A Decade of Friendship | Essay

When I was in the second grade of elementary school, I experienced a sudden transfer. Due to my father's job, it was decided that we would move to Tokyo immediately.
At the time, I had a best friend named C, but unfortunately, the day my parents told me about the transfer was the very day I had come home after getting into a fight with her.
The fact of a sudden transfer. And yet, a best friend I had just parted ways with after a fight. I don't remember the reason for the fight clearly now, but it was after she had used the word "zettai-kou" (severing ties), which was somewhat popular at the time.
C was the kind of best friend I would always be with, from the time I arrived at school in the morning until I left in the afternoon. If I transferred, I might never see her again.
I had to make up with her, no matter what. The reason for the fight didn't matter. If I transferred like this, I would surely regret it for the rest of my life.
My head was spinning with the three words: "transfer," "severing ties," and "making up," and I couldn't sleep that night.
The next morning, I opened the classroom door with sweaty palms. C, who had arrived earlier, glanced back at me for a moment. However, she immediately dropped her gaze to the corner of her desk.
My heart, which had felt the reality of "severing ties," grew heavy. Would my friendship with C really end at the very last moment?
Even so, I had to tell her today. The fact that I was "transferring." I braced myself, walked over to her desk, and said the words with all my might.
"I'm transferring schools."
"Huh?"
C had a blank expression, as if she had misheard something.
"I said, I'm going to be transferring. I'm sorry about yesterday."
Then, perhaps realizing the situation, C's attitude changed in an instant.
"Transfer? What's that? The 'severing of ties' is over!"
Our "severing of ties" ended just like that. And immediately, she began to show her helpful side.
"Everyone, H (me) is transferring! I'm going to pass around a notebook for messages, so everyone write in it by today!"
For a second-grader, it was an amazing ability to organize. Under C's leadership, messages from my classmates were gathered in no time and delivered to me.
"Take care even when you go to Tokyo."
"Don't forget everyone at M Elementary."
"I love you."
Looking at the notebook filled with warm words, I couldn't hold back my overflowing tears.
"C-chan, everyone, thank you."
C said, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Everyone loves you, H. Come back anytime. Our friendship is forever."
Just as she said, I met with C every year during long school breaks. It was fine if we could only meet once a year. As long as we could see each other doing well, that was enough. For about ten years, until C moved to Tokyo for university, we continued to meet despite the long distance.
Friendships in the lower grades of elementary school might often be forgotten if the environment changes. However, there are times, like with us, when a friendship lasts until adulthood. Even if it was only for a little over a year, the trust we built by seeing each other at the same school every day became a strong bond.
C, who built an unchanging friendship with me just as she promised. I am proud to have met a woman with such a warm heart.