The End

UTOMIYA POV

It's 5:30 in the morning. While walking towards the deck, I hid both of my hands in the pockets of my jacket after feeling the coldness of the sea breeze.

It's been two days since the attack happened. Me and Horikita-senpai were advised to stay in the ship for three days to rest. Chairman Sakayanagi, who just returned from house arrest with the help of Chief Horikita Shoichiro, initially planned to not let us go back to the island and continue the exam. However, Horikita-senpai did not accept his suggestion as she refused to complete the exam being placed at the last. Her reasoning was she found the excuse given by the Chairman unbelievable since we couldn't say to our classmates anything about the attack. She believes that everyone in the school especially in her year level would only find it unconvincing. She also added that as the current Student Council President, getting a higher place in this island exam is a must.

I don't really care if I'll get the last place but I agreed to go back to the island after seeing Horikita-senpai's determination to complete the exam.

Upon reaching the deck, I stopped walking.

The surroundings were so calm. My ears are hearing nothing but the sound of nature.

I was just staring blankly at the sea horizon. I can't believe that I'm in this state of mind right now.

"The sun hasn't risen yet."

Little by little, I moved my eyes and looked up to watch the twilight sky.

For the first time in my life, nothing has been occupying my mind. I'm not thinking of strategies, on what to do next, on what my enemies are currently doing and if Horikita-senpai is okay. I was just looking at the sky, appreciating its beauty.

The fight hasn't even ended yet, but for some reason... my mind is at peace.

"You woke up so early."

Hearing a voice behind me, I got startled a little. I believe she was talking to me so I turned my head. Seeing her face, I could tell that she just woke up.

"Good morning, senpai."

Her hair is tied up. Well, it's windy out here.

"Good morning." She replied.

Horikita-senpai was walking towards me, both of her hands holding a cup with smoke coming out of it.

"I brought ginger tea. Do you want some?"

Upon reaching beside me, she stretched out her left hand and handed me a cup of hot ginger tea.

"Thank you."

I gladly took it.

I wonder if she saw me here first before preparing this tea. It seems unlikely that she originally planned to drink two cups of ginger tea or she happened to prepare for more than one person.

I was kind of curious but thought that it's also rude to ask.

"It's cold out here. You should drink it immediately."

Holding the cup with my uninjured right hand, I took a little sip after hearing Horikita-senpai's suggestion.

The tea is hot but bearable.

I moved it closer to my mouth again and drank more.

Due to the cold breeze, I know that in a little while this tea will become warm. It would be a waste if I don't finish it now.

For two whole minutes, we were silently watching the sea horizon while drinking the ginger tea little by little.

"..... Tst! This feels like we are tired working middle aged adults drinking tea while looking outside of the house on holidays."

Horikita-senpai laughed lightly upon breaking the long silence.

Understanding what she meant, I laughed in my mind as well.

I can't believe that joke came from her.

"You smiled."

"Huh?" I turned to face her upon hearing what she said but I got greeted with a bright smile on her face.

She's genuinely happy and she looks prettier wearing that smile.

"You just smiled." She repeated.

It seems like my face wasn't able to hide my happiness as well.

"Was it that unusual?" I asked curiously.

"For me, yes. This is the first time I've seen you smile." She replied.

Well, it's not like I had a reason to smile before.

I wanted to say that but it might change our conversation into something serious that would fade away the smile on her face and I don't want that to happen.

"Why did you wake up so early? You should be resting more before going back to the island." I asked, trying to change the topic.

"We have the whole day to rest today and somehow..... I wanna see the sunrise."

When Horikita-senpai said that, I followed her line of sight and turned my gaze towards the sea horizon.

It seems like we have the same reason for waking up early. We were looking at it as if we couldn't wait for the sun to take a peek and greet us a good morning.

"By the way, Utomiya-kun. I plan on returning to the island and finishing the exam on my own."

Surprised, I turned my head and looked at her again.

The truth is I was already expecting this from her. In fact I have been waiting for her to say that. I just can't believe that she would say it in this calm and peaceful atmosphere.

"Are you serious?"

"Hm."

Rather than answering with a firm 'Yes', she replied back seeming like she's unsure.

