Three short months left. Ever since the Maeko investigation, Akari has been distant towards us. I approached her but she would ignore me every time and leave without saying a word. This is probably her way of making things easier on her when she leaves. Better to leave on bad terms so she won't miss us. But that's not how things are going to work out… Hopefully. Anyway, tomorrow is the day we enact our Akari surprise farewell plan.
Izuku, Youta, and I are currently coming back from our private meeting away from the forest area. We haven't been to that restricted area for a while now since it was Akari's place to decompress so just in case she does go there we've been meeting elsewhere. "Double checking, we got our gifts for Akari right?" I asked.
"Everything's good at my end," Izuku responded.
"Same," Youta said.
"I've been wondering, Youta. What do you have planned for Akari?" I asked.
"Oh, just a small thing."
"Yeah, but what is it?"
"That's a secret. It's kind of embarrassing." I see Youta blush.
"My gift isn't that embarrassing but, what's yours, Izuku?"
"Huh, umm. I got her a camera."
"Camera? Why a camera?"
Izuku points a finger up, "You know how she's leaving right?"
"Yeah. What about it?"
"I was thinking that she can make some last-minute pictures of us together before she goes."
"You know that's not a bad idea. We can print them and we can all have the same photo. And if we're on the topic of gifts, what's yours, Akumi?" Youta said.
"I'm giving her a blindfold."
"That's… Why?" Youta asked. Confusion was written all over his face.
"I was thinking. Maybe if she puts it on when she's away, it could be like I'm with her. I made the blindfold myself. Though it's nothing special, just made out of cloth that I embroider a little symbol of us on it."
"I'm even more embarrassed about my gift now. My gift may be a little… Extravagant."
"Just tell us what it is."
"Nope. You'll just have to wait for tomorrow." Youta walks off in another direction from us. "My place is in this direction so I'll see you guys later. Don't be late!"
"Yeah! We won't." I said back.
We made our way back to the apartment when we saw Akari enter a car. Shimizu-san was next to the car as the car took off. Izuku and I walked to Shimizu-san and she was downcasted before noticing us walking over, "Izuku, Akumi. If you're looking for Akari, sorry you've just missed her."
"Who was that?" I asked.
"That…? Did Akari not tell you?"
"No. She only said you guys were going to leave. She never said where or why."
Shimizu-san gave a long sigh putting a palm on her head then said, "I should have figured it was you guys that told Akari to stay until now?"
"I mean, on the count of technicality, we did tell her to go to a specific place tomorrow. But doesn't she have more time here before you guys leave?"
"She… We were supposed to leave about a month or two ago but she kept pushing it back until tomorrow. And now they have had enough and are taking her today, apparently."
"What!? If they're taking her by force shouldn't we call the police?" Izuku exacerbates the situation.
Shimizu-san shook her head, "If it was that easy. I would have already done that a long time ago."
"What's going on with Akari?" I asked.
"It's a family issue. If Akari hasn't told you yet I won't say anything either. If there's something I can do for Akari I want to respect her choice."
I whisper to Izuku, "You think we should investigate this with Youta. This is the biggest lead we have ever found in Akari's situation."
"I tell you now if you decide to investigate this matter with your motley crew. You're going to have to deal with a lot more than just legal issues if you get caught. So I advise you not to." Shimizu-san said.
"What are you talking about? We never said anything about investigating." I smile as I walk by Shimizu-san, dragging Izuku with me to our apartment building. "Welp we hope to see her tomorrow."
From a distance, she sighs, then I can slightly hear her say, "If I had a friend like her at that time… Would things have turned out like this…"
Izuku and I made our way up. Mrs. Midoriya greeted us when we entered. Izuku and I entered his room and I sat on his bed, "You heard what Shimizu-san said right?"
"About the legal issues we're going to have to deal with if we get caught. Yeah."
"If we want to go to UA… I don't know. Do you think we should do it?"
Izuku looks at one of his All Might posters on the wall, "If we want to become heroes. We shouldn't get into any more problems but… Even I want to help."
"We shouldn't. If Akari needs help she'll come to us. She's not like you or me who won't go to our friends for help, right?"
