My Summer in the Countryside was not what I expected
Author's Note: Hello once again, it is I, back at it again with another OreGairu story (PG this time). So if you all where were I was after almost a month or so…I have no excuses, I basically watched My Hero Academia and played Genshin Impact (rolled and didn't get Jean, but I will have her). Anyways, this idea came to me after watching Non Non Biyori, great anime btw highly recommend, and I thought I wanted to make my own chill story set in the Japanese countryside.
Struggled with who I would include before settling on OC's and our favorite Hikigaya siblings instead and have it set in the summer of Hachiman's 3rd year. And yes, this story does contain OC's, let me know what you think of them since I rarely make some and I do plan on making this a multi chapter story so there we go, hopefully I can enough patience and ideas to see me through. This also has no story, so no serious shit and unnecessary drama, I just want a chill summer story set in the countryside guys.
Finally, I should say I own nothing but the plot and OC's, and its unbeta'd so all mistakes are mine. This also an AU of sorts, you'll see what I mean.
Alright, hope you like it!
I get an unexpected reunion
I let out a tired sigh as I gazed up into the cloudless blue sky above me, using my hand to block out the sun's harsh glare, I couldn't help but still squint as it continued beamed down mercilessly upon me. If I were a soft serve ice cream left out in the open in this weather, I surely would've melted already, maybe I already am considering the sweat that was beginning to pool on the collar of my shirt. Puddles of water from the rainstorm the night before dotted the road around me, evaporating into the air making the already hot weather even worse.
A frog hopped across the road as I walked past it, I secretly envied its ambivalence to this godforsaken weather. I pulled at my shirt to fan myself, but it was only making the heat already worse and the stretch of road before me only ended at an intersection further ahead of me, but there was a tree, so there had to be a chair or bench over there I'm sure, something I can use to finally rest my tired legs.
"Hurry up Onii-chan! Don't be such a slowpoke", Komachi yells at me from a little further ahead.
Fuyumi, our kid cousin, laughs as she walks alongside her, "Koma-nee's right Hachi-onii-chan, don't be such a slowpoke".
"Last one to the end is a rotten egg", Ryoto, her younger twin brother, declared before taking off running, Komachi and Fuyumi laugh as they chased after him, literally leaving me in the dust.
How could these kids have so much energy!?...I mentally questioned before quickening my pace.
As you might've guessed it already, I was not in my dear old city of Chiba. I had other plans this summer, mostly a means to recover my energy after the very exhausting first semester of my 3rd year of high school, but my dear old Mother had other plans for me and my sister it seems. Rather than act like a normal Mom and be strict about me staying at home studying for college entrance exams, I instead was opted to spend my last summer vacation being a high schooler with relatives out in the countryside.
Of course I was opposed to this, why should I spend my final summer as a high school student NOT lazing around the house and maybe studying on occasion when the mood hits me? But Mom didn't want to hear it, arguing that this could be one of the last vacations I could spend with them before college life catches up to me and I would have no time to visit my relatives.
"Besides Hachiman, your aunt and uncle haven't seen you and Komachi since you were little", she said that one night over dinner, when they were miraculously early home from work. "And your grandparents have been asking you to visit them every holiday".
Dad nodded, of course he would, being the "go with the flow" guy that he was, I was sure he wasn't even aware of what was going on. I merely sighed into my food, knowing full well that my argument of wanting to spend all summer in the house playing games/watching TV wasn't going to fly in the slightest.
It was true in a sense, it had been a long time since I last visited my grandparents and relatives (on her side of the family), since they lived so far out and Mom moved out to Tokyo when she started college, she made an effort to at least visit them as much as she could, even taking us along with her. But ever since I had started middle school we had stopped visiting here, mostly because school was busy and my parents got more into their jobs at that point and it seems like things kind of moved along without us even bothering to show up for years. Heck, I even forgot about that place on occasion until I received a christmas card or the occasional happy birthday call from them.
And so with our bags packed, our train tickets booked and our relatives informed. We were set off on a 6 hour journey by train, leaving the bastions of society behind as the world of skyscrapers and busy cars were swallowed by rice fields, long winding roads and mountains that surrounded us. Komachi was delighted at the idea of it, saying it was good for a change of scenery for us to get out of the city once in a while.
"Besides onii-chan…", she said as she took a bite from her sushi ekiben, sitting beside me in the bullet train as the world zoomed past us. "You've been looking a lot gloomier since the school year started".
I internally winced at that and retorted, "You're exaggerating too much".
"I might be but it's good to get out of Chiba once in a while", Komachi remarked.
"As if I would be happy leaving my dear Chiba behind", I replied.
She gave me a look, "I want to say it's creepy, but your sincerity of your love for Chiba is outstanding".
"Of course, it's the best city in all of Tokyo", I proudly declared before continuing to eat the rice ball.
Komachi covers her face with her hands, seemingly shielding herself away from the eyes of the other passengers as they stared at the obviously loud siblings. And I continue to stare out the window, soaking in the sights before my eyes as much as I can. I know I was being dramatic about it, but I was not looking forward to spending the 40-odd days I have of my last summer vacation as a high schooler in the middle of nowhere.
The feeling further dampened when it rained halfway through the trip, thankfully we were in the final train heading to the last station on the line. We arrived at the isolated train station, where we were greeted kindly by our dear uncle, my Mom's younger brother, praising how tall I had gotten, how cute Komachi grew up to be, before subsequently taking a 2 hour drive to the town by car.
So yes, I would consider it a very exhausting trip altogether, the mini-family reunion when arrived at our Aunt and Uncle's home that night was nice and catching up with family we hadn't seen in 6 years was an enriching and fun, albeit a tad tiring if you were a loner like myself. Preferring to blend in the background and let things play out, but it seemingly caught the attention of my twin cousins.
"Why are your eyes like that Hachi-onii-chan?", Fuyumi asked as she stared up at me as I sat on the chair next to the couch, watching whatever was playing on TV.
"Yeah, they're like a dead fish or something", Ryoto agreed as he stood beside her.
