Somewhere Only We Know
"Wow, things have really died down since the dance," TK twirled a straw wrapper between his fingers.
"The dance is over, people are probably getting ready for summer vacation or college, and it looks like a lot of stores are closing shop sooner than expected," Davis said.
"I would have been excited about the going out of business sales, but it's only 30% off and most of the inventory has been picked apart at," Mimi sighed.
"We're not doing clearance sales at all. They're just shipping all of our leftover inventory to other stores in the area once our last shift ends," Izzy shook his head.
"Same. That's gonna be one long closing shift," Tai rolled his eyes.
"That is such a cheap trick," Mimi whined.
"That's corporate for you. They want to take every last penny from you. Notice how discounts aren't even the same anymore?" Matt smirked.
"You know what? That's so true. I can't remember the last time I've seen sales for more than 30% off lately- and that's a good discount nowadays," Kari frowned.
"Most of the time, it's buy one, get one 50% off- and I just found out that means you'll get 25% max! That's like cheating!" Davis gasped.
"Wait, really...?" Tai pulled out a receipt and an eyeliner pencil. "Uh...how?"
"I'm guessing you're still struggling with math?" Sora looked concerned.
"Yeah...I don't think I'll be passing math in time for graduation," Tai groaned.
"Maybe there's always summer school?" Davis shrugged.
"But I really better shape up! I am not repeating senior year again!" Tai whined.
"Tai, how are you going to pull this off?" Kari bit her nail.
"While I was sitting in the hospital for days, just doing nothing...I came up with a plan. I'll drop out of high school if I don't pass summer school. I'll just work a day shift somewhere and take GED classes at the community college at night, and it will be like nothing has changed- except no one has to know anything! It will be foolproof!" Tai nervously smiled.
"Tai, don't you think this might be a bit ambitious?" Izzy winced.
"I'm just trying to come up with as many plans as possible. Especially after all the stuff that's happened this year, maybe I need to start preparing for any emergencies down the line a little better," Tai tapped at his cast.
"But what if the parents find out? They'll surely be mad," Kari asked.
"Ugh...yeah. That's another kink in my plan I have to figure out," Tai groaned.
"This is starting to get messy, kind of like the other schemes you've cooked up before. I just hope you be more careful about this, before you break a leg this time," Sora pouted.
"Isn't 'break a leg' an expression of good luck?" Davis asked.
"As long as it's not meant in the literal sense," TK smirked.
"Oh," Davis pursed his lips together.
"Well, I guess our break's over. We probably should get back to our really slow shifts...," Izzy sighed.
"We'll totally miss this place come September," Sora said.
"Will we?" Matt hummed.
"I know I will," Mimi sighed.
"Bonjour, mon amis!" Catherine cheerfully greeted everyone.
"Whoa, Catherine...someone's in a great mood," TK raised an eyebrow.
"I am. I have some great news for you all!" Catherine beamed.
"No offense, but you're a manager. What's great news to you might not be great news to us," Zoe frowned.
"Oh come, be positive!" Catherine scoffed.
"So what's the news?" Kari asked.
"We're all keeping our jobs!" Catherine smiled.
"Huh? But I thought this mall was shutting down?" TK pointed to the ground.
"True that they'll be restructuring the mall into something different, but Cafe Europa will be coming back! In the meantime, you guys will be working at another location to help pitch in with short staff," Catherine said.
"Wait, so does that mean we don't get our severance package anymore?" Zoe frowned.
"Silly girl, severance packages are for people who lost their jobs," Catherine giggled.
"Wait, so are you saying once we have our last day at this location, are we immediately going to another location?" TK asked.
"Yeah, it's just across town!" Catherine smiled.
"Do you know how long it takes to get 'across town'? We live in a city with several million people," Kari groaned.
"Oops, I didn't think of that! But it's only for the summer. You guys can stick it out," Catherine cringed.
"What do you mean by 'you guys'? What are you going to be up to?" Zoe narrowed her eyes.
"I'm using my PTO. Use it or lose it," Catherine sheepishly said.
"I think I'm gonna lose it for sure," TK said through his teeth.
"TK, your eye is twitching," Kari frowned.
"I know," TK huffed.
