Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The day dawned cool and cloudy amid a light fall rain. The charming suburb of Newcrest was bathed in earthy, reddish hues as the seasonal leaves fell leisurely, covering the ground with their vibrant colors and mounds. The pleasant chill and the soothing sound of raindrops falling on the roof made it tough for even the most disciplined worker to get up, some doing it without even opening their eyes and sleepwalking until their first cup of coffee with a good newspaper.

For the younger ones, the scene was far from different.

In a large bed, amidst soft, flowery sheets and goose-down pillows, Aya Oosawa found herself completely immersed in a deep sleep. Lying on her back, she barely moved, her hands on her stomach and a serene look of someone whose biggest concern was what to dress for the next party.

She kept the same way despite the shrill sound of the alarm clock next to her ears, the knocking on the door, or even when Custard, her cat, came into the room through the crack and lay down on top of her. She also didn't hear the muffled murmur in the hallway, which resulted in her mother shaking her in despair: she was about to miss her first class.

"Aya! Aya! Come on!" the oldest called insistently, and that was the first thing she heard, distant as a dream until it seemed real. And reality hit her hard.

Aya jerked awake as soon as she began to realize what was happening, raising her body in a start just as the orange kitten when it jumped out. She put her hand to her chest, breathing heavily and looking unexpectedly tired.

“Megumu is waiting for you downstairs, I'll let him know you're up” her mother continued, impatiently. “Try not to delay the poor boy any further.”

The woman didn't wait for an answer, she just sighed, shaking her head and then turned around, leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

The red bell clock read five to eight, but despite this, Aya took her time to truly wake up, no rush. Her mouth was dry, forehead sweating despite the lack of heat and her body ached almost as much as her head. It felt like a truck had run over her while sleeping.

As she took off the rollers from her hair in a failed attempt to relieve the pain, she watched her surroundings: her bedroom was the biggest in the house, with a queen-size bed in the middle and a door leading to the closet next door. To the left was a charming desk with a bookshelf for the schoolbooks and a vast collection of Seventeen magazines. Ahead, a beautiful window seat overlooking the street, a dresser holding a record player, stuffed animals and other odds and ends, and a full-length mirror right next to it.

The pink walls, the oak floor and the light beige furniture had a more classic yet youthful style. It was the kind of room you walk into and can imagine exactly the kind of girl who slept there, and while trendy, it also carried a misplaced nostalgia.

At the last minute, the girl finally stood up and petted Custard, who was purring and stretching on the window seat, before rushing to shower quickly and get ready even faster. Because the school was private, a uniform was required, the girls' consisting of a dark gray skirt that fell just below the knee, a matching blazer, a white dress shirt, red tie and Mary Jane shoes.

Along with that, she wore her newly wavy hair partially down as usual, with a strand swept to the side tied with a red headband to give her the volume she loved. And she went makeup-free that day, because there wasn't time and it wasn't like she actually needed it.

Aya Oosawa was known for being one of the prettiest girls in that neighborhood, and rightly so: the combination of her slightly pinkish ginger hair and purposefully full that exuded personality, her friendly gaze and attractive, well-defined lips with that look that mixed innocence and boldness made her seem like she had stepped straight out of a movie.

Her kind of Brigitte Bardot-like vibe was the reason for so much flirting from the fresh guys who didn't care that she had a boyfriend, which drove him crazy, but Aya really got a kick out of it. It was funny to see him that annoyed. And when ready, she slung the small pink bag over her shoulder and grabbed her books before finally going down to meet him.

***

The kitchen smelled of coffee and fried food early in the morning, and as soon as she walked in, she found Megumu at the table devouring a plate of pancakes with plenty of maple syrup and orange juice. Her mother had probably cooked it as an apology for the delay, and the boy gladly accepted.

“I'm here.” she announced behind him. “Let’s go?”

The boy turned to her and simply nodded with his mouth full, inviting her to sit with a look. Aya pulled up a chair and crossed her legs, hoping he would finish soon.

If she knew, she wouldn't be bare faced just to speed things up.

Megumu Narita, or simply Narita, as he was known, was not far behind in the beauty department: the football player was considered by many to be the most handsome in the school, second only to two others on the team. He was tall and athletic, well tanned and the perfect waves of his brown hair were the downfall of many. Despite this, his face looked younger than it actually was, the somewhat "dreamy young man" expression being his charm.

Aya appreciated having a boyfriend and even found him attractive, but she wasn't much of a physical contact person, and he was used to it.

She grabbed the cup and drank the last of the yellow drink in an attempt to speed things and to avoid leaving on an empty stomach.

"Won’t you eat?" her mother walked in the kitchen, untying her apron. Aya was practically a carbon copy of her, the only differences being her darker, chin-length hair with the ends curled outward, her pronounced cheekbones and tired appearance, along with the air of a decent lady taking care of the house. "There's scrambled eggs."

"No time, I want to make it at least to the second period."

"Well, then bring a sandwich with you."

The woman didn't wait for confirmation before heading to the pantry and grabbing a package of sliced ​​bread, which she quickly stuffed with jelly and peanut butter before wrapping in plastic wrap.

“Do you need a paper bag?”

“I’m fine. Thanks, mom.” Aya forced a smile and took the snack from her hands, already making a move to leave. "Come on, Narita! We're already late."

That made the older woman's eyes widen in reprimand: you can't rush a man like that, especially when he's eating. But Aya didn't care about her mother's squareness. Times were changing, and she had woken up with a minimum of patience that day.

“You can go ahead if you want.” Narita took the key out of his pocket and handed it to her, a little offended. 

Aya nodded and picked up the books she had left on the table and held them against her chest along with the sandwich.

"Then I’m going. See you there." she said hastily and quickly headed outside toward the blue Mustang parked in front of the house.

Unlocked, she settled into the passenger seat with her things on her lap and rummaged through the bag for the makeup she'd kept there. Just a little mascara and eyeliner was enough to make her feel more like herself, and as soon as she was finished, Narita climbed in beside her and started the engine.

The drive was peaceful and quiet by the couple. The streets were as still as usual and a Beach Boys song played on the radio, accompanied by the boyfriend's soft humming. After taking the last bite of the sandwich, Aya put the plastic wrap back in her bag and opened the window wider, enjoying the wind on her face, even if it messed up her hair a bit. Unfortunately, the weather seemed too uncertain to raise the top, and she kept her eyes closed until it stopped and that’s how she knew they had arrived.

“What time is it?” she asked.

“A quarter to nine.” Narita checked his watch. “See? We’re not that late. At least not for the second period.” 

Aya simply nodded, staring at the parking lot. She wasn't usually one of the most patient, although in that morning she had woken up even less and that headache that looked like it would last forever didn’t help much. 

It was a strange, different feeling. A very specific tiredness.

“Looks like it wasn't just us.” the boy let out a lonely laugh full of sarcasm. 

Following his gaze, she could see another teen her age just a short distance away locking her bike in the bike rack, as she didn't have a car. She was a little tall, but nothing much, with shoulder-length black hair with bangs and a droopy gaze. Her uniform looked sloppy, with the socks pulled down and the tie barely tied. The kids were already giving her a hard time, but Aya didn't care.

She remembered last fall too well.

"Does the warning for being late mean she'll lose the scholarship?" he continued.

"Why do you care?" Aya huffed, raising her voice, which caught the other girl's attention feet away.

"She's looking here."

She checked to see if it was true and, without thinking, her lips quickly met her boyfriend's, pulling him closer by the neck and then by the hair. The preppy boy smelled of expensive and tasteless perfume, the hair gel he used felt weird in her hands, his lips were rough and almost nonexistent and even after much experience, he still didn't know what to do with his tongue. However, he did the least and most important thing: show his huge interest in her. Only. 

Aya took advantage of the pause to breathe to look around and see if they were still being watched, and there wasn't even a hint of anyone having been there.

"Ok, ok. That’s enough." she forced her lips to stretch, her index finger in his mouth. "We need to go."

"They won't let us in now."

“Your good friend had already come in.” 

“Yes. To look like a fool waiting in the hallway.”

Her eyebrow arched.

"Baby…" Narita tilted his head to the side with puppy eyes.

