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Finally reaching the entrance, Ryota rushed up to the door.
[Ryota]: I am not giving up Takuto to someone like him..! Come on, hurry..!
[Takuto]: Ryota..?
The moment when that door opened,
the smell of a few fragrances flowed into my nose.
The aroma of sweet roses that entwined my body, the smell of green leaves fluttered by the blowing wind.
The smell of night-- that slightly entwines an air of humidity-- slowly penetrated my skin.
Ryota clenched my hands once again and continued running.
While we were running, I felt the sensation of tears slowly soaking into my eyes.
I can no longer return to the reality.
The radiant sunshine that I have yearned for, means nothing to me now.
I have already decided to -- fall deeply into the abyss of darkness at my own will.
That's why...
this will be the very last time when I can see Ryota's back...
...and tonight will be the last time I can feel his hands-- I thought.
[Ryota]: Look Takuto! I can see the gate!
[Takuto]: ...?!
In front of the big metal gate, I let go of Ryota's hands and stood still.
[Ryota]: Takuto!? What's wrong!? We have to escape quick!!
Suspiciously looking back at me, Ryota tried to grab my hands once again.
However, I slightly shook my head.
Even though I was thinking that I musn't cry, tears filled my eyes.
[Takuto] *Cry*
[Ryota]: Takuto...? Why are you crying...?
I tried to suppress the overflowing tears while softly biting my lips.
Then I forced myself as hard as possible to smile and gazed at Ryota.
[Takuto]: ...This time... we are parting for real, Ryota.
[Ryota]: Takuto!?
[Takuto]: I... cannot go any further than this point... I cannot return to the outside world.
[Ryota]: ...That's a lie! Don't say something like that!
Ryota shook his head greatly as if he was irritated.
I wiped the tears with the tip of my finger and smiled again.
[Takuto]: .....Sasamori
[Takuto]: Listen to what your senior have to say...
[Ryota]: Ta...kuto...
[Takuto]: Just a while ago... you asked me whether or not I love that person...
[Takuto]: I can tell you the answer now. I...
[Ryota]: I don't wanna hear!! I don't wanna hear words like that from you!!
Refusing my words, Ryota covered his ears with both hands.
He looked down for a while and started talking with his teary eyes.
[Ryota]: Why...? Is it impossible...?
[Ryota]: You don't need me anymore...?
I was thinking of what to say.
What can I do to make Ryota understand?-- I wondered.
But, no matter how deeply I think, those same exact words will come out of me.
That's why, I could only keep it inside my heart...
and also for the sake of ending my repeated lies to him.
[Takuto]: That's not true. Even now, you are still important to me.
[Takuto]: You are... a precious junior... and also my best friend.
[Ryota]: Ta..kuto...
[Takuto]: Most likely... we will never meet again. But I will never forget you.
[Takuto]: You are... a friend that I am proud of.
[Takuto]: Ever since we met... and became friends... I was saved by you many times.
[Ryota]: ........Ta...kuto.... Takuto.......
[Takuto]: Even if we part, I will still think of you as my best friend ever.
[Takuto]: Because you are... my first and last... best friend.
[Ryota]: Ta...kuto........ Takuto........
[Takuto]: ...you are precious to me, even now. It's not that I don't like you anymore, nor am I letting you go.
[Takuto]: It's just that... our paths are branching off.
[Ryota]: N....No..!
Ryota shook his head again.
My heart felt pain while looking at him.
No matter how much I refused Ryota, who wanted me so much, I was trying to stay.
But, darkness doesn't match him after all.
He matches nothing else but sunshine.
[Takuto]: ...Ryota
[Takuto]: You.. have come this far, being able to get anything you want.
[Takuto]: You have parents... your brothers and sisters are nice to you... and you have many friends...
[Takuto]: Of course, that's not a bad thing.
[Takuto]: That's something precious that you've obtained, and you have to treat them right from now on.
[Takuto]: ...Do you recall the time when you chose sunflowers at the flower shop? I thought 'Ah, just as I expected."
[Ryota]: Eh..? Why..?
[Takuto]: They are big, vivid, and dazzling like the sun. I thought, 'You are exactly like that.'
[Ryota]: Takuto...
[Takuto]: ...Ryota, are you scared of sleeping at night?
[Ryota]: Of course not... I am not a kid anymore...
[Takuto]: Have you ever thought that the night would continue endlessly?
[Ryota]: Takuto? What are you talking about?! Of course not! The sun will rise!
[Takuto]: ...But... to that person, the night will continue forever.
[Ryota]: ...!?
[Takuto]: ...the sun won't rise in that person's night.
Ryota was shocked at what I have said and became speechless.
He was looking at me with his eyes opened widely, as if he have heard something unbelievable.
[Takuto]: That's why... I want to stay by his side. Because... that's all I can do for him.
[Ryota]: Ta...kuto
He trembled.
I realized Ryota was about to collapse, but he was desperately forcing himself to remain standing.
[Ryota]: ........Ta..ku...to.......
Like a collapsed dam, Ryota's eyes were shedding big teardrops. My heart felt pain again.
[Ryota]: I... just realized...
[Ryota]: that it won't work out...
[Ryota]: After you told me... I... realized that I obviously don't know very much about you...
[Ryota]: I... didn't realize want you really wanted... and yet I kept on forcing myself on you...
[Ryota]: You are mature and that's why you didn't say anything...
[Ryota]: And... I was wondering why don't you understand me... I was only thinking about myself...
[Ryota]: By doing so... I couldn't think of anything else but my own self...
[Ryota]: Even the band... at first I just wanted to play the guitar... but at some point I've lost track of that...
[Ryota]: I... could only think of staying by your side...
[Ryota]: Ah... after all, I am still a kid...
[Ryota]: I only want you... and nothing else... I...
I liked him.
He was precious.
But that was neither love nor ***. Even still, I was attracted to him and wished that I could be like him.
However,
I no longer yearn for that brightness.
Because I have already made a wish to stay by that person's side.
[Ryota]: ...Katsuragi -senpai..! *Last name+ Senpai = a polite way to address your seniors.*
Suddenly,
Ryota cried and tightly grapsed my hands.
[Ryota]: Please... take care...!
[Takuto]: Ryota...
I couldn't help looking back at him. Ryota cried out and clenched my hands even tighter.
[Ryota]: ...Takuto..!
[Ryota]: I will... continue the band even without you...!
[Ryota]: I will behave and study a lot of things... and become better and better...
[Ryota]: And someday... I will make my debut... and become very famous...
[Ryota]: Wherever you will be in this world... that you can hear me... and that it will reach your ears...
[Ryota]: That's why..! Won't you be my best friend forever? Won't you ever forget about me?
I tightly grasped Ryota's hands.
[Takuto]: ...Of course I won't forget about you... my precious friend...
[Ryota] *Cry*
The memories with Ryota refreshed within me.
That's right. I'll never forget...
...those bright and vivid memories.
[Takuto]: ...Farewell.
I slowly let go of his hands.
Ryota's hands trembled greatly for a moment as our hands were separated.
Ryota did not try to stop me anymore.
He just stayed quiet and gazed at me.