FOUR SEASONS OF LOVE

Chapter 1: love that i've been looking for

“Haya-chan are you sure you’re going to come back?” he asked while trying to hold back his tears, I smiled and hugged him. “Don’t worry Iza-chan I will be back and we will play again.” I said and he started crying, he’s such a crybaby. “Don’t forget about me, okay? We’re best friends forever right?” he asked while sobbing, I nodded and said “Yes, wait for me I’ll bring you a lot of cute dresses and dolls.” He smiled while wiping his tears, we bid our final goodbyes. I was looking outside the window of our car and saw him waving like crazy. That’s when I started crying, I’m going to miss him so much.

~

“HAYAMI! Wake up, you’re going to be late!” I open my eyes and saw my aunt looking at me, I immediately stood up. Oh no, my head is spinning it is a bad idea to stay up late last night. “What is it, Aunty?” I asked while rubbing my eyes, she smacked me in my head and said “You are going to be late! For heaven’s sake Hayami, this is your first day at your new school. We’re not in America anymore, the schools here at Japan are very strict about being late unless you have a valid reason!” she said while fixing my bag and getting my uniform ready. I jump out of the bed and started brushing my teeth and stuffs like that. I’m so dead, I forgot that today is my first day being a second year high school. I need to ride the bus before I get there, I’m so going to be late. I looked at myself at the mirror before leaving my room, I grab a bread and started running outside. “Wait, Hayami I’ll drive you to school. If you take the bus you will be late.” Aunt Hisano said while holding her car keys. I immediately get on her car, it’s faster to ride a car than to commute. Only if I have my own car and license, maybe a bike? “HAYAMI! Stop spacing out, we’re here already. Get out or you’ll be late” she said, I grab my bag and open the door of the car. “Thank you Aunt Hisano” I said before closing the door, I immediately run towards the gate of the school. “Thank goodness, I made it” I said while catching my breath, now I finally passed the first hindrance to my perfect high school life. I looked around and there are no students around, maybe I’m not late? I walked inside after removing my shoes, it is quiet around here. I looked at the paper in my hands, I have no idea where’s my room. I was about to freak out when I heard someone talking behind me. “I’m so unlucky! Damn it” I looked at him and he’s catching his breath, I see. So he’s late too? Thank goodness I’m not the only one. “Ahm, can I ask a question?” I said while looking down, this is so embarrassing. “Oh I’m going to be late so I really need to go.” He said before running away, I sigh because of frustration. ‘Maybe I’ll skip the first class?’ I said to myself while walking. I looked at the door in my right side and saw a sign ‘Class 2-B’ I looked at my papers and realize that this is my room. I saw it! I knocked on the door and wait for someone to open it, I’m late so for sure the teacher will open it. The door opened and I saw the face of my teacher and my classmates, this is so awkward they are all looking at me like they have seen a ghost.

~

“Ahm, I’m Fukuhara Hayami new student” I said while bowing my head to show respect. “Ah, you’re the new student from America! Come in, you made it in time we were about to start the first period.” The teacher said, she’s so nice. Thank goodness I’m so scare I thought I will get punished first thing in the morning. “You have a new classmate she’s from America, be nice to her.” The teacher said while standing beside me, he looked at me and I nodded.

“My name is Fukuhara Hayami, I’m pure Japanese but I’ve been in America for 10 years. Nice meeting you all I hope we can all be friends” I said while bowing my head, I can hear them chattering.

“Wow, what a beauty”

“I can’t believe we have a goddess in our class”

“She’s not that pretty, she’s just petite”

“Yeah, I’m jealous I want to sit next to Hiroshi-kun too”

I’m getting nervous, who’s Hiroshi? what are they talking about? Oh please floor, eat me and let me disappear forever. “Thank you Fukuhara-san, you may now take your seat next to Araki-san” the teacher said while pointing at the empty seat at the back. I have my confidence before but right now I feel like I don’t belong here, those girls are glaring at me, what did I do? I sat down and the teacher started discussing what we are going to do at the first term. I looked at my seatmate and to my surprise, he’s looking at me too. He looks familiar. “Yo, I’m sorry earlier. If only I knew that we are at the same class.” He said while bowing his head, I looked at him and realize that he was the guy that run away from me without answering my question. “No it’s okay, I understand that you’re going to be late.” I said while looking at him, he looks at me with a surprise expression. “Hmmm?” I said while trying to figure out his expression. “Oh, nothing.” He laughed “My name is Araki Hiroshi; you can call me Hiro. I’m not actually scared to be late, I just heard that there’s a new student at our class so I decided to see her before the class starts, but it looks like that new student is late too.” He said while looking at me. “Oh, he’s referring to me right?” I said while pointing at myself. Just as I thought, being late is so embarrassing specially being new here. “Hey, don’t worry about it. The teachers will let it pass because it was your first day but make sure to not be late again unless you have a very important reason.” He said while acting like a teacher, he’s funny. “Yes, sensei, even though you’re late too” I said while laughing, I can literally feel the deadly glares of my girl classmates, what did I do? I sigh before looking at Hiro well, I’m glad I met a nice person here. After the third period, it’s lunch time already, I don’t have any idea where is the cafeteria. I’m so stupid to get into a school that I barely even know, if not only for him I will not come here. I need to find him soon.

