Time went by like that, seeping through to the final exam of the 2nd Term.

Then time passed, and the school began to consider grading up.

Luckily no one was left behind, they did a great job.

But one thing remains unchanged, and that is the relationship between Angie and Kaori.

It can be seen that Angie has become less arrogant, but still bullied Kaori and some of the weaker ones, but didn't dare to touch Sunny, because Kiyo would do something.

The rest of the students, like Mattia and Genjitsu didn't mind at first, but as time went on, they became more and more annoyed.

Especially on the entomologist's side, he was starting to not want this to happen to Kaori. He was also friends with her before entering the school, but didn't make much progress because of Genjitsu's gruff personality.

After being in a group like his class for a long time, he found that his temper calmed down, partly thanks to Kanryo and Junko.

However, his words were still a bit harsh for some people. That habit made him think for several nights.

Before the end of the school year, Genjitsu asked Kaori this:

"You let Angie bully you like that and still stand it? Did you ever against her?"

Kaori was silent for a moment and then said:

"I don't want to hurt anyone, because I'm a nurse."

"But that doesn't mean you should let others trample."

"Angie can't feel pain."

"What?" - Genjitsu asked surprised because he had never seen anyone like that before.

"She fell and scratched her knee for once, but she still walked normally, shows no pain, even runs and jumps."

"There are people like that?"

"Yes, but rare.."

Genjitsu sighed, put that aside and returned to the main topic:

"Why do you have to let other people do whatever they want to you?"

Kaori lamented said:

"It's better than being abandoned. Do whatever, as long as I can be with you guys, and can serve Tomoyo and the others-"

Genjitsu slammed his hand on the table.

"Tomoyo doesn't want that, we don't want you to. Can't you just treat this class normally? You're human like us Kaori, you don't have to do this for your own sake!"

No, that habit again...

"Do I deserve this..."

"Of course."

Kaori sat thoughtfully, taking off her nurse hat.

"Perhaps you're right... I always want to do my best to help others without asking too much, as long as I see them happy. But sometimes I overdo it.."

"Yeah.."

"However, I don't want to be left alone! I'm afraid of being abandoned."

Genjitsu now felt very awkward. He didn't fully understand Kaori's problem yet, and he had no experience with how to handle it.

This is when he needs emotional people he feels close to like Kanryo and Junko, but they're not here.

After calculating all the answers he could think of (which is rare in Genjitsu), he finally had to make a decision:

"Maybe I should... start being a better friend of yours?"

This question seems to be a bit disappointing..

"I mean... to be a friend that you feel.. safe and protected?"

"Are you sure? Will you do it?" - Kaori was a little excited.

"Yes, I promise..."

To testify, Genjitsu showed his pinky finger shyly, showing his promise to Kaori.

The nurse seemed content, reaching out without hesitation to the entomologist.

From that day, the two began to really trust each other.

And it will probably last longer, deeper and further...

***

The school where Ryota attends seems to have summer break a day later than Ikusaba. It's always like that, don't know why.

During the whole year at that new school, Ryota got to know Karin and they became friends.

The last afternoon class of the school year is just to summarize some things, then everyone can leave early.

As soon as he exited the classroom, Karin ran up to him.

"Oi, Ryota!"

"Karin.."

"Hey, are you free this afternoon?"

"Yeah, it's summer vacation anyway."

The two went to the schoolyard and the girl said:

"Do you want to draw outside?"

Ryota looked at the pen box:

"I don't have color pencils."

"No need for that. We only do plain pencil sketches."

"But where are we going to draw?"

Karin looked around, then pointed to the East:

"Or go to the suburbs to draw! The place is large enough."

"My house is far away, is it okay?"

Karin thought for a moment and then said:

"I have a bicycle, and I know where your house is, don't worry. We'll sit and draw there until we get back on time as usual, your two brothers won't suspect anything. I always take you home."

Drawing isn't such a bad thing to hide..? Ryota wondered.

"Fine, I'll go with you."

"Let's go then!"

Ryota got on Karin's bike and rode to the outskirts of Chushin city.

It was a place of only green grass that stretched across the land, with flowers, an old birch tree, and a wooden one-story house far away from where the two of them had stopped.

The wind here always blows cool, the air is fresh, and the quiet space is ideal for reversed people.

The two lowered the bike's kickstand, then carried their bags down to the grass.

"Wow, this place is so peaceful, I can imagine whatever I want." - Karin lay down on the grass.

"I see. We're there to draw, aren't we?" - Ryota sat down with his sketchbook and pencil case.

"Yeah, I forgot." - She sat up and took out her notebook, pencil, and eraser.

Ryota looked at Karin's simple tools and asked:

"Do you only bring pencils and erasers to school? Besides books.."

"I don't like carrying a lot. Okay, let's start drawing."

Both of them kept order, focusing on their surroundings.

Each stroke of pencil rustled on the paper from place to place, slowly revealing a picture that recreated this grassland every second.

"I'm done." - Karin put down the pen after a while checking the picture.

