Prologue-05

POSTING HYPE!!! XD
Here's [Prologue-05], just as promised, less than a day.
Enjoy!

00-05 [Meeting Memories 02]

by Tan-san

“Yes, yes. You don’t need to shout. It’s embarrassing, you know!” [Asuka]

“Sorry… But I can’t help it. Here, I was expecting someone else.” [Setsuna]

“Try reading my mail once more, didn’t I specifically said; “our usual spot”??? [Asuka]

As she said that, I sat in front of her realizing my blunder.

“Oh…” [Setsuna]

“Don’t just, “Oh”, me! At least remember the faces of your best friends.” [Asuka]

“I do remember! It’s just that you’re too different from what I remember. Right now you’re… Hmmmm… You…” [Setsuna]

I stuttered as I tried to give a neutral answer.

“I’m~, what?” [Asuka]

“You’re more matured!” [Setsuna]

“Heeh, Is that so…” [Asuka]

Asuka began to grin, as if to further tease me. I can even hear a small giggle along with it.

(ARGH! If only I had more control of my mouth! GAH!)

One way or another, we both began to have a conversation other than the previous one.

We started off, by talking on how we had been, where we are currently living in, and other related things. 

Basically we talked about what had happened to us after our last contact to one another.

--- --- --- --- --- ---

After sometime we left the café, to walk at the nearby park. The sun wasn’t glaring so it made the weather just right for a walk.

“So you’re planning to attend the Reunion Party?” [Asuka]

“Well, yeah. That’s why I took a Leave-of-Absence notice from the company, just to be able to attend.” [Setsuna]

“You’re quite excited, aren’t you?” [Asuka]

“Of course! After so many years, I’d finally get to meet with you once more.” [Setsuna]

“Oh… Really?” [Asuka]

I was looking somewhere else when I said that last statement, but as I turned to look at Asuka, I found her blushing again.

(Damn, another cheesy line…)

“I-I mean, you guys! I’d finally get to meet YOU GUYS once more.” [Setsuna]

I had to correct myself just to prevent any awkward misunderstandings, but my worries aren’t really for anything.

“U-un, I’m also looking forward to this reunion party.” *whispers* “I wanted to meet you as well.” [Asuka]

“Hmmm? I didn’t get that last part. What was it?” [Setsuna]

Asuka just smiled on my query, showing no hint of answering, but of teasing, with a tinge of joy.

“It’s nothing! Hehehe~” [Asuka]

“If you say so…” [Setsuna]

We continued on talking as we strolled down the park. Our conversation covered a lot of random stuff.

From what I’ve heard apparently, I’m the only one in the group whom she hasn’t had the chance to meet after college.

She was once invited by Yuki to her family’s inn; there they had caught up with each other and made it to a point where she would visit her from time to time. 

As for Masato, his company and Asuka’s became sponsors for a recent event. That coincidence gave him the chance to meet her. There they’ve exchanged their new contacts with each other.

So in the end, I was the only one out of the circle.

“Well, as I’ve said earlier, I’ve been too busy lately. I had just been given my own team in the company, and handling them wasn’t that easy as well.” [Setsuna]

“I know that feeling as well. I just wished newcomers could be able to remember protocol as they’ve been given.” *sigh* [Asuka]

“Tell me about it.” [Setsuna]

“Anyways, the past is the past. So, what are going to do from now own?” [Asuka]

As Asuka questioned me, I began to ponder on what I would do.

“Hmm, now that I know all four of us are attending the party, I plan to get all of our current contacts. After that, maybe from time to time, we could hang-out or something, well, if the situation permits it, that is.” [Setsuna]

“Hahaha, that’s Setsuna for you, always level headed.” [Asuka]

“Hey, if it weren’t for my “level headedness” our party wouldn’t be able to rise up to where it was before.” [Setsuna]

--- --- --- --- --- ---

We continued to spend time together, talking. Sometimes we would stop to rest, and at one of those stop, something unexpected occurred.