“Hey Hayami-chan did you bring your own lunch?” I looked at him and he’s standing behind me, I shake my head and said “No, I was planning to eat at the cafeteria but” I looked down while thinking if I need to tell him that I don’t know where’s the cafeteria. “You don’t know the way?” he asked while eating a bread, he laughed and said “I knew it, let’s go I’ll tour you to our cafeteria.” I looked at him and he’s smiling, his kindness is killing me. “Thank you, Hiro-san” as what Hiro said, after I bought food at the cafeteria he decided to tour me around the school while eating. He showed me the way to the gymnasium, field, girls bathrooms, faculty room, science lab, music room and other places inside the school. We spend the whole lunch time walking, now I’m so tired. This guy is full of energy I don’t think I can go along with him all day. He looked at me while bowing his head “I’m sorry, I get carried away and didn’t realize that you’re tired already” he said with his sincere voice again, he is so nice. His kindness is like a light that shines so bright that everyone here in class is admiring him. He reminds me of someone. “Hayami-chan?” oh no, I’m spacing out again “why are you staring at me?” he asked while trying to cover his face like he’s embarrass. “Oh I’m sorry, You’re so nice and energetic Hiro-san, you reminded me of someone.” I said while smiling, I missed him. I hope I make the right decision to transfer to this school. “Who is it? Your ex? Your boyfriend? Don’t tell me your father?” he said while panicking, he’s just naturally funny. I laughed “No, it’s my friend, I transfer here to see him again but I’m not sure if he’s here. Also it’s been 10 years since we last saw each other. I don’t know what he looks like, I don’t even know his full name.” I said with a depressing tone, I don’t even know if this is possible. How can I find someone if I don’t even know his name and face? I took a big risk in entering this school because Aunt Hisano told me that the son of Kano family is studying here at Jiguchi High. “It’s okay, I will help you. We will find him soon.” Hiro said while patting my head, I’m so lucky to meet this guy. I will never get tired to say how nice he is. He smiled at me and with that smiled all of my worries are gone, it feels like magic. His smile is very contagious; I wonder if he’s an angel?

“Everyone needs to be in a club after the first term if finished, there are sports and cultural club you can choose what club you want to join. That’s all for today, see you tomorrow.” The teacher said, the first day of my second year high school is over. I manage to survive it, thank goodness. I really need to put an alarm so I’ll never be late again. I put all my stuff at my bag before leaving the room, I saw Hiro standing at the door. “Hiro-san, you’re going home?” I asked, he looks like he’s waiting for someone, maybe his girlfriend? “Yeah, I’m just waiting for you” he said, I laughed and said “Ahh, you’re waiting for.. wait? Me? why? Do you need anything?” I asked without a pause, he laughed “Nothing, you’re always nervous Hayami-chan. I just want to know you more so if it’s okay for you, can we walk home together?” he asked while looking away, I smiled. “yeah, that’s no big deal” I said and started walking. He followed me and we talked and talked until we reach the bus stop. “what club you’re going to join?” he asked while waiting for a bus, I looked at the sky and said “I’m not good with sports even though I really love to play volleyball, so maybe I’ll just join the cultural club. I kind of like photography.” I’m not athletic so even if I want to play volleyball, I can’t I’ll just embarrass myself there. “How about you?” I asked, he immediately answer and said “I love soccer, I’ve been a varsity player since middle school. But maybe I’ll try a different club just for a change of pace.” He said while thinking, maybe he’s having a hard time deciding? “I’ll join the photography club” he said while smiling, I looked at him with a surprised look. I thought he will go for a different sport “Huh? But that’s not a sport” I said, he looked away and whisper something. I can’t hear what he’s saying, “Pardon?” I said while trying to get close to him so I can hear him, he looked at me and smile “Nothing, I just want to try something new.” He said while smiling at me. I nodded and smile back at him, he so nice and handsome. I’m kind of thinking why he doesn’t have a girlfriend, he’s so kind, energetic and good looking too for me he’s definitely an angel. “Hayami-chan! The bus is here, why are you staring at me again?” Hiro asked while trying to get my attention, I immediately stood up. “I’m sorry” I said while bowing, he just pats my head and told me to get in the bus before it leaves. I wave him goodbye, he just smiled and wave back at me.

I really need to stop thinking a lot, it is so embarrassing to space out while staring at him. They might think that I’m an airhead. I sigh before getting off the bus, this is so tiring. I open the door of our house and saw Aunt Hisano sitting at the dining table. “I’m home” I said while removing my shoes “Welcome home, Hayami. How’s school?” she asked while preparing some tea. I sigh before I sat down “I’m so tired, I got lost and I’m almost late but the good thing is I met this nice guy in my class. He tours me to the school and he even walked me to the bus stop.” I said while looking at my glass. “he reminds me of him” I said again. “Don’t worry, you’ll meet him soon. Don’t give up, you came this far, everything’s going to be okay.” Aunt said while smiling, I’m so lucky to have such wonderful people around me, their smiles are very comforting. After chatting with my aunt I decided to go to my room and lay in my bed. I’m so tired, I can’t believe I will do this routine for a year. I’m going to die. “I really need to find you soon, Iza.”