Looking out towards the shcool. The many rooms peer back at me. What a wonderful school... The memories I left behind. Just a look one last time.
“Yuta! How long are you just going to stand there for!?”
Looking back, Sara stands waiting for my arrival.
“Ah, would you like to join me?”
“No! We have places we need to be.”
I droop wanting to just give it a moment longer to sink in.
“Huh... But can’t I just stay for a little bit more?”
“As many times as we’ve looked at this building.”
She gets closer to peer from behind my shoulder.
“No matter how much time changes, it seems like you’re the same old fool.”
“Hey! Th-that’s not true! I’ve totally grown a lot…”
I say pleading in defense of myself.
“Hmmm... Alright, then tell me how you’ve changed.”
She barely seems to buy it.
“Well that’s no fair... I’ve! I’ve...”
The words fail to muster into reality. I know I have. I just don’t know how. My face sours.
“Jeez you look so grumpy. I was just teasing you!”
She runs out in front of me trying to sway away the notion of any malice.
“You were?! It’s so hard to tell since you’re always so forceful.”
“H-Hey I’m not that mean... am I?”
“I dunno are you?”
Her face beams red as she becomes more peeved.
“That’s what you get for teasing me!”
“Hmph!”
She rubs her face hard into my arm. She stops after a moment.
“Yuta.”
“Yea, that’s me.”
“You’ll never leave me right?”
I look over at her. After everything we’ve been through, all this time watching each other grow, annoying one another to no end, falling in love.
“Don’t say such silly things!”
“Argh Yuta!”
We laugh.
“Yuta...”
“Just one more minute Sara... I’ll make everything up....”
“Yuta....”
“Come on...”
“YU!”
My body leaves its soul flying up into the air. Dropping back down to see a bed… and a maid.
“Good grief, you don’t know when to get up and listen do you?”
I look at the all too familiar maid.
“Aron.”
He looks at me with relative ease.
“What do you want?”
I’m amazed that he is not affected.
“Your clothes, they’re...”
I continue to stare.
“What is there a wrinkle or something in them?”He quickly checks around his frills.
“Did something else happen between you and Eva?”
“What?! No...! This is just punishment! It’s not like I like it or anything!”
He turns the other way. I think I have an idea of what’s just going on…
“You’re more tsun than Sara ever thought she could be.”
“Well, it’s just really comfortable. And I think the colors suit me!”
“Anyways, why did you wake me up?” I tried to switch the subject before he tried to convince me to join him.
“Oh right, Eva’s getting prepared for the summer festival that’s happening on the beach later tonight.”
“The beach huh...”
The sunlight from the window creeps in. That’s right... The summer trip is almost over and most of it has been spent here in this house.
“You should probably head downstairs mas- I mean Eva is probably waiting for you.”
“Sounds like a plan”
He formally bows and walks out. The sound coming from his shoes indicates that he’s wearing high heels. I get up out of my bed and change out of my pajamas. I begin to think over the past few days. What I want to do in the future. How much fun it’s been with everyone. How Sara... When I began to think about her my dream from earlier comes to mind. What was that about? My heart races just thinking about it. The thought of her and I dating. But we haven’t even known each other for that long, have we?
I walk out the room, upstairs is filled with silence. I head downstairs to find the others waiting outside.
“Alright Cadets, Today is the most important day in your little puppy lives.”
Eva is wearing a drill Sargent uniform with sunglasses. Everyone else is formed up into a straight line.
“Hey uhh Eva what’s this all about.”
“Ahh Private Yu, My god you’re so late you might as well be early to something else! And you have the Gaul to ask me what this is about?”
She comes up into my face leaving no air to breathe. Her sunglasses reflecting my face. Turning around and walking in front of everyone else.
“Yume, please give this Rookie a rundown of our current situation.”
Rookie?!
“Ye-Yes mam! At approximately 1600 hours tomorrow we will be heading back home! Today is the day of the festival and we are going to have so much fun our heads will explode! And if we don’t you will explode them for us. Our day will be filled with all types of activities and fun stories to tell! It is our job to make it the best day possible for everyone!”
