Hello readers. Thank you for making it so far to Chapter 20. I hope you're still with me. I proudly say, all the characters that need to debut, have debuted. So from here on, the whole cast can participate. Yay!

Well, I feel like I haven't been interacting much with my readers since I just get right on with the story all the way up until now, so if you guys would like, I'll use some of this room to talk a little (skip on ahead if you do not want to read my babbles-yes, I like that word).

So, in case you guys have been wondering. When I was writing this, I've been listening to this song that I heard my sister playing (a lot)-sad songs give me inspiration (not always though). So if you guys would like to hear what I've been listening to for the past three hours and a half while writing this, feel free to search up Hyorin's Crazy of You. Other times, I enjoy listening to anime music (listened to them while writing the first 19 chapters). I listen to so many that I probably won't list them here.

I look forward to any questions, comments, opinions, suggestions, critiques, and well, anything coming from you awesome folks. Thank you for supporting again!

Chapter 20

The wind flirtatiously tossed Sayumi's golden brown locks as she walked down the mountain. The day had only just begun so instead of returning straight home, she got off one station earlier than she usually would. After all, this day always felt the longest out of the whole year.

Sayumi strolled on the street of beautiful houses and observed the brilliant nature that surrounded the area. Her heels clicked as she wandered aimlessly through the usual empty residential district on a Sunday morning. She was on her way to the next street, when the sound of a piano caught her attention.

The piano always filled Sayumi with fascination. She leaned against the wall of the house where the music was coming from and closed her eyes. It was a habit to let herself fall into the intriguing music produced by the lovely instrument.

It was a light-hearted melody, calm and mellow, yet beautiful. After one song was over, another followed. The anonymous pianist's selection of songs pleased the girl who was secretly eavesdropping from outside.

Sayumi didn't open her eyes until the music stopped. When she finally realized the lack of piano sounds, she stood straight and looked back at the house. To her surprise and utter embarrassment, she saw a sharp-looking teenage boy holding a little brown teddy bear staring at her from the window. He tilted his glasses to get a better look at the little stalker. Sayumi immediately hid her flushed face by turning away to pretend like she was waiting for someone.

Sayumi began to step away to end the awkward silence when a sudden unexpected phone call from her elderly landlord came in.

"Ojii-san?"

"Sayumi-san. I left my wallet at home. I'm at the community shogi gathering. You remember how to come right?"

"Of course."

"Alright. Bring it quickly."

"Ojii-san. You're not gambling too much are you?" Sayumi asked a little worriedly.

"Sayumi-san. I need my wallet so I can put more money in there, not take anything out. Now stop asking so many questions and bring it over."

"I'll be there soon." Sayumi stuffed her phone in her bag and looked at the big house one last time. The mysterious stranger was no longer standing by the window. Sayumi was strangely compelled to bow, which she did, before she headed towards home. Bowing was her way of showing her appreciation for the music that began flowing out of the house once more.

The girl ran back home and grabbed the wallet sitting on the counter and dashed to her next destination.

...

Sayumi opened the door to the familiar center where she used to follow her brother to almost every weekend. She walked in and absorbed the unchanging features of the nostalgic atmosphere. She missed seeing the shogi boards all laid out. She missed seeing the players' play with such powerful concentration. She missed how strangers would walk up to other strangers and challenge each other to games. She honestly missed this place way more than she thought she did.

Sayumi looked around for Ojii-san in the crowded area and saw a man waving his hand. She walked towards him and handed the wallet to the elderly man who thanked her and continued playing his game seconds after.

After completing her short mission, the girl originally planned to go back, but after coming, she decided to prolong her stay. Besides, it wasn't like she had any plans. She found that a little depressing considering the fact that Ojii-san had shogi and obaa-san was at a reunion with old friends while she had seriously nothing planned.

The young girl in the dress attracted much attention when she roamed around the center, occasionally stopping to observe the intense showdowns. She was probably the only teenager in the center. It was a weekend shogi gathering after all. It's not all too strange that she was the only one from her generation to be in there.

