When I Go Back in Time, My Ex-wife Is Making a Passionate Approach to Me, and I’m Having Trouble With It
I was looking at the two tickets in my hand.
Kyoka had given me these two tickets when we parted.
“Those are tickets to the aquarium. I have two tickets and I’ll give them to you. Kurosaki-san, go ask her out and tell her quickly.”
Kyoka’s words echoed in my head.
I was pondering in my head how I should start the conversation.
I rarely go out with Haruka except for going to the movies. I was wondering how to ask Haruka out. On the way home after club activities. Kyoka says she has something to do and goes away. Now it’s just Haruka and me.
“That’s unusual. I can’t believe she left us alone.”
“I don’t think so.”
“I’m sure it’s possible. She followed us to the movies yesterday.”
“I think she just wanted to see the movie.”
In fact, I think she wanted to talk to me. Yesterday, Kyoka pushed me to make a decision. She couldn’t see that I couldn’t make a decision, so she gave me a push.
I need to respond to Kyoka’s wish. This is not the time to be a downer.
“Hey Haruka. Are you free next Saturday?”
“I don’t have any plans.”
“Then, will you go with me to the aquarium? I have extra tickets and I don’t want to go alone.”
“I’ll go.”
Haruka replied with a biting smile.
“I wonder when was the last time Ryo invited me to something other than a movie. I’ll definitely go.”
Haruka says with a twinkle in her eye.
I was relieved that I was able to ask Haruka out without incident.
The week passed quickly, and the Saturday of the weekend arrived. I left my house and waited for Haruka at the station where we were to meet. Haruka arrived a little earlier than the time. When she sees me, she puts her hand over her mouth with a surprised look on her face.
“Ryo is here before time.”
“That’s how it used to be.”
“Yes. I’ve been defaulting to coming in just in time lately.”
Even I know that I can’t be late on an important confession day.
Haruka was dressed even more professionally than usual. Her outfit had a soft color scheme and her flowing pleated skirt gave off an air of refinement.
It was clear that today was a date that Haruka was very serious about.
“Let’s go then.”
I said and pulled Haruka’s hand. We hold hands for the first time in a while. Haruka’s hand stiffened in surprise.
“What’s wrong today? Why did you hold my hand?”
“As a thank you for accompanying me to the aquarium, I’ll be your escort today.”
Haruka put her hand on her chest and smiled happily. I have not seen Haruka’s face like this in many years. I guess it was my fault for not giving her this look.
I went through the ticket gate and stepped out onto the station platform. A train was coming in, so I got on. There were no seats available. I stood protecting Haruka and held the strap.
“I hadn’t been to the aquarium in years.”
“Well. I’ve never been.”
“I guess I haven’t been since I was a kid.”
The aquarium is quite far from where we live. Even when we were younger, Haruka and I both loved movies, so it wasn’t on our list of possible date spots.
After an hour on the train, we arrived at our destination and got off the train. When we went through the ticket gate and went outside, it was drizzling outside.
“An aquarium is a great place for a date on a rainy day.”
Haruka opens her folding umbrella. Good thing she’s prepared.
I don’t have an umbrella.
“Yes, you can come in.”
Haruka holds out the umbrella to me. I take it and get under the umbrella with Haruka.
“We haven’t shared an umbrella in a long time.”
“Yes, it has.”
Memories of when we were young come back to me. I was always wetting my shoulders. I was filled with nervousness and anxiety. I always tilted my umbrella toward Haruka, not wanting her to get wet. I remember Haruka would notice and get angry.
I tilted my umbrella toward Haruka.
“You haven’t changed since then. Ryo was still leaning his umbrella toward me, his shoulders wet.”
“You noticed?”
“Of course I noticed. How many years do you think I’ve been with you?”
Yeah. We have been together for more than ten years. We know each other well, and we’ve seen a lot of things we don’t like.
“It’s quite a walk to the aquarium.”
“Yeah, it is. Almost there.”
We both walk slowly and enjoy this time together. I’m sure Haruka and I will be sharing an umbrella with each other in the future. If my confession succeeds, it will continue for a long time to come.
We get to the aquarium, show them our tickets, and go inside. I put away my folded umbrella, and Haruka wraps her arms around me.
“Hey.”
“It’s okay. You’re going to escort me today, right?”
We leave our bags in the coin lockers and stand in front of the aquarium tank in the center.
It’s big. A very large aquarium jumped out at us. A variety of fish are swimming about at their leisure. A large school of sardines moves around, reflecting the light.
“They are so beautiful. Those fish are so cute.”
“Yes, they are. I’m overwhelmed.”
The size of the tank, the size of the fish, it’s overwhelming.
We observed the tank in the center of the museum for a while and took a lot of pictures.
It was dimly lit, and we felt as if we were under the sea.
“Let’s go over there too.”
Haruka took me by the hand and I followed her lead. It was Saturday and the place was crowded. It is common sense to hold hands so as not to get separated.