Before You, Fall in Love With Me: Part Four

What the hell was that!? I need to calm down… My heart feels like its about to explode out of my chest…

Katsumi messed with his hair.

What was I even feeling…? I need to relax and stay focused. I’d be an idiot to start getting attached like that now.

“I’m going to go wait with Hirano and Makoto. Come whenever you’re ready,” Katsumi said into the door.

“Alright,” Mayumi’s reply came back through.

Katsumi made his way through the hallways and out the main entrance, finding neither of the adults there.

I think I know where they are.

He followed a small path that wrapped around the side of the hotel. Once he rounded the corner of the building is when he saw them. A man and a woman sitting under a stoop light—smoking.

Just as I thought. He smiled.

As he approached, the two looked up at him like deer in headlights.

“Oh, Katsumi. What’s up?” Kaede said, sounding a bit more relaxed now.

“Why’d you two look so frightened?”

“We— we thought you were Mayumi…”

“Hm, I see.”

“Why’re you out here? Where’s Mayumi?”

“Same reason you two are.” Katsumi reached out two fingers.

Without hesitation Makoto brought out his carton of cigarettes and put one in Katsumi’s fingers.

Katsumi stepped forward and sat on the stoop next to Makoto—lighting his cigarette in the process. After a long drag he exhaled, followed up by a deep sigh,

“Being around Mayumi is great,” Kaede said. “But her anti-smoking policies are so harsh.”

Katsumi nodded in agreement which prompted Makoto to take his gaze from Katsumi to Kaede. “Is she really that bad about it?”

“It’s not bad that she’s that way about smoking. But she can be a bit overbearing.”

A silence fell over the three. The horizon in front of them was fading into a golden a light, giving the world around them a brilliant glow. However their peace wasn’t meant to last. The door behind them cracked open and they all froze.

They all slowly turned their heads simultaneously to be met with what they feared. Mayumi. She was standing over them in the doorway holding out a little portable ash-tray.

Mayumi didn’t say a word, keeping her silent gaze on them.

Kaede was the first to fold. She took the cigarette out of her mouth and smothered it in the ash-tray. This was shortly followed by Katsumi.

“What?” I don’t even have any relations with Arata! Why do I have to!?”

Mayumi leaned forward and plucked the cigarette out of his mouth and put it out herself. She snapped the portable ash-tray closed.

Makoto sighed.

“Alright, well, I think it’s time we get going,” Kaede spoke up.

“Right.” Katsumi answered back.

The town was lighting up as they walked down Kodono-Dori street. Coming into its second night-time life. Sparse amounts of people, couples and a few groups of friends walked down the city's main street, talking and laughing. Presumably doing the same thing Katsumi and his group were doing.

A perfect picture for a small town in the midst of the country-side.

“You think it’d be nice to live here?” Mayumi asked.

She had asked the question that all of them seemed to be subconsciously thinking about. The life that they’d lead if they lived in a small town like Takachiho.

“Too small for me,” Kaede spoke first. “I need a better night-life.”

Makoto raised an eyebrow at this. “Aren’t you a bit old for that?”

The irritation on Kaede’s face was visible, even through her smile.

“I think you’re right though. I couldn’t imagine myself living in a town this small. I mean it’s nice to visit, but I don’t know about living here.”

Katsumi gazed off at the staggered lights of the homes and shops lining Kodono-Dori street.

“How ‘bout you, Katsumi. You see yourself somewhere like here in the future?”

“Hm… I think it depends on who I was with… I couldn’t just move here on my own without knowing anyone, that sounds impossible. But if I had a close friend or a girlfriend I think I could.”

The group’s conversation continued on and flowed into meaningless topics. After a short bit more walking they stopped in front of a restaurant. English letters adorned the doorway reading ‘DTB’.

The four chatted, ate, and laughed for well over an hour. The restaurant had filled and emptied all the while. They remained as one of the last three groups. By the time they left, the sun had long set.

It has to be right now…

The group now stood outside of the restaurant. Makoto and Kaede stood next to each other while Mayumi and Katsumi stood in a pair.

Katsumi leaned towards Mayumi’s ear and whispered, “About that thing I’ve been meaning to tell you… Can we walk for a bit and talk?”

Mayumi silently nodded in agreement.

“We want to see the Takachiho shrine before we go back so you guys can go on without us.”

Kaede smiled. “It’s beautiful, Matsushita and I saw it earlier. Just don’t be back too late.”

“We won’t,” Katsumi replied.

They waved goodbye and parted ways.

“What is it you wanted to talk to me about?” Mayumi asked.