The Beginning of Summer

Part 2 - Convenience Store

We made a stop at a convenience store nearest to the school, which is way down. Our school is way up the mountains, so it's a daily struggle to go to school and it is always relaxing to go home. I can't even bike up that high so it's either walk or ride a cab. If my uncle isn't too busy or if I wake up early, he'll pick me up and take me to school.

I let Kaito, Takeda, and Takeshi handle the snacks while Hajime and I sit in the chairs.  He bought a popsicle stick and he actually bought me a soda. I was joking, but hey, he already bought it, so I can't deny it now.

It was awkwardly silent between us. The faint conversation of the three and the faint sounds of bottles and bags hitting each other was drifting between us. I finally break the silence.

"So, you are new here right?" I asked. "Where were you formerly from? If you don't mind me asking."

He looks up to me. "I used to live in Hokkaido, but this is my mom's hometown, so she wanted the family to live here, and we all agreed. She studied in Hatanaka Academy, so she enrolled me there."

"Ahh, I see, I see," I took a sip of my soda. 

"How about you?" Hajime asks. "Did you originally live here? Or like, did you also move?"

"I actually don't know," I replied. "My parents were never really around to teach me about the family, so I don't know."

"Oh, your parents are away a lot?"

"Nah, they're dead."

Silence fills the air. I think I just made the situation more awkward.

"Oh, I'm sorry for asking." He looks like he's unsettled.

"Oh, it's okay. I was too young to know them so I don't think I could feel anything when they're mentioned to me."

"Ahh okay. I'm glad to know I didn't upset you."

"Don't worry, you didn't."

He chuckles and smiles. "I'm glad."

I smiled back.

"May I ask, do you live alone or with someone?" He asked me, pretty relaxed by now.

"Uh, yeah. I live alone." I replied. "Though, my uncle sometimes comes over to accompany me. He's also the one providing my weekly allowance and grocery."

"Ahh, I see." Hajime licks the remaining bits of his popsicle stick. "Does your uncle happen to be Mr. Yamato Ai, our English teacher?"

I pointed to him, holding the can of soda. "Yup, that's him!" I took a sip.

"He seems great! He's pretty chill and I actually learn from him."

"Right?"

Our conversation was cut off by Takeshi dropping two paper bags full of snacks in front of us. "Alright guys, your date is over. Time to go."

I looked at Takeshi. "Then why did you drop it on the table?"

"Oh, we did the shopping, so you guys do the carrying." He replies.

"Why me? Is it not enough that you guys will be spending the night at my house?"

Hajime looks at me in a flash. "Wait, you guys are sleeping over there?"

"Yeah!" Takeda was enthused. "Sorry, we forgot to tell you. Are you allowed to sleep over?"

"I mean, yeah, but I don't have a change of clothes."

"Oh, don't worry! Kyo can lend you some clothes." Kaito crept a smile as he places his arm around me.

"Is it okay?" Hajime asks me. To be honest, he looks like a puppy when he asked me that. I couldn't say no! Not like I would say no.

"Yeah, sure! Though, my clothes would probably oversized when you wear it."

"Oh, that's fine!" Hajime was enthused. "I like wearing oversized clothes when sleeping."

"That's great!" I smiled. Now I'm feeling enthused too.

"You guys are barely dating but already sharing clothes, huh?" Takeshi laughs as he says.

"Oh shut up," I grabbed the paper bag on the table as I stand up. "Let's go."

Kaito, Takeshi, and Takeda laugh in front of us while Hajime and I were behind them, carrying the paper bags.