Haruto sat down by Lake Itomori, fishing rod in hand. He found a quiet spot and cast the line after making his preparations. As he focused on the float, his mind gradually settled into calmness.
After staying at home for a while, he'd started feeling restless. With nothing better to do, he decided to head out alone for a peaceful afternoon of fishing.
Originally, someone had wanted to tag along, but fishing wasn't exactly the most thrilling activity for everyone. So, he let the two girls stay home with Mitsuha and Yotsuha while he made his way to the lakeside on his own.
The crystal-clear lake mirrored the vivid blue sky, even the drifting clouds were reflected in the water. Sitting quietly at the water's edge, Haruto's thoughts wandered far, even as his eyes remained fixed on the bobber...
Buzz—Buzz—
The phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated, pulling Haruto out of his reverie. He frowned slightly and fished it out.
Caller: Mari Kazaoka.
They hadn't spoken in quite a while since summer break began. Haruto wasn't sure what she wanted now.
"It's me—Haruto."
"Got a minute?"
"Plenty. But unfortunately, I'm not in Tokyo right now. I'm back in my hometown in Gifu, relaxing and doing some fishing by the lake. What's up?"
"I was hoping to meet you in person to talk about your novel."
Haruto raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't your publisher say the company had no real plans to support it further? Not interested in adapting it or anything?"
He wasn't bitter about it. The book had already brought him decent success. The publisher had earned its cut too. Business was business. If they weren't going to back the next steps, he'd just look for another company that would.
"It's not that they're uninterested… It's just that... well, there's actually some good news."
"Good news?"
Haruto didn't expect much anymore. In his mind, the book had probably run its course. All he hoped for now was to see how far his future works could go. He had stopped expecting anything—and had even stopped feeling much of anything.
"A film director's taken an interest in your work. They want to adapt it into a movie."
"…What?"
His hand holding the rod trembled slightly. Haruto furrowed his brows. He paused. Glanced at the date.
"It's not April Fool's, is it?"
"Nope. I was surprised too. But the director genuinely seems interested. They came to the publisher just for your book and want to discuss it with you in person."
Mari herself had been stunned when the director showed up out of nowhere, asking specifically about Haruto's work. They had a brief meeting before the director left quickly, and she'd immediately contacted Haruto to get his opinion.
"I understand," Haruto replied after a short silence. "I'll head back to Tokyo soon. Let's talk about it properly when I arrive."
"Alright. I'll wait for your message."
Haruto stared at the lake. Even though he tried to suppress the ripple of excitement in his chest, it lingered. After fishing a little longer, he packed up and headed home around noon.
He didn't mention anything to his family. It was still too early to say whether the adaptation would really happen. Raising expectations for something uncertain would only cause unnecessary complications.
That evening, he found his mother.
"Something's come up in Tokyo," Haruto said. "I plan to head back the day after tomorrow."
Futaba blinked. "Heading back already?"
"Yeah. There's something that needs to be taken care of. Wouldn't be right to keep the other party waiting too long."
Originally, he had planned to stay in Itomori for around two weeks. But not even a week had passed, and he was already preparing to leave. He supposed memories always remained most beautiful when left untouched.
"I understand," Futaba said gently. "I'll help Mitsuha and Yotsuha pack what they need."
"Thanks."
Haruto nodded, then quietly returned to his room. After a short rest, he visited Sekai and Setsuna's room.
"Haruto?" Setsuna looked up. "What's up?"
"Something came up. I need to go back to Tokyo," he said calmly. "We'll head out the day after tomorrow. Be ready tomorrow."
"So soon?" Sekai blinked in surprise. There wasn't much sorrow in her tone—if anything, she sounded relieved. The thought of returning to Tokyo felt like a kind of escape for her.
Setsuna, on the other hand, looked more thoughtful. She didn't ask what the matter was, but the idea of staying in Itomori for much longer wasn't particularly appealing either.
"Alright," she said simply. "We'll be ready."
When Haruto returned to his room, it wasn't long before the door burst open.
