Before My Memories With You Melt Away in Tears - Episode 18

That day was chaotic from the very start. I was supposed to meet Kyoya at 1:00 p.m. inside the station at the nearest exit after lunch, so I thought I’d be able to wake up and get ready just like I would on a normal weekend. I should have had plenty of time.

But when I woke up, it was 10:00 a.m. — an entire hour later than usual.

“Why?! I even set the alarm!”

I usually turn the alarm off on weekends, but today I set it just in case. I had even made sure the snooze function on my phone was on, so why was this happening?

In a panic, I checked the clock — and it was stopped.

“No way…”

I flipped it over and saw that the battery was slightly out of place. I must have knocked it when I set the alarm last night. What a disaster. If I’d only placed it down more carefully… No, actually, I should have looked more carefully when I lost the cover for the battery slot.

All these “what ifs” kept popping up in my head, but it was too late now. I wanted to figure out why the alarm didn’t go off, but if I wasted any more time, I’d be late. I had to hurry and get ready.

I quickly tried to change into my clothes, but my hand froze. I had fallen asleep with such a fuzzy, distracted mind last night that I hadn’t even picked out an outfit. Should I wear something cute, or maybe something a little more subdued? What kind of clothes does Kyoya like on a girl?

I’d never been this anxious about how I looked before. Even when I’d been in relationships before, I hadn’t been this concerned about the other person’s preferences. Sure, I’d felt nervous or excited, but this… this was different.

“Is this okay?”

I finally settled on a light blue dress with a white cardigan. It was a safe choice, but I thought it had a nice balance of elegance and cuteness—at least, I hoped it did.

“Is this… okay?”

I kept checking in the mirror, over and over, but time was slipping away. I had no time for lunch.

I rushed down the stairs, careful not to trip, and headed for the living room. The smell of grilled fish wafted from the kitchen where my mom was cooking.

“Mom, I’m sorry! I have to go now!”

“Huh? What about lunch?”

“If I eat, I’ll be late!”

I grabbed a bottle of orange juice from the fridge and was about to rush out when my mom stopped me.

“At least eat this before you go.”

She handed me two small rice balls.

“But—”

Honestly, I wasn’t hungry. My nerves had completely taken away my appetite. She’d made them with care, but…

“I don’t know where you’re going, but if you get hungry on the way and your stomach growls, that’ll be embarrassing.”

“Y-yeah…”

“Plus, a little something in your stomach will help calm your nerves, don’t you think?”

Her words felt like she could see right through me, and I was embarrassed. Reluctantly, I popped one of the rice balls into my mouth. The salty, grilled salmon inside spread a comforting warmth in my mouth. She’d turned the salmon she’d been preparing for lunch into rice balls for me in a hurry.

“…It’s really good.”

“Told you so. Now eat the other one.”

This one had pickled plum inside, and she’d even removed the pit for me.

I felt a little guilty for being careless, but my mom had been so thoughtful.

“Thank you.”

“No problem. Just don’t stay out too late, okay?”

“Got it! I’m off!”

I felt a sense of relief when my mom didn’t ask where I was going or who with, and I rushed out of the house.

I still had thirty minutes before meeting time. Even accounting for the wait at the train station, I should make it on time. But despite that, I couldn’t stop hurrying. Maybe it was because I was eager to see Kyoya as soon as possible.

A few minutes later, I finally arrived at the meeting station. I was more than ten minutes early. Looking around for a spot to wait, I spotted Kyoya near the ticket gates, leaning casually against the wall.

“Huh?”

Before I could rush over, Kyoya noticed me and smiled.

“Sorry I kept you waiting.”

“It’s okay. I just got here a little early.”

It seemed like Kyoya had arrived much earlier than the scheduled time, which made me wonder… Maybe he was as excited for our outing as I was, and that’s why he came early.

I quickly shook off the thought — no, it must have just been a coincidence that he arrived early.

“I guess so. I’m glad I got here early too.”

As we walked toward the platform, I spoke to Kyoya. Today, we were riding the train not for school, but for our outing. I’d been nervous the first time we went home together, but today, I was even more so.

I couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Kyoya standing next to me. He looked effortlessly stylish in a navy V-neck T-shirt layered with a light ivory button-up shirt and black pants. He looked even cooler than in his school uniform.

I noticed other girls and even some older women glancing at him.

While we waited on the platform, I saw our reflections in the train’s window. Standing next to Kyoya, I felt like we didn’t quite match. I still couldn’t understand why he’d ever be interested in someone like me.

I was about to let out a sigh when Kyoya muttered something.

“Sorry about earlier, that was a lie.”

“Huh?”

I looked up at him, confused. He was blushing slightly and smiling in a shy, embarrassed way.

“I couldn’t wait, so I came here thirty minutes early.”

“Wait… so you…?”

“I was really looking forward to going out with you, so I couldn’t wait. Shall we go?”

As Kyoya reached out his hand to me, the train doors opened. I grabbed his hand, and we stepped onto the train together.