FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

It was sunset when I was out on the streets again after my short chat with Soutarou-kun. Short it may have been, it was enough to shorten the distance between us two and hopefully, it will continue to shorten. But it might be a while before I could get to the same level as how close he was with Kyouji-san. Funny thing was that as I thought of the Labrador, guess who passed by on the streets once again?

"Well, this is an awkward coincidence," I said. "Meeting here again..."

"I don't think so," Kyouji-san said. "You know how small Minasato is."

"True. But it seems like there's far less people now. The streets aren't as busy as I remembered."

The Labrador sighed. "We can't blame them if they want to go to the city. That's the times, Hiroyuki-kun."

"Yeah, I know. Wait, are you supposed to be doing something right now?"

He nodded. "I was heading to the bookstore to look for some entrance test reviewers. Would you like to help me in the meantime?"

Thus I joined Kyouji-san on his search. As we entered the bookstore the clerk greeted us and, looking at me with recollection in his eyes, grinned and winked at me. I believed in the saying about "doctor-patient confidentiality" but I don't know about one between clerk and customer. Keeping my cool lest the Labrador got suspicious, we headed straight to the reviewers and bought around three: one for T University, one for K University, and one for S University. Though in my opinion, Kyouji-san would pass all three even without them. He was the smartest among all of us back in elementary, with Kounosuke coming in second if only because the tanuki got lazy with homework. Done with the shopping, we sat on one of the arcade's benches for a break.

"You're really set on going to university, huh?" I asked.

"I aimed for the three if only because of they have a soccer program," he said.

"But if you do, then poor Tarou-kun would be left all alone here without his senpai," I said with a mock sniffle.

"Hiroyuki. Tarou may look small, but he's a strong one I'll give you that."

Looking to the distance, Kyouji-san smiled with a somewhat melancholic look on him, his eyes halfway open. It was the first time in forever that I saw those red pupils of his again that blended with the sunset hue. More often than not, he was squinting back in school because he had a slight blurring in his vision. It wasn't too disabling, and glasses would be enough to correct it, but he only needed it when reading something like very small letters, which we saw every time we had to read something from a book.

"Can you see better now?" I asked.

"Just about the same as back then," he said. "Luckily, it hasn't affected my playing much."

"Won't you consider getting contacts?"

"Tried it once. I don't like how they feel on my eyes. Besides..." Kyouji-san winked at me. "Don't you think I look good in glasses?"

Bashfully, I stuttered. "Wh-What the...?"

The Labrador smirked. "Just kidding. But, Tarou thinks I look good with or without them."

I laughed. "But that would make you look more like a dad to him!"

Kyouji-san looked at me in shock. "He- He told you, didn't he? About his father?"

I veered my eyes away from him, nodding. "It was my fault. I asked about his parents without thinking and-"

"That's alright," he said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "It means he trusts you as a friend. I'm happy that he could. Back when I first met him, he could barely talk to anyone."

Relieved, I gave him a smile. But our meeting had to be cut short when we realized that it was getting late. Exchanging a "See you tomorrow!" and going on my own way, I headed back home feeling content, getting acquainted with a new friend and reacquainted with an old one.