They both giggled and I just gave them a tired smile, at this point I was practically used to any negative remarks towards my eyes and general appearance. Having been at the receiving end of harsher ones before, besides, they were still kids and they were trying to get close to me the only way they seemingly know how. Especially considering the last time I saw them they were only 3 years old, so I gave them a "just kids being kids" pass.
"It's scary", Fuyumi said, hiding her laugh behind her hands.
"It kinda is", Ryoto agreed once more before the two started giggling again.
"Hey, you two, quit picking on him, you're being mean", my other cousin and older sister, Saori, reprimanded them from her seat on the couch.
The two were surprised by their older sister's words, before looking down in shame and apologizing, but I merely waved it off and accepted that apology, even petting both their heads to show I was offended by it at the slightest.
"Sorry about these two Hachiman", she apologized on their behalf as they ran off to play somewhere else in the house. "They still have lengths to go before learning actual manners".
"It's fine, they're kids, I've dealt with worse", I reassured her. "By the way, where' Ayu-nee? I haven't seen her since we got here".
Saori leaned back on her seat as her eyes glued on the TV, "Ayumi's got the midnight shift at the hospital so you'll get to see her tomorrow morning, if she wakes up early at least".
"I see…", I replied, grimacing at the idea of working so late into the night and secretly saluting practically all healthcare workers out there.
"Sounds like she has it rough", Komachi said as she walked in from the kitchen and plopping on the couch beside her.
"Eh, she loves it to bits so I don't really have a say in it", Saori said.
Komachi then leans in on her, giving her signature mischievous smile that would deduct so many Komachi points if she's targeting me.
"Saori-nee, does she still have those shoujo mangas you keep telling me she's so embarrassed about?", she slyly asked.
Saori herself replies with her own sly smile at the idea of bullying her younger sister once more, especially now she has an unexpected back up.
"Who knows, she's hidden them good…", she replied before raising her hand and closing them to form a tight fist. "But I can still shake some off of her if I have to".
The two share a menacing laugh before we get called by our Aunt and Grandmother for dinner. That night, in an unfamiliar room, I slept like a log. Waking up the next day still feeling tired but also a tad refresh, having full accepted the fact I was going to spend the rest of my summer here, and thinking maybe it wasn't all as bad as I'd imagine it would be
But that thought felt like a lifetime ago as I continued to trudge down the road in the middle of a hot morning, being sent out to the local vegetable and fruit market to buy some vegetables for breakfast. I should've ran the other way when I had the chance, but an 8 hour or so trip back to Tokyo was way too daunting for me to even think about.
And so I looked around me, to the rice fields that stretched out all about, to the giant houses that dotted about the roads that winded around, rivers and small streams, the giant mountains that surrounded us, and drowning noises of cicadas. I decided on accepting that for the next month or so of what I had left of this summer vacation, this place would be home.
"I WIN!", Fuyumi happily declared as she jumped happily under the tree at the end of the road, her long brown hair bouncing about.
"I'm second", Komachi said, giving them her signature peace sign and proud grin.
"No fair, you both had a head start", Ryoto complained as he reached the tree as well.
Fuyumi stuck her tongue out, "You're just slow 's all Ryoto".
"Am not", he retorted.
"Don't fight you two", Komachi said to ease the tension. "Besides, the real rotten egg has to be…".
All three of them stared at me as I arrived at the tree as well, hands shoved in my pocket and relishing the feeling of being under the shade. I merely gave them a look, feigning my ignorance on why they were giving such a look, because truly, I didn't care if I had won or not.
"What? Is there something on my face?", I asked.
Komachi sighed and shrugged my reaction off before looking back down at the two.
"So how far are we from the marketplace?", Komachi asked.
"What're you talking about? It's right there", Ryoto pointed out.
At the side of the road, just past the tree's shade, was a small fruit stand, but lined up with various fruits and vegetables. The kind vendor waved at us before sitting back on his chair and fanning himself, watching the road before him for possible customers like us.
A look of shock was evident on Komachi's face at the sight of it, Ryoto turned back to her.
"Were you expecting something else, Komachi-nee-chan?", he asked.
Komachi shook her head, "No, I wasn't, I just thought it would be a bit…bigger".
"If you're talking about the market center it's still a couple towns over, we have to take a bus or Mom has to drive us there", Fuyumi replied.
"Guess we really are out in the sticks", I muttered under my breath as I followed them as they headed to the stand.
The trio of them gazed at the array of fruits and vegetables for a while, I was merely standing behind them. Minding the space just so I wouldn't be pushed out from under the shade of the tent and unto the blazing sun once more. That's when Komachi turned back to me and gave me a wondering look.
"Onii-chan, what did Chinatsu-oba-san tell us to get again?", she asked.
"How am I supposed to know I wasn't even there", I replied.
"I think she wanted us to get some apples", Fuyumi said, grabbing an apple.
"No she wanted tomatoes", Ryoto argued, grabbing a tomato.
"I think she wanted us to get eggplant", I added to the chaos.
"Komachi-nee-chan, let's have oranges!", Ryoto excitedly suggested.
"And-and watermelon", Fuyumi begged as she rubbed a rather large watermelon.
"Onii-chan, help me", Komachi begged, realizing how weak she was towards both of them.
But I felt a little sadistic at the moment, wanting to get back at her for that slowpoke comment earlier and leaving me in the dust, I merely shrugged in reply before turning heel and heading back to shade of the tree by the road once more. Wanting a chance to rest my tired legs and leave Komachi to the fray of chaos and confusion.
"Have fun sorting it all out Komachi", I happily said before walking off.
"Mou, so mean, you're losing so much Hachiman points for that", Komachi yelled at my back but I ignored and kept walking.
I managed to find what seemed to be remains of a broken down stone wall just at the side of the road where the tree's shade was still covered. I sat down and let out a relaxed sigh as I felt the aching on my feet lighten all of a sudden, leaning back, I rested my arms behind me as I looked up at the canopy of the huge tree where sunlight broke through. A soothing cool summer breeze blew by and I took in a deep breath as I felt my skin beginning to cool down.
I admired the sight before me, I know I've said this before, but we really were out in the sticks. The bustling city life I had been accustomed to almost all my life was seemingly foreign out here, all seemed quiet and very slow paced, with nothing but the sound of the leaves as the breeze blew through them and the crying of the cicadas.
