Before My Memories With You Melt Away in Tears - Episode 59

The day was clear and sunny from the start, perfect weather for the swimming competition. As soon as the homeroom teacher walked into the classroom, he announced it cheerfully. The boys were excited by his words, but the girls, forced into participating in the mandatory swimming event, couldn’t hide their frustration.

“Alright, after you change, meet at the poolside!”

The teacher’s unusually high energy made everyone respond, and we all started heading to the locker rooms. Thanks to the physical education representative drawing the first lot, our class was up for the first match.

Even though the weather was perfect, I wasn’t looking forward to getting into the cold pool. I made my way to the locker room, and as I approached, the students from the previous class came out.

—They’re from the rival class. Kyoya’s classmates. In other words, Kanna and her group.

“…Annoying.”

I shot Kanna a cold glare, and she brushed past me, bumping my shoulder on purpose.

“S-sorry.”

The girl who came out right after her, Fujino, quickly put her hands together in an apologetic gesture before following Kanna.

“What’s her deal? She’s so rude!”

“Just because she’s in second year, she thinks she can do whatever she wants, huh?”

My classmates grumbled in frustration about Kanna’s attitude toward me. I stood still, clutching my shoulder, and then Fujino and Shuri came up to me.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just surprised.”

“That was Kanna, right? Kyoya’s ex. She’s still treating you like that even after they broke up? What a horrible personality!”

“Seriously. That’s why she got dumped.”

I could only manage a wry smile at their words.

If they knew that Kanna was the reason I broke up with Kyoya, I’m sure they’d be even angrier.

“Thanks for getting mad for me. Alright, now let’s get back at her and crush her class!”

“Yeah!”

Shuri and Fujino, followed by the rest of the class, raised their arms energetically in response to my words.

After changing, I made my way to the poolside, and when I got there, I saw the second-year students already lined up on the sports field side of the pool. I couldn’t help but scan the crowd, looking for Kyoya.

“…He’s not here.”

I muttered without thinking, and Fujino immediately caught it.

“Wow, you’re right, Kyoya isn’t here. I wonder what happened… Oh, there he is!”

Fujino pointed toward the first-aid tent. Kyoya, wearing his gym uniform, was helping the school nurse. It seemed like he wasn’t participating in the competition today.

“So, he’s here but not swimming… I wonder if there’s a reason he can’t get in the pool.”

“Can’t get in the pool… Wait.”

That’s right. Kyoya had told me before. He wasn’t good at swimming. I had always thought he just didn’t like swimming, but I never imagined he’d come to watch the competition.

I assumed it was because he wasn’t good at swimming, but what if the real issue wasn’t his skill but something with water itself?

Could it be… his trauma from that day?

The day when Kyoya and I had both been caught in a water accident. He had lost his parents right in front of him. It wouldn’t be strange if he had developed a trauma around water. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to swim. He couldn’t swim. He couldn’t even get in the water.

“…!”

I hugged myself tightly with both arms. That incident had left a deep impact on Kyoya.

“Ayaka?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

No matter how much time passed or how much he tried to forget, deep inside, those memories remained. I was sure that what Kyoya carried was what people would call a trauma. I could only wish that, someday, the nightmare that stayed inside him would fade away.

After listening to the teacher’s instructions and the reminder to speak up if anyone felt unwell, the swimming competition began.

The first three lanes were for first-year students, and the fourth to sixth lanes were for second-year students. The boys swam first, followed by the girls. Shuri and Fujino were in the first lane, and I was in the third lane.

As the final boys’ group was nearing, we got into position for our race. But…

“Ugh, this is the worst.”

After getting into position and squatting down, I heard an annoyed voice from beside me. I turned to see Kanna standing there.

“Ah…”

“I can’t believe I’m swimming in the same heat as you.”

“Yeah, same here.”

I said nothing more, and looked down at my knees. Of all the people, it had to be Kanna that I’d be swimming alongside.

“By the way, looks like you haven’t gone near Kyoya-kun, just like you promised.”

“Huh?”

“Heh, you look like you’re wondering how I know.”

I couldn’t help but look up, surprised. Kanna smiled slyly and laughed, clearly enjoying herself.

“Well, lately Kyoya-kun and I are always together, so I can tell.”

“Always together…?”

“Yeah. We walk to and from school together, and we’re always in the same classroom. Do you know what that means?”

“Wait… Could it be…?”

I had heard that Kanna and Kyoya had dated before me, but was it possible that they were… back together?

“Do you want me to tell you?”

“…No need.”

“Really? You don’t want to know?”

I didn’t want to hear about my crush getting close to someone else. But more than that…

“Whatever you tell me, I’ll only believe Kyoya-kun’s own words, so you don’t need to tell me.”

“Wh-what…”

Kanna’s face turned red at my response.

“Hmph, you really are cocky. I can’t stand people like you.”

“It’s fine. I can’t stand people like you either.”

I knew I shouldn’t push it further, but my emotions and logic didn’t match.

“I also really can’t stand people like you, Kanna.”

I could see Kanna glaring at me, but I ignored it and faced forward. Our turn was coming up soon.