12 [12] Bicycle Stuffs Happened!

The sun cast a gentle morning glow over the Miyamura household as Izumi prepared for a special day. He had a break from his volleyball club practice, and today's agenda was filled with excitement. As he descended the stairs, the smell of breakfast greeted him, and his heart swelled with anticipation.

"Good morning, Izumi," his mother, Iori, greeted him with a warm smile, setting a plate of pancakes on the table. "Today's the day, isn't it?"

Izumi's eyes lit up as he took a seat at the table. "Yes, Mom! Today we're going bicycle shopping."

Iori chuckled, pouring him a glass of fresh orange juice. "I can see the excitement in your eyes. It's been a while since we had a day like this."

Izumi eagerly dug into his pancakes. "Yeah, with volleyball practice every day, it's a nice change."

As they enjoyed their breakfast, Iori asked, "How's your friendship with that boy from the volleyball club, Riku? Have you two become good friends?"

Izumi nodded, savoring the syrupy sweetness of the pancakes. "We haven't had much time to interact during practice as you know the coaches are putting me through a personalized training regimen, but during our breaks, we talk a lot. He's a nice guy."

Iori grinned, knowing how important friendships were to her son. "That's wonderful to hear. Having friends who share your interests can make your experiences even more enjoyable."

Finishing their meal, they cleaned up the dishes together. Izumi could hardly contain his excitement. "I can't wait to see all the bicycles at the shop, Mom!"

Iori laughed, wiping her hands on a towel. "I'm looking forward to it too, Izumi. It's important to have a good bicycle for your club practice."

With everything ready, they left their cozy home and stepped outside into the sunny morning. The sky was clear, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves of nearby trees. Izumi's new volleyball shoes dangled from his backpack.

On their way to the bicycle shop, Iori couldn't help but ask, "How's your club practice going, Izumi? Are you enjoying it?"

Izumi nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Mom! It's challenging, but I love it. The coach is great, and the team members are friendly. I'm learning a lot— I am doing my best to make to the squad for the summer tournament"

"Well! You will make to the team for sure— if you keep working hard"

As they continued chatting, the shop came into view. It was a quaint little place with a colorful array of bicycles on display outside. The cheerful jingle of a bell announced their arrival as they stepped through the door.

"Welcome!" greeted the friendly shop owner, a middle-aged man with a warm smile. "How can I help you today?"

Izumi's eyes darted from one bicycle to another. There were sleek racing bikes, sturdy mountain bikes, and even adorable ones with baskets for groceries. He was in bicycle heaven.

His mother approached the owner, sharing a knowing smile with him. "We're here to find a bicycle for my son. He's been doing well in his volleyball club, and we thought he deserved a special treat."

Izumi beamed with gratitude at his mother's words. She always knew how to make him feel cherished.

The shop owner guided them through the rows of bicycles, explaining their features and benefits. Izumi listened attentively, considering his options. As he examined each bike, he couldn't help but talk excitedly about their designs and specifications.

With his mother's support, Izumi finally made his choice, selecting a sleek, blue bicycle. It was perfect for his needs, and he couldn't wait to take it for a ride. As they finalized the purchase, he looked at his mother with sheer joy.

"Thanks, Mom. This is the best day ever."

Iori smiled, ruffling his hair affectionately. "I'm glad you're happy, Izumi. It's been a wonderful day."

They left the bicycle shop, Izumi riding his new bike with a heart full of gratitude. The day was far from over, and he cherished these moments spent with his mother, creating memories that would last a lifetime.

After their successful trip to the bicycle shop, Izumi and his mother, Iori, decided to continue their day with a visit to their family's cake shop.

The cheerful bell above the door tinkled as they entered, greeted by the sweet aroma of freshly baked treats.

Izumi's father, Naozumi, was behind the counter, carefully arranging a display of mouthwatering pastries. His eyes brightened as he saw his wife and son.

"Welcome, you two!" Naozumi greeted them with a warm smile. "Izumi, did you get your bicycle?"

Izumi couldn't contain his excitement. "Yes, Dad! It's amazing! Thanks for letting me have it."

Naozumi chuckled, his voice filled with pride. "You deserve it, champ. Now, I need your help with something. We've got quite a few orders today, and I could use an extra hand."

Izumi eagerly rolled up his sleeves. "Of course, Dad! I'm ready to assist."

As the customers started to flow into the cake shop, Izumi worked alongside his father, helping to box pastries, take orders, and serve customers with a bright smile. The shop was a cozy place, adorned with cute decorations and pastel colors, creating a welcoming atmosphere.

While assisting a customer, Iori couldn't help but ask her husband, "How's business been lately, dear?~ with helping out Izumi I haven't been able to come for the shop lately!"

Naozumi glanced around the busy shop, his expression content. "No worrys about —Izumi's stuffs are more important anyways, As for the shop, It's been good, Iori. We've been gaining more regular customers, and word of mouth is spreading. I think our shop is becoming quite popular."

