One Summer Day

Resting my chin in my hand, I stared at the scenery passing by outside the window. Everything looked familiar but at the same time, everything felt different.

A sudden vibration from my pocket, made me look away from the window and I reached for my phone while leaning back in my seat.

“I’m waiting at the station,” I read in the text and I quickly felt my lips curve into a smile.

“Great, I’ll be there soon, see you,” I replied back and put away my phone. In the same second I heard the conductor’s voice over the speaker announcing the next station.

This is it!

I quickly went through my backpack to make sure I had all my belongings, but then again, I didn’t bring much to begin with. After all, this was only going to be a one day trip.

As the train went through a tunnel, I looked at my reflection in the window and I suddenly felt my chest tighten. How many years had gone by? How much had I changed? What would he think when he saw me?

As the train began slowing down, I got up from my seat, getting ready to leave once it stopped.

Only a few other people seemed to be getting off at this station.
I couldn’t help but let out a slight chuckle. After living in Tokyo for several years, I had almost forgotten how peaceful the countryside was.

The train finally stopped and the door opened, whereafter I stepped out and breathed in the fresh air.

I felt the sun on my skin and I lifted my head to the sky. Was it really the same sky I saw every day in the city? Then why did it suddenly feel so much brighter and why did the sun feel much warmer?

The crickets echoed in the distance, reminding me once again of what a perfect summer day this was. The only thing left to do now was to find him.

I quickly scanned the area, looking for a short guy with round glasses.
Wait, did he still have glasses?

The only picture I could recall in my mind was the short boy from elementary school. If only we were both better at posting stuff on our social media this wouldn’t be a problem.

I took a step back to take a better look around, but I was surprised when I felt myself bumping into someone.

“Oh, I’m really sorry...” I said and turned around to formally apologize, but when I looked up, something in my mind clicked.

“Yu... Yuki?” I could barely say his name out loud, because the person in front of me was so far from the image in my head. Even still, I just knew it.
It was him.

“There you were,” Yuki said and let out a sigh of relief. “Wow... I could barely recognize you for a second.”

“Me... Me too...” I stuttered, feeling like a complete fool, even more so when I heard a chuckle coming from Yuki.

“What’s this, did you start stuttering after moving to the city?”

“What? No!” I quickly blurted out, a little too harsh maybe. “I mean... I was just surprised. You’ve gotten very... tall.” This time it wasn’t just a chuckle, but instead Yuki burst out laughing from my statement.

“I really missed you, Nanami.” For a moment I held my breath without thinking, and I looked away, scared he would see the hint of redness I could feel on my cheeks.

“Should we get going?” Yuki said and grabbed my backpack without asking. I was about to object, but he had already started walking and his long legs brought him forward much faster than me so I had to speed up if I wanted to follow.

As we walked side by side, down the long and empty country road, neither of us spoke. Maybe it was because we both enjoyed the breathtaking landscape we had all around us. Or maybe it was simply because neither of us knew what to talk about.

“So...” I said to get his attention. “How’s High School been so far?”

“High School?” Yuki said and looked like he was deep in thought. “To be honest it doesn’t feel much different from Junior High. I mean, we’re only 12 student in my class and we’ve been together for 3 years already.”

“Wow, I forgot how small the school is here, it sounds kinda nice.”
“It’s fine I guess, but what about you? What’s High School like in the bustling city of Tokyo?”

“It’s okay,” I said and suddenly had a hard time finding the words to my next sentence.

“What is it?” said Yuki and stopped walking, making me even more nervous as he looked directly into my eyes.

“W... What?” I said, stuttering once again.

“It was just the way you said that... it didn’t sound like everything was ‘okay’... so, what is it?”

His straight-forwardness made it impossible for me to hide anything. Even though we had mostly kept in touch through text, the fact that he would see right through me hadn't changed at any point.

“It’s nothing... really... I guess I’ve just been feeling a little... overwhelmed?”

“Overwhelmed?” said Yuki and started walking again.

“Yeah... even though a lot of my friends from Junior High is attending the same High School, most of them ended up in different classes. And we’re more than 25 students in each class. The others seemed to hit it off really quickly, joining clubs and hanging out after school. But me... I just feel... invisible.”

