X-Day and Birthday

Fujinuma Satoru was pondering the next logical move. X-Day was March 1st. Having invited Hinazuki to his birthday party on March 2nd, there were no longer any preparations that sill needed to be done. He might as well find some way to spend the weekend. Kazu and Hiromi had the NES. There was also the children's center. Or perhaps he would go skiing with Kazu.

February 24th, 1988

Satoru decided on a different option. He told his mother he was going to take the gang out to the local science center. He was questioned about it being a date, which he immediately denied.

"I see. If it were a date I'd give you money for it" said Satoru's mom.

"Seriously?" thought Satoru.

During a class break, three girls crowded around Yashiro-sensei, asking questions. A brown haired girl Misato expressed some disgust at their affections. "Until recently, you were the same way too weren't you? You can go up there too y'know?" said Satoru.

"What's with that slang? Are you trying to sound cool" said Misato, not appeased at the suggestion. Satoru got nervous as he realized he let some modern slang out. "Sensei thinks I'm a thief. And so do you. Never mind, it doesn't matter anyways"

Later at school, Satoru invited Kenya, Hiromi, Kazu, and Osamu to come over on Saturday. Osamu expressed approval before Kazu gave him a pinch. The gang quickly mentioned that they all had separate events that tied them up. "It's better if just you and Hinazuki go!" said Kazu, giving a grin. The gang walked off.

"Fujinuma? Did something happen?" asked Hinazuki Kayo.

"Oh nothing. I told them I couldn't play with them Saturday because I have a date with you" replied Satoru. "Should I say that?" he thought. Hinazuki had a surprised look on her face. Fujinuma Satoru realized he once again said the first thing that popped into his mind out loud. His nonplussed look gave way to neutrality when he was reminded there was one more obstacle, her mother Hinazuki Akemi.

Later that day, Satoru was just outside the front landing of the Hinazuki's house. The elder messy blond haired Hinazuki towered over the elementary school children. Her eyes focused intensely on Satoru, who would not back down to intimidation. What did she need her daughter at home for? To help blow off steam? Satoru was losing his patience.

"When it comes to saving a friend, there isn't a gain or loss!" said Satoru.

"Saving? You think you're a prince on a white horse?" said Hinazuki Akemi. Satoru realized he made a mistake. While this was not the biggest example of his loose lips today, hinting of Hinazuki's abuse made his position worse. While Satoru could not be pushed off by intimidation, Hinazuki-san could dictate where her daughter went, so Satoru could be pushed of legalistically.

Hinazuki's mother tried to push Satoru off by asking her about her own intention. When the red clad girl said she wanted to go, her mother lost her temper. "Get your mind out of the gutter perverted brats!" she said raising her hand to strike.

A grip appeared on her hand. It was Fujinuma Sachiko, Satoru's mother. "You shouldn't call children that" she said. After a brief discussion, Hinazuki's mother seemed to relent. Satoru and his mother started the walk home.

"I got off early and luckily I happened to see you, so I followed you here" said Satoru's mom.

"Wait, you followed us?" said Satoru.

"I- I'm obviously kidding" she said. "but everything should be OK for now. That girl is wearing nice cloths. It's because her mother cares about appearances." Satoru asked if she knew what was going on. "No, but given our conversation and seeing the mother, I can take a guess" Satoru was impressed by her intuition.

"Kayo-chan is a cute girl" said Satoru's mom. Satoru blushed and lightly slapped his cheeks. "What am I embarrassed for? I'm 29 years old" he thought, somewhat annoyed with himself. He needed to focus on the end goal.

February 27th, 1988

Fujinuma Satoru and Hinazuki arrived at the science center on time to greet each other. Satoru took a glance at his classmate. It seemed that in the past few days, her mother was refraining form abuse. After a short silence, they skipped the pleasantries and went to a stuffed bear. "That one is one of my favorites" said Satoru.

"Are you an idiot?" said Hinazuki.

The two of them went around the exhibits for three hours. Later Satoru offered a planetarium presentation, which was declined. Satoru went to the bathroom. Something felt wrong. It was like a déjà vu, but he only came here with his friends or his mother, not Hinazuki. "Revival" didn't start ordering him around until November of 1988. So what was going on?

Satoru came back and they looked through the glass on an exhibit. "Fujinuma, did you know I liked this place" said Hinazuki. Satoru remembered having a similar conversation 18 years before. He was intending to change the future but was he riding the same rail of time? Satoru didn't remember brining Hinazuki there but, the feeling of familiarity was strong. Satoru vaguely remembered this period of time for him was largely forgotten to him by the 3rd millennium and only recently remembered details when his mother brought it up. Perhaps he remembered wrong and in fact was looping through, seeing his new friend and an old one die, banishing his memories to the center of his heart never to be touched again, and then doing it all over again. Anxiously he looked for something different.

"Satoru!" said Kenya.

"Hinazuki" greeted Hiromi.

"Hey there!" beamed Kazu.

Satoru breathed some sigh of relief. This was different. The feeling of familiarity was probably coincidentally meeting Hinazuki his first time around. The gang would see each other on the last day of February.

