Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko:Volume7 Chapter2

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Chapter 2 - Ending No. 3: Sharing Happiness

“Niwa-kuuuuun, I’ve been waiting for you.”

“……I’m sorry.”

I hunched my shoulders and gave a wry smile in response to Ryuuko, who was waving her hand excitedly with an innocent smile. From what Ryuuko said, it sounded like I was the one who was there first and was going to meet her when she arrived late, but in reality, it was the other way around.

Ryuuko was already standing in front of the golden clock inside the station, waving to me as I arrived exactly on time for our meeting. Therefore, there was no question mark in Ryuuko’s words. She was simply reporting the fact that she had been waiting.

She was a natural airhead, so I was sure she didn’t mean any harm, but it was a pretty sharp snide remark. “I wasn’t late though,” I thought to myself as I weaved through the crowd and ran all the way to where Ryuuko was standing, directly beneath the golden clock.

“Sorry, sorry, I’m still not used to changing trains at the station. You know, I don’t use the train very often.”

“Noooo, it’s fine, it’s fine.”

She was still wearing that perfectly relaxed smile, and her gentle demeanour softened the atmosphere. In the hurried, tense mood filled with the anxiety of waiting for someone, her comforting presence was precious.

“Is there still some time before the movie starts?”

Ryuuko jumped up and down as if playing hopscotch, looking up at the gold watch. The hour hand was pointing to eleven, and the minute hand was pointing to the boundary between six and seven. The movie we were planning to watch today was at 12:10, so it was indeed a little early.

“But we also need time to go to the movie theatre, so if we wait, it’ll be over before we know it.”

“Yeah, let’s get going then.”

Ryuuko naturally extended her right hand. Her bright smile hadn’t changed since high school. I grasped her hand firmly, but not too tightly, and walked away from the gold watch.

I, Niwa Makoto, along with Mifune Ryuuko, have become university students. It had only been a month since we started, but we had already got used to university life. There were still some things that were confusing because it was so different from high school.

Last year, I confessed my feelings to Ryuuko at our high school’s cultural festival, and we started dating. It felt like it happened naturally, but at the same time, it also felt like I had mustered up a lot of courage. Thanks to that, on Sundays, like today, we naturally started talking about going to the movies together.

After graduating from high school, I left that town to return to my parents’ home. My parents had returned from overseas and were present, so I had no plans to live alone anytime soon. For some reason, now that my family had returned, they were acting like doting parents, and honestly, I couldn’t bring myself to leave. Well, if I got home late from university because of social events or lectures, I could just stay at Ryuuko’s place nearby, so it wasn’t really a problem.

Rather, it allowed me to do whatever I wanted with Ryuuko… ahem, ahem. Whoops, if I keep talking so casually about that kind of thing, I’ll have to graduate from Shounen J○mp. Well, I only ever browse manga magazines at kiosks when I have the time. I didn’t read manga or novels on a regular basis.

“Aaah, Niwa-kun, you’re grinning. You’re daydreaming again, aren’t you?”

As we crossed the crowd in front of the ticket office, Ryuuko pointed something out to me. I covered my mouth with my hand and quickly tried to brush it off, saying, “Yeah, something like that I guess?” There was no way I could tell her in public that I was remembering what happened three days ago. If I did, Ryuuko would have a meltdown.

“Was Ryuko-san making a live appearance in your fantasy?”

No, a live appearance was impossible. Are you a succubus?

“You were the lead actress.”

“Then that’s fine.”

She gave a thumbs-up, and we showed each other the white of our teeth. That kind of playful interaction hadn’t changed since we first met.

We’ve both grown a little bit in appearance, though, haven’t we?

Ryuuko started growing her hair out around the time she entered her third year of high school. For some reason, her complex about her hair becoming straight unless straightened seemed to have disappeared, since it was now perfectly straight. Her brown hair hadn’t changed, and her youthful features were almost the same, but her overall impression changed quite a bit.

“Ryuuko-san, is there anything you’d like to eat for lunch?”

When I asked her, Ryuko flinched and pouted.

“I-I told ya, I’m Ryuushi!”

“…That’s the complete opposite of how it was back in high school.”

Her habit of immediately correcting those who called her name remained, but it had been reversed.

“Oh no, shy Ryuuko-san is getting ahead of herself.”

She cupped her cheeks in her hands and wriggled her body. Her reactions hadn’t changed since then. It was endearing.

