Around six years ago, it was the first time I met Tetsuo. I can still picture every small detail—the humidity that clung to my arms that morning, the hush over the countryside just before sunrise, the way the river smelled faintly of moss and cold stone. Back then, I was always infatuated with water bodies, and the river behind our neighbourhood felt like the only familiar friend in a town that was otherwise strange to me.
As the sun was about to rise, Aoi was swimming in a river. The current nudged her calves and tugged at her ankles, steady but not rough. She inhaled, felt the water press across her ribs, then dove. Bubbles streamed past her cheeks, winking in the half-light beneath the surface. She resurfaced and exhaled in a sharp rush of breath, the river's surface trembling out in rings around her shoulders.
Water dripped from Aoi's chin as she pushed her wet hair back, her breath still uneven from swimming. The cool morning air brushed across her damp skin, raising a faint shiver.
That's a new record. I'll have to tell Mom about this.
Her lips curved into a small grin, but it faded just as quickly. She drew in a slow breath, eyes drifting to the rippling surface of the river.
Then again, if she finds out I was swimming alone out here, she'll definitely get mad.
A soft sigh escaped her. I guess I'll just keep it to myself, then.
She clambered onto the dirt bank where damp clay stuck lightly to the soles of her feet. A soft breeze drifted through the reeds and cooled the droplets on her skin until goosebumps rose along her arms. Aoi grabbed her towel—cotton frayed at the edges—and started drying her hair, listening to the faint rustle of willow leaves overhead.
Aoi glanced toward the riverbank, the horizon brightening beyond the reeds. It's almost daytime already? I should head home before Mom wakes up.
She pulled the towel tighter around her shoulders, the fabric rough and still damp against her neck. Her bare feet pressed softly against the cracked asphalt as she started up the road. The morning air carried a faint chill, and every exhale left a thin cloud in front of her lips.
In the east, the sky shifted from charcoal to pale gold. The silhouettes of telephone poles lined the road, tall and unmoving against the quiet dawn.
Aoi's feet crunched over tiny stones scattered on the cracked pavement.
I honestly thought moving here from Kyoto would be boring and miserable, but I'm actually loving it. She let out a quiet breath, the morning air cool against her face. It really does bring peace to my mind… and it's a lot cheaper for Mom to manage.
She passed an open gate, the hinges rattling faintly as a soft breeze nudged them. Rust flecks clung to the iron, and a sagging wooden sign hung crookedly from a single nail, creaking ever so slightly as she walked by.
A dog lying in the shade twitched its ears, then slowly pushed itself up. A low growl rolled from its throat, vibrating through the quiet morning air.
Aoi's eyes widened, and her small hands clutched the towel around her shoulders. Huh? She stepped back, the soles of her feet scraping lightly against the cobblestones. It's a dog… a big one! What do I do?
Her stomach tightened as the dog's claws clicked sharply on the stones. A beat later, it barked—quick, sharp, and close. Aoi's breath caught, and a high-pitched scream escaped her lips. She bolted, legs pumping as fast as they could, her heart hammering in her chest.
The pavement slapped under her feet as she sprinted past a large tree, one low branch scraping her shoulder as she passed beneath it. Her breaths came fast, the cold morning air burning her throat.
Behind her, the dog barked—loud and guttural, closer now.
She turned a sharp corner and nearly slipped on loose gravel. A garbage bin rattled as she bumped it, but she kept moving. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears.
She passed a shuttered shop and a parked scooter. The dog's claws scraped against the ground, closing in. She could hear its rapid panting, smell its wet fur.
Her legs were starting to burn. She cut right again, into a narrow alley.
Please let there be an exit…
Aoi sprinted past a stack of wooden crates, brushing against the rough edges. One toppled behind her with a loud crash, rattling against the alley walls. Her lungs burned, sharp and tight, and her small arms felt heavy from running so fast.
Up ahead, the alley ended in a tall, blank wall.
Her stomach flipped, cold and heavy. Oh no… it's a dead-end!
She skidded to a stop. Her back hit the wall as she turned around.
The dog's growls grew louder as it approached, drool hanging from its mouth.
