Tokimeki Memorial Drama Series Vol. 3: Tabidachi No Uta

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Winter 1999, graduation is 2 weeks away from now, I sighed. Look at that graduation tree, will my wish comes true? It is just 2 weeks away..</p>

"Anybody wants to be in the group for graduation album? We need two people from this class" my teacher speaks clearly.

"Hai, watashi!"

I turned my head to the front as I see Shiori standing gracefully
from her seat, now facing the whole class.
"Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu!" She nodded

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That's Shiori, whom I always want to be, whom I always long for.
Whom I would like to confess my love to. Whom I wish to see under the legendary tree of Kirameki High School, waiting for me to confess her love at graduation day. It would be the happiest day in my life if I could make my dream come true.</p>

"Now that we have a girl, we still need to find one more person.
Anyone else who'd like to volunteer?"

"Hai!! I recommend him! He has been looking forward to getting the
position!"

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<p>
Yoshio lifted my right arm before I realized what has happened..
I tried to protest but he stepped on my foot.. HARD! "Really? That's a surprise! If there is nobody else then it is settled!"</p>

"Ne Yoshio! What is this all about?" I asked him after the lesson had ended.

"Don't you realize an important thing? The girl who volunteered is Fujisaki Shiori! Your lovely childhood friend who lives next to your house! Don't you want to be with her? You always look at her but do nothing"

"Well, we've been going out together, shopping.. last week we went to this accessories shop"

"Great! And you are satisfied with that?! Have you ever confessed to her? Nope! She will regard you as childhood friend and that's it! Now is your chance to get her, that's exactly why I recommended you!"


"What are you two talking about?" A soft voice comes from Yoshio's back.

"Fujisaki-san! ahahaha.. I won't disturb you two then! Have a nice afternoon! Both of you! Only two of you! Ja, ne.. hahaha"

"fufufu, Yoshio-kun is always like usual."

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Anyway, these are the photos we need to sort. Plenty of them..</p>
<p>
"Haaah... It has been a long time since we worked together! Kore kara mo, yoroshikune! Ja, let's start! I'll search the photo and you
proof-read these compositions"</p>

Yup, indeed it has been a long time since we worked together..
it goes back to my childhood times. The times we spent all day together...I read through the composition and corrected some mistakes I found on it.

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"Hai, Shiori, I have finished. Check it one more time"

"ettone.. hm.. it seems Ok, how about this photo?"

"That seems allright.." we discussed about the photo and time goes by...</p>

It is time to go home now...

"Ano.. Shiori.. shall we go home together? Ano.. I mean your house is
just next to mine and we can take the same road, so I guess we can go
home together"

"eh..? but of course! shall we go now?"

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On the way home I look at her.. how many times do we have left until graduation, in a few more days we might not be able to go home together like this anymore...</p>

"Ne, Ryu! Have you thought of what to write for your composition? That 'Ichiban Kaga yaita Toki'. Not yet? I see.. *sigh* There is only a few more days left that we can go home together like this.. this road that we go through everyday to school.. it is only 2 weeks before we end our high school life.. what do you think of it?"

"I'll feel lonely" I replied. "We might not be able to see each other
anymore"

"fufufu...silly, my house is just next to yours. We can meet anytime we want. But I guess you are right, i feel a bit lonely as well"

We talked about the coming graduation on the rest of the road, til I see her off to her house.. "Only 2 weeks left" I sighed before I entered my house and went to my room.
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<p>
"Let's join the marathon! Don't say no since I have registered for you! I'll wait for you tomorrow morning 5.30 AM sharp at the park! Don't be late"</p>
<p>
That was what Yoshio said last night when he phoned me. A marathon?! What is he thinking about? And now I'm standing here in the park at 5.30 AM.. *sigh*</p>
<p>
"hoaaah.. sorry I'm late, here is your number and instruction book,
now we only need to wait for her"</p>
<p>
Her? Now I know.. soon after that, a short haired girl comes. She is Kiyokawa Nozomi, our school best swimmer, she might be the best in Japan as well.</p>

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"Sorry I'm late. Hi, I'm Kiyokawa Nozomi, nice to meet you. Ok, let's start our training!"</p>

"hehehe.. she will be our trainer. Now you know why I insisted on this marathon "

But it is not long 'till we can't keep up with her. She was surprised
to learn the fact that we seldom do our exercise, and thought we were only joking about participating and that we were just wasting her time. She left us behind after that.