"Matt, I think we need to stop...," Sora said in between kisses.
"You know, I was kinda thinking the same thing," Matt gently ran his fingers through her hair and resumed kissing her.
"No, I'm serious," Sora broke away from Matt's grip.
"Okay...I think you're right. I think we're really crossing the line," Matt buttoned up his shirt.
"I think we've already crossed it. Several times," Sora adjusted her henley top.
"This sucks because this feels so right but in the back of my mind, I can't help but feel it's messed up. It's not fair. Like why?" Matt bit his lip.
"It's not fair. Like how did this happen?" Sora sighed.
"There's just too many conflicting signs that tell us that maybe we should stop where we are," Matt said.
"And I got another one in the mail. I got accepted into the University of Kyoto after all," Sora pulled an envelope out of her back pocket.
"Oh... I'm so happy for you," Matt forced a smile.
"Are you?" Sora pouted.
"Yeah, as long as you're happy," Matt shrugged.
"I thought I would be happier about this, but I don't know now," Sora sighed.
"Hey, this is a good thing! You should be happy. Isn't this what you always wanted?" Matt asked.
"I did, but now that it's here, I feel like time is like an hourglass and it's all slipping through my fingers quickly. And what about you? What are you going to do?" Sora asked.
"I don't think I'm ready for college just yet, I might take a gap year. I'm not exactly sure what I want to do for the rest of my life, you know?" Matt shrugged.
"Right," Sora said.
"Look, whatever you do, don't let me- or anyone else hold you back. At least you have an idea of what you want to do. And who knows, maybe things will fall into place. Maybe we are meant to be soulmates, just in a different timeline," Matt put his head on Sora's lap.
"Or maybe in a parallel universe. If only we could be somewhere where only we would know," Sora frowned.
"Shhh, let's just take in this last moment. Okay?" Matt sighed.
"Okay," Sora took in a deep breath.
"The bridal shop's last day is today. It really does feel like everything is over for me," Mimi frowned.
"That's okay. You'll be fine," Izzy smiled.
"Hello? Did you hear me? After today, I don't have a job anymore, and then after our last day of school, I have to go back to New York and all you have to do is smile? What is wrong with you?" Mimi cried.
"Nonononono, please don't be upset!" Izzy turned red.
"Why? I almost feel like you want me gone!" Mimi heaved.
"The opposite of that, really! But I do have a surprise before you leave. I'm sorry, I guess I'm not as good as keeping secrets as I thought I could be," Izzy turned red.
"A surprise? What is it?" Mimi wiped her tears away.
"I can't tell you that...it's supposed to be a surprise," Izzy reverted back to his normal serious expression.
"Oooh, I reset Izzy back to factory settings," Mimi teasingly gasped.
"Apparently, I did the same to you," Izzy let out a small smirk as he gently poked her in the cheek.
"Well, can I get a hint of what you're planning?" Mimi asked.
"Ummm, you get it before you leave," Izzy smirked.
"Nooo, that's cheating! I want another hint," Mimi playfully smacked him on the arm.
"Nope, that's all you're getting from me until then," Izzy cocked his head to the side.
"Ugh, I can't wait that long," Mimi whined.
"Patience is a virtue," Izzy wagged his finger at her.
"People say that to me a lot, but I don't really understand what they mean," Mimi pouted.
"Just be patient," Izzy said.
"Do you know who I am?" Mimi smirked.
"I do, so I'm asking a lot from you. I have to get going but don't think too much about this. Focus on pushing through the rest of this year," Izzy said.
"Okay, but can't promise," Mimi pouted.
"Tai, I can't believe you're back so soon," Miki sucked her teeth.
"Doctors cleared me, but I have to take things easy for now," Tai sighed.
"I'm sorry that you couldn't go to the dance, but I really, really, really, really like how you made it up to me!" Megumi squealed.
"Yeah, you went over the top, she's on cloud nine...speaking of. We're just waiting for a couple more people to come over. We've got a mall-wide meeting," Miki glanced at her smartwatch.
"Here? At the makeup store?" Tai asked.
"We're like one of the only places that are almost cleared out, and it's not like we've got a lot of official retail employees left anyways," Miki said.
