December 31st

Today, we went as a group for the shrine visit in anticipation of the New Year. It was all good at the start, but then Kakeru and Naho had a fight. Kakeru left before the New Year came. Naho was crying and I comforted her. I confessed my feelings to her on this day. She rejected me, of course.

When the winter break was over, I told Kakeru that I confessed to Naho. Even though I know his feelings for her. I bet that was one of the reasons Naho didn't end up making up with Kakeru before his death. She had regrets for the rest of her life.

So, don't confess to Naho. I guess I have said this for the god-knows how many times, but I will repeat it—support Kakeru and Naho, and give them the opportunity to experience happiness.

Suwa looked at what the letter said. The future had changed a lot. Kakeru did not fall in love with Naho. Not in this world anyway. He wondered what actions have changed them to such a future. Hopefully, that means they wouldn't quarrel today. Well, Naho had her own letter, which would have given her detailed instructions on how to avoid fighting with Kakeru. Still, with such a drastic change in the future, what will happen indeed? Suwa can't help but feel scared about this unknown future.

But, it was time to meet up with them soon. He can't wait for it. After all, they made plans to meet on Christmas Eve, but Kakeru's grandmother got sick, so they didn't manage to.

Beep— A message came. It was from Kakeru.

You're all prepared to confess to Naho?

For some reason, Kakeru has been even more insistence about him confessing to Naho since the sports festival. Which was a little bit contrary to the letter. He didn't know what to do about it. He was sure that Naho would reject him anyway. But, he wonders if he still had the same feelings as when he first realised that he had fallen for her. No, he was sure that the feelings were different. Maybe, instead, the correct question should be—are these feelings still love?

Ok, it's time. He should leave now. Suwa quickly replied Kakeru, and then set out to their meeting place.

"What do you mean, 'I'll think about it.', Suwa?" said Kakeru.

"Well, I'm really not sure about my feelings for her. I'm not sure if it is love." said Suwa. The others had not arrived yet, so they could openly talk about such things.

"But, you were blushing when she treated you during the sports festival. And countless other times."

Kakeru's remarks make a little sense, to tell the truth. Maybe he should confess after all?

"Well, I guess what you said is true to a certain extent." said Suwa.

"So, so? Will you confess?"

"Does that make you happy?"

"Ehehe. Definitely."

That was cheating. Kakeru's smile. He can't say no to that.

"Fine. I guess I will tell her about it."

"Kakeru! Suwa! You're two are early." said Naho. She had just arrived. Before long, Takako, Azusa and Hagita all arrived. They all started to go towards the shrine.

"Eh, I'm thirsty." said Azusa. "How about you all?" All of them nodded.

"Oh great. Anyone want to volunteer to buy the drinks?" said Azusa.

"Why don't you volunteer, Azusa?" said Hagita.

"Because I can't be bothered. Why don't you go then?" said Azusa.

"Ok, you two. Stop bickering like an old married couple. We decide this by rock-paper-scissors, ok?" said Takako, the hyper experienced Azusa-Hagita's fights stopper.

The result ended up with Naho and Suwa having to buy the drinks. Before they left, Kakeru even whispered this is your chance. They walked silently. For Suwa, there was the additional awkwardness when he thought of what Kakeru have been persuading him to do.

He knows that he had said that he will confess to Naho, but, really, should he confess, or should he not?

"Hey Suwa, do you think we will be able to save Kakeru?" said Naho suddenly.

"I hope so." Suwa answered.

"I wonder. The future has changed so much, don't you think?"

"Yeah." Suwa thought about his letter. How his future self was absolutely convinced that the way to save Kakeru is to make him realise his feeling for Naho, and for Naho to realise hers too. But, this way doesn't seem viable anymore.

"I really wonder if our efforts are working. Marginally, it seems that Kakeru is having a more fun life, but he always hides his true feelings. Maybe the trigger on the day he kills himself is something we cannot prevent."

A bitter smile appeared on Suwa's face. "Well, if that is the case, what can we do then?"

"I guess, nothing much, eh? Maybe, just make his days as enjoyable as possible."

Just for Kakeru's happiness, eh? Then, maybe he should confess?

"You know, Naho, there is something important that I want to tell you."

"Hmm, what?"

"I liked you. I used to like you."

Naho started to blush. "Eh?"

"When I first met you in middle school, you were that kind goddess in my life. I fell hard for you. But, I never had the courage to confess to you. And then, Kakeru came along and you fell in love with him. So, I suppressed my feelings even longer. My feelings that I have kept for a long time, it ended up fading. And, I guess, by now, it's over? I'm just saying this, so that my heart feels better, I guess? Sorry." That was his true feelings now, after he had mulled and mulled over them, overanalysed them, and he had 'confessed' it to Naho.

"Hehehe. Suwa. You're weird, confessing after you no longer like me, you know?"

I'm weird? Yeah, he was.

"Yeah, I am,ehehe."

"So, anything interesting happened just now?" said Kakeru to Naho and Suwa as they came back with the drinks. Suwa glared at Kakeru. What did he want? For everyone here to know his 'confession'?

"Anything interesting… What do you mean?" said Naho before she started to blush.

"What interesting?" said Azusa with a usual gossipy enthusiasm.

"Oh… Naho's blushing." said Takako.

"Come on, spill the beans, Naho." said Azusa.

"Well, I told Naho that I used to like her in the past." said Suwa.

"Eh? What did you say? But, wait… liked her in the past? Is that even a confession? Wait wait wait. Why are you suddenly telling her such things?" said Azusa.

"Well, that's old news." said Hagita.

"Yeah, it was so obvious. But… in the past? Yeah. Yeah. I guess that might be true." said Takako.

Kakeru looked a bit puzzled. "Didn't say you were going to confess to her?" he whispered to Suwa.

"Yeah, I 'confessed' to her. What I feel about her now. You're happy?" said Suwa.

"Err, yes. Yeah, I am." said Kakeru.

"That's good." said Suwa.