"Ah, I wanted to make this moment last longer, but since you asked, yes, there is something I want to share with you. But first, promise me that you won't be shocked when you hear it," she said, her voice filled with anticipation.
I looked into her eyes, seeing the emotion and vulnerability in them, and took her hand in mine. "I promise," I said.
"It's the story of my regrets," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
Regrets? Tsuki's regrets? I already knew the story of her past. What could she mean?
"By Regrets, do you mean the story about your past?" I asked her, trying to clarify.
"It's not the story of my past that you already know from Yozora, it's something else." She replied.
"I understand," I said, nodding my head in encouragement. "I'm ready to listen, whenever you're ready to share."
In truth, I wished that time would stand still, just for this moment. I wanted to be here with her, always.
"Ayy!! Thank you Kousei kun! I will start now! I will not stop anytime soon! It is a big story" Tsuki said, her face lighting up with a smile.
"OK and I will not interrupt!" I told her, ready to listen to every word she had to say.
Tsuki took a deep breath and began her tale, her voice gaining strength with each word.
"The first day I met you, in that hall, Your voice was low, and filled with sadness, and I couldn't help but be concerned I approached you with care, wanting to ease the pain in your eyes. Every time I think back to that moment, I smile at the memory. But it wasn't just a casual interaction, I was moved by your struggles. Your eyes reflected pain, loneliness and a longing for comfort It brought back memories of my own struggles, and I knew I had to help.
And when we walked to our class, I was filled with hope, that we would be in the same class, so I could be there for you I understand the struggles of suffering in silence, and I wanted to be there. But we weren't lucky. Fortunately, my friend Yozora was in your class, and I knew he would be the perfect person to help. I called him that first night and told him everything I begged him to talk to you, and after ten days of persuasion, he finally agreed
Yozora was hesitant, not knowing when to approach you. But fate had other plans, and it was the issue with Ren that finally pushed him to act. I may have been the mastermind behind your friendship, but I don't know if that's a good thing. At first, Yozora was acting as a friend, trying to figure out if you were a good person. He kept me updated on everything, and I was surprised and embarrassed to learn of your feelings for me.
But everything he did was part of a plan. Even that day during preparation, it was all some plans he and Kai made.
I heard that Yozora told you that I always asked teachers to do the art stuff! That was something he made up!
But yes, we followed that plan! I actually had to ask the teachers because of him! Haha! However, unfortunately, Ryuto sensei, Daichi, and Kumori all played a part in it and our plan ended up in failure!
But I don't know why! Yozora changed after that day somehow. That day! The school festival day! Both of you were absent. Yozora told me that he would be visiting you. However, when he came back, he told me that you said something to him that he will never share. And from that day, he started talking about you like 24x7 and started to consider you as his biggest friend.
He stopped planning for made up acts with us. I was happy to see Yozora saving someone again. It was what he did best.
I was also overjoyed when you started texting me, I cherished those moments. And when Akio said she liked you, I was both jealous and proud. I was happy to hear how you saved her from Ryuto sensei, it was amazing.
I always wanted to talk to you in person, but life didn't allow it. But I will always be grateful for the memories we made during the school tour.
That unexpected bus moment, that was the first time we ever spoke that much. Also, it's embarrassing still, but Yozora asked me to fake a leg injury and asked me to follow his plan. That ended up in you lifting me up. That was a moment I will never forget, I wanted it to last forever." She said it to me.
As I looked at her, it became evident that she had been waiting for the right moment to tell me all of this. The sense of relief in her demeanor was palpable.
BUT WAIT A MINUTE!!!
THERE IS A LOT TO CHEW DOWN RIGHT NOW
Let me see if I understand this correctly - she knew everything from the beginning? She was the one who brought me and Yozora together as friends?
Did she ask to draw the art on the preparation day just for me? She was waiting for me to talk with her?
Wait— don't tell me....! She was waiting for me to confess?
No, but she rejected me when I confessed! I don't understand!
I was about to ask her! But she continued!
"I... I have never said thanks for saving me" she told me!
"What are you talking about?", I asked And I can't help but wonder, Did Yozora tell he about that day? The day I saved her.
"That day, as Kumori and I strolled towards the abandoned library, we were so close to reaching our destination. Suddenly, Yozora, Kai, and Kin came running towards us. Yozora had something he wanted to say, just to me.
He asked me to leave Kumori and make up some lies. I was confused, but I could sense that something was amiss. I reluctantly agreed and told Kumori that the teachers were calling us.
But as we walked away, I saw Yozora and the others heading towards the library. My curiosity got the better of me, and I had to know what was happening.
I tried calling Yozora that day, but he told me he was with you at the hospital. I begged him to tell me what was going on, but he refused, saying that some things are better left unknown.
However, I persisted, and Kai eventually told me the truth. He revealed Daichi's plan to hurt me, Kumori's actions, and most importantly, what you did for me. You put yourself in harm's way to protect me, even when you were unable to stand. You were bleeding, but still, you fought for me.