"Is this everyone?" Megumi yelled.
"We've got La Salsa, Southport, Pinkalicious, Aimee's Skate Shop, Penalty Box, Spicy Talk, Soap and Sudsy Workshop, Crush, the fat lady stores, the old lady stores, Lacy's, Billard's, Melk, food court leftovers, Cafe Europa, yeah, I think that's everyone," Megumi stood on top of the cash wrap and looked over the small crowd of people.
"Okay, looks like we've got virtually everyone. Now get down from there in case there's an OSHA rat around. Tai's already walking around with a broken arm," Miki jerked her thumb down.
"Okay," Megumi gingerly climbed back down to ground level.
"Why are we all here?" Koji asked.
"I have an idea," Zoe retorted.
"As you may all guessed by now, the mall is closing down and being torn apart to make way for a mixed-use development area! That means there's going to be apartments built alongside- or more like above standalone stores, restaurants, and other businesses!" Yolei yelled.
"That sounds like a hellscape," Izzy frowned.
"That sounds expensive," Kouichi muttered.
"Listen, I know that most of us are out of jobs, and at least we're coming out with generous severance packages to last us the summer!" Yolei exclaimed.
"Speak for yourselves," Kari grumbled.
"Why are we even here?" TK tugged at his visor.
"Anyways, I brought you all here, because as the assistant manager to the future Cloud 9 superstore at this location, we're going to need plenty of hands on deck- including a full-time senior manager. I would totally do it, but I'm still in high school!" Yolei nodded.
"How the hell did she get an assistant manager job for a place that doesn't even exist yet?" Izzy silently hissed.
"I think that's called having audacity?" Angie frowned.
"I have a question- why the hell would anyone want to work at a crappy superstore in the middle of a ritzy apartment complex?" an older man with a beard tied up in a ponytail grunted.
"Because you get a 10% discount at both Cloud 9 and the built in Cafe Europa!" Yolei exclaimed.
"What?!" TK, Kari, and Zoe yelled in unison.
"Oh, I knew I was forgetting something! Because you guys will be working at a Cloud 9 location, you'll get a discount there too! Isn't that awesome?" Catherine beamed.
"You keep saying 'you guys'...what are you going to be up to?" Zoe asked.
"I decided to quit. It's just way too much for me, especially with college coming up," Catherine shook her head.
"Unbelievable," Kari's mouth dropped.
"This is ridiculous!" a guy with spiky brown hair threw his hands up in the air.
"Look, I know that we all liked our jobs and we got attached to our coworkers here-"
"No we didn't!" Izzy boorishly interrupted.
"Well most of us did," Yolei dismissed him. "But I thought to advertise this for anyone who would like a job this coming fall, okay? Nobody is forcing you to work here, but if anyone is interested, you can apply on the official Cloud 9 website- and put me down as a reference so we can get to your resume faster!" Yolei pulled out a flyer.
"I can't believe we're going to be replaced by a cheap superstore, which is probably going to pay less than what we're getting now," a tan, lean boy with tall brown hair crossed his arms.
"If this isn't truly dystopian, what is," a pale girl with long straight brown hair grumbled.
"This is definitely an end of an era as we know it," Tai whistled.
"Is it me, or are things spookier than even yesterday was?" Davis asked.
"It's not just you. It's even quieter, not that I thought that it was possible. It almost seems a zombie apocalypse hit," Mimi sipped at her iced coffee and frowned. "Even the iced coffee doesn't taste good anymore."
"Sorry about that. We've been in a bad mood. They had a mall meeting yesterday, and they're replacing this with a Cloud 9 superstore," TK looked down at his shoes.
"On the bright side, the Cafe Europa team get to keep their jobs and work all summer," Kari mockingly said.
"That sucks," Davis blurted out.
"And if that's not bad enough, have you stepped inside a Cloud 9? It's screaming children, screaming Karens, and poopy diapers everywhere," TK rubbed his temples.
"Yikes," Mimi winced.
"And with a Cafe Europa there, the Karens are going to act like they're better than the customers at Mega-Lo-Mart- as if they're not buying the same cheap crap at a store that the crackheads shoplift from, but at a higher price," Matt smirked.