No. I shouldn't consider that like she's not confident at all, in fact it should be regarded more like she's certain that she will be able to convince me to agree with her.

"...... Sorry, Horikita-senpai but whatever excuse you're gonna make I won't let you go on your own."

I said stubbornly.

There's no need to beat around the bush since my decision won't change no matter what.

".... Okay."

O-okay?

I was being serious but she only replied calmly. I was so ready to defend myself yet she immediately agreed.

Did I hear it correctly?

"What?" While giving me a side glance, she asked with a little smirk on her face.

"...... I mean..."

Upon seeing that I couldn't answer right away she laughed again.

Horikita-senpai was really laughing as if she find it very amusing.

"Was that a joke again?"

"... Joke? .. No. It's not. Definitely not. I... I was serious."

Then why are you laughing?

"It's just... your confused face is so funny."

That's it? She's quite in a good mood, isn't she?

"It seems like you had a good sleep, senpai."

She can even go back to the island and continue the exam right now. Should I change my mind and just let her go on her own? With her energy, she could definitely handle the rest of the exam on her own.

On the other hand, it seems like my face is so expressive today.

"Sorry for laughing."

She really apologized after laughing too much. Though I'm not complaining, in fact I am more glad seeing her like this.

"I know that no matter how much I persuade you to take a rest, you won't accept it."

"Then why did you say that?"

".... Just making sure." She took a pause before answering with a little hesitation in her voice.

Just then, Horikita-senpai's expression softened and she shifted her gaze into the ocean again.

".... Sorry. I wanted to make sure that you wanted to continue the exam on your own will...... I know that I was being selfish."

After thinking for a moment, she spoke softly with a hint of guilt in her voice.

She caught me by surprise for not arguing back a while ago but just like what I expected, she thought that she was just dragging me along with her decision to go back to the island.

The calm and happy atmosphere was slowly fading.

I wanted to avoid changing the mood into something serious but this is a matter that has to be addressed. If there's someone who should feel guilty of their actions, it shouldn't be her.

"You shouldn't apologize for that when I did the same to you."

Upon hearing that, she looked at me again, confused. She stared at me for a while and thought thoroughly.

"Mine was even worse. I dragged you into a fight that I know no one would accept. I even put you and your brother's life at risk."

"Don't think of it that way--.'

"No, Horikita-senpai. This is the truth and I should take accountability of what I did to you. I know apologizing a thousand times won't be enough."

At first, it didn't concern me at all as long as I'll get the revenge that I want but as time went by, guilt was slowly occupying my heart.

After knowing Horikita-senpai completely, I know she has already forgiven me after understanding everything I went through. That's how thoughtful she was. But somehow deep within my heart, I wanted to do more to redeem myself.

We both became silent. We were staring at each other's eyes as if we're trying to understand each other's emotions. I'm feeling shameful but I couldn't break eye contact as Horikita-senpai was looking at me kindly.

"I understand." She replied softly.

I didn't realize that our relationship grew so much that explaining is no longer necessary to fully understand each other's feelings.

"Guilt is very displeasing. For someone to continuously carry that feeling is saddening." She added.

She could be right. However in my case, I truly believe that I deserve it.

"But..... it's not too late to amend these thoughts."

"Amend?"

She turned her whole body and faced me. Seeing how serious her expression was, I did the same.

"Utomiya-kun, you saw how devastated I was when you lied to me. You witnessed it yourself how mentally broken I was when you threatened me about my brother's life outside the school. You did save me in the end but it was all for the sake of getting closer to my father in order to get your revenge for your parents. It was truly unforgivable."

She put everything into words on how cruel I was to her that I could only look down, unable to look her in the eyes.

"I have come to fully understand you eventually after knowing the whole story but..... it was already too late. You already hurt me."

I felt a sting in my heart after directly hearing it from her.

Even if I kneel and apologize to her right now it won't be able to change the past. I already hurt her.

"I know it's easy to say that we should just move forward as we couldn't do anything about it anymore, however I also fully understand the guilt that you're feeling. And there's no one else that could help you with that but me."

Upon hearing that, I returned my gaze back to her. Horikita-senpai was looking at me as if she had been waiting for me to look up with a thin smile on her face.

"In exchange.....Utomiya-kun, can you go back to the island with me and help me pass the exam?"

