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“Haa... I had so much fun.”
Dinner was over, and the time was 10:00 PM.
Fun times pass in an instant, and I was currently walking Riran home.
Since there was no telling if another thug like the one from the other day might be around, and considering the hour, it was only natural.
Well, in this era where the “Red Thread of Fate” is visible, it is actually quite rare for someone to turn to such crimes.
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. It seems Mom and Dad took a liking to you too, so feel free to come over anytime.”
“Thank you. I felt very much at home too.”
She was smiling and humming. Her spirits were so high it felt like she might start skipping at any moment.
But then, Riran’s legs came to a sudden halt.
In her line of sight was the large park where the woman had almost been attacked the other day.
It was usually a large park where children played, but looking at it now, it felt a bit eerie.
“What’s wrong?”
“No... I was just wondering what happened to that woman from the other day.”
“According to the police, she had no external injuries, but the mental shock was probably significant. I don’t know who she is, but I hope she gets better soon.”
“Right, that’s it.”
Eh, which one? What do you mean?
Riran crossed her arms and tilted her head with a hum.
“I feel like I’ve seen that person somewhere before... I wonder where.”
“Well, if she lives around here, you probably passed her on the street or something.”
“No, not like that, but someone closer... maybe at school? Hmm, it was dark and she wasn’t in uniform, so I can’t quite remember...”
School... does that mean she’s a student at Gingko High School?
Was there someone like that at our school?
...Wait, I’ve only just started my high school life three months ago, and I haven’t even fully grasped everyone in my own class. If she’s from a different class or grade, I definitely wouldn’t know her.
On the other hand, does that mean Riran has seen her despite her being in a different class or grade?
Just how good is this girl's memory?
“Well, you don’t have to worry about it too much.”
“...I suppose you’re right.”
Even if we worried, it wasn’t something at a level where we could do anything about it.
All we could do was pray for her to recover as soon as possible.
“Even so, a lot of things happened this summer vacation.”
“Fufu, that’s true. I feel like it was a very dense summer vacation.”
No, it was more than dense.
As if to fill the gap of the last few years where Riran and I were at each other's throats, it was one incident after another. One event after another.
In just less than a month, my relationship with Riran had progressed significantly.
But such a summer was also coming to an end.
“Once summer is over, there's the Sports Festival in September, right? Then the School Festival in November.”
“Christmas in December, and New Year’s in January.”
“Valentine’s Day in February. And moving up a grade in April.”
“I don’t really have the mental capacity to think that far ahead, though.”
“What are you talking about? Time is finite. There’s no time to be so leisurely.”
She really is the epitome of a high-achieving girl.
But... yeah. Graduate high school, go to university, work, get old, and die.
Time flows equally for everyone.
A short life of only about 80 years. How to live it happily?
I have to start thinking about that.
“...There’s one thing I can say.”
“What?”
“I’ll spend my whole life making Riran happy.”
“I’m happy to hear that, but isn't the scale of the conversation suddenly too grand!?”
“And then, I’ll die after I see Riran off when she dies of old age. I won’t allow myself to die before Riran, no matter who else permits it.”
“How did we get from the end of summer vacation to a story on such a massive scale!? I-I’m going to be the one to see Akito off before I die too!”
“No, it’s me.”
“It’s me!”
How stubborn. Well, I guess it’s business as usual.
With a wry smile, I gently reached my hand out to Riran.
Riran timidly reached out and grasped my hand.
Just by holding hands like this, the shock that used to pierce through my body and the sensation that numbed my brain were gone.
It’s not just that we got used to it. You could say it’s proof that our relationship is progressing step by step.
However, this happy feeling in my heart hasn't changed from before, and likely won't change in the future.
Holding that thought, I continued walking through the deserted residential area with Riran.