Today is 13th February, and the girls bring the chocolate today! And like usual, Ijuin Rei with his truck is in the school's main garden and again he said a few words to me as well. Even Yoshio showed me the chocolate Shiori gave him, yet I still haven't received a chocolate from her. I was expecting her to give me the chocolate when we are alone doing the album when Megumi came and asked her out.


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But to my surprise, Shiori asked me to go out tomorrow. Yes! During Valentine Day itself! Woohoo! Though the reason was actually to buy books for the album's layout.. who cares!</p>

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The next morning I woke up early and was ready to go when she came. I glanced at her bag, wishing to be able to see a special package of chocolate in it, that's a big bag she has there. We go to the bookshop as planned. And she is busy showing me one of the books about layout, though I concentrate more on her pretty face.</p>

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"Ne, Ryu. What do you think of this book?" She looks at me.</p>

I'm surprised and answered "I think so". That's all I can think of.
I can feel my face burning red. Did she noticed that I was looking at her?

"Ja, I'll buy this book then" She is off to the cashier.. phew!

"Ne, do you have anything to do after this?"

"Nope" I replied

I see her searching through her bag.. OK, now I will get my special
chocolate!

"If you don't mind, shall we go to the movie?" She shows me 2 theater tickets "My father gave it to me and today is the last day"

"Sure" I replied, though I'm a bit disappointed. We went through the day with movies, spaghetti, video games, and a boutique owner that was looking for a model. After that we end up sitting at the park near our house.

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"Ne, Ryu. Do you still remember that sand playground? We used to make tunnels there before; even during winters, we still played everyday! We made a big mountain and dug from both side. I can feel your hands inside the snow, it felt ticklish but it gave me a strange feeling, just like magic. Those lovely days, seems to be a far away memories"</P>

I feel the urge inside my chest to confess my love now "Shiori, I..."


"Ryu" She paused.

"I wish our relationship can last like this forever, as a childhood friend"
She takes a valentine chocolate from her bag "Hai, this is your chocolate.
Sorry I have been saying weird things, fufufu..."

(Note: "fufufu" is the sound of her giggling. Don't ask me why, i just
found it cute. )

I was shocked to hear that! As a childhood friend?! So I'm only a
childhood friend to her?! I take the chocolate and noticed that it is
the same as the one Yoshio showed me yesterday. She has no special
feeling for me.. so it is only me who feel that we both are lover, that
we are so close and understand each other.. yet now I feel I don't know
her anymore, we are so far apart. Did I do something wrong? I layed down
in my room for the rest of the evening, thinking.. I've lost my desire
to do anything, I just feel so tired, not knowing what to do next.

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The next day goes very slow for me. Shiori told me that she was chosen to give a speech during the graduation day. I replied with congratulations, but she could sense that I wasn't in a good mood. She tried to cheer me up and asked me what was the problem. Of course I couldn't possibly say that it was her words that caused it. I went out of the room as I couldn't stand it any longer, I told her that I would be back soon. Little did I expect that I'd meet Megumi in the corridor.</p>

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"I have something I want to talk to you" she said when we arrived at the rooftop.</p>

"You know about 'Ichiban Kaga yaita Toki' that we have to write for the graduation album? Up to now I can't find anything to write. I have always given up when I tried to do anything, and now when I have to write, I have nothing. It seems that I have done nothing during my high school." Then she left me.

