“It was during the rainy season. Just like today’s rain, the two of us were sitting on a park bench.”
I see... That’s why sitting and watching the rain made me feel so strange.
Riran looked up at the sky with melancholic eyes, perhaps remembering those days. I found myself captivated by her beautiful scarlet eyes, which looked like they could draw me in.
“It was the day the situation with Neika and the others ended, if I recall correctly...”
“The one where we stopped Neika’s political marriage and supported their relationship?”
“Yes. We stopped by the park on the way back. You know, that big park near the house. The break area there has a roof.”
“Oh, that place.”
I knew it. It has plenty of playground equipment and a large plaza. It’s a popular park for children and families alike.
“We were talking about Neika and Ryūya in that break area. Back then, I wasn't honest... and I talked about how I envied how straightforward they were.”
“I wouldn't call them straightforward; they're just faithful to their own desires.”
“That's true too.”
Riran laughed happily. But... yeah, I should probably learn from that honesty.
Honest... Honest? Wait, that word is bothering me again... what was it?
“...”
“Ah, right... influenced by those two, Riran became honest and...”
“! Did you remember?!”
“N-No. It’s not that I remembered, more like it just popped into my head.”
“I see... well, that's fine. Then, let’s reproduce that moment.”
“...Reproduce?”
“Yes. We’ll reproduce our memory.”
Riran drew even closer to me and gave my cheek a little tap.
“What was that for?”
“Don’t move. I’m doing the same thing I did back then.”
Wait... this is kind of embarrassing.
Peshi-peshi. Peshi-peshi. Hey, you're tapping me too much. Now she’s kneading my ears. Seriously, this is really embarrassing.
“Is it embarrassing?”
“W-Well, yeah.”
“The Akito from back then was embarrassed too. Fufu, you give such a cute reaction.”
“D-Don’t tease me.”
“I’m not teasing. I’m being sincere.”
That makes it even worse.
My whole body felt hot from Riran’s touch. Happiness welled up from the bottom of my heart, making me feel all light and fluffy.
Then, she gently cupped my cheeks with both hands.
“R-Riran...?”
“Don’t move. The real part starts now.”
“O-Osu...”
Riran wasn't putting much strength into it. Yet, I felt unable to move, as if I were under a spell. Seeing Riran’s entranced, melting face, the sense of discomfort deep in my mind grew larger.
That’s right. It was just like this. In the park during the rain, Riran approached me like this.
I could clearly hear Riran’s breathing and heartbeat. Her breath tickled my skin.
And then.
“Akito... I love you.”
—We kissed.
It was a light, faint, and gentle kiss, like a bird pecking.
“I love you, I love you so much... in the past, until now, and from now on... I’ll always, always love you.”
“...!”
It was our first kiss since I lost my memories.
Immediately after, a shock ran through my entire body. With it, the discomfort that had been stuck in the back of my brain flowed away all at once.
It was like a dam breaking. Like something I had been holding back. A sensation as if something that had been piling up was suddenly released. My body stiffened at this feeling I had never experienced before.
That’s right, that was it. Back then, Riran and I confirmed our feelings for each other. Riran confessed to me, told me her true feelings...
Why did I forget something so important...!
“Akito...? Hey, Akito?”
“...I did...”
“Eh?”
“...I remembered... everything!”
Everything, all of it! The memories of the last six months came back all at once!
I hugged the stunned Riran and picked her up.
“E-Eh...!?”
“The kiss with Riran! That was the trigger! Ahaha!”
“Wait, calm do— mm?!”
Overjoyed, I kissed Riran again. She stiffened for a moment at the suddenness of it. But she seemed to grasp the situation immediately; with tears welling in the corners of her eyes, she wrapped her arms around the back of my head.
“Mnh... nhaa... phew. Jeez, don’t make me worry so much...!”
“Sorry. I’m sorry, Riran.”
“Stupid, idiot, I love you...!”
“Yeah. I love you too.”
Riran shed tears with a smile. I returned her smile and kissed her again.
As if to confirm our feelings for each other. As if to confirm my love for Riran.
Just like that time, the sound of the rain sounded like cheers of blessing to us—.