Chapter 39

Last Memories

We were sitting side by side now,

under a tree, on a field of grass.

The breeze rustled the blades of grass,

the whole world, gently swaying.

Aoi had her head resting on my shoulder.

I gently touched her hair. She shifted under my touch.

We were on a hill peaceful and undisturbed,

looking over a large empty piece of land.

A JR train passed by beyond the field; we watched it slowly amble by.

It made no noise. Just moving silently, steadily.

Lately, we’ve been having many days like these.

In peace, with the comfort of one another.

No one can disturb us. It was our moment.

“Seii-chan…” I felt her lips move. “Can we sit here like this forever?”

I smiled.

There was a moment of comfortable silence.

Then I said softly,

“We’ll sit here till we turn into statues.

That way we’ll be together eternally won’t we.”

She giggled softly. “Mmm.” She murmured.

But I have yet to learn that peace isn’t eternal.

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Chapter 40

Last Memories

"Here, try what I made."

An enthusiastic Aoi offered me a lunchbox, carefully wrapped.

Pink, purple cloth, tied into a little butterfly knot.

This really was the best. I couldn't complain.

I've enjoyed her cooking for a good two years.

Back in middle school they called us "mom" and "dad".

Pink or purple cloth, it hadn't mattered. It never did.

I would eat it in front of friends anyway.

She had told me before that she would cook for me every day

til the hair in our heads turned grey and fell out.

I laughed then, and told her not to cook if it would turn her hair grey.

She'll prepare food today too but she didn't say what it was.

I curiously opened the box to an assortment of colours.

Shrimp, squid, fish, everything arranged artistically and decoratively.

The magic of her delicate fingers.

"It's delicious.. as always." I told her with a grin after taking a bite.

I could only say that I was really lucky to have met her.

She was flawless.

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Chapter 41

Last Memories

That night, I was waiting patiently outside her house.

I could see the lights inside, bright and jubilant.

For the first time, I decided to ask her out for dinner.

Somehow oddly enough, we have never done that before.

It seemed so much older than the us we knew to do that.

We’ve had lunches, breakfast, even dinners at our houses with family,

but a dinner in a fancy restaurant alone was a first.

I guess I decided it was part of those memorable moments that we should share this summer. Something we will never forget.

Little did I know, this was the last time we could share memories together like this.

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Chapter 42

Last Memories

When she came out, cliche, but my jaw nearly dropped.

I have never seen her like this, so radiantly beautiful, and…elegant.

A simple short sleeved white summer dress,

that flowed and moved like the waves on the Enoshima shoreline.

It floated at a perfect height just above her knees.

Her short neck length hair neatly brushed,

different from the usual playful and slightly scruffy hair.

Her delicate facial features shone in the moonlight.

I couldn’t believe it was her. She looked like an angel from heaven.

But she was the girl I loved.

I realized I was smiling.

With a newfound shyness, I admitted softly, “You’re stunning tonight.”

She seemed just as shy and tipped her head, politely. “Thanks.”

Her mom was at the door.

“Have fun.” She smiled at me. “Take care of her.”

I promised her I would.

As she came to my side,

our hands automatically entwined,

now an instinctive motion.

It seemed like even the spaces between our fingers

were divinely designed for one another.

Holding hands like newly weds, we headed for dinner.

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Chapter 43

Last Memories

The walk to our restaurant was peaceful, a tranquil beauty.

Even the people we passed by seemed to be pleasant and quiet.

It felt as if God was watching over us.

We were getting close to the restaurant,

even though we were strolling very slowly,

enjoying each other’s company.

We were under the shadow of the night, yet, it felt bright all around.

Maybe it was because of her. She was radiating serenity.

Her hand felt warm against mine. Was I dreaming?

I decided I would never forget this moment. Our first formal date.

I saw the restaurant already,

a pleasant high classed space,

my father recommended.

He took my mother here too.

My eyes wandered briefly and caught something down the road.

An assortment of colours.

I smiled.

“Aoi.. wait for me here."

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Chapter 44

Last Memories

"Eh?"

Her large eyes looked up at me, slightly puzzled.

What did I have up my sleeve?

Instead of saying anything, I drew her towards me, tilting her chin up.

Our eyes met, the gentle gaze from her sapphire eyes slightly fluttering open in surprise.

It was then that I gave her a light kiss, silencing her.

She closed her eyes in response and melted against me,

filling me with a warm tingling sensation.

I would never forget her soft warm lips either.

I pulled away after a moment and flashed her a grin.

"Matte ne. I'll be back."

"Mm." She nodded, a full trust in her eyes.

With that, I turned and jogged across the street.

*Matte - Wait (request)

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Chapter 45

Last Memories

I returned a few minutes later,

with a small but beautiful bouquet of fresh camellia.

Some were soft yellow, some were red, some were close to white.

Their soft pure delicate petals reminded me of her.

The florist said according to “hanakotoba”,

the tsubaki meant devotion and love.

Smiling to myself, I knew she would love them.

Aoi had always loved them.

I saw her across the street and quickened my pace.

I wanted to present her with the bouquet I bought.

I couldn’t wait for her reaction.

She gave me a bright smile when she saw me across the street and her eyes fell on the bouquet.

She looked at me and then the flowers again with her eyes wide.

Her eyes sparkled, as if they were on the verge of tears. Joyful, delighted.

I grinned, triumphantly.

Then it happened.