ix. evening outing (1)

There was a lot to do in town. They could head to the arcade, the karaoke club, or even an archery range. There were a multitude of restaurants to choose from, too—from the humble ramen bar to the spicy barbecue diner.

An evening together, just the five of us. Yui closed her journal, basking in the icy breeze that caressed her cheeks. There was no season she loved better than winter—the end and the beginning.

People like to say that graduation is a new start... But for me, it's also the end of a very important chapter in my life. She took a deep breath, flipping through her journal. Yui smiled—smiled at the dozens of entries that she had made from the beginning of high school till now. Though some days had been monotone and humdrum, she could safely say that these were some of the best years in her life.

There'll be a lot of people I won't see ever again after high school ends...

Yui rolled her chair back, tapping her fingers on the armrest.

I know I'll hate myself forever if I don't tell him how I feel.

Then she laughed, leaning forward once more to write a new diary entry.

What's more classic than a high school confession anyway?

But in any case...

If we never see each other again, I'll miss all of you!

"Oh? An evening outing?" Naoko blew on her hot doughnuts before tossing them in her mouth. She and Oikawa were on a date at the park, and had stopped by a doughnut vendor.

Oikawa gaped at her haphazard eating. "Aren't those still boiling hot for you, Mako-chan? Every time I do that I just end up burning my tongue."

She smirked. "It's a skill I've mastered. But what was this about an evening outing?"

"Oh yeah!" Oikawa took a tiny nibble of his food, wincing at how warm it felt against his teeth. Seriously, Mako-chan must have magic powers or something to withstand this heat... "Iwa-chan and Okabe-chan from his class are organizing a meet-up this Saturday."

"Okabe-chan..." Naoko tilted her head. "Doesn't ring a bell. Oh, wait. Is that the girl he likes?"

"Yes, Mako-chan." Affectionately, he poked her head. "You're so out of it sometimes. But it's cute, don't worry."

"Are you going to eat those doughnuts?"

Oikawa whined, and Naoko rolled her eyes before smiling, entwining their fingers together. Wearing their winter coats, they languidly made their way through the frost-covered park. It was a grey afternoon.

"So," Oikawa began. "I'll be graduating soon." He cast her a side smile. "Will you miss me?"

Naoko looked up at him. "I'll be too busy celebrating my newfound peace and quiet for that. That aside," she added swiftly before Oikawa could get all dejected, "Yeah, I'll miss you. But it's just high school, not the end of the world. Besides," Naoko squeezed his hand, and he felt blood rushing to his cheeks, "You said you would marry me one day. I'm still holding you on that."

Without warning, Oikawa leaned down and pecked her quickly on the lips.

She almost fell backward. "Wh—Shittykawa! Give me a warning, next time!"

Oikawa laughed. "I'll really miss you, Mako-chan. Being here with you... It's like a dream I don't want to end."

"Silly." Naoko leaned into him. "It's real."

The words didn't need to be spoken.

I don't want it to end either.

"Well, graduation is next week." Aoi yawned as she stretched with Yui. "I can't believe it—time's flown so fast..."

It was Saturday morning, the day of their night outing. The two were currently doing morning radio calisthenics, and the podcast was currently in its break segment and encouraging everyone to relax their muscles.

"Don't remind me," groaned Yui before chugging water from her bottle.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. You might get a stitch in your side."

Yui pouted. "Don't care! It's important to stay hydrated. But about that boy you like..."

"Oh, I don't like him anymore." Aoi waved her hand dismissively. "I caught him picking his nose the other day and it was like realizing that Santa Claus doesn't exist."

"Ah. Wait, what do you mean he doesn't exi—"

"The program's back on! Chop, chop, get to it, Okayui-chan!"

"Gaaahhh, I have a stitch!"

"I told you so!"

Iwaizumi Satoshi deadpanned at the sight in front of him—his older brother, shirtless for whatever reason, dunking his face into a bucket of ice cold water in the bathroom. "Uh. Hajime, what're you doing?"

Whatever Iwaizumi said was muffled by the water.

"I need to piss, can you leave?"

At that, Iwaizumi emerged, his teeth chattering and his brow lowered in a fierce glare. "Use the one downstairs, you little troll!"

"Dad just pooped in that one! What are you even doing?!"

"None of your business!"

Satoshi narrowed his eyes. Then, he smirked, realization dawning on him. "You're totally gonna confess to someone."

Iwaizumi choked, pushing his hair out of his eyes with one hand. "How did you...?!"

"You just told me! Bahaha!"

"You evil brat!"

Cackling, Satoshi dodged Iwaizumi's arms. "Better do it fast before your nerve disappears! You'll be in college before you know it, bro."

Grumbling, Iwaizumi gave up on strangling the little demon and instead grabbed a towel to dry his head off. "You don't need to tell me that." Graduation is next week. I don't have much time.

He sighed, ignoring the look Satoshi gave him before his younger brother disappeared into the bathroom and slammed the door shut. Iwaizumi trudged down to his room, grabbing his white shirt from off his bed and slipping it on.

Tonight, he vowed.

Tonight, she promised.

I'll tell you how I feel.