Six years ago, hilltop.

Masayuki Katashi stared blankly at the setting sun, wrapping his arms around his knees. From a distance, crimson sunset had already enveloped the entire sky.

At the foot of the hill, there was a row of white villas, evenly spaced, gradually getting smaller as he looked.

The middle schooler bit his finger, fidgeting. This is not right, she should be here by now.

He knew Hana better than anyone. They had been best friends since elementary school. Normally, if there were no urgencies, they would meet on this hill after school and play toghether until one of their parents came to call them home.

Yet, Hana had even told him carefully to meet up at the hill after school. Throughout the entire school day today, she kept chirping in his ear.

“Don't forget to come!”

“I know! You have already told me several times today, you don’t need to repeat it again!”

To be honest, Hana doesn’t need to remind him to come to the hill. According to their daily schedule, after school, they were supposed to leave together, go home to put their things away, and then meet up at the hill as always. They wouldn't even leave each other for an hour. But this time, they had told each other to be present while Hana herselves hadn't even bothered to show up, wasting more than two hours of his time.

But that was no longer strange to Katashi, because he knew, both of them were growing up. Lately, Hana rarely saw him after school. She spent more time with the other girls, engaging in conversations without him.

A week ago, she kept talking about makeup, the Idol industry, or some new rising actor, and yawned loudly whenever Katashi tried to change the topic of conversation to whatever he wanted to talk about.

Time passed quickly, and Katashi gradually realized that Hana had begun to change.

Soon, that girl will become a woman, and he will still be just a child wandering in his childish world.

How long will this relationship last? Honestly, Katashi doesn't want to grow up at all. He just wants things to stay like this forever.

Katashi's mind was simple enough to not want to think any further. What happens in the future, happens in the future. Right now they were just kids, Hana had always been his best friend.

Katashi stretched, yawned, and then laid down on the soft grass.

He rested his head on his hands, lazily looking up at the blue sky.

The clouds drifted lazily, so slowly. Whether it was day, night, or dusk, just looking up at the sky, Katashi felt at peace in his heart.

“She would never miss a special date like this.”- Katashi thought to himself. He clearly saw the excitement in Hana’s eyes. Once she was excited about something, she would never miss it.

Hana was the one who planned today's date. Surely, she definitely won't forget it, you're sure of it.

Katashi never broke a promise, especially to a girl. So even if Hana didn't show up today, he would still have to sit here and wait until nightfall.

Because no matter what, God would never let Katashi's kindness down. Just a moment later, the person Katashi was waiting for finally appeared.

Hana ran up the hill with her bag in her arms. Her bobbed hair was unmistakable. Her uniform shirt and skirt were wrinkled from having put them on in a hurry, and her face was flustered like an office worker who missed her train.

Hana slammed her bag down on the grass in front of Katashi, then put her hands on her knees and breathed heavily.

“I… I'm sorry… I'm late…”

“Who needs you to be in such a hurry, you're already two hours late, another hour won't be a problem…”

“Meanie…” – Hana continued while breathing – “I rushed to see you, and you couldn’t have said anything nicer?”

Even though she was pouting at Katashi, Hana felt extremely relieved inside, because Katashi had actually waited for her.

Katashi waited for Hana to catch her breath for a moment, then the two of them settled down and started their date.

“So, what did you call me out here for today?”

“Here…” – Hana pulled the bag in front of her into her arms, taking out a carefully typed stack of papers.

“The reason I was late today was to finalize this draft… Sorry.”

Katashi took the neat stack of papers from Hana. The warmth of the printer still lingered in the paper. The title was printed in dark ink on the top cover.

“PROJECT 023

Version 1.1.2

Written by: TACHIBANA HANA

(Will be) Illustrated by: MASAYUKI KATASHI”

Katashi frowned as soon as he saw the paper. Oh god, another of her new idea.

It was all because of that slip of the tongue that day. After the day Katashi’s favorite anime ended, he couldn’t sit still. When recounting the episode to Hana, he excitedly blurted out to her, “Why don’t you and I try to create our own masterpiece?”

That time was supposed to be just a childish whim. He would have forgotten about it after a short while if Hana hadn't misunderstood his intentions and made that 'masterpiece' into a big deal. Unfortunately, she was completely absorbed in his idea. From then on, Hana was always haunted by the idea of creating a work of both of them.

Before he could turn a page, Katashi hurriedly pushed the stack of papers back to Hana.

“Come on… you're not going to show me some manuscript or summary again, are you?”

Hearing Katashi's discontented words, Hana pouted.

