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Goof hugged Elisa tightly. The chilly air swept the leaves around them.
“Thanks for walking me all the way over here, Goof,” Elisa softly spoke.
“Aw, it’s really no worries, honey,” Goof reassured. “I’ll text you more details about the concert. Stay warm!” She turned and started away from Elisa and the gray building.
“See you Sunday!” Elisa called after Goof, whose brunette pigtails danced in the wind, moving steadily away from the waving tennis player.
Goof is such a good friend, Elisa thought. I wish the best for her.
Elisa checks her watch. It’s 1 PM. She was early.
She turns to the tall, concrete structure behind her. She reaches into her hoodie pockets and puts in her earbuds. There’s no way she’ll navigate this building without auditory accompaniment.
Walking up to the metal door, she unfastens the latch and lets herself in. The floors are coated in a layer of dust that never goes away due to the constant entrance and exit of people in this hallway each day. Aside from the fact that the natural light from outside lights up a little bit of this space, the concrete hallway is completely dark. Elisa walks a little faster. She locates the elevator, but disappointedly turns to the stairwell upon learning that the elevator is out of service.
Elisa clears the two flights of stairs in record time: no physical barrier could restrain her athletic ability and distaste for the dark. She pushes open the familiar door and steps into the gym lobby.
“Oh! It’s Elisa…” a peppy voice exclaims.
Elisa takes out an earbud. “Good morning, Abby.”
Things between her and Abby have always been rocky. Elisa wishes it weren’t so, but she can’t help how she and Abby disagree on nearly every topic. The subtle edge in Abby’s voice whenever they talk seems to criticize Elisa’s very existence, and for some reason, no one else seems to hear it.
“I didn’t know you worked at the gym here,” Elisa observes, putting in at least a little effort to make small talk.
“Yeah, I’m trying out new things. By the way, isn’t it freezing in here?”
Elisa nods, “It feels just like outdoors, except without the harsh wind.”
“That’s because we have no power at the moment! So, you don’t need to give me that —” she gestures to Elisa’s membership card. “You just need to sign in on this sheet right here,” she explains, sliding over a clipboard and a pen. Elisa takes the items and signs her name on the timesheet. She shivers a little.
“When is this heating going to come back?”
“I know, right? They really should not be having us working in the cold like this. But it’s not coming back during my shift, that’s for sure. Beef Boss is taking me to the amusement park this evening, so thank goodness I won’t need to spend the night in this frigid room.”
Elisa doesn’t really care about what’s going on in Abby’s life. She’d much rather have Beef Boss tell her about the date. She puts her other earbud back in and walks past the desk where Abby has resumed her work sorting files.
She takes one hand out of her pockets and opens the door and walks into the gray hallway with a shiny epoxy floor. She looks through the massive ribbon windows into each gym, trying to locate her sweetheart out of the many athletes training.
Craning at the neck to get a better sight of it all, Elisa searches.
There he is.
Through the ribbon window, Elisa watches Matt as he lets Pierre spar with him. His eyes are sharp with conviction, nearly hostile — a look Elisa rarely gets to see when it’s just the two of them. He wore a white tank top and orange shorts, and his silver gloves shone iridescently under the gym lights.
She laughs softly when Pierre misses a particularly advantageous opportunity to strike, and Matt sufficiently defeats him with a hook to the chest.
Pierre stumbles backwards, catches himself, and ruffles his hair in confusion. Matt speaks, advising Pierre on future strategies and demonstrating how Pierre could have better executed his moves. The frenchman nods, closely observing Matt’s example.
Matt helps a heavily-breathing Pierre up, and his head turns toward the window.
Elisa, suddenly acknowledged, widens her eyes in surprise. Matt smiles at her and nods. She smiles back, then holds up her wrist. I’m here to pick you up, it’s 1:15 , she indicates, pointing to her watch.
Matt realizes how the boxing session is almost over, and glances at the clock. He turns back to Pierre and explained that they should continue another time. Pierre nods, offering Matt a see-you-later with a pat on the back.