"Baby…"

After seconds of silent staring, he just sighed in agreement, defeated. Aya chuckled softly as she got out of the car.

"You need to forget Mitsuki." Narita said.

And so the young couple walked unhurriedly toward the building. The boyfriend held the briefcase with his gadgets and his girlfriend's books under one arm, and the other assigned the sole role of holding her hand. It had stopped raining long ago, but the pleasant scent of wet grass was still there, as were the puddles on the asphalt.

Newcrest Day was a fine school, both in its education and its surroundings: it was located on an almost college-style campus with a huge outdoor green area where students would spend their free time wandering aimlessly, chatting, or simply lying on the grass. In march, the view was enchanting with the flowers waving their "hello", but in september, the tall trees bare their leaves, masking what lies beneath.

Which was also beautiful and highly romantic.

"Ouch!" Aya narrowly avoided falling in a muddy area, and Narita quickly caught her. However, the gentle gesture wasn't enough to keep her shoes from getting dirty and slippery.

“Are you okay?” he checked.

“Yes, yes. It was just a fright.”

"Can you walk like that?"

"Uh-huh."

She took three more uncertain and awkward steps before the books were returned to her, and before she knew it, she was being carried in her boyfriend's arms toward the entrance. The scene seemed straight out of a tween's daydream.

"Just in case." he chuckled lovingly.

"Who taught you to be such a gentleman, huh, Mr. Narita?"

"My father, of course, Mrs. Narita."

"Well, thank him for me." she kissed his cheek.

At that moment, Narita was distracted for a second and slipped in another and even larger puddle of mud, knocking over not only Aya, but also everything they were carrying and even himself.

***

The first thing Aya felt before opening her eyes was a terrible headache, even worse than she remembered.

She found herself lying on the carpet with headphones on and an empty wine bottle beside. The room she was in was completely different from the "last" one, its walls an unattractive moss green, the dark wood furniture simple and kind of worn out, and the unmade double bed in the center.

It took a few seconds of confusion for reality to sink in.

She struggled to her feet, her eyes still half-closed. It felt like she was carrying the world on her shoulders. When she finally stood, she placed the walkman on the dresser and walked like a zombie in search of an analgesic: her husband would be home from work soon, the kids from school, and dinner was still in the cans. Luckily, the little ones were always a little late, as they had a bad habit of playing outside before going home to eat or do anything else.

At least it meant more time alone.

Aya swallowed the pill dry and washed her face in front of the bathroom mirror. She still used the same shade of dye as always in her hair, but it was straight and simple, slightly disheveled and without any special styling. The only thing that betrayed her age were the dark circles under her eyes and a tired look, which, if ignored, could be said that she aged quite well.

"Aged" in quotes, as she liked to say, since she hadn't even reached her mid-thirties.

She headed downstairs to the kitchen and searched the cabinets for something quick enough yet tasty, otherwise the kids would insist on eating cereal for one more day. She hoped she could clean up the chaos of scattered toys, misplaced shoes and discarded clothes that the house was in while the frozen lasagna was in the oven, but all she managed was to put the Lego pieces back together before the "hurricane" returned.

And suddenly, the sound of backpacks being dropped haphazardly on the floor, hurried footsteps and children's voices invaded the room, as if peace of mind were just another fairy tale.

"Aya! Aya! I have a new anthill, you know?" Amu ran toward her, speaking fast. "Do you want to see it?"

"I'll see it later, honey." she murmured, not paying much attention as she organized the couch pillows.

"Can I play outside some more until daddy’s home?"

"No. Dinner's almost ready."

"I told you she wouldn't let us." Aki came in right behind him, opening the straw of a juice box. "We shouldn't have come back."

"Who let you take this? Didn't you hear me saying dinner's almost ready? You won't eat it like that." Aya took it from his hands and went to put it back in the fridge. "And go take a shower, you're all sweaty!"

It was hard to understand what they were saying in the other room, but there was no need. It was for sure whimpers and questions about who would go first, but that wasn't her problem as long as they got clean.

The twins had recently turned ten and both were pretty energetic kids. Their brown hair was a little short and always messy and the eyes of the same color. 

Amu still had that innocent enthusiasm and childlike wonder. He was a chubby and adorable child, but not easy, as he was gradually following his brother's path. Aki, on the other hand, had a somewhat already adolescent boredom and sarcasm, which worried Aya when she thought about the years to come. His look was one of someone who thinks that knows everything, and unfortunately, so was his attitude.

It's not like her husband did much, but Aya hoped he would arrive soon so she wouldn't have to deal with them alone.

And as she finished tidying the living room, the door opened again.

"Hi, honey." she greeted, seeing who it was.

Narita walked toward her and quickly pressed their lips.

If anyone had changed since teen years, it was him: his characteristic boyish "charming prince" air had given way to a scowling expression caused by stress. His hair was millimeters long with the baldness increasingly apparent, his stubble stuck out like a cactus, his voice was typical of a smoker and his belly was like someone who drank.

In the end, he had become just another almost middle-aged man with a divorce under his belt, whose prime was well behind.

"When you go upstairs, can you check if the boys have gone to the shower?"

"Ok, ok. I'm just going to get a beer before dinner." his eyebrows drew together as he stared at the floor. "It smells burnt."

"God, the lasagna!" she exclaimed.

The two of them went to the kitchen, but the man only went for his sacred bottle of Budweiser, which he took long gulps from as he left and went upstairs.

At least it wasn't long before the sound of the shower running could be heard.

***

"Does anyone want to talk about your day?" Aya asked just for the sake of it, as she poured milk into her bowl.

Minutes later, they were all seated at the round kitchen table, its drab brown tablecloth draped over several boxes of cereal to choose from and a bottle of milk. The smell of burnt food was still strong, the dim light bulb making the room slightly dark and Narita had left the living room TV on, the sound distracting the kids, but at this point it was better to leave it that way. Choose your battles.

"Aki's going to eat all the Froot Loops!" Amu whined, pointing at the other boy.

"Aki, leave them for your brother." she scolded.

"He doesn't even like those!"

The boy started laughing.

"You know what? Enough." Narita lost his patience and grabbed his son's bowl, dividing it between them. "You both eat Froot Loops!"

"But there's so little now." Aki complained.

Realizing he wouldn't get an answer, he simply topped it off with another cereal and poured in some milk. The spoon tapped irritably on the table as he chewed.

"Will you stop that? Can't you see the table is wobbly?"

Nothing.

"Aki, listen to your mom."

"She's not my mom."

"Thank God for that." Aya thought.

"Can I watch cartoons?" Amu asked.

The adults looked at each other and then shrugged. Then the two boys grabbed their bowls and ran into the living room.

"I'm sorry about him." Narita sighed in a tired murmur, not looking at her.

"It's okay, I don't mind."

And it was true.

Aya had discovered she couldn't have kids a few years ago and her infertility bothered Narita and his expectations, but only him. Motherhood wasn't something she was excited about, and she already had to deal with two children worth five, whose biological mother had passed away, and custody had passed to their father and consequently her.

It really wasn't something she wanted.

"Still want to talk about the day?" he asked.

"Maybe."

"They put in a new TV at a great discount at the store, I'm thinking about buying it."

"With what money, Narita?" she sighed. "And what's wrong with ours?"

"That one's twenty-five inches! And with that discount plus the employee discount, it'll be a steal." he looked at his kids on the couch staring at the much smaller screen, almost mesmerized. "Imagine them watching He-Man like it was in the movies? It would be awesome."

"It'll match the lighting." Aya stared at the ceiling. "A new light bulb would also be awesome."

"I already said I'll buy it."

"Okay, okay," she said sarcastically. "I won't rush you anymore."

Narita rolled his eyes.

"Um... Is it all right at the store?" he changed the topic.

"All right."

"If she bothers you..."

"I know, I know." she interrupted. "I'll quit."

Her mouth began to chew angrily on the small sugary flakes. Only one thing annoyed her as much as her husband considering her fragile and defenseless like that, even though in her case it was good that he thought so. But it was still a drag.