"That fast?"

In terms of proportions and strokes the picture are also quite solid, drawing close to the real scene.

Because she couldn't see the house over there very well, she didn't draw it carefully.

"You draw really impressive.." - Ryota admired.

"Thanks. Have you finished drawing yet?"

Actually, he finished drawing, but he was afraid to show it to Karin. He was still not confident in his own strength.

"Yeah.." - Ryota said in a low voice.

"May I have a look?"

"Sure, but my level is much worse than yours."

"It's okay, just show it to me."

Ryota sighed, having to give the drawing to Karin.

She looked at it for a moment and then said:

"Hmm, it's a bit out of frame."

"Out of frame..?"

"In general, your art is fine. You already know how to shade shadows. Just need to practice more about scaling. Do you draw with sentience?"

"Yeah.." - Ryota said.

"Then I'll guide you on this part in the summer! Are you busy in the summer?"

"Probably not."

"Then come out here when you have free time!" - Karin looked at her watch. "Five more minutes, we'll be home in time. Let's go."

The two put their things in their bags and got in the bike to leave.

Catching a glimpse of both of them, Sunny waited at the gate.

Arriving right in front of the house, Ryota got off the bike and returned it to Karin.

"I give you back. See you later."

"Yeah, goodbye."

Ryota just opened the gate when he saw Sunny there, panicked, and almost fell.

"Sunny..!"

"Ah, I'm sorry, did I scare you?" - Sunny said nervously.

"Of course, you were standing there, so I was surprised."

Both of them took off their shoes and entered the house.

"By the way, does that girl often drive you home?" - Sunny left a glass of water on the table.

"I'm far from my school."

"So.. What kind of person is that girl?"

Ryota drank some water and talked about Karin. For the first time, Sunny saw Kiyo's younger brother talk about someone so excitedly.

"I don't know much about her right now.." - The boy looked down at the table.

Ryota's cheeks are a bit pink..

Sunny swayed his feet slightly and said:

"Ryota, from what you describe, Karin is not a bad friend at all. Try to maintain that friendship as long as possible, or even go further than friends.."

"Going beyond friends? I don't have any intentions yet.."

"Then for now, let's promote that good relationship, okay?"

"Yes." - Ryota seemed to cheer up a bit.

The sun gradually descends on the buildings, grasslands, and hills..

"Where's Kiyo?" - Ryota looked around.

"Um, he forgot his stuff at school.. By the way!"

Sunny took out from the refrigerator a yellow box, beautifully decorated.

"What is this?"

"Today is Kiyo's birthday, so I bought a cake and a bouquet of orchid flowers. Money deducted from overtime at the store."

Right on the table were some flowers neatly arranged in the vase.

Sunny propped his chin, looking at two birthday presents.

I wonder what Kiyo will think when he sees these two gifts.. I'm sure he'll be very happy.

Right on the door, Sunny had already installed confetti, when Kiyo opened it, the firecrackers exploded.

Suddenly there was a clatter outside the gate.

Ryota peeked out, it was the Kiyo!

He had just opened the door once, when fireworks exploded right in front of him, making Kiyo jump.

"Huh..?" - Kiyo saw Sunny and Ryota sitting at the dining table. "Today.. what kind of ceremony is there to shoot firecrackers?"

"What else, it's your birthday today." - Sunny pulled Kiyo into the kitchen.

Ryota runs to find a lighter.

"It's true that May 1st is my birthday, but.. does it have to be like this?"

Sunny patted Kiyo's shoulder:

"Come on, don't be so hesitate, last year you gave me a bunch of flowers right in front of the class, didn't you? Now I'll return the favor."

Sunny opened the cake box.

It was a yellow cake, with a layer of chocolate around it, and two candles with the number 1 and number 6.

"Here too, there's also a vase of orchids bought from the Stone Lotus shop."

Kiyo flustered said:

"Oh, Sunny, I don't know what to say other than thank you."

"It's nothing."

Ryota brought back a lighter.

"Okay! Kiyo, you light the candle!"

By habit, Kiyo accidentally lit too big:

"Oh my God!"

"Turn it off, let me do it"

"No, let me do it again."

He turned the flame back on lower and almost burned both candles.

Oh crap, because I've been trained on how to burn houses.. But I haven't done it yet.

But at least the whole cake is unaffected.

The three of them sang happy birthday together, and Sunny finished with a sentence:

"Happy birthday, Kiyo! Come on, the fire's still there, make a wish!"

"Wish..?"

"Whatever you want."

A wish.. Actually, I don't have only one, but quite a few.

But my biggest wish is that our country no longer suffers, Sunny and Ryota are safe and secure, and so is our class.

And I also want to be with and see these two for the rest of my life, especially Sunny..

Kiyo smiled.

"Secret."

"Hey? Why is it a secret?" - Both were surprised.

"It's hard to say.."

"Come on, say something, the fire's about to go out."

"Haha. Okay."

Kiyo looked at the two candles, saying his own wish, which he just thought.

"I wish.."