On a normal school day, Mizuha, Eri, Shimizu, and their classmates were returning from the science laboratory to their classroom.
"Ah, one subject down! What's next? I'm so hungry right now," Shimizu said.
"Next is math," Mizuha replied.
"Ugh, not that! I really don't like math."
"Hang in there, Shimizu-chan. Just one more class, then we'll have lunch," Eri said.
"I brought another one of my dishes today. I'll let you both try it."
"Really? That's great! I can't wait to taste it. That gives me a bit of motivation for the next class."
"Does food motivate you?" Mizuha said.
Suddenly, Mizuha bumped into a guy from another class. He turned to Mizuha.
"Ah, sorry about that." Mizuha said.
"It's okay, just a little bump." They went their separate ways afterward.
As Mizuha walked back toward her classroom, the guy turned to look at her again and wondered,
Is that her? Or is it just my imagination?
The guy walked to his class, which was actually the same as Hikaru's and Akemi's—Class 1B.
That guy's name was Takeru. He sat in front of Hikaru in the classroom.
Meanwhile, Hikaru was spacing out, remembering the moment Mizuha had tried to feed him tamagoyaki before Akemi interrupted them that day.
If Akemi hadn't interrupted... something awkward might have happened, he thought.
Suddenly, Akemi approached Hikaru.
"Hikaru-kun, what are you staring at outside while spacing out? Are you missing someone? Let me guess—you want Mizuha-chan to feed you like she did that day, right?" Akemi said.
Mizuha!? Takeru reacted suddenly after hearing that name.
"Akemi! How did you know about that?" Hikaru blushed.
"So, I'm right, huh? It's written all over your face, you know."
"Really?" He rubbed the back of his neck. "Anyway, what brings you to my seat suddenly?"
Akemi smiled. "I brought you some homemade cookies. I want you to try them later."
"Ah, thanks. I'll eat them later."
Takeru suddenly stood up, knocking over the table. He turned around.
"Hikaru-kun, can I ask you something?"
Hikaru blinked. "Yes, what is it?"
"About the person you mentioned earlier—Mizuha, right? Can you tell me her full name?"
"Oh, as I recall, her name is Yuki Mizuha."
"Really? That's her name?"
"Yes, that's her full name."
There's no mistake. The girl who bumped into me earlier—it was her. But why didn't she recognize me?
"What's going on, Takeru-kun? Do you know her?" Akemi tilted her head. "If you want to meet her, just follow Hikaru-kun during lunch break. He always eats with Mizuha-chan and her classmates." She gave a small wave and walked away.
"Akemi...!" Hikaru muttered, scowling.
"Really?" Takeru turned to him. "You always eat lunch with her and her classmates?"
"Yeah. One of them is a close friend of mine."
"Um… can I join you guys for lunch today?"
What's up with this guy? Why does he suddenly want to join us? What's his connection to Mizuha? Hikaru thought.
He sighed. "Alright, you can join me, but just for today, okay?" his annoyance showing.
"Really? Thanks, Hikaru-kun."
After that, break time arrived, and Mizuha, along with her usual trio and Zul, reached their regular lunch spot.
"Ah, as usual, this place really makes me feel comfortable," Mizuha said.
"You know, it makes me feel sleepy... aaah..."
"Don't fall asleep, Shimizu-chan, or you won't be able to taste this." Eri offered her bento as promised.
"Ah, I almost forgot about that! What is it? Show me!" Shimizu was excited.
"Tada... hamburger steak with some cheese," Eri announced.
"That's great! Hamburger! It's my favorite. Bon appétit!" Shimizu quickly took a piece with her chopsticks.
"Mmm, it's so delicious!"
"Shimizu, watch your manners."
"It's okay. Here, Mizuha-chan, take a taste," Eri offered.
"Thanks, Eri-chan. Bon appétit,"
"How is it, Mizuha-chan?"
"It's delicious, Eri-chan. As always, your cooking never disappoints me."
"Here, this is for you too, Zul," Eri said, placing some food into Zul's bento box.
"Thanks. I'll give you this in return," Zul said, putting some karaage into Eri's bento box.
Eri smiled. "Thanks, Zul."
Suddenly, Hikaru arrived. "Ah, not fair! You guys are already eating without me."
"You're too late. We cannot wait just because of you," Shimizu replied.
Seeing Mizuha and her group enjoying their lunch surprised Takeru.
Wow, this place is so nice, with the comfortable breeze, he thought.
So, this is the group Hikaru always hangs out with, and there she is. He looked at Mizuha.
"Um, Hikaru, who's the guy behind you? Is he your acquaintance?" Shimizu asked.
Mizuha then noticed Takeru and thought, That's the guy who bumped into me earlier.
