"Mom, come on! Let's run along the shoreline together, hand in hand!" I said, filled with excitement as the waves danced nearby. "I'm coming, Haruto! Just wait for me," she replied with a warm smile, taking my hand tightly as we sprinted as fast as our legs could carry us. It was one of those perfect summer days, warm and breezy, where everything felt just right. The beach was practically our playground, and it was just me, Mom, and Dad there, soaking in the moments that felt like they would last forever.
Dad was sitting comfortably on his beach chair, positively basking in the sun and reading a newspaper, while the soft sounds of the ocean and our laughter filled the air. The setting was idyllic, just our little family, a world of sunshine and sand, and an endless expanse of blue. "Mom, let's go get some ice cream from that stand over there!" I suggested, pointing eagerly toward a colorful kiosk a few yards away. "Okay, but I know of a much better ice cream place. It's a little further down, but trust me, it's worth it. Let's head there instead," she said. Reluctantly, I nodded, and as we began to move away from the beach, the rhythmic sound of the waves started to fade into the background, slowly replaced by the distant noise of the road. "Taxi!" my mother called out, waving her hand enthusiastically. We hopped into the cab, and I couldn't help but wonder, "Mom, why are we taking a taxi?"
"Don't worry, it's for our own good," she said, and I noticed the glimmer of tears welling in her eyes. At that moment, I was more focused on the thought of a sweet, creamy ice cream than on the sadness crossing my mother's face. Before I fully grasped what was happening, we arrived at Tokyo International Airport. Confusion washed over me; I had no understanding of why we were there. Dad was still at the beach, enjoying his sunny escape, yet here we stood in the busy airport. "Mom, why are we here? Dad is going to be all alone!" I exclaimed, concern creeping into my voice. "It's alright, don't worry about that right now," she replied soothingly.
We navigated through security, then found a place to sit and wait amidst the rush of travelers. Suddenly, an announcement boomed throughout the terminal: "Flight 501 from Tokyo to Okinawa is now boarding. Please check your boarding class. Boarding Class A may begin boarding." Realization hit, the urgency in my mother's behavior made sense now. We were among the first passengers to board the plane. Settling into our seats, I looked over at her. "Mom, is Dad coming too?" I asked, searching her face for reassurance. "He'll be on the next flight," she said with a gentle smile, attempting to ease the tension that hung in the air.
"Wake up, you drunkard! Breakfast is ready!" A light, cheerful voice pulled me from my sleep. I felt something soft against my back, way nicer than the hard benches I expected. Was it really this comfy? The voice kept nudging me awake, and when I finally opened my eyes, I saw a ceiling and a young girl looking down at me with excitement. "He's awake! Mom!" she shouted, and her joy brightened the room. "Who are you?" I blinked, shocked by everything. I noticed I was inside someone's home. The room had a cozy, old-fashioned Japanese feel, with tatami mats and a nice wooden cabinet. Instead of the hard ground I was used to, I was lying on a futon.
"I'm Ayame," she said, then dashed out of the room, her footsteps light and quick. Confused, I got up and hurried after her. At the end of the hallway, I smelled something delicious cooking in a cozy kitchen. A family was sitting at a dining table, happily enjoying breakfast, with Ayame among them.
I walked over, scratching my head and yawning. "Thanks for letting me sleep here, but I should really go."
"Don't leave yet! Come eat breakfast with us!" the mother said, gesturing to an empty seat next to her. She looked about in her forties, her neat hair giving off a warm vibe.
"Thanks," I mumbled, sitting on a cushion by the window. The table was set for six, and the family included the dad, who looked about the same age as his wife, Ayame, and a teenage boy with striking blond hair. Across from me sat a girl with long, beautiful brown hair that fell down her back. Her skin glowed in the morning light, and her bluish-violet eyes sparkled as she sipped from her coffee.
As we locked eyes, I waved awkwardly, but she spluttered, spraying coffee all over the window. Her cheeks flared red as she stammered, "Sorry, I saw something funny outside," clearly not convincing. Which was one of the worst lies I've ever heard
Ayame rushed to the window. "I wanna see too!" she said eagerly.
"It's gone now; just sit down," the older girl replied, casting a quick glance at me, her eyes darting to my clothes, clearly realizing they were way different from her family's outfits.
"Go ahead and eat. By the way, what's your name?" the mother asked gently, making me feel more at ease.
"I'm Shun," I replied, grabbing some rice and miso soup, definitely a classic Japanese breakfast that felt familiar.
Curious, I asked, "Why am I here, anyway? I remember sleeping on the street."
The mother nodded thoughtfully. "Oh, I found you out there while I was coming back from shopping. It reminded me of how I found Sakura," she said, pointing at the girl across from me.
"Hey! You didn't have to tell him that!" Sakura exclaimed, clearly embarrassed. I totally got why she felt that way.
Feeling hopeful, I stood up and asked carefully, "Can I stay here for a few more nights?"
"Of course! Stay as long as you want, and make yourself at home," the mother assured me, smiling warmly.
I bowed deeply in gratitude. "Thank you so much." I sat back down, feeling a spark of hope as I continued my meal.
After breakfast, I got up to thank them. "Thanks for the meal; it was delicious."
"I'm glad you liked it," the mother said, smiling.
Just then, while Sakura was still sipping her coffee, she suddenly turned her head sharply to look at my pants. In shock, she spat out her coffee, not on the window this time, but right onto the table! She jumped up, stammering, "Thanks for the meal," before rushing over to me, grabbing my hand and dragging me outside.
"Wait, what's going on? Let go!" I protested, bewildered by her sudden excitement.
Sakura took me to the quiet backyard, far from her family's gaze. It was a pretty place with a cherry blossom tree, though the flowers weren't out yet. A beautiful pond sparkled in the sunlight, and a bench added to the peaceful vibe.
Then, out of nowhere, she stopped and reached into my pocket. My face turned red with confusion and worry. "What are you doing?" I asked, thinking she was after my phone. "Don't touch that! It's important!"
Sakura pulled out my phone, her eyes widening as tears started to form. Suddenly, she hugged me tightly. "I knew it the moment I saw you... I just knew it," she sobbed, holding on even tighter.
Feeling lost, I asked slowly, "Knew what?" She looked up at me, arms still around me, even as her tears started to wet my shirt. "You're like me, lost, not knowing what to do, missing home and friends." Her words hit me hard, and it hit me, we were the same. Both of us from the future…