Chapter 39
...Mieko's hand was warm.
Tanabata Day...that precious day when they pledged their strong love to each other...just like that day.
The tight, firm feel of each other's hands...and the warm body temperature and warm hearts that Mieko and Ryosaku felt for each other remained exactly the same as on that precious day...
...Just one thing.
There is only one thing that is different from before.
Mieko doesn't take Ryosaku's hand back.
From her palm, Ryosaku couldn't feel any "response of love" from Mieko.
"...Mieko-chan!?"
Ryosaku stares at Mieko in shock.
(It's different from before...what on earth happened to her!?)
Confused, Ryosaku instinctively flinched as Mieko rushed out to shake him off with her right hand.
Ryosaku hit his right hand on the hard concrete ground as he fell on his back, and felt the pain and red blood ooze from the back of his hand.
...While doing so, Mieko runs straight to her home along the school route without even looking back at Ryosaku.
