At last, summer had made its long-awaited return. Being but a child, you found that this time of year was most suited to you and your playful demeanor. This was the time when you could take a break from your studies to stay with your grandmother in the country. Her traditional Japanese home was far from any signs of civilization, and had but a few neighbors. You loved the fresh air and the trilling of birds, but most of all, you loved getting to see your friend, Kuroh Yatogami.
Your heart fluttered with excitement as you followed the dirt path to your grandmother's home. You felt a smile creep upon your face as the front door slid open and a familiar face appeared.
"Obaa-san!" you called out, tossing your bag down and running up to throw your arms around her waist.
She held you close for a moment, then took a step back, motioning for you to enter the house.
"Do come in, dear. I've made lunch for us."
You happily obliged, making your way into the dining room. Plopping down onto a cushion, you clapped your hands together and exclaimed 'itadakimasu!' before helping yourself to the meal. Your grandmother joined you at the table, and the two of you discussed recent events in between mouthfuls of food.
Once you both had your fill, you helped your grandmother take the dishes into the kitchen. You offered to help her wash them, but she insisted that you go out to play. You thanked her before darting outside and up the hill toward your friend's home.
"Hello, _-chan!" Master Ichigen sat on his porch, a warm smile across his face. "Are you looking for Kuroh?"
"Mhm! Is he here?"
"No, but I believe he mentioned going to the falls."
You bowed and thanked him, then quickly turned on your heels and ran in said direction. The thought of seeing your beloved friend again sent the butterflies in your stomach aflutter. At the pace you ran, it didn't take very long to reach the spot. The water from up high glistened as it spilled down into the shallow pool below, the creek babbling as it flowed. You spotted Kuroh balanced atop a rock alongside the edge of the clear waters. His eyes were closed and his body relaxed, as if he were meditating. You took this opportunity to sneak up behind him.
"Kuroh-chaaan!"
Kuroh jerked as if a jolt had been sent throughout his body, causing him to tumble and slip into the water. He picked himself up and lifted his head, his pale eyes meeting with your own.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean-"
Your apology was cut short by a splash of water directly to your face. You saw Kuroh wearing a smug grin and splashed him back, triggering an instant water fight. The two of you were soaked to the bone by the time you decided to call it quits.
"Now look what you've done! I'm all wet!" You pouted.
"You started it," he chuckled.
"Turn around."
"What? Why?"
"We need to dry our clothes...but...I'm not letting you see me naked!"
"Tch, like I would want to."
He turned and faced the opposite direction, allowing both of you to undress. You sat atop a stone, your backs against one another, and your garments placed in the sun. The two of you took the opportunity to converse about events that had occured in each other's absense. Time passed quickly this way, and before long, you were able to re-dress.
"Now what?" You asked.
"We could catch cicadas."
"No way! Those are gross!"
Spotting one of said insects nearby, Kuroh was quick to pick it up and hold it close to you.
"Ew! Get that thing away from me!" You uneasily began backing away, Kuroh drawing ever closer. Your feet picked up pace, and you ran away back toward Master Ichigen's home. Kuroh, cicada in hand, was right at your heels.
"Kuroh!" Master Ichigen called from the porch, causing both of you to stop. "What are you doing to her?"
"It's a bug. _'s just being a baby."
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Am not, baka!"
"Now, now. Are you all right, _?"
You nodded and wiped away the tears that had started to well up in your eyes.
"Kuroh, I believe you owe _ an apology."
Kuroh mumbled something below his breath.
"What was that?"
"'I said I'm sorry."
"Good. Now then, you two go have fun."
You did as Master Ichigen said, taking off in another direction until you came upon a tree of considerable size. You both lay down beneath its shade, the plush grass a cushion as you gazed up at the clouds. Kuroh was first to break the silence.
"I- I really am sorry I chased you like that."
"It's okay." You smiled. "I forgive you...because I like you, Kuroh-chan."
"I like you too, _."
"Say, Kuro-chan. When we grow up, will you make me your wife?"
"Of course."
You quickly sat up and glared intently at him.
"You promise?"
He smiled a genuine smile at you before picking a flower from nearby and fashioning it into a ring, which he delicately slipped onto your finger.
"I promise. You'll be _ Yatogami one day."
The two of you giggled at the seriousness of the moment, and you fell back onto the cool ground. Your fingers intertwined, the two of you drifted off to sleep.
You and Kuroh spent every day of that summer with one another. You frolicked in the glow of the sun, playing pretend games in the day. At night you would sit together and watch the fireflies in their dance. When the skies darkened and rain fell, you would seek shelter indoors and play card games. Your time together was short, and eventually came to an end. You took the flower Kuroh had given you and pressed it into a book, so that it could be kept as a memory until the next summer came along. Little did you know, however, that that was the last summer you would spend with your dear friend.