It was an extremely selfish thought, but it was a good thing Narita's father's business had failed, even if that was the reason they were where they were. At least it was the perfect excuse for Aya to work full-time at the record store she really wanted, even though the fact that her husband wasn't the sole breadwinner embarrassed him.

"Are you finished?" she didn't wait for confirmation before taking his bowl and carrying it to the sink next to hers. "Tell the boys that if they don't finish soon, they'll wash it."

"You’re grumpy today, huh?"

"I am."

He made a move to do so, but was stopped in his tracks.

"Oh, and I'll go to the store again later, so you can put them to bed. I promised to give back the walkman I borrowed."

"At this time? Can't you do it tomorrow? I thought that place closed earlier."

"I keep my promises."

Defeated, Narita simply nodded and left.

After finishing the dishes, Aya took a shower before heading out again, sweaty from cleaning the house. She combed her hair and put on a simple red sweater, high-waisted denim pants and black Converse. The device went in her pocket.

She said goodbye to her family and walked quickly toward the end of the street. The sky had already darkened and the cold air biting her skin made her regret not wearing a heavier coat. Despite that, the atmosphere was pleasant: the sound of crickets and her footsteps along with her slightly labored breathing were the only things she could hear at the moment, bringing her peace. She would have slowed down if she weren't in a hurry to get there or if the view were at least as nice.

That side of Newcrest wasn't quite so charming. There were few trees, no grass in front of the houses or almost anywhere else and despite it not being a big city (unlikely, it was hard for something to happen without everyone knowing, regardless of location), everything had a somewhat gray and sad look. At least in that neighborhood.

It was a place abandoned by god.

Coming across the green building she had left not so many hours ago, an involuntary smile spread across her face. She took the key from her pocket and unlocked the store, which was already dark and tidy after being closed. She didn't turn on the light, as what she wanted to see was one floor above.

She climbed the stairs of the hallway behind the cashier and knocked on the door at the end, being promptly greeted by a woman whose beauty was unforgettable. She hadn't changed much, only matured enough to say that time had never stopped being kind to her, quite the opposite: she had an engaging air and her gaze was capable of hypnotizing anyone. Her layered hair, now stripped of its bangs, was loose and swept back and she wore a light dress shirt as a pajama top, gray sweatpants and fuzzy hot pink socks that contrasted with her appearance. Aya’s gift.

Mitsuki Koga, her one and only.

"I came to give your walkman back." Aya explained, her voice sounding weaker and softer.

“Nice excuse.”

She didn't wait no more second to wrap the other woman in a tight, longing hug, which lasted long enough for the woman herself to begin guiding her inside and close the door.

"I needed to see you again." she whispered as if lacking any sense of personal space, their faces millimeters apart until the distance was broken into a long, chaste kiss.

Mitsuki smelled of the refreshing moisturizer she always used after bathing, her hair was equally fragrant and incredibly silky to caress, and her velvet-soft lips knew exactly what to do. There was nothing about her that wasn't worthy of praise.

Ceasing the act, Aya didn't have the courage to pull away too far. It would be a sin. Mitsuki brought both thumbs to her face and gently caressed her cheeks.

"Did you eat?" she raised her eyebrows.

"Does cereal count?"

To the shortest dismay, she pulled away. Her head shook in denial as she headed toward the kitchen.

"I made some pasta, sit down and I'll serve you." her voice echoed from the other room. "And yes, I'll eat again to give you company!"

Aya felt her insides melt at the words, as if she wasn't used to them. Or at least she should have, since they'd been at this for over a year.

She allowed herself to kick off her shoes and settle into the leather couch, legs curled up, hugging one of the pillows. Of all the places in the city, this was her favorite. The only thing in the world that could make her feel as peaceful, joyful and loved as Mitsuki's apartment was herself, and that was a proven fact. There, she could be her most honest self, relax and have fun enjoying time with the one she loved without mercy. There was no mess, no unpleasant noise, no chores. Just Mitsuki.

And it wasn't that big, but every detail made it so comforting: the indirect yellowish lights reflecting off the reddish wooden furniture and making the beige wall more colorful, the parquet floor, the vivid green rug under the coffee table full of music magazines, the old record player that she wouldn't let go of for anything and her favorite vinyls well displayed on the wall, the board games just for the two of them, the tapes, the adorable collection of little figures decorating the TV...

Aya found it simply incredible how her girlfriend so perfectly captured her personality and the wonderful feeling her presence brought to the place she lived. Every detail was so her.

For her, time only seemed to pass when she smelled the delicious aroma of her food and saw the hostess return with a plate of pasta and a glass of juice for her, which she placed on the coffee table and then did the same again. The two sat on the floor, comfortable as they were, and made sure their stretched-out legs touched under the furniture as if the distance were dangerously toxic.

The muted TV reflected the two eating in silence, a sight Aya loved. It felt right.

"Why couldn't you have dinner?"

"I burned the lasagna." she grimaced at the memory, then laughed nervously. "Looks like I came just to eat."

"As long as you keep coming." Mitsuki took a sip of juice and twirled more pasta around the fork. "I wanted you to stay after work to spend more time with you, but I thought Narita wouldn't like it."

"Ugh, why talk about him here?"

They both laughed.

"I heard the tape you recorded." Aya sat up straighter. "Right when I arrived."

"Did you like it?"

"You even put The Rolling Stones on it." Her voice was almost a whimper. "I didn't even know you remembered I was a fan. It has everything I love there, you know me so well… I'll listen to it every day."

Mitsuki kissed her cheek.

"Of course I remember. I'm glad you liked it."

Aya smiled silly, still focused on the  meal. She was about to take another bite when a very specific memory hit her hard, making her freeze and her heart sink again.

"I ended up falling asleep listening to it in some part, I was tired," she murmured. "I had a weird dream."

"About what?"

"I don't know, it's all jumbled up in my head, but I know I was still in high school and the weird thing is, I'm not sure if it was a dream or a memory. I got a feeling that it really happened, even though I don't remember exactly what happened, but I'm not sure. It's all confusing, it was weird."

"But what do you remember?" finishing her meal, Mitsuki put the fork down and turned to her girlfriend, who hesitated.

"I just 'woke up' late and went to school, but I actually woke up before I could get in."

"Normal" she laughed. "Any given day, you must have had a few like that."

Aya also finished eating and put the fork down.

"You were there."

"Are you dreaming about me now, huh?" Mitsuki teased, tilting her head to the side and receiving a sad look in return. "What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry for the way I treated you back then." the other woman's lips formed a line.

"I already forgave you for that, remember? We were young and you didn't know I had a crush on you."

"It didn't give me the right to provoke you like I did. And you weren't the best-treated girl…" her gaze wavered. "It was mean. Everything was."

Mitsuki sighed.

"I fucking kissed your boyfriend. I wasn't dumb, I knew what I was getting into. And there were worse people."

"You only kissed Narita because you wanted them to stop calling you a dyke. You had a reason."

"And how could you know?" she cupped Aya's chin, gently making her look at her again. “Forget it, Aya, really. It's been decades. I don't even think about it anymore.”

The woman simply nodded, holding back tears as best she could.

Despite knowing her girlfriend like the back of her hand and knowing she wasn't one to dwell on the past, in the end, that didn't stop her from feeling everything right. Life wasn't fair to her back then, and present Aya wished she could’ve made her happy back then. Or at least not wasted time with Narita when the love of her life was almost always right there. Literally. But she would never realize it, and it's not like they could be together anyway.

But it was still sad, so sad. And revolting.

If she had made the right choices in the past, would things be better? Would she still have to settle for exchanges of glances in crowds that only they knew the meaning of, little fingers childishly crossed under the store counter and the memory of falling asleep every night next to her husband, who, even though he still faithfully believed that Mitsuki was a lesbian, trusted his wife's heterosexuality enough to not feel so jealous?

Sometimes Aya felt like she was going to explode with so many "what ifs."

Mitsuki wrapped her arm around Aya’s shoulder, which took the opportunity to wrap herself completely around her. Her embrace was always warm and cozy, the kind of place some people spend their lives searching for. Aya wasn't ready to leave her. She didn't want to go home.

"I wish I'd known I loved you back then." her voice came out in a whisper.

