-san: A polite suffix, but not excessively formal.
-kun: A common suffix among friends and younger people.
-chan: A common suffix among people youâre close with, mostly used for feminine nicknames and girls, since itâs cutesy and childlike.
Yuki and I are going to the aquarium today.
Ever since elementary school, itâs been difficult to sleep when looking forward to something a lot. Recently, Iâve been getting used to having Yuki next to me, and Iâve slept better because of it. However, last night I stayed up late because of the sheer excitement of going to the aquarium with her.
She woke me up once again today, and I start to prep myself to go out with her, even though I felt a lack of sleep. Over breakfast, Yuki and I settled on our plans for today, finally deciding to take a bus there, just like we did when in elementary school.
After we decided on these things, I organized my wallet and bag, wondering which clothes to wear.
Unlike loungewear and uniform, organizing an actual outfit was a test of my sense of fashion. It was my first outing with Yuki in a long time after all. I skimmed over my clothing and thought hard on how to coordinate it, in hopes that I wouldnât disappoint Yuki with a mediocre outfit.
After much deliberation, I finally settled on a sure-hit getup. Leaving my room, I found her waiting for me after getting herself prepped up.
I froze up immediately after seeing her figure, absolutely enthralled by her.
She wore a white blouse along with a black ribbon around her neck. A short skirt with a fluffy ruffle along with knee-high socks created the so-called âabsolute territoryââher soft thighs peeked from between the underbelly of her skirt and from above her socks.
Sure, the familiar school uniform was extremely cute, but Yuki in her going-out outfit was just a hundred times cuter, at least. She also emanated such a sweet fragrance, reminiscent of roses on a garden.
Yuki also donned natural makeup, which only accentuated her natural beauty. Her clear azure eyes were also a bit moist, and her lovely little lips were an accent for her unblemished, snow-white skin. She was cuter than an angel when at school, but now, she was an actual goddess.
She tilted her head as she gazed at me, confused.
âHm~ Haru-kun, whatâs wrong?â
âN-Nothing⊠I-I mean you look great in that outfit⊠Youâre so cute I canât really⊠Think words straightâŠâ
Her cheeks reddened when she heard my honest opinion.
âA-Am I cute? Iâm so glad to hear you say that, Haru-kun⊠Youâre looking fine, too. You look cool, really cool.â
âI-I see. Iâm kind of embarrassed when you praise me like that, YukiâŠâ I looked away involuntarily.
After that, we walk out of the apartment, both embarrassed by the praise.
The weather forecast was right yesterday. It was a sunny day, unsullied by any clouds. Yuki and I walk side by side under the sunâs spring warmth, finally reaching the bus stop and sitting on its bench.
While waiting for the bus to arrive, we both talked a lot about what happened at school, the funny videos we looked at together yesterday, and many other things. She listens to what I have to say with a bright smile while looking into my eyes. Being paid attention to makes me unquestionably happy.
It was just like back then. We chatted joyfully while waiting for the bus to come, her sitting next to me as I spoke, my mom laughing at the things I had to say. It was all so blissful.
âTalking like this reminds me of elementary schoolâŠâ
âSame happened when we ate those play-candies yesterday, though talking like this reminded me of all the fun we had back then, Haru-kun.â
âWe had such fun then, huhâŠâ
Right after we met, Yuki was always gloomy under all her bandages. Whenever she was at school, sheâd always lay on her face, and she never wanted to go there. She didnât have any friends and was bullied by the kids around her⊠It was surely so hard and sad.
However, being with me changed Yuki: she started smilingâThat same Yuki told me she remembers âall the fun we had back thenâ. I felt so undeniably proud to know she managed to overwrite all the pain with happy memories together with me.
âHey, Yuki. We went to a lot of other places when we were in elementary, right?â
âWe did, didnât we? We barbecued at a campsite, went to a school festival together⊠I miss it all so much.â
âLetâs go together again; go out to various places just like weâve done, and make new memories during these three years we have in high school. Not only that, but letâs also go to places we couldnât go back then. I mean, we can go anywhere now.â
âThatâs right! I want to make many new happy memories with you, Haru-kun. Letâs have lots of fun together!â She replies with a glittery grin.
⊠I want to keep seeing this smile. I want to continuously make her happy and make up for the three years weâve been apart. I vowed that to myself as I watched her beaming joy.
âHaru-kun, look! The bus is here, and itâs the one we need to take. Letâs get on.â
âYeah.â The bus stopped in front of us.
We get in, and we sat together at the back where there werenât many people. The vehicle moved as the scenery flowed outside of the window. Ever since I was a kid, I loved looking out the window at the landscape with a twinkle in my eye.