He gets up out of bed and then begins his morning routine.

I look at the clock, 8:23am.

At least it’s not 7:30 this time.

Wait a minute!

Isn’t today his day off?

Where can he be going?

I wait for him to leave and then I go through his kitchen area.

I see some cups, some plates and a couple of frying pans.

Hey he’s got a rice cooker at least but, I don’t see any actual…you know…rice.

In the refrigerator there is really nothing but a couple of large bottles of milk tea and coffee milk.

OK, it’s pretty obvious where he’s gone off to, food.

I don’t know when he’ll be back so I guess reading is off the table for now.

Well, I do need to pick up that baseball for tonight but, what do I do until tonight.

I don’t really want to “time travel” to the meeting.

What to do until then though.

I think I’ll take a walk and see how much has changed in the last 4 years.

I mean other than the bad music that was in the convenience store.

Last time I was in this area I was more focused on not losing sight of Shinichi when he was storming back to his apartment.

So, I think that since I’ll be here a while, I should know the area a bit.

I leave his apartment and take a walk along the street out front and head the direction I think was going back to my parents’ house.

Now that I’m looking around there’s quite a lot of houses and apartments along this route.

I continue on following the route and notice a shopping arcade.

I remember this place; it was kind of close to my parent’s house.

Shinichi and I would come here sometimes to grab a bite to eat and window shop together.

I decide to take a walk around the arcade and see what has changed.

I mean things are a bit more expensive but, that’s always a given.

Even the vending machines have gone up.

If this was today Shinichi would have needed to borrow more than just that 10-yen coin back then.

I keep perusing the shops and notice a few other changes here and there.

At least some of the clothes are nice, while others are… kinda slutty.

I mean who really wears this stuff.

I continue to visit each shop along the arcade.

There are quite a few new places but, most are not that interesting to me.

There’s the fast-food place we’d go to.

Doesn’t seem to have any problems getting customers still.

Eventually I see the game center we would go to when we came here.

It doesn’t look as lively as it used to be.

That’s pretty sad really.

Those days Shinichi would go play some trendy video game while I would try my hand at the crane games.

I won a few great plushies to make a small collection at home.

Leaving the game center, I keep walking until I see what used to be the small book store.

Looks like they expanded a little but, only a little bit.

It looks like it’s about it’s about one and a half times bigger than before.

It’s still not as big as the place Shinichi and I went to all the time.

I decide to check it out nonetheless.

The manga section is a little bigger than before.

I don’t really recognize any titles from ones that Shinichi used to read except one that’s called “Shotgun Cats: Reloaded”.

Oh wait, next to Shotgun Cats is that Ixion manga from Takahiro’s memories.

Other than that, a good portion of the expansion is in the novels.

It seems there’s been an explosion in light novels recently.

That’s crazy!

I glance through the titles and they’re kinda ridiculous.

I mean, “I was reincarnated into another world and became an overpowered wealthy aristocrat with my laptop while creating a harem”.

With a title like that do you even need to read it?

Look at this one: “I was a college student and supermarket part-timer who was summoned to another world with my college text books so I can defeat the demon lord’s army.”

I mean yeah there’s probably nuance in the stories but seriously why can’t they be less obvious with a short title like those older ones like “Attackers”, “Mage Killer Orpheus” or “Complete Steel Surprise!”?

In those days you had to pick up the book and figure out what the story was about instead of being slapped in the face with it.

But I guess at least people are reading books more so that’s a good thing.

I continue to look through the titles and there’s a few that are interesting.

Oh, now this one is interesting, “Dominion Lord.”

Short title, the art draws you in and the premise is strong.

Maybe I could come back and “borrow” it if I finish Witches Academy any time soon.

I pretty much saw everything here in the shopping arcade so I guess I’ll make my way to my parents’ house.

It’ll be an easy trip since I know the way from here.

So, I continue on my way back to my parents’ house.

Once I arrive, I let out “I’m home.”

I take a peek into the living room and notice my parents aren’t there.

They must be out somewhere.

I notice the clock in the living room.

It’s already 1:21PM so I spent a good deal of time around the shopping arcade.

I might as well head upstairs to my bedroom then.

As I enter the room, I make a beeline for the bed and retrieve the ball I placed under it a few days ago.

Hmm, how do I do this?

I obviously have to have to fast travel but, what if I get there and Shinichi is looking right at the ball floating in the air?

I could arrive in the bathroom but what if he’s using it when I arrive?

That’d be embarrassing in more way than one.

Maybe I can aim for the entrance.

It is a little isolated from the living area so, hopefully I can end up there.

I bring my hands together the best I can while holding the ball, close my eyes and think of his apartment entrance way.

I open my eyes and I did it!