Izuku looks at me, "You know better than me about her coming to us and needing help. If this is because of UA. I won't hesitate to throw that away. There are plenty of other hero schools I could go to even if UA–"
I interrupted him, "Stop, don't even say that." I took a deep breath and said, "You've been working so hard to get into UA. We just have a few months left. It would be a waste to fail now."
"But—"
"If it was just you and me then I wouldn't hesitate to help. It's not just us. With Youta wanting to join the military or police we can't have him breaking any laws."
"Then why can't we just do it without him?" Izuku suggested.
"You really think Youta wouldn't find out. Do you really think the two of us alone could actually pull off something like this without being caught?" I demeaned ourselves and Izuku is silent, "Thought so. Let's just make tomorrow a day Akari won't forget." I got off the bed and went to my room.
—
"Why are you two so low in spirit? Today is our last day with Akari," Youta says.
"It is our last day with her," I say.
"Come on. You of all people should have a smile on your face. You'll be surprised about what I'm going to do at our hideout." Youta said as we entered through the fence of the restricted area.
"Surprised! How so?"
"You'll see when Akari arrives."
We walked further in and arrived at our usual clearing. "So what do we do if she doesn't show up?"
"It'd be a waste, is all I can say." I see Youta wink at Izuku.
"I would hate to have us end our communication on a bad note. I hope she comes."
"Don't worry Akumi. I'm sure she'll be here. There is no way she won't," said Izuku.
We sat and waited until the sun was setting. She still wasn't here yet. Then we heard footsteps approaching and hid behind the trees. After a moment goes by we see Akari appear. I revealed myself with a smile as I approached her and shouted, "Akari! You came!"
"Don't come any closer!" She shouts back and I stop moving. "Where are the others?!"
"What's wrong, Akari? We just want to talk before you leave."
I can see tears in her eyes, "So they are here… So what did you want to tell me?"
"Well I have a gift for you," I say as I ruffle through my pocket and get out a hand-sized box.
"That's it. Trying to make me forgive you by giving me a gift…" Akari closes her eyes turns around and walks away, "Well, just forget it! I'm leaving. Izuku and Youta aren't even here."
"Wait—"
"That's where you're wrong." I hear Izuku. "Because We Are Here!" Youta and Izuku shouts as something goes pop and confetti rains down.
From above Akari I see a sign saying, "You'll be missed."
"Izuku, Youta!? When did you plan this?" I say.
"Before that." Youta appears next to Akari and takes her hand. "You can't be leaving yet. You're the star of our show."
"What do you think you're doing!" Akari tried to get out of Youta's grip as they walked towards the center of the clearing, "Let go…" She looked around and suddenly stopped resisting. Her eyes were glowing, tears flowing, and she wouldn't take it off Youta.
"Alright, everyone! Let operation, Farewell Party! Begin!" Youta shouts, letting go of Akari. Then 20 people all in suits or maid outfits appeared. Pop music was playing in the background. Tables were being placed in the clearing and food was set. Decoration of balloons, flowers and flashing lights brighten up the area.
"Umm… Was this his gift for Akari?" I asked.
"If you think this is his gift you'd be shocked what his actual gift is," Izuku said as he suddenly appeared next to me taking a photo on a camera.
I jumped back a bit, "When did you get there?"
"This little party is actually for both you and Akari. And well… If Akari didn't show up, we were going to go with a different plan."
"So you were planning this with Youta?" I see Akari crying into Youta's chest.
"Yeah, we were. Though I wasn't told everything about the plan. I only had a general idea." Izuku takes another photo.
I take Izuku's hand and walk towards Akari and Youta, "Well then come on. This is going to be the last party with all four of us for a while."
I can hear Akari cry as we approach her and Youta. "Guys. A little help here." Youta said slowly panicking.
"Just like how we became friends. With Akari crying, Youta who has no idea what to do, and me who swoops in and solves all your problems." I said proudly. "Wait a minute… Youta, what did you do to Akari this time? Last time you forgot about her. This time you must have neglected her."
"I don't know. I just tried to cheer her up."
