"We're here," Eri said as she, Zul, Mizuha, and Shimizu finally arrived at her family's tombstone.
"I see, so she's no longer with us," Mizuha remarked.
"So, both of you actually planned to visit her grave today?" Shimizu asked.
"Yes, today is her death anniversary, so I come here every year on this date. I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys earlier, but I really wanted to bring you here to introduce you to her. I'm sorry for not telling you the truth."
Mizuha looked down. "Eri-chan..."
Eri placed flowers at the grave.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UBdzXABmo
"Onee-chan, I'm here again this year. I'm in my first year of high school now, and today, I didn't just come with Zul like usual—I brought my friends from class to meet you."
"Arisa, I'm here too. I've come again this year, just like I promised Eri since middle school..."
Both of them were talking to Arisa through their prayers.
After that, Eri and Zul tidied the tombstone, with Mizuha and Shimizu quietly assisting.
"Eri-chan, let us help you too."
"Mizuha-chan, Shimizu-chan, thank you."
Zul smiled, looking at them, when someone suddenly walked toward them.
"Ah, someone's coming."
It was Miku who slowly approached them, carrying a bunch of flowers while wearing her high school uniform.
"Huh? Who are these people? I've never seen them before."
Miku looked around, confused by the number of people at Arisa’s grave.
Zul approached her.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99cOUgF7ZW
"Huh, this person... she is...?"
Who is this guy? Why is he approaching me?
"I thought who was coming... It turned out to be you, Miku!"
"Long time no see. Are you doing well?"
As she noticed Zul, she was surprised.
"Wait, is that you, Zul? Oh, you've grown so much and gotten taller. I didn’t recognize you at first glance."
"Yes, I’m doing well. How about you?"
"Well, I’m fine, as you can see."
Miku looked around.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODBJ0OWCd9
"Are you alone? I don't see Eri. She's not coming with you today?"
"Eri is here too. Look, she’s coming."
Eri approached both of them. "I knew it was you, Miku-san! It's been a while. Long time no see since elementary school."
Miku looked surprised.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAhfoHoZs0
"It can't be... Arisa-chan? You're alive? Then whose grave is this?"
"What are you talking about, Miku-san? It's me, Eri, her younger twin sister. Do you remember me?"
"Are you kidding me…? You’re Eri—that boyish girl? Tell me my eyes aren’t lying!"
"You’re not wrong. It’s the same Eri—the one who always argued with you."
Miku stared, speechless for a moment.
"I see, you've changed, Eri. Your appearance is completely like how she looked in the past. Not only that, but the way you speak now is just like hers, so polite. I thought I'd seen her ghost earlier."
"I'm sorry for shocking you earlier. I didn't mean to surprise you like that."
"It’s okay, Eri. I knew everything about this. You wanted to keep your promise with her, right? Her last wish was for you to change. Also, Zul… leaving Eri in your hands was the right choice."
"It looks like both of you are still on the right track—keeping your promise to her."
Mizuha and Shimizu approached them.
"Oh, Mizuha-chan, Shimizu-chan, sorry for leaving you suddenly. "
"Is she your companion, Eri-chan?"
"Yes, this is Miku-san. She was my late sister's best friend. She was also Zul’s classmate in elementary school."
"So, are all these people your friends, Eri?"
Eri gestured to her friends.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS2bFFTxSC
"Yes, both of them are my classmates and close friends in school—Mizuha-chan and Shimizu-chan."
"Nice to meet you, Miku-san."
"Nice to meet you too.”
After that, Miku walked to Arisa's grave. She placed her flowers, closed her eyes, and began to pray.
"Arisa, it's been a while. How are you doing over there? I hope you're happy."
She took a slow breath before continuing.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW8w5HoIGv
"Today was a good day. I was able to meet Zul and Eri here at your grave. I got to see them both... and they're doing really well now. I'm doing well, too."
Miku continued talking to Arisa until she had finished. "Please watch over all of us from above, okay?"
After they were done with that, Mizuha leaned in.
"Eri-chan, Zul, take your time and have a talk with her. It’s been a while since you guys met."
Shimizu smiled.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLnhG1tPve
"Yeah, Mizuha and I will go over there for a while, so take your time."
"Understood. Thanks, Mizuha-chan, Shimizu-chan."
After that, the three of them had a conversation, mainly talking about late Arisa and their past. They talked for thirty minutes before Miku was about to leave.
Miku checked her wristwatch.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTmoCDjLwb
"Oh, look at the time now. It’s time for me to leave already."
"Are you leaving already?"
Miku smiled softly.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqZihNZZq4
"Yes, I think that’s enough for today. I’m glad I came, because I got to meet you and Zul. I was also able to tell Arisa everything that’s happened since she passed. “
Miku hugged Eri, tears in her eyes.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZGsJyFHJT
Eri-chan, please keep her will alive as she wished." "You too, Zul. Make sure you take care of Eri-chan as she wanted."
