Waves of Future

Part 9

The group's laughter intermingled with the ambient sounds of the city as they neared the quaint café, its windows aglow with inviting warmth. Gou's light-hearted giggles punctuated the conversation, as she regaled Rei with tales of her college endeavors and the anticipation of moving to the metropolitan bustle of Tokyo. Her animated gestures painted pictures in the air, her excitement palpable.

Rei walked alongside her, his glasses catching the fading sunlight, as he offered his well-considered advice. "You know, Gou, if you're planning to major in Sports Management and Science, there are some excellent preparatory courses you could take. Statistics is incredibly useful, and you might want to look into biomechanics as well," he suggested earnestly.

"Oh, that sounds fascinating!" Gou responded, her eyes wide with genuine interest. "Biomechanics... that's the analysis of movement, right? I can see how that would be helpful."

"Exactly," Rei affirmed with a nod. "And if you need any help with the math part of it, you know I'm always here."

Haru, trailing a few paces behind them, observed the exchange quietly. He was used to Gou's ebullience, and Rei's tutoring tendencies, yet he found a sort of comfort in their dynamic. His gaze occasionally flickered towards the street, watching the reflections of passing cars dance across the shop windows.

The café door swung open, and they were greeted by the sight of Natsuya-san and his brother, whose welcoming smiles belied the upcoming flurry of flirtatious banter.

Natsuya-san, with his trademark grin, stepped forward, the café's warm ambiance framing him perfectly. "Look at this beauty gracing our humble café!" he declared, catching Gou's hands in his. "Rin has been keeping you all to himself. You're absolutely stunning, like a star descended just to brighten our day, maybe it was universe's secret plan for us to meet!"

Gou, her grace under pressure now an art form, laughed off the compliment with a mix of modesty and tact. "Oh, Natsuya-san, you're too kind. But really, I'm just here to enjoy some time with my brother and friends," she said, gently extricating her hands from his grasp.

The younger brother, Ikuya, not to be outdone, took his turn, leaning in with a mischievous glint in his eye. "She really is pretty, isn't she? Rin, she doesn't look like you at all " he teased, eliciting a stifled laugh from Gou and a scowl from Rin.

The redhead's protective instincts flared up. "Hey, that's enough," Rin interjected, moving to stand between Gou and the brothers, his tone  firm. "Can't you tell from the hair, the eyes?"

As they settled into their window seat, the café's ambiance enveloped them, a cozy contrast to the teasing they'd just endured. The atmosphere was lively, with Nagisa's cheer and Makoto's soothing presence balancing the evening's mood.

Gou found herself happily ensnared in the lively banter, fielding questions from Nagisa about her favorite professor, and discussing with Makoto the latest swim meet results. It was a rare and precious harmony, the kind that felt like a warm blanket on a cold day.

Ikuya and Asahi soon joined in, their curiosity about Rin's youthful mishaps becoming the group's entertainment. "Come on, Gou, you must have at least one embarrassing story about Rin from when you were kids," Asahi prodded with a chuckle.