Durch Leiden Freude Ending~Hihara Kazuki Side
What am I doing here?
could not help but ask herself this one simple question. Surrounded by all her friends, Tsukimori, Yunoki, Kaji, Tsuchiura, Ousaki, and Amou, not to mention a luxurious ski resort in Hokkaido, all expense paid for. Yet, discovered it was all wrong because, a special senior was not here.
The green-haired senior, Hihara Kazuki, the person who never missed any group gatherings, the cheerful friend that always managed to put a smile on other people’s faces with his energy and jovial attitude towards life, had declined his invitation to join the group here at Hokkaido.
She needed no one to spell it out for her, but knew, she was the person that took away Hihara’s smile. No, actually, he did smile, but it was not the kind Hihara was known to possess. The smile saw on Hihara’s face that day on the university campus was a saddened, hurtful one, simply a reflection of the bleeding wound she had caused within his heart.
I know what it is like to wait for an answer that you know would never come.
To be given false hope, knowing no matter how much you give, there was really nothing to grasp.
Actually, if you consider it carefully, it was not very ‘Hihara-like’ to talk so negatively. Wow, how did she manage to destroy a wonderful person who always looked to the bright side of life and turned him into the man who recognises darkness and despair? Had forgotten, if it was not for Hihara three years ago, she probably would not have been able to smile again.
---
That night three years ago, after she broke down and begged Tsukimori to break up with her, spent the entire night weeping in her bedroom. In fact, she cried herself to sleep every night after that for a straight three months. It was bad, really bad. never realised breaking up with Tsukimori could be so painful. During the day at class, would force herself to act okay, but when she was alone, whenever she closed her eyes, or even, whenever she walked around the Seiso Gakuin school grounds, she would be reminded of every wonderful moment she had with Tsukimori.
Recovery from the break up with Tsukimori would not have been so hard if she could think of any unpleasant, disappointing times she had spent with him. Unfortunately, discovered, everything related to Tsukimori was all but beautiful happy memories that had occupied more than half of her soul.
Within a month of Tsukimori’s departure, had lost five kilograms. It was like a nightmare, the heartache, the miseries was making her sick from inside and she could not even force food down her throat. She had always been a slim girl, and shedding that much more weight made her look very fragile. Yet she would force herself to smile before her friends, frightened people would see how wounded she actually was.
Noticing her condition, ’s two best friends Nao and Mio became extremely worried. “-chan is obviously troubled about something, but she wouldn’t share it with us.” Mio sighed.
“Is there nothing we could do?” Nao added too, feeling sorry for . While the two girls were talking, they noticed a familiar person standing by the classroom door looking in.
“Hihara senpai,” Approaching the visitor, Nao greeted. “Are you looking for ?”
With Nao’s spot on answer, Hihara blushed in embarrassment. “Yeah...yeah, has she left for the day already?”
“-chan is probably at the practice rooms, she has been working harder than normal recently.” Mio came up too and replied.
“Oh, of course. She always practice hard on her violin, I guess I really need to look up to her.” Scratching his head in embarrassment Hihara laughed.
“Hihara senpai,” With a sigh, Nao looked up at Hihara in all seriousness. “Actually, we are very worried about .”
Surprised with the tone of graveness in Nao’s voice, Hihara asked immediately. “Why? Is she okay?”
“We are not sure because she never shares anything with us, but she has lost so much weight, and her eyes are always puffy and swollen.” Mio lowered her head and explained. “She must have been crying in secret and yet there was nothing we could do.”
“That is why,” Nao added quickly. “Hihara senpai, we are hoping you could help her, you always managed to make her smile, and this time, I still believe you are the only one who could do it!”
For a few months since Christmas, Hihara had been busy with university entrance exams so it was not until towards the end of March did he come to visit Seiso Gakuin. Actually to be honest, after that Christmas night, when he saw Tsukimori confessed to , Hihara knew it was no longer him that could make happy.
