It's lunchtime. Earlier today, I remembered that I promised Lilly I would stop by for lunch to talk more about the py. With everything that happened with Daiki, it was easy to forget. So, I decided I'd go have lunch with her today.

  I knock on the door to the room where I visited her at lunchtime before. When I do, I hear the sound of something shattering.

  Worried, I push it open and say “L-Lilly? Is everything okay?”

  When I open the door, I see someone I really didn't expect to see. It's Hanako, standing stockstill with eyes as wide as saucers and a broken tea cup at her feet. It looks like there was tea in it, too.

  Lilly is seated at the table with her back to me, She gently says, “Ah…Nagisa. Thank you for coming by, but could you perhaps come another time?”

  Hanako's face rexes a little when Lilly says my name.

  “U-um…yes, of course. Before I go, though…do you want help cleaning that up?”

  Hanako rexes a little more and nods slightly. She walks over to the cupboards in the room and pulls out some paper towels, which she hands me. Then she gets a small broom and dust pan.

  She walks over to where the mess is and carefully picks up the rge pieces of the cup and throws them away, before sweeping up the smaller pieces. Once her work is done, I start wiping up the spilled tea. I walk over to the trash and throw away the used paper towels before washing my hands.

  As I wash my hands, Hanako goes over to the table and bows her head and I can just barely hear her say, “I-I'm really sorry, Lilly…I b-broke your cup”

  Lilly smiles warmly at her, “It's nothing to worry about, Hanako. These things happen.” Then she says, “You're still here, right Nagisa?”

  I turn around while drying my hands with a paper towel, “U-um yes, sorry. Just drying my hands and I'll go.”

  Lilly looks very confused. Not something I've seen on her elegant features before. She looks like she's weighing whether to say something.

  “Hanako, do you know Nagisa?”

  She nods and then gets embarrassed about it. “Y-yes. We have t-talked a few times.”

  This is probably the most rexed I've ever seen Hanako. I'm gd the two of them have become friends.

  “Would it be okay for her to join us, Hanako?”

  Hanako puts her right hand over the right side of her face. Then she looks at me and then back at Lilly. She hesitates but then says, “Y-yes.”

  We all get settled at the table. I sit across from Lilly. Hanako sits on the same side as me but as far from me as possible, with her right side facing the wall.

  “I must say, I didn't realize there was someone else you felt this comfortable with, Hanako.”

  If she weren't blind, I think she'd see that Hanako isn't exactly comfortable. But I guess Daiki said she doesn't talk to anyone.

  I think I see a hint of annoyance on her face for just a moment, “U-um, yes. W-we talked about the p-py.”

  “That's right. She was in the library when I was looking for pys, and she suggested Living with Father . And she came to one of our dress rehearsals and gave me feedback.”

  Lilly nods and smiles, “That's great Hanako. Well done. I'm proud of you.”

  This time she looks a little more annoyed, but then it goes away and she smiles ever so slightly, “Th-thank you, Lilly.”

  “Speaking of the py, it really was quite remarkable, Nagisa. I was impressed with all of the actors’ dialects, and the emotion you conveyed with your voices was…very moving.”

  “Thank you. It means a lot to me that so many people enjoyed it.”

  Lilly nods, “The performances were excellent and the subject matter is…something we can all rete to, I think.” For a moment Lilly's eyebrows knit together, “Family is important. And it is very hard to lose them.”

  I nod, “Yes, I thought it was a beautiful story. I'm gd Hanako suggested it.”

  Lilly nods, “Yes, she is quite well read. I've enjoyed her suggestions too.”

  “A-are you going to be an actress?”

  I'm a little startled at the question coming from Hanako.

  This is a question I really need to think about. I can join the same acting troupe as Ken and Chiyo, and now that they're together, I think she would be happy for me to go. But I'm not sure if it's what I want to do. I liked acting. But I don’t know if I love it. Everything with Daiki has made it harder for me to find the time to think about it.

  “S-sorry.”

  “Huh?”

  Lilly ughs softly, “You've been quiet for quite a while. Hanako was apologizing in case you were upset by her question.”