When Mitsuki didn't respond, her head lifted again to face her, where her lips were kissed repeatedly.

"What's done is done."

"I hope I dream about it tonight. If I keep having these dreams about the past, it'll feel real, even if nothing changes."

"You're not going to get out of this anytime soon, are you?" Mitsuki caressed her cheeks. "I know you."

Aya just laughed. And then it hit her.

"What time is it?" she glanced at the small clock on the TV stand and pressed her lips together. "I'd better go. Narita will find it strange that I'm late."

"You're right." Mitsuki sighed, standing up and then helping her up.

"But I'll still help you with the dishes. It would be rude."

She laughed at the excuse.

"No, it's getting late anyway. You'd better go."

They hugged again.

"I needed to come see you after the dream. I missed you."

"I missed you too. Go carefully."

"Uh-huh." Aya kissed her lips goodbye. "I love you. See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow, my dear. I love you. Be well."

She put her shoes back on and walked through the door, waving before closing it. Turning toward the stairs she was about to walk down, darkness was her destination.

She couldn't wait for Narita to fall asleep so she could rewind the tape and listen to it all over again. It was strange, but she had a strong feeling about this.

Chapter Text

Aya woke up completely unaware in the ward. Her body was lying on her back on the hospital bed with her legs stretched out and slightly raised by the nurse. The dizziness was still there when she opened her eyes to the painfully white light on the ceiling, along with the same dull headache as before.

"She's awake." Narita said from across the room, making her aware of his presence. His arms were crossed and his expression concerned.

"What happened?" she asked weakly, still feeling lost as her legs were released.

"You fainted, honey." the nurse pressed her lips together as she stood beside her and broke the news. She was a woman in her sixties, already graying and adorable like a granny who bakes pies, so her words never frightened much. "Your boyfriend said you hit your head when you both fell."

Aya glared at the boy, remembering his lack of skill.

"How are you feeling? Some nausea, pain, tiredness…"

"A little headache, but I already had that before."

"I see." she nodded slowly. "Can you tell me your name and today's date?"

"Aya Oosawa. September twenty-sixth, sixty-six."

"Good, good. You can sit now."

The girl did so with some difficulty and propped her feet on the steps, running her hands through her hair.

"So, even though you don't show any signs of injury or confusion, I'm going to give you a certificate so you can be excused from your classes. You'll need to be kept under observation for at least twenty-four hours, and while sleeping, be woken every two hours because of the blow. Is there someone at home who can come pick you up now?"

"My parents are working and can't leave at all." she lied. "Can't I stay here?"

The oldest hesitated.

“At least I won't be alone. I'm fine, really.”

“I'll keep an eye on her.” Narita added.

“Okay… But I'll write a note letting them know about your condition, and you can show it to the teachers so they can keep an eye on you.” she went to the desk and began writing it down on a piece of paper. “No strenuous activity, including mental, no physical education and rest at home tomorrow. Tell your parents so they can get organized.”

“Okay, thanks.” Aya took the two pieces of paper handed to her, one the note and the other the medical certificate, and stood up. Narita seemed to teleport to her side to help her walk.

“Be more careful next time. These kids these days…” the nurse could be heard muttering.

And once in the hallway, Aya impatiently let go of her boyfriend's arm.

"I can walk, Mr. Narita." she said sarcastically while straightening her slightly muddy uniform. Fortunately, the dark fabric disguised it.

"Aya, I'm sorry. Really." the boy looked at her with puppy eyes. "I should’ve paid more attention to my step. I really didn't mean to."

"I know that."

He stepped in front of her, stopping her and actually stressing her out even more.

"Do you forgive me?" his eyebrows furrowed.

"I forgive you, Narita, I forgive you!" Aya sighed heavily. "Just leave me alone for a second."

She grabbed her books and bag from him and walked toward her next class, fast enough that he couldn't catch her without running. The bell hadn't even rung and she didn't know what time it was, so her only option was to linger tediously on the steps near the classroom, but it was still better than listening to her guilty boyfriend's whining.

Narita was especially annoying that day and Aya had no idea why. Nothing, not even he had changed.

Has she changed? Just like that, overnight?

Poof. Nuts.

When the bell rang, the doors began to open and the hallway to be filled with students hurriedly walking back and forth. The hummering was loud, followed by the sound of lockers closing and the adorable click of Mary Jane heels.

Surprisingly, Aya liked to go to school. Her sociable nature made her enjoy being in crowded environments and consequently more opportunities for interactions, and she was good at it. She could keep up with the gossip, what was cool and what was not and join clubs. And even if she didn't like it, it was still better than staying home with her drunk, grumpy mother.

"Aya!" a feminine and elegant voice called out as its owner sat down next to her immediately. "What happened that I didn't see you in the first class?"

Chizuru, president of the Green Apples club and the best at playing lacrosse.

She had chin-length, light blonde hair with micro bangs and a chic-style that matched with that kind of blasé expression of hers. She was as fake as the sashimi of the restaurant at the side neighborhood (that was far from salmon), but Aya liked to keep her close. It was good for her image in the hallways and made sense, since they were both popular and even similar.

"I woke up late." Aya's lips formed a line. "Did I miss much?"

"No, no." she shook her head. "The teacher just reviewed the subject that’ll be on the test, but I can give you my notes later."

"Oh, no, there’s no need. Don't worry. Thank you."

Chizuru smiled.

"Are you going to the party at my house on friday?"

"Will there be?"

"It will. I was talking to the other girls earlier, it'll be just us." she straightened her pleated skirt. "Mini sandwiches, put some records on and... You know. Gossip." she laughed. "It'll be fun. My dad bought a pool table and my cat likes to play with the pool balls, it's so cute playing with him there."

"That's so cute..." Aya frowned. "But I don't think I can make it. I'm traveling to San Myshuno with Narita's family."

It was hard to contain the grimace she wanted to make. Despite what it sounded like, it wasn't a lame excuse. Unfortunately, it was true.

"What a shame." Chizuru touched her arm in disappointment. "But have a good time there. It starts at six if you change your mind."

The girl left blowing kisses and headed to her class, as there was only a few minutes of tolerance. Aya gathered her things and did the same.

***

The school day itself was incredibly boring, even the topics she liked, like latin and music history. The clock above the chalkboard seemed to taunt her like an enemy, its hands ticking painfully slowly and the teachers moving in slow motion. Nothing was interesting or new, Aya felt as if somewhere in her brain she already knew all of this.

Maybe she'd read it in a magazine or whatever.

She hoped four o'clock would come soon, so she could meet up with the Green Apples and talk about the party she was definitely going to. Aya didn't deserve another trip with the Naritas and their endless conversations about business and politics. She had a feeling it would be a real drag, even more so than usual.

And she would break the news to Narita in three, two, one…

And then the lunch bell rang.

Finally.

The menu for the day was roast beef with buttered potatoes, fresh salad, crispy vegetables and bread, a meal that Aya devoured along with her almost religious iced tea. Her headache had even practically gone and it was hard not to notice Narita beside her, terribly hiding his surprise at her sudden appetite, but it wasn't hunger: Aya simply had a craving for the school food specifically, even though it hadn't been long since she'd eaten it.

"Feeling better?" he asked.

It took her a few seconds to finish chewing.

“Uh-huh. As much as possible."

The boy just nodded.

“But I have some bad news for you…”

“What?”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to travel with you on friday. Maybe it’s better if I stay in town, restful. I don’t know.”

“Why not? It’s my mom’s birthday.”

“I know, but… It’s not good to fly in these cases, even if I’m fine. I can’t risk my health. And driving there takes too much time, it’s tiring.”

“I can check with my parents to reschedule.”

“I’d hate to make them do this just for me and at the last minute, especially since Mrs. Narita is all excited and your grandparents are going too. Please, you can go. Seriously.”

Narita seemed hesitant.

"Will you be okay without me?" he bit his lip.

"Even better." she thought.

"Don't worry about me." Aya forced a weak smile.

"Wow, it’ll be the first time we've been apart like this." his hand rested against her on the wooden table. "I'll bring you lots of souvenirs from San Myshuno, stay tuned."

"Yay. I’ll be waiting." she kissed his cheek and stood up. "I'll get some dessert."