Wanting to back away, Hihara was glad due to the busy schedule of a third year student, he was able to avoid coming to school in case he sees Tsukimori and together. To his surprise though, apparently Tsukimori had gone to Vienna, leaving here all alone. From Nao and Mio’s words, Hihara knew immediately the cause of ’s drastic weight loss, and the reason to her tears.
Hihara clenched his fists in frustration with the discovery how little his existence meant to in comparison to Tsukimori. Being her friend this whole time, never opened to anyone her relationship with Tsukimori, and although Hihara had always smiled and told to come to him whenever she needed help, she never came. There was only one explanation. She never needed his help in the first place.
Walking along the corridor of the music faculty practice rooms, Hihara heard a familiar sound, the sound of violin performed by the girl who occupied every part of his being. Secretly taking a look through the glass opening of the door, Hihara felt his heart burnt immediately when he saw the face of the beautiful girl he thought of night and day.
However, the sweet tender feeling disappeared immediately when Hihara recognised the tune was performing. It was Salut D'amour Op.12, the piece he heard on Christmas night, the duet performed with Tsukimori.
Lowering his head, Hihara was about to turn and walk away when he noticed the music stopped suddenly. Turning around in surprise, Hihara saw weeping bitterly as she held the music manuscripts in her hands.
Each drop of tears that fell onto the manuscript, Hihara felt a pinch against his heart. Yes, he was insignificant compared to Tsukimori, but could he walk away from when he knew she was in so much agony? It does not matter if he was only a fool, wanting something he would never have; Hihara was willing to sacrifice anything to see smile again.
---
was tired of all the weeping and she was drained from all the heartaches. Why so much pain? Wasn’t she the one that asked to break up with Tsukimori? Was it not her that begged him to not contact her again? Knowing so, was unable to help herself from such miseries. From the bottom of her heart, desperately called for someone to rescue her from the pitiful situation.
Quickly drying her tears forced herself to stand up again. Opening the door, as if her cry for help was answered, ’s eyes widened in surprise when she saw someone standing there waiting.
“Hihara senpai...?”
“Hello!” With a funny smile, Hihara waved and greeted. “Long, long time no see, -chan.”
As a reflex, lowered her head worried Hihara would notice the tear mark on her face as she greeted too. “Yes, it has been a while, Hihara senpai. Have you completed all the exams?”
“Yup.” Hihara replied realising he could not keep his eyes off the beautiful face he had missed so much. At the same time, Hihara understood what Mio and Nao were saying because indeed looked very fragile.
“-chan!” Stepping forward Hihara grabbed onto ’s hand. “Let’s go celebrate! It’s my shout, order anything you want!”
“Eh?” Not expecting that finally looked up at Hihara and found a most cheerful smile on his face. For some reason, realised she really missed that cheerfulness from Hihara. It was like the warm sunshine that made her cold miserable world warm again.
Knowing his action was abrupt and sudden, Hihara did not care. From the way wept secretly alone in the practice room, Hihara felt she was hoping for someone to give her strength to move on. He most likely was not the strength she was looking for, but Hihara no longer cared. So what if he was just a fool, or a clown making a fool out of himself? As long as he could make remember what laughter was, it was all worth it.
“Hihara senpai, I can’t eat all these!” gaped at the banquet Hihara ordered for her. Not to mention that she had long lost her appetite, even if she still has it, there was no way she could eat all of the food.
“Oh, not to worry, just eat the ones you like.” Hihara replied with a wonderful warm smile totally forgot he would weep when he need to pay for the bill later.
did not know what to say when she noticed the selfless caring in Hihara’s words. She too knew that she had not been eating properly since Tsukimori’s departure, and seeing that cheerful expression on Hihara’s face, forced out a smile and took a bite of the food closest to her. The moment the food entered her mouth, the disgusting feeling whirled up within, but held it in and swallowed the food.
