Before My Memories With You Melt Away in Tears - Episode 16

Even after returning home, Ayaka kept thinking about what Fujino and Shuri had said to her. The only thing Ayaka was sure of at the moment was that she wanted to be with Kyoya. That was all.

“Is this message weird?”

Sitting on her bed, Ayaka read the message over and over again. Is the placement of the commas odd? Should I end it with a period? Is “Good evening, Senpai” too formal? But there’s no way I could send something like “Hey!”…

She kept going back and forth, and it took her what felt like forever just to send three lines of text.

“Okay, this should be fine, right?”

After reading it so many times, Ayaka wasn’t even sure anymore what was fine and what wasn’t.

“Forget it, just send it!”

With a determined breath, she hit the send button. Ayaka watched as her message appeared on the screen.

‘Good evening, it’s Ayaka.
Are you free tomorrow?
If you’re available, I’d like to go out with you.’

Her heart was pounding in her chest.

Maybe she shouldn’t have sent it. Now she could still take it back. She could cancel it and think about it more… but then, what if—

“Ah…”

Before Ayaka could finish her thoughts, a check mark appeared next to her message, indicating that Kyoya had read it.

“What do I do now?”

She didn’t think she said anything weird, but maybe it was too sudden. What if he thinks it’s strange? What if he’s thinking, “Why is she saying this all of a sudden?”

Her hands were shaking as she held her phone. Unable to look at the screen anymore, she squeezed her eyes shut tightly.

What would Kyoya’s reply be? Normally, she wouldn’t care about how long it took for a response, but now, the wait felt endless.

—Suddenly, her phone vibrated.

A reply!

Aya’s spirits lifted, and she quickly looked at her phone. But instead of a text message, the screen showed an incoming call.

“Eh, no, wait, no way!”

In her panic, Ayaka dropped her phone on the bed. It vibrated and buzzed on the sheets.

With trembling hands, she picked it up and pressed the call button.

“Y-yes?”

Her voice cracked, completely betraying her nervousness. From the other side of the line, Kyoya’s gentle voice reached her.

“Ayaka-chan? Good evening.”

“Go-Good evening…!”

“Sorry to call suddenly. I thought it might be quicker than texting. Is it a bad time?”

Ayaka quickly shook her head.

“It’s not a problem! I’m happy to get your call!”

“Come to think of it, this is our first time talking on the phone, right? Hehe, it feels kind of weird.”

He said it felt weird, but his voice was closer than usual, and it made Aya’s ears tingle.

“Anyway, about the message you sent…”

“Ah…”

Aya’s grip on her phone tightened. She was afraid of hearing his response.

“You mentioned tomorrow, right? I’m free in the afternoon.”

“Re-really!?”

“Yeah. Do you have any place in mind?”

“Uh, well, uh…”

Ayaka hadn’t even thought about where they could go. She was so focused on sending the message to Kyoya that she never expected him to agree to go out with her.

So now, when he asked her where to go, she didn’t know what to say.

“Um, well…”

“Heya, Ayaka-chan.”

“Eh…?”

“If you want, we could decide together where to go tomorrow?”

Kyoya offered a way out, gently helping her. Ayaka thought it was amazing how naturally he did that. She knew she couldn’t have done the same.

“How does that sound?”

“Yes, I’d love to decide together.”

“Great.”

Ayaka could almost see Kyoya smiling through the phone, and she felt a little relieved.

“Alright, so… is there anything you want to buy?”

“Not really…”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Ayaka regretted them. She wondered if she should apologize for being so short with him. But before she could worry too much, Kyoya just nodded and continued.

“Okay, how about a movie or an aquarium? Which would you prefer?”

“A movie or an aquarium…”

Ayaka usually went to the movies alone. She’d check out what was playing and go watch it by herself. She didn’t mind it, but when she saw friends or couples discussing the movie together afterward, she couldn’t help but feel a little envious. It must be so nice to share thoughts on the fun scenes and quotes with someone.

So…

“I’d like to go to the movies.”

The words came out of her mouth, and she could tell Kyoya nodded on the other end.

“Movies sound good. I haven’t been in a while, so I’ve been wanting to go too.”

Ayaka let out a relieved sigh. His enthusiasm was more than she had expected, and it made her feel more at ease.

“So, what kind of movies do you usually watch?”

“Uh, I’m kind of easygoing. I watch pretty much anything… but…”

“But?”

“I’m not good with horror.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Ayaka regretted them. What if Kyoya liked horror movies or wanted to watch one…?

“Well, it’s not like I can’t watch them. If it’s not too scary or gory, I should be fine. But, um, if you want to see a horror movie, just let me know! I’ll do my best!”

Ayaka said it all in one breath and was out of breath. Kyoya chuckled from the other side of the phone.

“You don’t have to defend yourself so much. I’m not great with horror either, so let’s pick something else this time.”

“Really…?”

“Yeah. Oh, but if you really want to watch a horror movie…”

“I don’t want to!”

Ayaka interrupted him before he could finish, and Kyoya laughed.

Ayaka laughed too, caught up in his laughter.

Maybe Kyoya was a genius at bringing out her smile.

Because, when she was with him, she could smile so naturally.

That’s why she wanted to be with him again.

When she’s with Kyoya, it feels like she can like herself just a little bit more.