That Monday, Satoru was first into the classroom. He watched the duty student fill in and the others slowly arrived. Satoru's friends came in. "Good morning Fujinuma" said a girl form behind. Hinazuki came in before the morning bell.

"Good morning Hinazuki" said Satoru, relieved. She was often late due to abuse form her mother, but not this week. "You're pretty" said Satoru. Satoru looked embarrassed and everyone in earshot looked surprise. "I actually said that…" he thought. The classroom explored with excitement and Yashiro-sensei had to clap his hands to calm the class.

March 1st, 1988

Satoru left the house early to make progress. After breakfast he hurried over to the Hinazuki household. This was X-day, the first real challenge. On this day, 18 years before Hinazuki disappeared. But this time he was going to make it different. Satoru grabbed Hinazuki's hand, his face full of determination and confidence.

Circumstances have changed since the last time 18 years ago. As they walked past the school yard Hiromi noticed Satoru and Hinazuki holding hands. "Satoru-kun's got guts!" said Hiromi.

Once the school day was over, Satoru talked to his friends about some of the things they would do in the party. For the rest of this day, they would go to the children's center. Hinazuki wanted to go home, but Satoru insisted on her joining them.

After a few hours, the two of them played a two player board game. Satoru was surprised at being beaten seven games in a row. This only served to pad another hour. It was sufficient though, probably enough of the day had past. He walked her home. The sun went down and the glowing echo of twilight was diluted by the clouds. As they passed the park, Satoru had a vivid memory of Hinazuki in the park alone 18 years ago. He smiled as the memory faded and he looked at Hinazuki gripping her hand.

It started to snow and Hinazuki immediately commented on it. Satoru could feel victory within his grasp. "I'll see you tomorrow!" said Satoru as loud as he could. It was for Hinazuki, her mother and anyone who might be watching.

After a seafood casserole dinner, Satoru could not sleep. He snuck out with a clock. "I'm an idiot" he thought. Hinazuki was targeted because she was alone and therefore there were no witnesses. Once again, those circumstances have no longer existed days ago. Even if Satoru miscalculated, it was obviously too late to take corrective action. He watched all three hands of the clock reach the 12.

March 2nd 1988

Fujinuma Satoru couldn't wait. He ate a candy bar and headed off before his mother even started crating breakfast. Satoru rushed over to see Hinazuki as soon as possible. He reached the door to her house and rang. After several minutes, Satoru sat on the snow. Three minutes after that, the door opened. It was Hinazuki in her pajamas, with an annoyed look.

"Morning, Hinazuki" said Satoru

"Are you an idiot?" said Hinazuki Kayo, probably a fully justified remark.

At the end of the school day, Satoru gathered with his friend. They were all ready to go shopping for party stuff. "Satoru, Kayo, can you help me for a moment" interrupted Yashiro-sensei.

The two of them needed to move some moderately heavy boxes to storage. This was probably due to the fact that the pair blew off the last cleaning duty before they took out the class trash the last week… or maybe it was due to the two duties before that the pair blew off. Satoru was a bit disappointed none of his friends waited for him.

The two of them bought sandwich supplies. Satoru remembered 18 years before, he and his mom made sandwiches and it took a week to finish them off. They arrived at the Fujinuma house.

Noise makers fired and party string popped out of horns. "Satoru! Hinazuki! Happy birthday!" said Kenya, Osamu, Kazu, and Hiromi. Satoru's mom was behind them smiling.

"You prepared a surprise party for us?" said Satoru. "And that duty after school"

"We told your mom and Yashiro-sensei about it. Yashiro-sensei told us it was Hinazuki's birthday too" said Kenya.

Two cakes with 11 candles each in them with frosting and decorations. One was a very large one with traditional baked material while the other was a strawberry shortcake the size of a small birthday cake.

Hinazuki expressed disappointment she didn't have a present for Satoru due to time. All of the kids had a great time. They made sandwiches and finished them off. Satoru remembered it was fun having friends. A board game and the television were ready to soak up the time. Hours later, the two of them opened up presents while eating cake, 13 for Satoru and 4 for Hinazuki. Satoru had his own gift for Hinazuki, a pair of warm beige gloves. Satoru's fiends offered to clean up he party while he walked Hinazuki home.

"Thanks for today!" said Hinazuki. "I'll give you your present tomorrow. That's a promise"

"I'd be happy to see it, but take your time. Good clothwork takes a while to finish. If it takes 10 hours to get it right, give it to me on the 9th instead of tomorrow" said Satoru.

Satoru went home, took a shower, and slept like a log. He won! He changed history. And that meant he controlled the present too. Satoru felt all the tense feelings in his body fade away. After all that work, he had won. Hinazuki was saved and as long as Hiromi doesn't walk home alone, he was saved if Hinazuki was saved.

Satoru rushed to school the next day. He made it in 3/4 of the time he usually did, using up what little stamina he had. Satoru started morning a bit late and he hope he wouldn't have to pay for it. It was great. Instead of worrying about a resistant publisher and mounting bills that took difficulty to pay, his worries were limited to getting to class on time, keeping his strength up, and having fun with his friends. Satoru burst into the classroom.

"Oh Satoru, I was about to mark you tardy. Is Kayo the only on late?" said Yashiro-sensei. The promise Hinazuki made would not be kept.