“-chan? How was the food? Is it delicious?” Hihara asked quickly in concern when he saw took her first bite of food in a long time.
Not wanting to disappoint Hihara, nodded. “It was delicious, thank you.”
Although thought she could no longer tolerate the taste of food in her mouth, she felt magically appetite started to return when she ate it little by little with Hihara. Breaking up with Tsukimori was harsh but knew she had a person who cared for her. Hihara’s attentiveness gave her strength, and all of a sudden discovered—she was rescued.
---
“Can’t make up your mind?” From beside her, heard Amou asked while she read through the ski resort pamphlet. “How about I pick one for you, let’s start with ski school…”
“Amou-chan,” sighed noticing no motivation in trying out anything. “I, I am worried about Hihara senpai.”
“Hihara senpai?” Amou blinked with ’s sudden mention of the senior. “Why?”
With another sigh continued, “I don’t know, I just feel bad that we are all here having fun and Hihara senpai is not here to have fun too.”
“But like he said, he has a graduation thesis to work on, besides, there will always be another chance.”
“I know but still…” frowned.
Noticing the expression on ’s soft face, Amou asked cautiously. “-chan, I have actually always wondered, what relationship do you have with Hihara senpai?” stopping, Amou added remembering the shocking news she heard the day she stalked Kaji and ’s date. “And also, was there something between you and Tsukimori-kun?”
’s face turned bright red with Amou’s straight forward questions. “Three years ago…” Slowly looking away, gave a sigh knowing it was time to open up to her friend. “Before Len went to Vienna, we dated…”
“Eh??” Amou’s eyes opened wide in shock with ’s confession. “Really? You and that cold stoic Tsukimori Len??”
Blushing even more nodded. “The night of the Christmas concert, Len and I confessed our feelings and we started going out.” A sad smile painted her face as she continued. “I knew he would soon leave for Vienna but I didn’t care. We both knew what was coming but we thought as long as we treasured the little time we have left, it was enough. However when he really left, I was in so much despair and pain that I actually regretted loving him. I once could live on my own, but life could never be the same for me if he was not around.”
“-chan…” Amou sympathised with finally knowing the reason why three years ago, looked so pale and weak.
“It was at my lowest times, Hihara senpai remained beside me and helped me back onto my feet.” closed her eyes and continued to explain. “Finally at the night of Yunoki senpai’s engagement party, Hihara senpai confessed to me and asked if I could become his girlfriend…”
“What, what did you tell him? Did you say yes?”
“At the time, although his confession came as a surprise, but I actually felt really happy.” answered recalling the feeling of warmth she felt that night. “I felt from the bottom of my heart that if it was Hihara senpai, I could really walk down this path with him…”
“But you still love Tsukimori-kun right?” Amou asked sharply remembering it was the same question Kaji asked when he confessed.
Feeling a prick in her heart with Amou’s question, bit her lower lip in frustration. “I, I am not sure…All I knew was, when he left me, he took a huge part of me with him, and I would be lying if I said, I no longer feel anything for him.” Looking over at Amou added quickly. “But I really was willing to start anew with Hihara senpai! With him I could smile, and I have been so happy with Hihara senpai for the past three years, I was sure I could continue on for many years to come…”
“But you didn’t expect Tsukimori-kun to return to your life.” Amou gave a sigh finally understanding the situation. “Hihara senpai must have been so struck too with such an outcome…”
remained silent for she knew not what else to say.
Seeing this, Amou gave a pat on the shoulder. “But to be honest, I don’t think things are as complicated as you think.”
“It’s not…?”
“Well, it is pretty obvious to me that you are here at the ski field where Tsukimori-kun also is, but your heart had actually flown back to Yokohama because Hihara senpai is there.”
“You mean…?” Life returned to ’s beautiful face with Amou’s statement.
