Mafuyu Kirisu, the ice flower

Chapter 2: Nostalgia

[Monday, August 6, 2018]

(Nariyuki and Rizu are walking around when they meet Mafuyu)

Mafuyu: Bad luck! Running out of gas halfway through... What am I going to do with the boxes...?

Rizu and Nariyuki: Kirisu-sensei!

Mafuyu: Yuiga-kun! Ogata-san!

Rizu: Why are those boxes in the middle of the street?

Mafuyu: I was supposed to take them to school, but I ran out of gas.

Nariyuki: Don't worry, we'll give you a hand.

Mafuyu: Thank you very much.

Nariyuki: Although I think we should call the tow truck first to take the car to the gas station. Then you can pick it up on the way.

Mafuyu: Yes, that's a good idea. (Dial)

(...)

(They catch the box)

Rizu: (Grimacing) What's inside the box?

Mafuyu: Nothing fancy: papers, reports, exams...

Nariyuki: It's hard to believe that only paper weighs thin much.

Mafuyu: I'm sorry that you have to help me with this, you're not even my students anymore.

Nariyuki: Don't worry.

Mafuyu: By the way, you look good. How are you doing at the university?

Rizu: Well, although some subjects or topics are a little complicated, I am making an effort and enjoying learning every day. I'm glad I didn't listen to you in the first year and was able to get into the career I wanted thanks to Nariyuki.

(Nariyuki and Mafuyu smile)

Nariyuki: I'm doing well, too. I'm learning a lot in class and it isn't getting too complicated, but I really appreciate it because I'm working part-time so I can save up for the final years of college.

Mafuyu: (Smiles) I'm glad you're both doing well.

Nariyuki: What about you, sensei? Are you doing well?

Mafuyu: Yeah, I guess so. (Smiles sadly)

Nariyuki: (Confused) You guess?

Mafuyu: (Trying to change the topic) Oh, look, we're already at school.

(Rizu and Nariyuki smile wistfully)

(...)

Nariyuki: It's weird to come to school now, even though it's only been a few months since graduation it makes me feel nostalgic.

Mafuyu: It's natural. (Nostalgic) When we look back on the past, things that were normal at the time suddenly seem like precious treasures. But that goes for the present too, so enjoy these moments and take full advantage of your youth.

(Rizu and Nariyuki are a little surprised to hear her say that)

Nariyuki: (Smiles nostalgically) Sensei, would you mind if we take a walk around the high school?

Mafuyu: Go ahead. During the holidays it's allowed to walk around the building a bit.

(...)

(Rizu and Nariyuki take a walk remembering "the old days" and enter the classroom 3-F)

Nariyuki: Sitting here reminds me of when we first met. You were very serious then.

Rizu: Really? Well, you weren't able to swim.

Nariyuki: (Laughs a little) Neither were you. And we still can't (laughs).

Rizu: (Joking) What will you teach us today, sensei?

Nariyuki: (Laughs a little) Is this a role play?

Rizu: Be my tutor again.

Nariyuki: Okay. Do you remember the three parts of an essay?

Rizu: (Laughs a little) Sure. Introduction, main argument and conclusion.

(Nariyuki thinks: "Actually, since we met, it's been a long road" and smiles)

Rizu: What is it?

Nariyuki: (Smiles) Nothing. I was just thinking about everything we have experienced together and how far we have come.

(Rizu smiles)

(...)

(They go down the stairs, Rizu slips and Nariyuki grabs her)

Mafuyu: Watch out! Are you both okay?

Rizu and Nariyuki: Yes.

Rizu: It was just a slip.

Mafuyu: Lucky Yuiga was there this time too.

(Rizu pouts and Nariyuki blushes a little and smiles)

(Rizu's cell phone rings)

Rizu: (Read the message) It's my father, he wants me to go help the restaurant. Nariyuki, did you leave anything at home or did you take everything?

(Mafuyu looks at them perplexed)

Nariyuki: I took everything, don't worry, see you tomorrow to study?

Rizu: Yes, around 11 as usual.

Nariyuki: (Looks at Mafuyu and realizes she has misunderstood everything) (Nervous) It's not what you think. Do you remember the apartment we went to visit that time? The one with the ghost girl?

Mafuyu: Yes.

Nariyuki: Well, Ogata and Sekijou are living there now, they're roommates, and I go there to assure Misao doesn't bother them.

Mafuyu: I understand... (Smiles)

Nariyuki: What is it?

Mafuyu: Nothing. I just thought that you haven't changed at all and that despite taking different paths you're all still pretty close.

Nariyuki: Yes, I've been working at Ogata's father's restaurant and at the café where Kominami-senpai works. I see Furuhashi from time to time too, and since we were good friends, we stayed in touch even after we finished high school. And Takemoto is coming next week, so we'll probably do something all together, like go to the beach or go on a trip.

(Mafuyu smiles sadly and thinks: "I'm really glad that he kept in touch with his high school friends, they could at least enjoy a better youth than I did... But deep down... it hurts a little that the same thing didn't happen between us")

Nariyuki: Is anything wrong, sensei?

Mafuyu: Huh? No, everything's fine.

Nariyuki: You seem to be a little sad, has something happened?

Mafuyu: I got a new job offer, they want me to train the university team too.

Nariyuki: (Happy) That's great, sensei! It means you're doing a good job!

Mafuyu: (Smiles sadly) Yes, but it also means I'll have to stop teaching History.

Nariyuki: Oh, right... I see... So what are you going to do?

Mafuyu: I'm going to accept it. I want to see what I'm capable of as a coach, and I think an experience like this can help me grow and improve.

Nariyuki: (Smiles) I'm sure you'll do great. Well, I'm leaving, we've already arrived at the gas station. Goodbye, sensei. Drive carefully, and next time pay more attention to the gasoline, it's not the first time this has happened to you (laughs).

Mafuyu: Yes. Thanks for the help, Yuiga-kun. (She enters the car, puts on her seatbelt and watches him walks away while thinking: "I wish we could have gone for an ice cream this summer too, like last time... I feel a bit lonely")