“Why do you always ruin my mood? Do you know how much effort I put into making this? ... Open it and see, I hate you!”

“Alright.” - Katashi sighed, he was fed up with Hana’s pile of ‘projects’. At first, he was interested, but later Hana kept throwing new ideas at him without ever realizing the old ones. After a period of silence, he thought Hana had given up and forgotten about that ‘masterpiece’, then suddenly… He thought she called him out for something special, but it turned out to be to present a new idea, he should have stayed home.

“She won't make it happen anyway,” Katashi said to himself. “Just pretend to read it and say it's good.”

However, as soon as he started turning the first page, he was drawn in. This plot, was completely different from Hana's previous plots.

It really…

Fascinating.

The sun had long since set, and Katashi was still deeply absorbed in that story. Hana sat close by, her head huddled together, eagerly following Katashi's progress.

In no time, Katashi had turned to the last page.

“What the hell is this?”

Katashi was surprised. He had been holding his breath following the story from beginning to end, unable to take his eyes off the page. Yet when the story reached its most interesting part, all he saw before him was a blank page.

“How is it?” – Hana smiled – “Yes or no?”

Katashi was confused, frantically flipping through the stack of papers to see if he had missed any pages.

“Hana… what is this? What will happen next?”

Hana did not answer, still keeping a mysterious smile on her lips.

“So what will happen next?” – Katashi asked anxiously – “Will Eugene be able to meet that girl again? And Gilbert too, how will he meet Elena in the future if he has lost the time travel watch…?”

“And more importantly… between those two guys Eugene and Gilbert, who will the mysterious girl named Elena end up with?”

Hana’s plot stops at a knot, with such an unfinished manuscript, there are too many things left unclear. She builds up mysteries one after another, making Katashi want to read on to find the answers. But when all the questions have been asked, just waiting for the final stage to close them, the story stops abruptly without any explanation.

Katashi felt extremely frustrated while watching a good story without knowing what would happen next. It was like his favorite anime was reaching its climax and then saying 'see you next week'.

“Hana! What will happen next?”

But in response to his dozens of questions, there was only one small reaction from Hana.

She put her index finger to her lips, looking cute, but extremely mysterious.

"Secret !"

Katashi was stunned for a moment, but soon understood her intention, so he turned the last page.

“I see.”

For the first time in his life, he felt like he had lost to Hana. He couldn't believe that this silly girl could write such a good story.

But he also felt extremely refreshed, because now, Hana could actually write a work worth his anticipation.

Katashi chuckled.

“The sci-fi elements are blended perfectly. The character development is good and the story pacing is steady, the twists and turns made me shiver…”

Katashi used the same terminology as a book he had read in the school library and commented on it like a professional critic. Right now, he didn't know if it was the euphoria he felt after reading a novel, but if this project were to be adapted into a complete work, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it would be the best work he had ever seen.

“Okay, you win, I will do whatever you say to know the end of this story…”

However, Hana remained silent, in the dim light of the street lamps below the street shining on the hill, she only smiled with delight.

Hana knew, now she could do whatever she wanted with Katashi.

Oh no, Katashi suddenly regretted it. He let something slip out of his mouth that he shouldn't have. Indeed, Hana looked innocent but was dangerous, he had let himself fall into her trap.

“Then”- Hana's lips moved in the night sky, blending with the lights that were sparkling like bright stars.

“If you come back and help me complete the illustrations for the work…”

Hana looked down at her right hand. There was a hint of sadness in her gaze.

“Well when we finish it… I'll let you be the first to know the ending.”

Hana's suggestion immediately gave Katashi an uncomfortable feeling.

“How interesting…” – He realized that he was inferior to Hana in this situation. Hana could be too much sometimes, but she had never gone that far. He was the one who came up with the idea of creating a work of both of them. And now Hana was the one who convinced him to return to that project.

He gritted his teeth and thought for a while. Katashi hated working the most, especially projects that required creativity. Katashi and Hana were two completely different types of people. If Katashi's joy was simply enjoying good stories, then for Hana, her joy lay in the time she spent creating those stories. Just like the times when Katashi couldn't drag Hana into the animes he loved, this writing job, for Katashi, was something that didn't suit him. It was a waste of time and he wasn't interested in it. Yet she asked him to actively participate... Was this exchange, in the end, worth it or not?

Both of them silently looked far away towards the end of the sky, watching the crimson streaks of sky gradually fade into darkness.

“Tick tock, tick tock…” – Hana counted down in an extremely excited tone.

