"This has been a really fun experience for me, and I enjoyed the dinner that you made for me tonight. Thank you so much, Tetsuo," said Haruko sincerely.
"It was not a problem. It's what I usually make for the two of us, so making it for someone else wasn't really that difficult," said Tetsuo.
"Not only was my brother's meal tasty, but it also felt like we were all a big happy family," said Usagi as she smiled.
"Wait, when she says family, does she mean Tetsuo is the father, I'm the mother, and she's the child?" said Haruko to herself as she blushed from her thoughts.
"You really should come over as often as possible, Haruko. I really like your company," said Usagi.
"I have no problem with that. I'll come over when I have time," said Haruko.
"Let me walk you home, Haruko. It's pretty dark outside, and we were the ones who held you up," said Tetsuo as he put on his sandals.
"Okay, thanks for that, Tetsuo," said Haruko.
"Keep the door locked until I get back, okay, Usagi?"
"Yes, big brother," she responded as both Tetsuo and Haruko left.
"There's something about that girl that really moves Tetsuo even more than I do. She even knows what he likes in terms of gifts and allowed him to get a step closer to changing. I can't even take credit for the long-awaited embrace from him because it was all thanks to her. Plus, he really seems fond of her because he doesn't talk that much unless it's necessary. I wonder... Could he like her?" Usagi asked herself.
"The moonlight really lights up the sky, and the stars are so beautiful," said Haruko as she playfully put both her arms behind her back.
"Yeah, it really is. My sister seems to be very fond of you. She doesn't normally warm up to anyone that quickly. You must have done something that really moved her," said Tetsuo.
"Well, I wouldn't say it was anything special. I just helped her pick out a couple of gifts for you and then walked her home," said Haruko, and Tetsuo replied with, "I see."
"Say, Tetsuo, do you remember the first time we met on that court early in the morning?" asked Haruko.
"Yeah, I do remember. That day I was really upset, and I felt so hopeless at basketball. No matter how much I shot, I could never score a single shot. And then, as fate allowed our paths to align, you came along and taught me how to shoot, and I got the hang of it that exact day."
"I just want you to know that I'm really grateful for what you have done for me. You have literally changed my life for the better."
"It wasn't anything special. I just showed you the simple mistakes that you made, which is why you weren't scoring, and then I adjusted them."
"Well, it was special to me and my team, and it will be essential for us this upcoming season."
"I played a practice match yesterday, and we won thanks to the things that you taught me. I'm really glad that I was able to help my team this time. Surprisingly, I scored eighteen points, and the game ended fifty-three to forty-four. My coach was really ecstatic about the way I played, and my teammates now look up to me and trust me as their captain. It's all thanks to you," said Haruko.
"If that's the case, then I'm glad I could help."
"Um, Tetsuo, can I ask you something?" said Haruko as she fidgeted with her fingers.
"And what might that be?" asked Tetsuo.
"Is it just me, or does it feel like this is not the first time we have met? I'm not sure why, but it feels like I've known you for such a very long time. Or is it because we met somewhere years ago?" asked Haruko.
"Who knows? That just might be the case. If I'm being honest, the energy you give off reminds me of someone I've met years ago, but I cannot remember their name or face because of a certain circumstance," said Tetsuo.
"Oh, so you also feel that we've..."
Before Haruko could finish her statement, she tripped over a log, and as she was about to fall, Tetsuo caught her. However, he also tripped over the log, and they both stumbled to the ground.
"Ouch, that really hurt," said Haruko as she opened her eyes.
"Are you okay, Haruko?" said Tetsuo.
Haruko, who realized that Tetsuo was not only on top of her but also his lips were close to hers, started blushing red.
"I'm okay, don't worry about me," she said as Tetsuo got up and offered her a hand to stand.
"Our lips were really close; it almost gave me a heart attack," said Haruko as she imagined the two of them kissing.
"Are you sure that you're okay? You look a little dizzy."
"Come on, Haruko, get yourself together, girl. It was only just an accident. There was no intent behind it," said Haruko as she tried to calm herself down.
"Haruko, is that you? What are you doing out here? It's really late," said Sachiko as she walked closer.
"Oh, it's you, Sachiko," said Haruko as her whole mood changed.
After getting closer, Sachiko then realized that the person Haruko was with was Tetsuo.
"Oh, Tetsuo, I didn't know that you lived around here," said Sachiko.
"Wait, how do you know him?" asked Haruko curiously.
"He's in my class at Toshigawa Academy. The same guy who bested me in the entrance exams," said Sachiko.
"Oh, I see. Well, I wasn't thinking much about it, but she's your sister, right, Haruko?" asked Tetsuo.
"Yes, she's my older sister, Tetsuo."
"Wait a minute, why are they on a first-name basis, and why is Tetsuo so comfortable talking to her but also gives me the cold shoulder?" said Sachiko to herself as she wondered.
"So, what are the two of you doing out here so late?" asked Sachiko.
"Oh, I stopped by his house earlier with his younger sister, and it got late, so he decided to walk me home," said Haruko.
"Wait, what?! Did she say that she was over at his house? What the heck?" said Sachiko to herself.
"Thank you so much for walking my sister. I'll take it from here, okay, Kawaguchi?" said Sachiko.
"Alright, no problem," said Tetsuo as he walked off.
"Haruko, there's something that you should know," said Sachiko.
"What do you mean?"
"Do you remember Tetsu-kun, the little boy who we found walking around aimlessly with nothing but a worn-out basketball and his little sister?" asked Sachiko.
"Yes, I do. The same boy who made me love basketball. I have my reasons for believing that Tetsuo Kawaguchi might be him, but I'm not sure because they are so different in terms of personality," said Sachiko.
"Wait, so you're saying that Tetsuo is the boy we met years ago?" said Haruko, shocked.