"A Summer That Never Returns"
The first day of a new semester.
Birds chirping, the sun shining a little too brightly, and me — as always — arriving late.
I never knew that on that day, everything would begin from the smile of someone standing at the classroom door.
[In the classroom]
Teacher:
"Alright, today we have a transfer student from the neighboring city. Please introduce yourself."
Transfer Girl:
"I… am Fujisaki Reina. Nice to meet you all."
Her voice was gentle, but enough to make the entire class fall silent.
Her long hair reflected the sunlight spilling through the window.
Even the wall clock seemed to stop ticking.
…Okay, whoever invented the phrase "love at first sight," I understand what you meant now.
Kenta:
"Hey, Yuuya. Don't stare like that, your drool is about to fall."
Kenta… my junior high friend who keeps following me all the way into high school.
Me:
"Shut up, Kenta. I'm just… observing the classroom situation."
Aoi:
"Huh? The classroom situation or the situation with the new girl?"
This is Aoi, my childhood friend. About 150 cm tall, short black hair.
Often gets mad for no reason.
Me:
"I didn't say that…"
Aoi:
"You don't even realize you've been staring at her all this time, idiot."
She said that while pouting and looking away.
Somehow, it looked… cute?
But if I said that out loud, she'd probably throw a textbook at me.
Reina walked down the row of desks and sat behind me.
Reina:
"Excuse me… this seat is empty, right?"
I answered nervously. "Y-yeah! Please… go ahead!"
Suddenly the world felt too small, and my heart was pounding like a war drum.
Kenta whispered, "Yuuya, I'd give you a nine out of ten for that panicked expression."
Aoi:
"Minus one for courage."
And that was how the day began when the transfer student sat behind me—
and my life changed without me realizing it.
I didn't know that her smile that day…
would become the memory that lingered in the last summer we spent together.
---
CHAPTER 1. SUMMER
I woke up from my nap, and the first thing I saw was the ceiling of the bus we were riding.
Fresh air, the scent of the sea, and the slightly hot breeze.
Beside me were Reina, Kenta, and Aoi…
Yeah, we were on our summer vacation trip on the very last day of break.
Reina:
"Are you awake, Yuuya? We'll be arriving soon."
Me:
"Ah… yeah, I can already see the ocean.
Hey Kenta, Aoi, wake up, we're almost there."
Aoi, half-asleep:
"Are we there yet…? Hey Kenta, get up, we're almost there."
Kenta, rubbing his eyes:
"Mm… alright."
After traveling by train and bus, we finally arrived.
Blue sky, the scent of the sea, the breeze brushing past us.
Such a beautiful sight.
We were going to have fun—one last time before returning to our classroom seats.
Reina:
"Waaah, it's so pretty… I can't wait to jump into the water!"
Aoi:
"Huh? At least change your clothes first."
Kenta:
"Hahaha, just let her be, Aoi.
After all, this is the last time we can relax before school assignments attack us again."
Me (Yuuya):
"Assignments… don't remind me of that, Kenta.
At least let me enjoy this moment."
Reina ran toward the beach.
"Then hurry! Yuuya, Kenta, Aoi, move faster!
The last day of summer break should be spent with a smile!"
Aoi grabbed my arm.
"Come on… Reina will be even noisier if you don't follow her."
Me:
"Haha… okay, okay. Just a second."
The sound of waves grew clearer as we approached the shoreline.
The sand was soft beneath our feet, and sunlight danced on the clear water.
Kenta put his bag down on the sand.
"This place… looks way better than I imagined."
Reina:
"Told you, my choice of location is never wrong!"
Aoi stared at the ocean.
"…Somehow, it feels like time is moving faster today."
Me (in my heart):
Yeah… maybe because this is the last day of summer break.
Reina:
"Hey Yuuya, you spacing out? Come help me set up this umbrella."
Me:
"Alright, alright. If you yell again, people might think I'm your boyfriend."
Reina, blushing:
"H-huh!? Who would ever want to be your girlfriend!"
Kenta:
"Hahaha, classic. Reina being a tsundere as usual."
I looked at the three of them.
Yeah… this is what our days are like.
Noisy, warm, and sometimes making me wish
that this summer wouldn't end too soon.