"Don't you know, paying more money for the same items is what rich people do- and if that's not classy, what is," Tai snorted.
"Oh fun. Spirit fingers," TK wiggled his fingers back and forth.
"Call me crazy, but I think I seriously prefer keeping a mall rather than having another superstore here, even if it's almost empty," Izzy sighed.
"Even if that means you work at Pinkalicious?" Matt shot him a look.
"I don't blame him. Look at all the fun times we had here. Everything's changing, and it doesn't feel right," Sora sighed.
"I know. I feel like we've got so little time, and I'm trying to understand and catch up, but...here we are. Walking across this empty plot," Tai put his one arm behind his back.
"Even with all the stores disappearing, I feel like I know this place from the back of my hand. Look, that's the old smoothie stand...before it became a pretzel place," TK pointed at an empty space in the middle of the food court.
"Is this really the place we used to love? Something as simple as a mall? This is crazy. It's just a mall...," Izzy said in disbelief.
"We'll still hang around. We'll make a point to see each other, we will! Maybe we should all get a job at that stupid Cloud 9 store together! After all, home is where you make it!" Davis said.
"I don't think that will work out for me," Mimi's eyes began to water.
"I don't think it will work out for me either. Guys... I'm heading to Kyoto this fall," Sora said.
"You got accepted into university?" Tai gasped.
"Yeah. And I'm going for it. It's a huge step, but I think it's one I should make," Sora gulped.
"Congrats. Good luck, and don't be a stranger," Tai smiled weakly at her.
"Yeah. Same goes for you Mimi," Kari said.
"I wish we could all just stay the same, I hate this," Mimi blubbered.
"I know, but everyone's changing. We all have to grow up. I guess even me...," Tai huffed her with his free arm.
"Oh yeah. Graduation...," Kari pursed her lips.
"Maybe things will work out," Sora forced a smile.
"Maybe," Tai gulped.
"Crap, crap, crap!" Tai whispered to himself.
"Taiiiii! We'll be running late! What's taking so long?!"
"Did you forget I have a broken arm?!" Tai yelled.
"Ugh, you better not be late. Your father and I are heading out to beat traffic, but you better not miss your own graduation! Kari, go help your brother!" Mrs. Kamiya barked before slamming the door on her way out.
"Okay! Byeeee!" Tai screamed.
"Tai, I hate to agree with Mom, but what is taking you this long?" Kari burst into Tai's bedroom.
"I can't fit my gown. And my hat feels too small," Tai grunted.
"We always said you probably should have gotten a haircut...," Kari frowned.
"This is not the time! I still can't fit in my gown! I thought Matt got a large!" Tai struggled to slip his hand into the other sleeve.
"Oh my god...he did," Kari picked up the costume packaging.
"Then why doesn't it fit?!" Tai whined.
"It's a children's large?" Kari winced.
"What?!" Tai snatched the package from Kari. "That idiot!"
"We're screwed," Kari gulped.
*buzzz buzz buzz*
"Hey, your cell phone is ringing," Sora nudged Matt. "You should probably should silence it."
"It's Tai. I wonder what he wants," Matt answered his phone and crouched down. "Hey bud, what's up?"
"DON'T HEY BUDDY ME! YOU'RE A GODDAMN IDIOT! YOU ORDERED ME A CHILD-SIZED COSTUME! DID YOU KNOW THAT?!"
"Uh Tai, can you tone it down a bit? Everyone is looking at me right now," Matt whispered in his phone.
"Is that Kamiya? Please don't tell me you guys are going to fake his graduation. I figured his grades were bad, but seriously," a tall guy with neatly swooped brown hair turned around and looked at Matt and Sora in disgust.
"Why don't you turn back around and mind your business?" Sora twirled her finger around.
"You guys aren't going to pull this off. Trust me, I know a thing or two about stealth, and that is something you don't have," the guy smirked and crossed his arms before facing forwards again.
"Ugh, who is this guy anyways?" Sora whispered.
"I dunno. L Yagami or something. I don't know his actual first name. He sucks though," Matt shrugged.
"I'm screwed! SCREWED!" Tai screamed over the phone.
"You need to calm down! We'll figure this out, okay?" Matt tapped his chin.
