On a normal school day, Mizuha, Eri, Shimizu, and their classmates were returning from the science room to their classroom.
Shimizu sighed. "Ah, one subject down! What’s next? I’m so hungry right now."
"Next is math."
"Ugh, not that! I really don’t like math."
"Hang in there, Shimizu-chan. Just one more class, then we’ll have lunch."
"I brought another one of my dishes today. I’ll let you both try it."
"Really? That’s great! I can’t wait to taste it. That gives me a bit of motivation for the next class."
Mizuha laughed. "Does food motivate you?"
Suddenly, Mizuha bumped into a guy from another class. He turned to her.
"Ah, sorry about that."
"It’s okay, just a little bump." They went their separate ways afterward.
As Mizuha walked back toward her classroom, the guy turned to look at her again.
Is that her? Or is it just my imagination? he wondered.
The guy walked to his class — Class 1B, the same as Hikaru's and Akemi's. His name was Takeru. Takeru’s seat was in front of Hikaru’s in the classroom.
Meanwhile, Hikaru was spacing out, remembering the moment Mizuha had tried to feed him tamagoyaki before Akemi interrupted them that day.
If Akemi hadn't interrupted... something awkward might have happened, he thought.
Suddenly, Akemi approached Hikaru.
"Hikaru-kun, what are you staring at outside while spacing out? Are you missing someone? Let me guess—you want Mizuha-chan to feed you like she did that day, right?"
"Mizuha!?"Takeru reacted suddenly after hearing that name.
Hikaru blushed. "Akemi! How did you know about that?"
"So, I’m right, huh? It’s written all over your face, you know."
"Really?" He rubbed the back of his neck. "Anyway, why did you suddenly come to my seat?"
Akemi smiled. "I brought you some homemade cookies. I want you to try them later."
"Ah, thanks. I’ll eat them later."
Takeru suddenly stood up, knocking over his desk. He turned around.
"Hikaru-kun, can I ask you something?"
Hikaru blinked. "Yes, what is it?"
"About the person you mentioned earlier—Mizuha, right? Can you tell me her full name?"
"Oh, as I recall, her name is Yuki Mizuha."
"Really? That’s her name?"
"Yes, that’s her full name."
There's no mistake. The girl who bumped into me earlier — it was her. But why didn't she recognize me? Takeru thought.
Akemi tilted her head. "What’s going on, Takeru-kun? Do you know her?"
"If you want to meet her, just follow Hikaru-kun during lunch break. He always eats with Mizuha-chan and her classmates."
She gave a small wave and walked away.
"Akemi...!" Hikaru muttered, scowling.
"Really?" Takeru turned to him. "You always eat lunch with her and her classmates?"
"Yeah. One of them is a close friend of mine."
"Um… can I join you and the others for lunch today?"
What's up with this guy? Why does he suddenly want to join us? What's his connection to Yuki-san? Hikaru thought.
He sighed, his annoyance showing. "Alright, you can join me, but just for today, okay?"
"Really? Thanks, Hikaru-kun."
After that, the lunch break started, and Mizuha, along with her usual trio and Zul, reached their regular lunch spot — the rooftop.
Mizuha sat. "Ah, as usual, this place really makes me feel comfortable."
"You know, it makes me feel sleepy... aaah..."
"Don’t fall asleep, Shimizu-chan, or you won’t be able to taste this." Eri offered her bento as promised.
Shimizu was excited. "Ah, I almost forgot about that! What is it? Show me!"
"Tada... hamburger steak with some cheese."
"That's great! Hamburger steak! It's my favorite. Let's eat!" Shimizu quickly took a piece with her chopsticks.
"Mmm, it’s so delicious!"
"Shimizu, watch your manners."
"It’s okay. Here, Mizuha-chan, take a taste."
"Thanks, Eri-chan. Let's eat."
"How is it, Mizuha-chan?"
"It’s delicious, Eri-chan. As always, your cooking never disappoints me."
"Here, this is for you too, Zul," Eri said, placing some food into Zul’s bento box.
"Thanks. I’ll give you this in return," Zul said, putting some karaage into Eri’s bento box.
Eri smiled. "Thanks, Zul."
Suddenly, Hikaru arrived. "Ah, not fair! Everyone's already eating without me."
"Well, it can't be helped — you're always late, after all," Shimizu complained.
Seeing Mizuha and her group enjoying their lunch surprised Takeru.
Wow, this place is so nice, he thought.
So, this is the group Hikaru-kun is always with—the delinquent everyone is talking about, Red dog Shimizu, the cute blondie girl, Sakamoto Eri, and the foreign-looking guy, Zul. There are so many well-known people gathered here together. I can’t believe Hikaru-kun is close to all these people. And there she is, he thought as he looked at Mizuha.
