Ch.6【Shooting Stars Saga】together they shine pt I
The next day Sae woke up to yelling. At first he thought he was dreaming but as he gradually got more and more awake; he caught words and voices that didn't seem to be his family's.
«Who the f-ck are you?!» Rin yelled angrily at the intruder in his eyes.
An hour prior
Today Rin had woken up a tad bit earlier than usual. He remembered heading to the bathroom just in time for him to bid his parents goodbye as they rushed to leave. At this time, Sae was still sound asleep.
After a fresh shower Rin was fully awake and thus he decided to start his day early with some breakfast before he headed off to training.
When he stepped into the kitchen, he went to the fridge and got some bacon, sausages and eggs which he then fried. He left aside some leftovers for Sae, and then plated his own share with some veggies. He then grabbed one of the drinks Sae had gotten yesterday and done was his lazy morning breakfast.
The quiet morning hours made Rin feel drowsy. With nothing else to do he chose a seat at the dining table and turned on the Smart TV.
The screen popped up with a light and coincidentally one of Sae's matches started playing. Rin recognized it as a recording and he checked the TV only to see an USB-Stick inserted into one of the built in adapters.
This match took place at the start of Sae's career and it was filmed with professional motion cameras owned by the Football Association. They used them to analyze and strategize the workings on the field as well as an individual players habits, form, etc.
This one was from a camera that focused solely on Sae. It gave Rin the chance to take a good look at his brother's outstanding talent again. Just as Sae was about to score, the door bell rang suddenly.
«?» Rin checked the time. It was only 7:38 am. He didn't know anyone that would visit them this early. Thinking that it might have been the delivery man, Rin paused the video. He left his seat at the dining table and went to open the door.
«Hello?» He greeted through the intercom.
It was silent at first but then a voice spoke. «Good morning! We are friends of Sae's. Is he there?»
'? What? Frie- FRIENDS of Sae's? Nii-chan has friends..?' Whatever it was, Rin's drowsiness completely disappeared the moment he took these words in. «...»
«Hello?» He heard the voice speak through the intercom again.
«Nii-chan, is still asleep...» Rin continued hesitantly not sure what to make of it.
«That's fine! We came here to get him. Are you his brother Rin? Can you open the door? It's weird to be talking to a door.» Yuusuke admitted in a humoring voice. Behind him were Yui, Takao and Megumi.
The older twin, Megumi seemed hesitant while Takao seemed a bit amused by all of this. Yui on the other hand just peeked at the door from behind Megumi curiously. Rin thought for awhile but he then slowly opened the door. He was intrigued as to who these people that called themselves Sae's friends could be.
This was a big mistake as he will soon realize.
The moment he opened the door wide enough to gap through, Yuusuke as if waiting for this moment had pushed the door open.
«Wai-» Itoshi Rin couldn't even slam the door back for two reasons.
First, Yuusuke had securely secured his foot between the gap of the door and the frame. Secondly, Yuusuke was stronger than most people their age. He was not only trained in material arts but the years of basketball have also strengthened his body well. Even though Rin's strength was also above his peers, he was caught by surprise and reacted a tad bit too late. Yuusuke easily forced the door open and casually entered the Itoshi residence.
«Hm, so this is where Sae lives, huh?»
«Who the f-ck are you?!» Rin yelled angrily at the intruder in his eyes. He snapped at the possible threat to his family. Ready to pounce him Rin grabbed the nearest tool at his disposal, a set of keys. Yuusuke just turned around and smiled. «Like I said we are friends of your brother's.»
«Huh?! Shut the f-ck up, you monkey. What kinda friends just break into someone else's home. Go die.» Rin cursed angrily and stabbed the keys at his face. Yuusuke dodged them easily with a tilt of his head.
Suddenly Rin heard a laugh from the direction of the door. Coming face to face with him was Takao. Takao smiled down at him gently, a hint of understanding in his eyes.
«Sorry... Rin-kun. You curse just like your brother. The resemblance is startling. You really are siblings.» He said. Takao's laughing stopped and instead he smiled a warm smile directed at Rin. Rin although mad calmed down slightly once he realized that Takao meant no harm. His words made Rin slowly realize how close these people actually sounded to Sae.
