Before My Memories With You Melt Away in Tears - Episode 53
Ayaka hurried down the hallway after leaving the empty classroom and rushed into the nearby restroom. The face reflected in the mirror looked like it was on the verge of tears.
“Pathetic… this face…”
When she brushed her bangs aside, she saw a faint red mark on her forehead—left from when Kanna had slammed her into the desk.
She’d said it wasn’t like she gave in—but in the end, she hadn’t been able to refuse Kanna’s demand. She’d told herself it was for Kyoya’s sake, but deep down she knew she’d made the choice that would hurt him the most.
But—
“Then… what should I have done?”
She stared at her tear-streaked reflection in the mirror and asked. In that moment, who could have honestly said, “Do whatever you want”?
“I couldn’t exactly… talk to Kyoya-kun about it.”
He’d be devastated. He’d blame himself. Even if she said, “No, it was my choice,” he’d think she was just trying to protect him.
If she’d known this would happen, she should’ve stayed away from Kyoya from the start. Then none of this would’ve happened.
“I’m sorry, Kyoya-kun…”
She hated herself for being a coward, for being selfish, for not being able to leave him. The least she could do now… was walk away before things got any worse.
Otherwise, who knew what Kanna might do?
As she wiped her tears, her phone buzzed in her pocket.
[Just finished. Are you still in the empty classroom?]
She replied, [Already left! Sorry!] and looked back into the mirror.
As the school day neared its end, she felt a heavy weight deep in her stomach. It wasn’t physical—it was the kind of sickness that comes from stress.
She gently pressed a hand to her stomach. The warmth of her own touch seemed to ease the pain, if only a little.
“Ayaka, are you okay? You look really pale.”
“Just… my stomach feels weird.”
“Did you eat too much at lunch or something?”
While Fujino looked for a practical reason, Akari just stared at her, as if trying to see through her words.
Having friends who cared this much—it really was something to be grateful for.
She had already decided—she wouldn’t lie to them anymore. So—
“I… I can’t talk about it just yet. But I do want to tell you. Once I’ve calmed down a bit… will you listen?”
When Ayaka looked up nervously, both girls nodded firmly.
“Of course! You can tell us anything. Don’t carry it all by yourself.”
“Exactly! I won’t ask right now—but if you keep this bottled up, I will get mad!”
Tears welled up again from their kindness, and Ayaka quickly wiped them away with her fingers, pretending it was nothing.
But they’d probably noticed anyway—and had still chosen not to say anything.
That gentle silence warmed the pit of her stomach more than she’d expected.
As she stepped out of the classroom, just like usual, Kyoya was approaching.
“Sorry, did I keep you waiting?”
“No, I just finished too.”
“Good.”
His cheerful smile made her chest ache—because she knew she was about to shatter it. But Ayaka had no other way to protect him.
“Shall we head home?”
“Yes.”
As she nodded, she spotted Kanna behind Kyoya, glaring straight at her.
‘You know what to do.’
Her lips didn’t move, but Kanna’s meaning was clear. Ayaka gave a silent nod, and Kanna walked off with a scowl.
“Something wrong?”
“Ah—no. Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
Ayaka gently took Kyoya’s offered hand in hers. It was just a little warmer than her own—bony, but gentle and reassuring. She loved that about him.
She squeezed it tightly, trying to memorize the warmth.
They walked together to the station like always. Maybe because she was so tense, time seemed to pass much too quickly.
She wanted it to slow down. Just a little longer. But it wouldn’t let her.
“It’s the next stop, right?”
“Yeah… it is.”
The station announcement played, and the two of them got off. This was where they’d part ways for the day.
“Well then, see you tomorr—”
“Kyoya-kun!”
She called his name.
Because her voice trembled slightly, he tilted his head, puzzled.
“Ayaka-chan? What’s wrong?”
“Kyoya-kun, I…”
Tears slid down her cheeks.
They weren’t tears of joy. They came from a mix of broken emotions—a crushing pain at having to say goodbye to someone she loved.
“Kyoya-kun… I want to break up.”
“…What?”
The sound of the departing train drowned out his voice.
“Y-you’re joking, right?”
“…I’m serious.”
Hearing his strained voice made her heart ache.
But this was the choice she had made.
“I’ve… fallen for someone else.”
“Ayaka-cha—”
“I’m sorry.”
Ayaka bowed deeply.
Afraid to face whatever expression Kyoya might be wearing—she kept her eyes shut tight.