Right around the time when the slapstick happened, Haruka and Natsumi—who had no idea of such a thing—talked about the incident that happened the other day. Namely, when Haruka apologized to Tatsumi.

“So, he told you it’s fine now?”

“Y, yeah…”

They both sat at a table in a small coffee shop a short walk from the station. There were only a few other customers enjoying the atmosphere apart from the two girls.

I told Natsumi about how I apologized to Aizawa—Haruka thought.

The moment I noticed that park, fond memories of all the fun days I spent with him replayed in my mind, and I wished from the bottom of my heart I could go back to that time. As that thought popped into my head, I found myself talking to him again.

But the result wasn’t good…

Yeah, he did say it’s fine now, but as long as I don’t express how I truly feel about it, it won’t be a genuine apology.

“…Hey, Haruka-chan.”

“Hmm? What?”

She gave me a quizzical look as my mind drowned in thoughts of what happened and what could.

“Did you really think about Aizawa-kun when you apologized?”

“…Eh?”

“I’m talking about what he wanted and why he was angry in the first place. Did you consider any of that when you said you’re sorry?”

“…Ah.”

She gave me a “can’t be helped” face, but her eyes were dead-serious. Though, in the end, she’s right. At that time all I thought about was telling him how I felt, and nothing else. I didn’t stop to consider his own situation.

“I, I…”

“…Well, I’m glad you realized that, Haruka-chan. It’s important to tell people how you feel, sure, but this time you should really put yourself in his shoes to apologize.”

“O, okay…” I answered, my eyes dampening as she rubbed my back in comfort.

“But what does he want you to do?” Natsumi continued.

“That’s…”

Shuri told me he didn’t want my apology. While I still feel like I need to say I’m sorry, what is it that he wants? This is a question I can’t answer, no matter how much I try.

…Come to think of it, he told me something the day we made that promise all those years ago.

“Then, will you stay with me forever?”

“I’ll also stay by your side forever, Haru-chan!”

“…”

I want you to stay with me; I shake my head at such a convenient thought.

…No way, right?

“Well, I have something to do later, so I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I glanced at my watch to see it was almost 7 PM. Natsumi had something to do with her family in a bit, so we called it a day after a while.

After our talk, I tried to figure out what Aizawa really wanted me to do, but I hadn’t really spoken to him since then, so I have no clue what it is. But I do know one thing, at least; why he left me.

It’s because I betrayed him. It’s because I broke our promise…

While I ruminated over it all, Natsumi suddenly said, “I hope Suzume-chan can come next time.”

“Well, it couldn’t be helped, she had to do chores.”

I’d invited her out to hang out with us, but she couldn’t come because she had to go shopping for dinner. Natsumi and I heard about Suzume and Towa’s situation, and we think they’re both great people. Even though she’s the same age as me, she takes care of a lot of children…

They care more for them than for themselves…

…I wonder if I can do as they do, and think first of Aizawa when apologizing.

“…I hope you can do it right this time.”

“…Yeah,” I nodded anxiously at Natsumi’s words.

Seeing my answer, Natsumi opened her mouth but ended up swallowing whatever words she was going to say. Then, she said “bye-bye” and walked off.

I should go home soon, too. If I start walking now, I’ll be back by dinner, so I tried to turn my feet and walk home, but…

“…Hey, you there.”

“Huh?”

Bzzzzzzzt—!

“Ugh?!”

The moment I turned around to see the voice’s owner, I felt electricity push through my entire body. I was conscious but had no control over myself. Unable to keep standing, I fall down to lean against the one who called out to me.

“Hehe, hostage secured…”

As my consciousness faded away, I heard this putrid voice. In my last moments of awareness, I called out his name in my heart.

Ta–Takkun, help me…

As Haruka was zapped, one girl watched it all unfold from the shadows.

“I, I need to call someone for help!”

The girl took out her phone and called her childhood friend, a boy, for help.