Helping her pass this exam as the only exchange?

...... That isn't even enough.

And I believe she knows it as well that I could hear the doubt from her voice that I would accept it.

I definitely don't want to, however as of the moment there's nothing that could make her happy other than passing the exam.

After arranging my thoughts, I pulled out my left hand from my pocket and took the cup from my right hand.

While not saying anything, I offered my right hand for a handshake. She quickly understood what it meant and took my hand without hesitation.

"It's a deal then."

"Right." She answered.

"Utomiya-kun.. promise me that after the exam, you will forgive yourself already...... because I already did."

She added while looking at me with full sincerity from her eyes.

This is the very first time I could truly feel the emotion of a person by heart and not just by sight.

It wasn't just the things around me that changed..... I did too.

I wondered if it ever crossed her mind that I already know that she never hated me. Despite everything I did, Horikita-senpai never considered me an enemy.

"Can I add in that condition of yours?"

"Add?"

"I'll help you get first place in the exam.”

Upon hearing what I said, Horikita-senpai's eyes widened.

"No... No, Utomiya-kun. It's not necessary for us to get a place. We only need to pass."

"But you told Chairman Sakayanagi that as the current Student Council president you have to finish the exam with a place."

"Well- I had to pull out that card in order for him to agree."

"Don't you think that the Chairman would be disappointed if you won't fulfill your promise to him?"

Upon hearing my response, she tilted her head slightly. There's a little confusion written in her face.

"I know you have a good memory, Utomiya-kun. I never said the word 'promise' to the Chairman."

Yeah, I know.

I guess I'll directly say it then.

"Okay. I'll be honest. I would be more at peace if I'll get you the first place."

"You-.."

Horikita-senpai was in disbelief with my words.

She tried pulling her hand but I tightened my grip.

"I won't let go until you acknowledge it."

"I won't."

After answering with a firm attitude she tried pulling her right hand away from my grasp again. I still did not let go of her hand so she glared at me.

It's been a while since I've seen that face.

"Did you forget that you're injured?"

"I'm already healed. It can even hold a cup now."

I raised my injured left hand to let her see.

"Don't fool around. You're not healed yet. Can't you see that your hand is shaking?"

Is it?

I turned my attention to my left hand and it is indeed shaking.

Yikes! I can't believe my left hand did not cooperate.

"I'm just cold."

Horikita-senpai only rolled her eyes at my obvious lie.

"Let go of my hand or I will punch your injury. I will make sure that you can't go back to the island and continue the exam."

I immediately hid my injured left hand on my back right after hearing her threat.

She only glared at me after seeing what I did.

"This is cheating. Let go of my hand now."

She tried pulling her right hand again.

"Acknowledge it first."

I replied stubbornly while tightening my grip.

"I said no. Stop being hardheaded."

"Then I guess we'll be holding hands until we go back to the island."

AHEMM!!!

Just when I said it, someone from afar cleared his throat so loudly as if he's trying to get our attention. Horikita-senpai and I turned our heads in unison to where the voice came from.

"Father-."

Horikita-senpai got surprised upon seeing her father, Chief Horikita Shoichiro, standing from afar looking at us.

No. He wasn't looking at us. He was looking at me directly. Those sharp eyes made me loosen my grip from Horikita-senpai's hand which she quickly pulled away.

Despite me not holding senpai's hand anymore, Chief Shoichiro did not turn away and was still glaring at me.

"Stop acting like a kid. Let's go there instead."

"Are you seriously saying that to senpai?"

Inspector Sawamura asked Nishimura-san in disbelief what he said to Chief Horikita.

"You all are acting like you have never experienced youth before."

Nishimura-san was pushing Chief Horikita who seemed to not hear the people arguing beside him and was still glaring at me.

"No. It's your actions that made me doubt if you're really the trusted butler of the Utomiya family."

"Let's just go."

Nishimura-san brushed off Inspector Sawamura's statement and continued pushing the Chief away from our sight.

Despite wearing a very displeased expression on his face, Chief Horikita just allowed himself to get dragged. He really did not say anything at all. His eyes were enough to make me understand every threatening word in his mind.

I thought that I'm already safe but when I turned to my right, Horikita-senpai was also glaring at me.

