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“I'll be leaving for my new school tomorrow.”
Kotone frowned. She knew this was inevitable, but she couldn't help but feel her chest tighten a bit at the idea.
“I think it'll be a good opportunity… I'll get to start fresh and try to stand on my own.” Saori smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.
Kotone felt a lump in her throat. She blinked rapidly, trying to rid herself of the tears that began to blur her sight.
“I… I know you'll do great.” Kotone tried her best to smile- as she always did.
Deep down, she wanted nothing more than to crawl into a ball. She had grown so close to Saori since joining the Student Health Committee. Losing a friend hurts. Losing someone you've grown to care for hurts even more.
“Thanks.” Saori smiled- genuinely this time- before taking a deep breath. “I'll never forget you.”
“I won't forget you either. I promise!” Kotone felt her facade begin to break, little-by-little.
Saori looked away for a moment, as if she had something she wanted to say. Her gaze was distant, but she spoke up, “You know, growing up I was told to never have any opinions about myself… It would be easier to fit the mold everyone makes for you. Shift the blame to others for any mistakes you make. Become what they want you to be. I… wanted to believe that everything that happened to me was someone else's fault.” Saori shut her eyes. “But this is my life. I get to choose my own actions and face my own consequences. I will stand on my own two feet, finally.”
“I'm proud of you.” Kotone's stomach fluttered and her chest felt warm. She truly was proud of Saori for all of her growth since they had met. She was becoming a confident young woman.
“I have you to thank. You helped push me to trust in myself. I never would've stood up for myself otherwise.” Saori reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. She clicked on a few buttons before revealing that she had recorded her speech from the other day. “This is going to help me feel better if I ever feel worried or discouraged. I know I can do it.”
As Saori put her phone away, Kotone fought against herself to speak up. She had so much she wanted to do- to say. But this wasn't her goodbye.
Saori hesitated for a moment, before reaching out to grab Kotone's hands.
“I just need you to know that I owe it all to you. You saved me, Kotone.” Saori's hands trembled slightly, but they felt warm.
“I-I'll miss you.” Kotone finally spoke up. “Will I get to see you again?”
“I… don't know.” Saori's face dropped for a moment, before her eyes lit up, “But I promise we'll text and call. We have to see each other when we graduate. We'll plan something before we go off to college.”
A stray tear slid down Kotone's cheek, “I'll be looking forward to it.”
“Oh- Kotone!” Saori threw her arms around Kotone. “D-Don't cry.” Her own voice trembled.
“I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…” Kotone whispered.
Saori pulled back, “I thought it would be easier to just do this at the last minute. So we didn't have to have our final days together linger over the sadness of this moment. But this is just as hard. I'm trying to be brave for you.”
“Do you have to go now? Can I at least steal you away for one last trip to Paulownia Mall?” Kotone smiled sadly.
Saori pondered it for a moment before a small, but rebellious smile took over, “I don't see why not. Let's go.”
Kotone wiped her tears away and reached for Saori's hand. “We better hurry! We're on a time crunch!”
Saori giggled as Kotone led them away from the high school and into town.
“So what are your plans for this trip?” Saori asked.
“I'm winging it.” Kotone smirked. “How about we get some ice cream?”
“Sounds good to me.” Saori nodded.
The pair walked into the convenience store and stood over the freezer looking at their options.
“What's a good flavor?” Saori asked.
“Try whichever one you want! You get to decide for yourself.” Kotone nudged her arm.
She watched as Saori looked over all the options before she settled on a strawberry mochi ice cream.
“Great choice!” Kotone affirmed, and grabbed her own mango mochi ice cream.
“I've never had one before.” Saori said, her face a bit pink with embarrassment. “But it does look good on the picture.”
“Want a drink too?” Kotone asked.
“Oh, sure.” Saori followed Kotone to the drink section and settled on a melon soda.
“Mmm, my favorite. See, you've got good taste in sweets.” Kotone smiled as she reached for her own soda.
As they got to the register, Kotone insisted on paying for their items. Saori gave up on her protest quickly. After paying, they found an open bench outside the convenience store and sat to enjoy their treats.
“Mm, this is really good. You weren't kidding.” Saori said, mouth half full of mochi ice cream.
