A Silent Voice: My First Kiss Was with Nishimiya Shouko

Chapter 296: Trust Me, Confess to Her Tomorrow

"Here, a mystery prize."

Akira walked up and handed Shouko a small, palm-sized blue box.

"So small?" Shouko turned it around curiously.

Beside her, Atsuya Ayumi was already too impatient to wait. "Quick, open it! Open it!"

Shouko laughed softly and took out a small key, slicing through the tape on the box.

"What is it? What is it?" Ayumi leaned closer eagerly.

"Ayumi-chan, can you calm down for a second?"

Shouko gently pushed her back and then, under the expectant gazes of Akira and the others, lifted the lid—only to find a coupon inside.

"This…" Akira blinked, taking the slip of paper and reading aloud, "Seaside Cabin Buffet — Free Meal Discount Coupon. Limited to five people, one hour only."

"That's still pretty good!" Ayumi said cheerfully, instantly recovering her energy.

"Not bad," Akira admitted, handing the coupon back to Shouko—but Ayumi snatched it midair.

"So," Ayumi stretched her arms lazily, "we'll wait for Takagi-chan and Nishikata to come out and then head back?"

"Not staying for the fireworks?" Shouko asked, tilting her head.

"Not this time," Ayumi shook her head. "The fireworks start at 11:30. We can go home, take a shower, and watch them from there."

"Hm…" Shouko thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright."

Akira just sat quietly nearby, listening to them settle the plan.

A short while later, Takagi and Nishikata emerged from the forest. Nishikata returned the borrowed items, while Takagi came over to rest with the others.

As soon as she arrived, Ayumi leaned forward eagerly. "Takagi-chan! Shouko-chan said she heard Nishikata scream—what happened?"

"You actually heard that?" Takagi blinked in surprise.

"It wasn't me," Shouko said quickly, waving her hands. She pointed to Akira beside her. "It was Akira who heard it."

Akira turned his head, curiosity sparking in his eyes. "So what really happened?"

From a distance, he could still see Nishikata's ears burning red. He couldn't help but doubt that nothing had happened between them in the forest.

Takagi answered matter-of-factly, "He just got startled by an animal that ran out of nowhere, then tripped over a branch and fell into my arms."

"…"

"…"

"…"

Akira, Shouko, and Ayumi exchanged looks. The way Takagi said it—so calmly, like she was reading off the weather report—made them question if that was the whole truth.

"Re… really?" Ayumi asked first, eyes narrowing suspiciously.

Takagi nodded. "Really. If you don't believe me, you can ask Nishikata-kun yourself."

"…"

When Nishikata returned, clutching his own mystery prize, he opened it eagerly—only to sigh in disappointment. The others wisely kept quiet about Takagi's "incident."

By the time fireworks bloomed in the night sky, the camera caught a photo of the five of them laughing together, illuminated by the sparkling lights.

"Miyamura, you said…"

"You said…"

"It's just…"

"Please, just say what you want to say," Akira groaned, turning toward Nishikata, who was tossing and turning restlessly on his bed.

"It's… it's just…" Nishikata stammered, struggling to form the words, before finally blurting out, "Do you think Takagi-san might… like me too?"

Akira stared at him, expression blank. He almost wanted to smother him with a pillow. "…"

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Nishikata pressed nervously when the silence stretched too long. He suddenly sat up straight. "Could it be my imagination!?"

"…"

Akira finally spoke. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course! Of course I do!" Nishikata thumped his chest earnestly.

"Then confess to Takagi-san tomorrow," Akira said, voice calm but certain. "She'll definitely say yes."

"…" Nishikata blinked, giving him a doubtful look that clearly said: Do I look stupid to you?

"Just trust me, alright?" Akira added with a grin.

"Goodnight," Nishikata muttered, ignoring him, and flopped back onto the bed.

"Heh…"

Akira chuckled, then picked up his phone to reply to a message from Funo Jun about the upcoming release of Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day – Volume 2.

"Teacher Miyamura, are you really not planning to hold a signing event?"

"It's easy," Jun texted again. "You just need to show up, sign, greet fans warmly, and we'll handle the rest at Futaba Publishing."

Akira replied after a pause:

"I don't have that plan, Jun. You've already seen the contents of Volume 2. I just want my peaceful high school life to stay that way."

After sending the message, he set his phone aside. A few rounds of Plants vs. Zombies later, he fell asleep, drifting into a quiet dream.

The next few days passed like flowing water.

One afternoon, the five of them visited the seaside buffet and used their coupon. Ironically, Takagi and Nishikata won the exact same prize later.

Before they knew it, their trip had come to an end. The five stood at the gate, luggage in hand, waiting for Ayumi's uncle to drive them to the Shinkansen station.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay another two days?" Ayumi's grandma asked wistfully.

"Yeah, stay a bit longer," her grandpa added, puffing on his pipe. "We've still got plenty of food at home."

"No, Grandpa, Grandma," Ayumi said, hugging them both tightly, her eyes misty with reluctance. "We have things to do when we get back. But I'll come visit again next month!"

Not long after, the familiar minivan arrived. Akira and the others said their goodbyes and climbed in one by one.

"Ayumi-chan, you don't have to come back with us," Shouko said softly as the car started moving. "You should spend more time with your grandparents."

"No, that's okay." Ayumi waved her hand dismissively, though her eyes softened. "It gets lonely when you're not around. And besides—this little town hasn't changed in years. I've walked every street a hundred times."

Seeing her smile, Shouko didn't press further and joined her in cheerful conversation.

Akira, meanwhile, stared out the window at the passing scenery, his thoughts wandering.

Nishikata sat opposite him, pale-faced and motion-sick.

"Remember to text me when you get home," Ayumi's uncle reminded as he dropped them off.

"Got it, Uncle! Drive safe on your way back!" Ayumi waved, then turned and followed Akira and the others into the station.

Outside the train window, the green mountains blurred into streaks of color. The rhythmic rumble of the tracks filled their ears.

The air smelled faintly of bento soy sauce, and the cool breeze of the air conditioner brushed past their faces.

Before their hearts could let go of the small town completely, the silver Shinkansen had already disappeared into the misty horizon.

"Click."

"Auntie! I'm home!!"

"I'm home," Akira said as he entered the house.

"Welcome back," Miyamura Shizuka greeted warmly, stepping out from the living room with a smile. "How was your week at your friend's place? Did anything interesting happen?"