41 Arrival of the Summer Rain (2/2)
”Sid-kun was really a huge help.”
”Nah, I didn't really do that much.”
”If I was alone, I wouldn't have been able to accomplish anything.”
”Don't worry about it, really.”
”So actually, what I wanted to tell you today, is that I'm going to study abroad.”
”Aahh, that explains the luggage.”
The pink-haired girl is holding a large piece of luggage.
”Yes. I'm going to get on the next carriage. I'm going to Rawagas.”
”The academy city, huh... wow.”
”I, I've found something that I really need to do. And the amount of knowledge I have at the moment is far too little to do that thing.”
”I see. Hope you get to learn a lot over there, then.”
”And also... I no longer have a reason to stay here anymore.”
The girl looks back at the school with a sorrowful face.
”I really wanted to talk with Sid-kun more, but...”
”Un. Let's meet again, someday.”
”Yes, let's.”
The pink-haired girl smiles, then walks past the boy.
”Oh right, wait a second.”
”Yes?”
The girl turns around at the boy's voice.
”Can... Can I ask what it is that you need to do?”
The girl gives him a slightly troubled smile.
”It's a secret.”
”I see.”
”But, just that, if everything finishes... would you care to listen to my story?”
”... Anytime.”
The two exchange smiles. Then they both turn around and begin walking off.
The burning summer sun is suddenly obstructed by a large cumulonimbus. The tepid wind brings with it the smell of rain.
”I, definitely will...”
All of a sudden, the wind carries the girl's voice to the boy's ears.
That small whisper that normally would not have been heard by anyone was clearly heard by the boy.
He turns around, gazing at the girl's dwindling back.
Then plop, plop, comes tiny raindrops from the sky. It slowly wets that pink-colored hair.
The boy walks on as if nothing had happened.
The two of them never turned back again.