"I'll get it." he stood up too. "Is it chocolate pudding?"

The girl nodded and sat back down, both hands supporting her head, happier now.

Finally, something to cheer her up. The club meetings were always something. 

Chapter Text

Friday arrived, Aya's biggest mission was deciding which dress to wear to the party. She usually thought about it days in advance, afraid of choosing the wrong one, but this time she was more relaxed and since she'd been doing everything at school so well recently, she had plenty of room in her head to do so.

It was also Narita's last day in town before spending the weekend away, and that made things even better. All she had to do was ignore a few calls and then get a day off.

It was going to be a great weekend.

"Ready?" he asked as he saw her walking toward him in the hallway.

"Yes, let's go." she shifted her books to a single arm against her chest, offering her hand to hold, and then they headed toward the exit.

Aya found it pathetic how her boyfriend insisted on shouting goodbye to the football teammates he met along the way when she was with him. She wasn't stupid, she knew his intention was to show her off as something that couldn't be won with a simple touchdown.

In her mind, showing off boyfriends or girlfriends was part of the game, but treating them like a big trophy was pitiful. Like, that is your source of pride?

Getting into the car, Aya internally thanked the clear sky so they could leave the top down. She loved the feel of the breeze against her skin, and it wasn't the same with only the window opened. She turned on the radio as he started the engine and turned up the volume as soon as she recognized the Rolling Stones instrumental playing.

"Ugh, take it off." Narita grimaced, not taking his eyes off the street. The only response he got was silence from his girlfriend, who had her eyes closed as she hummed softly and moved her head almost imperceptibly.

He was a handsome guy, but a bit old-fashioned. If he learned from the Rolling Stones, maybe he'd have something special.

Or no.

"At what time is the boarding?" Aya asked after a while.

"At seven, but we'll leave as soon as I get back and ready."

She shook her head.

"I wish we could spend a little more time together, but I'll barely have time to shower." Narita regretted it.

"Yeah, but look on the bright side: you're gonna catch up with the apartment in the city. I know you like it better there."

"I guess so." his tone was uncertain.

And then they could see the beautiful Oosawa residence growing even larger as they approached. Narita parked right in front of the facade covered in lilies that adorned the grass so colorful it looked fake.

"Here you go."

Aya gathered her things and leaned in to kiss him.

"Bye, baby."

He took advantage of the short distance and placed his hands on her cheeks, pulling her in for a longer kiss. She didn't pull away, but hoped it would end soon.

They weren't afraid of such acts at her house (or close enough) because that relationship was more than approved by both families. Aya's father was Narita's partner in his company and in a few years, Narita would take over as CEO, they would get married, have kids and a bright future continuing the legacy. That was the plan.

Oh, and everyone thought he was too proper to let things go too far, even though the credit for it wasn’t his.

"I really got to go now." he pulled away, panting. "But I'll be thinking about you."

"Have a nice trip." Aya opened the door and stepped outside.

"I'll call you when I get there."

"Don't worry, sweetie. I'm going to bed early tonight."

"Okay. Sleep well then."

She blew him kisses from the sidewalk before he drove off, watching him disappear into the distance while wiping his saliva from her mouth. Kissing him had become an increasingly unpleasant experience, especially lately, and she wondered if it was the same with all the girls. But she wouldn't bother with it just when she'd managed to get rid of him.

Entering the house, Aya hurriedly ran upstairs to her bedroom, where she closed the door, put on a random band's record and rummaged through the closet for a decent outfit to finally shower and get ready. She didn't bother with a snack, as she would eat there anyway.

After almost an hour, she was ready in her long-sleeved, straight-cut orange and pink plaid dress, held together by a white belt that matched her thigh-high boots and headband in a nice contrast. Her makeup was practically the same as always, except for the pink eyeshadow. Even though it was a more intimate party, Aya liked to always be well-dressed, as the photos for the Crunchapples album were a tradition and she didn't want to be immortalized underdressed.

After a last check in the mirror, she said goodbye to Custard, who was keeping her company on the bed, and went downstairs.

Her father was already home and was drinking a bottle of beer in front of the TV, his legs sloppily crossed while her mother prepared dinner in the kitchen. She mentally braced herself for the older man's grunts whenever he saw her skirts and dresses above the knees, even though it was a lost cause.

"Mom, dad, I'm going out." her voice was low, hoping to go unnoticed.

But the man soon turned to her with his usual unfriendly expression. He had black hair cut millimeters from his head, a disdainful look, sharp cheekbones and an unshaven gray beard. He hadn't yet changed out of the office suit, which made him seem even more intimidating.

"I'll say no more…" he shook his head with a deep sigh. "Aiko, come see how your daughter is doing!"

Her mother then came into the living room and didn't bother hiding her disappointment. In contrast to her daughter, she even wore an apron.

“Well. It is what it is.”

“These kids these days are lost, they have no decency left.”

“Huh… Could I use the car?” she got straight to the point. It was the same old line, there wasn’t much to lose.

“And how else would you go?” the oldest raised her eyebrows.

The girl started to leave, but was quickly stopped by her father.

“Come here.” he called her and pointed his index finger in her direction. “I want you here at ten. Tell them I said congratulations on their new investment, and don’t have too much fun.”

“Yes, dad.”

“Now go, but know that back in my day, things were different.”

Aya then grabbed the car keys and the small shoulder bag and said goodbye to her family, trying to disguise her haste to get out of there and have some freedom. And when she got into the car, it was the same ritual: turning on the radio and opening the top. She didn't like driving, which is why she was always Narita’s passenger, but of the feeling of control she did.

The fact that her father didn't trust her enough to lend her his own car and she had to use her mother's also made the task more enjoyable, as she felt more at ease with the possibility of ruining precisely what wasn't used to show off. They always instilled in her the paranoia that she would end up doing so.

Men and their cars.

The drive to Chizuru's house was short, like almost everything else in the Llama Lagoon neighborhood. The large houses and considerable number of businesses made it seem much larger, but it was all just an impression. And once there, she was greeted by the hostess herself.

Her hair was impeccable as always and she was wearing a purple dress almost the same style as Aya's that suited her perfectly, along with matching heels.

"Come in, we're all in the living room." she pulled her friend by the hand and led her through the entrance hall.

The Beatles music grew louder as they approached, as did the conversation and laughter, but not too loud.

The room was spacious and managed to have a certain cozyness, despite being chic. The walls were made of dark wood paneling and the floor was covered in beige carpet. The fine furniture had been carefully moved to create space in the center, making the large record player next to the TV stand (in color!) and the ceiling-high bookshelves the focal point of the room where many teenage girls danced and chatted, all dressed almost identically.

That's why none of their parents made such a big deal about their clothes: everyone's daughters in their circle dressed that way, so they couldn't get a bad reputation. As long as it was only among friends and that rebellion passed quickly, it was tolerable.

The party kept great from then on, with the girls only quieting down when Chizuru's mother made a brief appearance with some food. Chizuru's parents usually let them feel comfortable at their get-togethers and that made things even better. With the house's excellent soundproofing, they didn't hesitate to turn up the music whenever they felt like it, nor to censor themselves.

And after many twists and watusis to the british pop rock music, the sacred hour of truth or dare had come.

The record player's volume was lowered as they huddled in a circle with an empty Coke bottle in the middle. This moment was always a mix of excitement and hidden nervousness, some more so than others, but the presence was essential. Aya simply felt happy. It was just a game.

"Okay, I'm spinning it." the hostess announced. She must love the chaos of it all.

The object made a few spins before stopping on Hime, much to her misfortune. Her apprehension was palpable from afar, as she was the newest member and still seemed a little shy.

The girl was also the youngest, having just started high school, but since she was the sister of a former leader, she had a bit of an advantage over those also hoping to join. Her brown hair was short with bangs at eye level and she had an innocent look. She was adorable.

"Truth or dare?" Chizuru asked. "Remember, you can only choose truth one time."

"Truth."

"Okay. Hm…" she stared at the floor. "I'll give you a heads-up: which boy in school do you think is the most looker?"

"Oh, that's too easy." someone murmured.

"Omo, I think."

"Ugly." Aya thought.