Shimizu leaned in. "Um, Takamiya, who’s the guy behind you?"
Mizuha then noticed Takeru and thought, That’s the guy who bumped into me earlier.
"This is Takeru. He’s my classmate and somehow wants to join us for lunch today."
"Nice to meet you all. I’m Takahashi Takeru, Hikaru-kun’s classmate."
"Nice to meet you too, Takahashi-kun."
"Hey, is everyone okay with me joining you for lunch here?"
"Sure, why not? Go ahead…." Mizuha said.
"Yeah, a few days ago, Takamiya brought another girl here too, so it’s no problem for you." Shimizu said. "What was her name again?"
"It was Akemi."
"Yes, that’s right, Akemi."
I see, so Akemi-chan was here before. That’s how she knew about Mizuha-chan earlier.
"This guy is really like a magnet…." Shimizu added.
"Wait, what did you say, Shimizu? A magnet?" Hikaru said.
"Yeah, that's right. Everyone keeps getting attracted to him wherever he goes," Zul said.
"Wait, no, you too, Zul," Hikaru said.
Oh, that girl Shimizu is not bad, like the rumors said. Maybe the rumors were wrong all this time. Also, Hikaru-kun acts differently here, unlike his usual perfect-guy image that we always see, Takeru thought, before he suddenly started laughing.
"Wait, are you laughing at me?" Hikaru asked.
"Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to laugh at you, Hikaru-kun. It's just, after all this time, I thought you were the perfect guy everyone admired. But you're human too, just like the rest of us."
"Also, Shimizu-san, right? You're not a bad person at all, like the rumors said. You're actually funny and very interesting. Especially when you were teasing Hikaru earlier…."
"Wait, what do you mean by that?" Hikaru asked, clearly upset.
"Oh, you said it, huh, Takeru. Of course I'm not a bad person. That rumor just ruined my image," Shimizu said.
"It's all because you look scary. You completely lack female charm. No wonder they started that rumor about you," Hikaru said, mocking her.
"What did you say, Takamiya?" Shimizu asked, upset.
"Haha, see? You two are really funny…." Takeru laughed, before his eyes soon drifted back to Mizuha. He smiled at her.
Mizuha looked at Takeru and smiled at their banter. But then she paused. That smile and that laugh... why do they feel so familiar?
They continued eating their bento until everyone finished it bit by bit. As Takeru had already finished his bento, he looked at Mizuha, who had also finished hers, before he slowly approached her.
"Umm…."
"Yes, can I help you, Takahashi-kun? Do you need something from me?" Mizuha said.
Hikaru noticed and wondered, What does this guy want with Mizuha?
"Your name is Mizuha, right? Yuki Mizuha?"
Mizuha looked confused. "Um... yes, but how do you know my name? I haven't introduced myself to you yet."
Takeru suddenly held Mizuha's hand. "Mizuha-chan! It's been a while. I missed you so much."
Shimizu looked surprised. "Mizuha-chan?"
Mizuha, confused, said, "Um, who are you, exactly?"
"How could you forget me? It's me, Tak-kun. You used to call me that. We grew up together from kindergarten until the first year of middle school, before I moved away. You're my childhood friend."
"Tak-kun?" Mizuha tried to recall her past but still couldn't remember him.
"Sorry, I don't remember you."
"Mizuha, are you sure about that? You don't remember anything about him at all?" Shimizu asked.
"Yes, that's right. I truly don't recall anything like that. Sorry about that; maybe you have the wrong person, Takahashi-kun."
"No, there's no mistake. I'm sure you're the one," Takeru insisted. "Please wait a moment while I find a photo of us playing together." He started looking through his smartphone.
Hikaru looked annoyed. "Hey, we're here for lunch, not to hear your life story!"
Shimizu teased Hikaru. "Oh, looks like someone here is jealous."
"Shut up, Shimizu." He continued eating his bento.
While Takeru searched for the photo, everyone continued enjoying their lunch. Some even finished their own meals.
Takeru held up his phone. "Ah, I found it. Here."
"Let me see. Umm, ah, so cute!" Shimizu looked at a photo of young Mizuha with Takeru.
"Hmmm, a photo of me with you," Mizuha said, examining the picture.
Is this me? When was this photo taken — and why don't I remember him? Mizuha wondered.
As Mizuha inspected the photo more closely, she suddenly heard a young boy's voice in her head saying,
"Goodbye, Mizuha-chan. Sorry, I have to move away with my parents!"
"Wait, please don't leave me alone…!!" A young girl's voice echoed in her head.
What is this voice? It's the same as before, Mizuha thought, holding her forehead.
