After buying the amulets and finishing our prayers, we began our move from the shrine.
“We have to make sure we don’t get separated this time.”
“That’s true. ...There!”
Kanade, who seemed to be enjoying herself, grabbed my right hand.
“Ehehe. This way, we won’t get separated, right?”
“...Kanade.”
Feeling the warmth of Kanade’s left hand, I thought to myself.
“Are you some kind of genius?”
“Ehehe. I am, aren’t I?”
Ending our little skit, we headed toward the shopping district.
As usual, the street with the shops was overflowing with tourists.
...But since I was holding hands with Kanade this time, we didn't get separated.
“There are relatively fewer people this way.”
Leading her, I pointed away from the shops toward the road leading to the arcade street.
There were still people in the arcade, but... compared to this shopping street, it looked like it would be easy to walk without holding hands.
We safely reached the arcade street.
“Phew. Now we don’t have to hold hands anymore.”
“...Don’t have to hold hands?”
I let go of Kanade’s hand and smiled at her... but the light had vanished from Kanade’s eyes.
“Now, where should we go next?”
I didn't pay much attention to Kanade’s demeanor. Over the past week, I had grown accustomed to the sight of her losing the light in her eyes.
“Kanade?”
“...Ak-kun, you idiot.”
...An idiot, she says?
“Indeed, I am an idiot.”
It’s been several years since I started aiming to be a doctor after parting with Kanade.
Although I’m still a child, I’m in a situation where I should be producing some kind of result soon, yet I’ve accomplished nothing.
If that’s not being an idiot, then what is?
“...Muu.”
Kanade made a sour face and started walking ahead of me.
It seems she’s in a bad mood.
Damn.
This is all because of my lack of effort...!
“Wait, Kanade!”
I chased after her.
However, even though I followed at a brisk pace... Kanade’s stride was fast, and I couldn't quite catch up.
Come to think of it, she had excellent reflexes before she got sick.
She probably couldn't do any proper exercise while she was ill... but it seems her high athletic ability hasn't rusted at all.
“W-Wait for me—”
This was no time for that.
I ran.
At this rate, I really felt like I was going to lose sight of Kanade.
...Actually, does she even have a sense of the geography around here?
“Ka, Kanadeee...”
Chasing her while panting heavily, I arrived at a river.
“Ah, Ak-kun.”
Kanade was right in the middle of a bridge, where the river and the highway met. It was a spot where you could overlook the surrounding town.
“The view is great here.”
...Even though I was dripping with sweat, she was saying something quite carefree.
“Is your mood better now?” I asked.
“How mean. I wasn't in a bad mood at all, you know?”
...That’s a stretch.
However, faced with Kanade’s smiling, yet pressuring grin, I could only manage a bitter smile.
“...I didn't expect this.”
Kanade continued, leaning her body against the bridge railing.
“That I’d be able to have fun with Ak-kun in a place with such a great view.”
...I couldn't reply.
It felt as if my chest were being tightened.
Because that meant Kanade had previously given up on reuniting with me.
...I thought it meant she had given up on living.
From the day we reunited until today, Kanade has been smiling the whole time.
She’s living happily in the present.
Precisely because her life was once connected back to her, she feels that every minute and every second is precious.
It was a vague impression, but that's how it felt.
That’s why... I didn't expect words concerning life and death to come out of her mouth.
No, but if I think about it... Kanade occasionally says, “Because I almost died once.”
That’s not all.
“Ahaha. Did you think I died?”
On the first day of our reunion, Kanade asked me that question.
I regretfully agreed with Kanade’s question.
Because in reality... I thought I’d never see her again.
At that time, Kanade...
“Thought so!”
She had said that with a mischievous smile.
She probably thought she wouldn't be saved either.
No, since she’s actually alive... it might be more accurate to say she thought so until a certain point.
“...Kanade.”
A question that should have been asked long ago surfaced.
“Why were you saved?”
As soon as I said it... it felt like a terrible question.
It almost sounded like I wanted her to die.
Kanade’s eyes widened at my question.
...Will she be angry?
As I stood there feeling cowardly, Kanade smiled a few seconds later.
...Seeing that smile, I knew what she was going to say.
“It’s destiny.”
...I knew it.
“...Kanade. I want you to tell me without joking around.”
“I’m not joking around, you know?”
Kanade laughed.
“But, let’s see... the reason I’m alive, huh?”
“...Yeah.”
“Well, it’s a simple thing.”
A simple thing, she says.
“Ak-kun, you said it once, didn't you? Love doesn't save people. But love is indispensable for living.”
I do feel like I said something like that once.
“In short... I’m living because it was meant to be.”
“...”
“...There were parts of me that had given up, but at the last moment, I thought I wanted to live a little longer.”
Kanade gave a bitter smile.
“Because I wanted to live at the last moment, I endured the painful treatments in order to live.”
I don't know how she spent her time during the treatment period.
“In order to live, I didn't pick and choose my food, and I ate meals with balanced nutrition in mind.”
But just by listening to her story...
“And, I was lucky enough to meet the great doctor necessary to live.”
Just by looking at her as she spoke of the past, I could somewhat understand.
“...That’s why I’m alive.”
The events Kanade experienced were probably... extraordinarily harsh.
“As you said, looking back now, I don't think those things happened because I was saved by love.”
...But Kanade endured it.
“My father and mother using money on all sorts of things... everything they could get their hands on, for the treatment costs and such, so that I could live, is also a reason I was able to survive.”
...The majority of her life is owed to the price paid by her parents.
“But... that’s not the biggest reason I was able to live.”
...It seems her parents' contribution wasn't the number one reason in Kanade’s heart.
“...The reason I was able to live is just as I told you before.”
Under the bridge, in the river... a water bus sped past.
“Because I couldn't forget Ak-kun’s worried face when you left that day.”
Before I knew it, I was captivated by Kanade’s smile.
“Because I wanted to put you at ease, I... was able to endure the painful treatments, eat the food I hated... and I was even able to pull in the good fortune of meeting a great doctor. I was able to make up my mind to survive until I met one.”
...That was her motivation for living.
“...You’re amazing.”
“Not as much as Ak-kun, though.”
Kanade’s life is woven from her parents' deep love, vast amounts of money... and her feelings for me.
“...So, why don’t you give up on studying abroad and enjoy university life with me?”
For a brief moment, my heart wavered.