“Niwa-kun, you’re the bad guy here. Really bad.”

She gently patted me on the shoulder.

“Huh, me? Why?”

“Because you and the others keep calling out Ryuushi-san, Ryuushi-san. Ryuuko-san has caught the Ryushi-san disease and is in a terrible state!”

I wanted to say, “In that case, Erio is the one to blame,” but I kept quiet and got punched in the shoulder.

The train station in May was filled with a stifling heat, as if the noise itself had transformed into heat. We passed between the ticket office and the ticket gates and headed towards the entrance with the silver clock. If we went outside the station and walked along the road to the left, we would find a small movie theatre. It was called the Whatchamacallit Theatre, and I once saw a triple feature of movies called “Ki○ I○kami Shi○na” there a long time ago. In fact, that was the only movie theatre I knew of near the station. When I asked Ryuuko, all I got were wrong answers like, “It’s Bunbunkanbun.” Getting angry would serve no purpose.

“He he heee.”

The calm Ryuuko suddenly burst into laughter. It was a villainous laugh, as if she could no longer contain herself. “Guh?” I tilted my head, half-laughing along. Ryuuko added another ominous laugh, “U he he”, and made a sound, “Ughhh”, that I couldn’t tell was of satisfaction or pain.

“Well, Niwa-kun, when I hold hands with you, Ryuuko-san’s laughing bag just pops up; I can’t help it. It’s right here,” Ryuuko said, pressing her palm against the area near her lungs. It was typical of Ryuuko-san to have such a mysterious organ in that location. Perhaps that organ was the reason she was always speaking in such a mysterious way.

“Oh, akabuku. Oh, shachihoko manju. Oh, a public telephone.”

Ryuuko was even more excited than her usual self today. She pointed to everything that caught her eye. A foreigner picking up a stack of akabuku mochi at the front of the souvenir shop and an old man sitting on a public telephone stand drinking Regain glanced at us, wondering what’s going on. But Ryuuko seemed to be having fun, so that was all that mattered.

We stepped outside the station, catching a whiff of the sweet aroma of sweet potato confections being sold beside the entrance. The sky outside was clear and blue, befitting a beautiful May day. There were few clouds, and virtually nothing to block the sunlight. In short, it was hot.

“What nice weather! The sun’s so strong, I could collapse!”

Ryuuko raised her left hand, which is currently idle, and pretended to collapse.

“You’re not Maekawa-san.”

When I said that and laughed, Ryuuko had an ambiguous smile. Pulled back from that subtle smile, I scratched my cheek. Why was that? I believe both Ryuuko and I feel the same way.

When we talked about the past, which should have been fun, we somehow felt awkward.

Without saying a word, just with a smile plastered on, we walked along the station wall. We turned right at the intersection leading to the station parking lot, briefly ignoring the traffic light, walked past the convenience store, and stopped before the traffic light on the main street.

“…Haa.”

I was overwhelmed by the view straight ahead, with towering buildings stretching out before me. There was a real estate agency, a sign for a shoe store that had just closed down, and a cell phone shop down the street to the right. A colourful array of buildings and diverse shops, unlike anything I’d ever seen in my hometown.

A place closer to a city than my town, yet stretching endlessly across the land. A world parallel to the universe.

Whenever I came here, I couldn’t help but think back to my high school days back in that town.

Along with the concept of Youth Points that was lost within me.

“……Hum?”

While waiting for the red light to turn green at the intersection, I noticed that Ryuuko next to me was looking up at me. I carelessly realised that the way she tilted her head was similar to how I used to look up at Maekawa-san, and a pain shot through my side.

My temples were also tingling. Trying not to show these various minor pains, I asked, “What’s the matter?” Ryuuko shook her head from side to side, “Hum”, looking very happy.

Ryuuko often stared at me intently, smiled, and then said nothing. I could understand it if it were the other way around, but I was always wondering if my face was really worth admiring.

“Niwa-kun, you’ve become so handsome. That’s all.”

Despite shaking her head, she conveyed an unusual message today. Her unqualified praise made me smile.

“Oh, I did? Compared to when?”

“Hmm”, Ryuuko began, counting on her fingers. The fact that she had to count on her fingers to look back made me realise how much time had passed since I met Ryuuko, and it was quite moving. Wait, was I really that uncool back then? That was embarrassing.

