The next day, evening.
The setting sun sank in the west.
The clouds on the horizon were dyed a tempting tangerine hue by the twilight.
Kamisato Ayaka and Thoma walked side by side through the streets of Inazuma City. As they walked, they naturally attracted the attention of the people present.
"Look, it's the Shirasagi Himegimi. She's so beautiful, elegant, and quiet."
"My daughter, Sakura, has been practicing the sword at the Kamisato Estate Dojo recently. Apparently, Miss Kamisato is very elegant and approachable in private as well, without a hint of the arrogance of an Eldest Miss."
"They are both from the Tri-Commission, but that one from the Kujou Clan is much fiercer."
"You can't really say that. Their responsibilities are different, after all. Lady Kujou Sara belongs to the Tenryou Commission and needs to maintain public order in Inazuma, so it's normal for her to be a bit fiercer."
"That makes sense too."
"Speaking of which, I wonder if Lady Kujou Sara has read Teacher Fang Qiu's works. I really want to see what a strong woman like that looks like when she cries. Just imagining it makes me feel a bit amused."
"Uh... now that you mention it, I kind of want to see that too. It would have an inexplicable gap moe feel. But even if it's Teacher Fang Qiu's book, it would be difficult."
Listening to the crowd's discussions, Kamisato Ayaka responded to those greeting her as she walked forward.
"Good afternoon, Miss Kamisato."
"Good afternoon."
"Miss Kamisato, would you like some Tricolor Dango?"
"Thank you for the offer, I appreciate the thought."
Responding to greetings all the way, Kamisato Ayaka and Thoma arrived at Naganohara Fireworks.
Naganohara Yoimiya was sitting at the shop entrance. She put down the fireworks she had finished making, stretched her waist, picked up a stick of Tricolor Dango from the bench, took a big bite, and ate it with a look of pure happiness.
She had only chewed a couple of times when she saw Kamisato Ayaka and Thoma.
"It's... mm... uys..."
Naganohara Yoimiya's eyes lit up and she stood up with a smile. Because her mouth was full of Tricolor Dango, her speech was somewhat slurred and broken.
"No need to rush, finish eating first," Kamisato Ayaka smiled and said.
"Mmh."
Naganohara Yoimiya nodded, responded with a muffled sound, chewed quickly a few times, and then swallowed hard. However, she got stuck halfway down. After taking a sip of hot tea, she finally managed to swallow the Tricolor Dango.
"Phew, I'm alive. I almost thought I was going to choke to death."
Naganohara Yoimiya let out a breath, then looked at Kamisato Ayaka and Thoma with beaming eyes and said, "Good afternoon. Are you here to patronize my business, or are you looking for the Traveler?"
"If you're looking for the Traveler, she and Paimon are reading books on the second floor," Naganohara Yoimiya continued.
"We're looking for both," Thoma said.
"Both?" Naganohara Yoimiya paused.
"Yes, it's regarding the Your Lie in April music competition. We wanted to discuss fireworks matters with you," Kamisato Ayaka said.
"I see."
Naganohara Yoimiya restrained her smile slightly, becoming more serious, and said, "Then let's sit down and talk."
"Mm," Kamisato Ayaka responded and sat down to the side.
"Do you guys want some Tricolor Dango?" Naganohara Yoimiya asked, holding up the plate containing the sweets.
"No thank you," Kamisato Ayaka smiled and declined.
"Haha, give me one." Thoma laughed, picking up a stick of Tricolor Dango and taking a bite. Immediately after, they began to discuss the details regarding the fireworks.
They chatted for a while.
"Then it's settled." Naganohara Yoimiya stood up, smiled, and said, "It's getting late. Let's call the Traveler and Paimon to go out for dinner together."
"Mm."
Kamisato Ayaka nodded and, together with Thoma, followed Naganohara Yoimiya toward the second floor.
Just as they reached the second floor, Kamisato Ayaka suddenly asked, "By the way, you said earlier that the Traveler and Paimon were reading? What book are they reading?"
Her voice had just fallen, and before Naganohara Yoimiya could reply, the sound of crying came from inside the room.
When they pushed the door open, they saw Paimon hugging Lumine's shoulder, wailing loudly.
Lumine's expression didn't look too good either.
"What's wrong with you two?" Kamisato Ayaka and Thoma hurriedly ran over and asked.
"Wuwu... Ayaka... Thoma... Kaori, she... wuwu..."
Paimon was sobbing so hard she couldn't speak clearly.
"Kaori?"
Hearing this, Kamisato Ayaka was slightly stunned. She looked down at the table in front of Lumine and Paimon, where a book with faint cherry blossoms printed on the page lay open.
The content on the page described Arima Kousei playing the piano in the classroom while recalling the letter left by Miyazono Kaori.
"Even if it's just for a fleeting moment, will you think of me? I won't allow you to reset your memory, okay? Don't forget me. We made a promise."
"Did it reach you? I hope it did. Arima Kousei-kun, I love you! I love you!! I love you!!!"
"I'm sorry for always hitting you. I'm sorry for always throwing tantrums like a spoiled princess. For so many, so many things, I'm sorry. But, thank you."
Unlike the beginning.
The piano melody played by Arima Kousei now carried a touch of release.
Outside the window, the wind curled, and cherry blossoms danced in the sky, falling like snow.
Arima Kousei looked up and murmured softly.
"Spring is coming soon. The spring wherein I met you is coming. The spring without you... is coming."
Then, there was half a page of blank space.
Kamisato Ayaka froze slightly.
So the Traveler and Paimon were reading Fang Qiu's Your Lie in April.
No wonder Paimon was crying like this.
Fang Qiu's writing was truly excellent, especially this monologue at the end. Even reading it now, she felt a stinging sensation in her nose and felt a bit like crying.
It was as if the scene of Miyazono Kaori, her voice thick with tears, face haggard, forcing a smile while saying those words to Arima Kousei—crying and laughing at the very end—was right before her eyes.
Such a girl really made one's heart ache.
She loved Arima Kousei for ten years, yet she used the entire month of April to weave a lie that she didn't love him.
Your Lie in April.
Kamisato Ayaka shook her head gently, not letting herself continue that train of thought, afraid she might cry out loud.
Lumine wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and turned to look at Kamisato Ayaka, Thoma, and Naganohara Yoimiya, greeting them.
Paimon also greeted them through her tears.
"Paimon, don't cry. I'll treat you guys to something delicious," Thoma said.
"Wuwuwu... then I have to eat lots of delicious things," Paimon said.
"No problem, eat as much as you want," Thoma said.
"Then I want to eat Egg Roll, Tonkotsu Ramen, Sakura Tempura, Konda Cuisine, and also Butter Crab," Paimon said while wiping her tears.
"What about you, Traveler?" Thoma asked with a smile.
"I'm fine with anything." Lumine nodded.
"Alright then, let's head out," Thoma said.
"I must turn grief and indignation into appetite and eat a huge meal!" Paimon declared.
"No problem," Thoma replied.
They walked out of Naganohara Fireworks.
Under the twilight, a breeze blew, and cherry blossoms danced in the sky.
Falling blossoms like snow.
It looked exactly like the scene in the book where Arima Kousei and Miyazono Kaori met, and they subconsciously froze in place.
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