"Sayumi-chan?" a familiar man's voice called from behind. Sayumi spun around to see who was calling her. She looked at the man sitting on the table right behind her. The seat in front of him was empty.

"Care to join me in a game?" The fatherly figure sipped his cup of hot green tea.

"No promises that you'll have a good game." Sayumi comfortably slipped into the seat across from the man.

...

The man moved his last piece and the game ended. Sayumi pouted and her opponent chuckled.

"Sayumi-chan. Good game."

"Don't joke. That was embarrassing." Sayumi took a hairband and tied up her hair into a ponytail.

"You play very similar to your brother."

"How so? I had no chance of winning while he never lost twice to the same opponent."

"Koukai was a very talented boy. You have potential. Your brother was your mentor after all. I say that wasn't awful considering that you haven't played in three years. Plus, you're up against a regular." The man drank from his cup and put it down.

"I remember when Koukai used to come and take the first empty seat he saw. He was sometimes the first to arrive and the last to leave. He was the life of the party." The older man reminisced of the memories of Sayumi's dear brother who won everybody's hearts. She remembered seeing him jump into a seat excitedly and stay planted for hours without breaking a sweat.

"Sayumi-chan. Even though they may not act it, the people who you recognize remember you just as well as they recall your brother. You should go around and greet them as well." The man lifted his cup at another pair of shogi players who were looking their way. Sayumi immediately recognized the two elderly ladies and bowed. The girl politely excused herself and went around to greet all the familiar figures gathered around. When she finally visited most of the crowd, she returned to the man who was patiently sitting and sipping his tea.

"Ojii-san left already. I didn't even know. I believe I should also be going. It was a pleasure to see you again," Sayumi sincerely said to her recently reunited friend.

"Our game was enjoyable." The man said which made Sayumi blush at her amateur skill even more. "Sayumi-chan. One last thing I wanted to share with you. I want you to come back next week." The girl was taken aback by the sudden invitation. The man continued, "Do you want to play your brother again?"

Sayumi's eyes blinked. Would she want to play against Koukai-nii again? How she wished to turn back time and spend more time with him.

"I never once managed to beat Koukai-nii." Sayumi was reminded of her great brother who never seemed to tire of her amateur style of playing. He would always calmly finish the game and then inform her of the alternatives moves she should've made. Sayumi let a small sigh slip out. "I'm afraid I won't be able to play with him anymore. That's one of the things I regret most."

"Sayumi-chan. There's a boy I occasionally play shogi against. He reminds me quite a lot of Koukai." The man analyzed the girl's interested expression. "I have never won against him."

"No way," Sayumi whispered more to herself. "Even Koukai-nii lost to you once." The girl was definitely interested in this mysterious professional shogi player.

"And he's around your age." The man added only to see the expected curiosity written all over the girl's face. "I'll see you next weekend." The girl nodded and waved goodbye to her friend.

...

Sayumi glanced at her wrist watch when she stepped out of the community shogi center. A few hours fly by unbelievably fast in there. It always did. The dolled up girl didn't want to head home just yet. She needed some fresh air from the stuffy area that she exited not long ago. She never understood how her brother could sit and play in there for consecutive hours.

The girl decided to drop by the little store around the corner her brother used to take her to. Every time he made her wait for him in the center, he would make it up to her by buying a little something for his cute little imouto. She made up her mind to commemorate her return by buying something for herself from the same store. It was a bit childish, but Sayumi's thinking was always childish.

The little bell on top of the door jingled when she opened the wooden door to the evocative store that immediately warmed her heart. The row of stuffed animals was still in the same area. In fact, an extra shelf was added. More dangly objects were added to the colorful ceilings. The store remained relatively the same in exception of a few categories that swapped places.

Sayumi tiptoed and pulled down the two stuffed animals that caught her eye. She held the soft white bunny in one hand and a cuddly brown bear on the other. She stared at both critically, obviously struggling with which to buy.

