Before My Memories With You Melt Away in Tears - Episode 42
Fun times don’t last forever. Eventually, the end always comes.
The sky gradually grew darker, and the once-crowded park began to thin out as people slowly started leaving.
Ayaka kept thinking, Just a little longer, just a little longer. She couldn’t bring herself to say, “Shall we go home?” No, she couldn’t say it. Did Kyoya feel the same way? Quietly glancing at Kyoya, who was still enjoying himself beside her without saying anything, their eyes met.
“What’s wrong? Are you tired?”
“I’m fine! I’m not tired at all!”
“Liar.”
Kyoya gently placed his hand on Ayaka’s cheek.
“Do you want to take a break? Or…?”
“I don’t want to go home yet…!”
The words slipped out without thinking, and she immediately felt embarrassed. But it was true—she didn’t want to leave. She wanted to be with Kyoya for just a little longer.
“I’m not tired at all. So… please don’t say ‘let’s go home’.”
If Kyoya was worried about her, Ayaka didn’t want him to suggest going home. Because if they left now, they might never get another chance to spend time together like this.
“…I’m sorry, but we have to go.”
“Why?”
“I want to be with you too, but I think you might have a fever.”
“A fever…?”
Kyoya leaned in close and pressed his forehead against Ayaka’s. She froze, unable to move. If she made even the slightest movement, she might end up brushing against Kyoya’s nose—or worse, his lips.
“See? You’re hotter than me.”
“It’s because we’ve been walking a lot…”
“That’s exactly why you need to go home and rest.”
“But…!”
Ayaka knew she was acting childish. She knew she was only making Kyoya worry. Normally, she would have backed off by now, saying, “Okay, I understand,” and just laughed it off. But right now, she didn’t want to hide her feelings.
I don’t want to part ways.
She didn’t want today to end. She wanted to stay with Kyoya for a lot longer. She wanted to keep laughing beside him, always.
I don’t want to be with anyone else, but him.
As people nearby began to turn their attention to them, whispering about the “fight” they thought was happening, Ayaka snapped back to reality.
If they kept talking like this, she’d probably start crying. And if that happened, Kyoya might forget about today, forget about their time together. She didn’t want that.
Before she could open her mouth to say, “I’ll go home,” Kyoya’s gentle voice interrupted her.
“Then, I’ll walk you home.”
“Huh…?”
“And if you’re feeling better tomorrow, how about we spend the day together again?”
“Tomorrow…?”
“Yeah. I know we can’t go to a theme park like today, but maybe we could study together or something?”
“Study together…?”
Ayaka was completely caught off guard by Kyoya’s unexpected suggestion.
“W-Would that be okay?”
“I wouldn’t offer it if I didn’t want to do it.”
Kyoya laughed softly.
“The truth is, I want to spend more time with you too.”
He said it shyly. And Ayaka, stunned by his words, stood there with her mouth open, only managing to whisper, “No way…”
She never imagined Kyoya would want to spend more time with her too. She thought her desire was just a selfish wish, but to hear that Kyoya felt the same… it was more than she could process.
“No one who likes someone would want to be apart from them.”
“I guess that’s true…”
“Is it strange for me to feel that way?”
Kyoya said it in a pouty tone. Ayaka quickly shook her head.
“Of course not! I’m really happy!”
“Heh, I’m glad.”
“…I’m so happy to know you feel the same.”
Shyly, Ayaka lowered her gaze, her cheeks burning. She was probably blushing.
“Ah, come on…”
Kyoya ruffled his hair in exasperation before letting out a sigh. Then, without warning, he pulled Ayaka into a tight hug.
“H-Kyoya-kun!? Uh, wait!”
“Why do you say such cute things? I won’t be able to let you go now.”
“I didn’t say anything cute…”
“You’re adorable! Ugh, seriously…”
Kyoya mumbled as he hugged her. But Ayaka, overwhelmed by the sudden embrace, didn’t even notice his words.
The warmth and solidness of Kyoya’s body surrounded her, and she couldn’t even think of hugging him back. She didn’t even know how she was breathing anymore.
Every vein in her body was pulsing with the same rhythm. Her breath, already shallow, became even more difficult to control as Kyoya’s scent filled her nostrils.
A slightly sweaty, masculine scent. It made her dizzy.
“Ayaka!?”
From far away, she heard Kyoya’s worried voice, but it felt so distant now.