Chapter 14
In this way, Ryosaku and Mieko were already a good "elementary school couple", but their love for each other grew and grew stronger through annual school events.
Athletic meet, potato digging competition, kite flying competition, school arts festival...they were all important things that deepened their friendship.
Among Ryosaku's memories, the most memorable event was the Tanabata Festival.
In this chapter, I would like to draw a picture of the two of them on the day of Tanabata and look into their hearts full of happiness.
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On this day of Tanabata, in the gymnasium of K Elementary School, many bamboo strips with wishes for different grades were hung here and there.
When Ryosaku spotted Mieko in the group of freshmen, she grinned and glanced at one of the branches from which a strip of paper hung.
Ryosaku's face turned bright red when he found a strip of paper written by Mieko.
"I want to be Ryosaku Takada's wife. Mieko Minegishi"
It was Mieko's most straightforward message of love for Ryosaku.
Ryosaku didn't tell him his name again, but he must have looked at Ryosaku's Chinese characters nameplate and asked his homeroom teacher, Suzuki, to teach him how to read it.
Sensing Mieko's humble feelings, not only his face but also his whole body was flushed.
When his breathing and feelings calmed down, Ryosaku rushed off again, towards the strip of paper he had written.
Then, "I want to become a professional novelist and write a lot of difficult novels. He tore off his own strip of paper titled Ryosaku Takada" from a branch and asked his homeroom teacher who was nearby for a new strip of paper and a pen.
"I want to marry Mieko Minegishi one day. Ryosaku Takada "
Although it was an improvisation that he had to rewrite in a hurry, it was Ryosaku's sincere love for Mieko.
Unexpectedly, this turned out to be the best response to Mieko's love strip.
When Mieko finally finds Ryosaku's message, she gives Ryosaku a slightly embarrassed, yet overjoyed, smile.
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When they left school that day.
There were two children holding hands tighter than usual, and walking closer together than usual.
Although it was a cloudy day, "Orihimesama" and "Hikoboshi" must have landed on their shoulders.