What in the world have I gotten myself into.
“And how will that be accomplished?”
“Mam, By being the best version of ourselves as we can, Mam!”
“Good Girl”
She tosses a piece of candy into Yume’s mouth. What is she a dog?! Eva snaps over to my direction.
“Now that this rookie is caught up, we have to get prepared for tonight! Meet me back here at 1900 hours!”
They all proceed to disperse. I walk up to Eva as she files her nails.
“What is going on with you today?”
Her stern disposition goes back to normal.
“Oh! That’s just because I’m really excited about the festival tonight!”
Her energy alone is wearing me out today, it’s like she’s been refreshed or something...
“Yea... I can really tell.”
She perks up her sunglasses with a smirk.
“Ya know Yu, as much of a rookie as you are... I really appreciate yesterday.”
I give her a half baked smile.
“I would appreciate it if you would stop calling me a rookie. But... You’re welcome.”
She smugly nudges me.
“You should go see what’s she’s up to right now.”
“Ah- Good point! One more thing before I go.”
I begin to open my mouth before she wouldn’t let another breath come out.
“No, Aron wanted to wear it. I didn’t ask him.”
She turns away and begins to walk in a rhythmic pattern.
“Yea I thought about as much. Alright then see you later tonight Sargent!”
I take my answer and head my way.
“You better not disappoint me!”
“Like I care, even if I do!”
I head back inside to Sara’s room. I burst open her door with little thought.
“Hey Sara, you’ve got a minute?”
“Where did I put it...? Don’t tell me I’ve misplaced it!”
I stare in awe in the sight in front of me. A pile of clothes on the bed. She’s petrified at the sight of me. It seems like she’s forgetting something.
“Hey... You do realize you’re in your underwear right?”
“Of course I do you idiot! Knock before entering!”
She slams the door on my nose sending me flying back. She could’ve at least gave me some type of warning jeez...! I sit there stunned waiting for her to get everything prepared. I hear her scrambling and the sound of everything being swashed around.
Then it abruptly stops.
“C-Come in!”
She’s sitting on her bed, the previous mess that occupied her room gone. She’s clearly displeased with me.
“Hahahaa.... I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking when I burst in!”
I scratch my head trying to figure out a more excusable reason, but nothing could come to my mind.
“I can tell! It’s not that hard to knock I would hope.”
“I was just wondering if you wanted to do anything before the festival tonight...”
I’m not even sure why I would say such a thing to her. To be honest I didn’t really have anything in mind when I came in. I just wanted to have some reason to talk to her. I’m sure she was getting prepared for tonight. I’ve barely even got myself ready. Not like I have any fancy clothes, I was just planning to wear what I’ve got on right now...
Despite my pondering over my odd reasoning for barging into her room, her eyes spark.
“Really?! I needed some new clothes because I forgot my ones for today at home!”
I look at her bed.
“Huh? But what about that pile I saw on your bed just a moment ago...”
“I mean... Whatever! As punishment for being a creep I’m forcing you to come with me to buy some more clothes!”
With a sense of caution, knowing that this could lead to my doom I plead for her to reconsider.
“Wait! Why not get your sister or someone else to do it?!”
Only for her to brush me off.
“As if! You can’t get out of this one! You will pay for your crimes.”
“You act like I knew that was going to happen!”
“The way you barged in it might as well have. We don’t have all day so let’s hurry up and get going!”
Wait isn’t this like...
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
I grab his hand and pull him out of my room and off to the bus. I feel more confident this time for some reason! It’s probably because I’m running from the sheer amount of embarrassment that just caused me. We head to the bus stop in no time. Sitting down next to one another. We go silent waiting for the next bus. Everything that happened yesterday seems so distant. I just can’t help, but think back to it. Helping out Pierre, Watching as Yuta was so challenged, Seeing Aron in such a vulnerable position, Watching them have a happy ending because of our work. Does Yuta actually....?
“Hey Sara?”
“Hm?”
I look over to him rather than staring off into the bright summer sun. The empty blue sky has a similar effect on our thoughts.
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“Doesn’t this feel like we’re going on a date?”