“Invisible? You?” said Yuki. “You were always the loudest and most outgoing person in the entire school. I can’t imagine you being invisible?”

“I guess I just changed.” Yuki looked at me with a kindness that made my heart melt as he said:

“I don't see it.”

“Really?” I said in a slightly hesitant voice.

“Yeah... except you’ve started wearing make-up.” He let out a slight chuckle after his last statement, probably wanting to lighten up the mood again.

“Oh... you noticed?” I said and looked down at my feet.

I didn’t even put on that much, and I asked Mikako for advice to make it look as natural as possible. And still...

“Yeah, I guess I just noticed because none of the girls out here started wearing make-up yet. Maybe it’s just different in the city.”

“I... I don’t really wear make-up on a day-to-day basis, I–”

“Ah, so you’re just wearing it to look good for me?” Even though he was obviously joking, I still felt my heart speed up by a hundred and I was sure my face was as red as a tomato.

“No you idiot,” I quickly replied. “I just like wearing it from time to time. Besides, Mikako says it looks good on me.”

“Mikako? Ah... she’s the one you’ve mentioned in your messages, right?”

“Yes, she’s a girl from my class, the only one I feel like I can be myself around. Oh and Takuya of course.”

“Takuya?” Yuki’s voice suddenly sounded a lot more stern and the look he gave me sent chills down my spine.

“Yes... didn’t I mention him?”

“First time I’ve heard you mention a boy’s name, so no.”

“Oh... sorry... I guess it’s because he’s always around when Mikako is, so I’ve probably just written Mikako’s name while forgetting his. It’s a good thing he doesn’t know... he’d start sulking immediately.”

“Why? What is he... a kid?”

“No!” I said firmly. “Don’t say such things about my friends. He might be a bit moody and pout from time to time, but he really cares about his friends, me included, and he’s one of the biggest reasons I push myself to go to school every day.”

A sudden silence came over us and before I could think of some way to break the ice again, I spotted a certain house in the distance.

“Wow... it really is just how I remember,” I said while Yuki opened the gate for me.

I couldn’t stop myself from taking a quick stroll, going through every corner of the garden while thinking back on all the times we’d played and run around out there.

The pond I slipped and fell into one winter. The ice was too thin and I went straight through. I shivered just by the thought of it.

The small kitchen garden where we helped his mom dig up vegetables and herbs. How long had it been since I had gotten a home-cooked meal with vegetables from their own garden?

And just as I was reminiscing about the past, another figure appeared in front of me.

“NANAMI!” she screamed as she swung her arms around me and enveloped me in a tight hug.

“Mrs. Ishikawa–”

“Who are you calling Mrs. Ishikawa? I’m Kiyoko to you. It might be many years since we’ve seen each other, but that will never change.”

I smiled as I replied:

“Kiyoko, I’ve really missed you... maybe more than I’ve missed Yuki.” I looked at Yuki in a teasingly manner, but to my surprise, his expression still looked gloomy.

“Yuki?” I asked in a low voice, but it was drowned out by Kiyoko who spoke again.

“You must be hungry after such a long journey. Come on inside, I’ve prepared a meal for you.”

“Thank you so much, that sounds really nice.” I followed Kiyoko inside and Yuki followed right behind me, still not uttering a word.

It nearly brought tears to my eyes when I tasted Kiyoko’s food and felt a rush of nostalgia come over me. Sitting there in the small living room, with the sound of the fan in the background and the crickets still singing in the distance, it felt as if I’d never went away in the first place.

Kiyoko still enjoyed talking as much as she did back then. The funny thing about her was that she spoke the same way to everyone. Whether you were a small child, a teenager, an adult or an elderly, she had the same lighthearted approach and she spoke on equal terms with each and everyone.

“So, how are your parents?” Her question shouldn’t come as a surprise, but somehow, it still made me hold my breath for a second.

“My dad is good. His company is doing really well. He takes good care of us.”

“That’s good, but he must be away a lot. Didn’t he recently open a branch in the US?”

“He did... yes... I guess he is away a lot.”

“That must be hard on you. And what about your mother?”

