(It's been so long since I last visited this place... Actually, when was the last time I did?)
Hello.
Welcome... Hey, Haruka!
What's up?
Sorry for the sudden intrusion, but I really just happened to be in the neighborhood.
Hey, Haruka. It's been a while.
Oh, hello. Yes, it really has.
Here, have a seat.
Go ahead and take a break for a while, An.
Yay, thanks!
Haruka, over here!
Alright, the tables in the back here should give us a little more privacy.
Thanks.
Want anything to drink? It'll be on me!
Are you sure about that...?
Yeah, I mean it!
Anything you like!
Hehe. Then, I'll have some milk tea.
Sure thing!
Coming right up!
Here you are.
Oh, you even made yourself one.
Dad said I could take a break for a while...
Which is just his way of saying, “Go take care of Haruka for me!”
Oh, An.
Hehe.
Also, the other day was so much fun!
When the four of us went out together?
Yeah! It was really nice to talk about what we used to do during elementary school too.
Oh, speaking of which! I forgot to tell them about the time you brought that bright blue penguin-shaped lunchbox to school!
You always bring that up when we talk about stuff like this.
To me, you'll always be that girl with the bright blue penguin-shaped lunchbox who secretly eats early lunches with a huge grin on her face during class.
Th-That was when I was in my penguin craze...
The people in class were so taken aback.
Some were even wondering if food that blue was even edible!
Some of them said it looked cute, though...
Really? They did?
Haha! But it's such a classic!
While we're on the subject...
Remember what happened during the sports competition when we were in the fifth and sixth grade?
Fifth and sixth grade...?
Are you talking about when you outran me?!
Hehe. Yeah.
You and I were supposed to have a duel as the anchors for our respective classes during the relay...
But I ended up finishing first because my classmates got the baton to me much sooner than yours...
Yeah, I remember that!
I was like, “I would've had you if we had another lap to go!”
And after that I yelled, “We're having a rematch next year, Haruka! I'm not letting you win next time!”
I was pretty upset about losing, huh?
Yeah, but...
I had to leave partway through the next year because of work.
Yeah...
I'm sorry it had to be that way, An...
Why are you apologizing?
Work is work, right?
Both of my parents work, so I totally get it. They've been telling me the same thing my entire life.
I mean, sure, I was bummed out by what happened, but I'm not mad or anything.
You aren't...? That's a relief.
And thank you for remembering what we did back then.
How can I forget? That's like one of the best things we ever did together.
Come to think of it... Isn't that when you really started working out, Haruka?
That's right... I was still little, so I really couldn't do much back then.
But you're still working out regularly, right? I guess I shouldn't expect anything less.
Hmm...
I probably wouldn't stand a chance against you right now.
Oh? Should I take that as a challenge...?
Maybe.
Again, I'm not mad about you not racing me then, but we've left things undecided, you know?
So, wanna have a quick race at the park?
Wait, are you sure?
People might see you and say online that, “Haruka Kiritani's running like crazy at the park!!”
Hehe. Yeah, right.
Hehe.
Haha.