“…and that’s what happened yesterday… As a consequence of that… here she is…” Maki said as Yae sat beside her at the local coffee shop. Sitting across them was Noah and Myu, who had been called the following day.

“…I still don’t believe you, Maki…” Noah said as he frowned.

“Have I ever lied to you guys?”

“Multiple times, yeah.” Myu quickly retorted.

“…what part is it that you don’t understand, Noah?” Yae, who stayed silent during the whole recap, finally spoke up as her gaze landed on Noah.

“…d-don’t get me wrong… I doubt you’re lying… Yae? B-but I simply can’t digest your… uhm… change, that’s all.” Noah said as he rubbed his temples.

Her braided twintails were nowhere to be seen, just like Noah himself he could see that Yae as well opted on the use of contact lenses instead of glasses. Her uniform was neatly worn and it somehow accentuated her figure.

She crossed her covered legs and simply took a sip from the drink in front of her. “That should also be my line. While Maki and Myu’s change was more of a change in personality, yours is truly one that can’t be underestimated, Noah. You are a completely different person in comparison to your former self.” Yae nodded approvingly.

“T-thanks, I guess?” (Noah)

Her language sounds extremely polite and formal, at least that seriousness of hers seems to remain intact. However, there is something that I want to know… because now that I know who she is, then it’s just a matter of having her call them, right?

Well… she probably did already, but we should just mention it just in ca— As Noah’s thoughts went back and forth, it seems that Myu thought the same things and as if reading his next move, she said what he wanted to express.

“By the way, Yae.” Myu spoke.

“Hm? What’s the matter, Myu? Anything else you want to ask?” Yae responded in kind.

“Yes. You see, I’ve already seen you around campus often than not, and there’s something that I wanted to conf—” (Myu)

“This is about both Aurora and Aoi, I presume?” (Yae)

❆

[Maki’s Side]

“This is about both Aurora and Aoi, I presume?” (Yae)

So she knew, huh?

The four of us were in a coffee shop, this time after a little bit of talking we finally moved to the main topic.

Since enrolling in this school, I already knew with a hundred percent certainty that the twins were enrolled here. Simply because it was Aurora who gave the opening words in representation of the first years. He hadn’t changed that much from when we were kids, but it would be obvious that if not for their golden hair and eyes, I probably wouldn’t recognize them.

At the time in between classes I also saw Yae (who at the time didn’t know it was actually her) actively talking with them, however at the time I had no courage to approach old friends all of a sudden, especially with my whole makeover.

That’s why during this talk I hoped I could ask a little about the two… Thinking about it now was a completely stupid idea simply by the fact that it would be natural for her to call the twins once she knew it was us…

“…looks like we’re on the same page then.” Noah said with a wry smile, tracing the rim of his glass. Myu seemed frozen for a bit but quickly regained her composure as she gently nodded at her words. I, on the other hand, simply stayed quiet.

“Don’t worry, I already called them over.” (Yae)

Huh? Wait, she did what?! Right now?! Like… this same time and space?! I THOUGHT WE COULD TALK WITH THEM TOMORROW OR SOMETHING…!

…but now…? W-what face am I supposed to put in front of the— 

“Thanks for the call, Yae.” Just as I was lost in my thoughts a familiar voice rang through my ears that made me shiver. It wasn’t needed for me to look up to know exactly who they were… however, in all politeness I stiffly glanced upwards.

“It has been a while, everyone. I’m glad the six of us can finally talk together like this.” Her angelic soul gave a small smile as her hands were gently wrapped within each other by her stomach.

“I knew I could rely on you guys! While we may’ve been children, I knew you guys would take it seriously!” His gentlemanly voice laughed a little louder than I was used to, he had a hand on his pocket while the other one held his phone, adorned with a black case with a golden rose as a pattern.

“Aurora, your voice is a little loud, so stop being annoying and sit down. Aoi, please sit down too.” (Yae)

“Then, if you may excuse me.” (Aoi)

“Excuse you~” (Aurora)

And so, the two of them sat down and for the first time in more than five years, the six of us were to share a meal together.

[End of Maki’s Side]

❆

In exception to the already empty white plates and glasses, the pattern broke with the newly-arrived duo. Their plates were filled with colorful dishes containing an assortment of special salads, specialty of their current rendezvous point.

Well… the only difference is that Aurora’s dish had no tomatoes in sight, which contrasted with his sister’s plate. Their glasses were filled with a strong velvet color.

“You seem to have an appetite…” Yae said as she stared at Aurora with a clear hint of disgust. “Now that’s not a way you should be looking at your handsome friend! Play nice!” Aurora said as he took a mouthful of salad.

“Aha, yeah, whatever you say.” Yae waved her hand dismissively at Aurora’s remark.

