"Kyousuke, are you sure...?" asked, eyes glistening with tears.

"...Yeah. It's... to save Nii-san after all..." Tsurugi replied, clenching his fists.

"But Yuuichi-san will be sad, too...!"

"...I won't change my mind."

Hearing his resolution, quietly reached for his hands and clasped them tightly with hers.

"Kyousuke," raised his voice, "...Be safe, okay?"

That was all she could say to him back then. Tsurugi merely nodded in reply, but both of them knew that each other understood.






once again








Everytime closed her eyes, she couldn't help but to remember, very vividly, that one conversation with her childhood friend Tsurugi Kyousuke. The last conversation she had with him before she moved houses far away...

"Aah... It's so hard not to let tears flow whenever they're in my mind," covered her eyes with her arm.

After all, that accident doesn't only haunt Tsurugi, but also , who was there to see everything. They were very good friends - Yuuichi was like an older brother to as well - so understood how much in pain Tsurugi was... and perhaps still is.

Then again...

immediately rubbed her eyes to erase the tears.

Then again, there was no need to shed tears anymore. Tomorrow she'll move back to Inazuma Town, and if fate lets them to meet, she'll have all the time in the world to make new, good memories with Tsurugi and Yuuichi.

***


Moving really does take up a lot of your energy. was once again reminded of this as she looked at her alarm clock to see it was already a little over seven o'clock in the morning.

"I'm late!" She shouted as she took her brand new school uniform and dashed to the bathroom.

Yesterday, it took her hours to finish unpacking her things - she's not the type to be able to settle in before turning her room to what it was like in her previous house - and she was very tired, so it's no wonder she woke up late.

After changing, took a slice of bread with tuna mayonnaise spread on it and ate it as she put on her shoes.

"Mom, I'm going!" shouted, and her mother replied with a loud: 'Be careful!' from the kitchen. After hearing her reply, immediately dashed towards her school... her new school, Raimon Middle School.

***


prepared her heart for her introduction. She's moved schools a lot of times, but introductions still make her feel nervous for some reason... Hopefully, the class is kind and welcoming.

After the teacher gave her a sign to come into the class, she did as she was told and introduced herself.

"I'm . It is nice to meet you!" smiled, and everyone greeted back in unison.

"You can have the free seat on the back," the teacher said, and nodded.

sighed in relieve as she sat down on her seat. She managed to pull through the hardest part without embarrassing herself... what's left is to wait until school ends, and start looking for her beloved childhood friend.

"Hey!"

Suddenly, she heard a voice from the side. It was a girl with brown hair and kind eyes.

"Hello," replied.

"Nice to meet you, I'm !" The girl said again, this time with a full blown smile, "You have anything to do after school?"

"Is she trying to invite me somewhere?" thought, feeling a bit guilty to reject. But she had made up her mind to find Tsurugi today, so...

"Yes, I'm going to take a look at the soccer club," replied.

"Huum... Soccer club, huh?" said, and then she smiled mischievously, "Then, I'll tell you about really nice targets! Oh, but you have lots of rivals, so be careful!"

looked at her questioningly, "Target? What about?"

"Aw, you know you know what I mean!" said, "Our school's soccer club is full of handsome boys! If you're going to take a look, then it's better to know about them first than going in blind, right?"

Ah, but I'm not going to look for a boyfriend candidate or something... was what thought, but unable to voice out.

"There's Shindou-senpai - ah, he's the one with brown, permed hair - he's a genius, really! Good at everything. Can't believe someone like him exists," started, "Oh, but you can't forget Tsurugi Kyousuke! He's in the same year as we are--"

immediately looked at in surprise, "Tsurugi... Kyousuke...?" she asked.

"Yeah! He's the ace--"

"-kun! -kun! No talking during class!"

and immediately shuts up and looked down. couldn't believe she made a mess in her first day... but no matter. From what said, Tsurugi is here in this school... which means... they could meet again...

felt a swell of happiness in her chest.

She could meet Tsurugi again...

could only hope he hadn't forgotten about her.

***


After school, immediately went to the soccer field. Earlier said that today the soccer club has after school practice, so he should be there.

When got close to the field, she could see shadows of a lot of people and heard their shouts. Among them is a voice so familiar...

"Kyousuke...?" She couldn't help but to let out her voice.

There he is.

In the field, dribbling the ball with a smile. Passing through all of the defenses beautifully... and then he shot the ball strongly, as it dove into the goal.

Tsurugi looked very happy...

"I'm so glad... he's not the Kyousuke I knew from long ago anymore."

He'd finally found his happiness.

***

"Tsurugi, player change," Shindou said, as Tsurugi nodded and left the field. As he did, he finally put his concentration off of the field, and then he realised the presence of a girl outside of the field.

"...She's...!"

Tsurugi couldn't help but to immediately run as fast as he could towards her.

She looked surprised... but then she smiled at him, as tears streamed down her face.

"...Are you... ...?"

Her sparkling large eyes,
Her flowing, beautiful hair...

She looked much older now - of course, since time has passed - but indeed, she's... the person he couldn't forget, not even for one second, the person he'd loved since childhood.

"Kyousuke," said, "...I'm so glad."

Tsurugi smiled, as he embraced her tightly.

"...Welcome back, ."

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