Aoi slowly turned around in fear. Her chest rose and fell quickly. Her arms shook. The dog stepped into the alley, eyes locked on her.
She couldn't move.
Aoi's voice trembled, barely louder than a whimper. Her small hands clawed at the wall behind her as she pressed herself against it, knees trembling. Someone… anyone… please…
The dog's growl deepened as it lunged forward, jaws snapping just inches from Aoi's trembling hand. Her breath caught in her throat, she closed her eyes, cold sweat slicking down her back.
Suddenly, a sharp thud echoed through the alley.
A large stone struck the dog's head, halting it mid-attack. The animal yelped, shaking its head in pain.
A sturdy arm grabbed a thick stick, swinging it down with force. The dog snapped and lunged again, but the boy held firm, striking the dog's face repeatedly.
The dog bit down hard on the boy's leg, drawing blood, but he grunted and kept hitting until the dog whimpered and ran off.
The boy winced, pressing a hand lightly against his leg, then let out a shaky breath and turned toward Aoi. His small chest rose and fell quickly. "Are you okay? You didn't get hurt, did you?"
Aoi's eyes widened, her fingers tightening on the towel around her shoulders. "No… no, I'm fine… but your leg! It's bleeding!" Her voice trembled, high and sharp with worry.
He grinned, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. "Oh, this? Don't worry, it doesn't hurt me at all." The corners of his mouth lifted into a lopsided smile that made Aoi's cheeks flush.
"Tetsuo!" Kogure's voice rang out as he sprinted down the alley, his legs pumping hard.
Tetsuo's eyes widened, and a small smile flickered across his face. "Oh… Kogure, it's you."
Kogure skidded to a stop, hands landing on his knees as he caught his breath. He straightened and crossed his arms, frowning. "Why do you always run off like that? Remember, your dad put me in charge of you… if something happens, I'm responsible!"
His gaze flicked to Tetsuo's leg, eyes widening. "Your leg… it's bleeding! What happened?"
Tetsuo stepped closer to Aoi, brushing a damp strand of hair from her face which made her blush slightly. His chest heaved lightly, but his expression stayed calm. "A dog attacked this girl. I tried to fight it off, and it bit me." He held out a hand in introduction. "I'm Tetsuo Kawaguchi, and this is my friend Kogure Kobayashi. What's your name?"
Aoi's lips trembled slightly as she tucked the towel tighter around her shoulders. I'm… I'm Aoi… Aoi Itakura.
Tetsuo gave a small nod, eyes scanning the quiet street. It's pretty early, isn't it? We'll walk you home, just in case that dog comes back.
Aoi's hands fidgeted with the towel as she glanced at them. Are you sure?
Kogure grinned, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead. "Yeah. Just lead the way."
Aoi let out a shaky breath, wiping a streak of tears from her cheek. Thank you… thank you, guys.
And that's how I met him—Tetsuo Kawaguchi, a boy who fearlessly protected me from a dog without even hesitating. I later found out that both he and Kogure were training for basketball for hours until dawn. If it hadn't been for that, I'd have been a goner that day, and he wouldn't have been there to help.
The late morning sun streamed through the classroom windows, warming the tops of the desks and glinting off scattered papers. Quiet laughter and whispered voices rippled through the room, punctuated by the occasional scrape of chairs on the floor. A soft breeze drifted in through the open windows, ruffling hair and stirring the edges of notebooks.
A boy leaned forward from his desk, bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet. His eyes were wide with excitement. "Oi, Tetsuo! I heard you and Kogure are in the semifinals! Best of luck!"
Tetsuo's lips curved into a small, calm smile, fingers tapping lightly on his desk. "It's no biggie. We'll definitely win."
A girl near the window leaned on her elbows, eyes sparkling as she tilted her head. "Tetsuo… you're so cool!"
Another girl nudged her friend with a grin, letting out a quiet chuckle. "Ten years from now, we'll be asking for your autographs!"
The teacher's footsteps clicked across the classroom floor as she straightened papers on her desk. Her voice carried clearly, firm but warm. "Everyone, get to your seats! We have a new transfer student today. Come on in."