Ryuuko had always been cute, so I wondered what was causing this difference. Were we even on the same level?

“Yes, it’s been about five days.”

It was more recent than I thought. Had I been a lame kid all this time? What a shocking revelation.

“No, five days? That was just a haircut.”

Moreover, I had simply cut it back to its original length after it had grown a bit. “Hmm, hmm,” Ryuuko nodded.

“Niwa-kun, you look better like that; you’ve always been that way.”

“…Ryuuko-san.”

“I-I told ya, I’m Ryuushi…”

She mumbled a correction in a low voice. In the wrong direction. I was relieved to hear that the I-told-ya girl was still alive and well.

The red light in front of us started flashing yellow. But Ryuuko didn’t even glance at it, she was looking up at me.

Her ears were faintly tinged with crimson, and she seemed a little feverish. She was giggling, “Fu fuuu.”

“Ryuuko-san developed the I-wanna-kiss disease.”

I applauded the report of this enviable and delightfully strange illness that appeared at regular intervals since we started dating.

“Hoh hoh? Then let me heal you right away.”

After such a silly yet endearing exchange, we boldly began kissing. I could sense the irritation of the stares around us, but I still wanted to cherish Ryuuko more than I cared about those people whose names I didn’t even know. After our kiss ended and we pulled our faces apart, I stroked my cheek with my palm even though it wasn’t itchy.

“Is it a sign of a serious problem if I’m no longer embarrassed about kissing?”

When I asked with a smile, Ryuuko shook her index finger from side to side, her face bright red as she said, “No, no.”

“A kiss, I told ya.”

“…Kiss.”

I glanced sideways and noticed the traffic light had long since turned green, and despite being overtaken by the crowds at the intersection, I exchanged a kiss with Ryuuko. Kissing whenever we wanted, regardless of whether we were in public or not. That was what was important.

Kissing whenever we wanted, regardless of whether we were in public or not.

We firmly believed that love was not something to be maintained but something to be built up, so perhaps what lied between us was still infatuation.

“…Hahaha.”

“Hmm?”

“Well, you see.”

I could only manage a wry smile at myself for no longer being able to laugh at the perverted idiotic couple I once encountered.

The movie’s plot could be described as a B-grade suspense thriller. I was familiar with its general outline because it was based on a novel I read several years ago. It was a story by novelist Tachikawa Eiji about high school students, where people die, are killed, and kill others, a truly bleak story. But in the end, it was mostly resolved by love or brute force. Looking back at that book now, I couldn’t help but laugh at how haphazard its structure was.

Well, if it were expressed visually, like in a movie, it might turn into a tearjerker.

To be honest, I’ve never been moved to tears by a work of fiction. Maybe because I’ve never consciously tried to empathise with a character.

“There’s plenty of laughter, but no crying.”

I murmured, trying to blend into the dim light of the movie theatre. Ryuuko, sitting next to me, let out a quiet “Ohhh” at the trailer for another 3D movie. Of course, she didn’t have the special glasses, so she couldn’t see the 3D effect.

After all the promotional trailers for other movies, the movie we’ve been looking forward to was about to start.

…Two people died within the first three minutes. The bleakness seemed to have been faithfully recreated. Was this the kind of movie a couple should see? A fleeting thought of regret crossed my mind. But then again, I’d rather be at Ryuuko’s apartment engaging in romantic activities than watching a romance movie.

Our seats were the two seats on the far left of the last row, offering a view of almost the entire theatre. Being a holiday, the theatre was almost full, and I couldn’t help but wonder why there were so many couples.

Though I was probably the last person who should be saying this. But it was truly amazing how many people loved romance. Even on screen, a woman who had killed someone and a man in the middle of killing someone were embracing and whispering sweet nothings to each other. Hmm.

Humans are so thick-skinned. I continued to watch the screen change, my attention somewhat detached. Occasionally, I glanced over at Ryuuko, who was staring intently at the screen with her mouth half-open. Unlike me, who was easily distracted, she seemed surprisingly engrossed in the story. Well, she was the one who suggested we watch it, so that was to be expected. I also stared at the screen, hoping we could discuss our impressions afterwards. Another person died. This time, the protagonist had stabbed the bad guy repeatedly.

But then the protagonist suddenly started talking about the love lurking within him, which I don’t think cancelled out the gore… I doubt it ever would. It was not like eating pickled ginger to cleanse one’s palate. Was this really okay?