  I smile at Hanako, “Not upset. But…it was a very good question. I think…maybe I'll do that. But I'm not really sure. I need to figure that out.”

  I'm in css but it's pretty hard to focus. Daiki is getting discharged from the hospital tomorrow and I'm very excited. Both because he is doing so much better and because it will be nice to spend time together somewhere other than the hospital.

  As I'm leaving css for lunch, I'm surprised when Mr. Suzuki calls out to me.

  “Furukawa, would you mind coming to the teacher's room this afternoon? Say around 4?”

  I turn around and nod, “Y-yessir, I can do that.”

  He's never asked me this before. I must be in trouble. Did he notice I was spacing out?

  Maybe he’s mad I missed css to be with Daiki at the hospital?

  …

  “Ah, Furukawa. Please, have a seat.”

  I'm in the teachers’ room for my meeting. I've been nervous about it since lunch. Mr. Suzuki has a chair next to his desk that I haven't seen before. I take a seat as he asked, still feeling unsure about why he asked me to come here. I clench my eyes shut.

  Dorayaki .

  “Would you like some tea? Or something else to drink?”

  I shake my head and shift nervously in my chair.

  Mr. Suzuki chuckles, “I know that look. But you're not in trouble, Furukawa. Quite the opposite, really. Try and rex.”

  I open my eyes and look at him. He's smiling warmly as he often does. I let myself rex thanks to his words and demeanor.

  “That’s better.” He clears his throat before continuing, “So, as you know, I'm your homeroom teacher. And part of my responsibility is to help you decide what you'd like to do once you graduate. And it's almost time to start applying and taking exams. Have you given it any thought?”

  I clench my eyes shut again.

  This might be worse than being in trouble. I'm always so embarrassed that I'm older than my peers and so lost when it comes to this.

  “N-not…too much. I am considering joining an acting troupe I was invited to join.”

  Mr. Suzuki smiles, “Oh, that's wonderful! Your performance was a tour de force, so I'm not surprised.”

  “Th-thank you, sir. But…something about doing that doesn't feel right to me. I don't think I love it enough.”

  He nods, “Nothing wrong with that. What other options have you considered?”

  “Well, my parents own a bakery in my hometown, I'll probably go back home and work there.”

  He strokes his beard for a moment and nods, “It’s an admirable thing to have a family business. Do you like running a bakery?”

  I nod, “I do. And I love my family. I'm gd my health is better, so I can be more helpful.”

  “Then that certainly sounds like a good option. Have you considered university at all?”

  I don't hesitate, “No.”

  He chuckles, “It doesn't appeal to you, then?”

  “I don't think I'm smart enough to keep on studying after high school.”

  He raises his eyebrows and frowns, “Whoever gave you that idea?”

  I shrug, “I've never been m-more than an average student. So, I guess my grades gave me that idea.”

  He studies me for a moment, “It's true that many of your marks would be considered average. Especially on exams. But you my dear, are anything but average.”

  “Huh?”

  He smiles, “You're a very gifted writer. One of the best I’ve taught.”

  I blink several times, thinking that I must have heard him wrong.

  He ughs wryly, “It’s probably my fault you don't know that. I’m not exactly timely about getting your papers back to you, am I?”

  “Y-you…think I’m a good writer?” I ask, to confirm I’m not imagining this.

  He nods, “Of course. Your written assignments for css have been exempry. But what impresses me the most is your work in drama club.”

  I feel my pride drain right out of me.

  Well, that expins why he thinks I'm so great.

  “Y-you…know I didn't write the py, right?”

  He chuckles, “Yes, of course. I'm quite familiar with Living With Father. That's why I'm so impressed.

  “I…I don't understand. Then you know I didn't write it.”

  “Yes. But as I understand it, you reworked the py and made the father into a mother, right? You're responsible for all the rewrites?”

  I nod slowly, still feeling very unsure I deserve his praise.

  He puts his hand on my shoulder, “In some ways, rewriting a py as much as you did, but still making it feel like the original author's work is more impressive than writing a py from scratch. And you did an excellent job.”

