Before My Memories With You Melt Away in Tears - Episode 40

Kyoya asked, “So, what should we ride first?” as he looked at the park map. There were roller coasters for thrill-seekers, rides with visual experiences, and even something like the teacup ride.

“Can you handle the thrill rides, Ayaka-chan?” he asked.

“Yes, I’m fine with them. How about you, Kyoya-senpai?” she replied.

“Hmm, I’m not sure. I can’t really remember the last time I rode one,” Kyoya said, scratching his head.

“Ah…” Ayaka remembered. He had said that he had no memory of coming to the park. And even if he had visited as a child, it was possible those memories, along with his parents, had been erased.

“That’s why, if you’re okay with it, would you go on different rides with me?” Kyoya asked.

“Ah…”

Ayaka, about to look down, heard Kyoya’s bright voice calling out to her. She couldn’t stay down, especially when Kyoya was so cheerful. She hurriedly smiled back at him.

“Of course! Let’s go on all of them!” she said excitedly.

“Take it easy on me, though.”

Kyoya chuckled, and Ayaka, holding the park map, felt his face draw close as he looked at it. The proximity made her heart skip a beat. Not noticing her sudden nervousness, Kyoya continued talking.

“How about this one? After eating, I might get dizzy on some of the other rides.”

“Ah, yes, that sounds good. Let’s go there first,” Ayaka agreed.

“Great. …Heh.”

“What’s so funny?” Ayaka asked, noticing his cheerful laugh.

When she glanced up, Kyoya was staring at her closely.

“I just thought you looked cute, all embarrassed,” he said with a playful smile.

“Wha—?”

“Just kidding. Let’s go,” he said, and with that, they were off.

Ayaka realized she had been teased, but it didn’t feel right to get angry, and at the same time, she couldn’t just ignore it.

“Ayaka-chan?”

“…Kyoya-senpai.”

“What’s up?” Kyoya asked, leaning closer to her.

Ayaka, caught in the moment, reached up and gently tugged his cheek with both hands.

“…!”

“This is payback for teasing me,” she said with a slight grin.

She hadn’t meant to hurt him, but after releasing his cheek, Kyoya was still holding his face as if trying to soothe it.

“Um…” Ayaka felt a little worried, thinking she might have pulled harder than she meant to, but Kyoya smiled brightly, seemingly happy.

“This is kind of fun,” he said, clearly amused.

“Is it?” Ayaka asked, uncertain.

“Yeah! It’s just… up until now, I’ve felt like you were always a bit nervous around me, or maybe trying to be careful with me. But now, when you interact with me like this, it makes me really happy.”

“Ah…”

Ayaka realized it was true. Until now, she had been so nervous being near him, unsure of how to act when she was with him. Her heart would race uncontrollably.

But now…

She knew she was going to have to part ways with Kyoya. She understood that his memories of her would eventually fade.

And so, she wanted to cherish the time she had now. She wanted to make these moments count, without regrets.

Perhaps that desire was why the distance between her and Kyoya seemed to be shrinking.

“W-well, maybe… maybe I’m just getting a little more used to being with you, Kyoya-senpai,” Ayaka admitted, though she was trying to cover up her true feelings with a smile.

It wasn’t a lie. It was true that being with Kyoya now felt much more enjoyable, and she was happy. She just couldn’t fully express it.

After a moment of surprise, Kyoya’s face softened into a warm smile.

“I’m really happy to hear you say that. I feel the same way. It’s really fun to be with you like this. …I wish we could always be together like this.”

His smile was so full of joy that Ayaka felt a sharp pain deep in her chest.

What was Kyoya thinking right now? What had he been thinking when he spent time with his ex-girlfriends?

How was he feeling, creating memories with someone who might one day be forgotten?

“Let’s go!” Ayaka said suddenly, eager to move forward.

“Ah, o-okay,” Kyoya replied.

She grabbed his hand and led him toward the nearest roller coaster.

“Let’s make lots of memories today!” she said, determined to enjoy the moment.

Even if Kyoya forgot everything, as long as Ayaka remembered, it would be enough.

She tried to lift her sinking feelings, focusing on the present as they headed toward the ride.

Right now, Kyoya was by her side. He told her he liked her and smiled at her.

If she could feel happiness in this moment, then that was enough.

Even if he forgets, as Kyoya had said, the time they spent together today wouldn’t disappear. It would live on in her heart, and that was all that mattered.