Eri placed her arm on Miku's back and accepted the hug.
"Yes, we will make sure her will is kept alive."
"Thanks, you two, for granting my best friend's final wish."
"Thank you for visiting her grave today. You remember what today is, right? It's the anniversary of her death. I also want to apologize for all the mean things I did to you before."
"No need to apologize. You were right back then. I know you just wanted to protect her from my foolishness. You really loved your sister even back then." They let go of each other.
"Also, Eri, no need to use honorifics with me. Just call me Miku like before, okay? And can I call you Eri-chan instead?"
"Sure, let’s get along, Miku-chan."
"Of course, Eri-chan." The two of them chuckled together.
"Miku-chan, let's meet again sometime. There's more I want to discuss about my sister."
"Of course. Just let me know when. I'd like that."
"Oh, before I forget — let’s exchange phone numbers. It’ll be easier to stay in touch."
"Yes, you're right. Here’s my number."
After exchanging contact numbers with Eri and Zul, Miku left the graveyard.
As Miku walked down the path away from the gravesite, she met Mizuha and Shimizu returning from their walk.
"You leaving already?"
Miku offered a soft, sad smile. "Yes. I’ve said everything I needed to say for today."
She paused for a moment, her expression turning serious yet heartfelt. "Mizuha-san, Shimizu-san… I have a favor to ask."
"Please, keep being good friends to Eri-chan and Zul. Those two… they were the most important people to my best friend. Seeing them well and surrounded by good people like you would have made her so happy. Please keep looking out for them."
Mizuha nodded, her own eyes glistening with understanding. "We will."
Shimizu leaned in. "Don’t worry, just leave them to us."
"Thank you. Truly."
With a final, grateful nod, she continued on her way, soon disappearing from their view around a bend in the path.
Mizuha and Shimizu watched her go for a moment before turning to rejoin Eri and Zul.
"We're back!"
"Oh, Mizuha-chan, Shimizu-chan, welcome back."
"You seem happy, Eri-chan. Did something happen earlier?"
"Kind of. I'm glad I was able to meet with Miku-san today. I'm happy I could talk with her about my sister."
"Really!? I'm glad for you, Eri-chan."
Zul leaned in. "I think it's better if we head back now, before it gets dark."
Shimizu nodded. "You're right; it's getting late, and we need to catch the train."
As they were about to leave, both Eri and Zul turned to Arisa’s grave.
"Onee-chan, I'm going to leave for now. I promise to come back next time. I promise I'll have more stories to share with you."
"Me too, Arisa. I hope you rest in peace in the afterlife. I promise I will fulfill your wish and protect Eri myself."
As they walked away from the tombstone, Eri, Zul, and Shimizu began to leave, with Mizuha trailing behind.
Suddenly, she felt a breeze from the tombstone and turned to see an image of Arisa smiling and nodding at her. Mizuha was shocked to see her; her appearance was really similar to Eri’s, just as Eri had told her before.
Mizuha stayed for a moment, feeling the wind on her face. When she looked back, Arisa gave a small smile—then she vanished.
I understand, Arisa-san. Both Eri and Zul have fulfilled your final wish, and you can see that they are doing well, Mizuha thought with tears in her eyes.
"Mizuha, hurry up! What are you doing? We're going to leave you behind!"
Mizuha wiped her tears and ran.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1SqvL50xj
"Wait for me, guys!"
On the train ride home, both Shimizu and Eri were sleeping. Eri suddenly dropped her head onto Zul's shoulder.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6NaDShmWW
"I miss you so much, Onee-chan."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5435pkqqfO
She smiled in her sleep.
Mizuha watched them and thought they seemed more like siblings than childhood friends.
Zul gently grabbed Eri's shoulder and guided her head to lean against his own. Mizuha noticed this and saw Zul give a silent sign while smiling at her. Mizuha smiled back and nodded.
After that, Zul also settled down, falling asleep next to Eri. They really seem like siblings instead of childhood friends sleeping like that, Mizuha thought as she watched them.
As Mizuha watched Eri and Zul, their quiet grief clarified everything. Their shared loss, Eri’s transformation—it all made sense now.
Now I know why she didn't fight back when the bullies targeted her a month ago. She actually made a promise to her big sister not to use violence or get into fights anymore, so she just let herself be bullied like that, Mizuha thought.
And that's also why Zul was so upset when Eri didn't tell him about the bullying. He wants to make sure Eri is safe and protected, especially after he promised her big sister that he would look after her, Mizuha reflected.
Later, on the train, Mizuha remembered she needed to get picnic supplies for the weekend. She decided to stop at the supermarket on her way home.
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