I don't know how to express my gratitude, but it's because of you that I am standing here today with a smile". She added
As the stars twinkled above us and the peaceful lake mirrored the beauty of the night sky, she spoke to me with a voice as soft as a summer breeze. "It was because of you, my smile lit up."
So she found out. My heart sank as I thought of how much I made her worry for me.
DAMN IT KAI, WHY DID YOU TELL HER!!?
I gazed into her eyes and admitted, "I couldn't help but act out of selfish love, wanting only to protect you. I'm not a good person and I'm sorry for making you worry for my actions."
She turned to face me, her eyes filled with understanding and love. "I understand why you had to lie to me, to keep me safe. And I'm sorry for lying during you confessed. That caused so much pain. I never wanted to hurt you," she explained.
Eh? Lying?
"Wait, what lying?" I asked, my confusion evident in my voice.
"Kousei, I have to tell you something," she said, her eyes shining with emotion. "I love you. More than words could ever express."
It felt like a dream, and I had to pinch myself to be sure. Mitsui Tsuki, the girl I had loved, loves me back.
"Since when?" I asked, trying to control the excitement in my voice. "Isn't it too late now?"
"I don't know when it started. Ever since that very first day, you have been on my mind. Maybe it was because your eyes held a similar pain to mine, but I didn't think much of it at first. Then I started to hear more about you from Yozora, and every word he said was like a song, praising your virtues. But then, something unexpected happened. Every time I saw you, my heart would skip a beat and my eyes would search for you every time I left my home. I couldn't explain it, but my love for you just grew stronger with each passing day," she confessed with her face turning red as a beetroot.
"Why didn't you tell me?" I probed, wanting to understand the reasons behind her silence.
"I was scared," she admitted. "I was scared of how my father and people like Daichi would react if they saw us together. And I was scared of the pain it would cause if we were separated. By the time Daichi was gone, it was already our third year and I thought it was too late. I thought it was better for you to move on and find happiness elsewhere."
"And now you're leaving for America, and I don't even know what will become of me," she continued, her voice breaking with emotion. "My father is already trying to arrange a marriage for me, and I fear we'll never see each other again."
I was speechless, my heart aching at the thought of her sacrificing her own happiness for my safety.
"Will we ever see each other again?" she asked, her eyes pleading for an answer.
"Of course we will," I declared, standing up and taking her hand. "Even if our dreams and goals lead us down different paths, I believe we'll find our way back to each other. You should know, Tsuki, it's not Yozora who has made me happy, it's the love I have for you that has given me hope for a better future. Those unbearable school days became precious memories whenever I thought of you."
Tears flowed down her face as she heard my words, and she whispered through her sobs, "I'm so happy, Kousei. So, so happy."
I stood there, frozen, watching it all unfold.
But I couldn't bear to see it anymore. I marched forward, my heart pounding in my chest. I took her into my arms, holding her tight.
"I'll never let you go," I whispered to her. The thought of losing her was unbearable.
I gazed up at the sky, at the stars twinkling brightly above. But the girl in my arms was shining brighter than all of them combined.
Her heartbeat was racing, a musical rhythm that I couldn't resist. I wanted to listen to it forever, to hold her close and never let go.
Would you always stay within my grasp? The thought of letting you go was too much to bear.
I was lost in the music of her heartbeat, nothing else mattered in that moment.
She looked up at me, and our eyes locked together. The fireworks were exploding in the sky, and their reflection was shining in her eyes.
Under the dark night sky, I pressed my lips to hers. The kiss was enchanting, our tongues dancing to the beat of our hearts.
But as the fireworks faded away, she gently pushed me back, her face flushing a deep red.
"I'm sorry," I said, my voice trembling with emotion.
"It's okay," she replied, her voice soft and sweet. "I was just caught off guard."
"I'm so sorry for kissing you," I said, feeling guilty for taking her first kiss.
"Don't apologize," she said, her embarrassment evident. "I'm happy it was you."
"Same here," I told her. "But I'm sorry I took your first kiss."
"No, no, it's not like that," she said, her eyes shining with tears. "I'll always be grateful that you were the first one to kiss me. I'll never forget you."
"Why are you crying?" I asked, my own emotions threatening to overflow.
"It hurts to say goodbye," she said, the tears streaming down her face. "I don't want to leave you."
I couldn't hold back any longer, the tears flowing freely down my face. It had been years since I'd last cried like this, and now I was bawling like a child.
We talked for a while longer, our conversation filled with laughter and sadness. It was funny to think that it took us until our last day of school to finally have a proper conversation.
But all too soon, her friends were calling her back to the school hall, and she had to go.
"Is there anything I can do?" I asked myself. "Is there anything love can do for us?"
But I already knew the answer. Our circumstances would never allow us to be together.
She said goodbye with tears in her eyes, and I watched her walk away, each step tearing at my heart.
A life without you is like a world without light, I thought to myself. A life without you is unbearable.
"Goodbye, Tsuki," I said, my voice choking with emotion. "Thank you for lighting up my life."
Like a moon disappearing into the clouds, she faded from my life, leaving a void that could never be filled.
Next : Final chapter