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, little 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.
"That's a new record. I'll have to tell Mom about this," Aoi thought to herself. "Then again, if she finds out that I was swimming alone in a river with no one watching over me, she'll surely get mad. I guess I'll have to keep it to myself then," she sighed.
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.
"It's almost daytime already? I'll have to go home now." She wrapped the towel around her shoulders and began the walk up the cracked asphalt road toward town. In the east, the sky paled from charcoal to gentle gold, and against that light the silhouettes of telephone poles stood motionless.
"I honestly thought that moving here from Kyoto would be boring and miserable, but I'm actually loving it here. It brings peace to my mind. Plus, it's a whole lot cheaper for Mom to afford," Aoi thought as she walked past an open gate. Rust flecks dotted the iron hinges, and a sagging wooden sign hung crooked on one nail.
A dog that was lying down twitched its ears, got up, and started growling. A low rumble vibrated in its throat.
"Huh?" Aoi said fearfully, turning around. "It's a dog, and a big one at that. What should I do?" she panicked as she froze in fear. The dog's claws clicked on the cobblestones, and a beat later it barked, quick and sharp, then ran toward her. Aoi screamed and started running.
She bolted forward, legs kicking into gear before her mind could fully catch up. 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.
She darted past a stack of crates, clipping one. It toppled behind her. Her lungs were tight, her arms heavy.
Up ahead—nothing but a tall wall.
Aoi's stomach dropped.
"Oh no, it's a dead-end!" Aoi thought to herself.
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.
I backed up until my shoulders hit the wall. "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 exhaled deeply, turning toward Aoi. "Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you?"
"No, I'm not... but your leg, it's bleeding!" Aoi said, panic rising.
"Oh, this? Trust me, I don't feel a thing," he said with a smile that made her cheeks flush.
"Tetsuo!" shouted another boy as he ran toward them.
"Oh, Kogure, it's you."
"Why are you always running off so suddenly? Remember, your dad put me in charge of you, so if anything were to happen to you, I'd be responsible," said Kogure as he rolled his eyes.
"Your leg... it's bleeding! What happened?" Kogure asked, shocked.
"A dog attacked this girl. I tried to fight it off, and it bit me," Tetsuo said as he walked over to Aoi and introduced himself. "My name is Tetsuo Kawaguchi, and this is my friend Kogure Kobayashi. And what's your name?"
"My name is Aoi...Aoi Itakura."
"So Itakura, it's getting pretty early, isn't it? We'll walk you home just in case that dog comes back," said Tetsuo.
"Are you sure?" Aoi asked.
"Yeah, just lead the way," Kogure said.
"Thank you, guys," Aoi said, wiping her tears.
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 filtered through the classroom windows, casting soft patterns on the desks as chatter filled the air.
"Oi, Tetsuo, I heard that you and Kogure are in the semifinals. Best of luck to you guys!" said a boy, his voice energetic and filled with excitement.
"Yes, it's no biggie. We'll definitely win," Tetsuo smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting with quiet confidence.
"Tetsuo, you're so cool!" said a girl in his class, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
"Ten years from now, we'll be asking for your autographs!" said another girl as she chuckled, nudging her friend playfully.
"Everyone, get to your seats!" said the teacher, her tone firm but welcoming. "We have a new transfer student today. Come on in."
"Good morning, my name is Aoi Itakura," Aoi introduced herself, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her chest.
"Wait, it's her from earlier this morning," Tetsuo thought to himself, his gaze flickering toward the new girl.
"She moved here from Kyoto in order to study. I hope you guys get along with her," the teacher said kindly. "Now then, Aoi, where would you like to sit?"
"Um, let's see," Aoi said as she scanned the room. Her eyes eventually met Tetsuo's, causing her to get flustered. The warmth of his gaze made her cheeks flush.
"Wait, Tetsuo was in my class?" she thought, surprised. "Um, I would like to sit beside him," she said softly as she settled into the seat next to him.
"How's your leg?" Aoi asked, concern threading her voice.
"The doctor looked at it and said that it's alright. It'll heal in two days' time, it will probably leave a scar though" Tetsuo said, rubbing the spot lightly as if to reassure her.
"Oh, I see. Thank goodness," Aoi said, a relieved smile spreading across her face.
Over the span of the semester, Tetsuo, Kogure, and I grew close with each other. They would come to the river with me to have fun and swim while I went to the basketball court to watch them play. They even attended all of my swim meets, and I attended all their matches. The more I got to know Tetsuo, the more I liked him. Everything was going great until one day…
The squeak of sneakers on polished wood echoed through the gym as Tetsuo shot a two-pointer that swished cleanly through the net. Kogure took the ball and passed it back to Tetsuo. Tetsuo shot another shot that swished once more.