“So, Setsuna, how long are you planning to stay here after the party?” [Asuka]

“Hmmm, let’s see… Well, I plan to stay for another two days, then I’ll go back to the city. Why ask?” [Setsuna]

“It’s nothing really.” *whispers* “Two days before mine, huh?” [Asuka]

After a brief pause, I had to say something because it was getting awkwardly silent.

“Ahhh, it really is peaceful here, huh.” [Setsuna]

“Huh? …Ah! Yeah. It really is peaceful… You know, Setsuna… I, uhm… I… Hmmm… You know…” [Asuka]

Asuka began talking in broken sentences while having her cheeks turning bright red.

As she did, she couldn’t face me. Avoiding eye contact as much as possible, it’s as if she had reverted back to her child self.

But there is a problem, I can’t recall seeing her like this during our high school.

(Wait, is she confessing? Isn’t it a bit late?)

Before, I remember she’d be confessed to from a number of men, not only from our grade but from either the lower grades or higher even.

“I, uh…” *whisper* “Keep yourself together, ugh.” *returns back to the conversation* “Setsuna, I… I…” [Asuka]

At this point her cheeks are already bright red while closing her eyes. I think she had to do it now because there is no one else to be seen. Well, no one else we can’t see.

“JUST DO IT ALREADY!” [??? 01]

“Huh!?! What!?!” [Asuka]

“…” [Setsuna]

“Oops… Please continue on, pretend I’m not here.” [??? 01]

*whispers* “Dumb-ass! Look what you did?” [??? 02]

*whispers* “But, she’s too slow!” [??? 01]

*sigh* “This can’t be helped.” [??? 02]

The two eavesdroppers came out from the bushes behind us while Asuka was still confused with what’s happening.

“Y-yoo, Setsu-nii… Sorry for bothering your date… Tehee.” [Mari]

“Onee-chan*, sorry for intruding on your date.” [??? 01]

Apparently, Mari tailed me at some point before.

(I expected Mari as much, but who’s the other girl?)

Asuka then, came back to reality and realized what had happened.

“Sayuri-chan! What’s the meaning of this!?!” [Asuka]

“Well you were grinning so much as you were getting dressed, it was the first time I saw you act like that and besides, hrmph mmph…” [Sayuri]

“AH! Setsuna! I’ll go on ahead! We’ll just continue this at the party, okay?” [Asuka]

“Okay, see you there.” [Setsuna]

As soon as I replied, Asuka bolted, carrying her cousin away with her waist.

“So… Let me hear your explanation.” [Setsuna]

“Ahahaha… hehe… Please don’t hurt me…” [Mari]

Apparently Mari was a friend and classmate of Asuka’s younger cousin, Moriyama Sayuri. 

Upon the return of her “Onee-chan”, Asuka, from her life of work, Sayuri somehow relayed to her how she had a classmate whom has brother that’s one of Asuka’s classmates.

And as Asuka further dug for details, she had learned that the brother in question was me.

Just to make this clear, during our high school days, it was only Yuki’s family that knows the members of our circle, that’s why things went as it is right now.

What made, Sayuri interested in this, was because of Asuka’s reaction upon learning my current whereabouts, she even, hastily, asked for my contact number through Mari.

Even the fact that Asuka had a hard time picking on what to wear before she went out further peaked Sayuri’s interest.

That’s why Mari and Sayuri tailed both me and Asuka.

“So that’s how she got my number…” [Setsuna]

“So? How are you going to reply on her confession?” [Mari]

Immediately after I’ve heard Mari’s query, I gave her a smack at the head.

“Ouch! That hurts!” [Mari]

“Don’t intrude too much on other people’s personal affairs.” [Setsuna]

“Hueh!?! Meanie… Muh…” [Mari]

We both went home while Mari, pouting, had her hands rubbing her head.

(Endure this much, you had it coming. Are you even a graduating high schooler?)

--- --- --- --- --- ---

Misc. Details;

Onee-chan - Elder Sister

Author's Note;

Like the usual, thanks for reading my work!

Comment all you like, I'm fine with that! ( >.< )

00-04 | 00-06