Recently, she noticed that Haru had fully entered the student mode. As far as she knew, it wasn't yet time for midterm exams but he was immersed in intensive studying, often seen carrying a stack of files and reading them devotedly throughout the house. Haru used to join in afternoon club activities on campus, but he preferred to stay in the living room and read these days.

Due to her demanding job as a nurse, she frequently came home late, leaving her with only a little time to catch up with him. While she was curious about his activities, she hesitated to interrupt. Young adults valued their privacy and disliked being intruded upon. In a recent phone call to Midori, she discovered that even the mother was unaware of the son's recent updates. But Midori assured her that Haru was doing well; he had recently started a part-time job at Family Mart near Kunitachi Station, which left him with little time to do anything else. With this information, she felt reassured and concluded that there wasn't much to worry about.

This evening, she managed to arrive home on time. The house was empty; Haru would finish his shift in an hour. If she started cooking now, dinner would be ready when he returned.

She checked the fridge and was surprised to find it fully stocked. She had intended to go grocery shopping with Haru the next day, but it seemed that the boy had already taken care of it himself (she promised herself not to stick the shopping list on the fridge next time to prevent Haru from going shopping alone again). With the evening slightly chilly, she decided that hot oden soup would be the perfect choice.

So, she grabbed some radishes, potatoes, fried tofu, seaweed, and fish cake from the fridge, chopped them into small cubes, and tossed everything into one pot. She then boiled the mix with mirin, soy sauce, and a bit of sake. On another burner, she boiled two eggs and some shirataki noodles. To spice up the flavor, she made the broth extra thick and threw in some simmered spring onions. Once the eggs were ready, she peeled off the shells and dropped them, along with the shirataki, into the soup. When she was done, the whole house filled with this amazing, mouth-watering aroma.

"I'm home."

Right on time! "Welcome back!"

She called him to the dining room to join her for dinner. Though the boy looked tired, his face brightened when he saw the oden soup. She handed him a bowl and his chopsticks.

"Thanks for helping with the groceries. I'll pay you back after dinner."

"That's okay, Nishii-san. I just got paid for my part-time."

"And you should keep that money for yourself," she sighed. "I should've gone shopping earlier, but these are crazy times at the hospital. It's the season change, and all those people are flooding in with their pollen allergies..."

Haru chuckled. "I hope I didn't miss anything from your list."

"Oh, no. Not at all. You bought everything." She stopped, noticing something from Haru's answer. "Did you go shopping on your own? You didn't ask Yuki to come help you?"

"That's okay. Yuki was busy. I didn't want to bother him."

"But there was a lot to buy. How did you carry all these stuff? Did you take a cab?"

"No, I borrowed Suzuki-san's bike. She was really kind."

"You could've called me. I could drive you home."

"It was nothing, Nishii-san. Really."

She was grateful that Midori had raised a remarkable young man. Most kids his age in Tokyo wouldn't bother with grocery shopping or household chores at all.

"After we eat, could you please bring some oden to Yuki? I've set his portion aside."

Haru said nothing but just nodded without looking at her.

"Why? What's wrong?"

Haru blew on his oden for a while before answering, "I have something to ask you about our neighbor." He sounded hesitant. "Have you ever been to his apartment upstairs?"

"I have. Yuki got sick several times, and I took care of him."

"You must have seen the photograph at the altar."

"He only mentioned that this young man was his best friend and passed away several years ago, before Yuki came to Tokyo. That's all I know."

Haru's face looked slightly disappointed, obviously hoping for a deeper explanation.

"What happened? Did Yuki say something to you?"

Haru took a spoonful of his soup. "I just happened to deliver a bowl of curry to him a few days ago, and he let me come upstairs to have dinner. I saw that photo. We talked, he told me about his parents and his plan to visit Misawa..."

"He started to open himself more to you."

"Yeah. Until I asked about that photo. I couldn't help it because he seemed really sad, and I thought the young man was his brother. All of a sudden he cut me off. He said he needed to do something and kinda kicked me out. We haven't spoken much since. I know it was rude of me for asking around, but I just don't understand why he had to react so... extra."

"Next time, just steer clear of the topic completely from that photo," she advised. "Yuki is so attached to that photograph, and he doesn't like when people talk about it. He had a high fever once but refused to be hospitalized because he didn't want to leave the photo alone."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Haru looked down, as if he was trying to find more answers from his soup.

Her phone buzzed. A call from Midori. She fished it out of her satchel, placed it on the table and turned on the speaker.

"Hey, Aiko. What's up?"

"I'm having dinner with Haru-kun. He's right here, listening."

"What are you doing, Mother?" Haru chimed in.

"We just finished eating. Grandma wasn't feeling well and had gone to bed early," said Midori. "Aiko, I wanna get your thoughts on something."

"Didn't you hear me say your son and I are having dinner?"

"Don't be so posh. You always talk when you eat." Midori chuckled. "If I don't ask you, then who else should I ask? Do you think this mountain behind my house can give me advice?"

Haru blushed and scolded in a hushed voice, "Mother! Please call back later!"

"This is important, Haru. I'll be quick," Midori insisted. "So, listen... the hanami season is in full swing now, and more foreign tourists are heading to Yoshino every day. I'm thinking about setting up a dance hall at the ryokan. We still have some space. I haven't brought this up with Takeshi yet, but I wanted to know what you think, Aiko. Wouldn't it be romantic if the guests could dance under the sakura? I'm picturing it like something out of a movie."

Midori never fails to surprise her with interesting ideas. "Of course, you want a dance hall! Remember when we were young, and everyone called you the dancing queen?"

"Aiko, are you trying to embarrass me in front of my son, you old bat?" Midori burst into laughter, having to pause to catch some air. "I mean, I could be the dancing queen, but you're the one who found love on the dance floor! How could you forget that?"

