✉️ 'A Love Letter from Ten Years Ago'

A private junior high school on the eve of its anniversary.

It was found while the demolition of the old school building was underway.

A wooden shoe locker that had watched over students coming and going for many years.

Tucked into a gap in its back panel was a single envelope.

'Mr. Sato, this... isn't this addressed to you?'

What was handed over by the construction worker

was an envelope that had turned brown and had frayed corners.

On it, in the innocent handwriting of ten years ago,

his name was clearly written.

Stopped time

Kazuki Sato

teaches mathematics at this junior high school, his alma mater.

In the quiet staff room after school,

He opened the envelope with trembling fingers.

What appeared from inside was,

a small scrap of paper, more like a torn piece of a notebook than stationery.

However, the moment he saw the handwriting,

Kazuki's heart began to pound violently.

I really meant to tell you in person, but I'm just too embarrassed.

I'll be waiting at our usual park after the summer festival tomorrow.

There is something I've always wanted to tell you.

I love you.

-- From Yui

The 'tomorrow' that never arrived

Yui.

To Kazuki, she was his very first love.

A girl who was bright, a little meddlesome, and had a smile like a sunflower.

However, that 'tomorrow' never came.

On the day of the summer festival,

on her way to the venue, Yui was at an intersection,

struck by a truck that ran a red light,

and never returned home.

In Kazuki's memories, she remained a middle schooler.

Meanwhile, he had grown taller, his voice had changed,

and he had become an adult who now stood at a lectern teaching students.

The Reason for the Tears

'...What is this?'

Large tears overflowed from Kazuki's eyes.

It was a face so defenseless and childlike,

that it was almost too much for a grown man nearing thirty to show.

• That on that day ten years ago, she felt the same way he did.

• That this letter had been watching him from a dark crevice for ten years.

• And that he could never again reply, 'I feel the same way.'

A torrent of various emotions swallowed him whole.

'It's too late, Yui...'

He whispered to the girl who no longer existed,

while letting out a sob.

Ten years ago, when he heard the news of the accident,

he was so shocked that he couldn't even cry.

His time, which had stood still, was finally set into violent motion

by this tattered letter.

Conclusion

Outside the window, the sounds of foundation work for the new school building echo.

Though times change and the scenery shifts,

the word 'love' contained in this letter

has not lost its vivid warmth.

Kazuki wiped away his tears and looked around the classroom, which was beginning to be enveloped in twilight.

When I stand at the podium tomorrow, I will surely be able to show a slightly kinder face.

He carefully tucked the letter into his breast pocket,

to the old school building filled with memories,

he gave one final bow and began to walk away.

💗Momiji Hiiragi💗

📚Follower Introduction📚

Thank you always for your kind support.

💖It's Momiji Hiiragi💖

It has been almost half a year since I started on note.

My followers have been increasing little by little,

and now there are over 1,500 of you. 🌸🎀😌🎀🌸

Thank you so much. 💕✨💕

I, Momiji Hiiragi, would like to express my gratitude

by introducing the followers who have woven their hearts with mine.

💗💖🥰💖💗




This time, I am introducing these people. 😍🎊😍

I look forward to your continued support. ✨💗🥰💗✨