Chapter 1
SEPTEMBER 7th 2013
"The girl I saw in my dreams... It was you... You were crying and laughing like usual.. Haha."
He embraced me tightly... His slender arms wrapped around me.. it felt so natural, as if I belonged there.
"Yeah... this ain't a dream.. You're really here..".
His voice is so smooth, it resonates through my soul.
"I'm glad I met you".
My eyes start to feel heavy and just as I close them-
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP
MORNING
Suddenly I'm wide awake. I turned my body, facing the edge of my bed and hit the snooze on my alarm. My cheeks are flushed and I feel sweat dripping from my forehead.
I had that dream again. Every time I start to have even the slightest feelings of nostalgia, my mind seems to replay that same moment, over and over again.
It's not that I haven't tried to forget him. There are plenty of eligible men in this town and I have been on dates with a few of them. But, at the end of the day none of them are him. None of these men could even compare to god's gift that is Shinjiro.
I missed everything about him. His dark eyes, his gentle touch and even the glare he would give me if I didn't finish all the greens on my plate.
"I'm glad I met you".
Those words were on a continuous loop in my head. Oh God how I would do anything just to be in his arms again.
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP
The second ringing of my alarm snapped me out of my post-dream daze. It was time to get ready for my University graduation. Something that I had been looking forward since I moved here three years ago.
I pull myself out of bed and head to my dormitory bathroom. Looking in the mirror I realise how much of a hot mess I am. I haven't had a hair cut since I started my degree, my skin, which was once pale was now tanned from the country's harsh sun and dark bags hung from my crimson eyes. Ever since the dark hour, I have never been able to sleep past midnight, I was too paranoid to let my guard down.
The only positive thing that three years of delayed puberty has brought was that I finally have what could be recognised as a 'women's' body. My bust had grown two cup sized, my hips had widened and my back side had doubled in size. But all these changes were in vain because no man has or would ever touch my body since Shinjiro. I have never slept with a man or even kissed a man since three years ago, being around another man just didn't feel right.
I always tell myself to forget about him, it's not as if it would have worked out anyway.
EVENING
My university graduation was just as boring of the three years of study that I had officially completed. Even though the only thing I wanted to do was jump into my bed my classmates dragged me out to a bar for some 'celebratory drinks', fundamentally another excused to get drunk.
Mid conversation with a girl who would not stop talking about how great she thought she was, I feel my my phone vibrate in my pocket. I pull it out and stare at the flashing screen, the words "Private Number" appear. Who could possibly be calling me at this time at night?
"Excuse me.." I interrupt as I head to a more suitable area to answer the call.
I head outside and flip my phone open, "Hello?"
"Hello, Excuse me for calling so late but am I speaking with Arisato Minako?" a vaguely familiar voice asks.
"Yes..." I respond.
"Arisato, it's Mitsuru."
I freeze. Mitsuru-senpai? I have not spoken to her since I left the dorm and returned to my home town. How did she even get my number? What could she possibly want? Is she still in contact with the others? Is Shinji with her? I have so many questions to ask but I contain myself.
"Senpai... It's been a while.." I reply.
"Yes, three years to be exact." She agrees shortly.
"How have you been Senpai?" I ask, still shocked.
"I have been well..", her tone suddenly changes, "I am going to get right to the point Arisato."
Mitsuru eliminating any chances of small talk? She really hasn't changed at all.
"The Kirijo company is opening up a University located near Gekkoukan High. We are looking for students to transfer and increase our revenue and student population.." She states in her usual cold tone.
"Oh Senpai.. I'm sorry but I'm actually no longer a student, in fact today was my grad-"
"I am well aware you have graduated..", she cuts me off before I could finish, "I did not mean for you to transfer as a student, but as a member of the school board."
It's one surprise after another. A member of the school board? The most experience of a member of anything were the clubs I joined in high school and my brief attendance in student council meetings.
"Senpai.. I'm not sure I really understanding what you're asking of me.. I am in no position to be a part of a University board. I just graduated from a degree in English Literature.. I have no teaching or business experience of any kind, and you want me to be included in the running of a whole University?" I give my reasons, unsure of the response I would receive.
I hear Mitsuru ex hail, "Arisato you do not give yourself enough credit. You were a grade A student in high school, you were the leader of SEES and most importantly it is your sacrifice that not only saved us but saved the world. It is through your leadership that SEES was able to banish the dark hour. And do not forget, you are the reason that Aragaki is still alive".
There it is. I hear his name and I get a shiver done my spine. She must still be in contact with him if she would mention him in conversation.
"How is.. Shinjiro senpai?" I asked timidly.
I hear her chuckle on the other line "Aragaki is well. Over the past three years he has opened and managed his own restaurants throughout Iwatodai."
Woah.. His own restaurants? That is such a step up from the Shinji I knew.
"T-That's great.." I stutter.
"Listen, I am not going to force you into anything you do not want to do. But I think it would be a great opportunity if you were to accept it. The Kirijo company has purchased the Iwatodai dorms as means of accommodation for the staff of the University", she explained "I have made sure your room has remained vacant. It would not be necessary to pay rent and I would offer you a more than reasonable salary."
I'm completely dumbstruck. All this information is coming at me so quickly. How could I possibly make a decision on this right now? I don't want to do anything I could regret.
I manage to let some words out, "Senpai.. I need some time to think.."
"Of course, I do not expect you to make a rash decision. Please call me at 5965-1876 to discuss your decision." She states calmly.
"Thank you Senpai, take care." I hang up the phone.
I stare down at Summitry's saved number in my phone. What should I do? I look around at the people around me. They're talking, laughing, enjoying each other's company like friends should normally do. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing to go back to that.. There are more pros than cons in this situation, the pay, no rent, being around my friends again and of course seeing him again.
Or maybe it was a terrible idea. Maybe everyone hated me because I left them so suddenly without any explanation and maybe he hated me would explain why he never tried to contact me.
His voice manages to interrupt my doubts "I'm glad I met you". Without hesitation I dial the number Mitsuru gave me and hear the phone click as she answers.
"I'll do it."
