The aluminum vibrated in my hands as the ball ricocheted off the bat with a thundering crack. With mud jammed in between the spikes of my cleats and the sun beating on my skin, screams shot out from the bleachers for me to run. Lunging forward, I slammed one foot down after the other, pushing myself off the ground as I rounded first base and headed straight for second. Adrenaline pumped through my veins and the racing blood muffled my hearing. Where to look? A quick glance to the outfield revealed the ball was rapidly honing in.

I might not make it.

"Down!" someone shouted, and I immediately flopped onto my stomach with arms outstretched as I slid over gravel into second base.

"Go third Himari-chan! She fumbled the ball!"

Stumbling onto my feet I made headway towards third base, throwing myself to the ground once again just as the ball made a loud smack into the baseman's glove.

The players on the sidelines roared as one of my teammate's stepped over home plate. I, too, pumped a fist into the air. Down by two, we had just scored another run for the team. With newfound confidence, I then readied myself to take my lead, that is, until I felt a droplet of water land on my wrist. Confused, I turned my head to the sky as another drop landed on my nose. Then the clouds began to shower.

Shrills sounded throughout the field as players and onlookers collected their things and scampered towards shelter. In this kind of weather, there was no way they would be able to continue the game. The neighborhood would have to gather and play another day.

"Himari-san! Let's go!" a young voice called as my hand was grabbed and tugged out of the playground, across the street, and underneath the awning of a shop.

Out of breath and sopping wet, I rested my hands on my knees and watched the droplets of water drip from my purple fringes. In between deep gulps of air, I asked the figure beside me, "They never said the weather was going to be like this, right Kisumi?"

"Well, during summer the weather can get pretty unpredictable in Iwatobi. But you did really well out there, Himari-san! No wonder you're on the softball team."

Himari-san? That was not the voice of my cousin. Slowly raising my head, I was met with a pair of gentle emerald eyes. The voice was an octave deeper, height a couple inches taller, but the face was definitely the same.

"Makoto?" The blush dusting his cheeks at the lack of honorific was a dead giveaway. I exclaimed again, "Makoto?! It's been a while!"

His lips spread into a genuine smile. "The last time we saw each other was spring break, huh?"

"Yeah, I would've hung out with you guys more this summer but I had to stay back in Tokyo because my team wanted to practice. Too bad we didn't win nationals this year. But oh my Gooood you got so much taller! What are they feeding you?!" Seeing him wear an uneasy grin made me giggle. "I kid, I kid. Anyways, what are you doing here? Where's Haruka?"

"Probably at home. I was actually out running errands for my mom when I spotted Kisumi in the stands. His pink hair is kinda hard to miss."

I smiled at the image of my cousin bouncing on the balls of his feet, hollering in the bleachers, with strands of sakura-shaded hair flopping around his forehead. Although I inherited the same violet eyes as him, the odd pink do which ran in the family skipped me apparently; my genes opting for an almost black, dark purple.

"I think Kisumi went to get your stuff by the way," Makoto continued. "How have you been doing, Himari-san? Summer break in Tokyo usually end around this time right? Will you be heading back to your mom's soon?"

"Himari," I corrected. "And yeah. I'm actually heading back later this afternoon."

"Alone?" A hint of worry crept its way into his voice.

"Yes, Makoto. You're still ever the worry wart. I can handle a train ride no problem! You know I do this every break."

"I know, I know. It's a habit," he said with a teasing smile.

"Anyways, how has high school been treating you? You just started the second term, right?"

"It's been great. My classmates are all nice and the campus is a decent size. The fields are large and tended to. The curriculum isn't that bad either."

"By the way, Kisumi told me. Are you really not planning to do swimming again this year? It's not too late to join. You really liked it back in middle school."

"Mm. Yeah. Some things happened. I... I have to take care of my siblings so it's been kind of busy at home."

"Hmm." I pursed my lips. "Are you sure?"

Makoto paused. Then nodded his head once, avoiding eye contact. Something was troubling him but it wasn't my place to pry so I left it alone.

"Well, whatever you say, I guess." After an awkward beat, I decided it was best to change the subject. "Hey, my school is having a Cultural festival some time this October. Why don't you and Haruka come? It'll be fun! I'll force Kisumi to come along too-"

"Ehh what's this," a nasally voice interrupted as a soaked duffel was tossed at my feet. "The prince trying to save the princess? Or in this case, should I say a muddy toad?"