Nodding, Amou smiled in encouragement. “Although Tsukimori-kun still means a lot to you, but it was because he left you three years ago in such a way that you were confused and hurt. Yet without knowing, Hihara senpai’s presence had started to occupy your heart little by little. Although it had taken three years, I am sure his position in your heart may not be lighter than Tsukimori-kun’s.”
Amou’s words were like a key that finally opened and released the lock that tied down for three years. When she felt so heartbroken with Hihara’s saddened expressions, she had always thought it was because she felt guilty. All of a sudden she discovered there was much more to it. For three years had lived a life with Hihara’s support and without him beside her now, how can it be right?
No more confused, held onto Amou’s hand in gladness. “Thank you Amou-chan! You have opened my eyes!”
“Don’t mention it.” Amou smiled in return. “So what are you going to do? Are you going to remain here at the resort?”
Shaking her head, smiled. “No, for I know where I should be.” With that in mind, packed her things and when she apologised to Yunoki about her plan to return to Yokohama, to her surprise, Yunoki seemed rather calm with her sudden decision.
“Make Hihara happy,” Yunoki sighed. “You owe him that much.”
While Yunoki watched hopped into the taxi to take her to the airport, his heart ached. He knew he had lost his dream, yet he was comforted to know, at least his best friend had found his. Smiling mockingly to himself, Yunoki was amused to discover that he was actually capable of wishing other people happiness too.
---
thought she could literally hear the pounding of her heartbeat by her ears. Standing outside Hihara’s house, wondered if he would be happy to see her sudden return. Would he still want to hear her answer to the question he asked that night at Yunoki’s engagement party?
“Yes?”
Not long after she buzzed the doorbell, a man’s voice answered and opened the door. When saw the face, she quickly bowed and greeted politely. “Good afternoon, Haruki-san. Is, is Hihara senpai home?”
Surprisingly, an awkward and weird look came onto Haruki’s face. Greeting in abnormal cheerfulness, the older of the Hihara brothers said. “Yo, -chan! What, what a surprise!”
While pondered on Haruki’s reaction, she saw from behind the tall older brother, the first door at the top of the staircase opened. She recognised that as Hihara Kazuki’s bedroom door, and when she saw the familiar green haired youth exiting the room, her body became restless in nervousness and joy.
However, all that buzzing feeling vanished when she saw following after Hihara, a beautiful girl came out of the room. Not knowing was standing by the door, Hihara Kazuki scratched his head and smiled at the girl. “Midou-chan, thanks for the snacks you prepared. All that sugar really helped my brain from performing faster.”
“No problem, Hihara senpai. Because that was the least I could do.” Lowering her head in shyness, the gorgeous girl smiled so stunningly that it was able to melt any man’s heart.
Noticing the sour look on ’s face, Haruki held onto his head and groaned. The moment he opened the door and saw ’s face, he had predicted this to happen. That was why he purposely greeted loudly hoping his brother would hear his hint and remain in his room. Unfortunately, his younger brother obviously did not take the hint and was dense enough to even walk the girl out of his room.
“Are you sure you don’t need me to walk you to the station?” Still unaware of ’s existence, Hihara asked.
“No, it’s really okay.” Midou Namie shook her head softly. “You were busy studying, so I can’t waste any more of your time.”
“Oi, Kazuki!” Haruki finally interrupted. “You have another visitor!”
“Ah, no it’s okay!” quickly said. “I will come back another time.” knew not what had gotten into her. All her determination and joy transformed into sadness as the only thing she wanted to do was flee from there. Quickly with another bow, turned and ran from the scene as fast as she could.
The moment Hihara saw , his head exploded. He did not care Midou Namie was still at his place, without even putting on his shoes, Hihara ran out the door quickly after .
“-chan!”
Luckily Hihara had always been a sprinter, and despite left earlier, it was not hard for him to soon catch up with her as he quickly grabbed her arm to stop her. “How come, I mean, didn’t you go to the ski trip?”