This wasn't the first time Katashi had to make a difficult decision in his life. Katashi might be kind to the opposite sex, but he always told himself that he would never surrender to a girl.

But this time, Hana's story forced him to break his promise to himself.

“Do or not do?”

Katashi closed his eyes tightly, lowered his head, bit his lip, and struggled to make his decision. No matter how much he wanted to delay, this time, he couldn't continue to avoid it.

“Tick tock, tick tock…” – Hana continued, as if endlessly mocking Katashi.

He had the final answer to his decision. Katashi hung his head and sighed heavily.

“Okay, okay, you're my best friend, I'll accept Hana's intentions!”

That was the longest breath of his life, well, that was it, he couldn't control his petty desires, letting his words slip out before his thoughts.

For the first time in his life, Katashi felt defeated by a girl, and this feeling was not pleasant at all. And his tone of voice could not hide his disappointment in himself for letting himself be so easily swayed.

Katashi looked up, then quickly scratched his head and grimaced, immediately regretting his choice.

“Oh well, I've thought about it. I'm about to enter high school and my homework will pile up like a mountain. I think you should give up that idea, then…”

Katashi immediately looked for a way to retreat. But just as he was about to finish his sentence, Katashi caught Hana's happy gaze. At that moment, Katashi's heart told him that if he didn't join Hana this time, he would definitely miss out on something very important to him in the future.

Katashi had to give up. He knew he would never let a girl down. He hastily changed his retreat sentence to something like this:

“Well then, to be the illustrator for your wonderful work, I think I'll have to try really hard…”

Before Katashi could finish his sentence, Hana's small hand was already stretched out in front of him.

“Promise!”

Looking at Hana's sparkling eyes, Katashi suddenly felt shy. He couldn't believe that the Hana he knew could be so serious. He had fallen into Hana's trap, had fallen too deep into her proposal. She left him no way out anymore.

Because once Katashi makes a promise, especially to a girl, he won't go back on his word.

This girl is really formidable, she looks cute but is extremely cunning. Once Hana wants something, she will push the opponent to the limit, forcing the victim to give up what she wants before letting go.

But anyway, to know the ending of that masterpiece, this request is not too much. After all, if he contribute, it will be the work of both of them. Who knows, maybe when Hana become famous, people will also remember Katashi?

“Then let's go.”- Katashi held out his pinky finger, hooking it with Hana's awaiting finger.

The sun was setting behind the trees at the foot of the mountain. Katashi suddenly felt a little shy, when he came into contact with Hana's body.

He quickly pulled his hand back, stunned by Hana's happy smile.

Suddenly, Hana also felt extremely awkward when she hooked her finger with Katashi. The smile on her lips immediately disappeared. The two of them could only look at each other, blushing slightly, then quickly turned away, avoiding each other's gaze.

What happened when she hooked her finger with Katashi just now? Hana didn't know either. Before, their physical contact was very normal, but this time, just a touch of the hand made her feel extremely shy.

Hana and Katashi both hugged their own knees, silently watching the gentle wind blow across the grass stretching down the hillside. Not knowing since when, there was already a vast expanse of grass between them. Time passed slowly, along with the clouds drifting lazily in the sunset sky.

Time continued to pass, and neither of them knew how to continue. Katashi didn't want to continue this strange feeling anymore, so he immediately changed the subject, trying to find a way to help both of them.

“Oh, by the way…” – Katashi glanced at Hana – “Have you decided on the genre for this work? Are you going to write a novel, or are you planning to turn it into a manga?”

“Yeah…” – Hana also gently turned her head to look at Katashi, shyly placing her index finger on her lips – “I haven’t thought about it either…”

“Or, let's make a manga. Your plot has quite a few action scenes. It would be interesting if adapted into images.”

“No way…” – Hana shook her head – “I’m planning to write a novel, images alone aren’t enough, I want to put the reader in the main character’s shoes, so that the reader can experience the story as if they were her…”

The lively atmosphere started to return thanks to Katashi's untangling, and the two of them sat close together again. The rest of the day, the two of them sat and debated with each other, about what kind of medium Hana should convey her story. The debate began, but it did not end that day. To be able to come to the conclusion of adapting the story into a visual novel, that was another story, that would not be told, until some time later.

After returning home from that date, Katashi still had that strange feeling in his heart, from the moment he hooked his finger with Hana.

What the hell was going on there? He felt extremely strange. This wasn't the first time he had touched Hana's little finger. In the childish mind of the middle school student Katashi at that time, Tachibana Hana was still just his friend, and even though she looked so gentle, to Katashi, friends were all the same, whether they were boys or girls.