Matt motions for Elisa to come in. Elisa walks over to the door, turns the handle, and steps into the padded room. He brought a duffel bag today, she observes.
She arrives in front of her sweetheart, who had just taken off his gloves. She takes his hands, feeling the gauze still wrapped around his knuckles. Matt’s hands are warm and genuine, their strength tangible through the muscles in his fingers.
“Elisa, thank you for coming to see me,” Matt’s voice hums.
“I missed you,” Elisa admits. “Can we go as soon as possible?”
Matt nods, letting go of one hand to hold his duffel bag and holding onto Elisa’s hand in the other.
He doesn’t let go of either until they arrive at the locker room, where Matt heads inside while Elisa gets a drink from the water fountain. Elisa shifted around in her hoodie, resolving to keep her earbuds in her pocket while she waits.
It was a clever decision. Matt emerges punctually, having quickly changed out of his tank top into a long sleeve shirt. His built figure filled out his shirt; he resembled a Greek god sculpture. When she takes his arm, the scent of his body fragrance fills her senses. He wore cedar and bergamot with a hint of coconut, the scent reminds her of vacation. Although the smell of the sea is prominent throughout Sigma Island, Matt’s ocean notes are completely different from the island’s salty ocean air. His presence alone takes her away from the humdrum of daily life and enables her to let her guard down — a habit she has only picked up recently.
They exit the gym, paying no attention to the reception desk where Abby was now calling someone on her phone.
“What did you have for lunch?” Matt asks while they descend the stairs.
“I had grilled chicken, and Beef Boss’s lookalike was kind enough to stop by with a corn dog,” Elisa replied, “What about you?”
“I had a really good salmon meunière,” Matt said. Elisa imagines it. The seafood on Sigma Island is impossibly delicious. Elisa resolves to get some tomorrow.
Elisa unlocks and pushes open the gate, holding it open for Matt before letting go and letting it snap back into place.
A gust of cold wind attacks them, sending shivers up and down Elisa’s spine. She tightens her hoodie strings, and then felt Matt’s arm around her. His body was warm from the workout. Elisa leans into his hold, thankful for the source of heat.
“Do you want me to hold your bag for you?” Elisa offers.
“It’s alright. You can hold my hand instead, if that’s what you want.”
Elisa is taken aback by Matt’s forwardness. Ever since meeting him, she’d always thought of him as the stone cold champion without a single soft spot.
“You’re really charming sometimes, Matt,” Elisa complimented. Matt laughed softly, and felt as Elisa’s pointer finger gently tapped his nose.
Regardless of whatever she’d thought about Matt, being the romantic type never occurred to her. He’s so professional around his acquaintances, which is why Elisa was so surprised by and drawn to his warm side when they went on that initial date. Which reminds her, she should set up Kentaro with someone too, to repay him for the relationship he set up for her.
They arrive at the cafe for afternoon tea. Matt pulls open the cafe door and the two of them rush in. The bells on the door — left over from the holiday celebrations months ago — jingle festively as it glides to a close behind them. The interior of the cafe is cozy, toasty, and fragrant. Warm light scattered off the walls onto the cushiony, orange plush seats. Elisa breathes a sigh of relief, letting the smell of citrus and cheesy quiche fill her senses.
“Elisa, Matt! Hey, get over here!”
It’s Eva’s voice. She sits in a booth with Tommy, Tyrone, and Gabi. Tommy, sitting across from Eva, turns around in his seat. He spots the two of them and waves enthusiastically. Elisa smiles at Matt, and the two of them walk down the aisle to that table.
Tommy holds out his hand for a fist bump with Matt. “Looking sharp, huh, Matthew? An absolute unit, man.”
Matt chuckles in response.
Elisa greets the table, “What’s this here? Basketball club bonding?”
Tyrone points at the sandwich he was in the middle of, “It’s the best kind of event, really. You should join us next time, Elisa!”
Elisa raises an eyebrow, smiling, “For basketball? You know how garbage I am at basketball.”
