[Day Seven] Today marks Ichinose Honami's final day of part-time work. After dropping her off at the location, you found yourself aimlessly wandering. Surprisingly, Karuizawa Kei and Ichinose Maki, who have both been hovering around you lately, seem to be getting along quite well. Rumor has it they even made plans to go shopping together today. Once you had a rough idea of their area of activity, you deliberately avoided it—and somehow, you ended up at the park where Hotaru is buried.
You normally wouldn't come to this place on your own. Partly because it's where the cat that accompanied you for nine years now rests… and partly because of your confession.
You've been the recipient of confessions ever since elementary school. The most recent was just a few days ago—excluding the "fake" confession at the soccer field. Over the years, you've faced countless girls: some bold and fiery, so confident they could corner you for a kabedon even if they were a full head shorter; others shy and hesitant, who trembled on the spot before finally stammering out their feelings.
But regardless of their personalities, their words and the heat in their eyes were always earnest—young girls with innocent, sincere affection.
Though, to be fair, they didn't truly know you. Most of them had fallen in love with an image—an illusion created by others, not the real you.
They didn't know if you preferred idol dramas or historical epics, whether you liked your ramen firm or soft, whether your playlist leaned toward classical or rock. In a way, all the girls who ever confessed to you were strangers to the real you.
But Ichinose Honami was different.
She knew your ideal ramen order—firm noodles, mildly spicy, with vinegar, no cilantro, and a light broth.
She remembered your birthday and always prepared a gift in advance.
She remembered the cat you once had together.
You gaze at the now-faint mound in the dirt. A year has passed, and the spot has grown even more desolate. If you hadn't made a mental note of the location, you probably wouldn't be able to find the small grave anymore.
Even the large Chinese parasol tree nearby had been chopped down—roots and all—as if it had never existed in the first place.
You once read that memories need anchors—an object, a scene, a scent. When you encounter them again, it's like unlocking a vault: memories rush forth uncontrollably.
But even without the tree, you don't think you'll ever forget the moments you spent beneath it. Just like Hotaru, who may have already returned to the earth. Their departure doesn't erase your memories—doesn't dull them.
You reach for the bead bracelet on your right wrist—a gift from Honami when you were twelve. She strung each bead herself. Originally, she had wanted to fold 1,200 paper cranes for you, but due to time constraints, she gave up. Still, the few dozen multicolored cranes she did manage to fold are kept in a glass jar beside your bed. You say goodnight to them before sleeping.
You and Ichinose Honami never needed tangible items to hold your memories. You were each other's anchors—just seeing her would bring it all flooding back. Your timelines were intertwined from the start.
So Ichinose Honami must know you like her. Realizing that shouldn't be harder than remembering all of your food preferences.
The sun blazed at midday. You lingered quietly at Hotaru's grave for a while before leaving.
That afternoon, your underclassman Hirata Yosuke messaged you. He was feeling anxious about next year's school applications and wanted your advice.
You agreed to meet at a nearby café. When you arrived (just on time, as usual), he was already there waiting.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, you began discussing his future plans. During the conversation, you also revealed that you'd be studying abroad for a year starting this summer. Hirata sighed wistfully.
"With someone as outstanding as you, senpai, I'm sure you'll do great—even without going to Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School."
You noticed that school's name in his words. You'd heard of it before—famous for its 100% graduation rate and for guaranteeing employment aligned with students' wishes. You had once considered applying, but dropped the idea after learning it was a fully closed-off campus.
Hirata admitted he wanted to go but wasn't sure if he'd get accepted. He'd been anxious lately, which is why he reached out.
You actually knew that the school pre-selects all incoming students ahead of time. While the criteria are still unclear, that information helped calm Hirata down. After agreeing to play soccer again sometime, you parted ways.
[Day Eight] Today is the day you and Ichinose Honami planned to go shopping together.
You set your alarm half an hour earlier than usual and freshened up before heading to her place. Soon, you saw Honami coming down in casual clothes.
She wore a pure white blouse with a pale blue pleated skirt cinched at the waist. White knee-high socks and flat leather shoes completed the look. Ichinose Honami rarely wore flashy clothes—she usually stuck to soft whites and blues. You, standing at the bottom of the stairs, awkwardly looked away due to the angle.
Once she reached you and stood quietly by your side, you turned your head back. You walked together along a path toward the main street. It was iris season, and in the cool morning air, your day together began.
Though the stated goal was to buy a hair clip for Maki, neither of you brought it up. In truth, it had been a long time since you last went shopping alone together—probably not since you moved out from across the street a year ago. Since then, you had both deliberately limited how often you met.
With no set destination, you boarded the first bus that arrived and decided to get off somewhere random and explore from there.
Morning buses are mostly empty except for a few elderly passengers—most commuters now prefer the subway. Tourists might find bus routes interesting, but for the locals, the back seats were free and quiet.
Sitting inside, Honami took out a thermos filled with homemade lemon blossom tea. Floating inside were slices of dried lemon. The warm, tangy drink filled your mouths as you both chatted casually, gazing out the window at the morning scenery.
You disembarked at a stop named after some random park. At the entrance was a huge stone map. Even though it was still early, the place was already bustling with tourists and locals alike—jogging, birdwatching, enjoying nature. The lush forest stretched beyond sight, and you couldn't help but take a deep breath of the fresh air.
"Want to hold hands? There are quite a few people here."
Back when you were kids, you used to hold hands all day long without a care. But now, you had to come up with some awkward excuse before stiffly offering your right hand.
"Let's have fun today."
Ichinose Honami took your hand without hesitation. Her hand was a whole size smaller than yours, so it fit neatly within your palm. Your hands were cold, but from hers came a gentle warmth—like blood was seeping into your veins.
"Mm. I will."
You replied softly.
As long as she's there, happiness becomes something so simple to obtain—just like that piece of fruit candy you once gave her as a child, the taste of which you can never find again.
[CG Unlocked: Actor]
"Forcing the one who loves you most... to act impromptu."
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