Katashi looked out the window from his room, his mind wandering up to the night sky above.

Because Katashi didn't know that, that was the first time, he felt moved by a girl.

_ _ _

Katashi's wound was bandaged, but with just a piece of cloth, blood continued to ooze out.

I sat next to him on the second floor hallway. Everyone downstairs had fallen asleep. The lights in the house were off. We leaned against the wall, the moonlight from outside the window illuminating half of our faces, and the wooden floor.

How cold it was, that dim light, and Katashi's body temperature right now.

I leaned my head on his shoulder, listening to Katashi's breathing.

I asked Daisuke and the others for permission to be alone with Katashi. If he didn't make it through the night, I wanted to be the last one by his side.

My left hand grabbed Katashi's remaining cold hand, while my right hand was ready with a knife.

Also in order to be by Katashi's side, I had to promise everyone that if he reanimated tonight, I would be the one to put an end to him.

I wasn't ready yet, even seeing my parents right in front of me, I couldn't do anything, let alone Katashi this time. Even though I had promised Daisuke, I didn't know if I really had the courage to do it.

I tried to push the blade into my sleeve, so Katashi wouldn't see it.

“Hey, Katashi, you'll live… right?”

I asked him, my voice trembling. I wanted to let Katashi think I wasn't worried, but with my emotions taking over, how could I reassure him?

The reason Katashi didn't want to lie in bed tonight was because he was afraid that he would become one of them while he slept. Even though his arm had been amputated, there was no way to be sure that the virus hadn't spread to other parts of his body.

Or what I fear most, is that you will die from that wound.

No matter how strong a grown man is, it would be difficult for him to survive a severed limb without modern medicine. Yet here, even though I had covered the wound, disinfected it with alcohol, and injected Katashi with painkillers, for a physically weak person who had always been pale since childhood, no matter how strong his spirit was, I was not sure if he could survive this time.

The four of us, including Rin and I, were filled with scientific knowledge from somewhere, but without in-depth medical knowledge, there was no way we could save Katashi. Perhaps if I had studied medicine, Katashi might still be alive.

“Who knows… I don't even care… why do you care?”

“I… I'm sorry.”

Damn it, Katashi, you can still keep that indifferent attitude right now? Do you know how worried I am?

However, I still can't blame him, because Katashi was also very brave. He was even calmer than me. He forgot about the pain, to comfort me, when I had to witness Rin mercilessly cut off his arm.

And Rin… I can't blame Rin either, because if it weren't for her quick decision, Katashi definitely wouldn't be sitting here next to me right now.

“Really…” – Katashi smacked his lips- “You say you don’t like getting involved in trouble, but at the last minute, you keep meddling in other people’s business…”

Hearing Katashi's voice, I couldn't tell if he was still being sarcastic or if he was slowly slipping into a trance. Wanting to keep Katashi awake, I changed the subject, trying to think of something positive.

“Hey Katashi, after everything is over, what are you going to do?”

He did not answer.

“You know, the Japanese military is very powerful, right? If we think about it realistically, with the current firepower of the military, as soon as we learn how these zombies work, the military all over the world will start to take action… and this nightmare will end quickly…”

Katashi shook his head, bored.

“You have quite the imagination, don't you?”

“No! I'm actually analyzing it realistically.”

“You know how stubborn the military is. Before this pandemic, zombies were just a product of human imagination. Ordinary people who had contact with zombie medias would know how to defeat them. However, the military, a system with extremely strict limits, is a double-edged sword when faced with things that are beyond the understanding of ordinary people. Suppose some crazy guy walked into the barracks and used movie theory to demand that the entire army join the war, do you think the army would listen so easily?”

“…”

“They'll think… that's crazy.”

“But, the existence of these zombies, is crazy enough, right?”

“…”

Katashi didn't want to argue with me anymore. He knew that once I started talking, I would try to win, so he found a way to close the topic.

“Nation scale issues like this are a bit too much for us you know…”

He tilted his head back, looking wearily at the ceiling above.

“Right now, I just want you two to be safe.”

“Rin too? Oh, since when did Katashi coldly care about another girl besides me.”

I started teasing Katashi. Trying to make my voice sound sarcastic so he would forget about his missing arm.

“Hey… it’s not like that…” – Katashi blushed – “The three of us were a team from the start, right? Without her, I probably wouldn’t have been able to protect you alone.”

“And when did you want to protect me?”

