I felt a buzz sound under my covers. I opened my phone and saw a message from Takahashi-san. My heart was filled with excitement, but this quickly disappeared when I read her message.
Chizuru: Kashiwagi-san, now that Fuyuki’s getting better, do you think that this is the right opportunity for me to confess to her?
My heart dropped.
Right… she’s into Fuyuki-chan… Fuyuki-chan deserves Takahashi-san more than me after everything I’ve done to her…
I took a deep breath before responding.
Akane: You definitely should. Now’s your opportunity to make her yours. Besides, you’ve been waiting for this moment for years
Chizuru: What should I do? Should I give her a love letter?
Akane: Fuyuki-chan has way too many admirers for her to read all of the letters, so she might not see yours
Chizuru: What should I do now?
I couldn’t help but let out a pained chuckle.
I wish it were me…
Akane: How about you tell her on a date???
Chizuru: THAT'S A GREAT IDEA! TYSM KASHIWAGI-SAN
Akane: Np??
Why did I have to fall for her out of all people…
???
“Ugh, I can’t think of anything!”
I dropped my drawing pen and sighed.
Why is my brain giving out on me right now?
I noticed the keychain on my desk. I couldn’t help but smile. I clutched onto it and reminisced about our time together.
The biggest mistake I’ve ever made in my life was to let them treat you like that. I just want to be able to see you again… But it’ll never happen. No matter what I do, you’ll never come back. All I could do was sit here and accept that…
Tears started rolling down my face.
It’s no use… Oh yeah, I haven’t visited you in a while…
I changed my clothes and went there as soon as possible.
???
It didn’t take long for me to reach the cold winds that gave me goosebumps. I eventually spotted the black stone filled with dust. Sitting there was a familiar pink-haired girl. She was wearing a black beanie with silver streaks at the top, complemented by a black off-shoulder top, a dark blue skirt, and a matching black belt with silver stars all around it. She was also carrying a guitar case. I dashed towards her like I was about to lose her.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
“Ko… Koto-chan?”
Her sharp gaze sent shivers down my spine. It was different from the girl I knew, but I still clung onto that tiny bit of hope.
“The name’s Kanade, Kanade Kurokawa, missy. What are you doing in my cousin’s grave?”
“I’m Fuyuki Furukawa. I’m a friend of Kotone.”
A friend… I really did miss my chance for us to be more…
The woman had the same pink hair and purple eyes. I couldn’t look away from her. It felt like I was trapped in a daze, with only me and her inside.
“Fuyuki… so you’re the girl she’s pinning for, huh? Interesting choice… Any info as to why she ended her life? Tell me, did anyone hurt my cousin?”
I could feel the rage in her voice. “Actually, she was bullied. I’m really sorry for letting this happen. I should’ve defended her so-“
She towered over me. “Tell me, who are those brats?”
“I’m not really sure about their names, but they’re some girls in our school.”
She furrowed her brows and said, “That can’t be helped… One more thing, do you like Kotone?”
I was still trapped in my daze. “Yeah… you look exactly like her…”
She smirked. “Our mothers are twins, so that’s that. Before I forget it, tell me, do you like my cousin?”
“I do…” I unconsciously reached out to touch her cheeks.
The woman scratched her nape and said, “Uhh, I hate to break it to you, but I’m not Kotone.”
I finally snapped out of my daze. My heart dropped at the realization that Koto-chan’s dead. “Sorry about that… Can I have your LINE?”
She smiled. “Sure.”
Her profile picture was a blue cat, contrasting with the pink cat profile picture that Koto-chan had. She reached out to get a night-themed handkerchief and wiped my face.
“Huh?”
“You’re crying.”
I touched my face and felt a wet sensation.
“Oh…”
Her gaze softened. “I know a place that will cheer you up.”
She pulled me towards a black van.
“Hop in.”
Inside the van were rock-styled clothes and snack wrappers scattered everywhere. Her cheeks reddened. “S-Sorry about that, I just came from a concert. Things were pretty hectic, so I never really had the chance to clean up.”
