On the day of the graduation ceremony, when Tsubame-senpai was leaving Shuchiin, my heart was strangely calm. I had spent my days diligently working on myself in order to get Tsubame-senpai to notice me and become a man worthy of her... and in the third term's final exams, I managed to get into the top 50, which was my goal. I had done everything I could... I encouraged myself, telling myself that all that remained was to confess my feelings to Tsubame-senpai after the graduation ceremony. But, in the end, my first love did not come to fruition. Tsubame-senpai... with large tears streaming from her eyes, which always wore a gentle smile, she said to me.
sorry
Yu-kun is not at fault.
Because I am a coward
Seeing her say that through her tears, I was more shocked by the fact that I had made her cry, when she always had such a sunny smile, than by the fact that she had rejected me. I could only watch as she rubbed her eyes with both hands, but still couldn't stop the tears from flowing.
Even if I could go back in time to April two years ago from the accident in March... I wouldn't feel the slightest urge to do anything about it. I was so anxious, worried, suffering, and guilty that I cried my eyes out, and I bore the weight of it all... I simply couldn't bring myself to do anything that would erase the answer to the confession that Tsubame-senpai had given me. Nevertheless, just before parting ways with Tsubame-senpai... there was one thing I was able to say.
That's my true feeling... I'm so glad I fell in love with Tsubame-senpai.
As I comforted her, who was crying even harder after hearing those words, I suddenly looked up at the night sky... and it was looking down on us, just as always.
...…
"...Ishigami! Are you alright?"
"Um, oh, sorry... I was spacing out."
"Shall we take a break somewhere?"
"No, it's fine."
"but..."
"Koba-chan, Koba-chan! Look, I got another candy apple because I won the prize!"
"With a candied apple..."
"A winning stick?"
Iino came running over, and her statement left both me and Daibutsu confused.
"Yeah, I bought it and ate it right away, and it said 'winning stick' on it. I got it as a prize!"
"Did you eat it right away...?"
"I'm surprised you were able to eat all that in such a short time, Miko-chan."
"Don't talk about me like I'm such a glutton!"
(No, it wasn't said in such a cute way.)
(I think it's more accurate to say Miko is a big eater rather than just a glutton...)
"Ishigami... Yes."
"picture?"
"H-Hurry up and take it."
"Miko-chan is a human..."
"Giving them food..."
"Hey! What's that, you two?!"
"But... right?"
"Hmm, what's wrong, Miko?"
"...Thank you."
"Huh? Iino?"
"So, thank you! For the disciplinary committee work, and for what happened in the courtyard..."
"...Okay, then I'll gratefully accept it."
"yeah."
Iino, with her face downcast, offered the candied apple. Carefully taking it so as not to drop it, I took a bite. With a crunching sound, the sweetness spread in my mouth.
"That's naive..."
"Of course, it's a candy apple." *smack*
Just as Iino was speaking, a loud explosion echoed from above.
"Ah..."
"firework..."
"I can't believe it's that late already."
Following the first firework, one after another, fireworks were launched into the sky. It was a fantastical sight, like a large flower being painted on a black canvas, and we simply gazed up at the sky. Less than 30 minutes later, the last firework rose into the air, and we could hear the sound of sparks falling. All the fireworks had faded away...it was a signal to head home.
"Shall we head home now? Iino, is there any food left over?"
"Why is it limited to food?! There's nothing left!"
"Well, if you eat that much..."
"Even Koba-chan! I'm only about 80% full!"
"Um..."
"Wow..."
"What's wrong?!"
I made my way home, exchanging lighthearted banter with Iino and Daibutsu. The night sky I looked up at that time...and tonight's night sky are the same, but I think I've changed a lot since then. Living through the rewound time, slowly changing myself, slowly getting rid of my regrets, wanting to eliminate the tragedy that awaits me in the future...
"Ishigami, you're spacing out too much."
"what happened?"
I respond to the calls of the two people ahead of me.
"It's nothing, let's go home."
Summer vacation is almost over... When the new semester starts, it will be time to settle things with Ogino. I've prepared everything, I've got a plan. The only thing I'm missing is a little bit of courage...
There's nothing wrong with you.
You can't lose next time.
Remembering the words of the chairman and Shinomiya-senpai, I feel like I lack nothing.