Love Tide on Your Heart Shore – Chapter 1The Me Who Still Yearns
Why is this memory still so vivid?Her cold body in my arms under the sea, god rays piercing the surface. For a split moment, I thought of dying there too—but her grip was strong, clinging to life, strong enough that it saved me back then.
"I should postpone my death plan."
BeepBeepBeep
The alarm rang…
Ah, that dream again—or memory.
"Haiko, come here and give your human some cuddles."I turned off my annoying alarm and called my silver tabby cat. Haiko usually sleeps with me, but she's totally mad when breakfast is even one minute late.
"Well, I deserve a punishment, right? Haiko, just one cuddle, please."I patted her head while begging for a cuddle.That look… definitely a no-cuddle look.
First thing in the morning is obviously fixing my princess' bad mood, so I served her favourite wet food.
"Now it's time for your human to get ready."Haiko ignored me completely and gave me her classic 'Don't disturb my brekky time' glare.
I quickly grabbed some espresso and bread with blueberry jam I had made the other day. Today I arrived late at the university since Golden Week just ended. It wasn't too cold, but a knitted cardigan never goes wrong. It's usually a two-station ride from home to university.
I entered the "School of Marine Life Sciences" department of Tokyo University, where I am doing my masters
"Good morning, Professor."I greeted my professor and asked about her Golden Week. I usually call her Tsubasa-sensei. She taught me during my bachelor's and is now my supervisor for my master's.
"Elena," the sensei called my name with hesitation.No way…No way this is happening. That was the first thought that popped into my brain.
"Tsubasa-sensei, you agreed to my one condition for joining your lab. Or maybe you're still hungover?"Sensei was staring at me with puppy eyes—as if she already knew what my answer would be.
My condition had been simple:"I'll work under your supervision as long as it's only me."
"Our research funds can only be approved if we take at least one student. Otherwise, we're done for. Just look at the file I compiled. Many promising students want to join our lab, so please just look at it."Sensei's tone was serious. That could only mean one thing—Big sharks are approaching the butterfly fish.
"So it's admin again, right?" I asked. Sensei nodded.I couldn't say no, even though I suck at working with others.
"Okay, I'll take a look at the profiles. But only one student—otherwise I'm out, and your shark tank pitch is over."Sensei's eyes sparkled like she just won the lottery.
"Oh, right, one student is from your hometown. Her research project and grades are impressive. Just… make sure you don't dwell on the past and give her a fair shot."
Her words stung.It can't be her. No way it's her…But some part of me—hoped it was her.
The one who made my high school bearable,the one with big doe eyes and a gentle voice,the one who doodled my face during lectures,the one I left behind on the mercy of fate.
My heart and mind collided as I flipped through the profiles.
"I hope it's her… and if it's her—Aomi—then I'll make sure she says those words this time."I sighed and picked up the last profile.
The picture was low quality, so I squinted. Then I saw the name.
"No wayyyyyyy in hell.""Are you kidding me? No wayyy."
I nearly fell off the chair.
Aomi Yazawa.
My heart beat so loudly I could hear it.
"So it is her… I win the gamble of fate now, right?"I immediately emailed Tsubasa-sensei.This time, I won't let our fates fall apart.This time, I'll hold on.
Past regrets flooded my mind, unspoken words, our last meeting at the station, her hopeless sight waving me a goodbye, but I hoped she get selected this time.
"This time I will give you the push you needed, Aomi Yazawa." The girl with a voice of tranquillity, just like a blue sea. The one who lived up to her name always comforted me.A hopeless prayer engraved my heart while I was touching my helix piercing.
Sensei returned from the meeting while I worked on genome typing.
"Sensei, read your emails," I said eagerly. My heart was pounding like crazy.
"So this time you're not letting the past hold you back. You're ready to face it," she said calmly.
"I'm… not sure…"Sensei smiled knowingly.
"Should I conduct the interview tomorrow then? Want to join?"My breath hitched.I knew I would faint if I heard Aomi's voice.It's been five years. Everything inside me was shaking.
"Elena Nanase, come back to the shore, ma'am…"Sensei's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
"I'll stay behind the curtain."
Sensei chuckled."What are you? A kid meeting a distant relative?"
"Huh?"Well… the feeling was like going back to school after a long break, when everything has changed.I needed Haiko and her cuddles right now.
"Okay then, stay behind the curtain. I'm happy you're amending your condition."
She sounded like a parent who just won an argument.
"Sensei, don't tease me. And I didn't give my final yes yet, so make sure the interview impresses me.""Also, I'm logging out."
"Take care on your way back home," she said.
On my train ride home, a single wish echoed in my mind:
May the universe bring us together this time.Aomi Yazawa, the scaredy-cat I once knew…. No I was the scaredy cat
"I'm home.""Meow."Haiko came running to greet me.
"Welcome home, nya."
I hold haiko in my arms. Now it's my turn to make sure my love tides reach your heart shore, I mumbled and haiku meowed.