A ripple ran through the classroom. Chairs scraped softly against the floor as students turned in their seats, whispering to each other. Fingers tapped on desks, heads tilted with curiosity, and a few eyes peeked toward the door, pupils widening with quiet anticipation.
Aoi stepped forward, fingers brushing the strap of her bag. Her chest rose and fell quickly, but she lifted her chin and spoke clearly. "Good morning… my name is Aoi Itakura."
Tetsuo's gaze flickered toward the new girl, pupils narrowing slightly as recognition stirred in the back of his mind.
The teacher's eyes softened, and she nodded toward the empty desks. "She moved here from Kyoto to study. I hope you all get along with her." She looked back at Aoi. "Now then… where would you like to sit?"
Aoi hesitated, fingers fidgeting with the strap of her bag. "Um… let's see…" She scanned the classroom, eyes darting past desks and chairs until they landed on Tetsuo. Her chest skipped a beat, and a warm flush spread across her cheeks.
Wait… Tetsuo is in my class? Her mind raced with surprise, heart thumping faster.
She lifted a trembling hand and pointed toward the empty seat beside him. "Um… I'd like to sit there."
From a few rows back, a boy leaned toward his friend, whispering with a mischievous grin. "Uuuuuh… looks like Itakura likes Tetsuo."
The girl next to him nudged him lightly, lowering her voice but still glancing toward Aoi. "Be quiet… do you want to get in trouble?" Her eyes, however, betrayed a flicker of curiosity.
Aoi slid into the seat beside Tetsuo, her small hands smoothing the edge of her bag on her lap. A hush settled over the pair, the classroom chatter dimming in her mind. She drew in a deep, shaky breath.
Her gaze flicked to his leg, worry knitting her brows. "How's your leg?" she asked softly, concern threading her voice.
Tetsuo lifted his pant leg slightly, pressing a small hand gently against the scrape. His fingers traced the spot as if to reassure her. "Oh… this? The doctor checked it. It's alright. It should heal in a couple of days, though it might leave a scar."
Aoi's shoulders relaxed, a soft exhale escaping her lips. Her fingers tightened lightly on her bag strap, and a relieved smile spread across her face. "Oh… I see. Thank goodness."
The school bell rang sharply, echoing through the hallways. Aoi's classmates clustered around her, voices overlapping with curiosity. Hands poked her sleeve, elbows bumped gently, and a few heads craned to get a better look at the new transfer student.
"So… Kyoto, huh? Is it really crowded there?" a boy asked, bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet.
"Do you have lots of shops near your house?" another added, leaning forward with wide eyes.
"I want to know, did you belong to a club at your old school?" a girl asked, tilting her head in genuine curiosity.
Aoi tucked a damp strand of hair behind her ear and drew a breath, her small hands twisting the strap of her bag. "Um… well, it is busy… and there are lots of stores…" She answered the questions as best she could, cheeks warming with each glance from her classmates.
But then she noticed a familiar shadow moving past the rows of desks. Tetsuo was slipping quietly toward the door, his small frame swift and deliberate. Her stomach tightened. Wait… he's leaving…
She pushed gently through the group, murmuring apologies under her breath, and followed him outside. Her shoes scraped against the pavement, and the cool morning air brushed against her damp skin as the bell's echoes faded behind her.
Tetsuo walked toward the back of the school and, without hesitation, vaulted over the low fence bordering the playground. Aoi stopped at the edge, gripping the fence with her hands. She couldn't follow, but she could watch from the holes.
Kogure was already there, dribbling a basketball with smooth, practiced motions. Tetsuo moved beside him, chest rising and falling steadily, legs bent as he shifted and pivoted. He caught the ball, spun it lightly in his hands, and shot. The ball arced perfectly through the hoop and swished cleanly through the net.
Aoi's eyes followed every movement: the precise dribble, the controlled spin, the effortless jump. She noticed how his arms stretched just right, how he adjusted his stance for each shot, how his expression stayed focused, lips pressed lightly together.
He's… really good. And he works so hard… Her chest tightened slightly, awe pressing softly against her ribs. Even from behind the fence, she could feel the quiet intensity of his training, the same determination she had glimpsed the day he saved her.