望み [hope]

"Acceptance"

A few years had passed since Haru had died, I had started moving on from him, along with Ren. Though, the vivid memories of him always lingered somewhere around my mind. The time we spent together was truly remarkable. I do still have regrets that we couldn’t do all the things we had planned, but I’m glad I got to spend atleast a little bit of my time with him; Yu-Ri was sent to a rehabilitation centre, she had been recovering and had gotten a lot better mentally. I got to talk to her, approximately three weeks ago. while that talking session, she kept apologizing for what she had done. I forgave her but I never forgot.

On my 21st birthday, Ren surprised me with a flower bouquet. He took me to a place, with me blindfolded. “Open your eyes, in.. 1..2.. and..” I opened my eyes excitedly, but that excitement quickly died down and a wave of mixed feelings hit me. He had brought me to the place where I had found Tomo, my pet dog with Haru. I was feeling nostalgic. The vivid image of that day ..
“____, Haru had wished that you’d watch this on your 21st birthday or you could say, today, on this specific day.” Ren handed me his phone, it was a video of him. I hesitantly tapped on the play button,

VID_2022510
Starting.

“Hello, my dear chipmunk! Was there something special today? Ah, of course! Your 21st birthday! Happy Birthday to my dearest bestfriend and love of my life, I have a gift for you, if I’m unavailable to hand it to you, Ren will hand it for me. I’ll come see you sooner or later if I am unable to visit on your birthday, I promise, dear. Don’t you worry!”

“As for the gift .. well it is a surprise! Feel free  to ask me for anything you wish to obtain though. I’ll get you everything you want, even if it's more than I can afford, I’d get it for you! I love you so so much. Take care, my love, my ____”

Video End.

I

had heard his voice for the first time in years .. It felt comforting yet it made me feel a bit out of place. Have I really been living without that boy? He says he would get me anything I want, even if it’s more than he could afford. Then, I want him. I wish for him to return back healthy and safe and just tell me that it was all nothing, but a joke. Would you be able to manage that, Haru? I guess not. I looked down at the recording and replayed it. I watched the video over .. and .. over .. and over again. “____, happy birthday, I’m sorry if it isn’t a ‘happy’ one for you .. ”
Ren said to me, “No.” I refused, “This day is one of my happiest ones indeed. Listening to Haru’s voice made this birthday the best one. Honestly, I’ve never celebrated my birthday ‘cause I had no one to wish me. But at least you, hana and him, are with me.” I looked up at Ren and smiled at him, with tears rolling down my cheeks. “Nana..” he looked at me, with a softened gaze.
Ah that’s correct. My name is ..
Nana.

The End.