“But I’m still gonna see you at tennis practice tonight, yeah?” Tommy’s thick voice demands.
“Yes, rest assured. I saw the forecast that the weather will warm up by tonight, which, thank goodness. I can’t stand the cold,” Elisa rants.
Eva turns to Matt: “Matthew, I really need your help for a specific issue I’ve been having with boxing. Are you in the gym Monday?”
“Yeah, I should be,” Matt replies, “what’s with calling me Matthew, though? You’re sounding like Beef Boss’s lookalike.”
“We’re all getting influenced by Beef Boss’s lookalike,” Gabi says, “He’s been feeding everyone corndogs. If he hides anything in the corndogs, the whole island will come down with it!”
“Regardless, I’m hungry. Let’s go to our seats,” Elisa says to Matt. “See you guys! And hope to see you at practice later, Tommy,” she excuses herself.
“See you Monday, Eva,” Matt adds.
After hearing a couple ‘See-ya’s and ‘Bye-bye’s, the couple picks a booth by the window.
The server approached, her notepad poised, pen tapping. “Elisa, Matt, what can I get you two?”
“Barb! You work here?” Elisa exclaims.
“Yes, I get free food for working here,” Barbara explains. “What do you want to order?”
“Let’s get a waffle with fruit and whipped cream and some chamomile tea, please,” Elisa says. Matt smiles. Barb nods, and heads to the kitchen.
“I successfully made you enjoy Chamomile,” Matt celebrates.
Elisa puts up her hands,“I really didn’t think it was going to be that good, thanks for having me give it a try.”
She observes her surroundings some more, looking out the window from time to time before reaverting her gaze to Matt. She thinks back to their first ever date, when she and Matt laughed away hours in this very cafe. Floating around in her thoughts, a gentle smile blossoms across her face.
Matt notices Elisa, and takes out his disposable camera to snap a candid photo of his sweetheart. Elisa looks up in surprise, but quickly relaxes at the sight of Matt’s delighted expression.
Before Matt could show her the photo, Barb arrives with their waffle and tea. Elisa smiles at Barb, who wishes them a pleasant meal.
Elisa pours the tea for Matt and herself. The healing aroma of the chamomile makes her slightly sleepy.
“...isa, I’ve ………..…….thing…”
What?
I remember… Kentaro, you got married to…
no, I don’t remember…
Taylor…
Moo…
Shinosuke…
Alfie? Where have I heard that name before?
“Elisa?”
Elisa awakens with a jolt. “Oh! Sorry, what were you saying?”
“Are you doing alright?”
“Yes, I’m… I’m doing alright. What’s up?” Elisa tries to focus.
“I’ve wanted to ask you about what’s been troubling you lately. I’ve noticed, you’re really out of it…”
Elisa timidly stares at the teacup in Matt’s hand, trying to focus on every word he speaks.
“Elisa, I know you’re doing your best to show your friends that you’re doing just fine. I’m really proud of you for doing that. But at the same time, you can be honest with me,” Matt reassures.
He could tell, Elisa thinks. Of course he could tell. Just because he didn’t want to mention my off-ness in front of others doesn’t mean he can’t read me like an open book.
“Okay,” Elisa concedes, “I’ll be honest.”
“Take your time,” Matt leans forward slightly, prepared to listen.
“First of all, I really appreciate you, Matt. Thank you for checking in on me, I feel like no one knows me better than you. Which is why…” Elisa takes a deep breath before continuing. “I can’t stop thinking about these strange memories I have. It’s not going to make any sense if I tell you, though. Promise you won’t call me a lunatic.”
Matt reaches forward and places his hand on top of hers. “I’m here to listen to you, Elisa. You should trust yourself and your experiences.”
Elisa nods, the warmth from Matt’s palm giving her the strength she needs to reach into her memories and locate the source of her worries. She begins her story.
“While I was at Grasshoper’s party the other night, I found a photo on his windowsill. It looked like it was taken with one of the disposable cameras—yes, that one—” she clarified when Matt held up his own, “—but it was just… a really worn photo. Although there were blotches on the film, it still looked like it was in good condition. The photo… it was so bizarre.”