  I blink several times again, surprised by his praise. “Th-thank you, sir.”

  He nods, “You're very welcome. So, you'll consider writing?”

  I have really loved all the writing assignments in his css. I just didn't know he thought they were so good. And rewriting the py was hard but also really rewarding. I didn't realize I had done anything special, though.

  I smile at him, “I…I think I will really consider it. Now…that you mention it, I really did enjoy working on the script. And writing poems in your css. More than acting. More than working at the bakery. But until now I…somehow didn't think about the fact I could write for a career.”

  He ughs, “Yes, you certainly can. And worse comes to worse, you can always become a teacher like me.” He chuckles, “Well, not ‘like me,’ I have a feeling you'd be a good deal more responsible.”

  I smile at him, “Thank you so much, sir. This meeting was very helpful. You've been a very good teacher. Even if you are always te.”

  He chuckles, “Why, thank you. Would you like me to get some information together for you about pces you might consider applying?”

  I nod, “I would.”

  He grins, “Great. I'll get them to you soon.” He winks, “And not just ‘soon’ by my standards.”

  ...

  It's time for my usual evening call with my parents. I'm a little nervous about what I have to tell them tonight. I'm just not sure how they will feel about this. I'm not entirely sure how I feel either, though. So talking to them will help.

  After we exchange our usual greetings and small talk about the day. I take a deep breath and say, “My homeroom teacher thinks I'm good at writing…a-and suggested I consider going to university.”

  My announcement is met with silence. I clench my eyes shut. I can almost see my dad scowling at me with crossed arms and his cigarette hanging out of his mouth.

  Before too long, my mom replies in her usual upbeat tone, “I think that sounds wonderful, Nagisa! I'm so proud.”

  “Th-thank you. Um…what do you think, dad?”

  He sighs and sounds more than a little dejected, “Is this because of that boy? He really is taking you away from me, isn't he?”

  “N-no. Not really. I haven't even talked to him about it yet. I wanted to talk to you first. I haven't made a decision. I-it's okay if you need me to come and help at the bakery instead.”

  My mother says, “Hang on just a moment, Nagisa.”

  “O-okay.”

  I hear them put the phone down, and I can tell they are talking. But I can't make anything out. After about a minute they pick up the phone again and my dad breaks out his serious voice, “Is this your dream, Nagisa?”

  “I…I'm not sure. But…I think it could be. I really like writing. And I really like pys. More than almost anything. It would be…beautiful if I could write something someday that drama clubs perform.”

  My mom says, “That sounds like a very good dream to me.”

  My dad sighs, “Yes. It does. If that's what you want to do, we'll support you. Will you go to university far away from us?”

  “Um…I don't know yet. I need to talk Daiki and my homeroom teacher about it.”

  My dad sighs again, “This boy . Is he part of your dream, too?”

  I feel my cheeks flush, and I am very thankful they can't see that, “H-he is, yes.”

  “I suppose I'll accept him too, then. But whatever you do, you have to visit home a lot!

  And…make sure you write a role for your old man in your first big py, okay?”

  “You're sure you don’t want to come home for a day or two to recuperate?”

  Daiki sighs, “Yes, for the fifth time, mom. I'm sure.”

  Daiki is getting discharged from the hospital in a few hours. His parents are here.

  His mother frowns, “I guess there is a downside to this whole girlfriend thing.” She grins and looks at me, “Although I can see why'd you want this cutie taking care of you instead.”

  My cheeks flush and I look away from her, “Um, I'll take good care of him.”

  Mr. Matsuzaka responds, “We know you will.”

  Daiki sighs, “You're all talking like I'm not here. I don't need that much taking care of to begin with.”

  His outburst makes me and his mom giggle.

  He's right. His activity has to be limited to help his bones heal, but he can do most stuff as long as he doesn't overdo it. But we all know how stubborn he is, so we're worried.

  ...

  Daiki just got into his bed in his dorm room. Getting him there was painful for him. His ribs are especially painful when he's walking. It took a lot out of him. But at least now he's lying down. He looks happy to be in his dorm room.

  Once he's settled, I find myself looking around his room in awe.