My heart fluttered. Her expression resembled the girl I once loved.
“Are you a member of a band, Ko- Kurokawa-san?”
“Yeah, I’m the vocalist and the guitarist.”
Her words became slurred, and her eyes started blinking.
“Ohh”
Right after that, her eyes started closing. She fell into a deep slumber.
She must be really tired… I wonder what her life is like…
After several minutes, the van stopped moving. An old man spoke. “Kurokawa-sama, we’re here.”
Her eyelids started to open. “What?” Her speech was still slurred.
“We’re here, Kurokawa-sama.” You could feel his smile.
She looked around and said, “And we’re already here. Sorry for falling asleep…” She scratched her nape.
I chuckled. “It’s okay.”
She pulled me towards a grass field. There were stars falling from the sky. I couldn't help but be amazed by the sight.
“Okay, the meteor shower was a coincidence, but do you like it?”
“It… it looks amazing…”
“I guess today’s the day for the Leonids. Me and Kotone would watch it every year in this exact same place, until that happened…”
I turned and saw her with a pained smile.
Right… She’s not coming back anytime soon.
I couldn’t help but stare at her familiar long pink hair and purple eyes.
“Is there something on my face?”
I could feel the heat from my cheeks. “Don't worry, nothing's on your face.”
What are you doing, Fuyuki? Koto-chan’s not coming back.
She stared at me intently. It felt like she was analyzing my every move. “I’ll let you off the hook this time.”
“How’s it like to be in a band? You must be really tired to fall asleep like that.”
“It’s pretty fun, but having concerts is tiring, and then school and stuff. Sometimes, I feel like breaking down.”
I could feel the exhaustion weighing on her. “I hope you’re taking care of yourself properly, and if you need someone to talk to, I’m here.”
“If only Kotone were still here, if it only weren’t for those brats!” Her knuckles turned white.
I held her hand and gave it a tight squeeze. “I understand, but we have each other to lean on now.”
I’m here now, Koto-chan.
???
I arrived at our usual meeting spot to see Takahashi-san with her headphones. My heart fluttered at the sight. “Takahashi-san!”
She lowered her headphones and gave a soft smile in my direction. “Kashiwagi-san, you’re earlier than today.”
“My sister’s sick today, so we didn’t have to drop her off.”
“That explains why. Also, I’m kinda getting scared to confess to Fuyuki…”
My smile faded instantly. I then faked a smile. “You just have to take the risk sometimes. You’ve been waiting for this moment, Takahashi-san. You can’t back out now.”
“You have a point. I’m gonna ask her when she arrives,” she said firmly.
I hope Takahashi-san and Fuyuki-chan could finally be happy together. They’ve been through so much, unlike me, who’s done nothing but harm to Fuyuki-chan. She really deserves someone like Takahashi-san, who would never leave her, unlike me. She deserves Takahashi-san way more than me.
It didn’t take a while for Fuyuki-chan to arrive. She was grinning while texting on her phone. I couldn’t help but feel confused. Takahashi-san, on the other hand, looks like she’d seen a ghost. I gave her a reassuring smile.
“So, what are you grinning about, Fuyuki?” She gave a jab to Fuyuki-chan.
“I’m just talking to someone.” She continued texting.
Why do I have a good feeling about this?
She finally placed her phone onto her bag and sat down.
“Uhh, Fuyuki, would you like to go to a cafe after class?” Her cheeks were slightly tinted with red.
“What about Akane-chan?” Her head was slightly tilted to the side.
“Oh, I have to do something. I really can’t join you.” My heart clenched, but I held back. I wanted to root for them.
“I guess we have to go without Akane-chan…” she replied.
“That’s a date then!” Takahashi-san smiled.
It’s only a matter of hours before they start dating now. I guess this truly is the end… Farewell, Takahashi-san. I wish you and Fuyuki-chan the happiness you deserve.