“Come on, Hana, don't start that.”

We both looked silently at the distant hill, letting the gentle late autumn breeze blow on our faces through the window.

“Katashi, that kiss, was it real?”

Katashi paused for a long moment, then replied to me mockingly.

“No, Onii-chan would never dare kiss his little sister.”

“Stop that, Katashi. You're creeping me out.”

But then his joke reminded me of Toru, and his deceased sister.

“Katashi.”

“What is it?”

“How did you feel the day Natsuki died?”

Katashi lowered his voice, sadly.

“I don't know how to say it… but the truth is, I really regret not spending more time with her.”

“Ka… Katashi… me too.”

I was about to cry again, but Katashi spoke up to calm me down.

“But you are still luckier than me… because your little sister is still out there, if one day you can meet her again, you still have a chance to make up for her.”

Katashi, do you still believe my sister is alive?

If you say so, then I have no reason to cry anymore.

“Katashi, thank you.”

We continued to talk for a while. It had been a long time since Katashi and I had talked so comfortably. With him, all my sadness temporarily disappeared. No matter what happened to my parents, Akira, Miyu, or Toru… I couldn’t be sad anymore, because I had Katashi by my side.

You give me a sense of security whenever I'm around you.

The room became quiet again. The cold moonlight continued to shine on the floor.

Both of them stopped, the lively conversation just now was suddenly replaced by a deathly silence.

“Hey… Hana… can I ask you something?”

Katashi's voice suddenly sounded, making me both surprised and scared.

“Yeah… Whatever you want.”

“It's a bit early to ask this, but do you remember our 'masterpiece'?”

“Yes, there is.”

I answered him.

“Hana… that work, are you still continuing it?”

“What do you ask?”

“Just answer me.”

“Yes… I do.”

Katashi smiled slightly, and in that smile, there was something that made me extremely scared.

“That's good…”

Katashi started to lean his head close to mine, his eyes half-closed.

“Hana, if I really die today, can you tell me the ending of that story?”

“What happened to Eugene? Will he ever meet Elena again? And Gilbert too, how will he meet Elena in the future if he is still stuck with that broken watch…?”

Listening to Katashi's every word, I was so moved I couldn't speak.

He remembered every detail of my story.

But why?... Why Katashi? Why are you suddenly asking me that now? Have you given up?

Katashi's question sounded like the dying words of a person.

Honestly, I didn't want to tell him the end of that story right now. But I was afraid I wouldn't have another chance.

I swallowed my courage and said to Katashi.

“Okay, if you live through the night, I'll tell you.”

Katashi sat silently in the darkness, his eyes wearily looking down at the floor.

I didn't want Katashi to continue avoiding my suggestions. Being friends with him, I knew that Katashi was very good at deflecting conversations, to escape from troubles he didn't want to face.

But I also knew that I understood him well enough to corner Katashi before he could run away.

I held my finger without the knife between me and Katashi, waiting for him to hook it.

“Katashi, let's pinky… Promise me!”

He didn't react. Suddenly, Katashi laughed, not a mocking laugh, but a gentle and bitter laugh.

Once again, Katashi, you scared the hell out of me.

“No way, Hana… this promise, I have to refuse.”

Katashi pulled his shirt up, revealing a bite mark on his stomach.

Under the moonlight, the image of that bite mark hit me straight in the face. All of this… it seemed so sudden that I didn’t know how to react.

“Katashi… this is…”

“That Daisuke, he's kind but he always meddling in other people's business. I told him there's no need to cut off my hand. What an idiot…”

Seeing the bite mark on his stomach, I couldn't help but feel sorry. I wanted to cry, but I couldn't. Because instead of being shocked, I felt more bitter than scared.

“Sorry… Hana, but I'm afraid I can't wait until the end of the night.”

“Ka… Katashi… this bite…”

Katashi gently placed his remaining index finger on my lips, making me unable to continue. So all the mysteries have been solved, Katashi, there is nothing left to hide from me.

“Sorry for hiding it from you all evening…” – Katashi’s voice choked up – “Who couldn’t see through my sudden strange behavior? Was my acting really bad?”

“No.” – I shook my head, my hand gripping Katashi's hand again.

“Who else are you calling stupid? You're the stupid one."

Katashi slowly took something out of his pocket and told me to open my hand.

“What is it?”

“Do you know why I suddenly reacted so strongly when Daisuke brought up the idea about that electric current?”

“No.” – I shook my head – “Can you tell me now?”

I took the small object, it was only as small as two joints of my finger. Bringing it closer to the light, I realized it was a USB memory stick.