Once again I held my breath, even more so when I felt Yuki’s eyes pierce right through me.

“She misses him... we both do... But he takes good care of us and I’m thankful for that. Mom is too... sometimes... she just forgets.”

Kiyoko turned silent for a moment and I felt my heart start racing. I knew it. I ruined the mood. Of course... Why couldn’t I just lie or at least look less sad when I spoke of it.

“Mom, I think Nanami is tired after her long journey, why are you bombarding her with so many questions?” The sound of Yuki’s voice made me feel like I could breathe again.

“Oh my... you’re right,” said Kiyoko. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to bombard you like that. I’ve just missed you so much.”

“Me too, I missed both of you. I missed this house, this room, your food. Everything.”
“Then can’t you promise me something?” said Kiyoko. “Please don’t take this long to visit us again.” My bad conscience suddenly stung even harder, but I managed to put on a smile and give a nod.

“Well, I guess I should leave the two of you alone. You must have a lot of catching up to do as well. And if you suddenly, by pure coincidence, decide to go for a walk, I have a list of things we need from the store.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her sad attempt of asking us for a favor, without actually asking. Yuki just let out a sigh as he reached for the list in her hand.

“Why don’t you just tell us straight up... never mind,” said Yuki and then looked right at me. “Is it okay with you?”

“Of course, I’d love to take a look around the area too.”

We quickly helped Kiyoko put away the rest of the food and the dirty dishes, before we headed outside. By habit, I started walking towards the gate, but I soon discovered that Yuki wasn’t with me.

“Yuki?” I said while spinning around to look for him, but it was as if he disappeared into thin air.

“Yuki?” I said again, this time a little louder and with more anxiety in my voice, but I was soon calmed down, when Yuki appeared from a small shed, dragged a bicycle by his side.

“What’s wrong? Did you think I left without you?” said Yuki in a teasingly manner while walking up to me. “I just thought it would be a lot quicker to ride my bike to the store.”

“That’s true,” I said. “Do you have an extra bicycle I can borrow?”
“No, my mom’s bike has a flat tire and we haven’t had time to fix it, so I guess you’ll just have to sit on the back as you did in the old days.”

“Are you sure? Will it hold?”

Yuki suddenly looked me up and down before replying:

“I guess we’ll have to put our faith in the bike.” I lightly hit him on the shoulder, scolding him for the stupid joke, but he just laughed and got into position, ready to leave.

“Hold on tight,” he said and I gently grabbed the hem of his shirt, but before he set off, he grabbed my hand and placed it all around his waist.

“I told you to hold on tight,” he said and started cycling. “I wouldn’t want you to fall off and get hurt.”

There was something gentle in his voice, something I didn’t expect from him. I couldn’t quite explain the feeling it gave me when he spoke in such a way, but the feeling didn’t go away for the entire journey, and the beautiful scenery only added to it. I felt the wind in my hair and everything smelled like summer. Like freshly cut grass, and flowers that just started blooming.

We passed a few people on the way, and Yuki smiled and waved to each and everyone of them. Some looked familiar, others completely foreign. But not to Yuki. He would give them small greetings, personalized in a way that showed he knew more about them than just their name.

Would I have been the same? If I never moved away... would I be greeting all these people just like Yuki?

“Almost there,” Yuki said and interrupted my train of thoughts.

Soon after he stopped, just in front of the small corner store, and he placed the bike right in front of it. In a store like that, you’d usually be in and out in a minute, but things didn’t go exactly like that.

The girl at the counter sent a huge smile Yuki’s way when he walked inside, and once we found everything and went to pay, it started.

“Shopping for your mom?” the girl said and Yuki nodded.

“As usual,” he said. “How are you? Working the whole day again?”

“As usual,” she said and mirrored Yuki. “But I don’t mind.”

“I know you don’t mind, but still, you should be careful when you work late. Your house is quite far from here and you never know what could happen at night.”

“You worry too much,” the girl said and laughed.

Even her laughter was cute. Her eyes would squeeze together and dimples appeared on her cheeks.

“Oh, sorry for my rudeness,” she suddenly said and looked at me. “What’s your name?”

