A Last Day's Unexpected Meeting

April 2, 2022

It's around 4 in the afternoon and I find myself finishing the last bit of paperwork needed to be given to the landlord by tonight. Oh right, I should probably introduce myself first. Hi, I'm Shiro Ayase, 25, an aerospace engineering graduate living in one of the many residential apartments in Tokyo. Well, not for long at least.

Recently I've been accepted to an aviation training facility for future commercial pilots in Manila, Philippines as an international student. However, that would require me to attend the in-person training sessions over there, and since I do have a few relatives living there, I decided that it would definitely be more convenient to live with them in Manila for a while; which explains why I've packed up and am moving out.

"Two more boxes and I should be finished packing, I think? I might as well pass the paperwork then."

Not long after, I received a call from a good friend of mine. Her name is Rinon Ishida; we went to the same college and took a few classes together.

"[Shiro! It's been a while huh? It's your last day tomorrow right?]"

"[Yeah, just finished packing and finished the paperwork. My flight should be early morning the day after tomorrow]"

"[Speaking of tomorrow, you have plans? I'm going with a friend tomorrow since it's her birthday. You should come!]"

Technically, I didn't really have plans the day before my flight so I decided to come. Rinon asked me to meet them at a café near the train station at around one in the afternoon, as well as if I could bring a gift.

"[You do realize you're asking me to buy a gift for someone I don't know yet right?]"

By this point I had already said yes to her invitation, so no backing out this time. Oh well, I'll figure that one out either way. So I left my apartment in search of a decent gift for tomorrow. Eventually I did find one. All that's left is to figure out how tomorrow would pan out. What could happen?

April 3, 2022

As arranged, I made my way to the café near the train station. I already messaged Rinon beforehand that I would be waiting for them inside. A few minutes pass, and I thought to myself: "they're not here yet huh?" I had then noticed a piano near my table, I wondered if I could play it a bit to pass the time. I asked permission from the staff and made my way towards it.

"I don't think I've ever played on a public piano much before, but I guess I could make an exception"

I decided to play a song I learned a while ago, and still one of my favorites: Lemon by Kenshi Yonezu.

Meanwhile:

"This is the place right? I wonder if Shiro is already here."

"Shiro is your friend from college right?"

"Mhm! He's a good person, so don't worry. Anyways let's get inside"

As Rinon and her friend enter the café, they hear the sound of a piano playing. Rinon checks who it could be and immediately recognizes who it is.

"Haru! Over here!" She calls her friend over behind the person playing without him noticing.

"Is that your friend?"

"Mhm! Rinon nods her head in response"

As I finish the piece, I feel someone tap me on the shoulder.

"It's been a while since I've seen you play piano. Sounds slightly better than it used to in college as well"

"By any chance, were you just standing there listening all this time?"

I already knew that she was anyway.