Summer vacation was almost over. For Ryuichi, it would be no exaggeration to say that this summer vacation was a time when many things had happened, and at the same time, it was a time when he once again came face to face with the important people who were always around him.
I love you.
The voice whod uttered those words wasnt Shizunas, Chisas, Satsukis, or even Sakies. It was the voice ofhismother before hed gained Ryuichis will, the mother of Ryuichis past life whod loved him dearly Of course, it wasnt just her, but his father as well whod loved him.
The voice whod uttered those words wasnt Shizunas, Chisas, Satsukis, or even Sakies. It was the voice of
his
mother before hed gained Ryuichis will, the mother of Ryuichis past life whod loved him dearly Of course, it wasnt just her, but his father as well whod loved him.
Thats right. I certainly am Ryuichi. ButIm also the son of those two. Its not like all my memories are painful.
In the first place, it didnt suit a bulky guy like Ryuichi to dwell on painful memories for so long. Besides, today was the day that Ryuichi would be going out with everyone he knew.
This really does hit the spot.
Chisa-san, please try not to drink too much.
In front of him was Chisa, sitting on a chair drinking a beer, and Satsuki, who was watching to make sure she did not overdo it. Shizuna was sitting right next to Ryuichi, and Sakie was also drinking a beer, though not as much as Chisa was.
Has it been long since youve last seen a firework show, Ryuichi-kun?
Shizuna asked him this question, and he nodded his head in response. Since today was the day of the fireworks display to end the summer season, everyone decided to go out together to the city.
He had often gone out alone when he was a child because he could see the fireworks if he went to town, but this was the first time he would be going out with someone to watch the fireworks.
Since its you were talking about, you probably just went to find some nice girls instead of watch the fireworks, huh?
Thats not true,wasnt something he could say. Just as Chisa said, last year hed gone out at this time of year too, but that was because he, Makoro, and Kaname were looking for women with whom theyd have a one-night stand.
If they found a partner, they would make a good impression on them, seduce them, and ignore the fireworks as they spent a sweet night at a hotel with them before going home.
Thats not true,
wasnt something he could say. Just as Chisa said, last year hed gone out at this time of year too, but that was because he, Makoro, and Kaname were looking for women with whom theyd have a one-night stand.
If they found a partner, they would make a good impression on them, seduce them, and ignore the fireworks as they spent a sweet night at a hotel with them before going home.
You have us with you this year, so you wont have to do that.
Shizuna linked arms with him, and Ryuichi nodded his head in agreement.
Well, even if he had to spend this time of year alone, he had no plans on picking up girls, so there was no need for her to worry, but when he thought about it, he was deeply moved by how different things were now for him to spend his summer in such a state of bliss.
Did something happen to you recently?
Huh?
It was Sakie whod asked this to him. Although there really wasnt anything in particular that had happened to him, what was clear was that hed had a reunion with his family in a dream, so it wasnt something he could confidently talk about.
Well, Ive managed to sort out my feelings a bit, I guess.
I see. If youre smiling, it mustve been a good thing.
Sakie giggled at Ryuichi. The other girls followed suit and looked at him too, smiling. As for Ryuichi, he was pretty happy to be stared at like this, but he scratched his cheek to cover the slight embarrassment he felt.
Man, it feels totally different now from how it was a little while back.
Thats true. At the very least, if this were the you from a year ago, you wouldnt have watched the fireworks; you wouldve just taken us all home and eaten us all up.
Ah, its starting soon.
Looks like it.
Just as the surroundings grew quiet, fireworks shot up into the sky with a fizzle. It made a loud bang, and a large flower bloomed in the sky, brightly illuminating the spot where Ryuichi and the girls were.
It had been a very long time since Ryuichi had seen fireworks not through a TV screen, but with his own eyes.
Its pretty.
Ryuichis honest thoughts slipped out. He smiled softly, as if the beautiful sight calmed his mood and put his mind at ease. Perhaps spurred on by the atmosphere, Shizuna and Satsuki each leaned in to embrace Ryuichis arms.
Haha.
Fufu.
Ehehe.
Incidentally, because of the scale of the event, hed seen quite a few of his classmates in town. They seemed to have come with their friends, and they looked at him strangely because, in addition to seeing Ryuichi and Shizuna, they didnt know the relationship he had with the other three.
Shizuna was always by his side, so they didnt think they had a suspicious relationship, but they surely must have been envious of his situation.
This years summer vacation is almost over.
Yup Oh, thats right.
Shizuna clapped her hands together. While the sound of the fireworks going off in the sky was still echoing, Shizunas suggestion was definitely heard by Ryuichi and the other girls.
Why dont we all get together at Ryuichi-kuns place after this? Since were all here together like this, lets make the best memory of all to end things off.
My, that sounds great!
Im in!
Dear me, in that case Ill be returning ho
Mom? Youre coming too, you know?
Sakie sent a gaze at Ryuichi, saying, My, what should I do? Ryuichi nodded as if to say, Now that its come to this, no one can stop her anymore.
It seemed an even hotter night lied ahead of them today.
Only Ryuichi and his friends knew about this relationship, and it was not something they could tell anyone about. However, since each of them had accepted this relationship, no one could lodge any complaints.
Heh, a lot of things have really changed. But it aint bad Im happy in every way possible. So dont worry about me.
Ryuichi looked up at the sky and smiled, as if to say that he no longer needed to call on any more dreams like that. He wasnt sure if hed been heard, but something like a shooting star shone in the sky as if in response to Ryuichi.
Afterword
Thank you for your many kind words about the manga adaptation. It made me really happy. It is not something I can put out just yet, but Ive already seen the designs for Ryuichi and Shizuna myself!
A quick glance was enough to make me think,Wow, this is Ryuichi,andWow, this is Shizuna, so Im very glad to hear that you are looking forward to it. It will be a long time until it is completed, but I hope you can wait patiently.
Thank you for your many kind words about the manga adaptation. It made me really happy. It is not something I can put out just yet, but Ive already seen the designs for Ryuichi and Shizuna myself! A quick glance was enough to make me think,
Wow, this is Ryuichi,
Wow, this is Shizuna
, so Im very glad to hear that you are looking forward to it. It will be a long time until it is completed, but I hope you can wait patiently.