“I did,” Avoiding Hihara’s eyes replied. “But I came back earlier because I thought since you were stressed with study, the least I could do was see if there was anything I could do to help…”
Not expecting that, Hihara thought his ears malfunctioned. Did, did just say that she cut her trip short to rush back to Yokohama to be with him? With the thought, an extraordinary joy hit him until he heard what came out of ’s lips following that.
“But I guess,” Squeezing out a smile, said. “You didn’t really need my help right? I couldn’t make wonderful snacks like Midou-san, and I was not there for you from the beginning…”
“-chan, it’s not like that.” Hihara panicked and justified immediately. “I did not expect her to visit me. It was…”
“It’s okay!” stopped Hihara. “I am just glad to know that you have found your happiness. Midou-san is a wonderful person, and she really does love you. So I am really…” Before went on further, she noticed Hihara let go of her arm as he slowly moved away from her. Looking up, felt as if a lightning hit her when she saw the saddened and hopeless expression on her senior’s face.
“So is this your answer…?”
“Eh…?”
“I thought it was hard enough to wait for the answer to the question I asked knowing it would never come…” Backing away from , Hihara held onto his head. “But I never knew how much more badly it could be when you hear the answer.”
“Hihara senpai…” covered her mouth in agony when she realised what she had done. What the hell was she doing?! Did she rush back to Yokohama to hurt Hihara even more?! When she saw Hihara’s tall figure turned and walked off, knew it was the end. Her foolishness had brought disaster upon those around her.
“Hihara senpai…” Sobbing, called. But for the first time, the senior did not turn back.
“Hiha…Kazuki senpai!” called again in desperation as her body responded and ran up to the senior, holding onto him from behind. “Please don’t go! I am so sorry! I did not come back early to say those words to you!”
“…-chan?” Not expecting that, Hihara stopped walking. When he sensed the power of ’s embrace, Hihara thought he was dreaming. Most of all, did she address him as ‘Kazuki’? The one request he had that he thought she would never fulfil?
“I don’t want any more mistakes, I don’t want to lose what is important to me anymore!” Weeping cried, her fingers gripping tightly onto Hihara’s shirt. “I came back early because I realised, that I could not be happy when you were not beside me. Everything went wrong when Kazuki senpai was no longer there. You were the person that taught me how to smile again three years ago, and how could I continue to smile if you stopped reminding me?”
“-chan…” Totally not expecting that confession from the girl he had fallen for, Hihara panicked. Honestly, when he saw ran out a moment ago, he thought it was the end of the world. Running after her, all he had in mind was to explain to her that there was nothing between him and Midou. Even if he knew may not have the same feelings towards him, the only thing crossed his mind was, he did not want to think that he was a man whose love for her was shallow.
After a moment of silence, heard Hihara sighed. Gently, she sensed warmth on her hands as Hihara’s large manly hands overlapped hers. “This is bad, really bad…” She heard Hihara whispered.
“Kazuki senpai…?”
“I am so filled with joy that my brain could not think clearly.” Hihara said as he finally turned around and held in his arms. “-chan, do you mind if I hold you for a while until I recollect myself?”
With Hihara’s words, an extreme happiness took over as she blushed and rested in a pair of most strong and protective arms, the arms of the man who was her support, who gradually bit by bit became part of her world.
From a distance, Midou Namie felt her heart ached when she saw the two beautiful people. She had always known from Hihara’s reaction that there was another person in his heart. She knew that person was not she, yet she had hoped, maybe if she worked hard enough, she could eventually take that place.
However when she saw the bliss and joy on Hihara’s face, the cheerful expression that he never showed when he was with her. Midou Namie knew the answer. Hihara once told her that it was painful to wait for an answer that would never come, yet she knew, this was his answer. Gently with a bow, Midou Namie thanked the man who saved her many times and showed her strength and hope before she silently turned and walked away.
---
“Good morning,”
Hihara found it hard to breathe when the beautiful girl greeted him with a stunning smile when he came to pick her up on their official “first date”.
