Translations:

Maayong Hapon: Good Afternoon

November 22

Shiro sat alone at the lunch table. Akira and Hyori were out on a school trip, and Imani was taking forever to leave class, like always. His cheek laid on his hand, his elbow resting next to his bento box. He blanked out, his foot tapping on the ground with boredom. He had been debating on whether or not he should confess to his crush for a week and just now made his choice. The debate clouded his mind, and he was unable to focus during class, or just at all. He was nervous, hesitant, and now, he was scared. Shiro had never made the first move before. It was always the other person who did. But this time, it was different. This time, he was going to be first. He had waited long enough, and he needed to tell them, now.

His thinking was interrupted when a loud thud hit the table. He looked up, Imani’s lunch tray was now on the table, and Imani was sitting right in front of him.

“Maayong Hapon, pretty boy, what are you thinking about?” (Good afternoon pretty boy)

Shiro grumbled in response at the nickname she gave him, throwing his head on the table. “Don’t call me that.”

Imani giggled at the raven haired boy.

“Well according to all of your ex girlfriends, which is every girl in this school,  it’s true.”

Shiro lifted his head, an irritated look on his face. He crossed his arms, annoyed at the curly haired girl, “I have NOT dated every girl at this school.

Imani raised an eyebrow, her lips pouting in thought.

“Well let’s see, there was your Junior high girlfriends, Kaya and Ilaya in year 1, Lauren last year, and- “

Shiro placed a hand on her mouth, quieting her.

“OKAY. That’s enough Imani.”

She jerked his hand away, a smug look on her face.

“Alright, I’m sorry!”

Shiro sighed and threw his head back down onto the lunch table. He groaned, placing his hands on his head. Imani got up from her seat, making her way next to the boy and sitting down. She nudged him gently and placed her chin in her hands. Shiro peeked from under his arms, his black bangs covering his right eye and nose. Imani smiled at him, then leaned her head down to be at the same eye level as him.

“On a more serious note, what are you gonna do?”

Shiro’s eyes wandered away from the girl, taking in a deep breath.

“I’m going to confess. Today, after school.”

Imani hummed, “Well, how are you gonna do it? Courting is usually special and well thought out, you barely had time to put this together.”

Shiro shrugged in response, because the truth was, he didn’t have anything planned. He just knew he was going to confess. Imani also wasn’t far from wrong though. People sometimes take weeks to plan the perfect courting. Shiro only just now decided to confess to the one he was so fond about, resulting in him having to resort to something very basic.

“I’ll figure something out. Maybe just a simple bouquet and gifts will do?”

Imani sighed. He was not ready for this. But, she wanted to support her friend in any way she could. So, she just shrugged and nodded.

The school day finally ended and Shiro was on his way to a flower boutique down the street from their school. It started raining the moment the school bell rang, so the sound of his shoes pattering against the wet ground filled the area. He listened to the rainfall hit his umbrella as he walked. It calmed his nerves and distracted him from what was coming next.

He entered the boutique, the sound of the bell echoing throughout the store. As he wiped his feet on the mat, he wrapped up his umbrella, placing it in his bag. Shiro wandered around, observing the variety of bouquets. The smell of the fresh flowers filled his nose and the store. It relaxed him.

After a few minutes of searching, he came across a bouquet with pink and white flowers. The leaves stuck out around the perfect circle of flowers and it was wrapped in a light pink paper with a white ribbon. He picked it up, admiring the beautiful colors of the flowers. He used a finger to touch the delicate petals. The softness of them pulled him in. This was the one.

Shiro stood at the entrance of the house. Bouquet and gifts in hand. His finger hovered over the doorbell, nervous to ring it. His hands were shaking, and his breathing was fast. He squeezed his eyes shut, finally ringing the doorbell. The sound of the bell rang loudly from the inside of the house, followed by hustling footsteps. The door opened and his eyes fluttered open, making eye contact with the individual now standing in front of him.

His nerves faded, and his smile grew. He held out the items in his hands, blush creeping onto his face quickly.

“Hi Hyori.”

Hyori beamed at the boy, her eyes glistening at the flowers and gifts Shiro was holding.

“Hi Shiro!” She said, ecstatic. 

Shiro gulped, “I know this is last minute and out of nowhere, but...will you go on a date with me? Like, today?”

Hyori giggled happily at the question, softly taking what he was holding and embracing it.

“Shiro! Of course I will!” She said with a bright smile. Shiro laughed in relief and they immediately hugged. He lifted her off the ground, and she kicked her legs happily.

A few hours later

Shiro waited patiently for Hyori at La Vie Parisienne. Hyori loves French food, so Shiro knew this place was perfect for their first date. It was more on the pricey side, but Shiro wasn’t phased by that. 

He checked his watch nervously, why wasn’t she here yet? It had been almost an hour when she said she was on her way. He started tapping his leg in suspense, worried that he might have been stood up.

Thankfully, all of his worries faded away when he saw Hyori step out of her parent’s car. He watched her wave goodbye and make his way up to him. She looked absolutely breathtaking. She wore a long satin green dress, and her hair was tied up in a neat bun with two curled strands falling on her face. Her smile was bright and loving, and to Shiro, she looked like an actual goddess.

She finally made her way up to him, her eyes gleaming with remorse.

“I’m so sorry I’m late Shiro! The traffic coming here was bad..like always.”

Shiro laughed, “It’s fine, don't worry, I get it.”

He offered her his hand, smiling from ear to ear at the brown haired girl, “Let’s go inside?”