...

Midori's flowing skirt swirled like a fan as she spun gracefully. Adachi, her dance partner, reached for her hand, and she twirled back into him. Onlookers began to move aside, creating a larger space for the couple to dance in.

"Sato-san is really a good dancer," praised Felix-san.

I nodded in agreement. Midori had been extravagant and high-spirited like that from day one. "She was always the first one on the dance floor at any event or party. My mother said it's because she's a fire horse."

"Fire horse?"

"Her Chinese zodiac."

He grinned. "I'm thinking a prancing pony."

"That's more like it."

The crowd clapped and sang along to the catchy rhythm of Morning Musume's hit song, "Morning Machine." Midori was in her element, jumping and stomping to the beat, and the boys cheered every time she made a move. Caught up in the music, she didn't even notice that her skirt had rolled up to her thighs as she twirled around. It reminded me of a famous photograph of Marilyn Monroe standing over a subway vent, giggling as her dress floated upwards. Adachi looked excited and overwhelmed by Midori's energy. From his expression, I could tell that the poor guy just couldn't keep up.

The song ended, and Midori received a standing ovation. Everyone praised her and asked her to dance on another number, but Midori bowed victoriously and thanked the crowd. Adachi went to order more drinks – and probably to catch some breath – while the prancing pony returned to our table, her face red and sweaty.

"Hey, Aiko. What's the point of coming to a dance club if you just sit there?"

"This is your time to shine. I'm being a supportive friend here."

"Well, now it's your time! Get up, show them your moves!"

This hag. I glared at Midori. She knows too damn well that I had no moves!

"Felix-san," Midori elbowed Felix. "Please ask her to dance!"

As if conspiring with Midori, the tempo of the music shifted from fast to slow. The popular song First Love by Utada Hikaru swayed into the club. Midori smiled triumphantly and urged me to get up and dance. I knew there was no use trying to make excuses for not dancing to such a slow song.

"Nishii-san," Felix stretched out his hand. "Shall we dance?"

My heart fluttered with excitement. I should play shy and waited to be asked the second time but I just couldn't resist. What if he never asked me again? What if he asked someone else instead? Dancing with Felix-san was something I really wanted.

Steeling my nerves, I took a deep breath and placed my hand in his outstretched one.

"Please lead the way."

Felix-san's smile widened. He motioned for me to follow him onto the dance floor. Other couples joined us, but my focus remained solely on him as he guided me into position.

"Place your left hand on my right shoulder," he directed. "And I'll place my right hand gently on your waist. Is that comfortable for you?"

I nodded and followed his instructions. Felix-san's shoulders were broad and defined, typical of a seaman. His hand resting on my waist was firm yet gentle. He was the first man, besides Father, whom I allowed to touch me. In fact, he was the only one who had ever touched me. Despite having gone out just four times in the last three months, we had never crossed that physical boundary. I only helped him improve his Japanese, making his speaking smoother.

Felix-san extended his left hand. I welcomed him and our bodies inched closer.

"I hope I won't accidentally step on your foot," I remarked.

"Don't worry; I'm not the best dancer either," he reassured me. "I only learned the steps yesterday when you agreed to go out with me. I practiced with someone else on the ship." He grinned, adding, "But dancing with you is much more enjoyable than with him."

"Let's do it together then."

Felix-san nodded. "Together."

I closed my eyes and let the music guide my feet. It was amazing what music could do even for a novice dancer like me.

"This song..." Felix-san whispered. "What's the title?"

"First Love. It was only released a few months ago."

"I like it."

"Me too."

The lights from the lamps bounced in Felix-san's eyes, making them sparkle. He had dark brown, coffee-colored irises, giving off such an old soul vibe. They looked quite striking in contrast against his youthful face.

"Correct me if I'm wrong. The lyrics... it's a song about separation."

"You're right. The girl in this song was abandoned by her lover. But she promised to still love the guy with all her heart, because he was her first love."

"You are always gonna be my love..." hummed Felix-san, quoting the song's lyrics.

"Even if I fell in love with someone else," I continued.

Saying those words made my heart ache. The words expressed what I was truly feeling at this moment: a longing for togetherness, a fear of abandonment. I couldn't let him go again for the fifth time. I knew it was temporary, but was it wrong wanting him to stay?

"Felix-san, when are you going to leave Yokohama?"

He caught the glimpse of my feelings and diverted his sight. "Tomorrow."

That answer shattered my heart. This was too fast! I wanted to say something, but my words were trapped behind my shivering lips. Instead, tears started to pour out. I wanted more time to get to know him, to chat with him, to dance with him, to hear his laughter, and stroll on the beach with him. I wish that somehow I could freeze time and enjoy this moment forever.

But he's a sailor, a little voice whispered from somewhere deep inside me.

"Thanks for saying yes to going out. Dancing with you makes me really happy," Felix-san said. "You're beautiful, kind, and friendly. I like you. I know it's too soon, but—"

We Japanese believe that the feeling of liking someone is sacred, the voice inside me grew louder, drowning out my words. You can't just claim what belongs to the sea, Aiko, unless he surrenders himself to you.

"You are a very good man, Felix-san."

That was all I could say.

Felix-san's face turned pale, washed in disappointment. "I understand. If you don't mind, I want us to keep in touch even though we are far apart."

"Please write me letters and call me if possible."

"I promise," Felix-san smiled. "I'll be gone for a long time. Tomorrow my ship departs to Hachinohe in Aomori, then on to Vladivostok in Russia. It won't be back to Yokohama for six months. I understand it's selfish of me to ask a girl like you to wait, but do you think that's too long?"

"It's not." I leaned my head on his shoulder. "I will be here when you come back."

https://youtu.be/o1sUaVJUeB0