Waves of Future

Part 7

The excitement buzzed like electricity through Gou's body as she waited at the station, feeling the soft fabric of her yellow skirt flutter slightly with the breeze. Her phone was clutched in one hand, messages from Rin and Makoto reassuring her of the plans made. When her train finally pulled into Tokyo station, her pulse quickened. Stepping onto the platform, she pulled her phone out, ready to call Rin, but her eyes caught sight of someone else first.

Across the sea of faces, a pair of familiar blue eyes met hers. The world seemed to slow down, and for a fleeting moment, it was just the two of them. Gou's breath hitched, but then the current of people brought her back, the moment broken. Shaking off the trance, she maneuvered through the crowd, the taste of saba on her tongue grounding her.

Approaching her brother and his friends, she felt a thrill seeing them all together. Nagisa's bright hair was a beacon, Rei's glasses glinted in the light, Makoto's height made him easy to spot, and there was Rin, unmistakable with his maroon hair accompanied by Asahi,Souske,Haru and Nittori.

Gou hefted her duffle bag higher on her shoulder and made a beeline for Rin. Her heels clicked on the tiled floor, a staccato accompaniment to her racing heart. As she reached them, she didn't hesitate, throwing her arms around Rin in a hug that was both a hello and a relief.

Rin's arms came around her hesitantly at first, then with more confidence as he murmured into her hair, "You came."Releasing him, Gou smiled brightly at the group. She offered a polite bow, a habit of courtesy. When she straightened, her gaze landed on Asahi. "I'm Rin's sister Gou," she said, "Nice to meet you, Asahi-san."

Asahi's face turned a shade redder as he stammered out a response, "Nice to meet you too. You're pretty and polite, unlike your brother."

The group chuckled, Rin playfully shoving Asahi's shoulder, but there was warmth in his eyes. Nagisa then swept Gou into a bear hug, lifting her off her feet for a second. "Look at you, all grown-up and stylish!"

The comment elicited a growl from Rin, his protective instincts flaring up at the sight of his friends' attention on his sister, particularly Nagisa's. He extricated Gou from the hug, a little too roughly perhaps, and grabbed her bag.

"Let's get going," Rin said, a hint of a command in his voice as he steered Gou through the crowd, leading the way out of the station.

Haru watched the scene, his usual cool demeanor slipping. Gou was a vision in real life more beautiful than the girl he dreamt of these days, and his heart did something strange, something he couldn't immediately place. When she smiled at him, he managed only a nod, not trusting his voice. The nod seemed to disappoint her, and Haru felt an unexpected sting at her saddened eyes.

Makoto, the observer, caught every detail. "She looks beautiful, doesn't she?" he said to Haru once the siblings were out of earshot.Haru, normally so reserved, had no reply, his gaze lingering on Gou's retreating figure. With a slight furrow of his brow, he followed the others, stepping into the bright Tokyo day.