Part 18: Episode 18: Confessions (Ending No. 8)

I can’t believe that a whole year had passed.

But there’s one thing I have left to do first. One thing I need to do.
I had called Mr. Nanaki to the park to talk.




If it’s about your career plan, don’t worry, you’re still a sophomore. You don’t have to decide for a few months left.
N-no, sir. I… wanted to ask you something.
Oh? Please, do.

I took a deep breath. I hadn’t planned out how I was going to confess, so I was especially nervous. I’ve never done anything like this, and especially not to a teacher.

Sir… I like you. Is that… is that all right?
You do say the strangest things, Lourde.
I like you, too. You’re kind, smart, you work hard…
I-I didn’t mean it like that…!
Hmm…

No longer able to love another creature? What does he mean?

You saw it, remember?
…Saw what, sir?
The photo.
Yes, sir. I didn’t mean to…
Don’t worry about it. I knew you wouldn’t lie.
I suppose I should tell you…

…I’m sorry, sir, I didn’t mean to come in between…
I thought we could live through anything, just the two of us.
I think we meant more to each other than anybirdie else in the world…
But… One day I looked around, and I was alone.
Life changed, after that.
I… stopped caring. About a lot of things.

But… I’m not sure how to say this.
As I looked at the photo every day, I… realized I couldn’t tell anymore.
Couldn’t tell if I felt love when I saw that face, or if… if I felt hatred.
I… I think losing someone dear is painful for everyone…
After a while, I… I couldn’t stand to see it anymore.
So you…?
That’s right… But even as I tried to forget, some part of me didn’t want to.
You see now, right? Why I don’t want to love again.
By now, the love I felt has soured into resentment.

That’s… too sad…!
You don’t agree, Lourde?
I love your kindness, sir…
But when I see that kindness bringing you pain, I have to wonder if there isn’t a better way…
Ahaha, I wonder.
By the way… There’s one more thing I should tell you.
?
That photo…

Eeh!?
When you saw it, it made me think about things again. I never would have shown it to anyone, so I was… rather shaken.
We both knew that one of us would be gone one day, and… Neither of us would have wanted the other to mourn.
So, as I looked at the photo…
I thought… it was better. Better to put it away. So I burned it.
Sort of… as an apology for defacing it like that.

Oh…
Lourde, just because I’m a teacher doesn’t mean you should always look up to me.
Th-that doesn’t have anything to do with it…!
But… I understand that you don’t want to forget her, sir.
I have an idea, Lourde.

Sir, that’s…
I don’t like to make idle promises, but…
I’m sure you’ll grow up into a wonderful person, Lourde. So let’s wait until then.
Yes, sir…!


“Let’s wait until then…” How long will that be? I’ve still got senior year to deal with, not to mention college… Will he really stay at St. Pigeonation’s for all that time?
…No, I trust him. I trust that he’ll be there for me when I come back, whenever that is.