Chapter 63
While on the bus, Ryosaku ponders the idea that Lisa might have overheard the conversation between him and Teacher Yoshiko's mother.
Ryosaku sat in the back of the seat, as he had at the beginning of the tour, but now Lisa was sitting to his right.
Even though they were sitting next to each other, she always held Ryosaku's right hand and never let go.
The members of Mieko's group were seated on opposite sides of the seats right in front of them, but they were naturally immersed in their conversation, occasionally smiling and watching Ryosaku and Lisa.
(...Is this okay? Can I continue to be friends with Lisa-chan and keep waiting for the day I can meet Mieko-chan...?
Even if I meet Mieko-chan in this state, I wonder if she will forgive me and accept me... )
Various thoughts attack Ryosaku in a rambling manner.
He strongly felt the power of "something fateful that cannot be resisted."
However, he also didn't want to think that the owner of that power was the work of that odious "monster" that had once brutally torn apart Ryosaku and Mieko's relationship.
Teacher Yoshiko was supposed to have risked her life to protect Ryosaku and exterminate that "monster."
...He was strongly convinced of that.
Or perhaps something else is at work... Ryosaku, who has come to have such a nonsensical idea, eventually stops thinking... in other words, he... has "stopped worrying".
If Lisa loves me, then that's fine, right?
If I can't meet Mieko at the same time, then that can't be helped.
I guess I'm still doing the best I can right now...
Finally, he arrived at a "temporary correct answer."
That...was nothing but the "best option" he could take right now.
Having reached that state of mind, Ryosaku felt lighter, as if it were a lie.
Yes!
For now...at least, all he has to do is do the best he can under the circumstances and given conditions.
The only person who can save and lighten Ryosaku's exhausted soul now is...ironically, Mieko's best friend.
When Ryosaku arrived at the schoolyard, he exchanged greetings with Teacher Mizuki, his fellow second graders who accompanied him all day, and the members of Mieko's group...
He held hands with Lisa, who could be considered his new partner, and the two of them walked side by side on the same road they used to walk back to school together with Mieko, singing the hit song of "Seiko Matsumoto." .
Eventually, Ryosaku arrived home.
