“Oh, um…” Recognizing him as someone from my school, I shot to my feet. My lips floundered in an effort to speak, but no words came. Before I could muster a proper response, another gust of the tea olive–scented breeze wafted past, rustling the golden baubles on the tree. They let out a soft, high-pitched jingle.
They’re bells?
“My!” Ayako exclaimed, her voice filled with soft surprise. “Nos bonnes mères… Et bonnes dames…”
What was that? I made a confused noise.
Ayako almost appeared just as startled at her outburst as I was, for she quickly shook herself and slipped into a warm smile. She directed such a tender, motherly gaze at me that heat crept up my neck.
“It’s nothing, dear,” she said. “My nephew has come home is all.” She turned her attention to the boy. “Welcome back, Takumi.”
“I’m home,” he replied curtly.
There was that other bike propped up near the door, I remembered. It looked very similar to the one my brother rode; it had to be the boy’s. Wrangling my thoughts back to the present situation, I hurriedly straightened to greet him. “U-Um, hi, I’m Haruka Kitazawa. We’re… I think we go to the same school.”
A silent nod of his head was all that awaited my tottering self-introduction.
✦ ✦ ✦
I learned that Towada did indeed attend the same school as me. He was even in my year. Since I’d just transferred there that spring, I was still finding my footing, grappling with the daunting task of remembering everyone’s names across six different classes. Names had never been my strong suit, and my brain already struggled with those from my own homeroom and the sections adjacent. Since Towada didn’t fall into either of those groups, his name hadn’t yet registered in my mind.
Despite my gaffe, Towada merely responded with a straight face, “I transferred here last year as well, so I get it. My parents relocate for their jobs a lot and last year they moved overseas. I was tired of constantly transferring schools, so I decided to live with Ayako.”
Ayako had married Towada’s father’s older brother, making her his aunt. As the conversation touched on their family dynamics, I learned that his uncle, Towada’s actual blood relative, had passed away a few years before. When I faltered, not quite certain what to say in the wake of that revelation, Ayako threw me a lifeline by looking out toward her garden and assuring me that since she had Towada living with her, she didn’t feel the least bit lonely. Her eyes narrowed fondly, holding a tender gleam, as though the garden she gazed upon were full of memories of her late husband.
That, I felt, was my cue to leave. “Um,” I began, “thank you for treating me and everything, but I really should get going.”
“Oh, yes, of course,” Ayako said. “Takumi, show her the way, will ya?”
“Oh, no, that’s not necessary!” I quickly protested.
“Look out there, dear, it’s dark out,” she replied. “Besides, do you even know which way to go?”
I promptly shut up. No, I didn’t. Their old residential district, unlike the new development I lived in, teemed with sprawling properties and convoluted, narrow streets that twisted and turned every which way. It was quite easy to get lost in—as I had found out so unceremoniously earlier that evening. Still, having a boy I just met walk me back? I couldn’t. On the other hand, I had zero confidence I could find my way home on my own. Ugh.
Before I could say anything, Ayako flashed a warm smile. “And Takumi, buy us a carton of eggs while you’re at it, why don’tcha.”
“Sure.”
“Haruka.” She turned to me. “Apart from Takumi here there aren’t any other kids in this neighborhood who go to your middle school. This area doesn’t get much foot traffic at night; I’d feel safer knowing he’s with you.”
“O-Okay…” I stuttered in answer. “Then, sure…” If we were safe from prying eyes then I supposed I had no real reason to object. The whole affair was still a little embarrassing though.