I look down and I’m standing in his shoes.

I heard of putting yourself in someone else’s shoes but this is a bit on the nose, isn’t it?

I slowly take a peek around the corner and look into the living area and see him at the computer playing already.

Well, what do I do now?

I have to time this right.

I suppose I can wait for him to go to the bathroom.

Yeah, I’ll go with that.

The time goes by as he appears to be crafting items for other guild members or for sale.

I also need to decide on a place to stash it before Takahiro arrives.

I feel like I’m a housewife stressing over guests that are about to arrive at any moment.

I have to make sure everything goes perfect.

AH! I have an idea.

Just as I put everything together in my thoughts, he leans back in his chair and raises his arms in a stretch.

He pushes himself away from his desk and heads off toward the bathroom.

I crouch down and hide the ball behind his shoes so that he can’t see it, hopefully.

Once he’s in the bathroom, I get up and dash to the bookshelf.

I pull the first three “Witches Academy” series books off the shelf and place the ball in that space.

I then replace them and push the other books on the shelf forward to align up with the three books that have the ball behind it.

There all set.

He finishes up in the bathroom and then heads for the refrigerator.

He grabs the bottle of coffee milk, takes a drink from the bottle, returns back to the desk with it and continues the game.

Well now the wait for Takahiro to arrive.

I continue to watch him play.

The time ticks away as minutes become hours until…

“Pinpon!” The doorbell goes off.

It must be Takahiro, please be Takahiro.

This waiting has been nerve wracking.

Shinichi gets up from the desk and heads to the door and I follow him.

He opens the door and it is Takahiro standing there with a small bag in his hand.

“Yes? If you are selling something I’m not interested.”

He begins to close the door.

“I…I’m not here to sell you anything Kitaji-san. I’m Gotou Takahiro. I’m here to talk to you about Kanazawa-san.”

I put my hands and head on his back and keep repeating “please listen to him,” over and over.

He opens the door back up and says, “I figured that’s who you were. I suppose I’ll hear what you have to say. It doesn’t mean anything other than that.”

Did that actually work?

I don’t know but, at least he’s going to listen to him.

“Give me a second to put the table out. I only have milk tea in the fridge right now.”

“Oh, you don’t have to.”

“Well, you did bring a snack. I assume that’s what’s in the bag.”

“Oh! Y…yes, it is. I didn’t know what to bring so I got some cookies at this bakery on the way here.”

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He holds up the bag but, he must be nervous since he’s by the door and still out of sight of Shinichi who is in the living area setting the table out and tidying up a bit.

Shinichi comes back to the kitchen and grabs a couple of glasses, three small plates and the bottle of milk tea from the refrigerator.

He heads back to the living area and says, “come on in I guess.”

“Th…thank you. Pardon the intrusion.”

He takes his shoes off and heads to the living area.

I go to behind Shinichi and wait near the bookshelf.

Takahiro heads to the table and sets the bag on the table.

He backs away from the table a bit, gets down on the ground and performs a dogeza.

“Please forgive me. I know everyone close to me kept telling me that it wasn’t my fault but if it wasn’t for me, she would still be alive and you would be building your life together and happy.”

Shinichi’s hands clench and he begins to raise one in the air along with part of his body.

Oh, I hate to abuse books like this but…I have no choice so, here goes.

I push the first book of the “Witches Academy” series off the shelf and let it hit the floor with a loud thud.

Both get startled and Shinichi releases his clenched fists and takes a deep breath.

“Get the fuck off the floor and sit like a normal person. It’s taking all my willpower to not jump across this table and beat the shit out of you.”

Man do I have good timing or what?

I’m pretty sure he would have done something he would have regret if I hadn’t dropped that book.

Speaking of regrets that should be your cue Takahiro.

“Y…y…yes sir, I understand.”

Takahiro gets up and sits at the table.

“Satou-Sensei and Michiru’s parents told me the whole story but, I refused to accept it myself and still do, to a degree. So, you need to choose your words very carefully.”

“I…I understand.”

Shinichi picks up the bottle of milk tea and pours them both a glass full.

He then reaches into the small bag and grabs the envelope containing the cookies, opens it and then dumps them on the plate sitting in the middle of the table.

“Th…thank you.”

Takahiro nervously takes a sip of tea while Shinichi takes a cookie from the plate, takes a bite and places it on the plate in front of him.

The silence continues for about a minute until Shinichi responds.

“So, was that all you had to say? If so then it was nice meeting you.”

I drop another volume of “Witches Academy” on to the floor which startles them both again.

“What the hell is going on? I didn’t feel an earthquake.”

“Yeah, I didn’t feel it either. It kind of makes you wonder if we’re being watched or something,” Takahiro responds.

