Even If It’s Just a Drop

8:13 AM

Today, I slept a lot.

I should feel happy about it, but sleeping is one of the most useless things. We sleep only because our bodies need rest, not because we want to.

I stay in bed, thinking about what will happen at the summer festival with Shizuku. After all, she invited me.

Maybe she'll ditch me and go with one of her friends.

Ah, I honestly don't care.

But why am I thinking about Shizuku first thing in the morning?

Is it because she was the first person to talk to me so nicely?

I think people like Shizuku don't have the courage to ignore others. They always say random things to influence the atmosphere around them.

I don't like people like that.

Why should I care about sympathy that everyone gets?

It's like when a store clerk says, "Good morning" to me. It's just an act meant to end a conversation that never even started.

RING.

I pick up my phone, and as expected, it's Shizuku.

I answer.

"Nozomi, don't tell me you forgot our promise to go to the summer festival," she says in a sad voice.

"First of all, I didn't promise. But I didn't forget."

"Of course you'd say that, haha. Don't forget—today at 6 PM, behind the store. There's a small mountain we can go to."

"Whatever works best for you, I guess."

"OKK! See you then!"

She hangs up.

Behind the store, huh?

I never noticed there could be a nice view from up there.

I don't even know what to do.

I don't know what to wear.

I don't know how to speak.

I don't know anything.

I wish my life were like a firework.

It explodes, then vanishes.

That's a pretty cool way to put it.

After reading some manga, time passes on its own, and suddenly it's 5:40 PM.

I dress in casual clothes and head out for the summer festival.

I can already see a lot of people on the streets.

I hate being surrounded by so many people. I always feel like everyone is watching me—how I look, how I walk.

It's annoying.

When I arrive at the spot she told me about, Shizuku isn't there.

I wait ten minutes.

Then twenty.

Then thirty.

But just before the fireworks start, I receive a message.

It's from Shizuku.

It's something simple.

Shizuku = Drop

Nozomi = Hope

Another message quickly follows:

You are my Drop of Hope.

"What?" I reply.

"Do you think a drop of hope can change something, even if it's just a drop?" she replies.

"No. A drop is insignificant," I answer.

Then I get no response.

But right after I finish looking at my phone, someone comes up from behind me and jumps on me.

It's Shizuku.

"Nozomi! Did you like my poem? Haha! I kept my promise about telling you the secret."

I'm speechless.

But just as I'm about to say something, the fireworks start going off.

Shizuku holds my hand.

Strangely, her hand feels warmer than it did yesterday.

Or is it my hand that's warm...?

I somehow grew feelings for her, I guess.

Is that something to be happy about?

While she's watching the fireworks, I stand there watching their reflection in her eyes.

They are indeed beautiful.

After the fireworks are over, I say something.

"Shizuku, I think a drop may be insignificant, but it can still change something."

She smiles...

THE END