~ Day 29- Better Days to Come ~
He'd lost his memory once. It hadn't hurt him, of course. He couldn't remember how it was with his past engraved into his mind, so he couldn't mourn over the loss of the memories he didn't possess, either.
But then, when they had come back to him, after all that had happened, and they mingled with his new memories as someone else, it suddenly became strange as he found his older memories overwritten by newer ones- cheerful, painful, happy, sad memories with new and old friends alike. Kido-San and Seto-San and Kano-San, Mary-Chan, Momo-Chan, Takane, Shintaro and Hibiya.
Yet, he could still recall those days in the classroom with only two occupants, by the window, in the setting sun, laughing, having fun- he could remember how angry Takane had always been in comparison to now, how Shintaro hadn't been as open and of course, he could remember the heroine with the red scarf, always smiling. Her face in particular had become a bit blurry, but as he looked at his old drawings, Ayano was as fresh in his memory as ever.
He had long since acknowledged that these days were in the past, however. Soon, summer would end, and they would lose each other again, but it was fine this time- there was no more tragedy occurring, no-one to slaughter them with the hands of their own friend. They would just go their separate ways, wherever their feet would carry them.
But that also meant that there wasn't going to be any more awkward crushes and feelings left unspoken. Especially Takane and he himself had learned their lesson the hard way.
And so, just as he had come to, Takane was by his side, waiting for him. Despite all the things they had done wrong, that day, they just said out loud all those things they had been bottling up inside them. They spoke through actions and words alike, and even his guilt-ridden heart had started forgiving itself as it was filled to the brim with love and affection.
He'd made up his mind, then. Even if they were to part that very day, he wouldn't forget anymore. The days back in the unchanging classroom could become as blurry as they wanted to- the unforgettable tale of a summer like no other was something he would forever remember.
Thinking that, he pretty much felt like doubting himself. But then again, even if his memories would all disappear, with Takane there, close to him, the sunset could eat up even the heat haze they had faced so bravely and he wouldn't mind too much.
If there were better days to come, the future they could always rewrite together could replace painful memories.
With that thought and Takane resting by his side, he fell asleep with a smile.
Better days, indeed.
A/N: What, we're almost done? Oh wow. Well, can we break the 50 review mark with the last two chapters? I doubt it, but I'm trying to motivate you!
The last chapter approaches, so please get some tissues until tomorrow!