Five Centimeters Per Second

My name is Kotaro Naoe. Age: 17. Class: 2B. Or at least it was until I moved from Tokyo to Misaki Town located in the southern end of Osaka Prefecture yesterday with my mom. Everywhere I looked, mountains loomed high and whenever the wind blew from Osaka Bay in the northwest, the air smelled and tasted like salt.

It's not that I hated Misaki. I called this town home ten years ago. I saw familiar faces at school today, but no one recognized me. All the relationships I formed had disappeared under the fabric of time. This town no longer felt like home. That's what saddened me.

On my way home from school, I stopped at a playground in Misaki Park surrounded by trees. I gazed at the rusted swing set, dented slides, and broken seesaw with a sense of nostalgia.

Suddenly, I felt someone's gaze on me. From the corner of my eye, I saw a silhouette join the rows of students heading home. Right when I decided to join them, my phone vibrated. When I checked the display, my feet ground to a halt.

I received a friend request from Haru Sakurano on Facebook. His name looked like an illusion on my screen created by the haze rising from the burning concrete. With sweaty hands, I opened the app and accepted his request. Seconds later, a message arrived.

          Haru: I didn't expect to see you back. Don't you dare message me until you remember what you did!

Could that person have been Haru just now?

Haru was my best friend when I lived in Misaki. Knowing he remembered me after ten years, a flood of emotions surged through me. Suppressing the urge to scream his name to find him in the crowd, I moved my thumbs to formulate a reply.

          Me: It's good to hear from you, Haru!

          Haru: If I need to be bored to sleep, I'll message you again. I'm busy ignoring you right now.

His immediate reply made my happiness evaporate in the heat. He seemed angry at me for some reason. Maybe it was best to let him cool down for now. I sighed in resignation as I made my way home.

☆☆☆

The bell rang at 12:10, signaling the start of lunch. As I made my way to the cafeteria, I passed by many students happily chatting with their friends. I used to spend my lunches like that in Tokyo. Even on my second day in Misaki High, I didn't have anyone I could have lunch with.

I wonder if I should eat outside today...

As I considered the thought, someone popped out of the corner in a hurry and crashed into me. I didn't take any damage, but I couldn't say the same for the lunchbox that slipped out of the person's hands. As if everything was moving in slow motion, I quickly knelt and caught the box before it's contents spilled with both hands.

"That was close," I sighed in relief, eyeing the lunchbox, making sure its contents were safe. "Are you okay?"

The moment I raised my head, I forgot how to speak. A girl with a flawless visage graced my presence. Her flowing black hair reached down to her hips, contrasting with her white skin. Her black pupils reflected my image as she looked down on me in displeasure, radiating an icy beauty. Despite wearing the same uniform as all the faceless girls in my class, she stood out like a lone cherry blossom tree blooming in the height of spring.

"How long do you plan on staring with that dumb expression?" she spoke. "Give back what you stole."

Her harsh voice and frigid expression made me stand up straight with a jolt. "Right! Sorry, here you go!" I offered her the lunchbox with both hands while lowering my head in apology.