Rin knew well that Sae had a potty mouth but most of the time, his brother wouldn't even bother to speak to others. If these strangers were able to know and laugh about this trait of his brother's...
'They must be close.' Rin couldn't help but believe them a bit more.
His anger and fight instinct completely dissolved when he saw the two girls standing at the door. Megumi stood on one side, leaned against the frame. She averted her eyes from whatever was happening inside here, and prefers to stare at the white outer stairs. Meanwhile Yui stood on the other side and peeked in while assessing the situation. When she realized that he saw her, she gave a small dip of her head along with a comforting smile.
«Sorry for disturbing you.» She sang politely as she asked for permission to enter. Megumi too mimicked it with a polite nod of her own.
Rin looked from the two polite girls at the doorframe, then back to the two guys that were roaming his home like it was their own.
'This is a lost case.' Rin realized and with a sigh he said. «Come in... please.» Once the two girls entered he closed the door.
«... There's not much but you can take a seat here. I will go and make-... Make some tea.» Rin invited them in politely the way he had been taught to do. He had to pause midway to control his irritation as he could hear the two guys calling for Sae throughout the house.
'Just what kind of friends do you have, Nii-san? ...' Rin lamented as he quickly hurried up the stairs to check on the situation and his brother.
Upstairs Sae was not amused. Yuusuke and co were probably the only people alive that dared to claim him as their friends. And they were also the only people who would dare act in such a manner towards him.
«These god-f-cking rich kids!» Sae mumbled in irritation as he considered jumping out of the window. It was clear from the chaos that they had invaded his house with the intention of getting him. The reason, Sae didn't know. Still, Sae had better things to do than to let himself get dragged away by them.
As he opened the window to check for an escape route, he had to pause and rethink again. Since he only lived on the second floor he could survive the fall just fine, and the chances of getting injured were about 64%. 80% of this was the likelihood to get a sprain if he landed wrongly. This wasn't much but he had to consider what comes afterwards. For an athlete to get injured when it's avoidable was just... foolish. And even once he was done, he would have to find a way to avoid them until they were gone; how long that would take was impossible to tell. They already raided his house; they had no problems staying here until he's back. And Sae doesn't want to imagine what method Yuusuke might think of shall he really run.
That thought irked him. Sae refused to be the one leaving when it was HIS home, they were invading.
«Fine. If that's how it is, there's no other way.» Sae thought. He closed the window and loosened his shoulders by rolling them. He then stretched his neck and cracked it twice before putting his finger together and stretching them.
Sae's gonna fight.
Whatever was happening upstairs, the two girls decided not to get involve in it. Instead they were lounging in the living room. It was a very clean and homely decorated room. There were a few houseplants in the corner of the house, as well as a fish tank and a large Smart TV in addition to the classic furniture.
The moment they entered, Yui's eyes immediately fell onto the Smart TV. It was a scene of Sae in the middle of a field. His eyes were staring ahead, a sharp look in them. His head was titled slightly upwards as if he was looking for something. His torso was shifted to the side with his knees slightly bent into a stable position like two anchors that ensured the teen wouldn't lose his balance. On his left foot was a ball that seemed to be moving forwards.
«Is this a recording?» Yui asked Megumi who was looking at the same scene as her.
The intelligent girl looked at it for a moment and then replied. «Yes, it's probably one of his practice matches that was recorded by a Motion Cam. This must have been filmed by the Association.»
Yui nodded in understanding. She looked around for Rin who had disappeared the moment he had led them in here. Yui couldn't tell what was happening but judging from the aggressive sounds of stomping, laughing and yelling upstairs... it seems to be a mess. «Are you sure we don't need to check on them?» Yui asked her best friend while she checked the remote control she had just found.
Megumi smiled knowingly and took the remote control from her. She sat down onto the couch and patted the spot next to her. Yui smiled and followed her friend's invitation.
«No need to. Besides, you want to watch this, don't you?» Megumi said with a smile and pressed the play button on the remote control. The Sae in the video started moving and the two girls ended up watching while waiting for the guys to finish their business.