  He ughs and lets out a pained grunt when he does. I frown at him, “Are you okay?”

  He nods, “Laughing just hurts.”

  “Why were you ughing?”

  “Because you were cute. Just looking around the room like it was some amazing thing. I forgot you hadn't been here.”

  Daiki's room isn't like any of the Yamaku dorms I've been to. It's twice the size, and he has a much rger bed, desk, and chair.

  “Y-yeah. I mean, I never thought about the fact you'd need a special room. And furniture.” I practically have to climb to get into his chair and once I do my legs aren't even close to the ground. I kick my legs to emphasize that fact.

  He ughs and then groans again, “God, I miss IV meds.”

  I look through the bag of medication on his desk and pull out a bottle, “It's time for you to take your next dose anyway.”

  He sighs, “I'm gonna fall asleep if I take that.”

  “That's okay. You won't hurt if you do.” I grab a bottle of water we brought with us and bring him the pill.

  “Yeah…but still. We're finally out of the hospital and we have privacy. But it's just like…a change of venue. I'm still stuck in bed.”

  I frown as I hold out the pill, “I know. But…it won't be forever.”

  He takes the pill and swallows it, “That's true. But I wish we could do something…romantic.”

  “Well…we can be romantic even with you in bed, can't we?”

  His cheeks flush and for a moment I'm not sure why. Then it hits me, and I feel my face burning as I look away.

  “I-I didn't mean…that.”

  He chuckles, “What did you mean?”

  I look down at him lying in bed and my heart starts beating fast. I even feel a little lightheaded.

  What's the big deal? We already did this once.

  But I guess it was a spur of the moment thing, not something I thought about.

  I take a deep breath, like bringing in air will give me more courage. Then I smile and say, “This.”

  I bend down, close my eyes, and put my lips on his. I apply a little pressure with them. I enjoy the warm feeling of his soft lips against mine. It's nice being so close to him.

  This time I don't have to worry about hurting his lips. So it's a much better kiss.

  He puts an arm around me, and I find I enjoy that contact. I reach my hand out and put it on his shoulder, careful to stay away from anywhere he might hurt. After a few minutes of this, I find I want to be closer.

  I break the kiss and he gives me a goofy smile that makes me smile back.

  Just before I can suggest it he asks, “Will you take a nap with me?”

  I nod and I get into the bed next to him. My heart starts beating even faster.

  I've never been in a boy's bed before. Daiki has sat on my bed before, but that’s much different than this.

  I y on my side facing him, and he puts his arm around me and rests his hand on my back I scoot a little closer to him.

  At first my heart starts beating even faster, but then I find I feel very comfortable being this close with him.

  …

  My phone starts to vibrate. It pulls me out of a deep sleep. I feel confused and disoriented at first, but then smile when I see Daiki sleeping soundly next to me.

  My phone keeps buzzing and I'm worried it might wake him up. When I get it out, I feel a little nervous when I see who is calling me. The dispy on my phone says ‘Tomoya Okazaki.’”

  I step out into the hall and answer, “Hello.”

  He replies, “Hello there! How've ya been, Nagisa?”

  “U-um good, how are you?”

  “Good, good. I was just checking in again to see if you'd be back home this summer at all. Kotomi and I would love to see you.”

  “Oh um…I probably won't. My boyfriend is having knee surgery, so I'll be in Sendai.”

  Tomoya whistles, “Look at you, snagging yourself a boyfriend. My little Nagisa is all grown up!”

  I sigh, “I should have known you'd say something silly about it.”

  “Haha yep! You should have. Well, I hope his surgery goes well, and we'll see you some other time, okay?”

  “Okay. Have a good summer. I'll let you know next time I'm back home. I want to see you guys too.”

  “Sounds great, see ya, Nagisa.”

  I hang up and exhale as I look down at my phone. I smile when I see the dango charm Daiki gave me. Then I go back into his room, and get in bed next to him with a smile on my face.

  In just five months at Yamaku, I got my medical condition under control, made many wonderful friends, fell in love, and finally found a dream to aim for. I'm very gd I made myself walk up the hill on my first day.