I wanted to exchange opinions with Ryuuko right then and there, not after the screening, but I refrained, considering it a breach of etiquette. The film’s content made it difficult to continue watching without pointing out its flaws, and I couldn’t help but yawn.

The building was dimly lit, after all. On top of that, sitting still and staying calm would make anyone sleepy.

It was very similar to the drowsiness that often sets in when one was sitting quietly on a train or in a car.

“…………”

The darkness of the movie theatre, the light of the wide screen, and the background music that can be heard from somewhere far away.

As my concentration deepened, my eyes focused on something far away, creating the illusion that I was projecting memories from within my own mind. Visual information stopped entering, almost as if my eyes were closed. I gave up on the movie and quietly turned my attention to the past.

I started to see my own back from high school in a daze. I was in my summer uniform. So what?

I was a second-year high school student, riding my bike with a carefree expression on my face. I didn’t take the future very seriously, and I seem to be enjoying every day, muttering nonsense about Youth Points and whatnot. I was bossed around by my cousin, sometimes taking care of her; bossed around by my aunt; and sometimes foolishly almost seduced by her age-inappropriate charm. I also had a tall, reliable friend, and most importantly, there was Ryuuko, or Ryuushi-san, as she was known back then.

If I were to describe my life in terms of thickness, that period would surely be when I was at my most fulfilled and plump. I believed I started to wither after I became a third-year student and chose to date Ryuuko. I didn’t think it was a wrong choice, and I’m certainly still fulfilled now… But I wonder.

It was also the moment when something that had been surrounding me began to peel away little by little.

My life changed drastically after I announced that I was dating Ryuuko. I became estranged from many people while at the same time growing closer to Ryuuko. Conversations with Erio, who I was living with, became awkward and subdued. I also grew increasingly distant from Maekawa-san. So, without even a moment’s thought, I rejected the idea of ​​staying in that town and returned to my parents’ home.

Since I left that town, I haven’t visited the Touwa’s house, not even once. I wondered how Maekawa-san was doing or if Tamura-san was still running her shop. All the connections that I once had had been severed and were now gone.

I may never visit the Touwa family again. I no longer have any special business or reason to go there; I simply became a relative, drifting further and further apart. Somehow, that shook me more strongly than the most moving ending of a movie. Why was I getting teary-eyed over thoughts completely unrelated to the movie that was currently playing? I didn’t understand. So I held back my tears.

The Youth Points I once possessed were already gone. The points I carefully saved up for the future have withered away, and only I remained, my past dried up, sitting in a movie theatre seat, basking in the light. I had absolutely no intention of denying the present. In fact, strictly speaking, people only ever have the “present”. Time was a continuous series of presents, and the past and future were nothing more than the present moments I have experienced, or will experience, at each given time.

That was why life was sometimes described as a series of choices. As a result of those choices, I ended up here with a lovey-dovey couple, yet at the same time, I felt a slight void.

What exactly was I dissatisfied with regarding my current situation?

What was I regretting?

…I couldn’t believe it, but…

Did I make a mistake somewhere along the way to arrive here?

“…Is it even possible that I haven’t made a single mistake?”

With a small sigh, I whispered so softly that no one could hear me. I looked up and saw that the movie was at a good part. Great music, a tense atmosphere, and passionate performances from the actors.

Even if one only watched a part of it, it was very clear that it was an important scene.

Drawn by a swirling, unique passion and the intersection of life’s paths.

That was exactly the kind of world I had envisioned when I was a second-year high school student, and it was what I felt the most strongly about.

After the movie, we went into a coffee shop. Well, it was actually a manga café.

It was next to the movie theatre and has private rooms, so it was quicker than going back to the station. We chose a couple’s seat and requested to stay for an hour and headed to the room with the designated number, each holding a self-service oolong tea (Ryuuko, as usual, was mixing various drinks). On the way, Ryuuko let out a knowing chuckle.

“Brings back memories.”

“Huh? What does?”

“This is the manga café where Ryuuko-san went when she ran away from home.”

“Ran away from home? Aah, I remember hearing something like that.”

I wasn’t involved, so I didn’t know the details. I only vaguely remembered hearing something like that.

“Ryuuko-san was so young back then; how nostalgic.”

“Hoh hoh, how plain.”

