Chapter 18: Wait for me
Hanayuki closed her eyes, feeling the wind as it blew gently across her face. Opening her eyes, she looked at the small piece of paper fluttering between her fingers. After what felt like an eternity, she let it go, watching as it flew further and further away from her, until finally, it disappeared from view. She closed her eyes again, this time listening to the waves as they rushed onto the shore.
Aoi-chan...
Rolling onto her back so that she was no longer lying sideways, she looked up into the black sky. As she moved her hand, she felt her fingers graze against something cold and smooth. She turned her head and stared at the empty bottle lying next to her on the sand.
Kaede...
Slowly, she pushed herself up and got to her feet.
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To be continued...