The days that followed slipped by quicker than anyone expected.
For a whole week, the Super Peace Busters lived as if time didn't matter.
They hopped between games at the arcade, tried new snacks at the local shops, and spent countless hours in the forest or the base just talking about nothing and everything.
When night fell, they sometimes lay on the grass together, pointing out stars and recalling old memories.
The joy from their companionship seemed to come easily. Haruya had made sure that no one felt like they were left behind.
Unfortunately, all good things must eventually come to an end.
The school year was about to begin, and Haruya was set to go home today.
On the last morning before his return to Tokyo, he found himself at the familiar clearing where he had first met Menma again.
The air was still, cicadas sounding faintly in the background. Menma sat on the slope, knees pulled close. Haruya sat beside her with his legs spread.
Menma hugged her knees, her smile bright but tinged with something else. "This week was so much fun, Haru. I don't want it to end…"
Haruya sighed lightly. "I know. I wish I could stay longer, too. But school starts soon in Tokyo."
Her shoulders drooped. "So soon…"
Haruya glanced at her, smiling gently. "But I'll come back. Promise. And don't forget, I gave everyone smartphones so we can still talk even when I'm away. You're not getting rid of me that easily."
"I know…" she said, her voice getting smaller. Her eyes shimmered, tears beginning to gather despite her smile. "But it's not enough. I'll miss you so much, Haru…"
Before her tears could fall, his hand reached out, thumb brushing them away with practiced gentleness. "Don't cry, Menma. I'll be back soon, I promise. And until then… you'll just have to be patient, alright?"
Menma sniffled, blinking through her tears. "Okay… but I'll still wait. And someday… I'll come to Tokyo too! I want to see where you live."
"That's a promise then." He gave a small chuckle, the kind that came only when he was trying to keep the mood light. "But no crying every time I leave, okay? You'll run out of tears one day."
Menma puffed her cheeks, her teary eyes narrowing. "You're mean…"
Haruya laughed out loud.
"Let's go back to the secret base. The others must have been waiting for us for a while now. Let's not let them think we've run off to elope."
The girl's face almost immediately turned red, nearly erupting like a volcano.
Suddenly, a thought entered her mind.
Menma hesitated for a while, then, gathering her courage, leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to Haruya's cheek.
This time, she really did erupt.
Her cheeks flamed red, and she dashed off a few steps, flustered beyond words.
Haruya froze, processing the moment before a soft chuckle escaped him. "Wait up!" he called, chasing after her.
"No! Don't look at me!" Menma's embarrassed voice rang out as she sprinted ahead, but a sudden misstep sent her sliding dangerously toward the riverbank.
"Menma!"
Without hesitation, Haruya lunged just in time, catching her in his arms as he wrapped her tightly.
Both tumbled down the slope, falling into the river with a big splash. Water surged around them, cold and swift, leaving them under.
Seconds later, they broke the surface together. Haruya shook his hair out of his face, sputtering out some water that had gone into his mouth.
Unharmed due to Haruya protecting her from the impact, Menma immediately checked him over, her hands all over his arms and body. "Haruya-kun, are you okay?!"
Haruya splashed water off his face and laughed, shrugging. "I'm fine. Just a few scratches, no broken bones. Nothing I can't handle."
It was no doubt thanks to his Adaptability.
Otherwise, if any other 10 to 11-year-old child fell down the way they did, the consequences would have been severe.
Maybe even fatal.
Menma didn't fully understand what the outcome could have truly been if it wasn't for Haruya saving her, but she knew, nonetheless, how bad the fall really was.
After confirming that there were no visible injuries on Haruya, her hands fell to her sides, tears brimming again.
Her lips trembled, tears threatening to fall again for the second time. "I-it's my fault… I shouldn't have run. If you got hurt because of me—"
Before she could speak further, Haruya silenced her with both hands cupping her cheeks, tilting her face up. "Hey. Look at me. I'm fine. You don't need to blame yourself. Just... be more careful next time. Especially if I'm not around to catch you."
Menma sniffled; the tears that were about to gather had dispersed once more.
Haruya wrapped her in a hug and lightly teased, "I guess this makes me your knight in shining armor, huh?" He added. "The crybaby princess and her heroic knight. It matches well, doesn't it?"
"I'm not a crybaby!"
She puffed her cheeks, the previous tension slowly melting.
A mischievous idea suddenly entered her mind, and soon enough splash of water suddenly hit Haruya in the face.
"Oh? So that's how it is?" Haruya laughed and retaliated, sending a wave back.
Soon they were laughing, splashing each other like kids, the earlier fright washed away by the river itself.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed along near the slope beside the river, and soon the rest of the Super Peace Busters appeared, with worry painted on every face.
"Haruya! Menma! Are you okay?!" Jinta shouted, immediately jumping into the river without hesitation. Poppo, Yukiatsu, Anaru, and Tsuruko followed, shouting and wading into the water.
"How did you find us?" Tilting his head in confusion, Haruya asked.
"You took a while to arrive, so we decided to go look for you two," Yukiatsu explained and continued. "While walking along the path, we noticed something in the river floating."
Poppo came forward and brought out a sandal. "We... found Menma's sandal floating in the river."
Anaru stepped in front of Menma and hugged her tightly. "We immediately thought something had happened and followed the river... Thank goodness..."
Tears had started to well up in her eyes. Not just Anaru, but every other Super Peace Buster had their heads down, hiding their expressions.
Menma's expression softened, fully realizing how much her friends really cared about her.
She stroked Anaru's head and apologized. "I'm sorry for worrying you all. I'll be more careful next time."
After a short while, the despairing mood had finally lifted. The rest asked what had happened and why they were at the river.
Haruya raised a hand, explaining the slip, the chase, and the tumble down the slope.
Panic restarted once again as they all came forward and scanned Haruya for any injuries.
After confirming that there was nothing serious besides a few scratches, the others released a sigh of relief.
Menma and Haruya suddenly exchanged a glance, as if reading each other's minds, they flicked and splashed water at the others, initiating a playful attack.
Chaos suddenly erupted, shrieks and laughter mixing as everyone retaliated in turn.
Soon, everyone was soaked, dripping, and breathless from play.
"Our clothes! I'm definitely getting scolded when I get home." Yukiatsu groaned, shaking his head as water ran down his sleeves.
Haruya clapped his hands together and laughed, water dripping from his hair. "At least our last memory together for this year is a memorable one!"
As his laughter faded into a calmer rhythm, the others finally remembered the reason they had gathered today.
Haruya was leaving.
Haruya wiped his hands on his jeans, meeting everyone's sad gaze. "Remember, you've got the smartphones. We can stay in touch anytime. And when we meet again... I hope we're just as close."
Menma stepped forward, her wet hair clinging to her face, but her eyes shining with determination.
"Super Peace Busters will be friends forever!" she cheered.
One by one, the others looked at each other and followed along, voices rising together. "Super Peace Busters will be friends forever!"
Haruya smiled and looked at this new core memory of his.
"Friends forever."