Shirotaka P.O.V
I opened my eyes to hear the birds chirping it was early in the morning, but someone was calling me, who could it be so early? Maybe it was Tora, I feel tempted to let it go but I ended up reaching the phone
"Shirotaka here" I said sleepy "this better be important Tora"
"Not Tora" said the voice as my tail started to move and a gigantic smile drew on my face, Hiroyuki calling me, he could even call on the middle of the night and I would have time "should I call later?"
"No" I hurried to say as Hiroyuki laugh at the other end "is so nice to speak with you Hiroyuki, your classes must be about to start as well"
"Don't remind me about it please" said Hiroyuki "tough is going to be latter"
"What do you mean?" I asked confused
"There have been problems and the school shall be closed for a long time, many students are going other schools during that time, so guess who's going to spend one month in Minasato"
"Are you for real?" I asked "you best not be kidding or I swear I'll cry"
"For real" said Hiroyuki "is only going to be until they fix the problem tough, but I'll be there one extra month"
"I don't care, that's so great, wait until everyone knows about this" I said with a gigantic smile on my face
"Hey" said Hiroyuki" why don't we surprise them? I should be there on a couple of days and the classes start really soon so we can surprise them with their new classmate"
"Sure "I said "I can hardly wait to have you here Hiroyuki"
"What, already thinking on dirty things?" said Hiroyuki as my whole face became completely red at the mere tough "I bet you are completely red by now"
"Hi, Hiroyuki" I said as I could hear him laughing, I looked outside to see someone head to the school it seemed to be a human; it must have been my imagination Hiroyuki seemed to have said something "sorry can you repeat? I lost my focus for a moment"
"I said that I love you" said Hiroyuki as I took a big breath
"I, I love you too Hiroyuki" I said each time more embarrassed Hiroyuki surely was smiling on his end of the line
"Then see you soon Shiro" said Hiroyuki as I nodded as if he was here
"I can't wait to have you here again" I said a smile appearing on my lips just at the thought, after he hung up I directed a last look through the window I could swore it was a human but that way it was the school maybe it was a teacher, one of those so young they look like students, I released a small giggle at the tough before looking at the sun rise, it was so calming, I have to make sure Hiroyuki enjoys this month, is going to be only one month after all
Ryu P.O.V
I hurried back home as soon as I woke up I headed to the school and after the test I have done it 100% the score I needed a gigantic smile on my face all the time, I could not believe I was going to be with everyone again, still it feels so surreal, almost like a dream and considering the time, I stopped to pinch myself, it was not a dream it was true, I hurried back home to see my grandfather awake having breakfast
"Good mor…" started my grandfather before he almost fell to the ground as I hugged him with all my might "I am taking you have that perfect score" my grandfather smiled as I nodded showing him the score an smile on his lips as well in mine
"Ryu-kun?" asked Yutaka "you look happy"
"I got that 100% Yuu-chan" I said hugging her to rise her up letting her feet of the ground to spin around with her "I am going back to the school, I can't believe it"
"Ryu-kun, I am getting dizzy" said Yutaka, I was so excited about this, I felt so full of energy and life, I had to do something "grandfather do we have any delivery far away?"
"Well" said my grandfather "I have one, are you up for it?"
"Sure" I said "where is it?"
"the direction is on the paper all you need to do is prepare it" said my grandfather as I nodded, the another shop doesn't have this service, since is so well know people ask us for sweets and tell us their direction, grandfather used to ask mom to take care of this things, now is up to me, I prepared the order looking at the direction, it was an old home but last time I checked no one lived there, I left all of it on a bag and prepared it to later head to the house an smile across my face and everyone I saw seemed to be infected on it as they smiled as well, finally I had the direction I knocked on the door, it was far from the main part but still being part of Minasato, I heard the owner open the door, a husky around my age a bang of fur falling over his left eye and his grey fur a smile came to my face almost instantly
"Is that my…?" started the husky before I jumped hugging him with a gigantic smile "what the…?"
"Kouya" I said happily
"Yeah?" asked the husky "do I know you?"
"Come on" I said leaving him some space "you know any other human working at the candy shop?"