"Your turn, spin it!" Chizuru encouraged.

Hime promptly did so, the bottle immediately stopping at Sakiko.

Sakiko's expression was more unflappable. Her hair was long, perfectly curled with the heat rollers she made sure everyone knew she had and a dark blonde that contrasted with her cobalt blue dress. However, her face still had an incongruously gentle look and the delicate freckles didn't help matters.

"Dare." she didn't wait to answer before putting the cigarette back in her mouth.

"Oh, I'm terrible at these things." Hime chuckled nervously.

"Can I speak for her? Can I?" Mao raised her arm enthusiastically with a mischievous smile.

Mao was Chizuru's cousin and had wavy black hair in a half-updo with a beehive. She, on the other hand, was genuinely friendlier and by far the most approachable of the group.

Purposefully not giving her time for a denial, she continued:

"I dare you to steal that wine from I don't even know how many years ago in the cellar."

"You're such a gold digger." Sakiko blew out a breath and stood up. "Give me five minutes."

They all watched the girl head toward the archway that led to the hallway and then disappear. It was true that, despite her serene demeanor, she wasn't always the easiest, but her courage was admirable.

A short time later, she came back with the bottle and a corkscrew in her hands, without even hiding it, as if she'd just gone to the bathroom.

"The first sip is mine." she knelt and handed the cigarette to Yamashita so she could open the bottle while the others celebrated.

None of their parents forbade them from drinking, as long as it was at home and not the old wines that served as collectibles. Well, at least one of the rules they were following.

"It looks sweeter." her eyebrows knitted together. "Try it."

She handed it to Mao, who nodded with certainty.

"It's not that much better, I don't know why my uncle spends so much on these things."

"You're suspicious, you’ve got bad taste." Chizuru took the bottle from her cousin, who stuck her tongue out at her.

Sakiko spun the bottle again, stopping right at her best friend who was smoking her cigarette right in front. She laughed.

"Jerk." Yamashita teased.

Yamashita wasn't that different from Sakiko in personality, carrying the same blasé air, but a little cooler. She had straight black hair that fell to her waist, a piercing gaze and showy lips.

"Truth or dare?"

"Truth." she tilted her head to the side provocatively.

"No. Dare." everyone laughed. "I dare you to call Narita's mom pretending to be his dad's affair."

"God…" someone laughed in shock.

Yamashita turned to Aya, looking her up and down.

"You're not going to tell, are you?"

"I'm not a snitch. But they're not home."

"To the answering machine, then."

That was her cue to hand the cigarette back to her best friend, stand up and head toward the phone on the small round table next to the couch. And even though they couldn't hear through the line, the group insisted on following her and crowding around.

This was obviously stratospherically wrong, especially for Aya, who was his girlfriend. She knew she should, but didn't stop him. Narita always complained about how cold his house was and the couple's arguments were already frequent. One more wouldn't make a difference, and it would certainly be too obvious it was just a childish prank.

The boy would be fine.

Yamashita cleared her throat before dialing the number she dictated, and then silence fell.

"Baby? Are you there?" her voice was choked and muffled by her hand. "I got the test, it's positive. Please call me when you can, we need to talk. I don't know what to do. Wait for your wife to fall asleep."

After the device clicked into place, the room erupted in laughter. Yamashita was surprisingly a great actress, and that made everything even funnier.

"My turn." she announced as they came back to their seats.

And the bottle spun, landing on Chizuru again.

"Truth." the question didn't need to be asked.

"Someone at school you don't like?"

"And no ‘I just don’t like them’." Sakiko added.

"Mitsuki."

"For which reasons?" Yamashita exhaled.

"I don't know." she shrugged. "I think it's the sum of everything, she's just weird. And out of solidarity with Aya." she turned to her own.

"God, yes." Hime blurted out.

Aya shrugged involuntarily in embarrassment. She wanted to hide in a hole at every mention of the girl kissing her boyfriend. Like, she'd practically been betrayed by a lesbian! Nothing could be more humiliating than that.

Suddenly, her blood boiled with rage again at the memory. And Mitsuki hadn't even gotten what she wanted, because they would never leave her alone and she should’ve already known that.

Sly.

She gave a small wave of gratitude when the focus came back to the spinning object and not the humiliation she went through. But unfortunately, it stopped right in front of her, making her swallow hard, already imagining what was to come. After the collective memory, things had changed.

"Truth or dare?" Chizuru asked, her eyes shining.

The leader was known for being somewhat observant, so most always avoided the truth for fear of her sharp nose. She always knew exactly what to ask.

"Dare."

She tilted her head to the side.

"I dare you to throw eggs at Mitsuki's house."

"Now?" Aya hesitated.

"Uh-huh."

"She lives on Ridgeline Drive, it's almost half an hour from here."

"We're all driving, we're going with you, aren't we?" the others agreed. "It's about time you got even."

"For me it’s too nice." Yamashita added. "I’d do worse."

"It's just for some fun, I'm doing her a favor."

Aya opened her mouth and closed it without saying anything. On the one hand, it would be fun and might do her good to vent all that anger, but on the other, she knew it probably wouldn't end well: if anyone found out, her parents would ground her, and Narita would find out she'd stood him up for a party.

But on the other hand, this was a game the Green Apples took seriously. If she refused, she would be subliminally left out.

There wasn't a chance for her to answer before Chizuru's cat burst into the room, startling the group. The gray-furred animal ran with an unopened sachet in its mouth and climbed onto the piano. The bottle of wine, which was being hastily passed from hand to hand, was quickly hidden as soon as Chizuru's mother walked in.

"Sorry, girls, it seems he learned how to open the cabinet." the oldest picked him up, amused, as were the others.

"Oh, mom, we'll be leaving soon." Chizuru warned.

"Okay." she stopped the cat from playing with her hair. "Don't come back too late."

"Okay."

Alone again, their attention returned to Aya, who, defeated, stood up.

"Let's go get the eggs."

Chapter Text

"Won't your parents notice the eggs?" Aya asked Chizuru.

The two of them were in the redhead's car, with herself driving while Chizuru just looked out toward the horizon in the passenger seat, along with the other three girls in the back. And there were two more cars full of girls following them just for the thrill in Ridgeline Drive.

"I'll just say we suddenly got the urge for omelets." she shrugged.

The sky had completely darkened since the party started, and the chill of the night made Aya's adrenaline race. By that time, she knew that if she didn't get in trouble for what she was going to do, she most likely would for getting home after ten. But at that point, there was no turning back.

And with that in mind, she turned up the radio and pressed down harder on the accelerator.

***

Aya had never been to her house, but everyone knew where the record store was, as it was one of the only ones in town (and soon the only one, as the competitor was about to close), and it was pretty predictable that Mitsuki would live on the second floor of a run-down shop, with its old-fashioned, peeling light green paint and windows that had seen better days. It was a bit pitiful.

The girls began to quietly get out of their cars and prepare for the ball by grabbing cartons of eggs. The street would be totally dark if it weren't for the lone streetlight on the corner, and there was no sign of another living soul. The coast was clear.

"Do the honors." Chizuru handed one to Aya.

"If her uncle sues you, don't worry. My dad’s a lawyer." Mao reassured her.

"And with what money would he do that?" Aya thought, but didn't say it.

And then the first spot was covered in the sticky liquid from the broken egg, which dripped slowly and wasn't the only one for much longer. The giggles were stifled hardly as the girls messed around, taking advantage of a dare that wasn't even theirs. Aya let herself be carried away by this spirit as she did it without anything else in mind other than pure teenage recklessness.

Throwing eggs at other people's houses was even more fun than it seemed, and it also helped her vent the resentment she still felt.

But reason hit her hard as soon as she noticed a light turn on through the closed curtain of one of the windows. And she wasn't the only one to notice.

Oh, shit.

Oh, shit.

From then on, everyone did their best to get into a car and get out of there as quickly as possible. Hers was the last one to leave, but it pulled away quickly enough. His heart was beating as fast as the car and her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, not giving in to the urge to brush away the strand of hair that was bothering her face because of the wind.

But amidst the sudden despair, a smile spread across her face. She felt alive. Now at a safe distance, they stared at each other in the window mirror and burst out laughing.