I still have mixed feelings about this whole ordeal, but for now, I take in the view of my Mom's old hometown and try to enjoy as much as I can before I leave it behind me. A strong gust of wind blows, it relaxes me again but that's when I saw something fly above me, my eye catches it and I see it's a stray brown sun hat floating in the air above me.
When I heard someone gasp, my instincts kicked in and I jumped from where I was sitting. Heading to the middle of the road, I catch it before it hits the ground. It was a pretty old fashion looking thing, something my Mom would probably own but it's not my place to judge a person's fashion sense, it's like mine was exactly Paris runway material itself.
"Thank you I- "
But the words any of us could've said suddenly hung in the air, stuck inside our throat because our mouths were unable to move, it was like the whole world came to a stop and we stood there frozen. Before me, in a white sundress, her long black hair blowing against the wind, her deep blue eyes widened in surprise, while I stared at her with a deadpan, but equally as shocked, look on my face.
I wondered in that moment what the Gods of Fate were playing at, in all of the places in this world where we could've ran into each other on a hot summer morning, it was in an intersection, in a small countryside town in the middle of nowhere.
"Hi-Hikigaya-kun?"
"Yu-Yukinoshita-san…"
I realize, maybe this summer of mine wasn't going to be what I expected.
-0-
"Such a strange coincidence to say the least"
"You can say that again"
Standing at the side of the vegetable stand, I watched as Yukinoshita picked up vegetables, surveyed them before putting them in a plastic bag. The initial shock of the sudden reunion with the Ice Queen herself finally subsided, though that didn't mean Komachi didn't practically flip out on the revelation that Yukino Yukinoshita herself was here of all places. Heck, I'm still not over the fact Yukino Yukinoshita was here of all places.
Why was Yukino Yukinoshita here of all places?
I noticed her give me a glance and then nodded to her bag, a subtle but clear order and so she handed me her plastic bag, which now I held out as she began placing her purchases in. It's not like I minded it anyways, I have a kouhai that makes me work way more laborious jobs anyways.
"I am just as shocked as you are at this sudden development Hikigaya-kun", she said as she placed a trio of potatoes into the bag. "I did not expect to run into you out here of all places".
"Yeah, color me surprised 's all", I admitted, adjusting my hold in the bag. "If you don't mind me asking, what are you doing here in Hagakure?".
Yukinoshita placed a hand on her chin as she seemingly contemplated whether or not to buy pears. She turns to me slightly, her hair bounces and the sunlight hits her eyes just right to make it seem like it was glowing, feeling my chest tighten at that, she turns away and answers me, nonetheless.
"My Mother and Father had some business overseas and had to leave me and Nee-san here for the summer", she replied, in an instant I felt my stomach drop at the mention of the older Yukinoshita sister herself being here.
I turned to glance all around me, fearing her shadow might creep up on me when I least expected it. Yukinoshita seemed to have noticed my sudden mood change, as she placed a couple of peaches into the bag.
"But nee-san took it as a chance to go to Okinawa for her summer break and left me here in the care of some relatives", she reassured me and gave me a smile to boot. "Fret not Hikigaya-kun, it's not a good look on you if you get scared by her that easily ''.
I let out a relaxed chuckle, "It's not like she scares me or anything, but I'd rather not have her get in my head while I'm here".
"What about you Hikigaya-kun? What are you doing here in Hagakure of all places?", she asked.
"Kinda the same, Mom wanted me to spend some time with some relatives I haven't seen in a while before college and shipped me and my sister here", I replied.
"I see…", she said as she turned and gave Komachi and the twins a small wave from where they stood just a few feet behind us.
"One thing's for sure…", I began to say as I handed her the bag back. "This summer vacation just got a lot more interesting".
Yukinoshita smiled slightly at that before turning to pay for her purchases. I noticed the three of them standing at the side by the road, watching Yukinoshita as she moved about, the two especially with great interest. Fuyumi even had her mouth open in awe in wonder, almost as if Yukinoshita was some mythical creature who emerges from her dwellings every fortnight.
Yukinoshita turned to see them as they did, feeling a little embarrassment that was evident by the slight blush on her face.
"Is something the matter?", she asked them, now if I'd meet her for the first time, I would run for the hills when she spoke like that, but the two were not deterred at the slightest.
"You're so pretty!", Ryoto loudly said.
"Really pretty! Your skin looks so silky and smooth, are you a model?", Fuyumi said, approaching Yukinoshita to get a closer look at her.
"She looks prettier than Ayu-nee and Saori-nee combined!", Ryoto declared and I suppressed the urge to laugh.
"If Saori-nee heard that", Komachi mused the idea of tattling to her already.
"Can I touch your hair? It's so long and beautiful", Fuyumi asked as she continued to approach her.
"Hi-Hikigaya-kun", Yukinoshita muttered as she inched closer to me.
I smirked back at her, "Seems like you're already a local hit".
She glares at me harshly for that, something Fuyumi must've noticed as she was suddenly frozen in her place. A little fearful by the way her legs shook and how she hugged her arms to her chest, it seems that even being grazed by her intense piercing blue eyes, it can send shivers down someone's spine. Yukinoshita noticed Fuyumi's frightful expression, immediately realizing what had happened, turned back to her and gave her a comforting smile.
"I'm sorry about that, I've shown you an unsightly side of me", Yukinoshita softly said as she crouched to meet her at eye level. "What's your name?".
Fuyumi glanced at me, almost trying to confirm if she should and I merely nodded before turning back to Yukinoshita.
"Fuyumi Aragaki", she introduced herself, with a slightly shyer tone than before.
"Aragaki-san? Nice to meet you", Yukinoshita said as she stuck out her hand. "Yukino Yukinoshita, it's nice to meet you".
Fuyumi gratefully took it and shook as Ryoto introduced himself as well, still raving on how she was much prettier than his older sisters. Komachi moved to my side, almost entranced by the sight before as Yukinoshita talked to the two kids she barely had just met. Which was strange, considering I never thought about how good Yukinoshita was around kids in the first place.
"I never thought Yukinoshita-san would be this warm and friendly", Komachi said in a whispered tone.
"I'm just as surprised as you are", I replied in an equally hushed tone.
