XI — Naoji's Grateful Mistake

She waved back. 

Then, she walked toward him

Not immediately, but slowly.

And surely.

However, her eyes wandered toward something else other than his usual smile.

The one as bright as the sun.

Instead, she was noticing something quite peculiar.

That book...

She clearly recognized it.

The yellow front cover.

That "Shayō" kanji was written beautifully, printed as black silhouette letters.

Those beauties covered by his fingers, as if concealing its enormous secrets.

"Reita-kun..."

"Is that...?"

Her pointy finger chose to notice that shiny yellow book instead of him.

Riku Reita, who had no clues about her intimacy with it, offered the book.

"Oh, do you want to read it?"

Her walking step stopped immediately.

I'm so stupid.

Idiot, idiot, idiot!

She knew she should have screamed it out loud as possible.

"That book is worth much more than my life's value!"

And she also knew she should have claimed it, telling him that she always brings it everyday.

Even now, in her bag.

Thousand iterations of reading simply couldn't describe how much she loves it.

She really wanted to cry, but her eyes were cold. 

And silent. So much so she was frozen.

It definitely wasn't his fault. 

If anything, it was Naoji's.

But she didn't know what would become of him in real life.

You useless creature, Naoji.

She looked down at him, the same way Kazuko did as well.

"Kanzaki-san? Is there anything wrong?"

His soft, gentle voice cut away all of violence in her head.

"No, nothing. It's okay."

One lie.

"I'm fine."

Yet another lie.

She replied in a way that even a blazing sun couldn't melt the ice.

"I see."

As a response, he smiled. And it was exaggerated.

Did he hide something?

She couldn't help but wonder. After all, this is Riku Reita.

Based on her impression, without judging him, it could be possible.

Wait, what—

He offered his hand.

"Show me yours..."

"Kazuko-san."

Wait, did he just...

Her mind couldn't take it. 

She was smiling deep down. No, she was deeply flustered.

Her eyes shifted into a deep brightness. And her face suddenly reddened.

I love you so much, Naoji...

Almost immediately, she pulled down her brown briefcase.

Her hands were careful, searching for the exact same cover of his.

Oh, there it is...

The same one from she bought for the first time.

She was seven years old when it happened, visiting that old museum.

With her father, who had been quite supportive. Or used to.

Then, she picked and pulled that book out of her briefcase.

She showed it with her hand upfront, as if saying "Here." to him.

"I see..." He replied.

"She really reminds me a lot of you."

I want to go to heaven...

Little did he know, she always compared him to someone in that book too.

Someone she apparently always longs, yet couldn't reach for it.

"You too, my comedian."

That's what she really wanted to say.

But instead—

"I see."

"Thanks, Reita-kun."

She let out a faint smile. The one out of acknowledgement.

"Mhm."

She sat down near to him, as if already welcoming him to her own sanctuary.

In a way, she was just glad enough someone shared her interest.

And that's it. Because...

She couldn't really ask for more.

I could just die already...

"So... Reita-kun."

"You visited it, too?" She asked. No implications, just honest curiosity.

He didn't answer immediately. Instead. he put down the book first.

"Yes, I did."

"With my friends last week."

He replied, and it was gentle.

"What about you, Kanzaki-san?"

Should I tell him?

The question simply lingered in her mind.

She never really believed in fate, let alone any kind of instant prophecy.

But maybe, just maybe... she could give it a try.

So, she looked at his eyes and said those words she had never uttered to anyone before.

"Yes."

One answer.

"I went there with my father."

Yet another.

"Ten years ago, when I was seven years old."

I said it...

She did, and fluently so.

She never was the one to talk with anyone. Or if she did, it was limited to lessons and books.

Her mind memorized, yet never really expressed things directly.

At least... not as much as right now. 

In front of him.

"I see..."

Eh, just that?

Her mind still fears it.

The fact she had been separated from others. 

"Good for you, Kanzaki-san." He let out his warm smile.

"That must be a memorable experience. Good to hear it."

"Even more than me."

Wait, what? No! 

However, those words couldn't be spoken.

At least, not directly.

"I mean, it must be fun to go with some friends, I think..."

Her hesitations still got to her. Loudly so,

But at least, she tried.

"No, that's not true at all!"

...what?

A sudden scream. Assertiveness that is unusual.

Not so Riku Reita, she thought.

"They made a mess! They even were being impolite to the tour guide, hitting on her! Kaze also was being inconsiderate, he made a joke about the way he died so casually in front of us!"

"It's ridiculous and I feel so ashamed!"

"I even apologized to the tour guide by the time they were leaving the museum!"

By the time he finished, he was ready for any consequence.

And for him, it was over.

However—

Her lips mumbled, then muffled.

Slowly but surely, she chuckled. 

It got louder and louder.

She shed tears out of joy.

So shameless. So unlike her.

Yet she was holding it for as long as possible.

"Reita-kun..."

"You really got some silly friends to hang around, didn't you?"

Riku wasn't ready for this, yet he followed her chuckles.

With a laughter and a shed of tears as well.

She was right. They indeed were funny...

Soon after that, the momentum was gone.

"I think so."

"Thank you for today, Kanzaki-san."

"And... I guess we are friends for now?"

Hearing that, she instantly wiped those tears from her eyes.

"Mhm, sure!" A gentle smile drawn on her lips.

For them, it probably was a happy ending. 

Or if not, perhaps it could be the beginning of anew.

Only time could tell.