Kimi no Na wa - A Sequel

by jjadpw

Picking up from where Kimi no Na wa left off, this story begins after Taki and Mitsuha meet on the stairs. Their meeting triggers a strong Déjà vu-like feeling in Mitsuha that causes her to start seeing visions of Itomori's destruction that happened in the original alternate timeline where Mitsuha died. She experiences trauma and depression but with Taki's help, she finds recovery.

30. Chapter 29

chapter 29: a step forward

Taki - 18 July

I anxiously wait near the entrance of the theatre, checking my watch for the time, hoping that Mitsuha will turn up. Did I come too early? I can't help but let self-doubts fester within me…

"Hi, Taki!" Mitsuha calls out.

I turn to the direction of her voice and for once she looks fine, maybe even happy. The bags under her eyes are gone; there is a smile on her face, and for once she looks... relaxed. And it's at that very moment I realise this is the first time in months that I had seen her look so… normal.

"Hey!"

"So, which movie do you want to watch?"

Her tone; her voice… I didn't realise how much I missed her usual self. Her confidence but her gentleness, it felt… refreshing.

"Haven't really got anything in mind. You?" I reply.

We discuss for a while, before settling on something to watch. And although everything seemed normal on the outside: a good old movie with some popcorn on the side, inside of me was a feeling I couldn't brush off. Some kind of feeling, some kind of… warmth? It seemed refreshing to be able to relax with Mitsuha, without being afraid that anything I said would trigger a panic attack, and from the look of it, she felt the same way too - carefree.

After the movie, we set off for dinner. We spend some time deciding and finally settle with a nearby McDonald's. When we walk through the doors, I can't help but feel nostalgic; it's all so reminiscent of that first time we had dinner together. The rush of cold air, the lights, the hazy, orange sunset; all of it.

After we select our food from the huge ordering screen, we find a small table, a two-seater, and settle down. Mitsuha hangs her bag on the arm of the chair carefully, taking out a pack of tissue paper and placing her purse back into the bag, in strange gracefulness.

We strike up a conversation over some food and drinks, enjoying the feeling of being around one another and hanging out. Enjoying the feeling of being relaxed, enjoying the feeling of normalcy. In all honesty, it felt nice; there was no awkward atmosphere or tension between us, we were just 2 friends going out and sharing a meal together. Everything just felt...alright.