Smart boy. He’s caught on to what I’m doing, somewhat.

“I’ll pick them up later. Well either way continue with what you were going to say if anything at all.”

“Y…yes, I do have more to say.”

He takes a deep breath.

“Someone recently told me that I should do everything I can within my power so that I can have no regrets in my decisions.”

“I see, and this concerns me how?” as Shinichi takes another bite of his cookie.

I wait a bit to see how Takahiro handles the response before I decide to drop another book.

“I was told by Satou-sensei that you were studying in the Bio-cheh field.”

“Not anymore, I’m just a pharmacy tech now. I just don’t feel like doing that kind of research anymore.”

“I see. I’m sorry to hear that. I was hoping you could give me a hand on a project I was working on. I know my engineering skills don’t typically align with your skills but this was one idea I had that does… actually now that you mention it…being a pharmacy tech, that actually might come in handy.”

Takahiro’s face seems to light up a little bit.

Good comeback and follow through.

“I don’t obviously have my design here with me but, if you can I would like you to come by the university and I can show you what I have been working on.”

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a business card and offers it to Shinichi with both hands.

Shinichi takes his card and places it in front of him.

“Oh, you’re going there. Not a bad university to go to for engineering. Your parents must be proud.” Shinichi says sarcastically.

“Actually, I tried very hard to get there because of the guilt of what happened to Kanazawa-san. I just didn’t have the focus or motivation to continue my baseball future. But after talking to Satou-sensei she told me about yours and Kanazawa-san’s dreams and I knew I had to do something to not let her sacrifice be in vain.”

Shinichi pounds his fist on the table and starts to get up and there’s my que.

I drop another volume of “Witches Academy” on the floor.

He takes a deep breath and sits back down.

I reach in the space created by the missing books and move the ball behind some manga.

It looks like it might take more than the three books I originally thought.

I really hope not.

“So, you just think that coming here, bowing and scraping and telling me how you gave up baseball in favor of engineering is supposed to make me feel better about losing the woman I was supposed to live out my days with?”

Again, I pause to see how Takahiro handles the situation before I drop another book.

“I…I understand completely and I know you are still having a difficult time. Despite that, I still had to see you, offer my apologies and tell you about my project. I really think you can provide some much-needed insight and useability for it. I also needed to tell you that that I will do everything I can within my power so that I can have no regrets in my decisions. I can’t really say who told me this but it’s a great philosophy to have I think.”

Takahiro raises his head which he had bowed most of the time and looks at Shinichi.

He also appears to notice something behind Shinichi.

“Is that “Shotgun Cats”? I loved that series.”

“Yeah, I was a fan from the beginning but, that’s not what we’re talking about.”

“Sorry I got distracted by the manga.”

He bows his head again.

Shinichi takes a deep breath and replies.

““Do everything within my power to have no regret in my decisions”, huh? I won’t promise anything but I’ll let you know next Saturday if that’s ok with you?”

Takahiro raises his head up with a smile on his face.

“Of course! I know you’ll be a big help! I need to do some more tweaks to the design. I should get to work on it now so I’ll leave for the university.”

Takahiro gets up and bows to Shinichi.

“Thank you very much for seeing me.”

Shinichi also gets up.

“I’ll see you to the door.”

They both head to the door and Shinichi opens it for Takahiro.

Takahiro exits the apartment and says, “Thank you again for seeing me and I hope we will meet again soon.”

“It was nice meeting you. I’ll let you know next Saturday.”

Takahiro starts to leave and as he gets out of sight, Shinichi closes the door, turns around and slumps against the door probably from the release of stress.

“I can’t believe he came here. I felt like a cornered rat. How did he even know where I was?”

I let out a giggle.

I kneel down on the floor and give him a hug the best I can.

You needed this Shinichi.

It’s the first step toward a brighter future and you don’t even know it yet.

He gets up and heads back to the living area and puts the milk tea back in the refrigerator.

Heading back to the table he finishes his cup and pours out what was left in Takahiro’s cup and puts both glasses in the sink.

Next, he put the cookies on his desk and then puts the table away.

After putting the table away, he looks at the books on the floor, heads to them, picks them up and put them back on the shelf.

As he’s putting them back, he notices they are not all the way back in the bookshelf and begins pushing them back one by one until, he can’t push one back.

He tries to push it back again and… no go.

“What the?”

He then takes the book out, looks inside the bookshelf and then drops the book from his hand.

“Where the hell did this come from?”

He pushes the books aside, reaches in and grabs the baseball.

I giggle. Those two are more similar than they realize.

Shinichi sits on the floor and slumps over.

“WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE!” Shinichi shouts out.

I think I spooked him a bit.

Boo!

I’ll let him deal with everything and collect himself.