From the rooftop of her house, Kiriko watches as Hirota walks with a pale and pretty black-haired girl in their year. "Ugh. He's hanging out with Hanami again."
"Do you think it's because if they get married, they'll have the same initials?"
Kiriko fires a glare at Sakura. "That better not be true."
Sakura, who sits behind Kiriko, her back against the deep green rooftop shingles and her hands tucked under her head, shrugs nonchalantly. "That's what Ayane says."
"Ayane makes up half the stuff she talks about," Kiriko says. Her grip on a shingle tightens. She turns back to watching Hirota. "But that better not be true…"
Hanami stops at the front of her house. She turns around and hesitates for a moment. Hirota goes to say something, but is interrupted by Hanami hopping on her tippy-toes and planting a kiss right on his cheek.
The shingle snaps.
Hanami releases Hirota and slips into her house before he can say a word.
"Did she kiss him or something?" Sakura asks.
"She did."
"Ha, I knew the girl wouldn't have it— Wait, what?!"
Kiriko stares at Hanami's house. "I'm going to burn her house down."
"Kiriko, hold on—" Sakura stands up.
"I'm going to sneak into her room, take my kunai, and—"
A single flash of black lightning.
"Hopefully do nothing?" Hirota finishes.
Kiriko whirls on him. "You let her kiss you!"
"That's a wild accusation—"
"Wait!" Sakura interjects. "Before you two fight, at least leave me out of it. Please. For my sake."
"Sure." Hirota reaches out and grabs Kiriko's hand.
"Hirota—!" Kiriko shuts her eyes.
They shoot up into the sky. To their safe place. Their home away from home.
Kiriko breathes deep. Fresh air fills her lungs. She opens one eye. Then another.
Hirota stares down at her. He's even taller now. He's gotten taller ever since they started secondary school. His eyes— spirits, his eyes— are still as beautiful and golden as she remembers.
"You know," he says. "This would be much easier if you just told everyone."
"I… I can't," Kiriko answers. She leans forward and rests her head against his chest. "Not yet. Not for a while."
"Why?"
"You know why," she breathes. "My grandmother, she—"
"Hates me. I know." Hirota looks away.
A plane begins its descent beneath them.
Kiriko pulls away. "I understand how hard this is for you, but you know how important my family is to me."
"I do."
"Hirota…"
"Have you ever considered how hard this is for me?"
Kiriko freezes in his arms. "I have."
"Don't lie to me. I hate it when you lie."
"I'm sorry."
"You're lying again, Kiriko."
"I… I don't know what to say."
"I just want you to be honest with me," Hirota whispers. "Can you do that?"
Kiriko nods and nods again.
"Are you ever going to tell anyone?"
His question is met with silence.
Kiriko flinches. She's in her room at Tetsuzan Shrine.
That is the last time she sees Hirota.