Kaito attempts to grab her suitcase with a small smile, noticing her disheveled hair and sunken eyes, and the mere fact that she's a little too petite to be dragging something so weighty.
"No, it's okay. I can handle it."
"Are you sure? It looks heavy."
"It's fine," Zoe answers shyly. "Is the bus stop nearby?"
They head to a different bus stop. Kaito walks on her left as she yanks her suitcase awkwardly. She's tired and famished and misses the soft, queen-sized bed she left at home.
The bus stop is at least a five-minute walk from where they were standing earlier. The Japanese watch Zoe with blank expressions. Some whisper. Kaito, too, feels their judgmental stares, as if his earlier offer of assistance has been disregarded.
When they arrive at the stop, Zoe is wearier than she ever was.
"Are you okay?" Kaito asks.
"Yes... Yes, I am," she gasps, trying to catch her breath.
She should have given me her suitcase.
"You can only take the bicycle up to the station. You can park it at the designated areas."
Kaito unzips his bag and takes out a bottle of water. It is sealed, so he opens it for her. "Here you go."
Zoe, grateful for the drink, lacks the energy to refuse his offer. She musters a sincere "Thanks" and immediately takes the bottle from Kaito's hand.
He gestures towards a nearby grocery store, its prominent feature being a charming blue penguin logo displayed at the entrance. The store appears quite spacious from the outside.
"That is Don Quijote. You can shop there for food and supplies. They're selling cheap stuff, so if you're on a budget, consider buying from that store. There are also grocery stores that sell less expensive food and supplies near the dorm."
She nods and says coyly, "I'll buy you a bottle of water."
Kaito half-shrugs. "Don't worry about it."
The bus arrives shortly, the doors folding open. Before she can grab her suitcase, Kaito snatches it away.
"I'll take care of it from here."
He's had enough of seeing her struggle with it. Plus, there are people in line who might get inconvenienced. He carries it to the bus. Zoe sees him tap his wallet on the machine near the driver, and it beeps.
She gets on and fumbles in her wallet for money. The Japanese currency is twice the Philippine Peso. She is about to put in a bill when Kaito stops her and says, "I got you covered."
Zoe winces. This guy is her savior. How can she ever repay him for this?
The bus is slightly crowded, with only a few vacant seats remaining. Kaito secures himself by grabbing a leather hand loop and points to an empty seat in front of him.
"Sit here. Come on," he invites Zoe.
Zoe looks around the bus as she squeezes herself between the standing passengers. It's spacious and clean, and it has buttons to alert the driver if a passenger is getting off at the next stop. Kaito smiles to himself secretly as he notes her expression. She sits on the only available seat he has saved for her and looks up at him.
"Th-Thanks," she mumbles, feeling bashful. "I promise I'll find a way to pay you back."
"It's cool," he says. "It's been so long since I've talked to a Filipino. I got you."
Zoe's cheeks turn pink. She stares out the window as Kaito tries to explain every stop. They pass by the Ghibli museum and the Inokashira Park. She clasps her fingers together.
YOU ARE READING
The Spring I Met You
Romance"Things that are special, though temporary, tend to last longer in our memories," Kaito says. Zoe recalls the Hanami party that they had and everything that has happened since she arrived. She remembers every detail perfectly. She nods slowly. "You'...