I can’t help but just space out to just even the thought of those words coming out of his mouth.
D-d-d-date?! If... I mean... We could....?!”
I take a deep breath in and gather my thoughts.
“If you want to think of it like that, sure.”
I end up coming off ice cold.
“Hahaha... Yea I guess not.”
So close!! I just had to mess that up...
“Actually, let’s call it a date.”
He corrected my mistake as he turned from me?
“Wha-”
I...This can’t be real! He’s turned around fully yelling out loud as if he were grumpy.
“What, did you not just want me to say that?”
“No, it’s just you actually said it... Even I’m too shy to say that...”
You can’t be getting all clammy now! It’s way too late for that...idiot
The bus arrives and we head back to the town. I step out ready for the adventure to come!
A light gust brushes my cheek.
“Ahhhh. I forgot that I actually didn’t have anything planned.”
I would like to go buy those clothes for tonight, but that can wait! A date with Yuta?! I cannot let this opportunity go to waste.
“So, are we going to go grab your new clothes?”
I can’t help, but jump back. He was right behind me! I looked at him and then looking back I was given an amazing idea some would say...!
“Yuta...”
I give him a crooked smile. His skin spikes in fear as he starts to sweat.
“When was the last time you both clothes...?”
“A...A few years ago...”
“Hehehehe.... Well we can’t have that be the case can we?”
“Well I mean, I’ve be-”
“No excuses we’re going to buy you some new clothes!”
By that I mean I’m going to use this opportunity to dress you up in whatever I see fit! Muahahahahahaha! I grab his hand as we dash to the nearest store.
“A cosplay shop...?”
“Well yea, we can’t just have you buying just anything, can we?”
“I guess not, but isn’t this a bit odd for clothes to wear to a festival?”
“It will be fine let’s just go!”
“Alright...”
Looking around the store there’s just so many options to try to get him to wear... Knowing him, he’ll wear anything if you just ask! Now I just have to find... AH!
“Yuta let’s try this on!”
“Ok...”
Yuta goes into the changing room. He comes out with a neatly made butler suit. He looks...so cool! My heart starts to pounding.
“Hey Sara, does this look a little loose to you? I think it is to me.”
I can’t help, but just continue to stare in awe. I have to soak up every last second of this.
“Yuta, I need you to act like a butler!”
“Hmmm... Sure.”
He’s conforming to it so easily. He goes from his slightly hunched position to a more refined, posh, look. He puts his hand out to me.
“My lady, do you not think this is a little loose on me?”
He comes closer. His eyes evoke such maturity.
“Maybe it would help if I came a little closer? If you see, my cuff-lets are hanging by quite a lot.
He shows me his cufflet hanging and I can see right into his sleeve. His bare chest was at the end of the sleeve. I look away quickly.
“I...See what you mean.”
“Ah! So we should do something about that wouldn’t you say My Lady?”
“Ok, Ok! Just go change already!”
I grab him and toss him back into the changing room. I look for something quick from him to try on before I let myself go too far with that. Ah, this one looks good! I throw it over the wall.
“Change into this!”
“Ah...Got it!”
Moments later he comes out. What have I done?! His shirt is a bright orange with most of the top buttons undone and his pants are unbelievably baggy with chains hanging out the back of them. His hands are in his pockets and his face has such an inconsiderate look towards me as a toothpick barely hangs in his mouth. Somehow this is even worse than before.
“Yuta...”
“Haaa? You’re talking to me?”
“Ye...Yes!”
“What do you want? And the name’s not Yuta!”
He comes up and leans into my face.
“It’s Yu, got it?”
I nod my face getting more red the longer he looks at me. I can’t help, but fall for such an awful gaze! I begin to lean in and he turns around and walks away.
“Good, I’m glad we’re on the same page!”
I almost fall over from how fast he pulled back.
“Now, go grab me a drink, I’m getting thirsty over ere!”
“You...You sleazebag!”
I throw him back into the changing room. I need to find something that won’t annoy me as much! Ah...This should be perfect. I toss it over with little to no second thought. He walks out silently. He has a shirt with a green frog on it and some average jeans on. Looking at me his eyes twinkly.