"Is glaring your family's common way of communication?"

"If you just cooperated with me then my father would not have seen that."

I asked with genuine curiosity yet she only dodged my question and said something else. I can't deny that I feel a little disappointed.

"Are you afraid?"

Seriously, I never thought that she was.

"Don't worry. I'll do the explaining."

She then looked at me as if asking 'You will?'.

"Your father can smell lies right? All I have to do is to be honest with him and he'll surely understand."

"It won't be that easy. My father is so strict."

That's too easy to tell. That's probably one of the qualities required for his job. But....

"Chief Horikita seems kind though."

I can't believe I said that right after receiving his death stare just a second ago.

"... He is. He's just....."

Horikita-senpai cut off her words. The hesitation to continue is so clear from her face.

It seems like it was a part of her life that she finds hard to open up. Something that I could relate to.

"Well, it's true that it's my fault so stop worrying. I'll talk to your father later."

"Forget it. I'm sure he'll forget about it as well."

That's what she said yet I could feel the uncertainty from her voice.

She then turned around and faced the ocean.

"Speaking of forget. About Nishimura-san, did you really not remember him anymore?"

Trying her best to change the topic, Horikita-senpai asked me a personal question.

How I wish I could dodge her question as well but she knew so much about my life already that I couldn't find any excuse not to answer her.

"I tried remembering him but I just can't."

Deep inside, I truly wanted to. I wanted to reciprocate his longing feeling towards me. I tried but I failed to remember his face.

Although there's someone in my memory that perfectly fits him.

No. It was definitely Nishimura-san.

"He could be the guy that you told me you played arcade games with when you were still a kid."

Horikita-senpai had thought the same as me.

Just like what I did to my father's face, which was indeed the fake Ayanokoji Kyojuro that they posted on the government website to fool Horikita-senpai, I had also tried filling in Nishimura-san's face to the blank faces that I have remembered in the corner of my memory. When we were playing games. When he used to hug me and carry me in his arms.

"Why did you not ask Nishimura-san if it was him?"

Horikita-senpai looked at me and curiously asked.

It was only natural. I had once told her that I wanted to remember the man that I played arcade games with before but when I finally had the chance to ask, I didn't.

"I was embarrassed. He's a total stranger to me now since I couldn't remember him. It-... feels awkward."

I honestly answered.

I am grateful that there's someone who still knows the real me. That there's still someone who could take me home. I surely am. But somehow, I wasn't as elated as I thought I would be.

".... It's fine. Just take it slowly."

Horikita-senpai responded softly to my honesty.

She's giving me advice yet I feel more concerned about her.

"How about you? Did everything finally sink in?"

I asked after leaning my back on the railing to see her face clearly.

Horikita-senpai only became silent and shifted her gaze to the ocean, unsure on what to answer.

Nishimura-san and her father told us everything that happened. From Ayanokoji's father taking advantage of Nishimura-san's absence due to the death of his mother and deceiving my father into enrolling me to the White room to my parents entrusting the closure of the White room and saving me to Nishimura's care. My parents arranged everything before they died. They sent Nishimura-san abroad, left all their wealth to him and left traces that could lead Horikita Shoichiro to him.

"... The truth is every time I'm alone, every night before going to sleep, I would continually ask myself if I'm just dreaming.... Everything I heard feels unreal. The whole White room thing is something I couldn't believe at all."

Her answer is what I expected to hear. I remembered how she wasn't able to say anything and was only listening to us with fear and worry written all over her face.

"Did you cry?"

Rather than getting irritated from my concern question that sounded like a tease, Horikita-senpai just looked away and hid her face from me.

"... Is it bad if I did?"

She admitted shyly.

I appreciate her sympathy but...

"Don't ever turn that feeling into anger, senpai."

"I know." She answered.

It's good that she's aware of the possible consequences of letting your emotions control you. I know how mentally strong senpai is but I couldn't help but feel worried that it might create emotional trauma.

"You, Ayanokoji-kun, Ichika-san and Yagami-kun are really strong for surviving that place without losing your sanity."

Losing our sanity huh.

At some point, we almost did. I surely almost did. The only thing that stopped it was my motivation to see my parents again. The strong will to survive and meet them again. To go home. Not until my motivation was crushed five years ago.

