“You didn’t get rid of it,” she pointed out. They were still little when his father taped those stars for them. Of course his mother was furious and Shoji promised that when he was able to reach the ceiling, he would get rid of it. “No,” he shook his head, “I remember my father when I look at them.” “Thank you, Shoji-kun,” she tilted her head and looked up at him, “I would suck as the head of countermeasures without you.” “Don’t flatter me, baka,” he nudged her, “I know you prefer having Tadao-kun around.” She punched him lightly on the shoulders, “Stop it. I don’t like Tadao-kun that way. Besides, I think he liked Haru-san.” “Don’t go crying on me now,” he teased and pulled her hair, “I didn’t know your hair became this long.” He climbed up to his bed and played with Michiko’s ponytail, “Your red hair still fascinates me.” “Yeah? You used to think that they were in flames and would pour buckets of water on my head,” she reminisced. The ache in her heart washed over her and one thing she knew, she was overcome with grief. “Hey, what’s wrong?” Shoji asked and pinched her cheeks. Suddenly, his mother appeared inside his room and was holding a plate of watermelon. “You should eat, Michiko-san,” she placed the plate on top of the table, “Your mother called. She wants you home by dinner.” “Oh,” she wiped her cheeks, “Of course. Thank you, okaasama.” “You shouldn’t cry inside Shoji’s room,” she turned around, “You know how he feels when you’re crying.” “Even my mother knows you shouldn’t be crying,” he poked her forehead, “I should be the one crying. She only brought one slice of watermelon.” “We can share, Shoji,” she said as she touched her forehead. “Shoji never liked eating inside his room," his mother replied and walked away. When she was done eating her watermelon, she pulled Shoji to walk her home. “My mother will kill me,” she pulled harder and upon hearing what she said, Shoji tugged harder. Michiko lost her balance and was caught by Shoji’s arms. She was engulfed around his hug. His heart was beating in an odd rhythm, his breath was hot against her skin and his hands were warm. “Don’t say that,” he whispered, “I really did miss you.” “You’re always with me,” she hugged him back, “Aren’t you a bit sick of my presence?” “No,” he sighed and let her go, “Come on.” When they passed the room where his mother was seated, they both entered. “I will be going now, okaasama,” she bid farewell and thanked her again. “Be careful,” Shoji’s mother reminded. “I’ll be fine as long as Shoji’s with me,” she walked away even before she noticed Shoji’s mother reaction. “I’ll be back, okaasan,” Shoji waved and followed Michiko. Once they were out of Shoji’s house, they began walking towards her house. It wasn’t a long walk and after approximately twenty steps, they reached Michiko’s house. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” Shoji smiled and walked away. She watched him enter his house and did the same.
In front of the door was her mother with a worried look plastered on her face. “You went to the Asano’s?” she asked as she watched her daughter arrange her shoes. “I went to Shoji’s room, okaasan,” Michiko smiled up at her. “Wh-what?” her mother gaped. “His mother let me,” she reasoned out, “We didn’t do anything stupid; I just ate watermelon in his room.” “How was his mother?” her mother took her bag away from her and propped it on the table. “She’s fine,” Michiko reassured her, “She’s always beside Hyuga-kun.” “I’m glad she’s alright,” her mother patted her head, “I wouldn’t know how to deal with deaths. Good thing Hyuga-kun keeps her company.” Michiko sighed, "You can't blame Shoji-kun, okaasan. He isn't that close to her mother." "That's right," the woman replied, "Because he was always with his father. Since his father died, he busied himself with school and clubs." "He hates seeing his home," Michiko winced, "I wish he can be what he was when his father was still alive." "Well, don't worry," her mother smiled, "I'm the school's guidance counselor after all. I can talk to Shoji-kun anytime."