On the way back, Yamaguchi asks me about it.
—Do you know the legend of the campfire?
—The legend? Nope.
—You're really in a different world, Yamazaki-kun.
It's you who are in a different universe from me…
—Fate will bind those who hold hands at exactly midnight, and they will become a couple! Seriously, you haven't heard about this?
A predestined future? What a big joke!
If fate chooses the consequences of our life for us, it would be much sadder than what Chizu experienced. And even if he really exists, I would have gone to face him years ago.
There is no point in taking it into account, nobody can believe in these absurd legends.
The next day, we dedicate ourselves to the preparation of the campfire. Our group, consisting of me and my comrades, were given the task of taking care of the fuels. They were stored in a shed a few hundred metres from the school.
We put all our strength into the various back and forth trips to lay out the wood for the event.
Damn, my muscles are going to give out on me … that's for sure.
—Darling, will you come with me to get the last log, please?
The last log? Finally!
We enter the building and notice some tatami mats.
I have only one desire, to make a pause.
—Shall we stop for a while, darling?
Haruka Kotoura.
—Yes!
We sit down for a moment to breathe, but we are quickly cut off when we hear footsteps outside.
Masuko grabs my arm and drags me behind the last tree trunk.
—What the hell are you doing?
—Shh, they'll hear us, darling.
This habit she has of calling me darling … she has an incredible audacity.
On second thought, maybe it's not so stupid to hide. If someone saw me alone with her, in that place, it would have made some stupider rumours.
In this 3D world, I've noticed that a rumour spreads as fast as the plague, it's quick and hard to cure.
Masuko is getting closer to me little by little, until she sticks to me.
She always had such fragile shoulders?
I inhale then…
Oh, this smells of grapefruit, orange and pineapple, it's her perfume? I love it.
Breathe out.
I feel chill as her hair strands sneak up and slide down my neck.
Damn, this softness, is that the charm of 3D?
The footsteps change direction.
—Shall we go out?
—Yes, darling.
She tries to open the hangar door.
— Da… darling?
—Yeah?
—I think we've been locked in!
Is she joking?
—Let me try.
I'll grab the handle.
I won't get stuck here!
I pull with all my strength.
Failure.
—We only have to wait, she sighs while sitting down against a wall.
I join her, then ask her.
—Do you have your phone, Masuko?
—I left it with Anzu, sorry, darling.
It would be far too obvious if she had it.
—I like our duo, darling,' she exclaims with a smile.
—Our?
—Duo, silly,' she mumbles, pulling at my cheeks.
I should ask Chizu the definition of a duet, I say to myself.
—You know, when you told me that you would help me to revise by buying your book, you really thrilled me. Nobody has ever done that for me! I think this is so crazy! Thanks to you I will increase my chances of achieving my dream!
His dream…
The intensity of the cold starts to freeze our muscles. Masuko shivers from all sides.
What an idea to come in skirts in winter…
—Do you think we will catch a cold, darling?
—I hope not.
—I…
Her voice shakes as much as her body, I couldn't leave her like that.
What would Chizu do?
I take off my jacket, and put it on Masuko's shoulders.
—Keep it.
—Thanks, darling.
Brrr, I'm freezing now.
—You really have the class, darling!
What is she saying?
Suddenly, she grabs my arm, and holds it to her chest.
Damn, her tits are so soft!? I'm having a heart attack here!
Her face comes close to my ear, then she whispers tenderly.
—It's a good thing I fell in love with you, darling.
I remain silent and motionless.
My heart is about to explode.
Strangely, after these words, I didn't feel the cold anymore.
We notice a familiar voice.
—Kinari, Masuko, where are you!?
Anzu?
I stand up and tap our exit with my fists.
You'd better hear us.
—We're here, Anzu! We're here!
Masuko sat there, motionless, mute.
The door slides open slowly. I grab Masuko's hand and drag her out.
Anzu raises a face that shows the anguish she has accumulated in the last hours. She jumps into our arms and shouts all her dismay.
—You are really stupid! You two are scared me so much!
—Sorry, Anzu, we were locked in here when we…
Anzu interrupts my explanations.
—The campfire! We have to leave! It will start soon, she exclaims, grabbing our hands.
I admire the night, the twinkling stars and contemplate the intense fire that was warming my body.
—Darling, you're here! You've really worried me!
—You worried me too, sensei!
Why are they smiling?
Is this what you call precious moments, Chizu?
My schoolmates are all dancing hand in hand.
A cherry tree?
I sit down next to the pink flowered tree and think.
Maybe I was wrong after all.
No one wears a mask. No one hides their true identity. They are just trying to forge it for themselves. They all want to share their emotions, to make this campfire one of their best memories. My old self would probably have found it distasteful to see so many people putting on fake expressions or trying to pretend to have fun. However, they are not the fools, I am.
Anzu sneaks up behind me and whispers.
—Do you want to come dance with me, Kinari?
Let's try to follow the example and live this life of normality…
—Yes,' I say, trying to smile.
Under the blazing night, our scarves sparkle and intertwine.
Her face and her joy have hardly changed in all this time.
I'm the only one who has to make an effort to adapt to this new 3D universe.
—Have you heard about the legend of fireworks, Kinari?
—Yamaguchi-kun told me about it, yeah.
—So … you … you know it?
Twenty-three fifty-nine.
Aneko, Masuko and Yoshida run up to me and grab my hand.
I already miss the past, Kinari dreams basely.
Damn, I don't know if it's such a good idea…
—Don't let go of my fingers, Kinari!
—Don't let go of mine either, darling.
—Don't forget me, darling!
—Just keep my hand, sensei!
Midnight.
We watch the smoke rising into the sky, which a few moments later explode.
My friends shout.
—It is beautiful!
Maybe they are like this explosion.
If I am the night, this blackish shadow, they are these fireworks, progressing towards me, illuminating me on all sides, as if they showed me the way to take.
Haruka Kotoura: Character who can read thoughts. (Kotoura-San)