Goodbyes



Walking into Yamanose, Ryo heard Megumi's small kitten crying
and saw her tending to it. He realized that this could possibly
be the last time he walks through this friendly neighborhood
for a long time, perhaps forever. He proceeded into Sakuragaoka
and for the first time truly payed attention to his surroundings.
He listened to the birds, looked at the slightly shabby but
cozy households, briefly heard the two ladies at the phone booth
gossiping about the day's events and suddenly realized he was weeping.
Wiping a tear from his cheek, he walked, head down, towards Dobuita.