haranami

Location: Garden Terrace



<Around ten months later (one year ago, winter).>

Ritsu: (……)

(…Nnah. Looks like I fell asleep.)

(I had a dream that’s making me feel all nostalgic…)

(After that, Ecchan made good on his word; he really did create the “Tea Club”. And I became a member, giving him my signature and seal.)

(Well, that makes it sound like it was a big deal, but... The Tea Club was really chill — it was just a club in name. We didn’t even do any proper activities we’d be able to brag about.)

(We gathered every now and then, drank tea together, and that was it.)

(Back then, we didn’t even have enough members or anything. Strictly speaking, we weren’t even a club — we were just an association. And it didn’t feel like we were a real extracurricular at all.)

(At the start, Ecchan was pretty open. He used me as a strategist, and I helped him figure out his future plans.)

(But I just couldn’t bear to watch that, so I tattled on him to Anija once… After that, Ecchan didn’t bring up that kinda stuff with me at all.)

(I thought he’d cut ties with me then and there. I betrayed him, so I thought he’d never forgive me and stop speaking to me forever…)

(That was just to be expected. But, the next day, Ecchan came to the Garden Terrace like nothing had even happened.)

(And I’d completely made myself at home there, setting up a place to sleep and stuff, so it wasn’t like I could avoid him.)

(Things were pretty strained between us at the start, but we eventually got used to talking to each other normally again—)

(Yeah, we talked about a buncha stupid stuff, didn’t we, Ecchan?)

(We chatted about all sorts of silly things like any other high schoolers would.)

(But, as we were doing that, the situation within the school got a lot more serious. And in autumn, Ecchan passed the point of no return by defeating Valkyrie…)

(All that was left was for them to wear out both their minds and their bodies.)

(They continued on until one of them died, until one of them got wiped out completely. And so the curtains rose on the days of war, when blood was washed away with more blood.)

(That’s why Ecchan got more and more tired, more and more hurt.)

(He was basically the main character of the story — the war — that was unfolding… There was no way he would’ve been able to just sit around, happily sipping tea.)

(But Ecchan still came here pretty often.)

(This Tea Club that we made just ‘cause our interests coincided, just so we could take care of a trivial little problem—)

(And the time we spent together, chatting about random things as we drank tea—)

(I wonder if Ecchan was able to breathe easy ‘cause of them, even if just for a little while… I wonder if he felt at peace, if he treasured all those hours?)

(…Uuu. I’m getting cold. Well, duh, it is winter already. I kinda want some tea to warm me up, but it’s a pain to brew on my own.)

(If Ecchan were here, he’d make me some tea that’d be to my liking without me even needing to ask. But he pushed himself too much, so he’s in the hospital right now.)

(He fulfilled his mission… He’s all burnt out — is he gonna die, just like this?)

(No. I don’t wanna be left all alone again.)

(Anija’s no good, and Knights are no good. They got crushed, and the light they once shone with is fading away.)

(I’d expected that would happen. I knew that would happen, but I didn’t do anything to stop it… I couldn’t do anything.)



(Maa-kun could’ve refused if he wanted to… But he ended up joining the Student Council officially, so he’s taking care of all the post-war processes and stuff now.)

(It looks like he’s got way too much work on his hands; he’d definitely have no time to spend with me, huh?)

(Ahh, I’m the only one. Once again, I’m the only one… who survived completely unscathed, shamelessly letting people kinder and stronger than me protect me.)

(……)

Eichi: Ritsu-kun.

You’ll have some tea with me, won’t you? I can’t seem to find my personal cup, though — do you remember where I put it…?

Ritsu: …?! Ecchan! Wha— why’re you here? Aren’t you supposed to be in the hospital?

Eichi: Fufu, I snuck out. I don’t have the time to idle about in bed without a care in the world right now, you see.

This is a critically important period. Everything is going to begin at this very moment.

The dream that I’ve harbored for so long is about to come true at the expense of so many sacrifices…

Which is why I have to work harder. At the very least, I have to fulfill all my responsibilities—

I could die a thousand times over and it still wouldn’t be enough, you see.

Ritsu: Ecchan. Don’t move. Your complexion looks awful…

You’re such an idiot. You snuck out of your hospital room? I heard that you were in the ICU for ages — aren’t you so sick, you’d basically die in the blink of an eye if you let your guard down?

Eichi: There’s nothing to worry about. It’s alright. I’m not dead yet, so it’s fine.

Ritsu: (...This is no use. He’s clearly fading in and out of consciousness; he’s not thinking straight.)

(I bet he’s all woozy ‘cause he got shot up with a bunch of anesthetics. He just crawled over here out of his sense of responsibility.)

(Why’d he go that far? Why’s he putting his life on the line like this…?)

(I don’t get it, Ecchan.)

Eichi: ……

Ritsu: …Ecchan?

Eichi: Ah, sorry… I lost consciousness for a second there.

Ritsu: You’re seriously going to die at this rate. Don’t push yourself, Ecchan. Here… You can hold onto me, so stop moving. I’m contacting the hospital right now.

Eichi: Ah… Yes, that’s a natural response. I suppose I’m out of time. How frustrating.

I’m truly frustrated, Ritsu-kun. Do you understand how I’m feeling right now?

Ritsu: I don’t. I’m just someone you drank tea with, and I definitely didn’t try and get too deeply involved with you.

Eichi: Ah, but that was pleasant in its own way.

…Hey, Ritsu-kun. I’m quite grateful to you, you know. Within the brutal days of revolution that unfolded within this school, I only ever felt at ease when I spent time at the Tea Club.

It was my solace, my salvation, and the source of my happiness.

So. Thank you, Ritsu-kun.

Ritsu: Stop it — you sound like you’re trying to say your last words or something.

…I contacted the hospital, and they’re sending over an ambulance right now. It’ll be here in a few minutes. You have to hold on until then no matter what, Ecchan.

I’d feel a little lonely if you died, you know.

Eichi: Just a little? Well, even so, love is love. And I can continue living on… for even a mere spoonful of “that”.

Ritsu-kun. I don’t want to make you feel lonely, so I’ll return to the hospital and undergo all my treatments properly. I’ll recuperate soon and return here.

Until then, I want you to protect the Tea Club: the one and only place I could be at peace…

If Yumenosaki Academy became a hell on earth where even “that” ceased to exist, I’d have no desire to come back.

So I implore you. I’ll bow my head for the first time in my life and request this of you, Ritsu-kun.



Ritsu: Mm… Well, I’ll do it if I feel like it.

I “promise”. So don’t worry, and take care of your health.

Rest up and come back soon. And then you’ve gotta make me some more of your yummy tea, just like you always do.

It’s a pain to brew it on my own, you know.

Eichi: Yeah. It’s a promise. Cross my heart and hope to die—

……

Ritsu: …Ecchan? Did you pass out?

Woah! Your complexion’s so awful, I’d barely be able to tell you apart from a corpse!

A-Ambulance! Here, he’s over here! You’ve gotta hurry up!

There’s a patient you need to attend to here — this stupid idiot who wrecked his mind and his body for the sake of his dream…!