Author notes: Although I find the last 26 chapters or so of Ichigo 100% to be some of the best writing in the entire manga, it left an incredibly bad taste in my mouth. This was written for people who experienced a similar feeling to me. At times, I have kept the dialogue true to the manga, as I deemed it unnecessary to change. The settings used are also exactly the same at times. The way I have written this is more like me directing a movie rather than writing a story. Haha, there's no real reason for this, I just found it difficult to express myself any other way. With that said, I hope you enjoy the first chapter.
Bold- actions
Italics- thoughts

Nishino sprints towards the monkey bar, dirt flying from beneath her feet, never has she exuded so much strength. She comes to a halt just underneath it and turns around to face Manaka.

A pause

Nishino's eyes come into contact with Manaka's, on her face is a sense of desperation and hopefulness. Whereas Manaka's is only that of surprise. Nishino averts her gaze away from Manaka and stares at the obstacle above her instead.

All is silent and the suspense builds

The sweat that ran down Manaka's back at this moment, was cold.

(Manaka's thoughts) Is this going to be a confession…? There's no way I wouldn't remember what happened 3 years ago. Similarly to the situation at hand, I persuaded Nishino to meet me at the monkey bar, with the sole intent of confessing while doing pull-ups, as ridiculous as it may seem. Then why? Why does it feel like my heart is about to break?

A vague image of Toujou appears in Manaka's mind, it was the moment they first conversed on the rooftop, where Manaka shared his dreams with somebody for the very first time

Suddenly, Nishino lunges at the monkey bar with incredible vigor, one would think that an animal had possessed her, small droplets of sweat start to form all over the visible parts of her body; her face, her arms and her legs. Manaka is looking intently at her, curious to see the progression of the pull-up. However, it seemed like Nishino was struggling.

Manaka: Stop! You'll hurt yourself! With a girl's strength, it's impossible! You're going to fall!

Nishino, with all her might, performs the pull-up but this is no ordinary pull-up. Nishino pulls herself up so high, that her entire torso is now above the monkey bar.

(While gasping for air) Nishino: Junpei… Ma…Manaka … Junpei, a lot of things have happened, but I've loved you this whole time! Please let me be Junpei's girlfriend, once more…!

A mixed look of shock and fear comes over Manaka's face.

Manaka: Umm…Uhh

Nishino's fingers slowly start to lose grip of the bar. Finally unable to hold on any longer, she loses her stability and falls, butt first.

Manaka: NISHINO! Are you okay?! Did you get hurt?!

Nishino: Yeah, I'm okay. I just fell on my butt. How uncool of me. I wanted to make Junpei's heart flutter just like mine did when you confessed. I actually wanted to do a lot of pull-ups just like you did.

Manaka: Si…since you're a girl, one is enough.

Nishino: You can answer me before the culture festival… Well I said it! I wasn't planning to confess but… I guess it's okay!

Manaka takes a long, hard look at Nishino and recalls many fond memories

This girl, she has always been so supportive of me, if I had met her before Toujou, the decision would be easy, of course I would say yes. But just the mere thought of leaving Toujou behind, is enough to make me nauseous. Toujou was also there for me from the moment we first met, although she probably didn't know it was me at the time since she wasn't wearing her glasses. However, we had another meeting shortly after. The world of literature was introduced to me and I dragged her along into the world of movies. W-why am I thinking of Toujou at a time like this? Nishino just confessed to me!

Manaka's face turns to one of guilt and regret

That's right. That's the reason Nishino broke up with me in the first place. It was because of my idiotic and greedy indecisiveness. I didn't want to lose any of them, I didn't want to lose the Satsuki that I could get along with so well, I didn't want to lose the beautiful Toujou that I first fell in love with or the Toujou that I first came to admire, and I definitely didn't want to lose the Nishino that kept taking me on adventures. …I have to be fair to Nishino and Satsuki… because somewhere deep in my heart, I know that Toujou is the girl I truly care for.