“Who are you calling plain, I told ya?”

She herself was the one who suggested it. We entered room number 48. It was a couples’ seating area, and instead of chairs, there was a single red sofa. Ryuuko sat down first, and I followed beside her. I placed my paper cup and bag on the sliding table and took a breather. Ryuuko had already quenched her thirst with a mixed drink. It was a strangely purple liquid.

“The movie was fun, wasn’t it? Weeeeell, did you enjoy it?”

We were speaking in hushed tones because if we talked too loudly, the people in the other rooms would get angry.

“Why are you phrasing this in the style of a presenter on an educational programme?… Well, it was pretty good.”

I gave a safe answer. The original novel was quite interesting, so I thought that if I watched the movie seriously, I would probably have a similar impression. Ryuuko nodded in agreement. She placed the paper cup on the table.

“By the way, Niwa-kun, what kind of stories do you like?”

“Huh, me? Hmm… Now that you’re asking me that again, I wonder, what could it be? SF maybe?”

“SF, huh? When you say SF, you mean something like Predator?”

“Is Predator even SF? Hmm, well, I do like it.”

“I seeeee. Well then, next time, let’s try SF.”

Ryuuko gulped down the contents of her glass. I also moistened my lips and throat with oolong tea.

“But so many things happen in movies, don’t they? It’s completely different from our everyday lives.”

Ryuuko smiled enviously. I wondered if it were really the case, my eyes darting around a bit, and I tilted my head.

“We all have our own things going on, you know. Like going to university or watching movies.”

“Hmm. That’s true, but, how should I put it, there aren’t many events that really take off.”

Ryuuko twisted her hips back and forth, spreading her arms wide and saying, “Baa, baa.” What was that supposed to represent?

“Niwa-kun, every day you and I spend together is introspective, like we’re packing everything in tight, and it’s fulfilling. But it’s not like in a movie where all sorts of things are suddenly spread and change the world around.”

“… Hmm.”

“Niwa-kun, back when we were living in that town, there was definitely an atmosphere that suggested something incredible might happen. Now, that feeling has kiiiiind of disappeared. Hehe,” Ryuko smiled, a hint of sadness in her voice. Her speech was a bit in her own unique style, which made complete comprehension difficult, but it seemed to suggest she had calmed down. Or perhaps she had stopped daydreaming?

“So, you mean it’s not exciting?”

“That’s a rather clever way to put it.”

“Hmm, indeed. But isn’t that because we’re now college students? I think there are definitely things that can only be experienced when in high school.”

“Hmmm, so Ryuuko-san and you already lack youthfulness. Mmmm.”

Ah, she melted. Ryuuko slumped against the sofa and collapsed. It was a gesture that somehow reminded me of Meme-san. Were all women like this? A hundred million Meme? No, no, that would lead to the extinction of humanity. Or perhaps they reproduce explosively? Which is it?… Probably the latter.

And so I began to speak, thinking of my aunt whose face I still wouldn’t forget, as if she were some unknown bacterium.

“You know, my favourite part of a movie is the credits.”

“Hmm?”

Ryuuko, who had been squashed, lifted her head. Her soft body revived with a “honihonihoni”, and she sat up again.

“Is that weird?”

“Err, well, you focus your attention on interesting things.”

She didn’t need to force herself to praise me. Of course, not that I minded, but… Anyway, what were we talking about?

“Oh yeah, the credits. I love the way the names of the staff are listed against a black background, and I also like how they sometimes show a short epilogue. Either way, I love it. I’ve even been moved just by watching the credits without watching the actual movie at all.”

“… As always, Niwa-kun, your fetishes are a little bit perverted.”

Wait, so she thought I was a bit of a pervert? This shocking truth came to light after six months of dating. On the other hand, it gave me hope that from now on I could just be more open about my perverted side and have a pure relationship.

Anyway.

“There’s a mix of wanting to watch a little longer and a sense of relief that it’s finally over, and when you see the names of all the people involved listed, it really hits you. It makes me cry more than the movie itself.”

It was a work that expresses loneliness and a multitude of emotions, imbued with the solemnity of witnessing the death of someone close. I’ve been strongly drawn to things that symbolise the end, feeling drained, and sometimes shedding tears. Life was the same.

The end credits of my entire life were still far away. But at each milestone in my story… Ah.

“I see… so that’s why?”

