Their Future - Chapter 4

Their Future - Chapter 4

Darkness.

The world around me is shut out as I focus on keeping my heart stable.

Breathe.

I clutch my chest, doubled over, as my head swims.

My heart settles, and my senses return, just in time to hear “ohmygodI’msoooosorryIwasjustsuperexcitedtobebacksoIwasn’tlookingwhereIwasgoingand-” I cut her off.

“It’s fine Emi - it’s not the first time, after all.”

I slowly stand up. In front of me is Emi, now grown, hair still in twintails, wearing her running blades, and a tracksuit that seems vaguely familiar. She’s wearing a look of concern, which turns to confusion.

“Wait, you know who I am?” she squints for a second, before she recognises me and grins wildly. “Oh my god! Hisao! What are you doing here?”

“Well Emi, I teach here now. So does Misha.” I go to point her out, but she’s already walked to her car and driven off. She grins again.

“Oh! That’s great!”

“What are you doing here? Not here to give me a heart attack, I hope.”

She grins apologetically, and shakes her head.

“Nope! I just came to tell the nurse the good news.”

I raise an eyebrow inquisitively, but she melodramatically turns away. “‘Course, I’m not sure if I can tell you~” I do the same to her, copying her dramatic attitude.

“Then I guess I can’t tell you my big secret!”

“Aww, you’re no fun!” She pouts, a heartbreaking expression that I’ve never quite gotten used to. “Alright, I’ll tell you, but you gotta promise not to tell anyone!”

“Of course.”

“After years of training, and the officials taking foreverrrrrr to decide, I have been accepted into…”  She pauses for dramatic effect. “Japan’s Paralympic team!”

I grin. “That’s great, Emi! I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks! It’s gonna be hard work, but I’m really excited for it!”

“So you’re here to see the nurse? I just saw him actually. He’s looking the same as ever.” We share a chuckle at this, before falling into a contented silence for a few seconds, until an idea suddenly strikes her.

“Hey! Lemme give you my phone number, so we can keep in touch!”

We swap numbers and send a few test messages. Satisfied, we put away our phones.

“Well. it’s been super nice seeing you Hisao! We should really get together sometime, for a proper catch-up! I’ll message you when  get some free! Sorry for running into you again!” She shouts this while running off, and I chuckle and shake my head, and make my way home.

I arrive at the front door at the same time Shizune does. She looks at me, competitive glint in her eye.

[Race you. Loser does the dishes.]

[Fine. But! The finish line is the bathroom.]

She nods, and begins to count down.

[3...2…]

As she begins to sign “1” and “Go”, I set off, feeling my girlfriend's eyes burn into the back of my head as I charge through the door. I hear her set off behind me, but I’m already halfway up the stairs when she bursts through the door after me. I can feel my heart begin to falter, but I’m already at my destination. She furiously knocks on the door, and I can feel the anger radiating from her through it. I gently open it, and Shizune is standing there, arms crossed, glaring at me. She starts signing rapidly, hands slicing through the air like swords as she stares daggers into my very soul.

[You cheated!]

[All’s fair in love and war! Besides, I needed a head start because of my heart.]

She doesn’t have a reply to that, still not looking happy, but at least I’m not about to be smited. Still, I should probably get her flowers or something when I’m next out.

We sit down on the sofa to cool off, and we idly compare our days. She tells me about her relatively calm day at the office, working with representatives from the Togami Corporation, and I tell her about my visit to the nurse. A memory returns to me, having been forgotten in the excitement of the race.

[Oh! Guess who I ran into earlier Or, rather, who ran into me.] She raises an eyebrow in curiosity. [Emi Ibarazaki. She came to tell the nurse about how she’s a Paralympian now.]

[Excellent! I’m glad to know she’s making something of herself.] She frowns. [Though she still needs to learn not to run everywhere.]

[Heh, the more things change, the more they stay the same.]

She squints at me. [What’s that supposed to mean?]

I smile coyly. [Nothing~]

Before she can respond, I quickly move on. [Anyway, because I’m such a good boyfriend, I’ll do the dishes for you. I did kinda cheat, after all.]

She smiles a little, victorious, and kisses me.

[And what reward do you desire, oh wonderful boyfriend?] She asks when we pull apart. I smile, kiss her again, and lean her back.