“Me?” I said, feeling like an idiot. Who else would she be asking? “I’m Nanami.”

“Nanami?” she repeated to herself. “I’m Yui.”
“Yui,” I repeated. “How do you two know each other?”

“We’re classmates,” said Yuki.

“Yeah, I moved here in the beginning of first year in Junior High.”

“Really?” I said and Yui nodded.

“What about you? I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before.”

“No... I used to live here, but I moved to Tokyo just before the beginning of Junior High.”

“Oh no, that means we just missed each other,” Yui said. “I feel like you and I would’ve been great friends.”

Her friendliness was sickening, but I forced myself to send a smile her way, only because Yuki looked at her with such care.

“What about me?” Yuki suddenly said. “Was I not a good enough friend?”
“Oh stop it, why are you acting all jealous,” Yui said and laughed again. “Of course you were, but I’m talking about wanting a girlfriend. There aren’t many girls here after all, and most of them I don’t really get along with.”

“Why not?” I asked, completely without thought, but when I saw her downfallen face, I immediately regretted it. “Sorry, that’s none of my business.”

“No... it’s fine...”

“Yui, don’t worry about it,” Yuki said and went even closer to the counter. “Don’t worry about them, you have me.” Yui looked up and locked eyes with Yuki, whereafter a genuine smile appeared on her lips again.

“Thank you.”

After the way too heartfelt talk, we finished paying for everything and walked outside again.

The journey home felt longer than the way there, and I didn’t even enjoy the large fields or the warm sun on my skin. I just sat on the back of the bicycle in complete silence.

Maybe this was all just a mistake... coming back here.

***

Nanami was quiet on the entire journey home, and I felt my chest tighten, but I had to push my worries away on focus on cycling instead. Even still, my head kept spinning and spinning, probably even faster than the wheels on the bicycle.

Was it something I said? When did she start being quiet? It was after going to the corner store, wasn’t it? Did Yui say something upsetting? No, she was just as kind and friendly as always. She even told Nanami she wished they could be friends. So what was it?

Once we neared my house, my head had been spinning so much, a headache was starting to form, and I let out a sigh of relief when I stopped the bicycle.

I needed to talk to Nanami about what was wrong, before my head went out of control.

“Nanami–”

“Let me take the groceries to Kiyoko,” said Nanami and interrupted me before I could finish. She quickly dashed off, the bag with groceries in her hand.

After parking the bicycle in the shed, I went inside, and immediately heard Nanami and my mom chatting away. It sounded like Nanami was offering to help my mom, but of course my mom refused. She wasn’t going to make Nanami work after coming the long way to visit.

I was about to go fetch her, but a sting in my head made me stop and I used the pillar on the corner of the room to support myself. I needed something to drink, but first, I should sit down.

My head slowly started feeling better after sitting down, and I was just about to get up and go get myself some water, when Nanami walked into the living room.

“There you are,” I said, but she only looked at my for a second before diverting her eyes again.

“Is everything okay?” I continued and Nanami looked as if she was deep in thought. A few seconds later, she sat down on the floor next to me and let out a sigh.

“It’s just...” she started, still looking away, “everything’s changed...”

“What do you–” I didn’t get to finish my sentence as the sound of a phone ringing overshadowed everything. We both looked at our phones, no one was calling me so it had to be Nanami’s. I looked up and saw Nanami staring at her phone

“Takuya?” she whispered as she read the caller ID. “Just a sec, I’ll take this outside.”

I watched as Nanami walked outside and I felt a sudden urge to run after her. She said “Takuya”, didn’t she? The same Takuya she spoke about so fondly before?

Why did it annoy me so much? I should be happy she had good friends who supported her. I really should, but even still, all I could wish was for all of her friends to be girls. Why did he have to be a boy?

I felt my head start spinning again. I completely forgot to get myself something to drink earlier, and now I was too preoccupied with my thoughts to do it. All I wanted was to go after her and make her hang up the phone. After all, she was visiting me today. She should spend time with me and look at me only. Why would she use this precious time of ours to talk with some other guy?

I decided I couldn’t bear to just sit around anymore and I got up from the floor, about to run outside, but in the same second as I stood up on my feet, I felt all the blood leaving my head and I suddenly lost vision. Everything was white and I felt cold.

