Chapter 1: Recollect

"Your name is?"

Her question mirrored mine as tears ran down our faces.

I could not shake off the feeling that I had known her before.

"My name is Tachibana Taki," I answered first.

"Tachibana Taki…" she repeated, her tone sounded oddly relieved.

"My name is Miyamizu Mitsuha," she said while wiping her face with the back of her hand.

Miyamizu Mitsuha. The name sounded familiar.

I brushed the tears away from my eyes and swallowed hard as I thought of what to say next.

"Uh… this may sound crazy, but I feel like I've known you in the past. Though I can't remember when or how I met you."

"I have the same feeling."

She took a step toward me and our eyes met; her face full of curiosity.

Her warm brown eyes looked at me with great interest.

A cascade of emotions wracked through me.

The nagging heartache I felt for years subsided as I looked at her.

Was this the thing I have been searching for?

"Were you heading to work?" I asked.

A small smile formed around the edges of her mouth.

"I was going to get some coffee before my shift," she said.

"Would you like to join me?"

It was a beautiful, clear morning. The clouds were mere wisps in the sky with no hint of rain. A cool, gentle breeze danced idly by as warm sunlight radiated down on the parasol. Taki and I sat outside the quaint coffee shop, sipping our drinks quietly in silence.

There were so many things that I want to ask him, but I did not know where to begin.

Tachibana Taki.

Just thinking about his name set my heart aflutter coupled with a sense of familiarity.

But… why?

He was a stranger to me as I am to him.

Yet, sitting here drinking coffee with this person feels like the most natural thing to do.

Now if only someone would say something…

Feeling the silence becoming a bit awkward, I brushed my hair back nervously.

"I like your hair tie," he blurted out.

Our eyes met for a second before I looked away.

His eyes were a nice shade of blue.

"Th-Thanks," I stammered.

Taki rubbed the back of his neck for a moment before speaking again.

"I'm sorry for the awkwardness, Mitsuha," he mumbled. "But I don't know what to say."

"Mitsuha?" I arched an eyebrow, surprised by his lack of honorifics.

"Ah, sorry! Miyamizu-san," he corrected himself.

"It's fine," I replied.

Strange, I honestly did not mind him calling me by first name.

"Don't stress too much, Tachibana-san," I changed the subject. "Just take it slow."

I gave him an encouraging smile.

He mulled over what I said for a minute.

"Alright."

"It's nice to meet you, Miyamizu-san," he lowered his head.

"Nice to meet you too, Tachibana-san," I nodded.

I checked the time on my phone. My boss was going to kill me for being late.

"Sorry, I have to get to work soon. Do you mind if we exchange numbers and resume our discussion some other time?" I asked.

He looked at me in surprise.

It took me a moment to realize what I said was bold and totally out of character.

Did I seriously just asked for his number?

I could feel my cheeks growing hot from embarrassment.

"Of course," he smiled timidly.

"Okay."

I held my phone out against his until a notification signified that the contact was added.

"I'll be going now," I downed the rest of my coffee and gathered my belongings.

"Miyamizu-san," Taki got up. "When is the next time you are free?"

"What happened to taking it slow, Tachibana-san?" I teased him.

"I… uh… that is…" he looked away.

He met my eyes again with newfound determination.

"I want to see you again."

My heart skipped a beat.

"Is that so?" I murmured.

It was my turn to look away.

I paused to collect my thoughts.

"I'll let you know when I have time," I said slowly.

"Really?" his eyes shone.

"Yes," I shouldered my bag.

"Thank you for giving me a chance," he bowed his head.

I waved him good-bye and turned to head toward the station.

"See you," he called after me.

Just take it slow. I echoed those words in my head.

After experiencing an abnormal and irrational morning, I needed time to organize my thoughts and compose myself.

One thing is for sure though.

The something that I have been searching for all this time.

Perhaps I finally found it.