Chapter 4: Farewell

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

---

Shiho… some time has passed since that confrontation with Fukase.

Since then, she's been coming to school like nothing ever happened, acting cheerful as she spends time with her classmates as usual.

But I can tell—she's forcing herself to smile and pretending everything's normal.

“Fukase-san, sorry about the basketball team's last tournament.”

“Yeah… I dragged everyone down… and we lost…”

A few days ago, the final tournament for the girls' basketball team, which Fukase belonged to, was held.

Of course, I didn't go to cheer her on.

The team had been considered a top contender, but apparently, Fukase hadn't been playing well, and they suffered an unexpected first-round loss.

Maybe our fallout shook her up emotionally and affected her performance.

Well, even if that's the case, it's not my concern.

“Hey, Asano. Let's grab lunch.”

“Huh? …Oh, right.”

Nowadays, it had become routine for Endo to call me over during lunch break with her bento in hand.

I took out my own lunch and left the classroom with her.

“Where do those two always go to eat, anyway?”

“Asano and Endo are so close. Maybe they're actually dating? Both delinquents and all.”

I'm not a delinquent, and there's nothing going on between Endo and me.

But lately, I've been hearing that kind of talk a lot from our classmates.

“I'm starving~ I've got fried chicken in my bento today. Can't wait.”

I'm sure Endo hears those rumors too as we walk down the hallway side by side, but she never shows any sign of being bothered by them.

I sighed and headed up to the rooftop with her.

---

“Endo, don't talk to me so much in class.”

“Huh? Why not?”

It was finally October, and the intense summer heat had started to die down. The breeze that passed by on the rooftop was starting to feel a little chilly.

“We already stand out for the wrong reasons… You've heard the stuff people say, right?”

“So what? Who cares what people who don't know us think?”

“No, I mean… aren't you bothered by people saying we're dating or whatever?”

“Eh? Not really.”

Endo answered casually as she shoveled food into her mouth.

Her unshakable mental toughness is something I wish I had.

“Asano. Has Fukase said anything to you since?”

“Nope. Not a word.”

I don't regret cutting ties with Fukase—but there's one thing that has been bothering me since then.

“Haa…”

“What is it now? You sighing again. Something bugging you?”

“Uh, well… It's just that I haven't been motivated to study lately.”

I had been aiming to get into Sendou High School, where Fukase was going. But now that I've lost that big goal, I've lost all motivation.

“Motivation's easy. Get into a good high school, then a good college, land a job at a big company, and get rich. Simple.”

“Easy for you to say… not many people can actually pull that off.”

“Is that so? You're not planning on going to Sendou anymore, right?”

“Yeah. That's definitely out.”

I'll go to a different school than Fukase. It's a good opportunity to put some distance between us.

“Honestly, I was just a normal guy trying my best. Maybe I'll just apply to a local, average school.”

“Asano… apply to Kaisei.”

“Eh? No way.”

Kaisei was the school Endo had said she'd be applying to.

It's about the same level as Sendou, which means I'd be buried in studying again if I aimed for it.

And with my current motivation… that's not happening.

“If it's you now, you can get your grades up to pass. I'll help you with anything you don't understand, so just give it a shot.”

“I mean… maybe, but studying is still a pain…”

“Quit whining! You've got potential—don't sell yourself short! Just take the exam!”

Endo's sudden firm tone caught me off guard.

“O-Okay, fine! I'll take it, all right? But if I don't get in, I'm blaming you.”

I replied with a touch of sarcasm, but Endo smiled with what looked like genuine relief.

If I manage to pass, maybe I'll get to keep spending these easygoing moments with Endo in high school too.

That wouldn't be so bad, I thought.

---

“Haruki. Got a minute?”

While I was studying at home, my dad called out to me—something he rarely did.

Normally, we only talk when absolutely necessary.

Back when Mom was still alive… it wasn't like that.

“Huh? What is it, Dad?”

“It's about next year…”

Dad seemed hesitant to speak, like it was hard for him to say.

“What? Just tell me.”

“R-Right… Actually, I might get transferred next year.”

“Transferred? Where to?”

“Um… America.”

“What…?”

Apparently, the company my dad works for has a branch in the U.S., and they want to send him there.

They usually try not to pick employees who have families to consider, but now that he's a widower…

“So… are you taking the offer?”

“Yeah. I've actually been getting offers for that position for a few years now…”

I see. He must've turned them down all this time because he had a kid—me.

“So what happens to me? You're not gonna tell me to go with you, right?”

“No, I won't. Haruki, which high school are you applying to?”

“I guess… Kaisei, probably…”

My grades have improved, but even now, I feel kind of embarrassed to say Kaisei out loud.

“I see. It won't be easy, but do your best.”

“Wish I was as smart as you and Mom…”

Both my parents had impressive academic backgrounds.

Dad works for a major company. He must be very capable.

“If you do your best and still don't make it, that's okay too.”

“Are you assuming I'll fail my high school exams?”

Dad laughed and replied:

“You'll be fine. You inherited Mom's beautiful hair color and my scary eyes, after all.”