“Yuki!?” the sound of her voice echoed in my head, but I couldn’t see her. Suddenly, my legs gave in as well and even though I couldn’t see, I felt as if I was falling.

When I opened my eyes again, I had no sense of time or how long I had been out. My head was still spinning, but I felt something cold on my forehead.

After regaining my senses, I lifted my hand to check and felt a wet cloth resting on my forehead.

The sound of gentle footsteps made me look to the side and I saw Nanami appearing from the kitchen, with a glass of water in her hand.

“Oh good, you’re awake,” she said and sat down next to me. “You really gave me a scare, passing out like that.”

“I... passed out?” I asked and tried to remember what happened.

“Yes, here, drink this,” she said and handed me the glass. I sat up just enough to drink it and then laid down again.

“Sorry, I think the heat went to my head,” I said and felt utterly embarrassed.

“You’d think someone who lives in the countryside and experiences this heat every summer would remember to drink.” Nanami said in a half-teasingly voice, but I still felt a slight sense of worry mixed in with it.

“Yeah, I really am stupid.”

“Enough talking, get some rest and tell me if you need more to drink,” Nanami said and sat down next to me.

I decided to listen to her and closed my eyes for a second. Somehow, having her next to me made me feel at ease.

After resting for a little while, I turned to look at Nanami. She was still sitting next to me, reading something on her phone.

“It really is warm today,” she said in a low voice, almost as if she was talking to herself. Afterwards she reached into her pocket and took out what looked like a hair tie. She grabbed a hold of her long light brown hair and started gathering into a high pony tail. She looked so pretty with her neck slightly exposed and the sun setting outside. Without thinking, I suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist.

“Y... Yuki!” she said, slightly startled by my action.

“Don’t go,” I said.

“What... What do you mean? I have to go home at some point, but I’m not going right now.”

“Good...” I said.

“What’s gotten into you all of a sudden? It must be the heat stroke talking.”

“Maybe it is,” I said and felt bolder than ever before. “But having you here makes me happy. Being with you makes me happy. But maybe you don’t feel the same way. Maybe you’d rather go back to Tokyo and be with your new friends. With Takuya.” The words spilled out faster than I could comprehend it and I was too dizzy to understand the impact of me own words.

Nanami pulled her hand out of my grip and I suddenly got more of my senses back. Slowly, I sat up so I could look at her more clearly.

“What about you? Didn’t you make new friends too? Like Yui?”

“Yui?” I said and thought back to our trip to the corner store. Was it actually Yui who made her upset.

“Yes but Yui is... me and her... that’s different.”

“How is it different? Explain it to me.”

“Well... I...” As I came more and more back to earth, I felt embarrassed about the things I said, and I suddenly had a hard time finding the words.

“It’s just as I told you. Everything’s changed... This town, the people here... you.”

“Me?” I asked. “I just got taller, that’s all.”

“That’s not all. Everything feels different than how it used to be. Your voice is deeper and your shoulders are broader. You don’t wear glasses anymore and when you look into my eyes, my heart feels like it’s about to jump out of my chest. I feel stupid. I start stuttering and I can’t even explain why I feel this way. That’s why... all of this... it was a mistake.” Nanami suddenly stood up and ran out, but this time I didn’t let her get far. With my head all better, I ran after her and stopped her in the middle of the garden.

“Nanami,” I said and tried to look at her, but she just turned her head away. “Of course things have changed. We aren’t kids anymore.”

“I know that, I know I’m stupid and–”

“Nanami please,” I said and put a finger over her mouth to stop her from talking. “Please let me finish.” As I moved away my finger I waited a moment before I spoke again.

“You’re different too. As I said before, I could barely recognize you. The way you dress and the way you do your hair. You used to always have it in a pony tail, but now it’s hanging down your back, perfect waves as if you got it done at a salon. You’re wearing make-up and nailpolish. Your voice is the same, but the words coming out are different, reminding me of all the time we missed. And when you speak of your life away from here, it makes my heart sting. When you say the name of another boy, it makes me want to punch a wall. And when I think of you having to go back tonight, I want to hold onto you forever.”

