That's when he spotted her again. After she had passed him, he lost sight of her, only for her to reappear.
She emerged from a small garden shed, a new-looking watering can in hand. As she carried it over to a nearby spigot, the subtle hum of a tune drifted through the morning air.
Isao watched as she filled the can, lifting it once it was full. She took a moment to admire it, smiling with quiet satisfaction. He wondered if this was the reason she had been skipping earlier, a simple excitement over something new.
His gaze lingered as she moved from flower patch to flower patch, carefully tending to each one. Was she in a gardening club? He hadn't even known their school had one.
Then, suddenly, their eyes met.
She had moved closer than he'd realized, now standing just a few feet away. The empty watering can is secured tightly in her hands.
"Hello."
Her voice was soft but steady, and the unexpected greeting made Isao straighten instinctively.
He hesitated for a beat before nodding in return.
"Are you waiting for someone?"
Her dark brown eyes held a calm curiosity, nothing intrusive, just an easy question.
Isao froze slightly, not sure how to answer.
"No..." he finally murmured, his voice low and gravely. His eyes shifted under her gaze.
Talking to people, especially strangers, wasn't exactly his strong suit. His friends knew that. Even with them, he could carry a conversation on his own but they always made it flow naturally, but with someone new, he felt a creeping awkwardness settle in his bones.
Maybe she sensed it because, after a moment, she took a step back. Her attention drifted downward, fingers lightly tapping the handle of the watering can.
Isao exhaled, his body subtly relaxing.
Neither of them said anything else, the moment stretching in quiet, but it wasn't uncomfortable.
Then, as if summoned, a small frog hopped into view.
Her gaze snapped toward it immediately, her focus shifting completely. Isao watched as she crouched down, studying the tiny creature with deep concentration like nothing else in the world existed.
Something about her quiet fascination struck him. The way she observed things so intently, yet carried such an easy presence; it had a strange, settling effect on him.
Before he even realized it, he let out a small chuckle under his breath.
She didn't notice. At the very least, she ignored it.
Isao glanced back at the vending machine, absently scanning the options; then his heart sank.
It was out.
The Blue Raspberry Lemonade soda, gone.
He stiffened, eyes flicking over the empty slot again as if the drink might suddenly reappear. How had he not noticed earlier?
The realization hit like a weight in his chest, crushing his plan entirely.
He sighed, his shoulders deflating slightly.
So much for running into the Blue Raspberry girl.