Around 10 minutes later Yuusuke and Takao appeared with Sae in tow. Yuusuke's lip was bursted and bleeding slightly while Takao escaped with dishelved hair. Sae was unharmed at least physically. The glare and irritation in his eyes could kill anybody ten times over.
With slight worry, Yui was also delighted to see them.
«Sae-san, good morning.» She greeted him from the couch the moment she saw him. Sae faced her in a bad mood. But that feeling soon stopped. The moment he saw her in front of him all of his thoughts and irritations disappeared into a cloud of smoke.
Yui was dressed in a simple white strap shirt with laces and a pair of ankle length wide end light blue jeans that were secured with a simple brown braided belt. Her hair was up into a messy lower bun, with the bangs framing her delicate face. She looked beautiful.
'Too beautiful.' Sae's breath hitched in his throat. For a moment he forgot how to breathe, who he was and what he has been doing. Sae forgot everything except for the loud thumping he could hear in his ears and the heat rising to his face. Somehow this combination of Yui in casual clothes + his living room + she's on his couch flustered the teen in ways he had never experienced before. It took all of Sae's remaining will power not to let the blush rise to his face and to stop himself from acting on impulse.
Sae calmly turned around and hurried up the stairs without another word. His breath was caught in his throat so much, he couldn't even find the strength to form a proper sentence. Let alone speak. On his way he wordlessly passed by Rin who went downstairs to check on the guests.
«Nii-san?» Rin asked with an expression that showed his confusion. The loud slam of the bathroom door was all the younger Itoshi got as a reply. Not knowing what to do Rin just stood there and watched the door. Thankfully, it was Yuusuke that would come to his and also Sae's help.
While Takao had come to realize something just now, he failed to notice what Yuusuke had. Only Yuusuke had noticed Sae's limbs, that were shaking like jelly. He really had used all will power left to control himself. Yui affected Sae much more than Yuusuke had initially thought.
'If he feels this strongly, then...' Ending his thoughts with a content smile, Yuusuke decided to help ease the situation.
«Oh, don't mind him. He's just taking his time getting ready.» Yuusuke assured and put a hand onto Rin's shoulder.
Rin startled awake and turned around to glare at Yuusuke. «Don't touch me!» Rin shot back coldly and Yuusuke let go thinking that these siblings really resembled another.
Splash. Splash. Splash
The moment Sae reached the bathroom and locked it, he immediately sunk to the floor. He felt like all of his strength has been drained away. While all that remained was this dizzy warm feeling that spread from the depths of his stomach throughout his whole body.
'Whateven is this...' Sae thought flustered to the point of feeling tired. The cold bathroom surface helped cool him down.
Soon Sae was back on his feet again. He walked towards the bathroom sink and washed his face with cold water to get rid of the remaining heat.
Sae stared at his reflection in the mirror. His inexpressive, bored face stared back at him. That was who he was. The person staring back at him was who he always had been. Cold, analytical, logical, a football fanatic, ambitious, egoistic and many more.
Sae never was fond of mere dreams. He was the kind to set goals and put his all into achieving these goals. And for him, football was that goal. It was the only goal for him. Sae never showed any interested in anything else aside from it. He lived for football, he breathed for football, he existed for football. For the longest time there was only football in his world. He was his own lone star in a world of football.
Yet now, his world was changing.
Before he had known it and even without his consensus, the stars of fate aligned. They gathered and orbited around him and together they transformed into a pattern and formed a constellation of their own. There was nothing Sae could do but admire the beauty of the light their(his) constellation shines.
Among all of this, there was a star that orbited closer to him than anyone. Where that star will go and what's to become of them was yet to be known. Even so, in Sae's world of only football. There now was a sky full of stars that twinkled from above. Inside a world of monotone, a galaxy was born. He was changing. Sae realized as he stared at his reflection. Whether for better or worse; right now, he didn't want to stop this transformation.
«Whenever I think of her I don't-»
'want to stop it'. Sae's heart answered for him.
He remembered Yui's crystal clear blue orbs, Yui's joyful, innocent smile and soft laughter that pierces him like an arrow every time. He shook his head as if to pull himself out of his thoughts and chuckled.
