Ten Years Earlier…
Gou trailed behind her mother with a shopping cart. She didn't actually care what her new bed sheets looked like or if her desk lamp would match. Spending enough time in her dorm room to be bothered by stuff like that wasn't on her short list – not today anyway. The short list seemed to fluctuate with every passing moment. She didn't like admitting the excitement of going away for university had congealed into anxiety.
"Gou!"
She blinked and tried to snap out of the boredom. "What?"
"What do you think of this mouse pad? It's better than the other one we got. You'll get carpal tunnel with that thing."
"Sure mom," she muttered. "Whatever."
"You're a grouch today."
Gou shrugged and watched her mother toss packages of pens and notepads into the basket. Normally she loved cute pens and sticky notes and bookmarks and highlighters but today she felt unreasonably annoyed with everything. She knew she should be kinder to her mother. Miyako was losing her last baby to a university in Tokyo. These moments were important. Gou blew out a sigh and whirled around. Her mouth fell open and she had no time to do anything before –
"Gou!" Seijuro's voice sent goosebumps all the way up her arms and down her spine. She smiled in a way she couldn't entirely control.
"Capitain Mikoshiba!"
He strode down the aisle with the confidence of someone used to taking up a lot of space. It was one of the things she liked about him. Seijuro never imposed himself on anyone. His confidence inspired others instead of hiding them in his shadow.
"Please," he insisted. "Call me Seijuro. I'm not a captain anymore and you've graduated, right?"
"Oh, yeah," Gou said, laughing in an awkward, impulsive giggle. "That's true. Seijuro, then." She liked the way his name fit in her mouth.
"Are you shopping today?" He laughed and Gou bit back a ridiculously girlish sigh. "What a dumb question, huh? Of course you are!"
"Yeah, I leave for university in a few weeks. We're just picking up some last minute things." Siejuro leaned past her to peer into the cart and Gou tried not to breathe him in like a creeper.
"You're way more on top of this than I was. My sister had to drag me out the day before I left to make sure I had the right things."
"That sounds very helpful of her."
"Yeah, somehow I managed to get everything done but furnishings." His cheeks flushed pink and Gou couldn't stop staring. "Where will you be going to school?"
"Tokyo. It's a big change and I'm sure I'll get lost a lot."
"No way!" Seijuro exclaimed with another smile that threatened to melt her into a puddle on the floor. "I've been there for a year now and will personally ensure that you never get lost."
"Oh, I couldn't possibly impose on your time like that." Gou felt her cheeks burning.
"Don't be ridiculous," he said in a much softer voice. "I'd love to. Which school are you going to?"
"Uh, Teikyo University. They have a good physio program."
"Still the same Gou, huh?" His smile peeked again and she noticed his eyes fell to his shoes briefly every single time. "I'm at Hidaka and I don't think we're too far apart. I'll make time."
"What about all the other girls?"
He laughed again. "What other girls?"
Gou wanted to pinch herself. Surely a catch like Seijuro Mikoshiba, swimmer extraordinaire, wasn't unattached!
"Well, in that case –"
"Gou!" Miyako's voice jarred her out of the cloud she'd been floating on. "Who's your friend?"
"Uh –" Gou's anxiety flared and her stomach felt heavy.
"Seijuro Mikoshiba." He bowed politely and never lost the grin she absolutely loved.
"Aren't you that delightful boy who gave my son his spot as captain in his third year at Samezuka?"
"Mom…" Gou whispered awkwardly.
Seijuro only smiled. "Matsuoka earned that position, ma'am. I didn't give anything away."
"Gou, I'm disappointed in you," Miyako said in a teasing stage whisper. "I expect threadbare descriptions from your brother but not you! I had no idea you had such handsome, charming friends."
Gou cringed. "Mom… please."
"I have a few more things to pick up for Gou but it was absolutely lovely meeting you, Seijuro Mikoshiba." Miyako poked her daughter in the arm before steering the cart away. When her mother was out of sight, Gou turned back to Seijuro.
"I'm so sorry. My mom is… gregarious."
"I don't mind being called charming by your mother, Gou," he said in a softer tone. "Why don't you give me your number and we can get in touch when you're in Tokyo."
Gou's cheeks felt as if they might catch fire. Of course he needed her number but the question felt exciting anyway.
"Thank you for taking pity on me," she murmured handing over her phone. His fingers tapped out a text message to his own phone that beeped in his pocket.
"It's not pity and it's definitely not a problem. I look forward to it. Just let me know when you're free and I'll be around."
"You're sure it's not an imposition?" She didn't know why she kept asking. Seijuro laughed softly in the quiet tone people took when they didn't want their words to carry.
"It's not an imposition to spend time with the cute girl that got away before." His grin twisted her insides into something squishy. "Just text me."
She watched him go and caught one last glimpse of his face before he left her alone with the cart full of school supplies. His cheeks were dusted a light pink and Gou sighed.
"That Mikoshiba boy is adorable, Gou," her mother said over dinner. Gou poked at her rice and tried to control the thudding of her heart at the very mention of his name. "I think he likes you."
"He's older than me mom," Gou protested, trying to push all the sappy thoughts from her head. "He's not interested in a random girl from back home."
"The way he was smiling at you tells me different, love. What is it that you kids say now? He was giving you the heart eyes."
"Ugh, mom, please."
"Let me have this, Gou. I want to have at least one typical child. Rin is…" Miyako trailed off before shaking her head. "Rin is Rin."
"I don't have to go to Tokyo, mom," Gou whispered. "I can stay here with you and –"
"Nonsense! You will go to Tokyo and do what makes you happy. I want you to go."
"I promise I'll come back."
"The only way I'll accept such a promise is if you bring that adorable boy back home with you." Miyako straightened. "He's a dad-type, Gou."
"Mom!"
"I'm just pointing it out. And he's big. You know what they say –"
"I'm not hungry anymore." Gou stood abruptly and carried her dishes to the sink. Her face flamed and Miyako's laughter could be heard over the sound of the running water.
