Hi there, me again. Just explaining one small thing. This story is actually written in third person point of view, meaning that it's not told from Kurama's perspective, but from somebody who would watch the entire thing, like on a movie screen. I figured I should let you all know so there's not any confusion. On with the story, then.
Remembrance- Chapter 1
It was a beautiful spring day and Kurama had just gotten out of school for spring vacation. He always enjoyed it, since he could work on growing more of his plants in the nice weather. It seemed the perfect year to grow some beautiful roses for his mother. He knew she would love them. She always did.
As he began his walk home, he walked by a bookstore. He knew in the back of his mind that he always passed by it on the way home, but he never once had gone in. As he got closer to the door, he decided to rectify that.
Upon entering, he found that it was decent looking enough. Not nearly as large as the ones closer to Akihabara (which was odd enough, since Akihabara was a large techie marketplace), but large enough to be a good store and cozy at the same time.
He walked along skimming over various titles and came to the gardening section. He always thought it was amusing to see what the so-called experts had written about something they really knew hardly anything about. As he continued down the line, a girl came seemingly out of nowhere and ran into him. She immediately dropped all the books she was holding and stared apologizing.
"Oh, I'm so sorry! I'm always running into things, even with these glasses! Please, accept my apology…"
"It's quite all right. No real harm done. Let me help you with your books."
Kurama reached down and began stacking the books neatly for the girl when they both went for the same book and touched hands. He noticed that hers seemed extremely soft and warm. He looked up to see her blushing at him. It was the first time that he'd really looked at her face.
She had a beautifully shaped face, framed by several wisps of bangs from a haphazardly drawn back ponytail. The thin frames of her glasses seemed to fit her perfectly, encircling her dark brown eyes. All in all, she was a very pretty sight to see, and Kurama thought as much as he drew his hand away and let her take the book. She looked down sheepishly and put the book on top of her own pile, taking the small load into the crooks of her arms. Kurama rose and took his pile with him, preparing to hand them over when she got up. When she did, he handed them to her carefully, so as to not make her drop the ones she already had again.
"Thank you very much. You really didn't have to, you know," the girl said blushing slightly.
"Yes, I know. But I wanted to." Kurama responded smiling. "I see you have a lot of manga mixed in that lot."
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm kind of big on them. Not an otaku, mind you, but I just enjoy reading them rather than a lot of other things."
"Certainly understandable. Any particular favorites you have?"
"Well, I have a select few that I read all the time. Ranma ½ by Takahashi is a pretty good read. I'm also reading another comedy called 'Di Gi Charat.' It's pretty funny."
"Really. I may have to see what that's about, then."
"If you like slapstick and violent humor, you'll appreciate it. I should really be going now, though. It's getting kind of late, and I don't want my sister to send out the posse on me…"
"I know what you mean. My mother will start to get worried if I don't make it home soon."
"So… I guess I'll see you around. Thanks again for helping me with my books."
"You're quite welcome….Um, I didn't get your name."
"Oh. Forgive me again. It's Kei."
"Ah. That's a nice name. I'm…Suuichi."
"Suuichi. That's a nice name too." Kei said giggling slightly. "See you around, Suuichi."
"Wait!" Kurama said taking a step after her. "Will you…be here tomorrow?"
"…I may come here to see what they put in the sale bin. Why? Would you want to meet up here tomorrow?"
"Uh…yes. That would be really nice."
"Okay, then. See you tomorrow, Suuichi."
"Until tomorrow, Kei." Kurama said turning to go.
"Oh, wait! Since we're meeting tomorrow, you can take this."
Kei leafed lightly through her pile and pulled out one of the many mangas, handing it to Kurama. It was the first volume of Di Gi Charat.
"That's my own copy I got the other day. You can borrow it. Saves you a few yen that way."
"Thanks. I'll be sure to read it tonight." Kurama said looking at the cover. In the back of his mind, though, he wondered why the girl in the background was wearing such ridiculously large rabbit ears.
"I hope you like it. Bye!"
Kei left to go to the checkout counter and Kurama headed out the door of the bookstore, tucking the manga into one of the pockets in his schoolbag.
"This may be the beginning of something really memorable…" he though as made his way home.