"Why the need to whisper to one another, Hikigaya siblings?", Yukinoshita suddenly said as we turned to see her standing up and staring at both of us.
A shiver ran down both of our spines by her simple look, but her piercing blue eyes seemingly bared straight into our souls, so much so that Komachi let out a nervous chuckle and waved her hand.
"No-nothing Yukinoshita-san", she said, with a slightly fearful tone.
"Yeah, just some sibling conversation", I added…did she just call us Hikigaya siblings?
"A-Anyways Yukinoshita-san, we should probably be heading back", Komachi said as she walked towards the twins.
"Koma-nee's right, Mom's going to get mad if we take too long", Fuyumi said and Ryoto nodded in agreement.
"What path are you headed?", she asked.
I jabbed my thumb down the road where we walked from.
"Just down there, our house is just left past those rice paddies", I replied.
"Then allow me to accompany you, my house is just right pass the shrine anyways", she said.
"No way!", Ryoto exclaimed. "Your house is that big mansion?".
Yukinoshita nodded, "Indeed, it's my Grandfather's ancestral home".
"Wow! That place is huuuuuge", Fuyumi beamed, stretching her arms out to her sides. "It's almost as big as our school".
"Come on now, we don't want to keep your sisters and Chinatsu-oba-san waiting for too long", I suddenly interjected, wanting to move along as I myself was starting to get hungry.
"Fuyumi, Ryoto let's go, the last one to the house is a rotten rotten egg", Komachi declared, obviously riling them up for another race.
"Rotten rotten egg?", Fuyumi repeated with obvious shock and excitement.
"That's even worse than before", Ryoto said.
"Let's go!"
And so we were off once more, walking down the road with the sun beaming down our backs. Ahead of us, the trio of energizer bunnies had reduced their sprint to a light jog, not wanting to be reprimanded for coming home sweaty and tired before breakfast. Yukinoshita and I were instead a few feet behind them, deciding not to participate in it and opt instead for a casual walk, with the plastic bags of our purchases looped around my fingers, wanting to be the gentleman that I am, I offered to carry hers as well.
There was a relatively comfortable silence that hung between us, and merely the distance shouting of the three in front of us filling it in occasional. Suddenly, it didn't feel as hot as before, a cool breeze blew through the open space and made it all seem so relaxing. Yukinoshita herself seems to be enjoying it, her attention seemingly around us, admiring the view as I had been doing before.
"So, if your house is just near here to the right, why come from over there?", I asked, nodding towards the opposite side of the intersection behind us.
Yukinoshita looked away for a moment before composing herself and staring ahead of us, not even looking at me as she spoke.
"Would it be thoughtless of me to say I wanted to take the scenic route?", she wondered.
I couldn't help but chuckle a little at that, I never knew Yukinoshita was such a sight seeker.
"Can't say I blame you, this place is a far cry from Chiba", I admitted.
Yukinoshita nodded, "That is true, things here seem a lot less hectic".
"Yeah, it's like the world just slows itself down…"
"And it's so peaceful…"
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, relishing the truth of her words. It truly was peaceful, no clustered chatters, loud music, booming advertisement and the sound of the morning traffic. Hagakure was devoid of the noises and chaos of the city I was already used to, which was something I was just getting used to even now, but it was starting to grow on me.
"So how long are you planning on staying here?", I asked her as I opened my eyes once more and stretched my back.
"I'm unsure to be honest", she replied, I felt my chest tighten a little. "My parents' affairs overseas is going to take a while and nee-san plans on extending her trip by going to Kyushu, so I'm assured I would be here until the end of our summer vacation".
I let out a sigh, a lot more audible than I had intended. I saw Yukinoshita smile my way at my reaction, my face unconsciously blush and I look away to stare ahead. The twins were now playing leapfrog with one another as they jumped down the road, Komachi nervously supervising them at the side with each jump.
"You seem relieved by that news Hikigaya-kun, were you dreading our time together here may be cut too short?", Yukinoshita teasingly said.
"Something to that extent I guess", I admitted and Yukinoshita seems satisfied by it enough.
"Say, Hikigaya-kun, about last spring I – "
"We're here!"
Fuyumi's loud voice cut through whatever Yukinoshita was about to say, we turned to realize that we had reached the end of the road where our paths would diverge. Yukinoshita's disappointment at the interruption was evident, but immediately masked as Fuyumi walked up to her.
"Say, Yukino-san…", she said as she stared up at her. "Would you like to come with us to see the fireflies tonight?".
"Fireflies?", Yukinoshita repeated.
Fuyumi nodded, "Me, Ryoto and Saori-nee always watch them at the start of summer and now we have Hachi-onii-chan and Koma-nee here, I thought we should all watch it together".
"It was my idea to invite you Yukino-san!", Ryoto called out from behind her and she merely stuck her tongue out at him before looking back at her.
"So what do you say Yukino-san?", she excitedly asked, even holding her arms up to her chest in anticipation.
Yukino looked up for a moment and seemed surprised, following her gaze I was too. Komachi and even Ryoto were copying Fuyumi's posture, with the arm gesture and everything. Their eyes were even sparkling, almost egging her on to agree to come along with them. Yukinoshita even looked at me, her face conflicted whether or not she would agree to come along.
I shrugged in reply, "Sounds fun, you should come along".
Yukinoshita looks down at Fuyumi, her lips are curled into a smile and her eyes sparkled bright, almost like a cat about to be fed its meal. And if there was anything Yukino Yukinoshita was weak against, it was cats. And so admitting that she was at her wits end, the Ice Queen of Sobu surrenders to a 9 year old girl and sighs.
"If you insist, I'll come along", Yukinoshita answers her request.
Fuyumi's smile widens and immediately jumps at her and hugs her legs, Yukinoshita stumbles back at the sudden attack but manages to balance herself. Fuyumi immediately realizing what she did, pulls back and looks a little embarrassed over her actions as Yukinoshita begins to straighten out her skirt.
"I'm sorry about Yukino-san, I didn't mean to", she apologized, even bowing her head.
"Its fine, I don't really mind", Yukinoshita reassured her, but raised a finger, like a teacher reprimanding her student. "But next time you shouldn't do that without warning Aragaki-san, it's rather rude you understand?".
