HOW ARE YOU, MANABU?
How are you, Nadeshiko? What are you doing right now?
That's what I really want to understand. I always look at you, but for some reason, you never look at me again.
We live as neighbors in Gojitcho, Miyanokojo, Miyazaki Prefecture. Even though it's subtropical here, the weather is somewhat cold. Our place is close to the mountains.
Nadeshiko is a tomboyish and sentimental girl. She has beautiful crystal-like red eyes, like a ruby gemstone. She has been my only playmate since we were children. We may not go to the same school, but we always go on adventures together in the highlands of Ikoma.
When my parents took me to Ikoma, I invited Nadeshiko to come along. Fortunately, her parents allowed it. Luckily, my parents allowed it too.
We live in a peaceful and cool place, with cleaner air compared to Tokyo. That's one of the reasons why I was relocated to a mountainous area, while my father constantly commutes between Tokyo and Miyazaki.
The last time she talked to me was in middle school, before completely ignoring me. But I invited you on a vacation, you know? I don't understand if there's any problem between us.
That's why I've been watching you every day.
I never expected Nadeshiko to grow her hair long. Instead of short hair, it is now long and glossy black. Sometimes she ties it to the side, but that doesn't change the fact that her hair is now long and well-maintained.
How do I know? Today, June 13th, I accidentally saw you. After wearing your high school uniform, you work at a fast-food restaurant, right? I hide behind a pole and observe you every day. Unknowingly, it has become my routine.
I've been watching you for days, quietly, so that I'm not mistaken for a stalker, hehe. Look at you now, you have so many friends. You even have a close friend. A girl with dark brown hair whom you call Yukarin? You often go out together
Your days are sometimes heavy too. As heavy as a math remedial during summer vacation. Yes, because of that, you don't have a peaceful vacation. Even though when we were in middle school, I always taught you linear equations, now you're having difficulty with them. I've told you multiple times to practice solving problems. Understanding isn't built overnight, and there's no such thing as cramming overnight.
In the end, one day you were studying math at the donut cafe. That's also your favorite food, I remember! You always eat tiramisu-flavored donuts. And... huh? Yukarin is there too? She even ordered the same flavor. It was clear from her face how much she enjoyed eating that donut.
What never changes about you is that you always eat the food you want, I remember it well! If it's not ramen with breaded shrimp, it's takoyaki for a late-night snack. You often buy potato burgers with cola. Well, those were the foods we secretly enjoyed back then. You didn't even tell my mother about it, hehe. So I won't tell your mother either, so you won't have a hard time. Of course, we would be scolded by our mothers, hahaha!
But what's clear is that I've always been paying attention to you. And most importantly, you seem to be close to your friend, Yukarin, now. I hope that over time, you can get to know Yukarin just as well as you know me.
Until this infinite time, sometimes it moves fast, sometimes slow. But the winter wind always reminds me that with each passing day, you are growing and maturing.
How are you, Nadeshiko? What are you doing right now?
On March 18th, you, or rather both of you, stood in the large hall wearing black suits. Nadeshiko finally graduated from high school and is preparing to embark on a career in the real world. I also saw you with Yukarin, a girl with dark brown hair who likes tiramisu-flavored donuts, whom you are always with.
Not long after that, you told Yukarin that you were looking for a job in Tokyo. I watched you, feeling sad, of course. I'm happy to see you grow and develop, always watching you from a distance. But why are you doing this to me? Do you know that I'm watching you? How is that possible?
What's clear is that Yukarin is focused on finding a job at Yamazaki, saving money for college in Tokyo. You both have deep and sincere dreams. I feel like I want to be friends with both of you. They hugged each other. They planned to go on vacation together with two other friends.
By the way, that night you also bid farewell to the restaurant crew where you had been working part-time for three years. Actually, it didn't sound like part-time, you were their long-time employee, despite working part-time hours.
Oh, I know why you worked there. So you could get your share of free breaded fried calamari, right? Or other fried snacks like crispy onions? I know you well, Nadeshiko. Your coworkers even invited you to a farewell dinner. Even your boss, whom you and your colleagues always call "Roast Pig," at least took the time to attend that small celebration. I don't understand why you call him Roast Pig, though. After all, he's the one who recruited you and gave you a warm send-off by allowing that small celebration. I guess you're still a bit mischievous, hehehe!
A week has passed since that day...
How are you, Nadeshiko? What are you doing right now?
On March 25th, you were with Yukarin and two other friends, Mino and Kuri. I only found out today because you all probably always gather in the club. I can't enter there! Besides, there's a school guard and a wide-hanging omamori. That object prevents me from entering.
Mino is a twin-haired girl with round glasses, while Kuri has short hair. They both have a kind and pleasant appearance. From what they talk about, it's mostly about books, games, or work.
I always pay attention to Nadeshiko.
In short, they rented a car, with Yukarin at the wheel. The car somehow seemed familiar, like the one my parents used when Nadeshiko and I went on vacation in the highlands of Ikoma. It was a white Toyota Innova, compared to the black one we used back then.
Surprisingly, Yukarin is very skilled at driving. Even though they were chatting and joking around, she didn't seem like a beginner. She hit the brakes at the right time, not suddenly, and didn't speed, maintaining a constant speed of 40 km/h. The road also started to slope, a sign that they had entered the highlands.
Suddenly, a feeling of nostalgia accompanied me. Are we going to that place?
Nadeshiko, Yukarin, and their two friends have arrived at the highlands of Ikoma. They finally went to the place where Nadeshiko and I had a great time before. It's exciting! I feel nostalgic again!
This time, perhaps, is the most memorable day for me. Strangely, after getting out of the car, they first headed to the nearest small shrine. I wonder why?
Nadeshiko lit the incense, along with her friends. She closed her eyes peacefully. I wonder, what does she hope for this time? Because at the shrine, I also prayed.
"Thank you for taking me to the Ikoma Highlands when I was lonely because my parents worked late. I will never forget you, until this moment. I always wonder, how did I have a friend? How did I learn mathematics? How can I be as smart and cheerful as you? How can I forget you? How will you be when you grow up in high school? You must be handsome, Manabu..."
Suddenly, I felt light, as if a gate full of light had opened. The light was dazzling but strangely captivating.
I know that even if I speak, you won't hear me. Even this close, you will never look in my direction, let alone talk to me.
"How are you, Manabu? What are you doing right now?"
Thank you, Nadeshiko.
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