“Hmm? Niwa-kun, did you just have some kind of epiphany?”

“Well, yeah.”

I chuckled jokingly, “Fu fu fu”, brushing it off.

The feelings of the past I had experienced in the movie theatre earlier. Realising their true nature, I propped my chin on my hand to support myself. I gulped down the oolong tea to quench my thirst and finally turned my eyes to the credits that had been rolling in my mind. The moment I became aware of them, the scene instantly ended.

When I left that town, I suppose one movie had come to an end.

And finally, after the credits finished rolling, I arrived at the present moment.

What I was feeling was the same kind of exhaustion one gets after watching a really long movie.

“…I see.”

I finally figured out the source of my unease and let out a weak laugh. I rotated my stiff shoulders. I felt like complaining, “I’m tired,” but I couldn’t waste the time I had with Ryuuko. The movie screening was over.

I was sure I would never be able to watch that movie again.

So, it was time to seriously begin working on the sequel.

Even if the resulting work was dismissed as a failure by the public, it was done for self-satisfaction.

It was our life, and that was enough for us.

Our one-hour package contract was over, so we stepped outside, still holding hands. Cars were constantly crossing the road in front of us, and their scents rose into the air with the movement of the vehicles. Like dandelion fluff that curls up and sticks to your clothes, their scent clung to us. As soon as that subsided, the spring sunshine poured down from the sky. I looked up at the sun, which we could see from Earth as it was eight minutes ago.

A ring of light slowly blurred its outline, like the surface of a burning body of water. The blue sky was pale, just like the light blue hair I’d seen before. I squinted, feeling as if this seamless sky might burst forth and rain down like unravelling hair. Of course, that was impossible. I lowered my face, feeling the warmth and sensation of her tightly gripping right hand. Ryuuko-san laughed cheerfully and gestured for me to cross the road.

“Let’s go.”

“Yeah.”

After confirming that the traffic light on the pedestrian crossing was green, we started running, determined to cross before it turned red. We passed a discount ticket shop and a small sports field on our way to the sidewalk, passing bank employees, OLs carrying lunch boxes for everyone, and students on bicycles, and overtaking them as we headed towards the station.

Running made our skin feel hot almost immediately; it was that time of year between spring and summer. While I was dreading the increasingly high temperatures, that rise stirred something deep inside me. Something was about to begin. I could only feel that kind of sensation, even if it was just an illusion, during the warmer seasons. The long winter and the still somewhat chilly spring are over, and our university life, which we’ve both entered, was surely just beginning.

The credits roll, and what will begin is a sequel to a hugely successful film. They are often criticised in reviews as unnecessary, something that shouldn’t have been made, something that should have ended nicely. But we let it be like that. We’ll stay stable and go on adventures. Constantly change the way stories are told, and find satisfaction.

“I told you that it wasn’t exciting enough.”

As expected of an ex-sports-orientated person, I spoke to Ryuuko as we ran side-by-side without getting out of breath. My body swayed up and down, and my voice was bouncy, and Ryuuko replied in a similar state. The quality of her voice suited Ryuuko very well.

“Yes! Stay tuned for entertainer Niwa-kun!”

“Okay, I get it. I’ll say something so amazing it’ll take your breath away!”

“A-a murder case against Ryuuko suddenly occurs!”

As the green light flashed, we finished crossing the pedestrian crossing. But we wanted our hearts to beat a little longer, so we kept running. We passed the bank, we sprinted past the pharmacy, and one half of our stupid couple shouted. A short-sighted fool who doesn’t think about tomorrow was preaching about an important event in the future.

“Let’s get married!”

“Let’s get married!”

Everyone nearby turned around. They turned back, shook their bags noisily, and glanced at the speeding, stupid couple with disbelief. “How’s that?” they seemed to say, thrusting their left arm forward and letting out an indistinct shout. We laughed wholeheartedly, intoxicated by the pleasure of creating something that had spread around us, something we had somehow lost.

As Ryuuko, taken aback by my proposal, collapsed to her knees as if melting and let out strange cries like “Hogyaaa!” and “Gubaaa!” in the middle of the pavement, I looked up at the sky one last time.

The light blue sky and the sun blend together, and those familiar particles rain down upon us.

To that celebratory illusion, I whispered, “Thank you”, pouring out all the emotions I had felt over the past two years.

“Ge he he.”

“Moooom, Cousin is acting weird.”

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