Fuyumi nodded and Yukinoshita petted her head to assure her everything was fine. It was a heartwarming sight to see, so much that even Komachi practically melted on the spot.
"Well then, I should probably leave you phone number so we can communicate and discuss the time and place", Yukinoshita said as she began to take out her phone.
"Oh cellphones don't really work out here", Ryoto informed.
"Ah he's right, I'm getting no bars", Komachi affirmed, holding out her phone and I did mine as well, seeing there was indeed no cell signal out here.
Huh, no wonder I had to use a land line when I called home yesterday after we arrived. I shoved my phone back into my pocket as Yukinoshita did too, she even glanced around to see if there were any possible cell towers, but the only things that surrounded us were mountains.
"We could always use a landline", Komachi suggested as she walked up to us.
"You're right", Yukinoshita agreed as she gestured for my phone.
I opened it up and went straight to notes, just to make sure she doesn't stumble upon anything accidentally. She types something in before handing it back to me, it seemed to her home phone number.
"You can reach our home with that number", she said. "But in any case, what would be the agreed time and place to meet?".
Komachi thought for a while before answering, "How about near the shrine at around…let's say…7?"
Yukinoshita agreed before turning to head down the right side of the road, where it was dotted with houses and farms and even a massive hill that seemingly stretched out into the mountains behind it. She gave us a small wave, and even beams me a smile before walking off and heading home.
Somehow I stayed there for a while as I watched her go, still not getting over the fact that Yukino Yukinoshita was in Hagakure and it seemed to be the entire duration of our stay here as well. A feeling inside me bubbles somewhat but I couldn't discern what just yet, but it makes me smile somewhat despite myself, my mood of the rest of the day immediately brightened.
"Onii-chan come on! Let's head back for breakfast!", Komachi called out and I turned to see her and the twins already sprinting down the opposite road.
"Last one home is uber duper super rotten egg!", Ryoto declared as he overtook his sister and headed for the lead.
"Rotten egg!", Fuyumi happily chants as she runs along.
And not wanting to be a rotten egg this time this time around, I ran after them the best I could. My thoughts still lingered on the raven haired beauty somewhere behind me, as she slowly disappeared from my view each time I'd glance back.
-0-
"Oi! Are you guys ready yet?"
I stumbled out of my room putting on my best shirt of the day, an outdated cartoon with colored long sleeves, despite it being a hot summer night, there was no way I was risking getting swarmed and getting bitten by mosquitoes. I walked down the hall, passing Komachi's and the twin's room, Ryoto's sounded like hell was breaking loose and Komachi was struggling to get ready as Fuyumi was jumping her constantly. I ignored both and headed down, wanting to pride myself on being the first one downstairs.
"I am", I greeted Saori as I reached the front of the house where she stood by the shoe rack.
She lets out a whistle at my outfit, surveying me from head to toe and putting a hand under her chin.
"Looking decent there Hachiman, excited for the date with that cute girl from school?", she teased me.
Oi, what's that supposed to mean? I always look decent… "As a matter of fact, I rather not get bitten to hell and back out there so I wanted to go with a shirt with a decent sleeve length", I replied, pulling at the cuffs at my wrists, owing my protection to it. "Pretty smart if I do say so myself".
"If only it reflects in your studies'', Saori chided once more, chuckling to herself and I merely glared at her. "I'm joking, come on, it's rare I get to tease my favorite cousin when he's around".
I sighed, knowing how a nightmare growing up with someone like Saori Aragaki as an older cousin was. Taking on the teasing pain-in-the-ass older sister role in my life, I grew up being the butt of most of her jokes and her teasing knew no ends, and if it wasn't bad enough, she grew a serious love of wrestling so you can guess who was the receiving end of most of her new moves. Maybe that's how I grew a bit of an armor when a certain Christmas cake of a teacher decides words weren't enough to get through to me.
With her short and choppy dyed-black hair, mischievous smile and athletic physique, Saori could be mistaken for a professional athlete. The perfect tomboy type even, but it seems she decided to take a more personal and fulfilling course in her life than pursue sports.
"I still can't wrap my head around how you're a schoolteacher despite your abrasive attitude", I said, not meaning it to be harsh and she didn't take it that way, as she gave me a proud grin and patted my head.
"It's because kids like me", Saori casually said.
"Are you guys leaving already?"
We both turned to the voice from down the hall, where a beautiful girl with messy brown hair and wrinkled pajamas walked up to us from the living room. As opposed to Saori, Ayumi Aragaki was a much gentler and shyer person as opposed to her older sister. Working as a nurse at the prefectural hospital a few towns over, she was hardworking and steadfast in her dedication, but with the pressure and workload she had at work, she would spend her free time lazing around the house and mostly sleeping.
Ayumi and I had a lot alike in that regard, but only that, for I could never imagine what her work is like and merely admire her for it. Today seemed different apparently, evident by the surprise on Saori's face as she approached.
"Not yet, I'm still waiting on the twins and Komachi", Saori replied as she faced her. "Also, don't you have work today?".
Ayumi merely yawned and waved her off, "I have the day off today, so I decided to come along with".
"Are you sure about that? You could just sleep in for the rest of the night", Saori suggested, obviously concerned over her.
"Eh, I'll be fine", she reassured her. "Besides, it's been a while since I went firefly watching and I want to spend time with my cousins too".
"We might need the chaperoning anyway", I said as I crossed my arms. "With Saori-nee we'll just get lost or something".
"Hey now…"
Ayumi chuckled, "True, she might give up and strand you guys somewhere just so she can go to the bar".
"Ayumi.."
"Heck, she might bail while we're there and sneak off back home if she could", I added to our impromptu revenge against the oldest Aragaki sibling, Ayumi simply laughed harder and I did too.
That's when I felt my cheeks get pulled painfully, as did Ayumi. She groans in pain and I did too, the pressure is painful enough for us to unanimously end the charade, especially as I saw the perpetrator's eyebrow begin to twitch.
"Cheeky little brats…", Saori seethed as she pulled on them harder. "Are you trying to say I'm irresponsible".
"No-nothing of the sort!", I cried out in pain.
