Chapter 106
Leaving the practice building, Ryosaku and Rika walked along the narrow path, looking at the rice paddies and farmland to the south, and the mountain behind the property.
In these rice paddies and farmland, Ryosaku and his classmates were growing grains like rice and wheat, and vegetables, as part of their "practical training."
Classes in the main building were scheduled between these practical training sessions, and students were required to show up to class and secure a certain number of attendance days, much like "credits" at university.
It was a refreshing autumn day.
The dry air pleasantly brushed against Ryosaku and Rika's bodies, and flowed gently like a breeze.
"Hey, Rika-chan, look at that mountain behind our school. The autumn leaves are so beautiful, aren't they? I love this view. But when the leaves pile up on the mountain behind our school, we first-year students go into this mountain in our work clothes and pick up the leaves together."
"Wow, really? The autumn leaves are so beautiful... Ryosaku-kun, you're studying and doing your practical training every day in such a wonderful environment..."
"Yeah. So, Rika-chan, we go into that mountain behind our school and put baskets on our backs. We put the fallen leaves in the baskets. Then we put them in the compost pile over there. , each of us runs there to pick them up. It's hard work. I sweat a lot, so when I'm done, I'm drenched in sweat."
"That's a tough job..."
"This school is like an agricultural vocational school, so... We make our own fertilizer from fallen leaves, sell vegetables from the fields at the bazaar, and do things like the Hokkaido training I did in September. We do all kinds of things."
"It's really tough... As an outsider, I can't really understand how hard Ryosaku-kun works..." "
"Rika-chan... I know this is a little late to say, but that suit really suits you. It's chic and has a calm atmosphere. It's not too flashy, but it's not too plain either. It's a wonderful suit that has a mature charm and suits you perfectly. Rika-chan, you really have good taste."
"Thank you, Ryosaku-kun. It's you, Ryosaku-kun after all... You noticed the "change" in me, despite what you said. I'm sorry about earlier. No matter how much I was "acting", I still yelled harsh words at you, as if to blame you. ...."
"It's okay. I actually knew how you really felt, Rika-chan. After all, we'd always been good friends. We'd go to the movies together, walk hand in hand, etc."
"Ryosaku-kun..."
"Rika-chan, even though I was like this, you always encouraged me... and comforted me. Thank you so much. But I'm sorry for sometimes letting out such mean complaints. Even now, when I think back on it, I realize that I was really hard to listen to and I ended up telling Rika-chan all the bad things, and I just regret it. "
"That's not true. I mean... isn't it a lover's role to listen to complaints...? Otherwise, Ryosaku-kun wouldn't have told me such serious circumstances... You trusted me so much, you were the one who exposed your worries and complaints to me. And today, you honestly told me how you felt."
"Rika-chan..."
"Actually, I came today to say goodbye to Ryosaku-kun. That's why I dressed up in a suit. If I had come to say goodbye to Ryosaku-kun in casual clothes, That would be rude to you..."
"Rika-chan... you..."
"No. Don't say anything... I know how you feel now, Ryosaku-kun, better than anyone else. Because, even if I was, I was your "girlfriend" when Mieko-chan and Lisa-chan weren't around. So, I..."
Hearing Rika's words, Ryosaku was touched by Rika's pure love for him... He silently hugged Rika tightly, as if to repay her for loving him so much and supporting him more than anyone else during his difficult and lonely times.
"Ryosaku-kun..."
Rika was also touched by Ryosaku's strong love and sincerity for her... The two of them embraced each other tightly and strongly.
And before they knew it, the two of them kissed, as if mourning their farewell... as if mourning their last moment together.
"Thank you, Ryosaku-kun. Make Mieko-chan happy. For my sake. I will never date anyone, never marry anyone, and from now on I will continue to love only you, Ryosaku-kun. I will pray for the happiness of both you and Mieko-chan..."
"Rika-chan...!"
Ryosaku embraced Rika once more... and the two shared one passionate kiss.
They both felt strongly that this was their last... their last moment of love as lovers...