Freezing at that unexpected sound, Sae stared at his reflection in the mirror. His love-struck expression stared back at him.
This day was full of surprises for Rin. He saw a side of his brother he had never seen before. How could Rin ever guess the day his usually cool and aloof brother would actually pounce on someone? In Rin's eyes Sae was still just as cool, after all his big brother basically won the fight and even looked unscathed after it.
'That's Nii-san for you.'
Rin thought with an amiable smile as he took the kettle from the stove and poured some hot tea for their guests. What surprised Rin even more though was the existence of Sae's friends. Until now, Rin wasn't sure what to think of them. His first thought was that they were 'crazy' and clinically insane. Not much has changed about that. The girls seem to be fine but he had expected better of Sae's -
Rin stopped his train of thoughts when he realized something. 'Nii-san has female friends...'
'A girlfriend?!'
In the living room Megumi tended to Yuusuke's wound with the first aid kit Rin had brought from the kitchen earlier. Soon Yuusuke was all patched up and he thanked the girl with a light kiss on the cheek. Megumi just smiled.
Rin came back and the drinks were served. He couldn't stay for long and had to leave for practice soon. Meanwhile, Sae was still taking a shower upstairs. Rin had second thoughts about leaving his brother alone with a bunch of strangers inside of their house. Yet it was Sae that reassured him with a «Just go.» In other words, Rin figured that it was fine... probably. With that the younger teen excused himself and left.
After a few more minutes, Sae appeared downstairs dressed in a black T-shirt and black jeans with red buttons. He secured it with a simple black designer belt. It was a simple yet elegant attire, suitable for shopping even in a high-end district.
During the time they spent waiting Takao had explained the girls about what happened upstairs. In the end, Sae and Yuusuke made a deal; in return for a punch and the promise that this won't happen a second time, Sae will meet up with them once a week outside of school, today being that first day.
«He didn't hold back with the punch at all. Must have felt good.» Takao concluded the story with laughter.
«So what? Are we going?» Sae said the moment he entered the living room. In his mind he planned on getting some breakfast somewhere along the way.
«I think it's my first time seeing you in casual clothes. You look good.» Yui complimented him with a jolly smile from the couch.
Sae just turned away and blinked. «Thanks...»
'You too.' He thought to himself and moved towards the hall. The group followed him and soon the teens exited the house one by one.
Since it was still early and none of them had breakfast yet. The group decided to go for some food before meeting An, Shuu and Ageha at the promised meeting spot. The whole time Sae was conflicted. He had been trying not to pay too much attention to the girl, yet he would occasionally find himself staring at her, thinking of her and longing to be near her. Sighing to himself he focused on his surroundings in an attempt to calm his mind.
On the other hand, Sae's distance was something Yui noticed. During the last week she had gotten used to his company. Ever since Sae had joined the group and started to hang out with them, she felt like he had always been there. Whenever she turned around he would be there by her side. They would talk about their interest and share their lunch together. They would listen to music or just slouch on the table looking at the sky and indulge in the bliss of silent company together. She would smile at him and Sae would reply with a kindness of his own.
Itoshi Sae was a kind person - at least to her. He just had a unique way of showing it. This was the realization Yui had come to after spending some time with him.
FLASHBACK - A few days prior
After Sae had joined their group, Yui had been playing after school nearly every day. At times Ageha would drop by, at times it was Megumi. Shuu and Takao came by once as well. But most of the time it had been Sae who would drop by after club practice just for the few minutes to hear her play. Afterwards they would walk to the station together.
While he was at club practice, Yui would play to herself to pass time.
When Yui was younger she used to sing a lot, but she stopped doing so when she was required to move back to Japan, her mother's home country. From then on, Yui stopped singing and she devoted most of her time playing the piano instead.
On that fateful day however, Yui was humming a soft melody as she accompanied herself. That soft humming melody was soon adorned with words. The words grew louder and fuller filling the room with sound and resonance.
The melody soon took over and Yui was full out singing to herself. The piano only a secondary tool of accompaniment.
Yui felt so immersed and freed in the moment, she didn't notice when a person had stopped by the room.
