"Hey, Misuzu! Misuzu!"
I remember that moment vividly. Back then, I was thirteen—just a clueless boy running down the middle-school hallway, calling out to the girl who had been by my side since we were kids.
But she didn't turn around. Not once.
She just kept walking, pretending she couldn't hear me at all.
"Misuzu!!!"
I ran ahead and blocked her path, grabbing her wrist before she could slip past me.
Only then did she finally look back.
"What are you doing? Let me go."
Her voice was sharp—colder than anything I'd ever heard from her.
But I couldn't let go. Not yet. I held her wrist gently, afraid my grip might hurt her… but even more afraid of losing her again.
"Misuzu, why are you ignoring me?"
I could hear the worry in my own voice. "Ever since summer vacation ended… did something happen?"
"No. Nothing happened."
"Then why—why won't you talk to me?"
"There's no reason," she said flatly. "I ignored you because I wanted to. That's all."
She tried to pull away, but I instinctively tightened my grip—just enough to stop her from walking off
.
"Wh-what are you saying, Misuzu? Did I do something? If I messed up, I'll apologize!"
"No. You didn't do anything."
"Then why? Misuzu… why are you ignoring me?"
My voice cracked. I couldn't hide the sadness anymore.
"I just… wanted to."
Her eyes didn't waver. "So, Furukawa-kun, please don't approach me again. Just forget—"
.
.
.