Chapter 49: Painting Memories with You

Painting Memories with You

“Kouki… Who is that?”

“…Oh, just the biggest piece of trash in this town.”

It was Yokoyama Kazuki—someone I once called my best friend.

H-Haha… Why the hell do I have to run into him the moment we arrive in town…?

I took a step back as a flashback from two years ago suddenly overwhelmed me.

That moment… with Hiyori and Kazuki…!

Squeeze

“H-Hatsune…!?”

“Mmm… Nn… Chu…”

Out of nowhere, Hatsune wrapped her arms around me—then kissed me.

Almost as if she was putting on a show for Kazuki to see.

“Chuu… Chup… Pwah…”

“H-Hatsune…”

“Ahaha… I’m here for you, Yuuta. I came to this town to fill every part of your heart, every single memory inside you, with me. So, Yuuta… get ready, okay?”

She said that with a bright, unwavering smile.

Haha… She knew everything about what happened four years ago…

“Haha! That b🬀🬀tard ran off with a scowl after Yuuta and Hatsune-chan put on such a show!”

“Ahaha! Serves him right!”

“Fufu… But, Hatsune-senpai, wasn’t that a bit much?”

While the two senpais laughed, clutching their stomachs, Mushakoji-san stared at us with narrowed eyes.

And then… Hatsune softly stroked my cheek.

Before I knew it, the images of Hiyori and Kazuki had faded away—leaving only Hatsune’s warm smile in front of me.

“Alright, we’re meeting at the station around noon tomorrow!”

“Got it!”

With that, Sasaki-senpai and the others left.

Apparently, Mushakoji-san would be staying at Sasaki-senpai’s house.

I-I guess… that means she was being considerate of us in her own way…?

“S-So… from here, we’re going to your house, right…?”

Hatsune placed a hand over her chest and took a deep breath, clearly nervous.

Seeing her like that, I couldn’t help but find her irresistibly adorable.

“Haha, don’t worry. More than anything, I think my dad and mom can’t wait to see you.”

“Ahh… That just makes me even more nervous…”

Looks like Hatsune’s still on edge.

That’s why—

Squeeze

“It’s okay, I’m here too.”

“Yuuta… O-Okay!”

When I squeezed her hand, she finally let out a shy smile.

Yeah… Hatsune really is at her best when she’s smiling.

And so, hand in hand, we started walking home.

“Ah, the park…”

Then, as we followed the usual route from the station to my house, we passed by the park.

This place… This was where I told Hiyori I knew she was cheating on me… right?

H-Haha… That’s weird… I have Hatsune now, so this shouldn’t matter anymore… and yet—

“Hatsune…”

“…”

Hatsune was looking at me, her eyes on the verge of tears.

Seriously… what the hell am I doing…?

“Haha, I used to play here a lot when I was little.”

“…Yeah.”

“Shall we take a little detour?”

Saying that, I gently led Hatsune into the park.

“This swing… it brings back memories.”

I sat on the swing and pumped my legs, going as high as I could.

“Hey… Hatsune.”

“Yeah…?”

“You said you’d fill my memories with you, right? So… let’s play on the swings together! Starting today, all my memories of this park will be with you!”

“Ah! O-Okay!”

Hatsune sat on the swing next to mine and started swinging just as high.

Haha… This is how I’ll repaint all those painful memories—with Hatsune.

From now on, this park will be a place of memories for me and Hatsune.

“Haa, haa… Haha, we really played a lot!”

“Yeah!”

I handed Hatsune one of the two bottles of cold lemon tea I bought from the vending machine, then twisted open the cap of mine.

And just then—

Ring-ring

“Hm? A call…? Oh—!”

When I looked at the screen, I saw that it was from home.

T-They’re probably worried since we’re running late…

“H-Hello…?”

[Ah, Yuuta? About how much longer until you get here?]

“A-Ahaha… I think we’ll be there in less than ten minutes.”

[Phew… Th-That’s good. Your dad and I are waiting for you.]

“O-Okay…”

I tapped the end-call button and slipped my phone back into my pocket.

“Ah… Was that your mother…?”

“Haha… Yeah. She said she and Dad are waiting for us.”

“Ah!? W-We have to hurry!”

Hatsune jumped up from the bench in a panic.

“It’s fine. The house is less than five minutes from here. I told Mom we’d be ten minutes, so we’ve got some extra time.”

“M-Mm… I don’t know anymore—…?”

Even as she pouted, Hatsune sat back down beside me and took a sip of her lemon tea.

Yeah… It really has to be Hatsune for me.

After all, just having her by my side makes me this happy.

“Alright! Let’s go!”

“Eh!? Isn’t it still too soon!?”

“Aha! I already finished mine!”

When I looked, sure enough, her bottle was empty.

“Haha… Alright, alright. Let’s head out.”

“Yeah!”

And so, we left the park and walked down the familiar road.

“Yuuta… Welcome home!”

“Welcome back, Yuuta.”

My father and mother greeted us at the front of the house.

So—

“Dad… Mom… I’m home.”