“Ever since I got bitten… I was afraid that I wouldn't have the chance to give you that thing in person.”

On the body of the card, there was a layer of white tape, I could clearly see each word on it, under the moonlight.

“ARTWORK – for Hana.”

Katashi waited until I could see what was in my hand clearly before continuing.

“Ever since you changed, I thought I had no reason to complete it. But during the time you weren’t around, even if I wanted to give up, I couldn’t stop myself from continuing that project.”

“Because I always believe that… no matter how much you change, the promise we made that day will never disappear.”

Promise.

I suddenly remembered something I had long forgotten. The more I tried to remember, the more familiar it became. I clenched the memory stick in my palm.

The scene of the hill under the sunset suddenly appeared from a distant subconscious. The feeling at that moment… was so innocent and nostalgic.

That's right… that promise…

In my memory, I heard my own voice from before.

“If you help me complete the illustrations for the work…”

“Well when we finish it… I'll let you be the first to know the ending.”

…

Katashi began to tell me everything that had happened that night, starting from his first return home. Katashi, despite his determination, still hesitated to face his parents, and when it was too late, he paid the price with a bite.

Then the story took us further, to a time in the past when Katashi got tired of my arrogance and gave up on continuing the project. Katashi archived all his work on a memory card and threw it away somewhere in his room.

And then when we made up today, all Katashi thought of first, was to find the memory stick that had his illustrations saved, but it was too late. Because when Katashi returned, he couldn't find that little thing in the middle of a messy room in the dark, and the bite limited his time to the next morning.

When he returned, Katashi was completely broken, he thought it was time for him to give up, but suddenly Daisuke came up with an idea, giving Katashi hope.

Then you did everything, whatever it took to get that memory card to me. At that time, your mind was no longer focused on anything else. You had to finish it all, by tonight.

Then when he returned, Katashi lost his guard and bit himself a second time...

At this point, Katashi slowly stopped, he raised his head and looked at the moonlight reflecting on the wall opposite us. So… everything was clear, everything that happened after that, I was there to witness it.

Clutching the memory card tightly in both hands and placing it on my chest, I hung my head in anger, angry at myself for forcing Katashi to risk his life to go this far. It was all my fault… if from the beginning, I hadn’t forced Katashi to illustrate my work, then perhaps tonight, he wouldn’t have had to drag himself out there a second time just to give me this memory card.

I was about to open my mouth to thank Katashi, but he spoke again, leaving me speechless.

“Hey Hana. I kept my promise to you.”

“So that means now, it's time for me to hear the end of your story, right?”

Hearing Katashi say this, my body suddenly felt hesitant. My throat tightened. Suddenly, I felt like I didn't want to answer Katashi's question. Why was it like this? It was just a simple question? Why was it so difficult to answer it?

Katashi had fulfilled our promise that day, now it was only my turn to complete what I had to do. However, there was something there, making it impossible for me to answer Katashi. I always had an answer, an extremely simple answer. The secret I held was so powerful that I could use it to control Katashi throughout my childhood. But when it came time to reveal that powerful secret, why did I feel so petty? But if I didn't answer Katashi, then perhaps later, I would never have the chance to tell him the truth. And just like Katashi, I couldn't bear to be a promise breaker.

Finally, I swallowed my courage and opened my mouth to reply to Katashi.

“I think it's better you don't know?”

“What’s wrong? Are you afraid that if I hear it, I’ll be so happy that I’ll close my eyes and die?”

“No.”

“Then why…”

If Katashi were still healthy right now, my answer would be very interesting, like getting back at him, but there's just one problem.

“If I could hear it, even if I die, I would be at ease…”

“If you are so determined to know the truth, then prepare yourself, because you are not going to like it.”

“I'm ready, whatever the answer is, I'll be looking forward to it.”

For the fourth time that day, my tears began to fall.

“Sorry… Because really…”

"Really?"

“…”

“Really… I never came up with an ending…”

The taste of tears… is bitter. But nothing as bitter as what I am feeling right now.

Hearing that, Katashi was stunned for a moment, then laughed heartily.

He is not angry with me.

“Ha ha… so that's how it is… Looks like I'm really as dumb as Rin said…”

“What… what are you saying?”

“It doesn't matter, Hana, I lived believing in an unreal ending, but that ending was the motivation for me to continue living and to continue moving forward…”

At this point, Katashi's eyelids couldn't hold on any longer. His eyelids drooped, and he let out a long yawn.

Katashi was so tired.

