“But what are the chances that— I don’t— How did you—” I try to speak but can’t get my thoughts straight. It’s as if he walked out of a dream. I take a deep breath and try to compose myself. “I’m sorry I can’t speak right now. I’m just so surprised… I can’t believe it’s really you.” Then I remember what I must look like. I wipe my face and straighten the buttons of my shirt. “And I don’t usually look like this. I just got caught in the rain and forgot my umbrella—”
“You look great.” He winks at me. “Just like I remember.”
My cheeks go warm. “I know you’re lying, but thank you.”
Haru chuckles, running a hand through his silky hair. Then he leans forward, crossing his arms on the table. “I was hoping we’d run into each other again someday.”
His words hang between us, sending a flutter to my stomach. “I thought I’d never see you again,” I say. “And now you’re right here.”
Haru smiles. “We have a lot to catch up on, don’t we?”
“Yeah, we really do,” I say with a laugh. There are a hundred questions running through my mind. I don’t even know where to begin. “How are things in Tokyo? What have you been up to?”
Haru places an arm over the back of the chair. “I’m taking some time off to travel. I was working at my family’s store in Osaka for the past few months. I might have mentioned it before.”
“The paper store.” I recall our last conversation. “You said you worked there every summer. When we were at that hidden tea place.” We both smile at the memory of this. I still can’t believe it’s him.Haru. Sitting right in front of me.“I’m taking time off, too. Applying to jobs and stuff.” Then I glance at the menu on the table. “Did you want to order something? I don’t know if you have anywhere to go, but there’s food here.”
“You read my mind,” Haru says.
I hand him the menu. “Order whatever you like, okay? The sandwiches are really good. And this one’s on me, since you got it last time.”
Haru shakes his head. “I can’t let you…”
“I want to,” I say, remembering all the food he made me try last summer. “You paid last time. And you’re in my city now. So just let me get this one, okay?”
“Well, if you’reinsisting,” he says.
“I’m insisting.”
I can’t stop smiling as we look over the menu. It’s too late for coffee, so I recommend the strawberry iced tea. Since Haru came in, everything feels lighter. A minute ago, I felt like the world was caving in. Suddenly I’m back in Tokyo, reliving the best summer of my life. “I still can’t believe you’re here,” I say again. “When did you get into Chicago?”
“It hasn’t been long.”
“How are you liking it so far?”
“I like it a lot more now.” He adds a smirk.
“That’s good to hear,” I say, trying hard not to blush. “Chicago’s a lot bigger than people think. I can give you a tour.”
“I don’t want toimpose,” he says playfully.
“You’re not imposing. I’d love to show you around.”
“You don’t have a train to catch?”
“I…”
My voice trails off, unsure what to say. I swallow some guilt, remembering how I left him standing on the platform. Thankfully Haru cracks a smile, running a hand through his hair again. He glances at my arm, noticing something. “You’re still wearing the bracelet,” he says. He reaches for my hand, making me go still. “I’m surprised you still have it. After all this time.”
“Yeah… I do.”
Then Haru pulls back his sleeve, revealing the other bracelet. The one we switched at the festival. It’s as if they’ve beenreunited again, two pieces from an unfinished puzzle. “I have mine as well.”
“And we’re both wearing them,” I say.
“Maybe we knew we’d meet again.”
As I look at him, Ifeelpaper wishes fluttering around us. Maybe it’s the rain tapping against the glass that gives the room a dreamlike quality. But if this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up yet. “Maybe you’re right,” I tell him.