"HOW?!" Tai screamed.
"It's okay, I'm texting Rina right after," Matt said.
"I said I need help!" Tai screamed.
"Hey, Rina is good in a pinch!" Matt said.
"Whatever, I'm desperate at this point! Please don't screw this up for me!" Tai hung up.
"Are you sure you can pull this off?" Sora bit her lip.
"I think we can...," Matt rapidly tapped at his phone.
"Hey, we made it as quickly as we could- did we miss the K's?" Kari heaved, Tai trailing behind her.
"About that...," Rina typed away at a laptop. "We're just gonna have to squeeze him at the end."
"What?!" Tai gasped. "My parents are expecting me to be coming up with all the K's!"
"Dude, I tried to infiltrate the roster, but I couldn't. The only thing I could do was add to the Z last names, so for today, you are going to be Tai Zagami. It's the best I could do," Rina said.
"Zagami?! Is that even a real last name?!" Tai gasped.
"I dunno, there's a Yagami, but I couldn't make you fit there, so I just replaced the Y with a Z. It's the best I could do. I'm sorry, but at least you'll walk the stage?" Rina shrugged.
"Where's Izzy? Maybe he can help!" Tai frantically looked around.
"Tai...we just have to accept this as it is. Thanks for helping, Rina," Kari took in slow breaths.
*buzz buzz buzz*
"Uh oh, that's Mom...," Kari winced.
"Fuck," Tai screamed.
"Hey, Mom...yeah, we're backstageeee. Yeah, we missed the K's, but it was for a good reason! Uhhh, since he's injured, they'll save him for last. You know, that way he can rest up in the meantime! I know, I wish they told us earlier too, but what can we do? Yeah, so he'll be after the letter Z. Mom, don't complain. You said you wanted to see Tai walk the stage, right? Okay then, this is how it will go. I'll stay backstage to help Tai. Alright, we'll see you later," Kari nervously said and hung up.
"Kari, did you just lie?" Tai said in awe.
"Yeah, I think after this morning, I became an accomplice in this crime. I might as well go all the way," Kari wiped her hands on her dress.
"Tai, Tai, Tai! Here, switch with me! Hurry, you'll be up soon!" Matt slid off his robe and cap.
"Hey, that wasn't a bad idea," Kari smiled as she helped Tai put on Matt's graduation gown.
"Light Yagami...and last but not least? Tai Zagami?"
"Get up there!" Sora lightly nudged Tai up to the stage.
"Hi, it's me Tai! Thank you, thank you very much! I'll take that diploma!" Tai walked up to the principal.
"It's just the diploma cover, you get the official one in the mail in a couple of weeks...well, you allegedly should," the principal narrowed her eyes at Tai.
"I can't wait till then! I did it! I pulled it off!" Tai hopped off the stage.
"I can't believe he pulled it off," Kari said in awe.
"It's safe to say we all can't believe it," Matt scoffed.
"Mimi, we're going to miss you so much," Sora hugged her.
"You sure packed a lot of stuff there," TK kicked the bottom of Mimi's suitcase.
"Yeah, this isn't even everything. My parents said I should only bring enough stuff for like one month. It was so hard to choose, I didn't want to leave anything behind," Mimi sighed.
"Uh, is anyone going to tell her, or are we going to let her figure it out herself?" Davis whispered.
"I think Izzy might kill you," Kari whispered back.
"Speaking of leaving things behind, my plane is going to take off soon and you're all here except Izzy. He promised me he was going to surprise me with something before I left, but he's not here," Mimi frowned.
"Passengers heading to Toronto via Aero France, please proceed to Terminal C. Boarding closes in 5 minutes."
"I think you should get going. You don't want to miss your flight," Sora gently ushered Mimi to her gate.
"But...," Mimi pouted.
"We'll keep in touch. Text us when you make it to Niagara Falls, okay? And take lots of pictures. We've never been," TK said.
"Okay," Mimi nodded and waved goodbye to her friends.
"Ticket please?" the flight attendant asked her.
"Here," Mimi sadly gave her the booklet.
"Wonderful. 7B, aisle seat. Right next to that young gentleman there," the flight attendant pointed at a familiar tuft of bright hair.
