Short Story: Whoosh, Summer Rang Out

◉ Kazemakase Literature Club [Carbonated] Entry

　When I opened the cider I bought from the vending machine, the sound of "whoosh" raced up into the blue sky. I loved that sound. It felt like a signal that summer was beginning.

　──The summer of my second year of high school.

"Here."

　My childhood friend Maho, who was standing next to me, held out a bottle of cider.

"Thanks."

　When I lifted the pull-tab, the carbonation made a light, crisp sound.

"We do the same thing every year, don't we?"

"I guess so."

　Since we were in the first grade of elementary school, we have always come to this beach on the first day of summer vacation. We walk on the sand, drink cider, and race to the water's edge. Back then, I believed that the same scenery would be waiting for us next year, and the year after that. But this year is different. Maho is moving to Hokkaido with her family soon. Next year, we won't be drinking cider on this beach. Just thinking about that made my chest ache a little.

　The afternoon sea breeze carried away the heat, making it a little cooler. We sat on the breakwater, dangling our legs and drinking our cider.

"Carbonation is strange, isn't it?"

　Maho looked up at the sky.

"It's at its liveliest the moment you open it, and then it just gets quieter and quieter."

"Maybe people are the same."

"What do you mean?"

"When we were kids, every day was popping like bubbles, right? But as we grow up, we settle down a little bit, or something like that."

　Maho laughed.

"Then I guess we're at our fizziest right now."

"Maybe so."

"What a waste."

　Those words remained in my ears more strongly than the sound of the waves.

　It was evening, and we were walking up the slope on our way home. The asphalt, bathed in the setting sun, was still hot. The cicadas were chirping as if to muster their final strength.

"Hey."

　Maho stopped in her tracks.

"Let's have one last race."

"Again?"

"Because it's the last one."

　We started running without a signal. As we dashed down the slope, the wind puffed out our uniforms. Sweat flew, and we were out of breath.　We couldn't stop laughing.　Halfway through, Maho almost tripped, and I instinctively reached out. Our hands overlapped. Just like that, without either of us saying a word, we both slowed down.

"I lost."

"Me too."

"Huh?"

"Today, winning or losing didn't matter at all."

　Maho smiled, looking embarrassed.

"I just wanted us to cross the finish line together."

　That was enough.

　The day of the move. The train station platform. Maho was holding a small bag.

"Take care of yourself over there."

"Yeah."

"We'll meet again."

"Of course."

That was all that was said. But we both knew. "Again" wouldn't come easily. The train slid into the platform. Just before boarding, Maho pulled a small can from her pocket.

"This is the last one."

It was the usual cider.

"Don't open it until I'm gone."

As the doors closed, the train began to move slowly. Maho smiled through the window and waved vigorously. I waved back until she was out of sight. Suddenly, I felt as if my summer was drifting away along with her.

I returned home and opened the can of cider.

—Whoosh.

The small sound of carbonation echoed in the quiet room. Bubbles rose, sparkling as they caught the light. In just a few minutes, those bubbles would vanish. But they wouldn't be gone. They would just dissolve into the cider, becoming invisible. I think youth is the same. Even when the dazzling times end, they don't disappear. They just become invisible, continuing to dissolve somewhere deep within the heart.

The last sip had lost a bit of its fizz. But deep in my chest, those dazzling summer days kept on popping.