I returned to the class and I found a note from Shiori telling me that she had gone home earlier. I go home and as I entered my room I remember what Megumi was saying. Her words struck me! When I think about it, I have done nothing as well. During these
3 years I have been idling, just doing what I have to do, sitting in exams, getting my results and that's it. And that's why my composition is still empty. As I glanced at my composition, I saw the marathon booklet that was next to it. The marathon! Yeah,
that's it! It is not too late to make my 'Ichiban kaga yaita toki'. It is not too late to act now and finally give some meaning to my high school life.

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The next morning I wake up very early and go to the park so that I can meet Kiyokawa. I was right, there I saw her running and she stopped as she saw me.</p>

"Hi, I decided to participate in full marathon. Will you train me?" I asked her.

"Are you joking?" She asked. I can feel that she doesn't trust me as I gave her a bad expression when we first met. But as she looks into my eyes, she says "You are not joking, are you? Well, all right then, I'll train you, but my training is hard. Come here every morning and we'll run together"

Yoshio was surprised to learn that I practised with Nozomi. He thought I was trying to court Nozomi when I told him that I really want to participate.

"Are you sure? Then what about Shiori? You should try to get close to her rather than participating in the marathon! There is only 2 weeks left to graduation and yet you haven't confessed your love to her."

"I like her.. but now I can't do a thing. Look at her, she is a perfect girl while I have nothing compared to her. That's why I participate in this marathon"

"And then you can say I can run 42 kilometers? Well, whatever, I can't understand you".

Shiori has a try out for graduation ceremony today. She will deliver her speech in the graduation ceremony, thus they need to have practice and set things up before the real ceremony takes place. I was wandering around the school when I met Megumi. Then I told her not to give up.

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"It is not too late to make your own memory, to give a meaning to your high school life. There is only 2 weeks left, but you won't know what you can do in this 2 weeks unless you try. From now on, we shall make our 'Ichiban kaga yaita toki'"</p>

<p>
For the rest of the week, I have been training with Nozomi. Aside of the morning session, I had a swimming training with her after school ends and before my work on the album started. Shiori once asked me about my participation in full marathon, it looks like Yoshio has told her. She didn't try to stop me, rather she gave her support and that lifted my spirits to the highest. Yesterday Yoshio asked me to accompany him and Yumi skiing. I did promise Yumi that four of us, with Shiori, will go skiing before graduation. So this morning I went back earlier from my training. I found Shiori waiting in front of my house when I returned.</p>

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Swiftly, I changed my clothing and packed my ski equipment. As we arrived at the bus station, Yoshio and Yumi have been waiting. Yoshio, like usual has planned something, my seat is next to Shiori's while his is next to Yumi's. But I fell asleep as soon as we leave.</p>

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The place is nice, and it has a swimming pool, the main reason why
Yoshio has been very eager to go skiing. While we changed our clothing to ski outfit, Yoshio asked me to apologize to Shiori as I was sleeping all the way. Shiori looks nice in her ski outfit, and Yumi seems to have prepared a special ribbon to match her outfit. I chose to go with Shiori as the lift only fits for 2 persons.</p>

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"Ne, Shiori. Sorry I was asleep in the bus"</p>

"That's allright. I was talking to Yoshio and Yumi. Are you tired? You didn't even wake up when everybody was screaming. But your face when you sleep was so cute, fufufu"

"Stop teasing me, you!"

We were talking about it as we reached the top. Then I have a race with Shiori. She is fast, but of course I can lead ahead.

<BUMP!>

I was shocked of what happened next, knocked by unknown causes. I am hurtling down the course, I should look like a snow ball anytime now.

"Ne Daijobu???!!" I heard Shiori comes closer.

"I'm all right.. ouch, what was that?!?

<THUCK THUCK>

Looks like something is wrong with my right boot. I'll go to the lodge and repair it"

"I'll go with you"

We waited for the boot to be repaired when we met this cute girl that bumped me. Her boot wasn't tied correctly. After I corrected it, we had a little conversation. To my surprise, she is Kuribayashi Mie, a new idol whose voice I often heard in radio drama. We took a picture with her using the seal print machine that's gaining popularity among the youths now. And after she left, I took a picture with Shiori alone. But unfortunately, I couldn't force her to use a love frame. Sigh....