"We're sorry nee-san, please it really hurts", Ayumi begged, even clutching the offending arm by the wrist, attempting to pry it from her face.
"What's the word?", Saori prodded.
"I'm very sorry Saori-sama", she said.
Relief washed over me as she let both of us go from her vice-like grip on my face. I rubbed my aching cheek and mused over the fact I finally saw how the oldest Aragaki sibling here kept her siblings, for the most part, in line. I swore I would never be this harsh when I scold Komachi, if I ever even think about it, I'll prostrate myself in front of her and beg for forgiveness.
Huh, does that make me a siscon?...
"Let me just get dressed really quick", Ayumi announced before turning and running back to her room.
A literal second later, the trio of the hour finally came bounding down the stairs. Each dressed in appropriate summer night outfits of shorts, shirts and holding on to some flashlights in each hand. The three of them stood like soldiers as Saori approached them, like a drill sergeant, and began her assessment.
"Have you guys put on some anti-bug spray?", she asked and they nodded, I smelled my arm to make sure I did as well. "Flashlights?", the trio raised each one that they had in their hands, I patted the one I had in my pocket. "And what did we talk about when we head out for the firefly viewing?".
"Don't run off and play games by ourselves", Ryoto reiterated.
"Stick close by you at all costs", Fuyumi followed.
"If we do get lost, stick to the roads and find your way to a nearby landmark until we are found", Komachi added.
All four of them turned to me and I merely scratched my cheek as I tried to remember Saori's reminders during dinner, somehow, I felt like I spaced out during that time and my mind merely drew a blank.
"Um…don't jaywalk?", I said and Saori sighed as the twins chuckled and Komachi hung her head in disappointment.
With Ayumi joining a few seconds later, the five of us set off into the night to view the fireflies.
-0-
We met up with Yukinoshita at the agreed place a little past 7 when we had left the house, the giant moon that hung above us seemingly gave her an unnatural glow. Even though she was still wearing the sundress from before, she paired it with knee -length shorts and sneakers, her hair was still flowing against the cold wind of the night.
Somehow getting to see her wearing it in this light made my heartbeat quicken a little, how she was able to make something so casual look so beautiful was a wonder of the world I was still wrapping my head around. I secretly thanked the countryside being so dark, aside from the streetlights that lined the roads one could barely see a thing, so it made my blushing face get obscured by the night.
"Good evening", she greeted us as we arrived, noticing the two older sisters with us, she bowed and introduced. "Yukino Yukinoshita, you must be the twin's older sister".
"That's right, Saori Aragaki, pleasure to meet you", Saori replied, she jabbed a thumb at Ayumi, who stood beside her. "And my little sister Ayumi, ain't she just the cutest?".
Ayumi blushed in embarrassment at her thoughtless words, "Nee-san, quit that please", with Saori promptly proud she had gotten back at her, Ayumi turned and greeted Yukinoshita in return. "Anyways, it's nice to meet you Yukinoshita-san".
"Yukino-san looks so pretty doesn't she?", Fuyumi said as she walked up to Yukinoshita and held her hand and guided her closer to us. "See? Like a model right?".
"Yeah! Even prettier than Saori-nee", Ryoto slipped out and earned him an ear pull from the offended party.
"Eh? Since when did that mouth of yours learn to say such thoughtless things?", Saori wondered.
Saori and Ayumi observed Yukinoshita further under the light as Fuyumi pulled her in closer towards, I have to say, I did too despite being in her company many times already. Something about Yukinoshita seemed to really charm people to gaze at her rather than look away at first glance, I would say it's her eyes.
"Well you definitely look like you're not from around here I can say for sure", Saori commented.
"She's teasing, but you are pretty Yukinoshita-san", Ayumi added.
Yukinoshita's face turned red in embarrassment at the praise of her looks, despite being the Ice Queen, there seemed to be things she was still weak against. Noticing her mood change and embarrassment, the best imouto in the world jumped to put an end to it and get things going.
"We can ogle at Yukinoshita-san all we want but we shouldn't keep the fireflies waiting", Komachi reminded us.
"Right! I want to see some fireflies", Ryoto jumped in as well.
"Fireflies", Fuyumi said before turning to Yukinoshita, who she was still holding on to. "They're really pretty Yukino-san, you'll love them".
Yukino smiled down at her and petted her head, "I'm sure I will Ara-I mean-Fuyumi-chan".
"Well let's not dawdle any longer", Saori declared as she began walking, holding up her flashlight in the air. "Come on people! We're burning moonlight!".
The rest of us began to follow behind but not before I felt something grab my sleeve, I turned to see it was Yukinoshita. She had her hands clasped in front of her and was even fidgeting, she looked up at me and her reddened face began to fade and a small blush remained on her face. God, she really was going to kill with the way she looked right now, this is unfair, this girl is a man-killer when she wasn't even trying.
"Hikigaya-kun", she said.
"Ye-yeah?", I replied, trying to settle my heart.
"How-How do I look?", she asked.
There were a million different words that began to juggle around my mind when she asked that question, words that I could use describe the true face of paradise, or the heavenly taste of cold water in the desert, heck, I would use these words to confront Aphrodite and tell her what true beauty was like. But at that moment, I merely coughed into my hand and gave her once over.
"You look nice", I answered.
Yukinoshita lowers her head, but there's a satisfied smile that lingered on her lips. But that's when the real world decided to bring down its hammer upon us during our little moment.
"Oi! Come on you two lovebirds! Fireflies don't sit around and wait for flirting!", Saori called out.
God, someone should put her mouth on a leash…
-0-
There was something to be said about nights in the countryside, it's possibly one of the quiet things I've ever experienced. Usually, I was used to the noises of neighbors, cars passing by or some chatter from the TV but out here there was nothing more than the sounds of the night in the country. In the distance I could hear a house playing some old music, softly drifting into the air as we marched on forth to the stream where the fireflies awaited.
It was pretty pitch dark out here, there weren't many streetlights to begin with and the moon could only light up so much. No wonder we had to take flashlights when we went out, this part of town was practically bathed in darkness as we walked further into the forest, following a dirt path and bouncing silhouettes of our companions who walked in front of us.