"Wait" said the husky "it can't be, Ryu?"
I merely nodded as I released a gigantic smile, he looked so surprised of course it has been years, his face right now is priceless a mix of confusion and happiness, ten years really have changed him, before I was able to say anything else he hugged me
"We all have really missed you" said Kouya as I hugged him back "are you going to be here for a long time?"
"Depends" I said getting some space as Kouya looked at me confused "I live here now so maybe the rest of my life"
"For real?" asked Kouya as I nodded with a smile "man we have to tell everyone"
"About that" I said as he looked at me confused "keep it as a secret; I want to introduce as their new classmate give them a surprise so, keep it down ok?"
"Is this because Torahiko and Hiroyuki always teased you?" asked Kouya
"A little" I said "plus I want to see how everyone has changed, and maybe not being the smallest one of the group"
"You keep on bothered at that? asked Kouya with a chuckle
"A little" I said "but hey should I remind someone about…?" I looked at him as he released a laugh "what?"
"Same old" said Kouya "just seeing you seems to make the day get better"
"Of course" I said "well, here 'is your order" I said giving him the bag
"Thanks" said Kouya as I walked away to later hear him yell "and Ryu"
"Yes?" I asked walking backwards to look at him
"Welcome back" said Kouya with a smile as I gave him one of my own smiles, my home thinking about it still makes me so happy, Kouya keeps on looking like a wolf, I remember first time we meet I mistook him for a wolf, he got so angry at me, then again that is Kouya, I walked back home only to have something toss to my face
"There you go" said my grandfather as I left the items on my arms looking at him confused "go up and change, we need to see if the uniform is of your size"
"yes" I said heading upwards running to do the same going down before a crash was heard as I slipped and fell on my butt to hear my grandfather release a chuckle the uniform was completely black except for a set of golden buttons in the middle, under it a white shirt, for the legs a pair of black pants and shoes, it was a very standard system but it was nice and comfortable
"So" I started as I gave a spin on one leg "how does it look on me?"
"Nice" said my grandfather with a smile "and it is from your size as well"
"Yep" I said looking myself on a near mirror "I can't wait until I see everyone again, up until now only Kouya and Tatsuki, they all have grown so much
"Not the only ones" said my grandfather with an smile "you all have grow up so much in these years, you are a good example"
"What do you mean?" I asked turning to look at him
"You were so shy and quiet always trying to go alone and calm, and one day you started to make friends and smile much more and now, the Ryu in front of me, always smiling, full of energy and optimism, you have changed so much"
"Come on" I said "I keep on being shy, but everyone around here knows me so well, the woman at the store even calls me Ryu-kun and ask me for my life and if anyone catches my eyes" I ended up rubbing the back of my head with a smile and my eyes closed
"Speaking of which, can you go to the grocery today? I have to take care of an order" said my grandfather
"Sure" I said taking a pen and paper to note it down "what do we need?"
"Meat, garlic, just the usual I tough you could show us what you can cook aside from baking"
"Ok" I said with an smile "I am not great but I can make something good"
"I headed to the kitchen, there was quite a bit of good materials, the smell unlike the city the food looks all delicious and almost nothing is canned, tough the knifes over here could use some polish
"Ok" I said "I am heading out, do you all want something for tonight?"
