"No."
The boy shook his head.
Sure enough.
But...
"You have friends outside of school, too?"
Grandma was very surprised.
"How did you meet?"
She knew what her grandson was like.
He was very shy and introverted.
So she found it hard to imagine that he'd made friends outside his class, or even outside his school.
"It was during an elementary school field trip."
At the thought of that field trip, a smile appeared on the little boy's face.
It was one of the few happy memories he had.
"Oh."
Grandma nodded.
Then a hint of regret crossed her face.
"But there's nothing we can do now."
"You don't even have his contact information..."
The little boy slowly pressed his lips together.
That was true.
There was nothing he could do...
"It's all right."
Grandma comforted her grandson.
"If you're meant to meet again, you'll run into each other someday."
"Really?"
The little boy's voice was so soft it was almost a murmur.
But somehow, Grandma heard him.
She nodded.
"Of course."
"When has Grandma ever been wrong?"
"Don't feel too sad about it."
"Just let things take their course."
"...Mm."
The little boy nodded slightly.
It wasn't that he truly believed he would meet the mushroom-head boy again someday.
After everything he'd endured lately, he'd become very uncertain.
But there was no need for him to argue with Grandma.
Whatever Grandma said,
he agreed.
"All right."
Grandma smiled.
"Finish your homework and get some rest."
"You have to get up early for school tomorrow."
"Mm."
The little boy nodded.
After Grandma left, the little boy sat there in a daze for a long time.
By now, he had no choice but to accept one fact...
He probably...would never see