Chapter 12

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

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Even though we said we'd go out for lunch, we ended up visiting the observation deck where we used to gather as childhood friends.

The cityscape was as lively as ever. Sunlight reflected off the glass buildings, making the whole town shine brilliantly.

“…This place brings back memories.”

Shizuno murmured as she looked out over the view, her gaze distant.

It seemed she hadn't been here in a long time. Of course, neither had I.

“We used to come here all the time, all of us together”

“…”

“We'd talk about our worries, our futures… it was a special place for us.”

Her voice was calm, but beneath it was a sadness she couldn't quite hide.

It wasn't just nostalgia—it felt like she was confirming something that had been lost.

“But after you lost your memory… we stopped coming here altogether.”

With that, Shizuno lowered her gaze, looking almost sorrowful.

Seeing that expression on her face, something inside me began to shift.

Earlier, I had wondered what I truly wanted.

And now, I was starting to think… maybe I should tell them that my memories had come back.

These memories aren't just important to me—they matter to them too.

After seeing how they reacted, it didn't feel right to just take it to the grave.

But…

What I want to see isn't their surprise.

I want to see them happy.

And if I told them now, I don't think that's what I'd get.

“Hey… if the four of us could come back here together again, would you want that?”

“What's with that question all of a sudden? That's not like you.”

Yeah… even I know it's not like me.

But depending on her answer, it might decide everything.

“It's just a hypothetical.”

“…I would. If we could, I'd want that,” she said, looking out at the view again.

“After all, those days were the most fun.”

“I don't think it's just me either. Maaya and Rin would probably say the same.”

“I see…”

In that case… maybe there's no need to hesitate anymore.

If they had rejected me, I wouldn't have come to this decision.

Like I said before, I'm not particularly dissatisfied with my current life.

But Maaya, Rin, and Shizuno—

even if each of them has their own feelings about it, they still treat someone like me as their childhood friend.

And I know now that, even if only a little, they want the old me to come back.

If they're still waiting for me—even just a little—

then I want to live up to that expectation.

But for that to happen, I have to change.

Otherwise, there's no way we could ever laugh together like we used to.

It's going to take time.

A personality as twisted as mine won't fix itself overnight.

And I'll probably run into a lot of obstacles.

Once your reputation hits rock bottom, it doesn't recover easily.

I'll have to deal with a lot of pressure from others.

But this is probably my first—and last—chance.

If I miss it, I'll never go back.

I might not even want to go back anymore.

It's only because they're still hoping for me that this is even possible.

So—

I've decided to put an end to this rotten version of myself…

and take back who I used to be.

That's what I need to do.

That's what I truly want.

“…Alright, I'm heading home.”

Having quietly made up my mind, I turned my back on the city view.

“Oh? Leaving already?”

“Yeah. I remembered something I need to do…”

With that, I left, trying to suppress the rising feeling in my chest.

I won't tell them about my memories just yet.

There's still a chance it's already too late.

I might fail along the way.

And if that happens, I'd just be giving them false hope.

Besides…

if I'm going to see them again—

I want to face them with my head held high.

And then, just like before,

I want all of us to gather here again…

and talk, just like we used to.