"Oh, they're already here. I thought I'd surprise them with some cookies my mom baked," Aoi thought, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Kogure then passed the ball to Tetsuo again. "Hey Tetsuo, there's something I'd like to ask you. It's been bothering me for a long time now," Kogure said, voice low but earnest.
Tetsuo shot again and the ball swished through the net effortlessly. "And what's that?" Tetsuo asked, curiosity in his tone.
"Be honest with me, do you like Aoi?"
"What!" Aoi thought to herself, shocked, as she started eavesdropping, her heart suddenly pounding in her chest.
"Of course I like her. She's so hardworking, talented and beautiful. And she's real nice" Tetsuo said, unaware that Aoi was listening.
"Did Tetsuo say that he likes me?" Aoi thought, blushing happily.
"Please don't tell her, I don't want it to be weird between us."Tetsuo's cheeks flushed a soft red as he gripped the basketball tighter against his stomach. The rubber felt warm from the sun, and his fingers dug into the textured surface while he kept his eyes fixed on the ground.
"Your secret is safe with me, however, if I win you in a one-on-one today, you'll have to confess to her the moment you see her," Kogure said, a sly grin spreading across his face.
"Bring it on, It's not like you can win anyway,"Tetsuo added with a teasing laugh.
"Challenge accepted," Kogure said with a confident smile.
"So he feels the same way then," Aoi thought, smiling to herself as warmth bloomed in her chest. "I'll confess to him after school tomorrow," she said silently, excitement bubbling as she ran home
with the cookies still in her hand, heart pounding faster than it had during any swim meet. She couldn't stop smiling.
That was the last time I ever saw him. He vanished without a trace, and Kogure wasn't the same after that day. It was apparent that Kogure knew something about his disappearance, but I didn't question him because he looked like he was hurting inside as well.
Back at Yokonan High School, Aoi still held Tetsuo tightly. Her arms wrapped around him, forehead pressing gently against his chest, clinging to his uniform like she was afraid he'd vanish again if she let go.
Tetsuo's body remained still beneath her grip.
He gently brought his hands up and placed them on her shoulders — not to embrace her, but to peel her away.
Tetsuo gently removed Aoi from off of him. "I'm sorry, but who are you?" he asked, confusioned.
"What do you mean? I'm Aoi Itakura. Don't you remember? I'm the girl you saved from a dog when we were kids," Aoi said, desperation seeping into her voice.
"I don't know you, so don't hug me like that," Tetsuo said bluntly, stepping back.
"But that can't be! When you protected me from the dog, you were bitten in the process," she said, lifting up his pants to show him.
"See, you even have the scar to prove it."
"I'm confused. What is this girl talking about? What is she to Tetsuo?" asked Haruko, her eyes narrowing.
"Looks to me like she's begging for Tetsuo to take her back," Noboru said with a smirk, crossing his arms.
"Shut up, idiot!" Nanaho punched him on the shoulder lightly, rolling her eyes.
"Even if what you say is true, it doesn't change a thing. Time has changed. I've changed. I'm not the same person you knew, and I don't even remember you. If you're telling the truth, that was years ago, and it's time for you to move on," Tetsuo said, his voice steady but cold as he spotted Kogure nearby.
"If you haven't already," he added, turning toward the team then walking towards the gate.
"Let's go, everyone," Yukio called.
"Are you sure about this, Tetsuo?" Haruko asked, her voice barely above a whisper. The wind carried Aoi's trembling breaths as she stood frozen, her fingers clenching the fabric of her skirt, eyes glassy with unshed tears. Haruko's chest tightened at the sight. She hesitated, her shoes scraping lightly against the pavement as she shifted her weight—then finally turned and followed after them, her footsteps dragging behind.
As Aoi watched them leave the school, the weight of her heart breaking pressed her down, and she fell to the ground, tears spilling freely.
Her knees hit the cold tile floor with a soft thud, but she didn't feel it. Her fingers curled against her skirt as her shoulders shook. The sound of retreating footsteps faded into silence, but her mind kept replaying his voice — emotionless, distant.
"I thought that seeing her again would have brought back some of his memories of the past, but it didn't. I'm sorry that you had to go through all that, Aoi," Kogure murmured softly, placing a tentative hand on her shoulder.
"Wait, shoot! I forgot to take his number. Oh well, I could always go over to their school," Kogure thought to himself, worry flickering in his eyes.