Before My Memories With You Melt Away in Tears - Episode 41
The time we spent together was so much fun. I’ve heard that at amusement parks or theme parks, the awkwardness during waiting times can be really intense on a first date, but with Kyoya, even the wait was enjoyable. The several minutes we spent waiting flew by.
But the more fun we had, the more I felt the sadness of knowing that this relationship would soon come to an end.
“So, um… Ayaka-chan? Is something wrong?”
As we were eating hamburgers with cute character designs at the restaurant during lunch, Kyoya looked at me with concern.
“Ah, s-sorry. Uh…”
Realizing he was watching me, I hurriedly took a bite of my hamburger. I bit into it so hard that my mouth was filled with bread and meat.
“Mmm… Ha…”
“You don’t need to rush so much.”
He handed me the iced tea that had been on the table, and by the time I drank it, I felt a little calmer, both in my mouth and in my chest.
“Sorry…”
I wished I could think of a good excuse, but nothing came to mind when I needed it most. When I had been putting on a smile to get through things, words would come easily, but now they were nowhere to be found.
“Ayaka-chan.”
Kyoya smiled gently at me, as if he knew everything.
“I want today to be a day full of happy memories.”
Even if those memories disappear, they will stay inside me.
“So, I want you to feel happy, too.”
Happy memories will only remain in Ayaka-chan’s heart.
“…Yes.”
I wanted to etch Kyoya’s happy face deep in my heart. All the fun memories we made today, all of it.
We were talking about which ride to go on in the afternoon when, unexpectedly, it started to rain. The outdoor roller coasters were still running, but there were fewer people, and everyone seemed to head indoors for the other rides.
“What should we do?”
Kyoya asked, wondering if we should move to an indoor ride. Normally, I would have answered, “Sure.” But today…
“Since we’re here, how about we go on that one?”
He pointed to the biggest roller coaster still operating in the theme park. When we first arrived this morning, the wait time was already three hours, and we had given up on it. But now, thanks to the rain, there were fewer people, and it said we could get on in just about 10 minutes.
“It’ll get us wet, though. Are you okay with that?”
Some people were wearing ponchos while waiting in line, but we didn’t have any. We could buy one now and wait, but for some reason, I decided not to.
“Yes! I think it’ll be a fun memory!”
“Yeah, it might actually be fun.”
“And remember, we were going to ride the water slide later, right? So we’ll get wet anyway! It’s fine!”
I said that, though I wasn’t entirely sure what was fine about it. But Kyoya smiled and agreed with me.
While we waited in line, I couldn’t stop feeling excited. Looking back, I don’t think I’ve ever acted on impulse like this before. My heart was full of excitement and anticipation.
Then, I felt something brush against my hand.
“You’re forgetting to hold my hand.”
“Ah… that’s right.”
He said it so casually, and my cheeks turned red. Kyoya’s hand was slightly cold from the rain, but as it touched mine, the warmth started to mix between us. His hand was a little bigger than mine, and though his fingers looked slender, the back of his hand was more muscular, rougher than I expected. It was a man’s hand.
I really liked holding hands with Kyoya. I should have done this sooner. I should have held his hand more. Even though it’s too late to regret it now, I couldn’t help but wish I had done it more, more and more.
“I want today to be full of happy memories.”
Kyoya’s words echoed in my mind.
Yes, today will be full of happy memories. I won’t leave any room for regrets. I’ll make sure that when I look back, I won’t think, “I should have done this” or “I wish I had done that.”
“Um…”
As the line slowly moved forward, I turned to Kyoya, walking beside me.
“What is it?”
“I have a request.”
I had been thinking about it for a while, but I didn’t have the courage to say it out loud.
But if I let my days with Kyoya end without saying it, I’d regret it for the rest of my life.
“What is it? You can tell me anything.”
Kyoya smiled slightly, looking pleased at the word “request.”
“It’s rare for you to make a request, Ayaka-chan. Oh, wait… are you going to say you don’t want to go on the ride anymore? If that’s the case—”
“…C-could I call you Kyoya-kun?”
“Huh…?”
For a moment, Kyoya looked confused, but then his face gradually turned red. He placed his other hand on his mouth, trying to form words, but only awkward sounds came out. Then he smiled shyly.
“Of course.”
“H-Kyoya… kun.”
“Yes, what is it?”
Just saying his name made my heart race. My voice cracked, and my cheeks were burning.
But hearing his name, just hearing it, made me so happy that I almost felt like I might cry.
“Hehe, I’ve always wanted to call you that.”
“Really? I’m glad.”
After saying that, Kyoya seemed to think for a moment, then…
“Ayaka.”
“…!!”
“Can I call you Ayaka, too?”
Hearing my name from his lips made me happier than I had ever felt in my life.
I was so overwhelmed I couldn’t say anything. All I could do was nod and nod, desperately trying to hold back my emotions.
“Heh, Ayaka, you’re so cute when you’re blushing.”
“…! N-no, stop! Just hearing my name makes my heart feel like it might explode…!”
“Nope. Once you say yes, you can’t take it back.”
He teased me and then leaned in close, whispering into my ear.
“I love you. I really love you, Ayaka.”