(I had a hard time choosing a fitting song, so here are some ideas:
«As I love you» cover by Kotoha
«Till I can hold you tightly» cover by Kotoha
«Palette - piano ver.-» cover by Ruru
...)
Yui finished that piece with a soft dreamy smile and a dazed look in her eyes. In that moment the usually cheerful and straightforward girl looked fragile and vulnerable as if the slightest touch could shatter her.
Yui heaved a soft sigh and recollected herself. Her gaze happened to shift towards the door
and there she saw him ...Itoshi Sae.
«!» Yui's cheeks flushed tomato red as she grabbed her sheets and buried her face into them.
«Wh- what? W-why...» Yui felt a deep sense of embarrassment and failed to utter any coherent wording.
After a few minutes of silence Yui raised her head again. She felt the blood rush come down and asked looking like a deer caught in headlights: «...Did you hear?»
'No, of course he did.' She thought.
'How embarrassing.' Yui thought as she tried to swallow her panic.
I'm going crazy.' Sae thought. Unable to look away, his keen eyes did not miss a single one of Yui's reactions during this whole time. He thought she was a passable human being before. He didn't mind her presence. He liked her music. Sometimes he even thought that she was cute. But this? No words could express what he was feeling right now.
If there was one category that went above all the words in this world. For him, she was just Yui right now. Shining, dazzling, brilliant. She was his own precious star, Yui.
«... Did you hear?» Her words pulled him back again. Sae saw the way her clear crystal blue eyes twinkled with an unusual moisture in them.
'As if they are shooting stars...' Sae thought. These exactly same pair of blue eyes had drawn him out of his thoughts and pulled him into reality so many times. They pulled him back to their present.
'They pull me back to her.' His heart thought and suddenly Sae knew what to say.
Closing the door behind him, Sae looked around the room as he acted oblivious. It was something he was good at doing anyway: to feign ignorance.
«No... I didn't hear anything.» From the corner of his eyes he watched Yui's anxiety melt into relief and warmth and her face blossomed into a smile. It was the prettiest and most heartfelt smile Sae had ever seen and he knew then and there, that he had made the correct decision.
«... Thank you, Sae.»
At that moment they both understood. This was a kindness of his own.
End of Flashback
Yui looked at the back of Sae's head for a long time. The way he put a distance between them now, she really didn't like that. Filled with a sense of purpose and courage, she quickened her steps until she reached him. Yui didn't stop walking until she had passed him.
She finally stopped when she was in front of him. Sae was forced to stop in his tracks and pay his attention to her, or else he would run into her.
'Yui?' He thought to himself. His eyes were shaky as he tried to avoid looking at her, but Yui didn't let him. She was looking at him with such a clear and honest conviction in her eyes, he couldn't look away.
Yui's eyes always drew him in. Sae realized something. 'This is it...' Sae thought. He couldn't deny it any longer. He didn't want to. 'I can't fight these eyes.' Sae admitted with a sense of defeat. He just couldn't resist the girl. Not when she was there standing right in front of him. Sae sighed. A moment later that sighed turned into a small smile.
His smile was beautiful. A calm, boyish smile that radiated confidence, strength, unyielding conviction and warmth - just like... the setting sun.
«!» Yui blushed upon seeing him smile. It was the first time Yui saw that smile on Sae's face. She clenched her wrists behind her back and she tried to ignore the loud thumping inside of her chest. It was only a brief moment that they stood there but for them it felt like an eternity. Absentmindedly, she brushed back one of her loose hair strands behind her ear and smiled her usual cheerful smile.
«I thought you were avoiding me. But it seems like everything's fine now!» Yui confessed honestly with a bright smile. Sae lowered his head and closed his eyes.
«Yeah... it's alright now.» He admitted more to himself but still loud enough for Yui to hear.
Sae reopened his eyes and a new resolve burnt in them. With a smooth step and renewed confidence, Sae lightly tucked Yui's hand and motioned for her to go with him.
«I'm hungry.» He said in his usual lackluster tone as he fell in step next to her. As brief as their physical contact was, Yui felt closer to him now. She chuckled and tagged along. «Me too.»
