Jitsu -A different story-

"I wish I could say that every day is different, but that day when I said goodbye to Mei was quite similar to when I had to say goodbye to my parents…" Shizune understood that Kurono was almost at the end of the entire story of her past, so she just listened carefully. "Only that time it wasn't me who was letting out tears of pain or the cries that I knew quite well while the photo of Mei showing that warm smile could be seen by everyone."

It wasn't very difficult to understand that at this moment Kurono was remembering the scene of Mei's funeral...

"I could no longer let out my sadness at that moment because I had already done so long before, from the moment her parents had told me the news until that point. I could see family and friends, like Mei's acquaintances, with faces of melancholy and sadness that some did not avoid expressing what they felt, and that lasted until I realized that I was the only one left in that place seeing Mei's image as if I was trying to somehow get her to be with me again… But that was impossible."

Kurono closed his eyes again, which helped him not to get too distracted again and Shizune understood that too.

"It wasn't until Mei's father came to my side and put his hand on my shoulder that I was able to get out of that state and my attention had totally shifted to him... He thanked me for being Mei's friend, for having cared so much about her and for everything I had done, I could only nod at his words, but the moment I felt his hand leave my shoulder, I could see him bringing something closer to me."

"What exactly was it?" Shizune had to ask since Kurono had stayed silent a little longer than usual.

"It was a letter, one that Mei had written for me in case all that happened... And its simple existence made me more aware that she was already prepared to leave this world..." And in that instant, Kurono's mind could not prevent his memories from reaching that scene where he carefully read each word that was written in that letter.

…

...

"To Kurono-kun. Can you guess who wrote this letter? Hehe… Although I think it's a bit silly of me to ask that question, it should be pretty obvious who did it."

A slight smile had formed on Kurono's face after reading that small part since it really was the feeling that Mei transmitted to him at every moment.

"Well, let's get on with what's important. Right now, I could ask how you are, if you've eaten delicious things lately, or if my favorite band's new album is out. There are many things I would like to ask, but really… What I wish most is that it will never be necessary for you to receive this letter…"

Kurono's hands inevitably clenched the letter just as he read the last words, but that didn't stop his eyes from being caught by the letters on it.

"But if you are reading it… I first want to apologize to you. I'm sorry, it seems that I couldn't keep my promise to get over all this, and forgive me since I told you a lot of lies just to prevent you from worrying even more... Sorry for being selfish who just wanted to continue enjoying your company and forget about everything the bad thing that happened."

For Kurono, the words he read felt like Mei was really there saying them, each one of them was filled with feelings that could only belong to her.

"I feel better after writing it, I know that I am not able to tell you all this in person, and I think I would never be able to do it. I guess if you read this you are upset with me, or maybe you are feeling many things at the same time... Listen to me Kurono-kun, you can be sad for me, and you can also be angry with me, they are feelings that I can accept, but what I don't want is for that feeling to stay with you forever."

And as if it were a scolding, Kurono seemed to return to reality as a light haze disappeared from his eyes.

"From the moment you saved me that time, I told myself that I had to thank you and I wanted to be your friend, and after meeting you, I realized that you were an incredible person, I could even admire many of your aspects... And when I least knew it... I had fallen madly in love with you."

Those words... Those words made Kurono once again aware of the feelings that Mei had for him, and that had become very painful to hear... However, all of that would be cleared up as his eyes continued to travel over each line in that letter.

"That time I prevented you from giving me a direct answer because I was aware that it would be very complicated for you because of everything that had happened."

Kurono understood that Mei was referring to what happened between him and Kazumi since at one point he had to explain all that to Mei.

"I had hoped that I had entered your heart… But I was aware that, even if that were not the case, I became someone important to you, and that made me incredibly happy since you had also become someone very beloved for me. So, I want you to take the following as the last selfish request that I will ask of you and I hope that you will not refuse it."

Kurono had stopped again, especially because a large accumulation of memories of him and Mei had come to his head, every moment that he could consider as special was repeated as if it were some kind of movie, and that last request or wish from Mei was clear that it would be the last thing he could hear that came entirely from her, but even knowing that, his eyes did not move away from the letter...

"Don't forget about me... But I don't want you to be clinging to my memory. Please, live your life without regrets, enjoy everything you can, all the possible experiences, everything beautiful that this life has prepared for you, and do not close your heart to anyone, I want you to be very happy, as much as I was in all this time that I was able to know you…"

With just that... That request that seemed simple and at the same time full of complicated feelings had been enough so that the Kurono of that moment could no longer continue hiding all the pain he felt.

It was not because of what that request itself conveyed, but rather because he had truly understood that this was the goodbye that Mei was giving him, the last thing he could receive from her, from his dear friend, and from that person who had become so special with the passing of the time…