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After skiing for some time, Yoshio asked us to go to the swimming pool. With Yumi and Shiori teamed and refused to go, I had to have a race with Shiori. She came a few seconds after me, it was a close winning, but nevertheless I won. Thus we go to the swimming pool. I used the chance to practice while Yoshio has gone to court the girls. I was about to join Shiori and Yumi when Yoshio came back empty handed. Hehehe, poor Yoshio. We played in the pool for the rest of the day.</p>

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<p>
In our journey back, Shiori falls asleep. I look at her, she sleeps
peacefully next to me. While I'm watching her with various things in my mind about her words last Valentine, her head falls to my shoulder. Dare not to wake her, I sit quietly and let her use my shoulder as her pillow.</p>

"I wish we could stay like this forever, I want to be with you forever, Shiori." I said quietly.

As I watched her face the bus hits a hole and make a loud sound. She was awakened because of that, and I can feel our faces turn red as we sit quietly for the rest of the trip.

<p>
The next morning was delightful for me. I found Shiori waiting for me in front of her house, bringing me towel and sports drink. I can see the fire in her eyes, as if she has become my power. I gently refuse her invitation to go to school together as I still want to run. But I can feel something has changed in her behaviour. When we walked home from school, she asked me to stop at the park. There I sit quietly when she started talking about our childhood...</p>

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"Ryu, do you remember our quarrel last time? You wouldn't want to accept defeat, especially if I won. Ne, remember when we measure our heights? I was taller by 4 cm than you when you asked me to measure it on that tree. You were cheating yet you didn't want to admit that I was taller than you. fufufu, we quarrelled the whole day then"</p>


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The days after that were filled with nostalgic memories Shiori and I
had. Once we talked about our adventure together. I liked to go around to new places and I asked Shiori to go with me. We walked a long way when finally a great lake appeared before us. We were so happy that we forgot our worries for we have walked far from our home. I saw a boat and got on it.</p>

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Shiori worries about me but I proved her that I can handle it easily.
As I asked her to come aboard, she noticed that the rope was untied. I tried my best to go back ashore but I failed and fell to the lake instead. Luckily a man helped us.</p>

The next day we talked about the ring I gave her as her birthday present.

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"I was so happy back then, though it is only a toy ring. It shone as I put it under the sun. You even asked when a man can marry a girl, fufufu. It no longer fits to my finger now, but I still treasure it until now."</p>

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"I wanted to give you a present as I was very happy for the ring. But you were disturbed by those boys who watched us and kept teasing us 'as lovers'. I didn't have the chance to give it to you as you ran away to the boys and played with them instead. It was a robot toy that I asked my mom to buy. We didn't go to the christmas party together that year as I promised the other girls to go with them as I was angry to you. Since then we were separated, I played with the girls while you with the boys"</p>

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"Now I have seen those eyes one more time in you. The eyes that won't give up to the last, ganbaru'tte. You didn't give up climbing that tree when all other boys has given up. I keep watching you from the bottom of the tree while other girls has gone back home. When you finally made it to the top, you said you can see the sea. I know it is impossible, but I was happy for you. I have seen that you changed during these 2 weeks, when you started to join for full marathon. I always supports you since we were kids, I always like to say 'Shiorimo ganbaru', fufufu. I'm glad that you finally can find that spirit one more time, that's why I support you with all my heart. I enjoyed bringing you towel and sports drinks everyday. I like those eyes"</p>

<p>
Saturday morning, I was training with Nozomi like usual. We spent a bit longer time to practise when I felt something is strange with my right leg. My face was a bit pale because of the pain. Nozomi asked me not to force myself and not to be nervous for the marathon tomorrow. As I ran back home, I felt an extreme pain on my right leg that force me to walk slowly home. It was lunch period when Shiori and I want to go out for a while when a sudden pain struck me. I barely can stand when Shiori accompanied me to the school health center.</p>

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"Have you done any exercise lately?" the doctor asked.</p>

"He has been training for marathon tomorrow"

"You shouldn't run with that condition"

"I WILL run!" I exclaimed. "No matter what happens I will run!"

