Chapter 49
Principal Nakano continues.
"Yoshiko-kun... ever since she was assigned to A Elementary School and started talking to me again... she has told me about her memories of K Elementary School almost every day. She speaks happily about each child in her class with sparkling eyes. Just hearing that made me feel so happy."
Ryosaku learned how much Teacher Suzuki loved K Elementary School and considered it an important "place of heart" for herself.
"The various events, the interaction with the children, the interaction with the teachers...all of them were as precious to Yoshiko-kun as the fond memories of her own days at A Elementary School. But, Ryosaku-kun. As the Tanabata Festival got closer and closer...Yoshiko-kun started to talk to you more and more.In the end, all she talked about was you. I guess he was very worried about Ryosaku-kun."
While saying this, the principal took out a handkerchief from his pocket.
"Yoshiko-kun...she always complimented you. She said that it's rare to find such a kind and straightforward child like you. You're just like her own child. She said this, sometimes with tears in her eyes."
The teacher gently covered the corner of his eyes with a handkerchief and continued.
"Actually, Ryosaku-kun. Your homeroom teacher, Teacher Kitano...he was also my former student. Yoshiko-kun and Kitano-kun were far apart in age. However, they... They were very good friends. They always played together during recess. Kitano-kun, who was in the sixth grade, always went to visit Yoshiko-kun, who was in the first grade. Yoshiko-kun He always called Kitano-kun "Onii-chan" and adored him... It was like they were real "lovers." "
Ryosaku was surprised by this unexpected fact.
Isn't that like the relationship between Ryosaku and Mieko before?
"...One day, in the fall of his sixth year, Kitano-kun suddenly transferred to an elementary school in Tokyo due to his father's work.There was no time for him to say goodbye to Yoshiko-kun. ...She cried every day from then on, saying, "Onii-chan, I'm so lonely!" I tried my best to comfort and encourage her, but for many months, she never opened her heart. I couldn't fill the void."
Ryosaku was even more surprised to learn that Teacher Suzuki and Teacher Kitano were following the same "destiny" path that he and Mieko had followed.
"...Eventually, they met again at K Elementary School as the same "teacher." When they first met, they were both absorbed in reminiscing about their memories during recess. According to Yoshiko-kun's colleague, Teacher Ichikawa, there were times when the two of them would burst into tears while talking.It was as if they had returned to their childhoods..."
The principal took a breather here.
"...Ryosaku-kun, I have a request for you.Would you please go on tomorrow's bus tour with all the second year students?"
"···Yes?"
"About this letter to Teacher Suzuki and the visit to his grave...When I talked to Teacher Kitano on the phone, he said, ''I see...Then, Teacher Nakano, please give a message to 6th grade student Ryosaku Takada-kun. Please, please ask him to join us on our bus trip." Teacher Kitano must be...He remembered that he and Yoshiko-kun were good friends, and he probably saw a lot of his former self in you. And...Yoshiko-kun used to tell me something. There was a certain girl that Ryosaku-kun cherished dearly. She didn't tell me any more details about it... "
Ryosaku recalled that when he refused to attend physical education class, Teacher Kitano had taken him out of class in exchange under the pretext of "finishing up his unsubmitted homework."
That's probably...
It must have been Teacher Kitano's kind and considerate way of noticing the change in the relationship between Ryosaku and Mieko...and even seeing Ryosaku's emotional scars.
"...The second-year students bring in letters they wrote to Yoshiko-kun... They also spent days writing the letters carefully... So, to you... Even if I suddenly told you to write a letter, you probably wouldn't be able to write it easily. Ryosaku-kun, you just need to participate with all your body. I'm sure she'll be happy to see you, if you come to her hometown."
"Principal, I'm going to write a letter tonight. No, please let me write it! I'll do my best to write it..."
"I see... I was sure you would say that. Well then, the bus leaves at 8 o'clock tomorrow, so don't be late. After you write the letter, get a good night's sleep. You're not sleep-deprived. Even Yoshiko-kun might be disappointed."
"···Yes!"