The radio was still on, and then one of her favorite songs started playing.

***

Aya woke up earlier than she should, thanks to the bright light streaming into the room through the crack in the curtains and directly into her face. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to cover them with her hand and then the blanket, but it was useless. Sleep had already left her.

Next to her, Narita was still deep asleep, facing away from the window. It was strangely annoying.

Without much else to do, she gave up and got up to start getting ready for her so loved work and making breakfast for her not loved family. The extra minutes were delightfully spent in a long, hot shower, and dressed in a pink, long-sleeved turtleneck and the nearly identical pair of jeans she always wore, she went down to the kitchen, where she cracked two eggs in a frying pan and went for the bacon and pancake batter.

Narita was the first to walk down, already in his work uniform. He served himself eggs and bacon while Aya went upstairs to wake the kids, who brushed their teeth hurriedly and then ran to the kitchen, preferring to eat breakfast before getting ready for school. They liked pancakes with whipped cream and cherry preserves in the morning, and Aya, lastly, stuck to orange juice.

She needed to keep the appetite. Mitsuki got upset by slights.

“Aya, I lost my new Spiderman comic.” Amu regretted it.

“It’s in the desk’s first drawer, honey.”

“And I, my slingshot.” Aki’s turn.

“No, you won’t take a slingshot to school.”

“You hid it, didn’t you?”

“Speaking of which, did you find that sock I’ve been looking for for days?” Narita lowered the newspaper.

“If I disappear someday, you all will never get to find anything more, right?” Aya sighed and turned to her husband. “It was in the dresser all the time.”

The man knitted his eyebrows together and then widened his eyes as if he had an epiphany.

The meal continued peacefully from then on, with few arguments between the brothers as it was still early and their brains hadn’t fully awakened. And with everyone about to leave, Narita said goodbye to his wife while wearing the coat and taking the car key above the sideboard. Aya’s eyes followed his hand by reflex, and something in the furniture suddenly caught her attention.

In addition to everyday items, there were also some decorative photo frames, one of which had a visibly old photo of Narita and his family in a restaurant the couple used to go to in San Myshuno. Aya didn’t know what or why she thought that, but something was strangely wrong and that feeling made her uncomfortable.

“Has this photo always been there?” she half-closed her eyes.

“Which one? That?” Narita pointed. “Huh, it did.”

“Really? Since when?”

“Since… Always.” the man looked suspicious. “It was after that trip that things at my house started to get worse. But it’s you who tidy up, you put it there.”

“Oh, yes.” Aya disguised it with a shrug through a fake smile. “I always pay too little attention there that I even forgot.

He only nodded, finding it a bit comical, she looked back one last time before closing the door and leaving for last, and that was it.

Aya thought it strange not to have found herself also sitting at the table in the photo, but it didn't make sense since she hadn't gone on that trip. It was at the same time as a friend's party, she remembered. She must be confusing herself with some other one that actually went.

The kids had already gone ahead to the corner where the region’s school bus passed, Narita went to work by car and Aya by foot to her beloved record store. The bright sun and the blue sky were deceiving, since it was even colder than the day before. The clear weather also made the store’s flashy orange look even more vibrant, caughting the woman’s attention in an almost hypnotical way and bringing back the same weird feeling of minutes before and mainly last night. 

It was like deja vu, but different. Kind of distressing.

Maybe it was the effect of the strangely jumbled dreams she began to have, but seriously speaking: it didn’t make any sense. Aya wasn’t crazy at this point.

Maybe the best thing would be to just ignore it and stop trying to trigger them out of curiosity, just to be sure.

Walking into the establishment, she came across the sight of Mitsuki wearing a black leather jacket, dark, half-ripped jeans and combat boots while tuning the strings of the same guitar she played in her college band (yes, Mitsuki had a college band). Aya was jealous of anyone who had the slightest involvement in her life at the time and consequently got to see her on stage playing passionately like a painfully seductive rock goddess.

‘Me to Her’ was the name of the band, and the trio separated a little before her uncle Joe died and she came back to take over his business. And for Aya all that remained were the tapes of amateur recordings, some original songs, many polaroids from times on the road and a nostalgia that wasn't hers

“Oh, you’re there.” Mitsuki finally noticed her girlfriend staring at her with appreciation and ran to her direction with the instrument still in hand, kissing her fastly and lovingly. “Sorry, I tune out the world when I do music.”

“You think I don’t know?” Aya tilted her head to the side, amused. “And for me it could go on.”

The brunette laughed silently.

“Do you want me to play for you after we eat?” I think there's time before opening.”

Such a question was like magic for her girlfriend's face to light up. There was no need for confirmation.

She put her arm around her neck and they wandered slowly to the counter, where there were two thermos cups of coffee and two plates covered in aluminum foil. Mitsuki was very keen on waiting for Aya for breakfast, so she always cooked a little more and closer to the time she arrived for them to eat together before work listening to some music and enjoying some quality time together.

But now that Aya remembered the feeling of the sweet sound of her strings, she wanted nothing to do with any other music.

“I was tuning the guitar because Omo is coming today.” Mitsuki commented after sipping the coffee. “The new KISS album he was waiting for has arrived and we're going to take the opportunity to remember the old times.”

“After work?” Aya uncovered the plate, revealing a beautiful slice of french toast with strawberries and blueberries on it.

“Uh-huh. It’d be nice if you could stay.”

“God, it’d be fucking nice.” she squinted her eyes. “I’m gonna tell Narita that there was an unexpected event here and I’ll need to work overtime. I’m gonna use your telephone, ok?” 

“He’s gonna hate me even more.” Mitsuki's tone was ironic. “It’s worth it.”

Aya grabbed her face by the cheeks and sealed her lips tightly, drawing a surprised laugh from her.

“But I love you, Mitsuki. As fuck. We’re gonna make some music tonight.”

The woman smiled foolishly

“I love you as fuck too, Aya. Let’s make some music.” she raised the horns.

Chapter Text

Mitsuki turned the "closed" sign outwards on the door of the now-empty shop. Watching her do this in the evening was such a privilege for Aya, whose shift ended a little earlier so she could do housework and be there to greet the kids and her husband.

And sitting in one of the chairs at the counter, filing her nails (which she never had time to paint) she didn't even want to think about how things were at home. At that moment, the probable chaos wasn't her business, and that alone was a reason for delight, making her wonder if the chances of convincing Narita to let her request a longer shift were considerable.

She would give anything to be able to spend more time in the shop, away from everything, talking to customers about music, listening to records and admiring the love of her life, who was the main reason she was there.

"What's with that smile?" she asked good-naturedly, as if she knew she was invading her thoughts.

Aya simply shrugged as Mitsuki came back to the seat beside her.

"Nothing." she replied with an embarrassed laugh. She wasn't shy, but Mitsuki sometimes had that effect on her. "At what time will Omo come here?"

"Uh… In a few minutes, I guess." Mitsuki glanced at the clock on the wall and then back at her girlfriend. "Let's wait upstairs, I'll order some pizza for us later."

"Sure." Aya hesitated slightly. "But… I won't be able to stay much longer. Is it okay?"

"I know, relax." Mitsuki wrapped her hand in hers in a comforting gesture. "I'll turn off the lights."

***

About forty minutes later, there was a knock on the apartment door. The record store had been left unlocked so the man could get in (despite everything, it was a safe neighborhood and nobody else knew, in the end). It was Aya who answered, and the two smiled broadly upon seeing each other, then hugged tightly.

Omo was tall and always had a kind and even somewhat delicate look. His hair was straight and neatly styled, neither too short nor too long and dark brown, as were his eyes. He wore a simple white t-shirt, a denim jacket, matching pants and sneakers, and had no idea that he would be meeting again his favorite redhead, rock-loving named Aya, on that day.

"Did you like the surprise?" Mitsuki appeared right behind him, and it was her turn to greet him with a pat on the back.

Omo and Aya had known each other since school, but they became closer thanks to Mitsuki on another occasion like that. They both were fond of each other for two reasons:

1- Both were closeted homosexuals who struggled to come out and accept themselves.

2- Both were or are in love with someone they went to high school with.