"Koronde surimuita toko, chi ga nijinde shimiru keredo, hecchara sa sugu naoru kara, ashita niwa kasabuta dekiru", Fuyumi, who was leading the front, sang, turning to Komachi who was behind her. "Come on Koma-nee!".
"Kyou mo mata baka ni sareta yo, hazukashii shi kuyashii keredo, hecchara sa oboe te oke yo, ima ni waraikaeshi te yaru", Komachi sang along. "Ayu-nee!"
"Misaki kara fune o daseba", Ayumi, urged by the two, began to sang as well
"Kaze o uke ho ga fukuramu", Fuyumi sang once more, leading them to the chorus..
"Boku wa ima tsuchi o hanare", Ryoto joined in.
"Nanatsu no umi o mata ni kakeru!", all four of them sang in unison that echoed around the forest that surrounded us.
"Don't sing so loud, you'll wake the dead", Saori scolded them from behind.
And in the far back was me and Yukinoshita, having stayed behind them the whole walk since we began. She made an excuse that she had forgotten to bring her own flashlight and decided to stick with me in the meantime, which I didn't mind, I preferred a quiet walk as opposed to the noisy sing along that was going on in front of us.
"I have to admit, this is pretty exciting", Yukinoshita said, slightly gesturing her head to the front.
"Yeah, we don't really get to do this as much back in Chiba", I agreed, heck, I don't even go out at night after dark.
"I doubt we even could, considering fireflies don't really inhabit cities", she replied.
"Yeah", I said before glancing at her and she met my gaze. "But what I meant is this, going around walking in the night with you…", I realized what I had said and looked back on the road. "And-and my cousins of course".
"That is true…", I heard her mutter under her breathe.
The sound of the forest soon overtook us, the singing in front had died down and there was nothing more than noises of the crunched leaves as we walked over them, various animals and insects and the occasional breeze passing through. Truly, we were at the mercy of the forest tonight.
Somehow, Yukinoshita had grown quiet, I looked over to see her gazing at the star filled sky above us. The moon hangs like a giant mantlepiece against the shining sky, I admit, I don't really take the time to admire the night sky, mostly because it's hard to see when you live in the city. But tonight, away from the lights and sounds, the night sky seemed vast and infinite, it was breathtaking.
"What a sight", I sighed out.
Yukinoshita nodded in agreement, "Truly".
But that's when she yelped and fell forward, I reacted fast and caught with my arm before she could even hit the ground. I helped to her feet and moved her forward a few feet and looked back, shining my light at the offender, I saw it was a tree root that was jutting out from the ground.
"Ah dammit", I heard Saori curse behind us. "I forgot to warn you about the roots, they tend to jut out down this path so be extra careful".
"Thanks for the heads up", I sardonically replied and she merely waved before continuing walking.
I looked back at Yukinoshita, who was dusting her feet and ankles, she looked a little shaken up by the sudden trip but seemed fine.
"You okay?", I asked.
"Yes, I'm fine, I was just surprised by it", she replied.
"Then…", I said as I offered my arm out for her, a little embarrassed by it but I didn't show it. "Hold on close to me until we get there".
Yukinoshita seemingly hesitates for a moment, before she loops her arm around mine. The sudden warmth of her arm and body pressed up against me took me by surprise, but I swallowed thickly before continuing our walk. I hate to admit it, but this felt pretty nice. Yukinoshita was clinging to me tightly, carefully meeting my pace as we walked down the dirt road, somehow, the silence of the surrounding made it feel like we were alone, just the two of us.
"Say, Hikigaya-kun?", Yukinoshita said after a while.
I glanced at her for a second, "Hm?".
"About last spring…", she said, looking more crestfallen. "What you said on that bridge and... what I did".
I knew what she had meant, when those thoughtless words of mine slipped out that night on the bridge was still fresh in my mind. My declaration of distorting her life and my willingness to pay the price for it by staying by her side, only to be meant with her hesitation and running away from it. Subsequently, the Service club died out as all three of us went down different paths come our 3rd year, the shallowness of our supposed "friendship" coming undone so easily, I admit, it still pains me to think about it even now.
Maybe that's why I had gotten more gloomier when the new semester started, my thoughts and regrets muddling up my mind. Wondering if anything that I did was ever good enough, and the fact I let Yukinoshita slip away from me so easily pained me more than I realized. Despite it, she seemingly has changed for the better, becoming more warm, friendly and open to people as opposed to before. But admiring it from the distance, it felt like she was a world away.
I wondered if that was the reason she was with me here now, in a small countryside town in the middle of nowhere.
"I-I apologize for not giving you a reply, I-I was scared and when the semester came around I just…", I can hear it in her tone that she was about to cry. "And letting the club just dissolved and drifting apart…I'm sorry, it's my fault and-".
"It's fine", I interjected and she stopped in her tracks, still holding on to my arm, meaning I was stopped as well.
Yukinoshita looked at me, an evident shock expression on her face, with her eyes wide in surprise as she had a hold of my hand on hers.
"Fi-fine? Is that all you have to say?", she questioned.
I honestly don't know what else to say, I played this scenario a thousands over in my head, what words I would say to her when the chance arises, at times I would curse at her and at times I'd be sullen and heartbroken over what had happened between us, asking her if we could start again and I don't have to lose her like I did. In the long run, I just accepted it altogether, that I could neither blame her or myself in the matter. Things in life just happen I guess, whether we're happy about or not, life just moves on without stopping.
Time is cruel, it forces us to leave behind the things we wished we could've taken and leave us going forward in regret. But whether or not we wallow in it or move on is up to us, and I choose to go on rather than regret the things that already happened.
"Yeah, it was thoughtless of me to say what I did", I stated, even scratching the back of my head. "And I don't blame you for reacting that way, must be pretty jarring to hear those words…:", I chuckle slightly before facing her once more. "But I do know my feelings for you haven't changed, I want to be part of your life Yukino, if you want me to at least".
Yukinoshita lets go of my hand, before slowly folding her arms and resting her hands on her chest. She's looking down, unable to look me in the eye, but can see hers slightly glisten, like she was about to cry, I cursed myself slightly for making her feel that way but she's tougher than she looks. She wipes her eyes before facing me once more.