"Muri dayo! You'll hurt yourself! Even if I give you the permission to run, the race doctors will stop you."

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I can feel Shiori's eyes staring at me, I have promised that I will run. Shiori knows that I will run though the doctor has said no.</p>

"So are you going to run?" She asked as we reach the front gate of my house.

"I will" I replied shortly.

"I don't know.. I don't know what to do, Ryu! I want to support you but I don't want to see you hurt. I'm worried of you but at the same time I want to give my full support to you.. What should I do..?"

I can feel her confusion between her worry and promise that she made to support me. I'm sorry, Shiori, for have caused this trouble, for having placed you in this difficult position.

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The next morning I was about to leave my house when I see Shiori in front of my house. Looking from her appearance, I know that she has made her decision, that she won't stop me.</p>

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"I bought this book yesterday" She smiled while showing me a book on taping. "I will give you my support, I have decided to support you to the last."</p>

"Arigatou"

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<p>
She was busy wrapping my injured leg when Yoshio came to the ground.</p>

"How is our runner today? A.. what happenned to your leg? Did you hurt yourself?"

"Just a bit careless" I said as not to make him worried.

Shiori finished wrapping it completely when I saw Nozomi came.

"Hi Nozomi."

"My god, what happenned to your leg?!?"

"Just a bit careless of him" Yoshio replied on my behalf.

"That's dangerous to run, I'll call the doctor to check."

"No need, Kiyokawa-san!"

It was too late, she has gone to call the doctor....and I knew then that that was the end.

<p>
I laid silently in my room as I recall what the doctor said this morning.</p>

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<p>
"You shouldn't run with that condition"</p>

"I'm sorry Ryu, but we'll just run together in next marathon."

"It's allright Ryu, you still have another chance"

I still can't believe that what I've worked so hard for these 2 weeks has come in vain......



"Ryu is not at home now, please leave your message after the beep"

"Ryu, it is me, Shiori. I know that you are disappointed, but it is all
right. I have been watching you and I saw the change in you. I once again saw the shining eyes of yours, burned with spirit as I have seen them years ago. You have succeeded, Ryu, you have shown your spirit. Cheer up, Ryu. Ganbarou yo, I'll meet you at the graduation tomorrow"

I picked the phone and opened the curtain at the same time.

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"Shiori.." I see her standing in her room across mine through the window.</p>

"Arigatou, ouenshita"

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"Ryu.. zurui yo. You were there all this time..."</p>

"Gomen, but thanks for cheering me up, I really appreciate that."

"What are you going to do? The marathon is over now. Shikata ga nai yo, nothing you could do about it. Ne, cheer up, we have our graduation tomorrow. Let's attend it together"

"I can't Shiori.. I... I'm now.. I still haven't fulfilled my promise....I..."

"But there is nothing you can do now. Shikata ga nai yo.. a.."

As I look outside, I can see the snow starts to fall from the sky.
I open my window and Shiori does the same. We watched the snow falls silently...there are a lot of thoughts crossing through my mind as the snow keep falling.

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"Ne, Ryu, let's attend the graduation together tomorrow..."</p>

I look at Shiori.. I know how she feels, but I really can't attend the graduation with this condition.. I haven't done anything in my high school, how should I attend the graduation then...?

"Gomen, Shiori" I whisper. Her words keep echoing in my mind.. reminds me of something from my past. "Shikata ga nai yo", those words, I have heard it before. I searched the cupboard anxiously when finally I found what I searched for... gripping it in my hand, I have decided...that I will run.

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<p>
"Yo, why did you call me?" I heard Yoshio's voice coming closer.</p>

"I'll need your help. I want to run"

"I thought so.. what did Shiori say?"

"She asked me to attend the graduation together"

"Then, why not?"