“Told you! Want to try a bite of mine?” Kotone held out her mochi towards Saori.
“I-Is that okay? To share?” Saori asked, surprised.
“I don't mind at all.” Kotone shrugged.
Saori hesitated, but agreed to try it. She took a small bite before handing it back.
“Mm… I like that one too.” Saori giggled. “I've never shared food with someone else like that. I'm sorry for my reaction.”
“It's no problem at all!” Kotone smiled as she watched Saori continue to eat her ice cream.
“I wish we had been able to do this more often…” Saori looked at the crowd of people. “I really enjoy getting to spend time with you like this.”
“I know what you mean.” Kotone's chest tightened again. “But I'm sure you'll make lots of friends at your new school.”
Saori mumbled something that Kotone couldn't make out.
“Oh, new idea. Follow me!” Kotone sprung out of her seat, and waited for Saori to follow.
This time she led them to the Shrine, where it was less busy.
“Oh, the shrine. I've been here a few times.” Saori remarked.
“Let's climb up there. You get a nice view at the top of the jungle gym.” Kotone suggested.
“O-Okay.” Saori followed behind.
Kotone helped Saori reach the top, where they sat side-by-by again.
“The view is nice…” Saori watched in awe.
“I'm guessing I'm almost out of time with you today.” Kotone sighed. “I hope you had some fun on your last day.”
“It was great. I… I wouldn't have wanted today to go any other way.” Saori smiled at her.
Kotone smiled back, though the tightness in her chest and the fluttering of her stomach kicked in again.
“I know it's selfish but… I wish you didn't have to go…” Kotone admitted.
“I know… I wish I didn't have to leave you.” Saori sighed.
“I…” Kotone stopped herself.
“What is it?” Saori asked, concerned.
“You once asked if I had anyone I liked. At the time I said no, but that's changed.” Kotone looked towards the sky, piecing together how she wanted to word things.
“I'm sure they're very lucky.” Saori smiled, though her eyes told a different story.
“There's a big problem though.” Kotone looked back towards Saori. “She's leaving today.”
Saori blinked away her momentary confusion before the realization set in.
“Are you… being serious?” Saori asked, voice low.
Kotone nodded, her face feeling warm.
“Kotone… I-I.” Saori's face turned pink.
“You don't have to say anything. I know it's-”
“Wait! Please, let me speak.” Saori interrupted. “Sorry. I'm not good at this. I'm just surprised- I mean- you're amazing and out of all the people out there, you like… me. I feel so lucky…”
“I wish I had said something sooner, but it wouldn't have changed anything.” Kotone frowned. “You still have to go.”
“I… wouldn't have been strong enough anyway to admit how deeply I care for you. Not until I learned to use my own voice.” Saori smiled.
“You do?” Kotone's smile grew wider.
Saori nodded. Then she leaned in close, her head resting against Kotone's shoulder. Their hands met again, holding each other tightly.
“I promise you'll always have a place in my heart, even when I'm far away. When we can find the time to meet again, we'll do things the proper way.” Saori said, looking over their entwined hands.
“I did basically take you on a date today.” Kotone laughed. “But once we're graduated- we'll get to have our next date. I promise.”
Saori smiled sweetly as she looked over at Kotone. “Does this make me your… girlfriend?”
“I think so.” Kotone giggled.
Saori's phone rang from her pocket.
“I guess I should let you go now.” Kotone sighed. She helped Saori get down from the jungle gym. “Can I walk you back?”
“As much as I want you to… I can't. I'm already going to be in much trouble for coming home late. I don't want you to be caught up in that.” Saori frowned.
“I guess this is goodbye then.” Kotone sighed.
“I promise I'll call you when I get there. I'll text and call and tell you all about my new school.” Saori held Kotone's hands in her own.
“I'm looking forward to it.” Kotone smiled. She knew Saori would be fine at her new school.
Saori leaned in slowly and pressed her lips against Kotone's. Though it was a quick kiss, it was as sweet as Kotone would've imagined.
“The time will fly by. Before we know it- we'll get to do this again.” Saori spoke quietly.
“I know.” Kotone pulled away to look at Saori for one last time. “You're going to do great. I'll see you soon.”