“Thank you… Hana… because that's what's important to me…”

Katashi lowered his head, I could still hear his breathing.

“Hana… before I close my eyes, there is one thing I have to tell you honestly.”

Katashi's tone changed completely, as if he had reached the limit of what his body would allow. With all his remaining strength, I knew, Katashi was trying to give these last words to me.

“But, Katashi, what are you still hiding from me?”

Katashi hesitated for a moment, looking into the empty space in front of him, then suddenly regretted blurting out the words.

“Well… I think it’s better if you don’t know. Even if you did know, I don’t think you would like it.”

“No…” – I pouted at Katashi – “You can’t hide anything from me anymore. Everything you hid from me until today, isn’t that enough to make me suffer?”

I clutched his jacket, raising my voice in a plea.

“Katashi… please… no matter how harsh what you say is… I can endure it all. As long as there are no more secrets between us, then after tonight, even if I have to let you go, I won’t regret anything.”

“Alright… alright… If you're so determined to hear it, then I have no reason to keep it from you anymore.”

Katashi raised his head. Through the window, he looked up at the night sky, a nostalgic voice began to speak.

“You know? Up until now, I've always thought that Hana was the only girl important to me.

“Losing you… I feel like I lost everything important to me in life.”

I remained silent, continuing to listen to Katashi's story.

“But you know what else? That time you turned your back on me, instead of hating you, I felt grateful, because you taught me a lot of new things.”

At this point, Katashi's voice started to choke up. It seemed like he was trying to hold back, not wanting to let the next words slip out.

“The time I reached my limit, I was foolish enough to end my life.”

“And you know what? During the darkest days of my life… I met her, when I was hovering on that wall, right between life and death, that girl reminded me that I still had work to do. She reminded me that I still had a promise to fulfill with you, and if I had died that day, perhaps after I died, I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself for being a broken promise…”

Hearing that girl's part, I started to feel uncomfortable, however, I still restrained myself and continued to listen to Katashi in silence.

“That's another secret I've been keeping from you all this time, actually, I've known her since before you two met today…”

Her? Hearing this, I began to understand who Katashi was talking about here.

“It was you and her, who saved my life that day. If it wasn't for the promise I made to you and her presence on that rooftop, I wouldn't be here today.”

Katashi, is can’t be?

Because there was only one 'her' other than me that he met today.

Katashi, don't tell me you…

“Hana, I…”

“I…”

“I love Rin.”

Finally, everything I wanted to know about Katashi was finally made clear. Everything behind that boy… no longer had any distance to me.

But why, when I have everything I want to know in my hands, do I feel so regretful?

I'm naturally curious, if I want to know something I have to find out the root cause to feel secure, even Katashi had to give up on me at this point. But just like what Katashi had warned me, when I heard the truth, I wished I hadn't asked him in the first place.

“Aren't you angry?”

“Not at all…” – I shook my head.

At Katashi's last words, my heart was completely broken. However, more than anyone else in this world, I knew that just for Katashi to accept me after all I had done to him, I was asking for too much.

I smiled proudly at Katashi.

After a year of separation, I also forgot the fact that Katashi was no longer the silly boy on the hill that day. While I was still wandering in my dream world, the little boy Katashi had already become a grown man.

I felt both jealous and secretly happy for him. Who am I? Katashi may be the prince in my fairy tale, but in his story, I am not the only princess.

I thought I knew Katashi better than anyone else in the world, but I paused for a year in his story. I felt like I missed out on so much.

“Thank you, Katashi… for telling me the truth.”

After all, I also knew how to suppress my emotions in front of Katashi. I didn't let him worry. If I were here now, the me from two days ago, no matter how tired Katashi was, I would still use all my selfishness and resentment inside, and insult him with all my words.

If… these things hadn't happened, I wouldn't have been a better person.

“That's okay.”

Katashi's voice was filled with relief.

Katashi lowered his head slightly, but immediately, he raised his face again.

“Katashi… you promise… you won't sleep?”

“Yes… I promise…”

Katashi's voice was getting weaker and weaker, I knew I didn't have much time left.

"Then let's promise."

I held out my pinky finger, waiting for Katashi to connect it.

With the last bit of hope, I also want Katashi to believe that he can still stay in this world.

Because Katashi is the last loved one I have left. If I lose him, I will have no one left to hold on to.

But he did not respond.

“Katashi?”

I called him again.

“Katashi… stop joking, you're scaring me…”

I tried calling out to Katashi, shaking him, but at this moment, Katashi's entire face was engulfed in darkness.

