of dripping and running water. He was wrapped in the blankets of the hotel’s bed.

Don’t tell me it’s still raining…

He looked towards the window to see bright sunlight coming through the cracks in the curtains. It couldn’t possibly be raining. Only once he sat up and gained some sense of his surroundings did he realize it was Mayumi showering that was the source of the running water.

“Every part of me is telling my body to lay here all day rather than go out…”

Katsumi grumbled for a minute more then forced himself to get up. After all, the whole point of coming out here was to go out.

I’ll check on Makoto and Hirano. They’re probably still sleeping though… Wait, what even is the time?

Katsumi reached around, looking for his cellphone.

He began to feel like an idiot for again forgetting he didn’t have one. He glanced towards the night-stand by Mayumi’s bed and saw her cellphone resting on it.

He hit the power button on her phone.

It’s Nine-thirty? I thought it was like seven…

Katsumi set her cellphone back down and went to exit the hotel room. He walked up to their two traveling partners' door and knocked. “Makoto? Hirano?”

No answer came.

He knocked again, but still no answer came.

“Pardon the intrusion—” Katsumi opened the door but found no one inside.

Did those two get into a fight so bad they decided to go back home?
Katsumi stepped into their room. He saw their suitcases were still there along with the clothes in their drawers.

I’ll worry about it later… they’re both able to function on their own. I should go get ready myself for my day with Arata.

“Murakami, I don’t believe you have told me anything about what we are doing today.” Mayumi sat on the edge of her bed watching her travel partner go back-and-forth across the room getting his outfit ready.

“You said you don’t know anything about Takachiho, right?”

“Right… Why is that important?”

“I think if you don’t know what we’re doing today it’ll be more memorable.”

“...I suppose. But I would like to know how I need to dress for what we are doing though.”

“Oh… Yeah. That’s a good point.” Katsumi thought for a moment. “Wear something you don’t mind getting wet.”

A look of slight confusion grew on Mayumi’s face. “Swimming? But we went inland and I didn’t see lakes or anything around here.”

“We’re not swimming, but we’ll be near water… It’s weird to explain without spoiling it. Just wear something so if you do get wet you won’t be upset.”

A suspicious expression grew on her face but she followed along with Katsumi’s weird idea.

In the bathroom she changed into wearing jean short-shorts and a red zip-up-sweatshirt that was zipped up halfway—she wore a white T-shirt underneath.

“Is this alright?” Mayumi asked.

“Would you be upset if that sweatshirt got completely soaked?”

“...Yes.” Mayumi unzipped it and took it off, putting it back in the dresser. “It kind of feels like I’m dressing in your style.”

Katsumi shook his head. “Yeah-yeah, whatever. Come on.” He turned to leave and Mayumi followed suit—the latter grabbing her handbag along the way.