"Yu, when will you move from Inaba?"
"Around March."
There was about three months to go before he would leave. There was still Christmas, New Year's Eve, and Valentines. How romantic it would be if she could spend each and every one of those moments with Yu. Ayane couldn't help herself. She wanted to be with Yu, to love Yu, more than Yu thought she loved him.
They were taking the scenic route. Along the Samegawa river road where the moon and the stars shone brightly for them. Ayane looked at the fleeting moon along the calm river surface and how transient it felt. Would she be blessed by the same reflection tomorrow night? Or better yet, would Yu gaze at the same reflection with her the next night?
Hand in hand, Ayane felt her steps lighter and lighter. Nothing could stop Ayane now, as if anything she set out to do would succeed miraculously. Had Yu not been there for her when she needed to, would her life remained the same?
Ayane doubted it.
It was a short trek. From the riverside to somewhere near the shopping district where Ayane's family reside. She was a part of the wealthier family in Inaba, which Yu had never realized until recently. Compared to Ai Ebihara, maybe their wealth would be about equal, though not as opulent as the Ichijo household.
In the blink of an eye, their night was over. They looked each other in the eye, not wanting to turn their gaze away from one another. Both of them were sick; lovesickness had infected and rotted their brains and rejuvenated their hearts. It was a disease both of them were afraid to be cured of, especially at the moment before they were apart.
Ayane moved her head closer to Yu. Her legs were at her toes. Her lips were waiting as her eyes were closing.
Yu lowered her head a little bit. His hands entwined with hers in a hold. He caressed Ayane tenderly as their lips touched and their love exchanged.
That was their last kiss for today, but there would be more opportunity for kisses in the future.