Chapter 9
"So now, let us hear the words from the university division's winner, Yukimura Seiichi-kun," the announcer said through the microphone.
A lot of people had come to see the All-Japan painting contest's displays. They came to appreciate the work of art from the people who are overflowing not only with the artistic skills but also the creative minds to be able to express their feelings through their art.
Yukimura Seiichi, the 2nd year art university student majoring in painting, stood up in front of the mic and looked at the audience first especially with his friends standing in the middle of the crowd, Kirihara Akaya sporting a big smile on his face, proud of his former tennis club captain, before finally speaking.
"Good day to you all. First of all, I would like to thank all of you for coming despite the cold weather outside. I also would like to thank the people who have supported me through my ups and downs especially my family, friends and my university professors. For this year's theme for this contest 'WISH'….
"Uwah, so cold," a girl of 20 years commented as the wind brushed against her rosy cheeks. She adjusted her red muffler and continued her way to her destination.
"This must be the place he was talking about," said she as she inspected the sign standing outside the said place garnering the words 'POLARIS Studio – All-Japan painting contest winner's exhibit'.
She went inside the studio and found a crowd of people gathering at one area as someone was giving his speech in front of the audience.
"For this year's theme for this contest 'WISH', everyone must be wondering why I painted that art which we can see here in front of us now," he pointed his very own painting and continued. "As you can see, there is a girl standing in the middle of a snow-filled land while holding a piece of a paper crane. Of course, everyone should know about the legend of the thousand paper cranes."
The girl tried to sneak in the middle of the crowd so she could at least catch a glimpse of the person speaking (since she was not tall enough to be able to look from the back) which she successfully did and was now standing at the row second to the front.
"Years ago, someone made me those thousand paper cranes for me. I got struck by an illness, was hospitalized for a long time, almost gave up to despair as I would not be able to do what I love anymore which is to play tennis and to paint. When I saw the thousand paper cranes that person made for me, I gained the courage to face my challenge. I accepted the operation which did not guarantee my life. I went to the harsh rehabilitation and pushed myself so far. The first operation was not enough, I had to go to another country to have my second operation and fortunately, I was able to survive the illness. Complete recovery," the people inside the studio started to wipe away tears that were falling silently as they listened to the person speaking in front of them. Even the girl who just arrived found herself wiping the tears which were overflowing from her eyes non-stop.
"And now for the diamond dust which I painted above the girl is very special to me. I was taken to Sapporo, Hokkaido without any prior notice and it was evening, mind you. She took me to a place where we can see the sunrise and we watched the diamond dusts dancing gracefully, beautifully, in awe. I was really thankful to that girl for letting me experience that moment," he scanned the audience and finally found the very familiar person standing in the middle of the crowd. Oh how much he wanted to see that person.
"If it were not for her, I would be living in despair today. If it were not for her, I would have given up taking the surgery. If it were not for her, the me today would not be here. There are a lot of things I want to say to her but for now, I just want to tell all of you that because of her, I was able to win this contest. Because of her, I am who I am today. She's very special to me," he made eye contact with the girl and looked at her with such gentle eyes; on the other hand, she could not stop her tears from falling.
"That's all. Thank you very much for coming today, everyone," he took one step backward and bowed his head to the audience.
"We'll be going now, Yukimura," Sanada told his childhood friend.
"Thank you for coming today, everyone," Yukimura thanked his former teammates and saw them off at the entrance.
As soon as they walked out, he returned to the area where his painting was. The area where someone very familiar was waiting for him. A certain brown-haired girl who was, who is and will be his special person forever.
"Kujou Hotaru," he softly called out and the brown-haired girl who was watching his painting turned around to face him.
"Seiichi," oh how he loved her melodic voice. How he wished he would hear that for eternity.
"How are you?" he asked.
"Much better," she answered.
"When did you come back?" he asked.
"A month ago," she answered.
Then comes moment of silence.