The group behind them saw it as a sign for them to go. No one commented on what they had seen. Except for few knowing smirks and little smiles, they quietly kept their observations to themselves.
As for Sae, from now on he won't hesitate anymore. Whether it be in love or football, his life, dream or career. With his heart set ablaze, he gazed ahead with a new fire burning in his eyes.
Despite it only being late morning, the sun was already out and shining. Summer was here!
Beneath the benevolent sunlight, the teens soon arrived at a little Café near Sae's house. Megumi recognized this place as she had often visited here for some food whenever she needed some time to herself. It was said girl that led the group in.
The manager immediately recognized Megumi and after some small talk, she looked over at the group of teens. Except for Megumi most of their faces were obscured so she couldn't tell who they were.
Yuusuke and Sae were wearing black sunglasses. Takao and Yui both had caps on. The waitress just smiled at them politely and took their orders. They chose to get takeaway in order to continue their way to the station and have some food at the same time. Yuusuke went for some beefy burger, Takao had a mini bento consisting of rolled egg, onigiri, meat and veggies. While Megumi went for her favorites, waffles. Sae got a chicken caesar wrap and Yui went for Crêpes.
«Our tastes are all over the place.» Yuusuke stated after looking at the array of dishes. Some were about to eat theirs when Takao stopped them.
«Wait. Let me take a picture first. To commemorate our first outing, you know?»
He had suggested and Yui cheered happily. Overall the girl seemed to be in a really good mood. The weather was nice and she had her friends and some good food. She was especially happy that Sae was there. Why she didn't know yet.
Sae liked seeing her happy so he didn't say anything and just quietly went along. It's not like he had much of a choice anyway.
Click. The sound of a camera went off.
They soon arrived at the meeting spot where Ageha, An and Shuu were already waiting.
«Yo!» The two groups greeted another. The girls hugged each other giddily and the first thing Megumi said to them was.
«An-chan, we met your ideal type.»
«?» At these words Takao, Yuusuke and Ageha turned their heads to look. Yuusuke smelled some entertainment but sadly for him, Megumi just smiled back at An and shook her head in a "later" gesture.
Shuu saw this as a chance to switch the topic and he looked at Sae.
«So, where to first?» Sae blinked once and realized what he was referring at. He then pulled out the shopping list his mom had written for him and glanced over it.
«Just the department store.» Sae replied curtly.
«Mitsukoshi. Matsuya?» Shuu asked cooly. Yui who had overheard their conversation joined them. Sae thought for a moment. His attention then went to the girl who returned it with a smile.
«Mitsukoshi.» Sae replied and Shuu nodded.
«Hey, we are going to Mitsukoshi.» Shuu announced to the rest who were... bickering? Upon hearing him call them, the rest stopped what they were doing and together they headed to Mitsukoshi Ginza, a popular department store located in Ginza.
The shopping trip went well and Sae managed to get all that he needed in the first hour. Usually he would just call it a day then and there, but with his friends around he couldn't just leave. They wouldn't let him.
It was today that Sae would learn what 'shopping hell' looked like.
After Sae got all his stuff, Yuusuke had oh so miraculously summoned his chauffeur and butlers who took their bags and went to guard it. He was then dragged off with a devilish grin.
Sae regretted his decision. If he had known that they were going to browse through each floor, he wouldn't have chosen the Mitsukoshi. It was fifteen floors tall! As they reached the 12th floor, Sae took a break at one of the very comfy seats built inside the hall, with a water bottle in his hand. His form was slouched and his expression dark. He muttered incoherent wording into his hand, while planning all the kinds of cruelty and murder he could think of.
Next to him was Takao. He too seemed to be tired but in a lot better mood than Sae was. Takao laughed when he saw Sae's reaction.
«Tired? You will get used to this after awhile.» Takao said knowingly as he looked at the group inside the store. Sae graced him with a glance from the corner of his eyes. He then followed his gaze towards the store in front of them. Sae's eyes focused on a single person.
Yui and the others were currently browsing through a jewelry store. Whether to simply admire it or get something, he didn't know. But Sae liked the twinkle he saw in her eyes whenever she saw something she liked. It made this trip just a little... less horrible.
«Do you do this often?» Sae asked in his usual impassive voice tone.