"Tomorrow—no, the day after tomorrow? You're leaving for Tokyo?" Mitsuha practically pounced onto the bed, getting right in Haruto's face.
"Yeah," he replied. "Not happy about it?"
"It's not that I'm unhappy—just surprised! I thought you were staying longer. You said two weeks!"
Haruto shrugged. "Something came up. I can't ignore it. If you want to stay longer, you can. Let Sekai and Setsuna take you and Yotsuha back later."
"Yeah right," Mitsuha scoffed. "You think Setsuna would hang around here if you left?"
"…Fair point."
His deadpan tone made Mitsuha pout. She threw his bedsheet over his face, straddling his legs and pinning him down, her hands wrapped around him like an irritated cat.
He could have shrugged her off easily, but he didn't. He just let her vent her frustration until she was panting softly from the effort. Only then did he pull the sheet off his face.
"Go get some rest. Tomorrow's our last day here. Once we're in Tokyo, coming back won't be so easy."
"I know," Mitsuha grumbled, finally climbing off the bed. She stuck out her tongue and left with a sulky expression.
The next morning, Yotsuha had also begun preparing for the trip—though she wasn't entirely on board with it.
"I… don't want to go to Tokyo," she muttered.
Futaba, brushing her daughter's hair, smiled gently. "Your big brother will be there. And your sister too. You won't be alone."
Yotsuha had hoped her mother would come along as well, but someone had to stay home to care for her elderly grandmother. It was Futaba's turn now. Last time, Yotsuha had stayed behind. This time, she had to go.
Looking over at Mitsuha, who was fussing over how to fit everything into her suitcase, Yotsuha bit her lip. The unease in her heart only grew stronger.
Later that day, Haruto visited his grandmother.
"You've grown up," Hitoha said softly, knitting in her usual quiet corner. "It's time you followed your own path."
"Mitsuha and Yotsuha will be in Tokyo for a while. Mom will stay here with you."
"Before you kids were even born, it was just me and your mother living here," she said, never stopping her hands.
"Take good care of your sisters."
"I will."
That was all. Afterward, Haruto returned to the living room where Sekai was taking pictures of the scenery through the window, and Setsuna sat quietly watching tv programs.
That night, rain began to fall outside, tapping steadily against the roof. Lying in bed, he stared at the ceiling, listening to the rhythm.
"…Honestly, I don't really feel like leaving."
He sighed. Rain always made people sentimental.
Hopefully, it would stop by morning. Otherwise, they'd be leaving soaked.
Morning came—and the rain had only gotten worse. Everyone gathered in the living room, watching the downpour with mixed feelings.
"It's fine," Futaba said gently. "Just wait a little."
Haruto caught a strange tone in her voice and looked at her. She simply smiled.
Around 8 a.m., the doorbell rang.
Before anyone could answer it, the front door slid open with a loud clack. A man in a dark suit stepped into the entryway.
Haruto recognized him immediately.
Mitsuha instantly straightened up. Yotsuha's expression stiffened. Haruto looked from the man to his mother, who still wore that soft smile.
"So," his father said, eyes sharp but not unkind, "you came back to Itomori—and didn't come see me?"
"You've got work, don't you?" Haruto replied, forcing a polite smile.
"And you think I have no free time after work?"
"…Good point."
His father closed his eyes briefly, then reopened them. Spotting two unfamiliar girls in the room, he paused. Futaba had mentioned that Haruto had a petite girlfriend, so his gaze lingered briefly on Setsuna—but only for a moment before returning to his son.
"You're leaving today?"
"The publisher wants to meet. We planned to head out this morning."
"There's a car outside. Let's go."
He didn't say anything else. Didn't even greet the grandmother. He simply turned and walked out the door.
The rest were left staring after him, dumbfounded.
"Go on," Futaba said with a smile. "He brought a car big enough for all of you."
Haruto said nothing, but stepped toward the door. Outside, a long black car waited in the rain.
Everyone exchanged glances, gathered their luggage, opened their umbrellas, and headed out.
His father was already in the front passenger seat—quiet, composed, and waiting.
~~~~~~~~~~
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