a definite "perhaps"

-x-

Masumi was tossing the popsicle wrapper into the trash can by the park entrance when she spotted Furuya Rei at the street corner. Her heart skipped a beat, and she took off in his direction, leaving a curt "be right back" with her classmates. "Rei-nii!" she shouted, waving, her smile reaching her ears when he turned his head toward her voice.

"Whoa," he uttered, catching her wrist before she accidentally flung her popsicle into his face, and rocked backward as she crashed into him and pulled him into a hug. "What are you doing here?"

She beamed at him. "Playing soccer with some friends," she said, one arm still around his waist, and glanced over her shoulder when he looked past her and at the park entrance. "They still have the World Cup fever," she explained and tugged his shirt, bringing his attention back to her. "You wanna join?"

"Maybe next time," Rei said and lifted the grocery bag in his hand to show Masumi the frozen food inside. "I need to put this in the fridge and run some more errands afterwards."

"Aw," said Masumi, but the smile returned to her face when she caught his eyes. "Hey, what's your phone number?"

"Hm?"

"I wanted to ask you something the other day, but Kichi-nii said he didn't have your number, so I couldn't call you. And it's summer vacation, so you're not at school. Not that it matters because Kichi-nii is stupid and refuses to help me." Her eyes slid away but only for a moment. Smiling at him again, she continued, "I'm so happy I ran into you today. Is it okay if I have your phone number?"

"Ah..." Rei's smile was apologetic, and Masumi could feel her heart sinking. "I'm sorry, I don't have a phone."

Masumi blinked. "Not even a home phone? I don't have a cellphone, but I use the phone at home."

"I'm afraid not," Rei said after a brief pause and watched Masumi worry her lower lip. Releasing his hold on her wrist, he bent down slightly, putting his gaze level with hers, and asked in a soft voice, "Hey, what did you want to ask me?"

Slowly drawing her arms back to her side, Masumi said, not meeting his eyes, "I wanted to ask if you were free for Obon. My family always makes a trip to the beach for Obon, but it's a bit different this year. Dad passed away six months ago, and Shuu-nii left for America a few weeks ago, so it feels kind of lonely if it's just me, Mom, and Kichi-nii. Mom's health isn't so great, and you know how boring Kichi-nii is. I thought it'd be fun if you could come along with us. Do you like beaches?" Uncertain, she looked at him, knowing that she was rambling but unable to contain herself. The raw pain of losing her father at the age of thirteen hit her again, and something like a fishhook threatened to rip out a piece of her heart when she realized how much she missed her oldest brother. "Kichi-nii doesn't know any of my classmates, and you're the only person I know that Kichi-nii also knows, so I figured you'd be the perfect person to come with us..."

"But I wouldn't want to impose on your family – "

"You won't!" Masumi interrupted, searching Rei's eyes for a way to clear his hesitation. "I already asked Mom, and she said as long as your parents agree, you're more than welcome to join us. Kichi-nii had no objections either. He even told me, 'This is your idea, so you should ask him.' So here I am, asking." She clamped her mouth shut and stared at her melting popsicle, ignoring the drop of cold sticky liquid on her skin. When Rei didn't respond, she panicked. Heart pounding against her chest, she looked at him, unsure of what to do next, pausing when she found him lost in his thoughts. "Y'know," she said, starting to babble. "If your parents want to come, I'm sure Mom wouldn't mind. In fact, I'm curious what your parents are like. So..."

"It's not that," Rei said, a wistful expression settling on his face, and the corners of his mouth curved up into a distant smile. "My parents aren't around anymore, so it doesn't matter."

"Oh," Masumi said, suddenly feeling very stupid. Fidgeting with the bottom of her shirt, she fixed her gaze on her popsicle again, watching another drop of liquid roll down the red ice and land on the back of her hand. She looked up, startled, when Rei placed his hand on her head.

"Sorry," he said, his voice and his smile both warmer than before. "I was just trying to remember if I had any obligations on those days. I would love to go, especially since it's your invitation. I've got nothing planned for Obon anyway."

"So you're coming?" Masumi asked, her shy smile turning into a bright one when Rei said "Yeah." She threw her arms around his neck only to pull back abruptly with a yelp when she noticed she was dripping popsicle juice all over his white shirt. "I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, staring at the red splotches in horror.

"It's okay," Rei said with a chuckle. "So when should I meet you and where?"

Masumi blinked once before she remembered what they were talking about. "Oh, Saturday morning. We can come pick you up. Mom's driving."

"Well, it's a bit hard to get to my place, especially by car, so I'd rather meet you somewhere else, either at your place or on the way."

Masumi furrowed her brows. "Are you sure?" she asked. Seeing Rei's nod, she gave him her address and telephone number. "You're like Kichi-nii," she remarked when he remembered them without writing them down, and shook her head when he raised an eyebrow. "So 8am on Saturday?"

"8am on Saturday," Rei confirmed and pointed to her popsicle. "You should probably eat that before it's completely turned to water. And your friends are waiting for you, so you should go."

"8am on Saturday," Masumi repeated, trying to hide her excitement but failing miserably. "See you on Saturday," she said, almost bouncing, and turned, shoving the popsicle into her mouth, the cherry-flavored coolness bringing her relief and joy in ways more than one on this hot summer day.