Chapter 24
The day before this year's graduation ceremony.
A dry run was held for the sixth grade students in preparation for the actual performance, which was held the next day.
Ryosaku entered the gymnasium where the ceremony would be held for the first time in a while.
Ever since Mieko disappeared, Ryosaku has been absent from physical education classes held at the gymnasium.
This is a place of precious memories for Ryosaku and Mieko... However, even during his journey to find memories with his girlfriend, Ryosaku has made every effort to avoid this place.
The message that Mieko wrote to Ryosaku on Tanabata day was a message full of love and carelessness...
However, when he tries to remember that strip of paper, he can't help but think of that small piece of paper on which Mieko's last message was written.
...That's what he thought about.
There is a huge distance between Mieko's two messages...and a gap.
Ryosaku could not bear the harsh reality of experiencing both extreme emotions at the same time: the peak of happiness and the abyss.
Therefore, he has refused to participate in physical education class, even in the form of an "observation", voluntarily informing his homeroom teacher that he is not feeling well.
Ryosaku's homeroom teacher, Mr. Kitano, seemed to be aware of his intentions and did not force him to participate in physical education class, but instead told Ryosaku, who had not turned in any of his homework, recently. Teacher Kitano ordered him to complete his homework in the classroom.
He was usually a strict and difficult teacher who didn't show his emotions, but he was secretly worried about Ryosaku and Mieko, and although he didn't express it in words, he watched over them kindly and quietly.