Losing our sanity huh.

I couldn't help but repeat these words in my head again. It seems like Horikita-senpai's words hit me without me knowing. It made me go back to the time when I first heard about the death of my parents. I was reminded about my initial intention of wanting to destroy the White room.

I looked up and watched the twilight sky. This time, I wasn't appreciating its beauty rather I looked up to ask...

"..... Am I.... a bad son?"

I mindlessly mumbled the question that I was supposed to silently ask only in my head. After all, the recipient of that question is not here anymore and wouldn't be able to give me an answer.

"Huh?"

Confused by what she heard, Horikita-senpai turned her head towards me and asked.

"What are you saying?" She further asked.

That's right. What am I saying? What am I even thinking? I kept on telling myself for the past years that I am going to get the justice that my parents deserve, however I also couldn't escape the truth. I shouldn't.

I don't want to say it because if I release these words from my mouth, it could only mean that I am acknowledging that it was the truth.

But.... it was the truth. And that's a fact. An embarrassing truth that I should face.

This is something I had kept to myself because I had no one to share it with. No one would even care.

But...

".. The truth is...."

... But if it's with Horikita-senpai.... maybe, just maybe.

" ... I wasn't doing all these to avenge my parents."

While clenching my right fist, I build the courage to finally voice my dirty secret to my most trusted person.

It seems like the facility did more damage to me than I realize. I did not lose my sanity but it took away the most important thing a person can have.

"What- do you mean?"

"I initially planned to destroy the White room because of anger. I was angry at what it made me become."

Horikita-senpai was only staring at me, even more confused.

Three years ago, Ayanokoji-senpai took advantage of the temporary closure of the White room and escaped. That gave me courage to do the same but the watchman that was assigned to me saw through my plan. And it wasn't just my plan that he foresaw but the reason why I wanted to escape as well.

That night, the watchman that was assigned to me disclosed one of the most confidential information of the facility.

'Utomiya Kyojuro and Emi died in a car accident two years ago.'

He dropped the information from his mouth without any hesitation as if he knew that my heart already forgot about my parents.

"When I first heard about the death of my parents... I did not cry. Even until now, I haven't cried and mourned for them. I don't feel anything. It was like, they are people that I only know by name."

Horikita-senpai wasn't able to speak after hearing my confession while I looked down and did not face her as I felt embarrassed by what I just said.

"I hated that not a single tear dropped from my eyes. I hated the fact that I forgot the love I had for my parents."

And I could no longer trace the exact time it started.

I remembered crying for them when I was first brought to the white room. Begging the instructors to call them to take me home. But now....

The White room took away the years that I was supposed to have with my parents. They made me forget about them. They took away love from my heart.

All throughout that night, my mind repeated nothing but these words.

I heard about the death of my parents on the same night but rather than grief it resulted in rage. This rage grew even stronger after learning that they were actually killed. They even dared to use the real name of my father as the fake Ayanokoji Atsuomi in that made up article just to see my reaction and to confirm if I am indeed a traitor.

"I only accepted the job to expel Ayanokoji-senpai to test my capabilities. If I managed to defeat the masterpiece then I'd have a chance to destroy the facility."

".... But you never did."

Horikita-senpai said in confusion after recalling my actions these past two years where I never seriously tried to expel Ayanokoji-senpai.

As I heard her, I turned my head to see her face. While looking at her, my heart couldn't help but feel thankful.

"... It changed after knowing about your existence in this school, Horikita-senpai."

I sincerely said from the bottom of my heart.

At first, I felt glad learning about her background. That a child of the Chief of Criminal Affairs Bureau is actually a student here. But gradually, I became grateful that I got to know her as she is that I wanted to build a relationship with her, not just a connection.

Senpai, you have no idea how much you changed me.

I wanted to say that but thought that she didn't have to know.

Looking back, there's actually a lot of changes that happened. From deciding to take the White room training more seriously to hone my abilities after it resumed to putting it aside after accepting the order of expelling Ayanokoji-senpai only for me to end up disregarding the facility's command to focus on gaining Horikita-senpai's trust.

"It was only after knowing about your father handling my parents' murder case that I started to change my motive into getting justice for my parents because I believed that this was the right thing. Because this is how it should be."