"This is Takeru. He's my classmate and somehow wants to join us for lunch today."
"Nice to meet you all. I'm Takeru, Hikaru-kun's classmate."
"Nice to meet you too, Takeru," Shimizu said.
Takeru slowly approached Mizuha.
Hikaru noticed and wondered, What does this guy want with Mizuha?
"Your name is Mizuha, right? Yuki Mizuha?"
"Um... yes, but how do you know my name?" Mizuha looked confused.
Takeru suddenly hugged Mizuha. "Mizuha-chan! It's been a while. I've missed you so much." Takeru's actions shocked all of Mizuha's group.
"Mizuha-chan?" Shimizu surprised.
Mizuha, confused, "Um, who are you, exactly?"
"How could you forget me? It's me, Takeru. We grew up together from kindergarten until the first year of middle school before I moved away. You're my childhood friend."
"Takeru?" Mizuha tried to recall her past but still couldn't remember him.
"Sorry, I don't remember you. Maybe you have the wrong person."
"No, there's no mistake. I'm sure you're the one," Takeru insisted. "Please wait a moment while I find a photo of us playing together." He started browsing his smartphone.
"Hey, we're here for lunch, not to hear your past story!" Hikaru said, annoyed.
"Oh, looks like someone here is jealous," Shimizu teased Hikaru.
"Shut up, Shimizu." He started eating his bento.
While Takeru searched for the photo, everyone continued enjoying their lunch. Some even finished their own meals.
"Ah, I found it. Here," Takeru said, holding up his phone.
"Let me see. Umm, ah, so cute!" Shimizu said, looking at a photo of young Mizuha with Takeru.
"Hmmm, a photo of me with you," Mizuha said, examining the picture.
Is this me?! When was this photo taken, and why don't I remember him?
As Mizuha inspected the photo properly, suddenly, she heard a young boy's voice in her head saying,
"Goodbye, Mizuha-chan. Sorry, I have to move away with my parents!"
"Wait, please don't leave me alone…!!" a young girl's voice echoed in her head.
What is this voice? It's the same as before, Mizuha thought, holding her forehead.
After that, her mind went blank, and her vision darkened. She immediately fainted.
"Mizuha-chan!" Eri shouted in panic. Everyone stopped eating suddenly.
"Hey, Mizuha-chan, what happened?" Takeru asked.
"Mizuha, wake up! Mizuha!" Shimizu said.
"Hey, what did you do to her?" Hikaru asked, looking a bit upset.
"I'm not doing anything. I was just showing her the photo."
"Mizuha-chan! Wake up! Please—!" Eri cried, shaking her.
Zul stopped Eri to calm her down. "Eri, please calm down!! Don't shake her so much!"
"But she's...not going to...become like that...right?"
Zul then approached Mizuha. "Step aside, let me check her condition," he said, placing his hand on her forehead. "It's so hot. It looks like she has a fever."
"A fever? She seemed fine this morning and didn't show any symptoms," Shimizu said.
"We need to take her to the nurse's office right away before it gets worse. Hikaru, can you carry Mizuha to the nurse's office?" Zul said.
"Leave it to me. Shimizu, come with me."
"Understood. Let's go."
"Zul, Eri, please clean up here for us. I'll treat you guys afterward," Shimizu added.
Hikaru carried Mizuha to the nurse's office, followed by Shimizu.
"What if I hadn't shown her that photo? This wouldn't have happened."
Zul touched Takeru's shoulder. "Don't worry. It's not your fault. These things happen unexpectedly. Don't blame yourself," Zul tried to calm him down.
"For now, let's clean up and return to our classes. Eri, take Shimizu's bento box back to your class, while I'll take care of Hikaru's. Takeru, for now, just you return to your class first, okay."
"Mizuha-chan..." Takeru said sadly before he left the rooftop immediately.
"Eri, we also need to return to our class. Let's go."
But Eri looked pale and shook after seeing Mizuha faint suddenly.
"Eri, what's wrong? Wait, don't tell me, you…"
"Yes, Zul... I... I felt scared... What if Mizuha has a similar situation as 'her' back then?"
"Mizuha-chan... she will be okay... right?" Eri shaking.
Zul pulled Eri's arm and hugged her while patting her head.
"Don't worry, she will be okay. She's just having a fever, and she isn't becoming like 'her' back then. Please calm down, okay"
"Just left Mizuha to Hikaru and Shimizu. I'm sure they'll take care of her," he added.
The cheerful lunch gathering turned to panic as Mizuha collapsed.
In the nurse's office, Mizuha lay on the bed while the school nurse examined her.
"She just has a fever. For now, let her rest. Thanks to both of you for bringing her here. You two must be good friends with her, right? But don't worry, she'll be alright. The school will call her parents to pick her up, so please bring her belongings here as well."