Violet eyes the same shade as my own, with pink hair matter to his scalp, along with a mischievous grin, eyed my completely bedraggled form. My brows furrowed in irritation.

"If anyone is going to need saving it's going to be you Kisumi-Sakura-hime!" I started chasing him in circles prepared to tackle him.

"You guys," Makoto sighed in exasperation.

After a good couple minutes of chatting, Makoto mentioned that his mom would be needing the groceries soon for dinner. Bidding goodbye with a promise that we would hang out next break, he dashed out from under the awning with grocery bags in tow. Kisumi and I waited a bit longer for the rain to die down before heading back to my dad's.

With a lanky figure, glasses perched on the tip of his nose and a slight pink stubble growing beneath, my father sighed the moment he saw Kisumi and me walk through the door. A carefree character, Dad didn't care much for his outward appearance. The only time he ever dressed up was when his editor was coming over or he had to attend a business meeting with the company. Most of the time he spent cooped up indoors illustrating manga. But dirt and grime was something he did not tolerate in this household. He liked his cleanliness.

"Wait. Don't move another muscle."

We stood in the genkan, watching my dad travel back and forth before procuring a bundle of newspapers. One by one he laid them out, up the stairs, to the door of the bathroom. Beside the door, he set down a few more sheets.

"Walk on the newspaper only. Someone get in the bath now, please. Whoever is waiting please wait outside here," he said gesturing to the square of newspapers by the door.

"Uncle! You're hilarious," Kisumi exclaimed as he slipped off his shoes and stepped on to the newspaper. "Himari! I'll be using the bathroom first!"

"Hey! No fair," I shouted, kicking off my shoes to chase after him.

"No running you kids!"

Standing in front of the train station underneath the safety of our umbrellas, the three of us-Dad, Kisumi, and me-prepared to say our goodbyes.

"Make sure you guys don't get caught up in a storm again alright? Summer weather can get quite unpredictable," Dad warned.

"We know," the two of us sing-songed.

"You have all your luggage, right? You didn't leave anything behind, Himari?"

"I don't think so."

"Alright. Do good in school, then. It's about to be fall soon so make sure you wear a jacket." I watched Dad in amusement as he scratched at his beard while thinking of what else to say. "Make sure you eat three meals a day. Stay away from boys. Call me once in a while. Uhh, that's about it. I'll see you during winter break. Take care you two. Kisumi, make sure she transfers to the Tokyo line alright."

"Will do, Uncle."

"I can handle things just fine, Dad," I said with a sigh yet did nothing to mask the smile plastered on my face.

"Hey, I'm just doing my job as a dad. Now off you go."

Waving goodbye, Kisumi and I entered the station.

All jokes and pranks aside, Kisumi was a reliable person and my closest family member aside from my parents. Ever since my parents had separated during my last year at Sano Elementary, to avoid a custody battle it was decided that I would spend my school years in Tokyo with my mother where the education was supposedly better, and I would spend holiday breaks in my father's hometown of Iwatobi. Kisumi was my rock and the only stable thing that did not change during that time of turmoil. Because the majority of our elementary friends either left town, lost contact, or went to study abroad, he kept me sociable by introducing his middle school mates and always inviting me places so I wouldn't be cooped up alone. That's how I got to meet Makoto, Haruka, and the others. Only this last spring break I was unable to visit due to my club commitments. Otherwise, it was always fun being with him.

"Hey Kisumi, so all your friends ended up going to different high schools, huh?"

"Yeah. But I think Haru and Makoto both go to Iwatobi High together. Why? What's up?"

"Nothing. I just realized you won't be going to school with any of your old classmates. Aren't you a little lonely?"

"Well, I would be lying if I said I wasn't. But Asahi and I still chat on a daily basis even though he's out in Kyushu. And besides, sometimes the nervousness of making new friends is a little fun. Tokyo is way bigger which means more people and-" A childish tune playing throughout the station on the intercom made Kisumi break away from the conversation. "Hey, your train is coming. Better get ready."

The train came at a slow roll into the station and stopped with a wheeze. Letting Kisumi know that I would text him when I arrived at Tokyo, I gave him a quick hug before boarding the North-bound train. We waved to each other until he disappeared from view.

Note: The academic year at a Japanese school normally begins in April and ends the following March. Summer (late July - late August), winter (late December to early January), and spring (late February - early April) breaks are roughly a month each.

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