The Final Goodbye

Night had fallen.

As she walked along the dimly lit road, she glanced at the sea to her right from time to time.

A gentle breeze brushed against her face, as if trying to wake her from a dream.

They had spent so much time together today, yet it felt as if it had passed in an instant.

As expected, time always flew by when you were with someone you liked.

But she didn't want the day to end just yet. Still, reason was taking over.

Feeling the warmth coming from her left hand, she still found it hard to believe this was real.

At first, even exchanging glances or accidentally brushing against each other had been enough to make her blush.

Now, even though she still hadn't let go of that large hand, all she felt was a sense of security.

This really is a way to get close to him, but what about later?

Was she supposed to tell him that she'd had ulterior motives from the start?

He'd definitely hate her, wouldn't he?

"Hey."

They were nearly at the dorm, but Mori Nening couldn't bear for the evening to end, so she stopped walking.

Gojo Satoru, who was holding her left hand, stopped along with her.

She turned around, only to find him gazing out at the sea.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing.

I just don't want the day to end so quickly. Love really is strange. You can fall into it before you know it."

She didn't turn to face him, speaking with a hint of sadness.

"Then how about we sit on the bench over there for a little longer?"

Understanding what she was hoping for, Gojo Satoru didn't call her out. Instead, he went along with her and stayed a little longer.

"Okay."

Resting her head on his shoulder, Mori Nening felt a comfort she had never known before.

As her friends had said, just being with someone you liked could make you happy, even if you did nothing at all.

Nothing happened. They sat together for a long time, and he seemed to understand how she felt, since he didn't interrupt her.

"Satoru-kun, can I keep calling you that from now on?"

He wouldn't turn her down in a moment like this, would he?

"No. After today, we'll be strangers."

He said it with a smile, but his words were like a blade piercing Mori Nening's heart.

His unexpected answer made her pupils contract. Realizing what was happening, Mori Nening grew frantic.

"Why?

Even if we're not dating, that doesn't mean we can't even be friends, does it?!"

"But weren't you the one who said it first?

That we shouldn't get emotionally involved, because if we kept in touch afterward, we might end up falling for each other?"

I said that?

But wouldn't that be too cruel?

They'd both had such a good time today. Those moments had been so happy. Why throw them away?

"Can I take it back?"

She couldn't bear to let things end like this. They'd already gotten so close. If they couldn't even talk after this, wouldn't he just push her farther and farther away?

Now you're telling the truth? You'll have to accept the consequences.

Gojo Satoru looked at the agitated girl before him and sighed.

Since she'd used a lie to get close to him in the first place, wasn't it only fair that she get deceived a little in return?

"No. We agreed on this from the start.

You can't take it back.

I can't go around deceiving women."

Is that so?

After a fierce internal struggle, Mori Nening finally spoke again.

"Then we're still dating right now, aren't we?"

"Yes. What about it?"

"Phew..."

She took a deep breath, looked at him with determination, and said earnestly,

"Then let's kiss!

This much should be okay, right?

We're dating, after all."

His composure nearly broke at her question, but Gojo Satoru still took the time to explain.

"We're fake-dating. You need to understand that. The most we can do is hug.

Anything more is for hosts."

Thump!

So it really is a no?

Knowing he wouldn't budge, Mori Nening had no choice. She could only hug him tightly, seeking one last bit of comfort.

After some time, the person in his arms still hadn't moved. She might have fallen asleep.

But it was already late. If she didn't go back soon, there'd be trouble. Xiao Mako would probably be worried.

"Classmate, it's about time to get up. You have an exam tomorrow."

Gojo Satoru patted her on the back and called to her softly.

"Nene."

????

"Call me Nene. Today isn't over yet, is it?"

She pulled away from his arms and looked him straight in the eye.

There was still time! She didn't want to become a stranger to him so soon!

"All right, Nene. It's time to go back to the dorm.

Don't forget you have an exam tomorrow."

"Okay."

This time, she didn't argue. She simply got up and left.

If she stayed lost in the moment, she might do badly on tomorrow's exam. Then, forget being together—she'd be facing expulsion.

But after only a couple of steps, tears began to spill despite her best efforts.

I absolutely can't turn around now! He'll laugh at me!

"Nene!"

But the call from behind made her go against her better judgment. Thinking he'd changed his mind, Mori Nening turned around with a smile.

His next words completely threw her off.

"You forgot to pay your points."

?????!!!!!!

Did he even hear himself?

He was bringing that up at a time like this?

"Take out your student ID terminal! I'll send them to you now, okay? How many?!"

Her sadness and fleeting happiness vanished, leaving her filled with anger.

As expected, no matter what, he was still just as awful!

"Five points will do. Consider it a reward from God."

As he spoke, he took out his phone.

"Huh?"

His cryptic words left Mori Nening confused all over again as she stared at him, bewildered.

What was that supposed to mean?

She transferred the points while still puzzled, then suddenly realized something and hurriedly asked,

"Then can I use points to find you again later?"

"No. This is a one-time thing.

No repeat transactions."

Her last option had been rejected, too.

But Mori Nening still wanted to try one more time.

"Even if it's just for a moment, will you think of me someday?"

She stood facing Gojo Satoru, but lowered her head. Her voice trembled, and she didn't dare look him in the eye.

She hoped he might offer her a little comfort, but his answer was still like a blade.

"People who won't let go aren't popular."

He didn't linger. After saying that, Gojo Satoru left.

Staring blankly at his retreating figure, Mori Nening wanted to shout after him, but worried he would hate her for it.

If you had to consider the consequences even when falling apart, was that being mature—or simply being powerless?

May 24, Friday

Today was the Midterm Exam. Every subject would be finished in a single day.

Just as she'd expected. They'd been set up.

When the final exam ended, cheers rang out around the classroom.

"Whew! Thank goodness for the practice test Kushida gave us. I don't know what I would've done otherwise."

Kanji Ike stood up, raised both hands over his head, and said excitedly.

A chorus of agreement followed from the others.

"Yeah, thanks to Kushida. With my grades, I definitely would've been eliminated otherwise!"

"I didn't expect this exam to be so complicated. We didn't cover a lot of it in the study group."

"Good thing Kushida guessed they wouldn't change the test. Otherwise, a lot of people in our class would've been done for."