"Now, you two can return to your classes. I'll handle things from here."
"Thank you, Sensei," both Shimizu and Hikaru said before heading back to their classes.
Hikaru glanced back at Mizuha and whispered, "Mizuha..." He then stopped by Mizuha's class to pick up his bento box from Zul, while Shimizu took Mizuha's belongings back to the nurse's office. When Hikaru returned to his class, he noticed Takeru was missing.
Where did that guy go?
Takeru had gone to the nurse's office to check on Mizuha. The nurse asked him why he was there, and he requested permission to stay with Mizuha until her parents arrived.
"Please, Sensei, let me stay here until her parents come."
"Understood, please take care of her while I'm away."
"Just leave it to me."
The nurse left to handle other matters, and Takeru sat in the chair beside Mizuha's bed. He took her hand and whispered.
"Mizuha-chan, I finally meet you again. But why don't you remember me? We used to play together when we were kids."
After about 20 minutes, Mizuha's parents arrived. Her mother opened the nurse's office door and called out, "Mizuha!"
Takeru heard her and called her mother over to Mizuha's bed.
"Oh, thank you. Who are you? You're not someone I usually see with her."
"It's been a while, Mrs. Yuki. It's me, Takeru, the child of the Takahashi family. I used to be your neighbor."
"Takeru? Child of Takahashi?" Mrs. Yuki thought for a moment.
"Ah, you're Tak-kun, right? It's been a while. How are you and your family?" Mrs. Yuki asked, remembering him.
"Oh, I'm glad you remember me. Yes, I'm fine, and my family is also doing well," Takeru felt relieved.
"Wow, you've grown up so much. I didn't recognize you at first. I thought your family had moved to the countryside. How did you end up at this school?"
"I've been living around here alone while my parents are still in the countryside. They're doing well there."
"I see. I'm glad to hear that. By the way, how is Mizuha? I heard she passed out suddenly during lunch and has a fever."
"Mizuha is still sleeping. She took some medicine earlier, according to the nurse."
"I'm sorry to ask this, Mrs. Yuki, but why doesn't Mizuha remember me? Did something happen to her after I moved away?"
"Um, about that..." Mrs. Yuki hesitated.
"What is it, Mrs. Yuki?" Takeru looked confused.
"Sorry, I can't tell you while she's here," Mrs. Yuki said. "How should I explain this... I know! Can we meet tomorrow at the nearest family restaurant? I promise I'll tell you everything then," Mrs. Yuki proposed.
"Understood. Thank you, Mrs. Yuki."
"Okay, you can wake her up now, and I'll inform the teacher that you're here to pick her up," Takeru said before leaving the nurse's office.
"Thanks, Tak-kun," Mrs. Yuki said.
That boy hasn't changed. He's still the kind boy I knew back then.
"Mizuha, wake up. We're going home, my dear."
Mizuha opened her eyes groggily. "Mom? What are you doing here? What just happened?" she said sleepily. "Where am I?"
"At the nurse's office at your school. You passed out suddenly because of a fever."
"Fever?" Mizuha said.
She then recalled suddenly passing out during lunch break earlier.
That's right. I suddenly passed out after looking at my old photo on Takeru-kun's phone.
"Mizuha, can you stand or walk?" her mother asked.
"No, I can't. My body feels so weak right now."
I see, so it happened again? Her mother wondered.
"This is bad. How will I carry you to the car?"
"Mom, use that," Mizuha said, pointing to the wheelchair she had spotted at the side of the room.
"Understood." She brought the wheelchair to Mizuha's side. "Mizuha, please be careful when moving from the bed to the wheelchair, okay?"
Once Mizuha got on the wheelchair, her mother slowly pushed her out of the nurse's office and toward the car.
Mizuha chuckled. "Ah, it feels so weird sitting in this wheelchair during school."
"It's been a while since you pushed me in a wheelchair like this. Thanks, Mom."
Her mother wiped away a tear upon hearing Mizuha's words.
Why did you mention that, Mizuha? I really don't want to remember that. It still hurts me even now.
"Oh, it's nothing, my dear. Just some dust in my eye. There's your father's car. We're almost there."
Mizuha transferred from the wheelchair to the car's back seat, and her mother returned the wheelchair to the nurse's office.
With everything taken care of, Mizuha and her parents headed home. Takeru watched her car disappear down the road, his chest tightening.
Mizuha-chan, you used to be so strong… Why are you like this now? He stared at the empty street.
The girl he'd grown up with—always laughing, always energetic—now looked pale and weak.
What happened after I moved away? Why aren't you the same? He would uncover the truth, no matter what.