"Sometimes the heart remembers what the mind forgets."
At last, the school day ended, and the soft afternoon sunlight flooded Hoshizora High. Students left the gates in groups, laughing, stretching, complaining about homework, and discussing and planning different things to do that afternoon. The air felt warm because of early spring—it certainly was cool enough to be comfortable.
And right outside the entrance of the school was Hina Kashiwagi, patiently holding a bag in front of her and rocking a little back and forth on her heels. Her long black hair caught the light, glinting slightly like polished ink. Once in a while, she looked towards the doors of the school, her red eyes sparkling.
She was waiting.
For Yuu.
Finally, after he stepped out with his backpack strap over shoulder, a mixture of him correcting it over his shoulder, Hina's face lit up completely.
"Yuu-kun, it's you!" she called out, waving her arms.
Several students heard her and turned to look—some amazed, some confused, some jealous.
Yuu blinked at her again, not quite able to believe how beautiful she looked. That was saying something too because after this morning and after sitting next to her at school all day... he still felt a little stunned every time she smiled at him.
"Hina... you really waited?"
"Of course I did," she responded cheerfully. "I told you I wanted to walk home with you."
She said it as if it was the most normal thing in the world for her to do. Like she did it all the time--which she did. Ten years ago.
Yuu scratched the back of his neck. "I... uh... I didn't think you'd wait the entire time."
Hina giggled softly. "You haven't changed, Yuu-kun. You always do that, say things without realizing how cute they sound."
(Wait, did I say something cute?)
Yuu stiffened. Hina just smiled at him knowingly.
"Come on," she said, pulling at his sleeve sweetly, just like she had done as a child. "Let's go."
She started walking with a gentle hold on his sleeve. Yuu found himself following her, flustered and bewildered, but not able to will himself to stop her.
The path home
The path back home was lined with cherry trees. Petals like soft pink snow swayed down every few seconds and the leaves rustled just enough with the wind. Yuu glanced at Hina as she walked beside him; with her elongated posture and light step you could still see remnants of her tomboy past.
She walked a little too fast when she was excited.
She tugged on his sleeve whenever something caught her eye.
And at times, she broke stride and skipped half a step ahead of him, then returned to his side.
It was Hina who broke the silence.
"Ne, Yuu-kun... you're still thinking about this morning, huh?"
He nearly tripped. "It's not like I'm constantly thinking about it!"
(Why was she asking me about something so embarrassing, and so casually!?)
Hina found humor in the reaction. "You're pretty easy to read Yuu-kun."
"I'm not… well okay, maybe a little."
"I missed that about you."
Yuu had life in his heart.
Hina continued to walk, gazing around the familiar street. She bit slightly her lip, paused, and said:
"Yuu-kun... you really don't remember me from before, correct?"
Her voice was gentle and slightly fragile. Yuu looked away, feeling a pang of guilt again.
"Um… I really didn't," he confessed.
"Oh, really…" she said softly.
"But," Yuu hurriedly said, "after I saw how you act… I started to think back on a few things. Like you pulling on your sleeves. Or pouting like that. And when you started yelling about the sandbox—"
"T-that was one time!" she yelled again.
"There's that." Yuu pointed to her.
Hina puffed her cheeks and moved in front of him to face him square.
"So you're saying you do believe it's me?"
"Yeah," Yuu said with a timid grin. "I do believe you now."
The tension in Hina's shoulders relaxed immediately. She gained a bright expression on her face, her features almost glowing in relief and happiness in the sun.
"Good," she said. "I was so scared to come back, you wouldn't recognize me at all."
Yuu blinked, and gasped, "Why would I think that?"
"Because…" she turned to the side, her voice shrinking again. "I changed a lot. I figured it was possible that you would—hmmm... not see me as that same little girl."
She tightened her grip on her bag.
"I wanted to let you see that I grew up. But I didn't want you to think that I grew into a stranger."
Yuu felt a tightness in his throat.
(Hina... you care about that? )
"I mean," Yuu said, "you're still Hina, so..."
She turned to look at him wide eyed.
"You think?"
"Yeah. The way you talk, the way you panic, the way you laugh like you're trying not to... "
"I do NOT laugh like that!" she exclaimed.
Yuu stared. Hina stared. And then she put her hand over her mouth and giggled.
"...Okay, maybe I do."
She took a small step closer to him.
"Thank you, Yuu-kun. It's nice to hear that from you... it really makes me happy."
His heart began thumping again.
Childhood stories
As they kept walking, Hina suddenly pointed at the everything.
"Ah! Do you remember that tree?"
"The big one?" Yuu asked.
"Yes! The one you tried to climb and then fell directly down."
(Why does she remember all of the embarrassing parts...?)
"I did NOT fall directly down!!" Yuu protested..
"Yup, you fell directly down. " Hina said with no hesitation.
Yuu groaned as she chuckled behind her hand.
"Do you remember that old lady with the cat?" Hina asked.
"The one you scared because you yelled too loud?"
"I wasn't yelling too loud! The cat just-"
"Meowed." Yuu finished.
Hina blew up her cheeks, continuing to walk ahead, her hair swaying as she did.
"Okay! So maybe I was a little loud!"
"You were very loud."
"Yuu-kun!"
He chuckled, and for a moment it felt like none of the years had passed.
Then Hina slowed down her pace and looked up, her face softening as she gazed into the blue sky.
"Do you remember the swings at that old park?"
"The swings you always beat me to?" Yuu asked.
"Yeah...," she gazed off into space. "You always let me win."
"I did not let you win. You were just fast."
Hina turned, pointing her finger at him, a little sharper than before.
"Really?"
Yuu blinked. "Yeah. You were scary fast as a little kid."