“Sister Sara!”
“Hwah?!”
He rushes over to me and hugs me. I flail to no success. He puts me down.
“It’s been so long! The last time we saw each other was 10 years ago right?”
Ah... This trope. Somehow I feeling this is worse.
“10 years huh? Sounds about right!”
I’m not sure why, but I decide to play along this time.
“Wow, you haven’t changed since I last saw you!”
“O-Of course I haven’t!”
“Ah~ I can remember it like it was yesterday. All those times we played, took baths together, went to school… Those were the days!”
“Baths?! What are you talking about…”
“Oh and how could I forget about our promise to get married when we got older?!”
My heart gets struck I almost fall over from the shock.
“Heyyyy! You can’t die now Sister Sara, who will I keep my promise to?!”
“Get…”
“?”
“Get out of my face!”
I slap him and he flies back into the changing room. What was I thinking that this was a good idea…?! My face is going to turn into the color red at this point!
“Alright Yuta I think that’s enough for today…”
“Oh, But we didn’t even pick out anything for me?
“I just don’t think I can handle anymore.”
“Hmmm…Weren’t we going to get you something since you forgot about it?”
“Oh right I totally forgot about that!”
“Then let’s go do that!”
Ah...So he wants his payback. I suppose that’s only fair.
“D-Do your worst!”
“Are you sure?”
I nod my head forcefully.
“Heh. Then I guess I should go all out!”
He grabs my arm and takes me to where he wants. Am I actually enjoying this? There’s no way to know for sure unless I continue. But what is he planning…? I can’t think of anything he would do, does that mean he’s got something that devilish in mind?! Maybe it was may fault for taking it too far…
“Here we are!”
“Huh?”
It was a pretty standard clothing store.
“Yume showed me this the other day and I was amazed at how much clothing that would fit you!”
My brain went blank. I’m not sure how to process this… So it was just me that was thinking weird or does he know about some secret hidden place behind this one? I can’t be the weird one right, Right?! He takes me in and points out one dress in particular. There’s nothing really that spectacular about it, yet it feels just like something he would pick out for me. I look at him to see if he really wants just, this.
“What are you waiting for?! Go try it on!”
I’m not sure why, but I have such a menacing feeling conning from his gaze. I can’t be overthinking this. I head to try it on and come out. His look… He melted.
“H-Hey what happened?!”
“So...So...Amazing.”
Here I am thinking about how much of a weirdo he was going to be and yet it turns out I was the weird one. Now I feel silly and want nothing more than to just melt even more than him. He spings back to life.
“Ah! We have to try so much more! I can’t wait!”
“You must’ve really wanted this”
He gives me a bright grin. And we spend the day trying clothes on me. After I got those weird thoughts out of my head, it actually became pretty enjoyable almost like a little fashion show! Compared to when I was dressing up him… I really am the worst! Sheesh… We take our time that is until Yuta realizes something.
“Ah… the time! The time?! Sara it’s 6:30 the Sargent is going to punish us if we don’t make it there in time! Who knows what she’ll do to a rookie like me?!”
“Eh?! What about the dress?”
“Don’t worry we’ll just buy the last 5.”
“Last five?! But what about the cost-”
“Huh? That’s nothing.”
Seeing the price tags one the dresses he was picking out he wasn’t giving me cheap stuff to try on and yet he’s acting like it’s just another day’s haul! He pays for the clothes and we head out. As we make our way towards the bus, I feel how warm Yuta’s hand is while we’re holding them. It slipped past me that this was supposed to be a date. I just having so much fun.
“Hey Sara. Don’t you want more?”
“More, of what?”
“Ya know… like… Ah, Never-mind!”
Well that was weird. He can be a real clown sometimes, but I think he really can be cool if he tries hard enough. He’s just so mature and cool. His hair flowing in the wind, his optimistic demeanor, the way he never cares what others says and always tries his best, but always worrying about others– Oh that’s right. I love him. I wish this moment could last forever. We head back to the bus just knowing this is only the start of our day together.