(Point of View: Takahiro)
That day, the sky looked so bright, as if it was made beautiful just for the two of us.
We sat in the park, spending time with light conversations while finishing the last few panels of our manga.
"Hey, Takahiro," she suddenly said while looking at me, "do you know? When you're serious, you always wrinkle your forehead."
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
She giggled, then continued, "That… you look cute. Like a little kid sulking because he lost his pencil."
I pretended to pout. "Hmph. When you're serious, you get too excited and ignore everyone around you."
Rena pouted. "Hmph. You're just exaggerating that."
I looked at her for a long time without saying anything. Inside, I only wished this moment would last forever… hopefully.
A few minutes later, I took out a sketchbook from my bag. "I brought our manga's drawings and script."
Rena immediately looked excited. "The one about two people who met in the library?"
I nodded.
She opened the pages carefully, her fingers tracing every pen stroke.
"Takahiro," she said softly, "I love this page. Look, the expression feels so alive."
I smiled a little. "That's because the inspiration is you."
She looked down for a second, then smiled faintly. "We have to be like these characters too, right?"
I could only nod with a strange feeling in my chest. "Of course, Takamine."
She looked at me with gentle eyes. "I'm looking forward to that, Takahiro."
I held her hand. "I promise… we'll always be happy. Sharing laughter and pain together."
Rena smiled — this time more calmly. "I believe you."
We spent that afternoon drawing together — without many words, only the sound of pencils on paper and the soft evening breeze.
---
Days passed as usual. We exchanged ideas for the next panels, not knowing whether this story would end or continue.
But I always hoped… it would never end.
That morning, I woke up to the sound of a cat on the roof. I took a shower, washed my face, and prepared a glass of milk for breakfast.
Just before I left for school, someone knocked on my door.
"Excuse me, are you the son of Mr. Takahiro?"
I answered, "Yes, that's right. Can I help you?"
The man bowed slightly. "Your father had an accident at work… and passed away."
Those words pierced deeply.
My head felt heavy, my mind blank. I could only stand still, staring at the floor.
---
A few days later, I started to learn to accept reality. But inside, there was an emptiness that wouldn't fade.
Only one thing kept me going — Rena.
That morning at school, I met her.
"Morning, Takahiro," she greeted softly.
"Morning too, Takamine," I replied, trying to smile.
She looked at me gently. "Sorry, I'm late to say this… I'm sorry for what happened."
I nodded. "It's okay. Thank you, and… thank you for giving me time to be alone."
"I'm glad you look a bit better now," she said with a smile.
---
That afternoon, we were supposed to continue our manga project in the library. But Rena said,
"Takahiro, let's take a break today, okay?"
"Alright, if you say so."
"Let's stop by the park first, how about that?"
"Sure."
We went home together and stopped by the school park.
Rena bought two cans of coffee from the vending machine.
"This, for you," she said, handing me one.
"For me? How much is it?"
"Free. My treat."
I smiled. "Thank you, Takamine."
She looked at me gently. "Don't be sad for too long, okay? I don't want to see your gloomy face all the time."
I looked at her for a moment. That cheerful face seemed to hide many things she didn't want to tell.
I looked down. "You're right… I have to be strong."
"Hey, Takahiro," she said softly. "Every second in life always comes with goodbyes. But that's not the end."
I smiled faintly. "Sorry for being such a crybaby."
"No," she said quickly. "You're not a crybaby. You're just human… and I know you're strong."
Takamine walked toward me, but maybe she tripped or maybe… a bad sign. Luckily, I managed to catch her.
"Are you okay?"
"Sorry-sorry, but thank you," she said with an embarrassed smile.
We walked home together under the orange evening sky. The soft breeze carried a strange calm in my chest.
---
The next day, Rena didn't come to school.
I thought maybe she had a fever. But on the second and third day, she still didn't show up.
I started to worry.
When class ended, my teacher approached me.
"Excuse me, Takahiro. There's a letter for you."
"From the principal?" I asked spontaneously.
"No. From Rena Takamine."
My heart started to race. Why would Rena send a letter? Why not a message like usual?
I opened the letter with trembling hands.
---
The Letter:
> "How are you, Takahiro?
When you read this, I might be in the hospital…
I'm sorry I couldn't tell you in person.
I've known for a long time that I have cancer, and maybe I don't have much time left…
But I want you to keep drawing, keep smiling, like before.
Don't cry in front of me, okay? I don't want you to be sad.
And please… finish the last panel of our manga, because I want the ending to be happy — at least in the world we made together."
---
The letter slipped from my hand. I immediately stood up and ran out of the classroom.
"No… no way!"
I ran as fast as I could, through the wind, bumping into people along the way.
Every word from the letter echoed in my head.
> "I'm in the hospital—"
"Don't cry in front of me—"
"I want the ending to be happy—"
I arrived at the hospital, asking the nurse in panic.
"The patient named Rena Takamine… which room is she in!?"
But when I opened that door—
she was already asleep, peacefully.
Her body lay still, a white cloth covering her face.
My hands trembled as I took the second letter that lay beside her.
---
The Last Letter:
> "Takahiro, I realized something.
When a person knows their life will end, that's when they truly understand the meaning of love."
> "Love isn't about possession… it's about cherishing every second that remains.
About a sincere feeling that time can never replace."
> "Don't be sad for too long, okay?
Because as long as you keep drawing… I'll keep living in every panel you create."
> "From someone who loves you,
— Rena Takamine."
---
I looked at her motionless body.
My tears fell, wetting the paper.
"Rena…" my voice trembled. "If my happiness can only exist with you… is that wrong?"
The evening sky outside the window slowly turned from orange to purple.
And for the first time, I truly understood the meaning of loss.
---
~ FIN ~