I tried. I seriously tried. Even if it's only in my mind and not in my heart. I genuinely tried to believe that I'm doing all these to avenge my parents.

Feeling embarrassed of my confession, I turned away from her again.

But honestly, it wasn't embarrassment that made me turn away, I was afraid of seeing her reaction.

".... Kyojuro-san and Emi-san must be so proud of you right now, Riku-kun."

While I was feeling disgusted with myself, Horikita-senpai said something I didn't expect that right after hearing it, I returned my gaze back to her.

Unlike what I feared, Horikita-senpai was wearing a gentle smile on her face while looking straight into my eyes. I couldn't feel any disappointment from her at all. It made me wonder if she really understood or even heard everything I confessed a while ago.

"You don't have to worry. I'm sure that right now, wherever they are, your parents are looking at you proudly."

My- parents... are proud of me?

I wasn't able to speak as I was still processing what she meant.

Seeing my reaction, Horikita-senpai widened her smile as if she was assuring me that what she said was the truth.

"You did not let the White room fully consume you. You were still able to determine what is right from wrong. And here you are, fighting for what is right. For what really is right."

I... All this time, I have never seen it that way.

Horikita-senpai spoke so kindly that the feeling of shame and guilt disappeared instantly from my heart.

"You might have forgotten about them but you did not lose your parents in your heart, Riku-kun. Your upbringing was what helped you reject everything the White Room tried to instill within you."

...My--- upbringing?... Of how my parents raised me?

"But- ..."

I couldn't even remember those years anymore.

"Riku-kun."

As I was feeling conflicted, Hokirita-senpai called me with a very gentle voice.

"Your parents did all this to save you because they love you. I'm sure just knowing that you tried your best to believe that this is for them is already more than enough to make them happy."

----- They.. love me....

For some reason, upon hearing that, it created a pain in my chest. A blurred memory of my early childhood flashed before my eyes. My parents and Nishimura-san were full of smiles. There's no doubt that I was raised in such a loving home.

The unfamiliar pain grew even more. This isn't anger. This isn't grief.... This is sadness. Sadness from missing an important person in your life. Someone that you loved.

Just then, I felt a tickling sensation on both of my cheeks.

Horikita-senpai only looked at me with sad eyes. She did not say anything. Instead she moved closer and reached my head and gently buried it on her shoulder while she put her other hand on my back.

I didn't even have to ask why. It was because for the first time since I remembered, I cried. There were tears in my eyes.

I tried to hold it but then she caressed my head as if telling me to let it all out. Right there and then, I burst into tears.

"... Mom.. Dad.. Why--? ... Why did you not wait for me?.. You should've waited for me instead...."

I was grieving yet the words I spoke were full of regrets.

Why?... Why?..

Deep down, I know. My parents only wanted to save their child.

But still, I couldn't help but ask why.

"I-.. I was doing my best to survive.... So why did you not wait?..."

Did you not believe in me, Mom? Dad?

"... Now, I- ... I will be coming home with no one waiting for me."

My parents are gone. I thought that I had already accepted it. But I was wrong. I miss them. I want to see them again. I wanna hug them and say "I'm home, Mom, Dad. I survived." But now, the home that I'm returning to is empty.

The pain in my heart keeps on growing. It was very painful that I thought that it was a blessing in disguise that I did not feel this pain back then. I probably wouldn't be able to handle the pain alone, without someone's comfort.

Horikita-senpai hugged me tighter as she silently wept along with me. All along, it wasn't a coincidence but fate that brought me to this school to meet her. Her warm presence helped me pour out all the pain in my heart.

TIMESKIP

HORIKITA POV

The whole room was in clamor as my previous high school classmates excitedly spoke to each other, reminiscing our chaotic high school days.

Four years have passed since we graduated from Advance Nurturing High School. Everyone decided to have a reunion three months after some of us graduated from college.

I came here clinging to that little hope in my heart that I would see and talk to that old fellow once again. But just like what I expected, he's nowhere to be seen. Of course, I missed them and wanted to see everyone... I just wanted to know if he's okay. If he's doing well.

Three years ago, right after we successfully took down the White room, Ayanokoji-kun disappeared without a trace. Without even saying goodbye. I don't even know if he's still in the country.