Why does my head hurt so much? And why does my body feel so hot all of a sudden?
"Mizuha-chan, what's wrong? You look pale," Eri said, looking worriedly at Mizuha.
After that, her mind went blank, and her vision darkened. She immediately fainted.
"Mizuha-chan!" Eri shouted in panic. Everyone stopped eating suddenly.
"Hey, Mizuha-chan, what happened?"
"Mizuha, wake up! Mizuha!" Shimizu said.
Hikaru looked upset. "Hey, what did you do to her?"
"I didn’t do anything. I was just showing her the photo."
"Mizuha-chan! Wake up! Please—!" Eri cried, shaking her.
Zul stopped Eri to calm her down. "Eri, please calm down!! Don’t shake her so much!"
"But she's not going to... become like that... right?"
Zul then approached Mizuha. "Step aside, let me check her condition." He placed his hand on her forehead.
"It’s so hot. It looks like she has a fever."
"A fever? She seemed fine this morning and didn’t show any symptoms."
"We need to take her to the nurse’s office right away before it gets worse. Hikaru, can you carry Yuki to the nurse’s office?"
"Alright, leave it to me. Shimizu, come with me."
"Understood. Let’s go."
"Zul, Eri, please clean up here for us. I’ll treat you two afterward."
"Wait, Hikaru…." Zul said, sighing. "This guy, even in this situation…."
Hikaru carried Mizuha to the nurse’s office, followed by Shimizu.
"What if I hadn't shown her that photo? This wouldn't have happened," Takeru said.
Zul touched Takeru’s shoulder. "Don’t worry. It’s not your fault. These things happen unexpectedly. Don’t blame yourself."
"For now, let’s clean up and return to our classes. Eri, you take Yuki's bento box back to our class, while I take care of Shimizu's and Hikaru’s. Takeru, for now, just return to your class first, okay."
"Mizuha-chan..." Takeru looked sad before immediately leaving the rooftop.
"Eri, we also need to return to our class. Let’s go."
But Eri looked pale and was shaking after seeing Mizuha faint suddenly.
"Eri, what's wrong? Wait, don't tell me—" Zul stopped.
"Yes, Zul... I... I felt scared... What if Mizuha-chan ends up like ‘her’ back then?"
"Mizuha-chan... she will be okay... right?" Eri trembled.
Zul touched Eri's shoulder. "Don’t worry, she will be okay. She just has a fever, and she isn’t becoming like ‘her’ back then. Please calm down, okay?"
"Just leave Yuki to Hikaru and Shimizu. I’m sure they’ll take care of her."
In the nurse’s office, Mizuha lay on the bed while the school nurse examined her.
"She just has a fever. For now, let her rest. Thanks to both of you for bringing her here. You two must be good friends with her, right? But don’t worry, she’ll be alright. The school will call her parents to pick her up, so please bring her belongings here as well."
"Now, you two can return to your classes. I’ll handle things from here."
"Thank you, Sensei," both Shimizu and Hikaru said before heading back to their classes.
Hikaru glanced back at Mizuha and whispered, "Yuki-san..." He then stopped by Mizuha's class to pick up his bento box from Zul, while Shimizu took Mizuha’s belongings back to the nurse’s office.
When Hikaru returned to his class, he noticed Takeru was missing.
Where did that guy go? he wondered.
Takeru had gone to the nurse’s office to check on Mizuha. The nurse asked him why he was there, and he requested permission to stay with Mizuha until her parents arrived.
"Please, Sensei, let me stay here until her parents come."
"Understood, please take care of her while I’m away."
"Just leave it to me."
The nurse left to handle other matters, and Takeru sat in the chair beside Mizuha’s bed.
He took her hand and whispered, "Mizuha-chan, I was finally able to meet you again after two years. But why don’t you remember me? We used to play together when we were kids."
After about 20 minutes, Mizuha’s parents arrived. Her mother opened the nurse’s office door and called out, "Mizuha!"
Takeru heard her and called her mother over to Mizuha’s bed.
"Yuki-obasan, over here!!"
"Ah, thanks, so she was here. How about her condition? I got a call from the school that she passed out suddenly during lunch and has a fever."
"Mizuha-chan is doing okay; she's just still sleeping. She took some medicine earlier, according to the nurse."
"Thank goodness nothing serious happened to her. Are you the one who brought her here and let me know about this earlier? Thank you for doing that for my daughter."
"No, it wasn't me, it was my classmate Takamiya-kun, along with Shimizu-san earlier."
"I see. Thanks for telling me that. I need to thank those two later. By the way, who are you? You seem familiar to me."