Hina's mouth turned into a sweet smile full of nostalgia, and warmth.
"Then… I'm glad."
"Hey…," she said, and they quietly walked beside each other for a moment longer. The steps now relaxed, slow. Cherry petals floated past, even brushing against Hina's hair.
And just then—
"Watch out—!"
Hina's foot caught a small crack in the pavement.
She tumbled backwards.
Yuu reacted instinctively, reaching out, grabbing her arm.
Hina fought and regained her balance—and suddenly her face turned beet red.
"W-wah—t--that was—! I-I wasn't paying attention!"
"Are you alright?" Yuu inquired.
"Y-yes!" she squeaked. "It's just...! I didn't see the crack! It was not because I'm a klutz!"
Yuu raised an eyebrow.
"You always ended up tripping over things when you got excited."
"I—No! That was—was—!" She glanced away, flustered, "That was the previous me!"
Yuu smirked, "A brand new you, huh?"
Hina made her fists into tight balls.
"I'm refined now!"
A moment later, her foot landed on the ground instead of aiming for the next step, and she stumbled when losing her balance.
Yuu smiled.
Hina put her head into her hands.
"You did not see anything!" she stated.
"I saw everything."
"Nooooooo...."
Her embarrassment made Yuu want to burst from laughing.
And, she will admit, it was also familiar.
sitting on the park bench
Upon walking a little further down the sidewalk and path to their house, they eventually passed the small park that they frequented as children. The swings and slide were still there, just a little dented and only slightly rusted. But, the sun's rays lingered like the memories of when they were younger.
Hina slowed down.
"Do you... want to sit for a while?" she asked.
Yuu nodded.
They sat down in the windy climate, it smelled like grass and flowers.
Hina's legs swung back and forth slightly beneath the bench, almost reflexively, a habit she never grew out of. She rested her bag on her lap, nervously fiddling with the zipper while her fingers brushed against it.
"Yuu-kun," she spoke quietly, "can I ask you something?"
"Okay," Yuu responded.
"Back then, um… when I vanished without any words... were you upset with me?"
Yuu looked over surprised, "Why would I be upset?"
"Because I left without saying goodbye," she said softly. "Because I really wanted to, but… it all happened so suddenly. Travel. My family moved quickly, and I never had a chance to remove all the things from the apartment or say goodbye to you before we left."
Her voice quivered slightly.
"I always regretted that."
Yuu looked at her – something was twinging in him.
"No, I wasn't upset, to be honest. I was sad. And confused. But not upset."
Hina's eyes flickered.
"Really…?"
"Yeah." Yuu thought a moment. "And… I guess I had this feeling that you would come back."
Hina's breath caught.
"And now you are back," Yuu said gently.
She parted her lips slightly, and her eyes had a shimmering pop to them with underlying emotion.
"Yuu-kun…" she murmured.
For a bit, it was only wind and voices drifting in and out of the background.
Then Hina took a deep breath and moved closer to him, their shoulders almost bumping against each other.
"I'm glad," she said."I'm glad you waited. Even if you don't remember everything just yet."
Yuu blinked. "Wait—'yet'?"
Hina froze.
"Aw, aw!? I didn't say anything weird!"
"You definitely said something."
"I didn't!"
"Yes, you did."
"I didn't!"
She buried her face in her hands.
"Why do you always catch everything!?"
Yuu laughed lightly.
"Because it's you, Hina."
Her eyes shook a little.
She slowly dropped her arms down and looked at him with both cheeks flushed and her eyes shimmering.
"...You still are the same Yuu-kun."
"And you are still the same Hina."
She smiled shyly.
Last walk home
They left the park and continued walking. The sun was getting lower and the streets were now blazing orange with warmth.
Hina was now walking closer—close enough now every time they bumped arms she shivered… and didn't move away.
"Yuu-kun…" she said quietly. "Do you remember the day we met?"
Yuu blinked. "Not really. You were just there."
Hina laughed. "Because I ran up to you and yelled."
"Yeah… that does sound like a thing that happened."
Hina glanced down, uncertain.
"If… if you'd like… we can try more memories. Bit by bit. I'll assist you in remembering it all."
Remember it all.
The word echoed in the stillness of the street.
Yuu felt a flutter in his chest.
"...Yeah," he said quietly. "I would like that."
Hina's face lit up with happiness.
"Then I'll help you remember it all! Every embarrassing, silly, sweet moment!"
"Wait—embarrassing!?"
"That's extra important."
"Please don't—"
She laughed as he panicked, and her laughter melted away the last rays of sun.
They've reached the intersection where their streets would eventually separate—but Hina didn't say goodbye yet. She stood fidgeting with her sleeve.
"Ne, Yuu-kun…"
"Hm?"
"Thanks for walking home with me today."
Yuu blinked. "Why are you thanking me?"
"Because it made me happy."
Her smile was gentle and warm.
"Happiest."
Yuu felt his heart clenching again.
"...Me too," he mumbled.
Hina stepped back slowly while waving gently.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Yuu-kun."
Yuu waved back.
"Yup. See you tomorrow, Hina."
Hina turned around, her long hair bent and swayed behind her as she walked. But after a few steps she suddenly spun around.
"Ah—!"
Yuu jumped. "W-What?!"
Hina's face reddened.
"I-I totally forgot—uh—! N-nevermind!"
She cried and rushed off, flustered.
Yuu looked after her, completely flummoxed.
(…Yup. Still Hina.)
He gave himself a little smile.
Yuu's Life lesson
Even if a person's memory is lost to time, the feelings behind those memories are still alive. Sometimes, the heart remembers far ahead of the mind. When the right person reappears in your life, those memories start to come alive again.
-Yuu Hayasaka