I would often ask my father if he had any clues. If Ayanokoji-kun somehow chose to say his goodbyes to him but my father would only tell me that wherever Ayanokoji-kun is, he's definitely okay because that's who he is.

I do believe him. I truly do. But the worry inside me wouldn't disappear.

It wasn't just Ayanokoji-kun who's not present. Karuizawa-san, Wang-san and Koenji-kun weren't in the room as well.

A couple of hours had passed. I bid my farewell before anyone else as I had another appointment in the next thirty minutes. My father said that a friend of his wanted to meet me and discuss my next career in life. Well, I don't have any clue who it is but it could be someone from Advance Nurturing High School where I decided to take the offer of being a temporary teacher for four years.

Everyone was wearing their brightest smile as they waived their hands and said goodbye. I did the same. I left the building feeling satisfied despite not seeing the person I wanted to meet the most again.

Or so I thought.

On my way to my car, I saw someone standing on the driver's side. I walked closer and realized that the person was actually leaning his back on my car.

"Who--."

I wasn't able to finish my question as my heart started beating loudly. The back of his head looked very familiar. I wanted to fool myself and believe that it's him but according to how everything was in the past three years made me think that I'm just hallucinating.

But still---

"Are you- perhaps...?

I think my voice wasn't loud enough for him to hear it but he slowly turned his head. Seeing his side profile made me mumble his name in my mind.

He then turned around and looked me in the eyes. I couldn't help but hold my breath as I saw his face. How come he looked exactly the same from the last time I saw him? The length of his hair, the color of his skin and even the expression on his face. It was all the same. It was like he wanted us to recognize him immediately.

"... Ayanokoji-kun?.." I asked. I'm sure that it's him but my voice was in doubt.

"Long time no see, Suzune." He answered. He talked. His voice was so audible for me to think that it was only a hallucination.

"That's rude. Why are you looking at me like I'm a ghost?" He said after seeing me speechless.

".. I mean-.. so it's really you?"

"Who do you think it could be?"

With the way he asked, he seemed disappointed.

"I'm sorry. I mean... you just appeared out of nowhere." I answered.

"What do you mean? We're having a reunion. You were supposed to expect to meet me again today."

"... Well, yes.... It's just that you have completely erased your existence these past three years. I never thought that you would show yourself today." I said. I wonder if I'm lying or not when he filled my thoughts when I came here.

"Moreover, who even told you? I doubt anyone in class was able to find you." I asked with a curious mind.

"Shoichiro-san did." He answered as if he was expecting me to know.

"My father?"

He gave me a nod.

"So he really knows where you've been hiding, huh." I said with a little bit of irritation in my voice.

"He didn't. It was me who contacted him first and I never mentioned my location."

He even tried to defend my father.

"When?"

I might forgive my father for not telling me, depending on Ayanokoji-kun's answer.

"Three months ago. Right after your graduation."

So it wasn't that long. If I remember correctly, my parents have been so busy these past few months. I really couldn't get mad at my father for not having the time telling me.

"So what's with the sudden contact?" I asked.

I thought you no longer wanted to be remembered. I said in my mind. I couldn't say it out loud because that was my feelings alone.

"I somewhat had the feeling that the class will arrange a reunion." He answered.

Somewhat? That's not how it looks at all.

"Then why did you not go inside? Everyone was looking for you."

There's really no point in arguing with him.

Somehow, he paused.

".... Well.. I wanted to see you only."

Caught off guard, I could only say "huh?"

"Due to life circumstances, I could only afford one gift."

Gift?

Ayanokoji-kun lifted his right hand and showed me two paper bags.

"... Is- that for me?" I hesitantly asked.

After giving me a little nod he said "A little favor please. Don't tell anyone in class about this gift. I don't want to feel guilty for not getting them anything."

"What's with that favor? It seems like you're passing the guilt to me." I might've said that but I didn't really care.

Since I was too far away from him, I walked towards him and shyly grabbed the gifts.

"Thank you."

"Don't be. It's not that much."

"... You said you could only afford one gift then why are there two bags?"

"The other one is your wedding gift."

I immediately returned my gaze back to him and looked at him in the eyes upon hearing what he  said. That surely surprised me.

