Chapter Text
The rest of the train ride was uneventful. Sometimes, a train attendant would push a cart full of snacks and beverages down the aisle, and perhaps their voice would stir a passenger from their slumber. Takeru kept gazing at the snacks longingly every time the attendant rolled their cart down their aisle, but not once did he make an attempt to stop her.
Riding a train is indeed overrated, Yusaku thought to himself, as he glanced over the price tags on every snack.
From time to time, someone would get out from their seat to flag down a server, but it was the peace and quiet that kept Yusaku occupied in his own thoughts as he curiously watched the trees and the occasional highways fly by like a movie being fast-forwarded. He thought about what he would see in the countryside, what he would see in a change of scenery he had never had the chance to step foot in.
He closed his eyes, remembering the times he was at the orphanage as a child, taking strolls around town and climbing up trees on his own. He had always been comfortable with exploring new sights alone, even in the earlier days of his life, when he didn’t have a worry in his mind.
However, ever since those tortuous six months, he had never been able to feel that sensation again, but somehow, ever since Takeru brought up the idea of taking him to the countryside, something inside him flickered with the tiniest flame with anticipation.
In his calmed state of mind, he must have fallen asleep without knowing when, and the next thing he knew was Takeru gently shaking him awake.
“Yusaku! We’re here!”
Yusaku’s eyes flew open. Sure enough, the train had already stopped moving and people were beginning to move out in single file.
“Hurry up, Yusaku, or you’ll get left behind,” Takeru promptly teased.
The afternoon sun blinded Yusaku’s groggy self as the two stepped out of the train. Just how long had he been asleep? His legs felt like jelly with every step he took, and the suitcase he had to carry along did not help his predicament.
“This way!” his friend chirped, as he led him up a narrow road. After having been cramped in that train for at least five hours, he didn’t seem affected by the long train ride one bit. In fact, he was enthusiastic to be back home again.
A telephone booth caught their attention. Yusaku was sure he had not seen such a thing in a very long time, since these things only existed in Den City’s history books.
He watched Takeru fish a coin out of his pocket and slipped the phone off the hook. He quickly dialed in a number. Yusaku caught sight of who Takeru was calling and had to resist the urge to roll his eyes.
His friend turned to him and smiled. “First we’ll let our good friend know that you made it safe and sound.”
Hello, Cafe Nagi , said the person on the other line.
“Kusanagi- san !” Takeru exclaimed. “It’s Takeru! We’re just calling to let you know that we’ve arrived!”
That’s great! Kusanagi said. I hope you two have lots of fun during the next few weeks. I forgot to tell you this before you left, but let me know if you need a ride once you return! Then there was a small pause at the other end of the line. In the meantime, make sure Yusaku gets plenty of fresh air over there. I don’t need to find out that he was indoors all day over there when you two get back, too.
Takeru laughed at this. “No worries, Kusanagi- san ! He’s in my territory now; I’ll keep him so busy that he won’t even have time to sit down!”
Yusaku turned to look at him in horror. “Please don’t tell me you actually mean that.”
Takeru promptly hung up, but Yusaku was sure that he caught a very subtle smirk lingering on his lips for a fraction of a second.
“Takeru!” came a female voice from somewhere. His friend immediately looked frantic as he looked up.
Yusaku followed his trail of sight and saw a young woman around their age run down the hill towards them. Her long braid fluttered in the wind behind her as she approached them. Takeru took a step backwards just as the woman flung her arms around him, almost tackling him to the ground.
“Kiku!” he exclaimed, completely flustered. “H-hey, how’ve you been?”
“Takeru, you’ve come home! I’ve missed you!” she nearly squealed. “You have no idea how happy I was when I received your message. Naturally, I didn’t waste another second in telling your grandparents.”
“I’ve missed you, too,” Takeru responded. “I--”
Then, as if he suddenly remembered that Yusaku was still standing there and staring at them, he wiggled his way out of her grip and cleared his throat. “Uh, I brought my friend back with me this time. Meet Fujiki Yusaku, the most intelligent person I know.”
Yusaku only blinked his eyes upon receiving this compliment.
“And Yusaku, meet my best friend since childhood, Kamishirakawa Kiku.”
The woman turned to him. “It’s very nice to meet you, Fujiki- san . I’ve heard a lot about you from Takeru. It’s finally great to be able to meet you in person.” She gave a small bow.
Yusaku nodded his head. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”
Suddenly, her eyes lit up. “Did Takeru tell you you’ll be staying at his house? There is a spare guest bed in his house.”
Yusaku shook his head. “He said that he would keep everything a surprise.”
“Well, that’ll be your next home for the summer. I even have it all ready for you, so all you need to do is move your stuff in, really. That way you’ll get to spend even more time with Takeru, if you haven’t been doing so already.”
Yusaku nodded his thanks. Kiku’s enthusiasm was making him feel a little uncomfortable, but Takeru didn’t seem to notice. He wasn’t used to being around overly friendly people fussing over him, and for a brief moment, he was ready to turn back and hop on the next train back to Den City.
“Anyways, is Takeru going to make you stand here all day? Come on! Let’s show you around Morikage!” She gently tugged on his arm and Takeru’s and led both of them up the road. Sure enough, it led them straight to a small town on the other side of the hill. At its foot, a large wooden arch with the words “Welcome to Morikage” painted on it greeted Yusaku’s eyes.
“I’m sure you’ll love it here. We’ll have lots of fun together,” Kiku reassured him, and her voice was brimming with confidence. There was something in the glint of her hazel eyes that Yusaku couldn’t quite read. There was no doubt about it, this woman certainly knew what she was doing. “And if Takeru bothers you in any way, I’ll be sure that he regrets it!”
Takeru made a face.