That day started wrong.Or rather… it started too right.
By some completely unexplainable miracle of the universe, Harumi and Mei woke up early.
— Mei! Wake up! — Harumi whispered way too loudly.— I'm already awake! — Mei replied, jumping out of bed like it was Christmas morning.
On the other side of the house, Takeru was already sitting at the table, calmly drinking coffee and reading the newspaper like a retired old man trapped in a teenager's body.
He looked up when he heard the chaos starting.
— …Why are you two excited at seven in the morning?
— BECAUSE TODAY IS OUR FIRST LUNCH OUT! — Harumi shouted, spinning around the house.— OUR FIRST TIME!!! — Mei added, spinning with her.
Takeru folded the newspaper.
— It's just eating out.
— It's NOT "just" anything! — Harumi pointed dramatically. — This is a HISTORICAL EVENT.
The shower was quick.Choosing outfits… was not.
— This dress?— That one!— But what about this?— That's cute too!— What if we match?
Forty minutes later…
Harumi appeared wearing a beautiful long skirt, flowy, and way too cheerful for a functional human being.
Mei showed up in adorable shorts, a colorful shirt, and a bun so perfect it looked like it had been crafted by a tiny fashion angel.
They looked at each other.
— We match!
— WE MATCH!! — Mei celebrated.
— You took forty-five minutes for that?
— STYLE TAKES TIME. — Harumi replied.
Takeru gave his humble opinion.
— Wow… you look like…
— BEAUTIFUL? — she asked, spinning.
— …a bank employee.
— UGH.
Then Takeru appeared.
Loose black pants.White T-shirt.A fitted long-sleeve shirt underneath.Cap.
Simple.Clean.Ready twenty minutes ago.
— TAKERU, YOU LOOK STYLISH!!— I always do. — he replied, as serious as ever.
And then… they left.
Or at least… they tried.
Because Harumi somehow got lost in a tiny town.
— Harumi. — Takeru called. — This isn't the way.— It is! I can feel it in my heart.— Your heart is pointing toward a vegetable garden.
She stopped abruptly.
— …OH NO.— What? — Mei asked.— That's Mr. Hiroshi's garden!
The oldest man in town.So old he was already old when Harumi used to help there after school.
— Let's just say hi! — Harumi said, already parking.
The old man lifted his head when he saw her approaching.
— …WELL IF IT ISN'T HARUMI!
Before she could answer, he kept going.
— Harumi, daughter of Makoto, my former student who studied with my son in elementary school, who later became your math teacher, you used to help me here after school from Monday to Wednesday, and you made my wife argue with him so he wouldn't fail you because you were TOO NICE—
Harumi's eyes widened.
— THAT'S ME!! — she cut in, smiling nervously. — Long time no see!!
And then she started talking.
And talking.
And talking more.
— Wow, Mr. Hiroshi, how long has it been? But you look the same! I mean, older, but the same—
The old man was already running out of breath.
Then—
GROOOOOWL.
The sound came from Mei.
Silence.
Mei turned red.
— S-sorry…
The old man burst out laughing.
— Hungry, huh, little one?
He pulled a carrot from the ground and handed it to her.
— Want one?
Mei held it with both hands.
— Thank you, Mr. Hiroshi!
And started eating it.
RAW.
— …She's eating like a rabbit. — Harumi muttered.— It's nutritious. — Takeru replied.
The old man laughed.
— Are they your kids?
— Ah! No, no! — Harumi answered quickly. — I'm just taking care of them.
She thanked him for the carrot and was about to leave when the old man slowly bent down to Mei's height.
— If you want… you can come work here sometimes. I'll pay a little… and give you vegetables!
Mei's face lit up.
— YES SIR! I'LL HELP A LOT!!
The old man blinked, surprised.
Then laughed.
— I like you, kid. — he said, patting her head.
Harumi blinked.
— Sounds good to me!! Ah, I remember how much I LOVED coming here after school…
— I don't need the money. — Takeru said. — You can keep it for the garden. But I'll help.
The old man looked touched.
— Then come on Monday. I'll prepare a surprise.
They said goodbye, smiling.
And finally headed toward the ramen restaurant.
Mei was still chewing her carrot.
Harumi walked lightly.
Takeru observed everything in silence.
It was just lunch outside.
But it felt like…
the beginning of something bigger.