Hyori softly took his hand in hers, and they clasped them together, walking hand in hand inside the restaurant. Shiro opened the door, letting her enter first, still keeping their hands locked together. The sounds of the busy restaurant filled their ears. It was 7 p.m, meaning it was the middle of the dinner rush. Thankfully, Shiro had a reservation. They were brought to their table immediately and were handed menus.

They browsed the menu quietly, deciding what they were going to order. Hyori broke the silence, not wanting to make the date awkward.

“So..about Akira’s birthday.”

Shiro looked up at her curiously, “What about it?”

“Was that why you were so quiet around me?”

Shiro blushed in embarrassment. He placed his menu down on the table gently and folded his hands in his lap.

“Yeah, kind of.” He chuckled awkwardly, “I was so scared the truth was going to slip out, I couldn’t even make eye contact with you.”

Hyori giggled, “You’re so cute.”

Shiro stiffened, quickly covering his face with the menu to hide the prominent red tint on his face. Hyori smiled at him, then continued looking at her menu.

After they finished ordering, the two continued to chat, learning things about each other they never knew. Hyori’s curiosity led her to ask Shiro yet another question.

“If you don’t mind me asking, how did you and Akira meet?”

Shiro perked up at the question about his best friend. It made him realize that the two boys never actually informed Hyori on how they met. But, he was more than happy to tell her the story.

Shiro smiled at the thought, “Well, it started back in 2009, when we were 4…”

November 17, 2009

Akira Nakamura: Age 4

Shiro Okamoto: Age 4

Akira sat by himself quietly on the rug playing with his barbies. He made them jump, spin, talk, and more. Vin and Hikaru were out doing an abundant amount of errands demanded by their dad while he went to the bar, leaving Sora and Akira alone in the house. Sora was busy cooking dinner, so Akira was left to play by himself. He didn’t mind though, this was normal for him.

As he played, the ring of the doorbell echoed throughout the house and the sound of the door creaking open could be heard. Akira listened to his mom laugh happily and greet the guest at their house. 

“Viella, Akira, darling, can you come here please? It’s your Tita Hina and Shiro!”

Akira put his barbies down on the ground, thinking about the names he just heard. He knew who his Tita Hina was, but he had never heard the name Shiro before.

“Shiro?..Who’s that?” He thought to himself. He stood up, quickly moving his little legs over to the door, “Coming momma!”

His tiny feet finally made their way next to Sora’s. Akira’s hand reached up to his mom, grabbing hers tightly as his vision adjusted to the two figures in front of him. He knew his Tita, but there was a little boy standing nervously behind her that he didn’t recognize. He figured this was the Shiro his mom was talking about.

Akira copied the boy, hiding behind Sora’s legs to feel more protected from the stranger in front of him.

The two older women laughed at their shyness. Sora bent down to her son, gently placing her hand on his chubby cheeks.

“Ella Akira, my baby, don’t be shy. Shiro is Tita Hina’s son, she brought him here to meet you!”

Hina did the same to her son, comforting the scared child, “You too Shiro, she he’s the same age as you! Why don’t you give the gift you bought for her him?”

Baby Shiro slowly stepped out from behind Hina’s legs. His arms reached into the gift bag he was holding, taking out a white teddy bear. He held the bear in his hands before reaching it out, and squeezing his eyes shut tightly while looking away. With his eyes still shut, he said quietly, “I have a matching one in my bag..”

Akira stepped forward, his arms reaching towards the bear, taking it in his arms. He observed it quietly, feeling the soft white material, and gently squishing it. After a short while, the scared look on his face faded, and a huge smile crept onto his face. He hugged the bear tightly to his chest, jumping up and down happily with his new toy. Shiro slowly opened his eyes to the noise of the happy boy, copying him and eagerly clapping his hands for his newfound friend. Akira jumped up to him, taking his hand in his.

“Let’s go play Shiro!”

Shiro smiled widely, “Okay!”

The two boys ran off to the living room together quickly, their teddy bears in hand. Sora and Hina smiled at them, relieved that the meeting went well. Sora invited Hina inside the house, and they made their way to the kitchen. Hina helped Sora finish up dinner, the two women bonding together. They both then set the table, placing the food down and plating the plates. The noises of Akira and Shiro giggling and playing could be heard from the living room.

Sora called them over for dinner and they ran over hastily, their little feet pattering against the tile. Hina and Sora sat together, while Akira and Shiro sat on the other end of the table. The two children sat on small pillows so they could reach the table. Their tiny legs swung back and forth in the air from being too short to reach the ground.  

While the four of them ate, Sora and Hina watched both of their sons, admiring how well the two of them were getting along. Akira giggled loudly, clapping his hands while Shiro told him about the legendary story of his dad rescuing their puppy Lunar. (He adopted him from the shelter.)

Sora’s eyes teared up at the sight, Akira had never had a friend like that. Nor has she seen her son so happy before. 

“They’re going to be good friends, aren’t they?” Sora said with a smile.

“They definitely are.” Hina replied cheerfully.

....

Shiro grinned brightly at the memory. It had been 13 years since then, yet he still remembered every detail of that day. It was something he’d never forget.

             He exhaled, then reached a hand out, taking Hyori’s hand in his. He stroked her hand with his thumb as she stared at him with loving eyes.

“Akira may be my best friend, but this day is about us, let’s not change the subject. You’re more important to me right now.”

Hyori giggled, squeezing his hand tightly. 

Shiro was right, that day was about them. It was their date, and their time together. But that one day will turn into their week. Then their month. And soon, everyday would be about them, and them only. Not now, but in the near future.