"I can't. I still haven't proven myself"

"That nothing worth of me again?! Wakatta.. ja, what do you want me to do? Taping? I know nothing about it.. but why me?"

"I know you won't stop me"

"I worry about you as well, you know. Well, okay, just tell me how to do it"

"By the way, what is that on your hand?"

"This? This is an amulet for me, an important thing for me"

I watched him as he wraps my leg "Doumo, Yoshio"


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<p>
I stand firmly on the start line. I could feel as if it is the marathon would start soon. As the clock reached 10, I can hear the sound of start mark and start running.. a long journey it will be.</p>

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<p>
I can feel that the graduation ceremony has started, Shiori must be attending it now. Gomen, Shiori.. I have to do this, leaving my chair empty to run. I keep my pace up the hill, across the road following the same route as the marathon yesterday. The wind is blowing toward me as I run, my right leg hurts so much, but I won't stop, I can't stop, not now....</p>

My memory goes back to my primary school.. we had a running competition back then.


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"Ne, Shiori, are you allright?"</p>

"I caught a cold"

"Then you had better rest"

"un.. but I won't be able to support you tomorrow"

"It's allright, you had better rest"

"But, Ryu.."

"Okay then, can you lend me your hairband?"

"What for?"

"I will bring it with me tomorrow, so we can reach the finish together. That hairband will represent you"

"Un" she handed the hairband she wore to me.. but I didn't manage to reach the finish..

"what happened to your leg?"

"sob sob.."

"Shikata ga nai yo"

We cried together that day...

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<p>
I fall as my right leg lost its power to support me... No, Shiori... it is not all right, I must reach the goal. I rise slowly, trying to gain strength on my leg. I keep running with my right leg crippled.. It feels like I'm dragging it. My speed is so slow that I don't think I can make it, but I keep running. Finally I can see the gate in front of me. I forced myself to keep running, but my body has come to its limit... softly but surely I can hear Shiori's voice...</p>

"Ganbatte, ganbatte"

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I recall that she is always by my side, giving support to me the whole time, when I can't do my math homework, when we played in the playground, when I tried to prove my strength, when I climbed that tree.. she is always there for me. With that thought in mind, I keep on running towards the goal.</p>

<p>
"Ganbatte! Ganbatte!"</p>

That voice seems so real.... It couldn't be my imagination. I look at the finish line... There I can see Shiori, she is the one who is yelling. I wasn't dreaming, it is really her!

<p align=center><img src="http://www.shiori.00server.com/pic45.jpg">
<p>
Nothing could describe how I felt that time. Seeing Shiori there, I force myself through the excruciating pain to run even faster.</p>

<p align=center><img src="http://www.shiori.00server.com/pic46.jpg">
<p>
How glad I am to see her there.. it is just like magic that overwhelms me with power....</p>

As I finally reached the finish, she hugged me. I can feel myself smiling with satisfaction. I fell towards her and that was the last I could remember before I fainted....


<p align=center><img src="http://www.shiori.00server.com/pic47.gif">
<p>
I opened my eyes slowly as a blur image slowly focussing in front of me. Soon I recognize that it was Shiori.. I'm laying on her lap.</p>

<p align=center><img src="http://www.shiori.00server.com/pic48.jpg">
<p>
"Shiori.. " I tried to arise but my body resists my order...

"Don't wake up first, you must be tired from that run. You should let yourself rest for a while."

"Shiori.. there is something in my right hand" I give her the hairband that I tied on my right hand.


<p align=center><img src="http://www.shiori.00server.com/pic49.gif">
<p>
"You were running with this on your arm? Ryu... I... I..."</p>

I can see her tears drop from the corners of her eyes...

"Sorry... I... Thank you Ryu! I want to be with you forever. Sotsugyou, Omedetou!"


<p align=center>

"Anatano osanajimi de youkatta"
"Anatani ichiban chikai onna no ko de youkatta"

"I'm glad to be your childhood friend"
"I'm glad that I'm the closest girl to you"


<p align=center><img src="http://www.shiori.00server.com/pic50.jpg">


OWARI