"It's because we're best friends," Akari says while sobbing. "I'm going to miss you guys so much."
I separate Akari from Youta, "Alright enough hogging Akari to yourself. I want a hug myself."
Akari's eyes were now not glowing as she hugged me. "You're not that smart are you?"
"You're still thinking about that… I'm sorry alright. We can never replace you. And Maeko, well she doesn't even want anything to do with us."
"I accept your apology. Just, please… Don't do this again. It makes misunderstanding worse."
"Guys, come on, let's get a photo together," Izuku says excitedly.
We let go of each other and got next to the tree Akari, Youta, and I formed our trio. Izuku hands the camera over to one of the suited members to take a picture. After the picture was taken I saw Shimizu-san watching from the sidelines, "Guys, stay here for a moment, I'll be right back."
I quickly made my way over to Shimizu-san. "She looks like she's enjoying this," Shimizu-san said.
"Why not come join us?" I say as I take her hand. Shimizu-san puts in a bit of resistance but I manage to drag her to the others. "Ok guys, let's take another photo with Shimizu-san."
"You don't have to," Shimizu-san said.
"Come on Onee-sama. It's just one picture."
Reluctant but eventually Shimizu-san agreed and we took a picture. Izuku and I then both gave our gift to Akari. Izuku's camera gift was the one he was using earlier to take photos. But when it was time for Youta to give his present the forest went silent for a moment.
"My gift for you Akari is… This entire restricted area! It's now yours."
"…Huh…?" Then Akari, Shimizu-san, and I all yelled, "WHAAAT!"
"Yep. It took a bit of time and money but this land is yours." Youta was now blushing a bit.
Akari was flustered, "W-wait a minute. You bought this land… F-for me…? When I'm about to leave. You must have wasted so much. I… I can't take this."
"This place holds a lot of meaning to you, right? It holds a lot for me too. So it's not going to be torn down. I made sure of it. Even if you don't take it now, you can always come back here later."
Shimizu-san begins laughing, "Kid you got some nerve. Haha, doing this much for my little sis." She puts an arm over Youta's shoulder, "Why not go ahead and ask for her hand in marriage while you're at it?"
"Onee-sama! Don't say stuff like that!" Akari was now blushing a bright red. I could almost see steam coming from her head.
"I'll give you my seal of approval," Shimizu-san winked.
Youta that was blushing before but now isn't. Instead, he looked pretty calm as he said, "I would love to honestly, but… Right now is not the right time for any romantic advancement for anyone, don't you think?"
"Aww, what a party pooper." I could hear the disappointment in her voice. "But that wasn't a no." Shimizu-san walks away, "Well, you guys have fun. I need to… Umm. Deal with some other stuff."
"Oh, alright then, Onee-sama… See you soon." Akari said as Shimizu-san left the party.
"So… Want to share what's been happening with you? Or are you keeping it a secret?" I say.
"Let's call it… Medical school," Akari said bluntly.
"Medical school?"
"Yeah, medical school. You know, learn about injuries."
This was a blatant lie but right now, who cares. "Well if you don't want to elaborate then I won't dig too much since today is supposed to be a cheerful day. Don't want to get all bogged down with negativity." That afternoon and night we partied like there was no tomorrow.
After the party was over it was already late into the night and the lights were off and all the 20 or so people were gone. We were about to leave too when Youta said, "Leaving so soon again. The best part is just about to begin."
"And what's that?" I asked.
"Look up," Youta pointed a finger up. We all look up towards the sky and fireworks go off with an assortment of colors, shapes, and sizes.
"Just how did you do all of this? I had an idea that you were rich but, wow." I say.
"With a lot of convincing with trial and error," Youta responded with a smug face. "You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to get adults to listen to a middle schooler. But I managed with connections."
Akari was beautiful with the lighting of the fireworks, the forest in the background, the soft music playing, and last but not least the wind somehow blowing in the perfect direction to slightly part her hair. "Thank you. You guys," Akari choked up, forming more tears in her eyes as she stared into the night sky filled with fireworks. "Really. Thank you. For everything."
