Haru blinks at the bag as if he forgot it was there. He pushes it toward me and says, “Feel free to take a look.”
I open the bag and find a single piece of paper inside a plastic sleeve. It’s about the size of my palm. There’s nothing else in here. “Is this all you got? A piece of paper?”
Haru nods.
“Just one?”
“I only needed one.”
I turn it over in my hand. “Is there something special about it?”
“It’s washi,” he says, leaning forward. “See the fibers inside? That’s how you know it’s handmade. The process gets passed down from generations. This one was made in the mountains in Echizen.” He takes a sip of tea. “My family owns a paper store in Osaka. I work there every summer, with my mom. She said it’s important, helping stores like ours. So I always make sure to buy something, even if it’s just a piece of paper.”
I run my fingers over it, noticing the texture. “You’re right, it does feel different. You make your own paper?”
“Not as much these days,” he admits. “I mostly helparound the store. But my dad taught me some other tricks. I’ll show you.” He takes the piece of paper from my hands. I watch curiously as he folds it intricately. Then he slides it back to me. It’s an origami star. Just like the ones hanging outside.
I pick it up from the table. “In honor of the Star Festival?”
“Or of us meeting.”
I look at him. “It is funny how we just met, right? And now we’re here, drinking tea together.”
“Hopefully it isn’t the last time,” he says.
We smile at each other again. Haru runs a hand through his long hair. I take another sip of tea, ignoring the flutter in my stomach. The woman returns to refill our pot and walks off again. Haru pours me another cup and asks, “So how do you like Tokyo so far?”
“It’s been a lot of fun,” I tell him. “I’m actually here on a school trip. But I snuck away this morning to do some filming on my own.”
“What are you working on?”
“I don’t really know yet,” I say with a shrug. “It’s for my senior project next year. I’m still learning to edit things, you know? But I got some shots of the Sumida River. Mostly through the train window, which I think gives it a cool aesthetic. There was this other place I wanted to go, but I didn’t realize how far away it was.”
“Where?”
I take out my phone to show him. “The Shikisai Hills. My sister told me about them. She was here last summer for thesame trip, and said the flowers reminded her of one of our favorite movies.”
Haru glances at the screen. “Howl’s Moving Castle,” Haru says almost instantly. “When he shows her the garden.”
“Yeah, that’s the scene.”
Haru nods knowingly. “I actually haven’t been before. It’s supposed to be beautiful in the summer.” He smiles at me. “We should go together.”
For a second, I imagine us walking through the field of flowers and almost say yes. But I can’t bail on my plans with Daniel tonight. I let out a breath. “I really wish I could. But my friend is waiting for me back at the hotel.” I glance at my phone, realizing how much time has passed. “I should probably get going soon.”
“When are you leaving?”
“My flight is tomorrow.”
His eyes widen. “Tomorrow?”
“I know,” I say. “I wish I had a few more days here.”
“What are you doing tonight?”
“I have plans with my friend,” I say. “The one who’s waiting for me. We’ll probably meet up with the rest of the group, too. Since it’s our last night together.”
A silence passes between us. Then Haru nods and says, “That’s too bad. I would have loved to show you around. But I’m glad we at least got to meet.”