Takao shook his head. «Only sometimes. Most of the times it's just the girls who want to go there.»
Sae let these words sink in. In his mind he wondered why they didn't just go alone. Takao continued to speak. He replied to Sae's unasked question while doing so.
«At first we all hated it. Well, it's still tiring and horrible now but...» He paused for a moment as if he remembered something. His forehead darkened slightly as he muttered the following coldly: «It's still better than seeing them getting hit on or hanging out with other guys.»
Sae looked at Takao blinking once in surprise. «That happened?»
Sae didn't know about relationships but he couldn't imagine any of the girls hanging out with another guy when they had boyfriends. Takao sighed as he remembered. «Back then we just started dating each other. The girls set of alone and some jerks took advantage of our absence under the cover of 'classmate and upperclassmen'. An was pretty upset though.»
Takao explained without revealing too many details and Sae didn't mind enough to ask for more. However there was one thing that edged him.
«...And Yui?» Sae asked seemingly calm but inwardly he felt his senses tingling. Takao paused for a moment and looked at away.
«Yes... She was involved. There are quite many people that have a crush on her. Back then, one of the upperclassmen seemed to be seriously smitten with her. Let's say it was pretty bad. He was a misogynist and all that sh-t. He said some pretty messed up stuff and did some crazy sh-t under the pretense of love. In the end Yui snapped and guess what? ... She kicked him in the balls real good. That guy ain't gonna recover from that so soon.» Takao ended with a laugh.
'That's my girl.' Sae thought unconsciously as he tried to hide the proud smirk that was forming on his face with a hand in front of his mouth.
«Where's he now?» Sae asked the air around him slightly dangerous. Takao shook his head.
«Not in Tokyo anymore. It seems like his family had some dirt stuck to them. It wasn't hard to get rid of them.» Sae got what Takao hinted at and just stayed quiet for a moment.
«...You're stuck to her like glue.» Sae broke the silence with that sudden comment.
Takao stiffened for a moment and then smiled. «So you noticed. I thought you didn't care.»
Sae didn't reply and instead just looked at Takao with his usual slightly bored expression. Truth to be told, Sae didn't understand why he asked these questions either or what was going on in his head right now. He just wanted to.
Takao then shrugged. «Well... that incident certainly triggered things. For me; she's a friend. But An and Megumi absolutely adore her. They wouldn't recover if anything happened to her. And well... 'I guess I do understand a bit'» Takao trailed off not wanting to admit that.
«As for Yuusuke... Ask him yourself.» Takao ended bluntly after a short pause. Sae didn't need to be told twice and they both remained silent. It was at this moment that light footsteps approached them.
«Sae-san, Takao, over here.» The subject of their talk called when she stopped in front of them. Yui then grabbed both of their sleeves and tried to pull them with her. If it was anyone else Sae would have yanked their hand away. But it was Yui so he allowed.
«Yui-» Sae said as he stood up giving in to the girls request. Takao followed and together they reentered the store. The trio stopped in front of a glass vitrine where the others were at as well. On top of it were multiple black boxes with the same bracelet inside of them laid out.
It was a minimalistic black bracelet seemingly made of lusterless stone. It had a wide of about 0.5cm and had a black metallic lock. It looked low-key for casual wear yet still slick enough not to look cheap.
«?» Sae asked as he glanced around the familiar faces. They all had a smile on their face.
«They are friendship bracelets...» Yui explained slowly from his side. «Each one has its owner's name engraved inside of it. And another gravure on the lock. This one is mine.»
Yui pointed towards her own black bracelet. Upon closer look he could see that a half moon was engraved upon the black metal lock.
'A moon' Sae thought thinking that it fits her.
«I've got a cherry blossom.» An chimed in happily.
«Me: a wave.» Takao joined.
«Yin and Yang.» Shuu followed.
«Infinity for me.» Yuusuke cheered.
«I have a butterfly.» Ageha whispered softly.
«An anchor...» Megumi smiled quietly to herself.
«This one here is yours, Sae-san.» Yui said with a soft voice and gently put the box in front of him. Sae looked at it as he took the box in his hands. It was the same black metallic bracelet he had seen before. But this time a sun was engraved on the metallic lock.