“Anyhow! Enough about us! I want to catch up with you three,” Aurora said leaning on the table, “How have you all been? It’s been a while and I see you guys really changed.”

❆

[Aoi’s Side]

I stayed silent as I heard my childhood friends talk about what transpired in their lives in the time we were apart. Myu’s side hasn’t changed much, just that she’s living alone right now while her parents continue working in another city for the time being.

While Maki’s side also hasn’t changed much, it seems that about three years ago, her older sister Saki, who I remember fondly, got married and now has a child. “Thinking about it, is her husband the boyfriend she had while we were children?” Yae asked.

“Oh? How did you know!” (Maki)

“Well, they were deeply in love with each other back then, so it’s actually hard to imagine them breaking up…” She reasoned.

That… was actually really true and was a no-flaw logic. They really were an idiotic couple… something like… “adorkable” Was it? Anyways, I remember once—

“I remember once while Saki was playing with Myu and had her on her lap she blurted out something like ‘I hope that our children will one day be just as cute as her…’ which was a slip of the tongue.” (Yae)

Yeah… that happened…

“And in consequence the two blushed and couldn’t maintain eye contact for the rest of the day, did they?” Noah added.

“No… it was more like they couldn’t hold a conversation at all.” She corrected. That did indeed happen, while most of my memories are fuzzy, I do remember something like that. I took a glance at Myu and saw her covering her face with her hands, which unconsciously made me giggle.

Somehow, I couldn’t take my eyes off her, she just had that much of a change… her short white hair which was extremely similar to a boy’s, now seemed to reach to her waist and was neatly combed with no sign of any tangles in them. I’m envious… I wonder if she spends as much time as I do to ensure her hair has no tangles in them.

Her blue eyes seemed a little more confident, moreover her posture also got better. Her body gave that mature charm similar to Yae’s.

We continued our talk and this time we listened to most of the details from Noah, while Myu and Maki’s expressions darkened… ours also got a little bitter quickly after.

“So, he’s no longer here…” I dejectedly said as I sipped a bit of juice, a sharp pain running across my chest. Noah’s father, a book author who along with some psychological novels also collaborated in picture books… a person I wholeheartedly admired… The news of his passing hit me like a truck.

“So, Yae, you also knew right?” Aurora asked.

“Yeah, I did. I was able to properly give him my farewells before I moved.” (Yae)

“She moved a little while after my father’s funeral.” Noah added. Noah’s father, Sota Karuisawa, was a kind man. I remember that when he was told that we were going to move, he went out of his way and gave us a farewell gift… it was a picture book exclusively made for each of us.

Six picture books detailing a beautiful fairy tale with us as the protagonist, I always have mine on display at all times, as I find it even more valuable than my volleyball competition trophies.

“How is she doing by the way? Ms. Noella, I mean.” (Yae)

“She’s better, she got remarried about a year ago and she seems to be reco—” Just as Noah was about to continue.

““She remarried?!”” (Yae & Aurora)

Yae and my brother cut him off…

“—ah, right… I should’ve said that from the start. Yeah she did, I also have a new brother about two years younger than me, he is a second year middle schooler.” (Noah)

A step-brother, huh? I thought as I took a sip of my drink. “That’s the first I’ve heard of it…” Maki added. “Ah right, I never told you, did I?” (Noah)

Maki shook his head.

“Well then, I have a younger brother now, he doesn’t talk much and it’s kind of distant, but it’s understandable since he’s barely adjusting to his new life.”  (Noah)

“Suddenly having an older brother was probably a shock, I presume. Things such as the arrivals of family members… especially knowing you’ll live under the same roof as a stranger would’ve probably taken a toll on him.” I said as I turned to Noah with a soft smile. As my gaze landed on his, he also showed me a gentle and caring smile.

“You’re probably right, well… enough about such matters. Here’s to our reunion! Cheers!” (Noah)

“““Cheers!””” All of us said in unison, continuing our chats and a couple of hours later, we brought this emotional event to a close.

[End of Aoi’s Side]

❆

As the group left the restaurant, they walked slowly as they talked to one another, numerous conversations taking place at the same time. This is nice… Aurora thought. The noisy kids his nosy past approached were now rough diamonds waiting to be polished… a diamond just like himself.

He felt an indescribable happiness as he walked alongside his friends, friends who he knew since old times. Things were starting to look good for him… This time, he wouldn’t make the same mistake as last time, he wanted to really understand himself… because unlike before, he didn’t want his immature feelings to drag another person down… especially if it was someone who managed to “spark” his heart.

Right, tomorrow I’ll be having my first club activities, I wonder how the other members are… I didn’t hear much from Ms. President… Well, I shouldn’t worry. He laughed dismissively, Shiori is also sharing the nervousness and pain with me, so for now I think I’ll enjoy this time of peace…

With that said, he dispelled all thoughts and joined his childhood friends in their conversations.