The atmosphere was quiet.
Murakami Yuu took a deep breath, lowered his head and gaze, and turned his face slightly away.
Due to constantly reminiscing, Touma Kazusa naturally thought of that evening.
The performance at the school festival had ended perfectly and desolately. The sky gradually darkened and the crowds dispersed.
Yukina, who had performed beyond her usual level, changed out of her performance outfit and came to the music room, hugging her with happiness like a hamster that had gotten a chesnut.
She confided her joyful feelings, showed her the admiring emojis Murakami Yuu had sent, and small bits of happiness tumbled out of her mouth.
She also made a promise that even after graduation, the two of them would stay together - attend the same university, be in the same club, buy two adjacent houses after graduation, let their children study together after marriage and having kids, and continue spending every day together until they slowly became old grannies and grandpas, going out to bask in the sun when they had nothing to do...
But she had unilaterally broken this promise not long after. Due to circumstances on her mother's side, she had to leave her homeland, abandon her close friend, and set foot in a foreign land, instantly shattering Yukina's beautiful vision of their future life together.
When Yukina learned this news, she first froze, then showed a forced smile that was obvious at a glance. She acted extremely excited with giggles and laughter, but when speaking words of blessing, she still couldn't hold back her emotions and cried while covering her face in sorrow.
Watching Kiso Yukina like this, aside from the guilt and heartache welling up inside, she had no words to comfort her.
She didn't want to leave her, but had no choice but to leave her.
That fragile Kiso Yukina, that heartbreaking Kiso Yukina.
...
"You don't need to have that kind of expression. There will still be opportunities to meet in the future."
After digesting the facts Touma Kazusa had told him and waiting for his emotions to calm down, Murakami Yuu spoke words of comfort.
"I know that, and of course Yukina knows it too. It's just that what she hoped for was constant companionship - a very simple thing, but I just couldn't give it to her."
Touma Kazusa shook her head, unwilling to waste precious time on her own matters. Her toes lightly tapped the ground.
"Actually, I originally didn't plan to tell you these things about Yukina."
"Then what made you change your mind?"
"It was that night when Yukina asked me out and said those things, as well as her determination..."
Her thoughts drifted back as Touma Kazusa recalled the conversation between the two of them that night, slowly recounting it.
...
"Good evening, Kazusa."
Touma Kazusa, who had received Kiso Yukina's text message, arrived at the cafe. The moment she walked through the door, she saw where her friend was located.
Touma Kazusa walked over slowly and sat down with an uneasy expression. Looking at that constantly smiling face, an emotion called guilt continuously flowed through her eyes.
"Yukina..."
She didn't know how to begin.
"The Touma Kazusa I know is that aloof and proud musical genius, not this current image like some resentful woman. Don't show that kind of self-blaming, sad look anymore - it doesn't suit you at all."
"Mm, I understand..."
"Mm-hmm~"
Kiso Yukina propped her arms on the table and cupped her cheeks, giggling.
"The main reason I asked Kazusa out today is because I want to say something."
Touma Kazusa straightened her posture, her expression serious.
"I'll listen carefully to the end. Please speak."
"You don't need to be so serious, and also don't use the word 'please.' Using such formal language between us - don't you think it's strange?"
Kiso Yukina was dissatisfied and made a very cute pouting gesture.
"Ah, I understand."
Seeing her friend like this, Touma Kazusa chuckled.
"So then, what is it exactly, cute Miss Yukina?"
"Actually, it's not anything particularly special. I just came from Murakami-kun's house and suddenly had some thoughts I wanted to tell you."
"Were you practicing cooking again this time?"
"Mm-hmm, that's right. It was delicious - hamburger steak and garlic shrimp. I'll make it for you to try later, Kazusa."
"I'm really looking forward to it."
"Mm... don't get angry about what I'm going to say next, okay?"
"Don't worry, I won't get angry at Yukina."
"Then I'll say it directly - I want to quit the band."
"Eh?"
Touma Kazusa was somewhat surprised.
"Can you tell me the reason?"
Kiso Yukina thought for a while and counted on her fingers as she spoke.
"It's probably because my initial goal of showing my school idol side in front of Murakami Yuu has been achieved, so I'm somewhat lacking motivation.
Also, I'm actually surprisingly someone who likes to sleep in. Now that the school festival is over, I want to properly return to my previous lazy lifestyle.
And then there's the fact that you'll be going abroad soon, Kazusa. I want to adapt in advance to days without you by my side."
"Yukina..."
Touma Kazusa's eyes dimmed.
"I told you that kind of expression doesn't suit you at all - you don't look good with it at all."
"I'm sorry... even though we had promised before..."
Kiso Yukina was helpless.
"After you all leave, I'll still have Murakami-kun, so don't think too highly of yourself.
Who knows, maybe after not talking for a while, I'll forget all your cute aspects, Kazusa."
"Don't worry, I'll call you. Every day, until you get annoyed. I won't give you a chance to forget me."
"I won't get annoyed - probably the kind that will never get annoyed for a lifetime."
The two smiled at each other, and the topic turned to Murakami Yuu.
"Having feelings for a guy like that, what do you plan to do?"
"Don't forget who I am. I'm the number one unattainable flower among the ladies of the affiliated academy."
"But that guy, he..."
"Mm, I understand. He's a greedy guy."
Touma Kazusa frowned slightly, feeling somewhat unable to bear it.
Kiso Yukina held Touma Kazusa's hand, her tone gentle.
"Kazusa, I promise you I'll be happy, so don't worry about me. Take care of yourself when you go to Vienna."
"What kind of... you idiot..."
"Don't worry, Murakami-kun will know who has always been by his side."
There was a smile on Kiso Yukina's face, but her tone carried an unstoppable determination.
...
"That's roughly it."
Touma Kazusa finished her account.
Seeing Murakami Yuu's expression that was so calm it was unfathomable, she suppressed her desire to say anything more.
Murakami Yuu remained silent.
Multiple emotions mixed and collided within him, but still couldn't produce a clear result.
The Kiso Yukina in his eyes and the Kiso Yukina from Touma Kazusa's words slowly overlapped, her image gradually becoming clear and three-dimensional.
"Thank you."
After a moment, Murakami Yuu finally smiled, offering concise thanks without stating a reason.
Touma Kazusa's slender eyelashes lifted, then she seemed to breathe out in relief as she closed her eyes and exhaled gently, smiling.
"Mm."
...
...