"Oh my god...Izzy?" Mimi walked up to him.
"Surprise?" Izzy blushed.
"Oh my god!" Mimi gasped and sat down next to him.
"It took me a lot to keep it a secret, but I'll be spending two weeks with you on your vacation," Izzy smiled shyly.
"My vacation? Izzy, are you in denial?" Mimi asked.
"No! You guys are only taking a vacation to Niagara Falls, and returning in the fall. I guess there were some loose ends your family had to tie up, but other than that, you'll be coming back here," Izzy let out a small smile.
"Oh...a lot of things are making sense now. Everyone was acting soooo casually, but it's all clicking now," Mimi's eyes widened.
"We tried to be as casual as possible," Izzy said.
"And you did a great job. I'm so excited, once we land in Toronto, there's so much I want to do with you, like...," Mimi leaned in and continued whispering in his ear.
"Mimi...wow, but...," Izzy's mouth dropped in shock, as he turned a deep red.
"Please lift up and lock your trays and fasten your seatbelts, we'll be experiencing some turbulence for a couple of moments! Thank you!"
"I can't believe this is it," Tai whistled as he taped a box shut.
"Our last official day," Miki sighed.
"It's so weird, seeing each other in casual clothes. I mean, we do it in school- but at work, it's different," Megumi sat on the cash wrap, decked out in a velour sweatsuit and Ugg boots.
"Yeah. As much as I'll miss the discounts at the makeup store, I'm excited for the next chapter. I can't wait to kick ass as a junior cop," Miki did a roundhouse kick, accidentally breaking a display shelf. "Oops."
"It's not like it will be put to use," Tai shrugged.
"Tai, what are you going to do after all of this?" Megumi asked.
"I dunno. I haven't technically graduated high school yet-"
"But you walked the stage with the rest of us-"
"I figured something was up when you didn't walk alongside me," Miki sternly narrowed her eyes at Tai, then relaxed her face.
"I'll try my hardest at summer school, but if that doesn't work out, I might have something else planned. I was considering applying for that stupid superstore position, as a manager- I guess," Tai shrugged.
"Hey, it's a start," Megumi said.
"And you can use us as a reference," Miki sipped at a Diet Coke.
"Thanks," Tai said.
"I mean, everything in its own time. Your creepy blond friend must have picked up a real estate license out of nowhere- he's the one who dropped off the broken lease documents to us. I'm just forwarding that to corporate. As of today, it is above my pay grade," Miki stretched her arms in the air.
"Matt is doing real estate work?" Tai asked.
"Attempting to, I guess he's showing people plots of the future apartments here already," Miki narrowed her eyes again.
"Huh," Tai raised an eyebrow.
"Well, looks like everything is packed up. The delivery guys will be here tomorrow to take it all. It was a good time while it lasted," Miki smirked.
"It was fun," Megumi sniffled.
"Good times," Tai picked himself off from the floor and opened the door for the girls before leading them out.
"Bye guys!" Megumi sadly waved.
"Take care," Miki waved as she left in the opposite direction.
"Adios for now," Tai softly said. He walked around the empty perimeters of the mall, taking a last look through all of the empty store fronts...they were all empty, except for one.
"Hey, welcome to Cafe Europa. If you order something, you'll probably my only customer today," Catherine smiled.
"Sure. I'll have a nice cup of a blonde roast anything. As long as she hangs out with me for a little bit," Tai leaned against the counter.
"I see," Catherine let out a small laugh as she fixed up a latte.
"Uh, thanks for visiting me at the hospital that night," Tai said.
"It was nothing. I figured you might have wanted some company, especially on a night as special as that one. I hope you know you made a lot of people happy that night- including me," Catherine rested her elbows on the counter.
"But you worked that night," Tai looked at her incredulously.
"Sure, but I got to see someone incredibly special right after. Sometimes, I have to learn to be patient and appreciate the smaller moments, do you understand?" Catherine sighed.
"I feel like that's something I need to understand myself," Tai fiddled with the lid of his coffee cup.
"How about we learn this lesson together?" Catherine put her hand over his.
"I'd like that very much," Tai smiled.
"Tres bien," Catherine squeezed his hand.