I was about to ask how he knew about it but my father's face suddenly appeared in my mind.

"It seems like my father told you more than what he should have."

"Yep. We talked so much about you."

They what?

He might've answered in a teasing manner but I wasn't even annoyed.

"That's too bad. I wanted to see your glaring eyes once again." He added.

"Stop being silly. We're not kids anymore."

"Ow? I know that's an expected answer from a married woman but that still surprised me."

He continued teasing me but I once again ignored it and diverted my attention to the gifts.

"What's this?"

He didn't put any tape to the bags that I could easily open it and see what's inside. It's a notebook and a picture frame.

"You like taking notes. I thought it could be helpful when you go back to ANHS."

He even knew about me teaching at ANHS. It seems like it's true that Ayanokoji-kun and my father talked so much about me. Don't tell me I was their main topic?

"And you're bringing a picture of you and Utomiya, right? Please use my gift."

That was so thoughtful of him but then he added. "So everytime you miss Utomiya, you can just look at the picture and say 'Ahh. Ayanokoji-kun gave me this picture frame.'"

"Huh?" I couldn't help but furrow my eyebrows as I looked at him in confusion.

He only stared at me as if saying 'right?' It took me time to process what he said.

".... Seriously? That's the joke that you brought today? It's not funny at all."

"Well, I'm not trying to make you laugh. It's your glaring eyes that I miss."

"And? Satisfied?"

"Nope. I'm deeply disappointed. Your glare is not as sharp as before."

How childish.

"Well. It's not me who failed you. It's your fault for preparing the worst joke ever."

"Really? So it wasn't as irritating as I thought it would be huh."

He only looked up as if he was thinking more nonsense. It seems like he only came here to annoy me and these gifts are a disguise.

"Soo.. how's Utomiya?"

Suddenly, he became serious but the expression on his face was different. He was looking at me as if there's a hidden meaning behind his question.

I get it but....

"He's doing fine. He's still studying but after graduating, he plans to enter the National Police. He wants to dedicate his life to saving people, especially children from criminals."

"... Ahh. I see." He nonchalantly replied.

"You already knew, right?"

"... Yeah. I knew. Your father already told me."

"Did I perhaps misunderstood your question?"

"Yeah.. you did."

"Stop feeling disappointed when it's your fault for beating around the bush."

He confused me. Don't tell me he only showed up today after disappearing for three whole years just to joke around.

"No. But seriously, I really thought you would get it."

"Get what?" I asked.

"Hmm... It seems like you're still innocent until now."

Innocent? Of what?

"Huh? Can't you just ask it straightaway?"

"No thanks. I don't wanna be kicked by you?" He said after taking one step away from me.

What could be the other meaning that he really thought I would be violent though?

"Is- having kids not in your plan yet?"

With a little hesitation in his voice, Ayanokoji-kun surprised me with an unexpected question.

No, it isn't really surprising especially that he knew that I'm already married. I just never thought that he would talk about it.

"I don't think it's the right time for that. Riku and I are still too young and have a long way to go in life. We haven't even achieved anything yet."

"I see. That's valid." He calmly replied.

"Why- did you ask?" Despite feeling curious, I still hesitantly asked.

".... I was hoping that your soon to be kid might become my daughter's playmate."

What-- did he say?

".... D- daughter?"

"Hm."

I could only stare at him with my eyes wide open, still processing what I heard.

".... Is- that a joke again?"

"What? Do you really think you're the only one who can get married?" He sarcastically replied.

".. No... of course that's not what I mean."

As if we no longer knew what to say, we only stared at each other's eyes.

Why did I feel surprised? Why did I think that he could still be single until now? I even got married.

"... I see. It's good to know that you're doing well in life." I sincerely said to him.

Ayanokoji-kun said his thanks but then we became silent once again.

"... If the Chairman Sakayanagi allows it, I'll bring my daughter to ANHS and introduce her to you." He said with a faint smile on his face.

"Sure." I replied and smiled back at him.

"I'll bring Kei as well." He added and subtly revealed who his wife is.

Authors note:

Hi!!. It's been a year again since I updated my story but this is it. This is the end. I don't if someone is still waiting but thank you for coming back.

Once again, Thank you very much🥰