Chapter 35
Ryosaku gently placed his right hand on the Oyama boy's left shoulder.
...Just like the benevolent teacher Suzuki who kindly reached out to Ryosaku's shoulder and saved him as he suffered from the approaching "monster" on that day of the graduation ceremony...
When the boy Oyama looked back, he saw Ryosaku smiling gently.
Yes...just like Teacher Suzuki that day.
The two stare at each other in silence for a while...
(Oyama-kun... it's been a while. How have you been...? I've been through a lot, and you've had a tough time too. But I'm glad you're back here in good health. .)
(Thank you, Takada-san... I'm okay now. It was very painful, but I've already recovered...)
(I see. That's good... Oyama-kun has had a lot of trouble, too... I've had some tough times since then... But I'm trying my best. But Oyama-kun, at that time... I'm sorry for leaving you suffering and running away...I'm really sorry.)
(No, it's fine. Thank you for caring so much about me...how boring I am...I truly respect Takada-san. You treated me very well.For me, you are an important senior and a sincere friend!)
(Thank you... Your kind and warm words are the best medicine for me right now. Let's continue to be friends. Forever...)
(···Yes!)
After a moment of silence in the pouring rain...the library returns to its usual rustle.
The usual noise on a rainy day...
There, there was the "baton of love" that Mieko entrusted to "that girl"... and the quiet but passionate "friendship between men" exchanged without a word.