"I am not picky" said my grandfather touching that weak spot of me with the eggplant "but maybe some meat, it would be great"
"Ok" I said with a smile "I'll be back as soon as possible"
I headed out of the store with a bag and some money, something with meat, I remember grandfather favorite dish with meat was the steak, but a sauce mom used to make over it, if I remember all the ingredients it should be easy, I had looked at mom cook a lot and practiced as well, I was not a chef but I had the basics and the recipes she taught me, lucky me for remembering that one, since I was out maybe I should buy something to polish the knives I headed to the store the man greeting me with an smile as I made my order, when I was younger the store was always full, I guess people must be moving out, I don't think Minasato will end up disappearing but, there are less child's than when I was little I started to walk, everything seems so small now, it might be because I am yet adapting, maybe my new size or just those ten years at the city but, is a little sad, I continued my walk until reaching the store I had in mind, the Kuri family worked here so maybe Kounosuke was attending it, I headed inside to see the counter on it a mini-Tanuki he kinda looked like Kounosuke but I don't think he keeps on being so small
"Can I help you?" asked the Tanuki
"O yeah" I said getting out of my thoughts "I was searching something to polish my knives"
"over here" said the tanuki showing me the selection of different models, one of them was made for the sides specially but I needed one for the tip, I found the perfect shape as I headed for the counter alongside the Tanuki, the more I looked at him the more he seemed to be Kounosuke, it was bugging me out to be honest
"Is this all" asked the Tanuki "it will be 100 yens"
I paid him as I looked at him again he clearly was nervous of it but I could not help myself
"Is something wrong with me?" asked the Tanuki worried
"No, nothing at all" I said moving quickly my hand trying to clear the mistake "is just, you remind me of a friend"
"O are you a friend of my big brother?" asked the Tanuki, of course big Brother, that would explain so many things
"Yeah, I was really worried he hadn't grown up" I said Kounosuke was always finding new ways of surprise me, not growing up wasn't completely impossible for him
"Are you like Hiroyuki?" asked the Tanuki
"No" I said that feels like he is saying human, I mean I look mostly like one but still "my name is Ryu" I made a bow "is very nice to meet you"
"My name is Yukiharu" said the Tanuki "is very nice to meet you as well"
"So you are Kounosuke, little brother?" I asked as he nodded "how is he doing?"
"Quite fine" said Yukiharu with a smile "he is impatient for summer and Hiroyuki comeback"
"So Hiroyuki isn't here?" I asked surprised
"They told me he moved to the city five years ago" said Yukiharu "but he came during this summer break"
"I see" I said, it seems I came back at a bad time, still he could come next summer "well I should be going now, it has been a pleasure to meet you Yukiharu-kun"
"The pleasure has been all mine" said Yukiharu as I headed out of the sore to go back home I had the ingredients and grandfather and Yuu-chan tending the store, I headed to the back to polish the knives, the sun was so high and shining, but the people around me was starting to prepare for winter, I finally was at home to see Yuu-chan at the counter
"Where's grandfather?" I asked as she smiled
"He is resting, I told him he should let me do this more often, he is not so young anymore and rest is important with his age" said Yutaka as I nodded "what are we going to have for dinner?"
"Is a surprise" I said messing her hair with my left hand and n smile "I'll take over here, go and take a rest"
Yutaka headed to the house as I took over the counter, sometimes the cold air made me shutter; maybe I should make sure I have something to wear for those cold days in winter, the day slowly continued as the time for closing arrived, the last clients asking me how was I adapting everyone around here is always so nice, I headed back to the home looking at the kitchen
"Yuu-chan I'll start making dinner ok?" I said as she nodded "make sure than grandfather is awake, he is capable of falling sleep"
"Ok" said Yutaka
I headed inside to start preparing the meat and the spices, my hands moving fast and with precise movements, the rations where going to be a steak for everyone as minimum and the sauce in the middle, but knowing how grandfather loves this recipe I decided to make some more, not much later the meal was ready
"Yuu-chan wash your hand" I said
"Already done" said Yutaka "plus the table is ready so we are waiting for you"
"I'll be there soon" I said as the young wolf nodded looking the food and smelling it from afar, his stomach grumbled in anticipation, I can make the basics but this was a first try to it was nice to know she liked the smell, we headed to the table to see grandfather look at his steak with an smile
"It taste so good" said Yutaka as she gulped some of it "you have to try it grandfather"
"I will" said grandfather as I waited for his response, he gulped it to smile "Ryu" said my grandfather as I looked at him, he had spoken so quietly, almost a whisper
"Yes, what is your opinion?" I asked trying to be straight I was so nervous of his reaction
"Thank you" said grandfather eating some more of it "for making this"
"it has been a pleasure" I said smiling, the dinner continued quietly as I headed to bed looking at the uniform one last time before hugging it, I wanted to practice a little more but I released a yawn, I should not stay awake for too long or when classes start I'll have problems waking up, I headed to the bed to cover myself, it was cold but I could hear the door of my room open as grandfather left a blanket over me