Chapter 22
22
Haruki - 19 years old
Spring Semester, Start of University for Haruki
I smile to myself, noticing the bounce in my step and the lightness of my shoulders. In Japan, the academic year starts on the first of April, together with the bloom of sakura. My mother always theorized that it was because, just like flowers in the spring, young adults should bloom during this time. My mother was right. I feel like I’m finally going somewhere with my life. And I feel her with me, guiding me every step of the way.
Haruki Sano. First-year student, majoring in photography with a focus on commercial photography. The university I’m attending requires us to pick a focus. Since they don’t offer nature photography, it was either that or photojournalism, but I don’t mind. Besides, these things are semantics. Everything is portfolio-based in the end, anyway.
I open the door to the house I ran away from last year. Things really do happen for a reason. Lily’s mother did what she did with malicious intent, but she ended up reconnecting me with my father. As much as I miss Bryce every second of every day, I wouldn’t trade the life that I have right now for anything. It just sucks that I can’t have my cake and eat it, too. Soon, Haruki. Soon.
My phone vibrates in my hand. Without even opening the message, I already know that my father is reminding me that I have to edit the pictures and videos of a listing he needs online by tomorrow morning. As I quickly make my way to my room so I can do what he’s asking of me, my phone vibrates a second time. This time it’s longer, and my heart feels as light as my steps when I see who is on the other end.
“You’re already awake,” I squeal, not bothering to hide my happiness that he’s calling. Bryce is still lying in bed by the looks of it. His blond hair is tousled on top of the white pillow. If I were there, I would gently run my fingers through it.
“Yeah,” he answers with a sleepy voice. “I set an alarm so I can catch you before your next class. I know you have a big break in between today.”
“You memorized my class schedule, didn’t you?”
A cheeky smile spreads across his face, making me yearn to be next to him and kiss his lips even more. “And your work schedule. Ever since you started college, you’ve been a busy girl. I miss you, Haruki.”
“I miss you, too.” My voice falters when I continue, “So much.” Bryce doesn’t say anything. By the way his blue eyes are angled down at the screen, I know he’s looking at me, probably trying to make out what I’m thinking. But he doesn’t have to give it a lot of thought, he knows what’s on my mind. I miss him. Not wanting to make this phone call a sad one, I give him a small smile and change the subject. “How’s Berlin? Are you used to public transport yet? Or do you still miss driving everywhere?”
“You know the answer to that, Haruki. I miss my car. I might miss it more than I miss you.”
I shake my head as giggles come out of both of us. “You’re so spoiled.”
“Don’t I know it.” Bryce yawns and lies on his side, giving me a small peek at his nightstand, where a framed photo of us sits. “So I was thinking…what about San Francisco?”
“Really? You want us to move to San Francisco after I graduate?”
“Why not?” He shrugs. “The city is pretty cool.”
“What about Tokyo?”
“Do you think I’d be able to get by without knowing Japanese?”
“You’ll survive. You can always learn. Or you can always start a YouTube channel,” I joke.
To ease the pain of long-distance, Bryce and I have started looking at cities we could move together as a joke. We know that realistically speaking, we can’t do anything about it until he graduates, but it makes for a fun activity. Besides, everyone likes to daydream, right?
“Hi, and thanks for watching my video. This is a day in the life of Bryce Simmons. Today, we’re going to be getting groceries at a Japanese supermarket. Continue watching to check out my haul!”
I crack up at the sound of his fake, chirpy voice. “Don’t be so quick to hate, Bryce. Some of these vloggers make a ton of money.”
“And they spend it all on those five-hundred-dollar snack hauls. I know.”
As we are both laughing, a notification pops up on top of my phone. It’s a message from my brother, Kenji, asking me whether I have edited the promotional materials for the listing. “Sorry, Bryce, but I have to go. I have to squeeze in some work time before I go back out.” His lips thin, but he doesn’t try to convince me to stay. He knows better. Sadly, I know better, too. Soon, Haruki. Soon.
“Alright. I better get ready as well. Love you, baby.”
“Love you, too, Bryce,” I reply before pressing the red button that ends our scheduled Tuesday FaceTime call. Work. Class. FaceTime. Repeat. It’s my new grind, but I know it will be worth it.
Soon, Haruki. Soon.