After that sweet moment of confession, the two long time friends have finally crossed the border and became a couple. A result Hihara rightfully earned after selflessly supporting for more than three years.
It was odd because they were friends for so long, they have gone out many times, and even had an attempt of a ‘date’. Yet, they both know today was different. As they walked along the footpath, heading for the train station together, Hihara blushed and asked. “Err, -chan. Is it okay if, if I hold your hand?”
Feeling her heart beating fast, smiled shyly and nodded. When the two hands connected, never felt so happy. “Kazuki senpai, where will we be going today?”
“I thought we will go to the amusement park. Is that okay?”
“Sure, it has been a while since I went.”
“Oh, when was the last time you went?”
“It was really long ago. It was like back in the high school days,” giggled. “Remember that time? Tsuchiura-kun’s ex-girlfriend had like four free tickets to the amusement park?”
“Oh yeah, I remembered.” Hihara nodded. “You originally wanted to go with Fuyumi-chan but then she couldn’t make it. I couldn’t make it either so you…” Hihara stopped all of a sudden remembering what had happened. Squeezing out a smile he concluded. “You went with Tsukimori instead.”
“Kazuki senpai…”
“Ah, maybe we can go to the amusement park another time!” Quickly eluding the topic Hihara said. “Do you want to go to the aquarium instead?”
“Anywhere is fine.” replied softly knowing although Hihara continued to act all cheerful, but what had actually gone through his mind. The date although was wonderful, and the two had not stopped laughing. knew one thing continued to bother Hihara, it was her past relationship with Tsukimori.
“Of course it would bother him.” Amou said when explained to her about her new relationship. “I mean he was there to see how much effect Tsukimori-kun had on you three years ago. There was no doubt he would constantly be under the shadow of how somewhere in your heart, you still loved Tsukimori-kun.”
“There was no denying Tsukimori-kun occupied a large part of me.” let out a sigh. “But that was in the past. I have now made up my mind to be with Kazuki senpai.”
“I know, and I believe Hihara senpai knows that too.” Amou comforted. “But I guess that feeling of inferiority will remain with him for a while. It will take time for him to finally be able to let go of that fear and fully trust you.”
Knowing Amou was right, nodded softly. Hihara knew how hard it hit her when Tsukimori first left her life. After three years, when Hihara thought he could finally be of equal status with Tsukimori, the man returned and caused her heart to stir at his presence. Seeing all these, how could Hihara trust her? She knew there was no point explaining her heart to Hihara. All she knew was, she would remain by his side, and as time goes by, maybe she would be able to calm his heart to trust in her choice.
---
“-chan, do you want to stop by and grab something to eat?” After one of the performances of the Madame Butterfly Project, Hihara approached his lovely girlfriend and asked.
“Of course.” Smiling beautifully in response said while she packed up her violin. “Should we go have ramen[i]? I am having cravings for ramen!”
“Ramen? Then should we try that shop near the station? I heard they have very good tonkotsu flavoured ramen.”
While the two were talking, a person approached them. “, Maestro Schinkel would like to have a meeting with the both of us.”
Upon the third person’s appearance, noticed Hihara’s smile faded. There was always one person that could take that smile away like that. Not sure if the person knew the effect he had, he calmly said to Hihara. “Hihara senpai, is that okay?”
“Ah, of course, Tsukimori-kun.” Hihara said quickly. Turning to the senior added. “I guess we will have to have ramen next time.”
“I don’t think it will take that long,” Tsukimori interrupted. “If you would wait around a little longer, you could still leave with .”
“Ah…but,” Hihara for some reason, despite him being ’s boyfriend now, could not help but feel like the interfering one between Tsukimori and .
“Let’s go, .” With that, Tsukimori turned and walked away.
“You are going to wait for me right?” Knowing how Hihara felt, assured. “I want to go to eat ramen with you.”
“Okay, I will be here.” Finally giving the smile she knew of him, Hihara nodded.