"Can you give me a while? Before I give you a proper reply?", she requested.
Something inside of me warms and I smile back at her, I wanted to say that if she needed me to wait a lifetime, I would do it in a heartbeat. I was about to open my mouth, when reality hammered down on us once more in the form of Ayumi calling out to see in the distance.
"Hey! You two! Hurry up, we're here! Everyone's waiting!", she called out.
What I had wanted to say could wait as we resumed our walk towards them, a little quicker in our pace but more careful in case we'd get tripped on something again. We arrived at a small stone steps that led down to a stony shore towards the stream, the sound of the stream was soft and the noises of the forest that surrounded us seemed to drown out as we got close.
There were a couple of portable lamps on the ground that was shining bright that we turned off our flashlights immediately, one was surrounded by a group of kids that looked to be about our age, and a few younger, on the far left and one where Ryoto, Fuyumi and Komachi were huddled around at by the shore. I could see Saori talking to the other group before looking up and waving at us.
"Hey! You two had better not be doing the birds and bees back there!", she embarrassingly called out.
"Nee-san! Don't be so crude!", Ayumi scolded her in reply as we descended the steps.
Saori merely shrugged before resuming her conversation with the other teenagers, she looked to be having fun hanging out with them.
"Local kids?", I asked Ayumi as we walked towards Komachi and the twins.
Ayumi nodded, "Yeah they go to the prefectural high school a couple of towns over from here, some of them were nee-san's students".
"They seem to be at ease around her", Yukinoshita observed.
"Despite her attitude, Nee-san's a good teacher and she's pretty easy going that's why the kids around here like her so much", Ayumi replied.
Huh, couldn't have thought of it to be honest…
Fuyumi ran up and held Yukinoshita's hand and brought her closer to where they were, she seemingly grew very attached to her despite only knowing her for a day. And I stood beside them as we gazed across the other side of the stream that was populated by tall grass and more trees that stretched out farther than the light could reach. Ryoto was crouched by the lamp and Komachi was beside him, merely staring ahead with their heads cupped in their hands.
"This is boring", the two said in unison.
"Don't be impatient, it takes a while for them to show up", Ayumi told them off.
We stood there in silence for a few moments, nothing but the sound of the stream flowing, the sound of the insects and the chatter and laughter from the other group. It noticed that Fuyumi was getting a lot more fidgety with the way she shook her leg and tapped her foot, even as she held onto Yukinoshita's hand.
"Maybe they're nervous or something", Fuyumi theorized, before looking up at Yukinoshita. "Do fireflies get nervous Yukino-san?".
Yukinoshita merely smiled at her, seemingly admiring her childish wonder, maybe Yukinoshita was growing more attached to her.
"I don't think they do, but maybe if you wish for them harder we can have them show up", Yukinoshita suggested and Fuyumi's eyes widened.
I raised my brow at that, "Is that even true?".
"In some cultures it's said that fireflies are able to grant wishes because they're able to carry your wishes and deliver it to the Gods", she replied as she turned to me.
"How would that work here?", Komachi questioned as she looked up to her.
"What Fuyumi doesn't won't hurt her", Yukinoshita happily answers.
We turned to see Fuyumi walk a little closer to the shore, before closing her eyes, clasping her hands together and bowing her head, seemingly in a deep prayer. We all just watched as she did, seemingly enjoying the sight of her being so into it. But that's when Ryoto shot up and pointed across the stream.
"There, look!"
The lamps were turned off immediately, bathing us in the darkness of the night once more. I squinted my eyes to get a clearer view of the other side where the tall grass was. For a few moments, I saw nothing but the silhouette of the trees and the grass, that was until I saw a faint flicker. My eyes were drawn to it before it glowed fully, in an instant, that entire side was full of glowing fireflies.
"Woah", Komachi awed.
"It's still as beautiful", Ayumi admired.
The small balls of light danced like floating lanterns across the sky, lighting everything in its small light and basking it in this natural glow. From the reflection of the stream's water, it looked like the stars were moving about against the sky. I was mesmerized at the sight of it as well, barely able to keep my mouth close as the parade of lights danced before us. Yukinoshita was equally stunned at the sight of it as well, watching it with such a soft expression on her face. Beside her, Fuyumi was smiling so bright, with the light of the fireflies, it looked like her eyes were shining brighter than ever.
A stray one began to float towards us, the five of us eagerly watched in anticipation. It drew closer and closer, before Fuyumi raised her hand up to touch it and landed on her ring finger, she let out a quiet gasp before looking up at Yukinoshita, who merely nodded her head and seemingly urged her to seemingly wish upon it.
Fuyumi closed her eyes, muttered her wish under her breath before opening her eyes again. The firefly's light seemingly glowed brighter, before floating up and joining its fellow brethren across the stream.
"So what did you wish for?", I asked Fuyumi as I moved beside her.
"I don't think I should tell", she replied. "Because I think it won't come true if I say it out loud".
Yukinoshita smiled at that, "That is true, don't want to jinx it after all".
That's when Ryoto called to her, urging to come over to where he and Komachi are crouched by the stream, seemingly watching the fireflies from the reflection of the water. Fuyumi lets go of Yukinoshita's hand and runs over to them. Leaving the both of us to watch the fireflies by ourselves now.
In the light soft glow of their lights, Yukinoshita seems a lot more beautiful than before. From her soft hair and eyes, her nimble fingers and gentle smile, I don't feel as embarrassed to gaze at her unlike before. Maybe barring my heart out to her made it a lot easier, I let out a relaxed sighing, suddenly happy I was brought out here in the first place.
"Yukino…", I said as I moved closer to her side, she turned to me as I did too. "I'm looking forward to spending this summer with you".
She smiles in reply.
"Yes, let's make some unforgettable memories, Hachiman"
Note: Did you like it or did you really like it? I'm kidding but thank you for reading. I do have a few more ideas for future chapters, honestly I don't know how long I plan to make this to be I just wanted to vent and write my romanticized idea of living in the Japanese countryside, but I'm open for story suggestions and prompts. Don't forget to review (helps feed my ego, kidding). Anyways, until then, I'll see you all in the next chapter.
Later.