"em? What exactly is it?" The girl opened her eyes and looked at Nijima's side of the face.
"I'd like to take you somewhere on the last day of the rainy weekend. I'd like to spend the final rainy day with you... I'm beginning to enjoy the rain "The student laughed. The look in his eyes was significant.
"I can see you when it rains... This is a happy thing...." Ayano smiled. Slowly but steadily, the schoolgirl grew to enjoy the rain. It was fantastic.
"Do you enjoy it?" Nijima turned his head to look at Ayano's expression. The girl enthusiastically nodded.
"I like it a lot as well."
Nijima gave her a genuine, meaningful smile. They kept walking, enjoying the rain that soaked everything. In both of their ears, the sound of water falling to the Earth began to sound like a beautiful melody.
The end of the rainy season has finally arrived. Ayano will meet Nijima at a lake near the Retsu family's home, as promised. Today's weather is very similar to the conditions when Ayano first arrived in the village. The crackle of soft rain falling as snow fell. Ayano was dressed in a baby pink transparent raincoat and white boots. Nijima could be seen approaching her from a distance.
"Why aren't you dressed for the weather? And why do you insist on wearing a uniform everywhere you go?" It's starting to pique her interest.
"Aren't you more concerned with where we're going?"
The student smiled, revealing the cat eyes of his.
When he smiled like that, there was a perfectly formed thin crescent moon shape in his eyes. "ah right! Where Are we going?" Ayano clapped her hand, as if this question was something she wanted to ask for the first time.
Nijima invites Ayano to board the canoe with the words "come here." Ayano obediently followed the student without further thought.
Nijima paddles a canoe with each stroke on both sides. Ayano sat across from him. They both relished the cool sensation of the drizzling rain that soaked them.
"During the summer, the water surface of this lake will shine beautifully because it is exposed to sunlight, you must observe it later..."
Nijima acted like a tour guide as he accompanied Ayano. The girl only nodded and smiled. She was already excited just thinking about it.
"Where exactly are we going?" Ayano couldn't help but be intrigued.
"You'll know when we get there," said the student again. Ayano admired his smile and the look in his eyes. In her heart, he provided comfort.
After about ten minutes of pedaling, the two villagers arrived at their destination. This area is densely forested. Because of the rain, the forest appears foggy, and the air feels extremely cold.
"Nijima-kun, where are we? Why is this place so frightening?" Ayano shuddered with fear at the prospect of something appearing inside there, clutching Nijima's sleeve.
"What frightens you?"
Nijima inquired, intrigued.
"I just have a feeling a ghost will appear mysteriously from an unexpected direction..." Ayano squeezed Nijima's arm even tighter. She looked at the man with horror in her eyes.
"hahaha... Why are you afraid of ghosts after spending so much time with him? I am a ghost who will continue to haunt you." The student made fun of Ayano. He raised both hands and played with his fingers, pretending to be a ghost who would tickle Ayano.
"Oh, NIJIMA-KUN!!" Ayano screamed angrily and struck his arm. Nijima reached out and grabbed the schoolgirl's hand.
"Will you still be scared if I hold your hand like this?"
Nijima extended his right hand in front of Ayano. The girl smiled broadly and shook her head.
"I'm sure you won't be afraid when we arrive at our destination..."
Nijima led Ayano behind him, holding hands. Ayano let him take her right hand while her left hand held his strong arm.
They finally made it to the forest. When Ayano saw the conditions around her, her eyes immediately widened. Sh e discovered an entire playground set up inside the forest. There is a large and tall Ferris wheel that stands out among the other rides.
"woaah... How could there be a theme park like this in the middle of a forest?" this girl couldn't believe her eyes.
"When it is not raining, there are usually a lot of villagers who come to visit. However, because it is still the rainy season and the access roads here are not particularly pleasant, visitors are few and far between. But I prefer to go here when it's raining because there aren't as many people, do you?" Nijima enthusiastically inquired of the girl.
"sure! I've never been to an amusement park when it rains, let alone one in the woods. this is fantastic. Nijima-kun!" The girl was overjoyed.
"Would you like something warm?"
Nijima proposed to the girl. Sh e always made him a warm drink, and Nijima wanted to do the same this time.
"Is anyone selling hot beverages here? Naturally, I do!" Ayano's enthusiasm is contagious. Everything that had happened to her now appeared to be a beautiful fantasy.
Nijima went out and bought two glasses of hot chocolate. After that, the two students decided to ride a gigantic ferris wheel in front of them. When they got to the top, they both seemed to notice the incredible view of this village. The entire view of Yoochun village, which is surrounded by mountains, lakes, and rivers, is stunning.
"waah... A breathtaking sight... Thank you for bringing me here. Nijima-kun " It appears that the girl could not be happier than she is right now.
" It appears that the girl could not be happier than she is right now. I'd like to ask you a question..." Nijima initiated a topic of discussion.
"What exactly is it?" With her two beautiful eyes, the girl looked at him.
"Why do you always offer me a hot beverage and a towel" Have you done it to everyone you've met?" Nijima was astonished.
"It's because......I didn't know why I was sad when I saw you drenched, but you seemed lonely and I wanted to get to know you better.... What causes you to appear unhappy... What are you thinking... can I be someone who makes you laugh.... I want to bring some warmth into your cold and lonely life.... From the first time I saw you, I had the impression you weren't a stranger... " Ayano described the student's strange feelings.
"I believe you're only doing it because you're a good girl..." Nijima was moved and stroked Ayano's hair once more.
"I have no regrets about giving my life to you... I don't regret it..." the man says with a genuine smile and warm eyes.