Honestly, I would've preferred inheriting their brainpower… I thought to myself.

---

Winter had come, and after getting through the final exams of the second semester, we welcomed the short winter break.

As the new year began and the days passed, the tension surrounding the entrance exams grew stronger.

“Ahh… the kotatsu's so warm.”

“You're already making yourself at home like it's your own place.”

On our days off, Endo would come over to my house and study with me.

Although, in Endo's case, it feels like she spends more time lazing around like this than actually studying.

“Do you want coffee or tea?”

“Then I'll have cocoa.”

“That wasn't one of the options.”

Studying nonstop gets stifling, so we took a short break.

I made some instant coffee and brought it over to Endo.

She took a sip, scrunched up her face at the bitterness, and spoke again.

“Asano, you're going to live alone after middle school, right? I'm jealous.”

“My dad said, ‘I'll get you an apartment within walking distance of Kaisei High School.' He's already making plans assuming I'll pass.”

“You'll be fine. You'll get in, Asano. I guarantee it.”

Even though my motivation had dipped, studying with Endo was surprisingly fun, and compared to last year, my grades had improved significantly.

Still… I couldn't feel confident.

“What's with the gloomy face? Don't you believe me?”

“It's not that…”

It's not that I don't believe in Endo's words… it's that I can't believe in myself.

“It's Fukase's fault… for Asano being so negative.”

“Huh? Why are you bringing up Fukase now?”

“You grew up near her, right? Always being around someone that gifted, comparing yourself… it makes sense you'd turn out like this.”

She might be right… Maybe part of me is still haunted by Fukase's shadow.

“Don't look down! Chin up! You're going to pass, Asano! Definitely!”

Endo took my hand and spoke with strong conviction.

She really is someone with a strong heart—I admired that.

“Yeah… you're right. If you say so, I feel like I can—…!?”

The next moment, my heart skipped a beat.

Startled, I hurriedly pulled my hand away from Endo's.

“W-What? What's wrong?”

“Uh… it's nothing…”

I didn't understand it myself. My heart was still pounding.

“Ah! Don't tell me… did your heart race because I held your hand?”

Heart racing…? No, it felt more like pounding…?

“No way. I just got startled by your loud voice.”

“Really? Maybe… you've fallen for me?”

Endo grinned at me teasingly, and my body broke out in goosebumps.

“Cut the nonsense and let's get back to studying.”

Love? …No.

What I felt just now was… if anything, closer to fear.

---

Graduation ceremony.

Our homeroom teacher, wiping tears from his eyes, gave us a heartfelt farewell speech.

Some students were even tearing up as they listened.

“I heard only Asano and Endo got into Kaisei this year. A few from Sendou made it too, though.”

“Yeah, amazing, right? I knew Endo was smart, but Asano too…”

Even though the teacher was giving a sincere speech, some students whispered among themselves.

The ceremony ended just before noon, but most students stayed behind, taking photos and chatting with friends, classmates, and club members.

“What, Shiho, you're leaving already?”

“Yeah, sorry. I've got something to do…”

Fukase, who had always been at the center of class and club activities, was heading home, and many of our classmates looked sad to see her go.

Her three years here must've been full of respect and admiration from everyone.

It's not that I'm feeling sorry for myself, but her situation is the complete opposite of mine, who's mostly been alone.

“Yo, loner. Heading home?”

“You're a loner too. Yeah, I'm heading out.”

Endo and I left the noisy, cheerful school without hesitation and started our walk home.

“Finished packing for the move?”

“Yeah. Today's the first day in the new place.”

The house I had lived in up until now would be taken care of by my dad's sister and her husband.

It's still close enough to commute to Kaisei by train, but this move was meant to help me prepare for university or adult life—starting a new chapter in a new environment.

“I'll come visit your new place later, okay?”

Waving cheerfully, Endo left.

I headed home, changed clothes, and packed only the essentials.

As I looked around the house I had grown up in, it felt like I was saying goodbye. Countless memories came flooding back.

And in so many of those memories… was Fukase. That fact felt almost cruel now.

[Haruki…]

That gentle voice echoed in my mind, from those recollections.

(Fukase…)

I almost said her name aloud.

Fukase appeared before me, wearing a brand-new school uniform.

It was the uniform of Sendou High School, where she would start in April.

She must've rushed home to show me.

“How do I look…?”

I should've said something like “You look great,” but no words came out.

“H-Hear you're moving…”

Of course she knew. My dad had been saying goodbye to the neighbors, and Fukase would've heard too.

She probably also knew I was going to Kaisei High.

“Um… can I… have your contact info…?”

Her trembling hand clutched a smartphone.

(She finally got a phone…)

She wanted to exchange contact info—but I didn't need Fukase's number anymore.

Putting distance between both my home and Fukase, I began to walk away.

“G-Good luck in high school…”

“You too.”

I paused for just a second to say that, then I left behind the hometown I'd always known.

---

If you like this novel please leave a 5 star rating on NU