“What are you saying? I don’t want to forget! We held hands and walked together, how can I just forget that?”
 
“…I thought we’d escaped there, but I was too naive. …That was a very pleasant time. I wish we could have spent more time together.”
 
“Then!!”
 
“I’m sorry, but I had a fun time tonight.”
 
“Toudou!? Ah, um, about you…”
 
“Goodbye, Hiratsuka…… I’m going to [Reset].”
 
If it’s to protect an important person, I can erase my memories……. Even if that’s a mistake–
 
–The remnants of the Return wake up my … Read the rest

 
A single tear was running down Hiratsuka’s cheek.
 
“This is because I’m happy. Yes, it’s amazing that you’ve regained your memories. But… no, never mind about me. You should get along well with Tanaka and Hanazono.”
 
I noticed the change in the atmosphere – something I wouldn’t have picked up on before. Hiratsuka was suppressing her own feelings, trying not to let me sense them.
 
“Hiratsuka and I were classmates.”
 
“Toudou?”
 
I could hear the confusion in Hiratsuka’s voice, but I kept talking. I had realized this was a critical turning point, though I … Read the rest

 
“No, I’m sorry. I think we’re meeting for the first time.”
 
“Oh? That must hurt your self-esteem. There’s no one in this world who doesn’t know me.”
 
“Hmm, I’ve just started watching TV recently. I often watch shows with dogs and cats.”
 
“…So you really don’t know who I am?”
 
“That’s what I’ve been saying, we’re meeting for the first time.”
 
The girl’s hostile gaze softened. Why? And then it changed to a curious look.
 
“Then let me tell you. I’m Saionji Nozomi, the top idol reigning in this celebrities’ class. I’m the … Read the rest

Mido-senpai came over to me.
 
“T-Toudou, good morning. It’s unusual for you to be in this classroom–“
 
“Hanazono, don’t worry. I’m not making any strange assumptions. Just be yourself as always.”
 
“Ah… I see, yeah… Thank you, Toudou. Mido-senpai has been helping me with the executive committee, explaining things I don’t understand.”
 
“I see, so he is a truly good person after all.”
 
Mido-senpai approached me.
 
“Hey, Toudou-kun, hello. I’m not really that great of a person, you know. After all, I’m trying to take Hanazono-san away from you.”
 
“Senpai, please stop! I… I already turned you down…”
 
“Yeah, I … Read the rest

Chapter 10: Toudou Tsuyoshi’s Everyday Life
 
During lunch break, I’m eating bread alone in the classroom today. Tanaka was called to the staff room, and Hanazono seems to have some student council duties for the sports festival.
 
Before, I used to feel lonely eating alone. But not anymore. Even when I’m by myself, I feel connected to the important people in my life.
 
And I’ve started to get a little closer to the others in the class as well.
 
“Eh? Toudou-kun, Tanaka-san isn’t here today? Then, Toudou-kun, let’s have lunch together! Ehehe, your little sister would love that, right?”
 
The … Read the rest

 
“Hehehe, talent? No way. What was I doing? Sulking like a child, spinning my wheels, and being dismissive of my worried friends…”
 
“Ah, we’re still just children. We’ll make plenty of mistakes.”
 
Sasami slowly stood up.
 
I was worried about Sasami’s legs and tried to lend a hand, but Sasami shook her head with an exasperated smile.
 
“I’m really okay this time. Senpai, I’ve always wanted to apologize. I’m sorry for being so stupid…”
 
Sasami bowed deeply. There was no lightness in the atmosphere. Her heart was in it.
 
A warmth flowed through … Read the rest

 
**
 
Feeling the weight of Sasami’s trembling body, I moved to a nearby park. I don’t like these tears – the sad and lonely ones.
 
I set Sasami down on a park bench.
 
Sasami’s emotions are overflowing, and she can’t hold back the tears.
 
///
 

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continue
 
 

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Sasami’s actions are recorded in my memory. It was a sad event.
 
I had reset my feelings for Sasami. I thought I wouldn’t get involved anymore, that the old me was gone. But that’s not true. Being told not to get involved feels lonely and sad.
 
The … Read the rest

“What’s wrong with you……. Don’t be so stiff, or you’ll just get treated worse. ……The bento box, I really didn’t do it on purpose, you know.”
 
Samejima mutters under his breath and walks away from me.
 
Whether it was on purpose or not, I don’t care.
 
“Samejima~ Do you like Sasami? Your taste is so creepy.”
 
“Huh, what? That can’t be right!? Didn’t this person used to like that senpai? That’s just too weird. I-I don’t really care or anything.”
 
Samejima began chatting with the girls in the track and field club. I could hear them laughing and using me … Read the rest

Part 2
Chapter 9: Sasami’s Frantic Run
 
I was running. It was a nighttime jog. The pace was slower than usual. My body wasn’t moving well. That day, I had pushed myself to the absolute limit to recover my memories of Tanaka. My body was not supposed to be okay after that. Afterwards, when I was sharing my joy with Tanaka, I had passed out.
 
…This was the third time I had passed out in my life. It’s not a very pleasant feeling.
 
When I came to, I found myself sleeping in my own apartment.
 
As soon as I woke … Read the rest

 
“That clumsy Toudou is just fine. And you know, you don’t have to worry about the past. I – we want to be with that Toudou.”
 
Tanaka’s demeanor changed. The clear, earnest voice quickened my heartbeat. Tanaka looked straight at me.
 
Suddenly, a loud engine sound came from behind us. Looking back, a large truck was driving through the shopping district.
 
The speed was a bit fast, but the driver wasn’t sleeping. They were gripping the steering wheel firmly. I stopped to watch the truck. The truck passed through without incident.
 
“This time it’s alright.”
 
For some reason, there was … Read the rest