"Ah, sorry for not introducing myself. It’s been a while, Yuki-obasan. It’s me — Takahashi Takeru. I used to live next door."
"Takeru?" Mizuha's mother thought for a moment.
Mizuha's mother's eyes widened. "Ah, I remember you, you're Tak-kun, right? It’s been a while. How are you and your family?"
Takeru felt relieved. "Oh, I’m glad you remember me. Yes, I’m fine, and my family is also doing well."
"Wow, you’ve grown up so much. I didn’t recognize you at first. I thought your family had moved to the countryside. How did you end up at this school?"
"I’ve been living around here alone while my parents are still in the countryside. They’re doing well there."
"I see. I’m glad to hear that. By the way, Tak-kun, did you mention her past or anything similar to her before she passed out earlier?"
"Yeah, I just showed her our old photo together, and she passed out immediately after she looked at it."
"I see, so that happened," Mizuha's mother said. "I think that was what caused this, as I expected," she muttered while her expression turned serious.
"What do you mean, Yuki-obasan?"
"Ah, it's no big deal. Don't worry about that…" Mizuha's mother said.
Takeru spoke, "Umm, I’m sorry to ask this, Yuki-obasan, but why doesn’t Mizuha remember me? Did something happen to her after I moved away?"
"Um, about that..." Mizuha's mother hesitated to tell him.
"What is it, Yuki-obasan?" Takeru looked confused.
"Sorry, I can't tell you, especially not while she's here. How should I explain this... I know! Can we meet tomorrow at the nearest family restaurant? I promise I’ll tell you everything then."
"Understood. Thank you, Yuki-obasan."
"Okay, I need to go now and inform the teacher that I'm already here to pick her up," Mizuha's mother said.
"Ah, Yuki-obasan, let me go instead of you to let them know."
"Wait, Tak-kun, you don't need to do that. I don't want to burden you."
"Don't worry, Obasan. For Mizuha-chan's sake, I'll do anything for her."
"Well, if you want to do that, I can't stop you. Anyway, thanks, Tak-kun. You're really kind, just like before."
Takeru left the nurse's office to inform the teacher. As he disappeared from her sight, Mizuha's mother thought, That boy hasn't changed. He's still the kind boy I knew back then.
Mizuha opened her eyes. "Huh, what just happened?"
"Ah, Mizuha, good morning, you're finally awake. Are you okay, honey, we're about to go home now."
Mizuha opened her eyes groggily. "Eh, Mama? What are you doing here? Where am I, right now?"
"Please calm down, honey, you're at the nurse's office at your school."
"Nurse's office? Why?"
"You don't remember? You had fever and passed out earlier."
Mizuha held her forehead while her memory of earlier was still blurry. She then recalled suddenly passing out during lunch break earlier.
That’s right. I suddenly passed out during our lunch break earlier.
"After you collapsed, your friends brought you here. How kind of them," her mother said.
"I see, so they really did that for me."
"By the way, honey, can you stand or walk?" her mother asked.
Mizuha tried to bring herself to stand, but she was only able to sit. "No, it doesn't work. My body feels so weak right now, I can barely move."
"This is bad. How will I carry you to the car?" her mother said.
"Mama, use that," Mizuha said, pointing to the wheelchair she had spotted at the side of the room.
"Oh, that's a nice idea, Mizuha. Understood. You sit here, I'll bring it to you right now."
She brought the wheelchair to Mizuha’s side. "Mizuha, please be careful when moving from the bed to the wheelchair, okay?"
Once Mizuha got into the wheelchair, her mother slowly pushed her out of the nurse's office and toward her family car.
Mizuha chuckled. "Ah, it feels so weird sitting in this wheelchair during school."
"It's been a while since you pushed me in a wheelchair like this. Thanks, Mama."
Her mother wiped away a tear upon hearing Mizuha's words.
Why did you have to mention that, Mizuha? That incident was the biggest mistake of my life, and it still hurts me even now, her mother thought.
Mizuha was confused when her mother suddenly fell silent. "Mama, what happened? Why are you crying?"
"Oh, it's nothing, my dear. Just some dust in my eye. There's our car. We're almost there."
Mizuha transferred from the wheelchair to the car's back seat with the help of her father, and her mother returned the wheelchair to the nurse's office.
With everything taken care of, Mizuha and her parents headed home. Takeru watched her car disappear down the road, his chest tightening.
Mizuha-chan, you used to be so strong… Why are you like this now? he thought.
He stared at the empty street. What happened after I moved away? Why aren't you the same anymore?
He clenched his fist. Something bad must have happened to Mizuha-chan back then. I must learn everything about her from her mother soon, no matter what.
ns216.73.216.86da2
and then Add to home screen.