Manaka: Listen, Nishino… I'd like to respond to your feelings now.

Nishino's face immediately turns to one of shock and slightly blushes.

Nishino: W-w-wait! It's so sudden! My heart isn't prepared…

A moment of silence

Manaka: I'm sorry… I can't go out with you.

The look on Nishino's face is akin to somebody who has seen the most horrific event in history. However, this is only for a split second, immediately after, her face returns to her usual outgoing, happy one.

Nishino: So, who's the lucky girl?

After hearing Nishino's voice, I felt a strong obligation to announce the person that managed to capture my heart more than her. I felt as if she at least deserved this much. We've been through so much… well not really 'we'. She's been through much more than me, choosing to date me when she could've had any other guy she wanted. Only ever looking at me, whereas I could never my find my true answer. Even though I was the one who asked her out. And to top it all off, the confession was never intended to be serious, all I wanted was to capture my own depressed face as I was rejected. The fact that Nishino even said yes, still amazes me to this day.

Manaka: …T-T-Toujou.., right now, she's the only one I can think about. She's been with me ever since year 9 and to be honest, something between us just feels right… w-what am I saying…?

Manaka starts to blush

Nishino looks towards Manaka but it was as if she was no longer looking at him, it seemed like the distance between them had grown exponentially within a few minutes.

Nishino: Hahahah, I knew it. The eyes that you two look at each other with, it's as if I can see hearts in them.

Manaka: Stop teasing me

Nishino: I'm not kidding, Toujou always looks happiest when she's with you. It's blindingly obvious that she likes you.

Nishino hesitates for a moment

I wonder why? Why is it that the thing you want the most in life is just out of reach…?"

We both turn our heads away from each other and look at the ground

Nishino: I guess this is the end between us… right Manaka? I'm not really the persistent type, when somebody rejects me, I just try to move on. I'd like to continue to be friends but even that seems like just a dream at this point. I won't ever be able to experience Junpei's gentle, caring side any longer. Nor will I be able to go on adventures that set my heart ablaze.

Manaka: What?! Being friends is not a dream at all. Haven't we been friends this whole time? And exciting adventures will always be there! We can have an amazing time with everyone else! With Komiyama, Sotomura, Sotomura's sister, Ookusa, Chinami, Satsuki, Toujou and even Amachi!

Nishino: No, that's not what I meant. I've decided. In 3 weeks, I'm going to study abroad in France. I want to learn how to bake from the best there is to offer. If Junpei were to recuperate my feelings, I would've definitely reconsidered but now, I'm certain. I want to chase after my dreams.

Manaka: …

I can't say anything.

I have no right.

If Nishino wishes to go then there's nothing I can do to stop her.

Manaka: How long will you be gone for?

Nishino: I don't know…

Manaka: Then I guess this is really goodbye…

Nishino: Yeah… I'll see you later Junpei

Nishino smiles cutely at Manaka with her eyes closed and head slightly tilted

Nishino: When I, one day, return to Japan. I want to show you how amazing I've become. Not to make you regret rejecting me today but to show you that, I, Nishino Tsukasa, even… when… heartbroken… will live on! I'm happy that I met you and I'm happy that we dated. Even though in the end, I couldn't win your heart. From here on, I will no longer see Manaka Junpei as my soulmate. Rather, I'll see him as a person who helped me grow… not only as a person… but as a girl too.

A single tear trickles down Nishino's face but it is not contained with sadness. The feeling that lurks within the tear is akin to the feeling of finishing a heartwarming story.

Nishino: But for now… let me have… one last kiss.

Nishino gives Manaka a small peck on the cheek. This small kiss is representative of Nishino deciding to move on from Manaka. With it, the two of them would no longer rely on each other for support. With their eyes both set on different heights, the two march forward.

Nishino: Thank you Junpei.

Thank you… and goodbye.