Miyoko talks happily about the day's events as she arrives home at the Famille'. Tonight Miyoko and I sit alone together on the veranda.
"I'm glad the tournament went so well."
"You did well, Miyoko."
"Ehehe, thank you."
She laughs a little, then looks up at the sky. With accomplishment look on her face.
"It's been a long time since running made me feel this good."
"It really is all thanks to you, Mina. Thank you."
"It's my pleasure."
"Good."
There is a tinge of regret to her next laugh.
"But still..."
"If I had gotten together with you sooner I might have had even more time out on the track but you left me."
I find myself drawing closer to her at these words.
"H-Hey, we still have time before we graduate..."
"Why don't you keep going with track for now?"
"You think?" unsure she ask.
"Seeing you today made me think..."
"You look so happy when you ran, and you really seem to enjoy it."
So I think it would be a waste if she were to give up running now. I tell her so, and...
"Hm..."
She thinks for a moment, then grins.
"I appreciate the thought, Thank you."
"But I'm going to give up track for good!"
"Y-you are? But why?"
She looks slightly troubled as she laughs.
"Well that's because..."
"I really need to decide on what career path I want to take soon."
"Right, there's that."
I wasn't expecting her to say that, and I freeze for a moment.
"I'm astonished to hear that you have even been thinking about you future."
"Hey! W-what do you mean by that?!"
She starts rabbit punching my chest.
"I think about serious things too, you know!"
"Occasionally..."
(She doesn't have to say that last word...)
But thinking about it, I realize that in a few short months she will be a 4th year, Her peers will be starting to look for work soon.
(A career path, huh...Ah!)
"Then why not strive to be a professional track runner?"
"Hm...I really wanted to when I was in high school. But not now."
"R-Really?"
"Yeah!"
"Because..."
"Hm?"
"The truth is..."
"I have a different dream now!"
"Eh?"
This was the first I've heard.
"What is this different dream, then?"
"W-well...it's..."
Her face flushes red and she begins to fidget.
"Um..."
"Well..i'll tell you about my dreams next time, okay?"
"Eh?!"
"B-but if you leave it there now it'll bother me until you tell me!"
"I will tell you at some point!"
"But you could just tell me now."
"Nope! Miyoko shield on!"
"What do you mean, shield on?"
She raises both her arms and proceeds to pummel me again.
"Ow ow ow, a-alright I get it!"
(I suppose there's no reason to force her...)
I grimace, turning back to her.
"I don't know what this dream of yours is..."
"But just know that I am always on your side, Miyoko."
"Yes. I'm so glad to hear you say that."
And then...
She smiles happily, sidling closer to me.
"Thank you."
"If you are there supporting me then I know I can take anything on."
"Miyoko..."
"Ehehehehe..."
Her eyes are moist as she stares into mine. I stare silently back at her.
"Mina..."
"Mn?"
"Promise you'll stay at my side."
"Yes, I promise."
We make our promises beneath the canopy of stars.
And slowly draw closer to one another.
And then...