Chapter 84
"Mieko-chan... I'm so sorry about what happened back then. It was always so hard for you... and you were in pain. Please forgive me..."
"No. I don't remember anything like that. All I remember are the happy memories I had with Ryosaku-kun. I was so happy. Because, Ryosaku-kun, you always loved me and took good care of me, right? So, there were no bad things in my memories with Ryosaku-kun."
"Mieko-chan... you...!"
When Ryosaku heard Mieko's kind words of concern for him, tears began to flow without him realizing it, and he hugged Mieko even tighter.
"Ryosaku-kun..."
As if responding to Ryosaku's love, Mieko rested her head on his shoulder...and before they knew it, the two of them were sharing a passionate kiss.
Mieko's father smiled, tried not to notice, and quietly went into the back room.
"...Ryosaku-kun, I'm sorry. I've come here many times during the Obon holidays. But, you see, my mother strongly warned me not to get involved with you, Ryosaku-kun. Not to even mention him, and never to meet him..."
"I see... I'm sorry. I didn't realize that I had caused such a burden to Mieko-chan..."
"No, that's not it. I've always caused my mother a lot of trouble, so I didn't want to cause her any more stress. And my dad told me to be patient, because he knew that someday Ryosaku-kun would come and see me. And just like my dad said, Ryosaku-kun came to see me today. Thank you so much."
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Mieko-chan... I'm never leaving you again. I'm not giving you to anyone!"