Fortunately, one of those cases was water under the bridge: Narita never deserved Omo. Although Aya would love to dump her husband for someone else.

Mitsuki also fits this description, which is why they got along so well when they finally had the opportunity to talk during college.

“God, where have you been?” Omo's eyes widened at Aya, who pointed at herself in disbelief.

“Me? You disappeared from earth!”

He shook his head quickly. Despite the accusations, the tone was playful.

“You arrived at the same time as the delivery guy.” Mitsuki pointed out the coincidence as she picked up her wallet and headed downstairs.

Alone, the friends settled on the couch enthusiastically.

“And how have things been?” Aya asked. She had the slight impression that her eyes were shining just from the way he looked at her.

“The same as always. Lots of demands, meetings… But I can handle it. I think I got it.”

“Of course you do!” Aya shook him lightly on the shoulder. “You're the most awesome songwriter I know. After Mitsuki.”

The two laughed, and Omo rolled his eyes.

"And what about you?" his tone was gentle and a little uncertain.

"The same as always, too." were the woman's only words.

"And Mitsuki? She's another one I don’t know! And we talk on the phone sometimes, you know?"

"She's really bad at talking about herself, isn't she?" Aya laughed. "She's fine, working a lot. And now that her sprained ankle got better, it’s even better."

"Good, good." he nodded, staring into space.

Soon, the woman came back with dinner, placed the box on the coffee table and went to get some Diet Cokes from the fridge. Aya thought that the best accompaniment to pizza was alcohol, and she knew the other two agreed, but it was better that she didn't come home with a compromising breath.

They ate amidst a fun conversation, mostly about music, punctuated by laughter, a warm atmosphere and even a subliminal nostalgia typical of old friends. Mitsuki made sure they didn't linger too long before going downstairs and starting to play, as Aya enjoyed watching.

She leaned against the shop counter holding the small glass bottle, watching Omo settle into the old drum set. It was still surprising how the instrument fit in that corner, considering the total area wasn't that big.

He played a few beats to warm up while Mitsuki plugged in the guitar amplifier. It was unlikely there would be any complaints from neighbors, as the establishment was on a slightly secluded corner and the soundproofing was reasonable.

And then the music began.

Aya took a sip of her Coke, staring intently at Mitsuki and how well she did what she did. Her skill was obvious even to laymen, and admirable to someone who had also studied music. Of course the sound was delightful, but what was most beautiful was her passion, both for the melody and for the woman from whom her gaze refused to avert itself at all times.

The first song they played before everything turned into a big, fun mashup of different times (including some of Aya's favorite ones) was an original song by Me2Her, and when the vocalist's voice blessed her ears, even though she was already used to it, she felt like floating. It was… sublime.

You were looking for saints, but you only found people

Ain't that just the way it goes?

I watched you fall from grace, you were graceful

After all, it's a small world

You may not be an angel, but you are my girl

You are my pack a day, you are my favorite place

You were my best friend before you were

My best guess at the future

You are my best guess

If I were a gambling woman, and I am

You'd be my best bet (best bet)

***

Aya had a feeling as if she had been deeply distracted, as if her mind had "clicked" out of nowhere. However, she perfectly remembered the last few minutes in which she had been attentive driving, even amidst the supposed "unconsciousness" and the strong déjà vu, which she had only felt upon waking up, before.

She couldn't even describe the feeling. It was as if another "her" had taken the lead for a few seconds.

Strange.

Parking back at Chizuru's house, they all said goodbye and hurried to leave, still finding it pretty funny. The usual curfew for the families was ten o'clock, so the lateness was collective. Aya didn't care about the traffic rules after that, flooring the accelerator in the hope that it would ease her burden a little. Probably not, considering how square her father was.

So, getting home, finding him waiting for her in the exact same spot and position of when she left wasn't the best surprise. And he didn't turn to face her even though her presence was obvious, choosing instead to remain focused on the TV until he let out a grumpy grunt.

"Is this the time?" her voice came out low. "Your mom was worried."

A lie.

"I’m sorry. The clock there was slow, but it won't happen again."

The older man then finally turned to her with raised eyebrows. That's when Aya knew what she came up with was absurd.

"Do you really want me to believe this nonsense?" his tone rose to normal. "A week without music, TV and phone. And it's from home to school and from school straight home, without bringing anyone here! And you'll help your mother more with the housework, it's about time she taught you more things. You're crossing the line."

“Yes, dad.” Aya simply nodded with, head bowed and hands clasped in front of her. She didn't argue, thinking that good behavior might only earn her a simple scolding if he discovered the reason for that.

That would be terrible.

“Now go put on some decent clothes and go to sleep! How absurd…”

“Yes, dad.”

The girl then turned around towards the stairs, and as soon as she entered the room and closed the door, the first thing she did was run to the bed and throw herself onto it, allowing herself to relax on the soft mattress and sheets. It was easy to get “stuck” in that space, so much so that she deeply regretted it when she remembered that she still needed to get up to shower and put on pajamas.

Aya sighed.

She did so, and as soon as she could finally lay her head on one of the many pillows, adrenaline was still coursing through her veins. But she was careful not to let her thoughts run wild too, otherwise she would have trouble falling asleep thinking about the possibility of the person who saw that, recognize her or the car in the dark. Aya did her best to switch off her brain until she fell asleep, which didn't take long after she managed to do so, since she was tired.

What a night.

***

Aya woke up around nine in the morning to the sound of the vacuum cleaner in the hallway. Saturday was one of the days of the week when the cleaning lady came for a deep clean in the morning, so sleeping in was almost impossible. But considering she could have had the choice, she concluded that her father had gone out to play golf or something, but wasn't home. Great.

She lazily got up to brush her teeth and get ready for the day, and following the same pattern as the night before, she put on her longest dress, a light pink sleeveless dress that reached her knees, buttoned all the way up, with a long-sleeved white blouse underneath that matched her hairband. She felt ridiculous and dolled up (not in a good way), but anything to prepare the ground for a possible catastrophe.

Maybe her punishment wouldn't be so bad if her parents thought she was learning from her mother. Or maybe she could even convince them it wasn't her there!

Unfortunately, the realization that the chances of not getting in trouble for this were slim was beginning to sink in.

After breakfast, she cleared the table, and the first hours of the day were basically just that: helping her mother with chores without any break. They folded clothes, tidied the rooms, went grocery shopping and prepared lunch, which was a simple chicken salad sandwich.

The atmosphere between the two was cold, but thankfully without much bickering from the older woman. Aya was inwardly grateful when her mother took a moment to smoke while reading a magazine and thought she could do the same listening to a record, until she realized the record player had been taken from her room. She didn't have much time to mourn before her father called her, shouting from downstairs.

The fright was so great that it sent her running down at lightning speed.

“Calm down, honey, she’s right here.” her mother warned, noticing her walking in. “Be careful with the stress.”

“You’re never leaving this house again! That’s enough!” he pointed at his daughter, yelling. “Do you have any idea what a mess it was to convince that guy not to sue you? You damaged private property!”

It was easy to guess what it was about.

“Dad, calm down! Mao’s father is a lawyer, remember?”

“And you think I want a lawsuit on your back, Aya? Dishonoring our family name?”

“Isn’t there another way to solve this?” her mother tried to appease.

“There is.” the man massaged his temples. His face was red. “Joe agreed to let those responsible paint the store, but he doesn’t know who it was and can’t accuse someone like that. The only car he recognized was yours.”

They both turned angrily to their daughter, who remained silent.

“You’re going to go there and apologize to him in person, I’ll buy cans of paint, and you’ll clean up that mess yourself.” said the father.

“Or she can say who else helped and share the blame.”

“I don’t really care.” he huffed, pulling a cigarette and lighter from his pocket. “As long as Aya behaves and stops acting like a brat. I’m not anyone else’s father, one is more than enough.”

He lit the cigarette, took a deep drag and then exhaled the smoke with a grunt.

“Honey, make me a sandwich. I’ll drive her there after lunch.”

The woman readily agreed and went to the kitchen while her husband came back to his beloved couch.

Aya just stood there, motionless. The only thing she knew was how fast her own heart was beating.