In the photo, Elisa explains, Grasshoper, Oscar, Kentaro, Abby, Beef Boss, Barbara, and herself were all at the tower together. However, there were plenty of people she doesn’t recognize — no, who she thinks she doesn’t recognize. The blonde woman, whose fingers were interlocked with Kentaro’s, seems so familiar.
“It really freaks me out,” Elisa confided, “I haven’t been able to figure it out. Grasshoper won’t talk to me about it. The last time I went to visit, the photo was gone.”
“You haven’t neglected to meet a single one of the islanders — not even the new ones —, yet, in Grasshoper’s room, you found a photo of you in a group setting with unrecognizable foreign faces…”
“That’s right. And, I’m confident that there is no logical way this photo could have ever been taken, since Grasshoper and Barbara were holding hands . But I’m sure that they don’t even know each other.”
“That’s impossible to imagine,” Matt agreed. “I trust your intuition, Elisa. I’ll stay alert for more peculiar signs, especially around Grasshoper.”
“Then, we should hang out more often, shouldn’t we?” Elisa giggled, “Collecting more evidence for our little investigation is an excuse to spend more time with you, Matthew.”
Matt laughed. “You really shouldn’t try to find excuses to hang out with me, Elisa. In fact, I should be the one trying to find reasons to hang out with the tennis champion,” he adds.
“That’s another thing that’s been on my mind lately,” Elisa recalled. “You’re really romantic, Matt. Unexpectedly so.”
“Why? You think I’m gloomy and depressed all the time?” Matt’s soothing voice rounded every edge in his words.
“I think it’s just how locked in you are,” Elisa surmised.
“That’s true,” Matt agreed, “I broke my pistol squat record this morning.”
“You did?! That’s huge, you didn’t tell me about it?” Stars shone in her eyes at the news of his achievement.
“I didn’t want to brag,” Matt shrugged, “I was honestly waiting for you to ask.”
“Aww… I’m sorry I made you wait. I’ll make sure to ask you more about your achievements from now on,” Elisa apologized.
“Don’t even worry about it,” Matt reassured. “You’re the smartest person I know, so we should just focus on getting you out of this trough.”
“Fine,” a moved Elisa settles, “if my lovable sweetheart won’t stop with the sweet words, I’ll shut him up with a waffle!”
She cleanly cuts off a piece of waffle, carefully stacks on a dollop of whipped cream and a blueberry, then feeds it to Matt. Matt smiles, and squeezes her hand.
The evening air is warmed by the sunset.The clouds above are beginning to dissipate.
A slight breeze swims through Elisa’s hair. Next stop is the tennis court, where Elisa will meet Tommy for practice.
Elisa listens to Matt’s steady breathing as they walk in the park. The cicadas chorus particularly loudly in the trees surrounding the tennis court.
“While you’re at tennis tonight, I’m going to use one of your face masks,” Matt announces.
Elisa giggles. “Why, you’re becoming more like me by the day, Matt. I’m proud of you.”
Matt explains that he has some errands to run, to which Elisa affirms that she’d enjoy her alone time until Tommy gets here for practice.
“Here’s the key to my apartment.” Elisa presses the key into his palm. “I’m thankful how you’re the type to never lose anything I give you.”
Matt smiles back, “I’ll see you later tonight.”
Elisa holds out her arms and Matt hugs her. His body is warm and solid.
“You smell like the morning…” Elisa whispers into his shoulder.
Matt runs a hand through her smooth chestnut hair, “If I were to guess what scent you have on, I’d probably get it wrong.”
“Try it!” Elisa pepped, looking into his eyes.
Matt narrows his brows and reaches into his mind, scrounging for the right words.
“... Melon… with… citrus?”
“That’s actually really close! It’s cucumber and orange.”
“I see.”
Elisa giggled at his puzzled expression.
“You should be on your way, now.”