They all watched Sae's eyes soften slightly, the usual coldness and harshness in them gone and replaced by something else. Something warm and vibrant.
«Thanks...» Sae mumbled as he looked at it with fondness in his eyes.
The friends all looked at each other, some breathed out the air they had unconsciously been holding. They were all anxious and nervous thinking that the plan might fail and Sae would refuse to accept it or in the worst case dislike it. To their relief the reaction seems to be quite good.
«Then, I guess this is it!» Ageha said happily as she clasped her hand together in delight.
«Let's put them on!» Ageha suggested and immediately the salesperson helped each one of them put it on with the utmost care and respect.
«Everyone, come here.» Takao called everyone over. Sae hesitated at first but when he saw Yui waiting for him with a smile, he hesitantly joined them. They gathered into a circle.
«Let's take a photo.» Takao said his phone in one hand. He then created a peace sign with his other hand, the one that had the bracelet and put it in the middle of the circle. «Let's make a star.» He suggested.
The rest joined him until only Sae's hand was missing.
«Are you chickening out now?» Sae suddenly heard someone whisper into his ear while he hesitated.
«Never.» Sae fought back as he glared at Yuusuke and positioned his fingers at the only free spot between Yui and Yuusuke. As their fingers touched, Sae felt another tingle spread through his body. It was warm.
Click.
«Thank you for your hard work. I would like to pay for all of these, please!» Ageha thanked the Store Manager politely.
«No, no. We're thankful for you and your family's support throughout all the years. Please don't worry about payment. Everything shall be done as you wish.» The manager said politely with a perfect ninety degrees bow.
Ageha seemed a bit embarrassed at that. She brushed it off with a "Don't say that...". At the same time she found herself unable to insist on paying after the manager declined her offer this respectfully.
Thankfully Takao had led the group out of the store earlier which left only her, Yuusuke and Shuu behind. Yuusuke saw this chance and put a hand on Ageha's shoulder. «Ageha-chan, manager-san it's fine. Allow me (to pay).» He insisted. Although Ageha understood Yuusuke's good intention, she felt stubborn about it and refused to let him.
Soon they were discussing among each other who should pay. Neither wanted to retreat. Shuu watched this with a sigh. He marveled at Yuusuke's ability to pick a fight with everyone.
'Only Megumi can handle him.' Shuu thought as he felt his patience being tested by his master.
Meanwhile outside, Yui finally found the time to talk to Sae in quiet. They were sitting on a bench and taking a break together. Some went to the bathroom, others went to the roof for some fresh air.
Sae sat there with his back leaned against the sturdy surface behind him. He had a slight bored look on his face but it could also just be his usual expression.
Yui too leaned backwards with a light stretch. «Ha, that was fun.» The young girl cheered as she watched her hand stretched out in front of her. To be more precise she admired the bracelet. It was a visible reminder of their friendship.
'It did look like she was having fun.' Sae agreed in his mind as he remembered her excited smiles. He glanced at his own bracelet.
«Sae-san, did you have fun too?» Yui asked. She leaned down slightly and tilted her head so that she could look at the boy's face. Unconsciously Sae leaned in slightly as well. He put his face onto the palm of his hand as he looked back at her with the same intensity in his eyes.
For a moment they sought out answers in each other's eyes. This action looked quite romantic for the passengers that saw them.
«It was... alright.» Sae finally answered when he couldn't bear looking into Yui's eyes anymore. He leaned back into his seat and looked to the side at a random store. He acted like he wasn't flustered and tried to ignore his heart that thumped loudly inside his chest.
Yui was happy with his reply and busied herself with her pouch. She was about to pull out something from it but stopped when she heard the others return.
Their long and exhausting day ended and the teens went home with plenty of shopping bags, beautiful memories and a precious keepsake on each of their wrists.
On his way home Sae would occasionally glance at the black bracelet. He wasn't quite used to this feeling yet. At the same time it also was a nice change of pace from his last 12 soon 13 years of life.
'I guess, I can humor them until I'm gone.' Sae closed his eyes and revealed in a sense of belonging.