As he watched walked up quickly to catch up with Tsukimori, Hihara felt his heart ached. He could not help but think they looked so beautiful together, and closing his eyes, he could still remember the look on their faces that night after the Christmas concert. The union and bond they shared when they performed Salut D'amour Op.12 together.
After returning from the ski trip, although it was never publically announced, everyone seemed to have accepted the outcome of their new found relationship. As a man to man though, Hihara knew Tsukimori’s love for still remained. Despite how he kept to himself, Tsukimori did not know the gentleness he would express whenever he looked at .
What if Tsukimori confesses his love to ?
Hihara felt his hands turning colder whenever that thought came into his mind. He was so frightened that Tsukimori will once again effortlessly sway off her feet. With all these negative thoughts swamping his mind, torturing him, he did not even notice had returned.
“Kazuki senpai?” Waving her hand in front of Hihara’s eyes in tease giggled. “Have you fallen asleep?”
“-chan!” Quickly jumping onto his feet Hihara greeted. “Are, are you ready to go?”
“Yup, let’s go!” Gently reaching out her hand, she held Hihara’s hand in hers as she led them out of the concert hall.
With the touch of a soft tiny hand against his own, Hihara felt his heart so lost. How much longer will he be able to enjoy this before it all vanishes? While Hihara was drowned in his own miserable thoughts, he noticed had become quieter than normal. Her mind seemed to have drifted off elsewhere and regardless of the presence of their bodies sitting next to each other in the shop, Hihara discovered something was obstructing them.
“Thank you for walking me home,” said while they stood before her house after the little ramen date. With no one else on the streets, silently and peacefully underneath the moonlight felt her heart beating fast anticipating something to happen.
When she sensed the tall senior leaning closer, slowly closing her eyes, she felt a peck on the cheek. Opening her eyes, she saw Hihara smiled gently and whispered a soft ‘goodnight’ before he turned and left.
Returning to her room, let out a sigh as she softly touched her cheek. Once again, it was just a kiss on the cheek. It has been two months since they started dating, Hihara had not once kissed her on the lips.
Was she expecting too much? Or was Hihara holding back because he was unsure of her feeling? Exhaling deeply, hoped to lessen the uncomfortable feeling she felt weighing down on her chest.
While she was sighing away, a text message came through. Picking up her phone, she felt her heart skipped a beat when she saw that it was from Tsukimori.
“Your decision was unwise. I recommend that you reconsider.”
Feeling her heart at a mess with the message, replied.
“I have made my decision. I believe it is for the best.”
When no more messages came through, knew what she did tonight must have disappointed Tsukimori. But it was okay, for she knew, no matter what happens, she would never want to see sadness on Hihara’s face, ever again.
---
With mixed feelings Hihara entered the family restaurant. The night before, he received a call from an unexpected person who made a time to meet him here. The moment he saw the familiar face, Hihara secretly took a deep breath before he approached.
“Hi, Tsukimori.”
“Hihara senpai,” In politeness the blue-haired violinist apologised. “Sorry to have made you come out here.”
“No, it’s okay.” Seating himself onto the seat opposite Tsukimori, Hihara pondered on the reason why he was sitting here at the restaurant with Tsukimori. He knew there was only one reason really, Tsukimori had finally decided to claim what was originally his.
But, was he really going to hand over like this? He had waited for more than three years, and maybe he was not able to move ’s heart the way Tsukimori could, he knew his love for her was not one bit less!
“Tsukimori!” Hihara finally made up his mind. “I love -chan! I know I may not be good enough for her, but I am willing to do everything for her! I will keep trying and make sure she is truly happy!”
“You’re willing?” Looking straight at Hihara, Tsukimori asked coldly.
“Yes, I am!” Hihara assured sitting up straight.
“In that case,” Tsukimori concluded seriously. “You must let her go.”
“…?” It took Hihara a while to register before he finally let out a ‘…huh?’