"Today's lucky item is a stuffed brown bear." Sayumi turned to see a tall stranger standing next to her. She looked at the bear and smiled.

"Bear it is." Sayumi tiptoed to put the bunny back in its original place, but ended up with the assistance of the cool green-haired boy next to her.

"Thanks," Sayumi said embarrassed. She watched as he walked away to pay for the toy in his hand and walk out of the store. Her eyes never left him until he was fully out of sight. The shy girl went to pay right afterwards and headed home with the bear in her hand. She caught a few eyes staring at her on her way back home. It was probably a little strange to hug a teddy bear on the streets, but since she didn't feel any shame back then, she wasn't going to bother feeling any now.

A few blocks before Sayumi reached her house, she received a call from her parents. She stared at the phone. This was to be expected. Today was the anniversary of her brother's passing. The girl answered the phone before it rang a third time.

"Hello?"

"Sayu-chan."

"Kaa-san."

"Are you okay?" the woman asked in a trembling voice. Sayumi could tell that her mother was fighting back tears.

"Are you?" There was a long pause until a man's voice interrupted the silence.

"Sayumi."

"Tou-san. Are you two doing well?"

"Today. You know what today is right?"

"I paid my respects to Koukai-nii already."

"Good. Your mother and I knew you would. We want you to know that we all miss him. You do not have to feel alone."

"I know." It was Sayumi's turn to have nothing to say.

"After thinking long and hard, we have decided that you are to come back to America. You are going to return next month."

Sayumi froze when she heard the news. Hadn't she already made it clear that she wasn't planning to return yet? Why so suddenly? Why tell her today? Why tell her now? Why tell her when she just started to find a purpose again? Why?

"Sayumi? Did you hear me?" father asked sternly.

"Sayu-chan. Don't hang up again," mother said softly.

"I'll return." The parents were shocked to hear their rebellious daughter comply so easily, but composed themselves for the inevitable catch. "But please let me tell you when to buy the tickets." Sayumi's voice was tired and had barely any fight left.

"Within the next two months. Pick a date. If you fail to do so, I will personally arrange for your return."

"Arigatou Tou-san, Kaa-san. I'll give you an answer when I see you again."

"Two months." Father reminded before hanging up.

"I have two months." Sayumi whispered to herself as she continued back home. When she returned to her bedroom, she saw a white envelope addressed to the "Kinenos" placed on the center of her desk.

Sayumi looked at the sender and then carefully opened the letter. The letter was from her brother's school-Rakuzan.

Dear Kineno Family,

It was an honor to have Kineno Koukai as a student at Rakuzan High School. Kineno Koukai was an exceptional student and an active participant in our community. During the short time we had the pleasure of having him as a student, he had created many memorable memories and inspired many students. He remains within our hearts to this very day.

Upon your request, we have not held a memorial for his passing, but like the past years, in memory of him, we wish to present you with a pass to visit Rakuzan High School. If there is anything else we can do, please let us know.

Rakuzan High School

Sayumi put the down the enclosed letter. Rakuzan High School had never failed to miss a letter these past years. All these years, Sayumi had not even considered "visiting." But after everything that happened today, she was led to think differently.

She had a time limit. If she doesn't go this year, she probably wouldn't get another chance. She was determined to visit Rakuzan for the first time tomorrow after school ends. She threw herself on the floor and had a minute of shut eye.

{Text from Kuroko Tetsuya}: Are you coming today?

{Text from Kineno Sayumi}: Who's going today?

{Text from Kuroko Tetsuya}: Kineno. This is Kagami. What kind of question is that? Just come if you want to. Who cares who's coming?

{Text from Kineno Sayumi}: Sorry. That was a bad question. I'm coming.

{Text from Kuroko Tetsuya}: Kineno-san. Sorry about that. Everyone's just a little worried about you.

{Text from Kineno Sayumi}: Okay. See you tonight.

That night, Sayumi played her heart out with the rest of the boys. None of them expected that that night was one of the few remaining that all of them would be able to enjoy their time together before the girl who only just began to grow on them, leaves Japan.