Chapter 32 I Won't Give Up
#21MotoKanojoI Won’t Give Up
“This is…”
I went up to the room and picked up the note left on the table.
On it was written.
To Naoe-kun,
I’m sorry for disappearing so suddenly.
As I feared, if I stay by your side any longer, I’m certain I’ll cause you trouble, so I’ve decided to leave.
It was only a short time, but meeting your kind self was the greatest blessing of my life.
Truly, I was happy.
Goodbye.
Kakizaki Hatsune
Written on the paper, crumpled and dampened with something, was this short message.
“Ah… Ah…”
I clenched the note tightly in my hand and collapsed to my knees on the spot.
“Aaaahhhhhh…!”
―Bang!
―Bang!
―Bang!
Overcome by frustration, sadness, longing, and love, I pounded the floor with my fists.
Over and over, again and again.
“Why… Why did you have to disappear!?”
Before I knew it, I was curled up, wailing in anguish.
Louder than the day Hiyori betrayed me.
But.
“This is… different… different from Hiyori…!”
I haven’t heard her true feelings.
Unlike when Hiyori betrayed me, I haven’t heard anything from her!
If that’s the case!
I put on my sneakers, dashed out of the room, and hastily pulled my phone from my pocket, tapping Sasaki-senpai’s contact.
And then.
[Yo, Yuuta. What’s up?]
“S-Senpai! Please! I need your help!”
[!? Wh-what’s wrong!?]
Senpai’s startled voice was filled with concern.
Calm down… Calm down, me!
“It’s… Kakizaki-san! She felt responsible for the letter and about the landlord, so she left the room!”
[What!?]
“I’m heading to search around the station right now… Senpai, please help me search too!”
[Got it! Leave it to me! I’ll search the route from the university to the station with Kasumi!]
“Thank you!”
As I tapped the end call button while running, I immediately called Mushakoji-san.
[Hello?]
“Mushakoji-san! I need your help too!”
[Eh!? I-I don’t understand what’s going on!?]
“Kakizaki-san left the room because of that incident! I’m searching the area around the station. Sasaki-senpai and Kinoshita-senpai are searching the route from the university to the station, so please check other places!”
[Understood! I’ll definitely find her!]
Alright…!
I just hope she hasn’t already left this town… Please, let that not be the case…
No, she must still be in this town!
Kakizaki-san… I’m coming for you now!
“Hah… Hah…!”
After arriving at the station, I comb the surrounding area, searching over and over again, but I can’t find her anywhere.
Thinking she might have boarded a train, I ask the station staff, the convenience store clerk near the station, and even the police box, but no one had seen her.
She’s more beautiful than anyone else—at the very least, no man would fail to notice her.
So… Kakizaki-san hasn’t left this town yet.
But.
“H-How can I not find her after all this searching…?”
As evening falls, the crowds at the station grow thicker. Standing amidst the bustling flow of people, I mutter to myself… Wait!
To snap myself out of it, I slap my cheeks hard with both hands.
What am I getting discouraged for!?
What am I about to give up on!?
I… I’m going to meet her and hear her feelings!
I’m going to meet her… and tell her how I feel…!
I lift my head, fix my gaze forward, and start running again.
I’ll definitely… definitely find her!
There’s no way I’m giving up!
At that moment.
―Ring-ring-ring
“Ah! It’s Mushakoji-san!”
I hastily tap the call button.
“Hello!?”
[Naoe-kun! I just got a report that she was seen at the shopping mall! I’m heading to the station now, so you go there!]
“Understood! Thank you!”
The shopping mall… The place where we hung out for the first time, where I gave her a present, and where we watched the sunset… That place!
Clenching my fists tightly, I sprint with all my might.
To that precious place where, just a week ago, we created memories together…
“Hah…! Hah…! Excuse me! Have you seen her… Kakizaki-san!?”
I grab a clerk from the apparel store where I bought that black dress and ask.
“Ah, y-you’re the guy from before! N-No, I haven’t seen her, but…”
“If you do, please contact this number!”
I display my phone screen with my number and show it to the clerk-san.
“W-Wait a second! I’ll take a picture!”
The clerk-san snaps a photo of my phone screen.
“If I see her, I’ll absolutely call you!”
“Thank you!”
After parting with the clerk-san, I head toward the rooftop.
Please… don’t do anything rash…!
I repeatedly press the elevator button, waiting impatiently for it to arrive.
Hurry… hurry…!
Once the elevator arrives, I step inside, standing ready by the doors to dash out as soon as they open.
―Ding
“Ah! Kakizaki-san! Kakizaki-saaaaan!”
I leap out of the elevator and shout loudly from the rooftop entrance.
People around me turn to stare, wondering what’s going on… but I don’t care!
“Kakizaki-san! I know you’re here! Kakizaki-san!”
I raise my voice, walking around the rooftop observatory.
Please… please let my voice reach Kakizaki-san’s ears…!?
Then.
“…”
Bathed in the sunset, she stood near the fence, looking at me with a sorrowful expression.