His body was no longer warm.

Don't Katashi… just this time the night before yesterday, you kissed and threw up all over me…

Just yesterday, you rushed in to save me from Hari and Daisuke…

And just a few hours ago, you slapped me awake, that without you, I would be nothing in this world...

Katashi, don't leave me here alone, I'm scared.

Katashi, I'm so happy to continue being with you, you know that?

So why don't you answer me Katashi?

If you keep quiet like that, how can I know how you feel?

You haven't enjoyed our ‘masterpiece' yet, have you?

You promised to finish it with me, did you forget?

Are you such a promise breaker, Katashi?

In the end, I also know that the girl you chose is not me, but that doesn't change anything between us, in my heart, you are always the friend that no one can replace.

Katashi, are you really that bad? Saying you love someone in front of me, then running away like that?

Answer me, Katashi.

Even if it's just one sentence, say it so I can feel secure when I'm with you.

Katashi, I beg you.

“Katashi!!!”

I tried to shake him, tried to scream, tried to cry out in hope. I bit him, pulled Katashi's hair, but none of my actions could wake him up.

Because, Katashi, is truely gone.

僕はいま無口な空に      boku wa ima mukuchi na sora ni      I look at the sky to see a cloud named "solitude"

吐き出した孤独という名の雲     hakidashita kodoku to iu na no kumo           Into the silent sky

その雲が雨を降らせて      sono kumo ga ame o furasete            That cloud will make it rain

虹が出るどうせ掴めないのに niji ga deru douse tsukamenai no ni And a rainbow will come out, even though you can't seize it anyway

はじめてのキスを繰り返して欲しくて            hajimete no kisu o kurikaeshite hoshikute    I want you to repeat our first kiss

愛が僕に噛みついて離さないと言うけれど           ai ga boku ni kamitsuite hanasanai to iu keredo            Love bites me and says that it won't leave me,

さみしさのカタチは変わらないみたいだ        samishisa no katachi wa kawaranai mitai da           But it seems that the shape of loneliness doesn't change

舞い上がって行けいつか夜の向こう側        maiagatte yuke itsuka yoru no mukougawa Soar away, someday on the other side of the night

うんざりするほど光れ君の歌     unzari suru hodo hikare kimi no uta Let your song shine so bright we'll get fed up with it

やさしさが濁った日々の yasashisa ga nigotta hibi no   The days clouded by kindness

憂鬱は満員電車みたいだ yuuutsu wa manin densha mitai da  Their depression is like a clouded train

冷めたぬくもりをむやみに放り投げた            sameta nukumori o muyami ni hourinageta            I thoughtlessly threw out the cooled warmth

僕が愛を信じてもきっといなくなるんだろ？       boku ga ai o shinjite mo kitto inaku naru ndaro?            Even if I believed in love, you're sure to leave, right?

それならいらない哀しすぎるから    sore nara iranai kanashisugiru kara If that is so, I don't want it because it's too sad

さようならさえも上手く言えなそうだから   sayounara sae mo umaku ienasou dakara   Because I don't think I can even say "goodbye" well

手をふるかわりに抱きしめてみたよ    te o furu kawari ni dakishimete mite yo        Instead of waving, try hugging me

流れ星をみた流れ星をみた     nagareboshi o mita nagareboshi o mita        I saw a shooting star, I saw a shooting star

願う僕の歌   negau boku no uta     The song of me, who is pleading

そばにいるだけで本当幸せだったな    soba ni iru dake de hontou shiawase datta na          Just being beside you, I was really happy

そばにいるだけでただそれだけでさ    soba ni iru dake de tada sore dake de sa       Just being beside you, even just that was enough

愛が僕に噛みついて離さないと言うけれど           ai ga boku ni kamitsuite hanasanai to iu keredo            Love bites me and says that it won't leave me,

さみしさのカタチは変わらないみたいだ        samishisa no katachi wa kawaranai mitai da           But it seems that the shape of loneliness doesn't change

舞い上がって行けいつか夜の向こう側        maiagatte yuke itsuka yoru no mukougawa Soar away, someday on the other side of the night

うんざりするほど光れ君の歌     unzari suru hodo hikare kimi no uta Let your song shine so bright we'll get fed up with it

もう傷つかないもう傷つけない        mou kizutsukanai mou kizutsukenai I won't get hurt anymore, I won't cause hurt anymore

光れ君の歌   hikare kimi no uta      Let your song shine

-MOKUSHIROKU NO HANA- EPISODE 4-END