My heart was beating faster and faster as I spoke, but I had already passed the bridge of no return. Nanami was finally looking at me, her cheeks slightly red. Seeing her looking all shy made me smile even brighter.

“Me and Yui are completely different from me and you, one of the biggest differences being that Yui is just a friend and you... Nanami... I like you.” Her face turned even redder as I spoke those words, but I’m sure my own face looked exactly the same way.

The sound of silence overcame us and only the wind playing with the trees and bushes was audible, along with the never ending songs of the crickets.

“You’re not gonna say anything back?” I said and scratched my head a little nervous.

“M... Me?” Nanami stuttered.

“Yes, I literally just poured my heart out to you, don’t you think it’s a little cruel not to say anything back?”

“I...” Nanami started but she kept looking around as if searching for the words. Then suddenly, she turned around with her back facing me.

“What?”

“Sorry, I can’t look at you. If I look at you, I can’t say it...”

“Oh... okay,” I said and waited patiently. She let out a sigh and I imagined her standing with closed eyes as she spoke.

“I... I like you too...” I gently grabbed her shoulder and made her turn around to face me again.

“So...” she continued. “Don’t go around acting all buddy buddy with other girls.”

“Fine,” I said and laughed. “then you have to promise me not to get all dolled up for the boys back in Tokyo, especially that Takuya.”

“Takuya really isn’t–” I sent her a glare and she immediately stopped talking. “Fine... I won’t.”

I took out my phone and looked at the time. I let out a sigh and looked up, to find her doing the same.

“I should start getting ready, will you walk me to the station?” she asked and I sent her a smile.

“Of course.”

On the way to the station, we spoke about anything and everything. It felt as if this was the first time we had a real conversation during this entire day. I imagined we could’ve talked all the way through the night, if it hadn’t been because we reached the station. We both had a somewhat downfallen look on our face, but we tried to remain optimistic.

“Well then... I guess it’s goodbye,” Nanami said.

“Don’t look so sad, we’ll text each other every day, like we always do, and I’ll come visit.”

“You will?”

“Of course, I should see Tokyo before I grow old and weird here in the countryside. Besides, I wanna meet your friends.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it then,” said Nanami and bowed her head slightly, as to say goodbye. She turned around and walked towards the train. The words I wanted to say were stuck in my throat, but only until she turned her head slightly and looked at me again.

“Wait!” I said and ran up to her.

Throwing all my anxiety out of the window, I put my hands on her cheeks and pulled her face towards mine. One second was all it lasted.

Her lips were warm.

I had nothing to compare it with, but I felt like this was the best kiss anyone had ever had in the entire world.

As I pulled away, she looked as if she had been frozen in time, and even though I felt bad for surprising her like that, I couldn’t help but feel she looked even cuter than before.

“Hurry up, the train is leaving,” I said and pushed her through the door whereafter I waved. She smiled at me through the door that would soon close.

My eyes followed until the train was out of sight and I started walking back again. I raised my head to the sky that had started to darken as the sun began to set.

I wish this summer day didn’t have to end. 

I wish we could’ve spoken more. 

I wish Tokyo wasn’t so far away.

I suddenly felt my phone vibrating in my pocket and when I took it out, I was surprised to see Nanami’s caller ID.

“Nanami?” I said after picking up. “I hope you didn’t forget anything.”

“No... that’s not it,” she said, sounding a little shy. “I was just... thinking about how sad it was that we didn’t get to talk some more. And... I have a long train ride home, so if you’re not busy...” She didn’t finish her sentence, but I knew exactly what she meant.

“Of course, I wanted to talk some more too,” I said and started walking again with the phone pressed against my ear. “Now tell me, what are you going to show me when I visit you in Tokyo?”

Hello everyone!

I hope you like sugar coated love stories, because if you don't, then this might've been too much for you to read.

I'm sorry if this wasn't too your liking. If it was too cliché or too romantic, but I just felt like writing something sweet and innocent and this is what happened. I had a lot of fun writing it, so I hope there are some people out there who'll have fun reading it!

Stay safe and take good care of yourself!

Love, Annalise~