The sound of Matt’s footsteps gradually fade into the distant air. Elisa takes off her hoodie and leaves it on the bench, then heads to the lockers to retrieve her racket and tennis balls. Tommy stil hasn’t arrived yet, but she plans on training anyway. She starts by doing some stretching.
Practicing at night is her favorite. The court lights illuminate the court, and she can enjoy her thoughts uninterrupted.
My day got significantly better this afternoon, she reflects.
“You can hold my hand instead, if that’s what you want.”
“In fact, I should be the one trying to find reasons to hang out with the tennis champion.”
“You’re the smartest person I know.”
Matt’s words and his tender laugh echo in her mind.
Matt – the no-nonsense coach, who is quick to set things straight with hardly a pleasantry – turns into a gentleman when he’s with her.
Matt is her sweetheart, but he’s also the swordplay boss and Chambara legend. He’s the only one who challenges Elisa at boxing, but he doesn’t dare play against her in tennis. He’ll leisurely joke with her, but he’d refuse to smile for years at anyone who wrongs him. She laughs a little when imagining this hard-ass coach using her skincare face masks. Matt is so many things, and Elisa gets to examine all of him up close.
The tennis court glows from the lights. Matt arrives outside the enclosed court, peering through the wire fence. Tommy had already left, but Elisa continues to train into the night.
He watches Elisa’s movements. Her hair sways in the wind. Her skirt flutters in the night air with every sharp, calculated movement she executes. When she swings, her racket sends tennis balls whirring across the court.
Elisa is so graceful , Matt thinks as he watches the tennis champion. She looks deep in thought.
Seeing Elisa concentrated at her sport is like seeing a peacock with their colorful feathers on full display. Elisa puts incredible effort into her practice sessions, a brand of discipline very few can manage.
Exhausted, Elisa turns around and starts walking toward the benches for a drink of water. There, she locks eyes with Matt. Her aggressive stare softens, and she strides over to him.
“You’re here!” Elisa celebrated.
Matt beams, and brushes the hair out of her face. “I brought you a gift.”
Elisa’s eyes widen as she smiles in surprise, gaze fastening to the small bag in Matt’s hand. He hands it to her to open.
“No way… you must have spent so much on this…” Elisa takes out the small box, lifts the lid, and reveals a stick of lipstick.
“Goof told me you’ve wanted this for a while,” Matt mentions, “I hope you like it.”
“Thank you, Matt!” She squeezes his hand. “You’re the best, ever!” She opens it and applies some on herself. “How do I look?”
“Elegant,” Matt replies. It’s really hard for me to tell the difference between this lipstick and her last, but…
Before he could say anything else, Elisa steps up to Matt and applies the lipstick on him. Instinctively, he reaches up to wipe it off, but Elisa catches his wrist.
“Keep it on, you look glamorous,” Elisa radiates.
“I… do?” Matt laughs. “With your skincare advice, and now your lipstick on my lips… I’m guessing you’re trying to turn me into you!”
Elisa giggles. “Oh yes, no one can tell us apart now. But to be really convincing, you’ll have to get a lot better at tennis!”
The night breeze blows by.
“You must be dehydrated,” Matt remarks. “Let me buy you something from the vending machine.”
“That’s sweet of you,” she appreciates. “I think I’m done practicing, too. Let’s take a break, then I’ll come back to clean up.”
“How was practice with Tommy?” Matt asks, carefully stepping over a puddle.
“It was uneventful. Honestly, he didn’t really say that much of value, so I focused a lot on reflecting on my day. I was thinking about what you said to me today, and I have some thoughts to share with you.”
“That’s great! Once you’re done sharing, I’ll tell you about what Beef Boss told me today.”
Matt deposits some coins into the coin slot and reaches into the machine to retrieve a bottle of Pocari Sweat and a carton of soymilk. He hands the Pocari Sweat to Elisa, and they sit on the curb.
Elisa leans the racket on herself, and leans herself on Matt. She looks skyward. Matt follows her gaze, looking at the night above them.
His sweetheart’s voice breathes out, beginning their conversation, as the cloudless night listens.
The stars shine above.