As the hours passed, Izumi learned the art of balancing trays and taking orders efficiently. He chatted with customers, sharing recommendations for their favorite cakes and pastries. The conversations flowed naturally, filled with warmth and laughter.

Iori, who was busy behind the counter, caught her husband's eye and smiled. She appreciated these moments when the three of them worked together as a family.

As the afternoon sun began to dip below the horizon, signaling the end of their busy day at the cake shop, Izumi felt a sense of fulfillment. It was gratifying to help his parents, and he realized how hard they worked to make their small business a success.

Naozumi, wiping his hands on his apron, spoke with pride. "You did great today, Izumi. Your mother and I are proud of you."

Izumi beamed, tired but happy. "Thanks, Dad. I had a lot of fun helping out."

With the the shop being empty for a short while, they retreated to the shop kitchen for a shot while—Untill next customer comes. The family stood together, a sense of togetherness filling the air.

"Today was a wonderful day," Iori remarked, her voice filled with love. "We made memories together, just like old times."

Izumi nodded in agreement, knowing that these moments were precious.

After their day at the cake shop, Izumi decided to head home, leaving his parents to manage the shop for the evening. He hopped on his new bicycle, the sun cast a warm, golden hue over the town, the cool breeze ruffling his hair as he pedaled through the familiar streets of his neighborhood.

With a little time to spare, Izumi decided to take a scenic route through a nearby park. The park was dotted with cherry blossom trees, their delicate pink petals creating a breathtaking canopy. He couldn't help but smile as he pedaled beneath the blossoms, appreciating the simple beauty of nature.

As he rounded a bend in the park's path, Izumi spotted a pink haired girl running towards him. She was petite, with a friendly smile on her face, and her running attire suggested she had been jogging through the park.

Their paths converged, and just as Izumi was about to call to her for not watching the path ahead, they Izumi swerved to avoid a collision, but it seemed inevitable.

"I'm so sorry!" Izumi exclaimed, steadying his bicycle. "Are you okay?"

The girl, who had halted herself , laughed lightly. "No harm done! I should've been more careful too. Thanks for not crashing into me."

Izumi noticed that the girl had a friendly and approachable aura. Her eyes sparkled with warmth, and her voice was gentle.

"It's a lovely evening" Izumi commented, trying to break the ice.

She nodded, a bright smile still on her face. "Absolutely! I love jogging and wondering in the parks. I'm Nadeshiko, by the way."

"I'm Izumi," he replied with a friendly grin. "Nice to meet you, Nadeshiko. Do you come here often?"

Nadeshiko nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, yes! I live nearby, so I'm here all the time. Plus, I love camping, and this park has a great campsite nearby."

Izumi's eyes widened with interest. "Camping, huh? That sounds amazing. I've never been camping before."

Nadeshiko's eyes lit up even more. "You should definitely try it sometime! It's an incredible experience to connect with nature. In fact, I was hurrying to catch my train to a camping trip with my family when I bumped into you."

Izumi was intrigued. Camping sounded like a whole new world he hadn't explored yet. "That sounds fantastic. What do you like most about camping?"

Nadeshiko's eyes gleamed as she spoke passionately. "I love the feeling of being surrounded by nature, sitting by a campfire, and sharing stories with friends. And, of course, stargazing at night is breathtaking. It's a beautiful way to relax and unwind."

As they continued their conversation, Izumi found himself captivated by Nadeshiko's love for camping. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and he couldn't help but feel drawn to the idea of experiencing it for himself.

Suddenly, Nadeshiko glanced at her watch and gasped. "Oh no! I need to catch that train. It was nice meeting you, Izumi."

Izumi didn't want the conversation to end so soon. "Wait, Nadeshiko! I can give you a ride to the station on my bicycle. It's not too far."

Nadeshiko hesitated for a moment before accepting his offer with gratitude. They pedaled together toward the train station, chatting about camping, their favorite outdoor activities, and the beauty of the nearby mountains.

As they reached the station just in time, Nadeshiko thanked Izumi with a warm smile. "You've been a lifesaver, Izumi. If you ever decide to go camping, let me know! I'd love to share some tips and maybe even camp together."

Izumi agreed enthusiastically, feeling that this chance encounter had opened the door to a world of new experiences. He watched as Nadeshiko boarded her train and waved goodbye.

The sun began to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the horizon, and Izumi couldn't help but feel that today had been an extraordinary day filled with new beginnings.

[A/N— The hardest chapter to write so far, but because I didn't know what I was gonna write for this chapter– I wanted to write a interlude of sorts before we jump to sumemr tournament and it's that, I don't know why I introduced in Unicode Nadeshiko Kagamihara from Yuru Camp here (I haven't watched the series even a little— looks like I've got a series do binge]