I had asked Kazuya out, but he didn't show up.

　It was really just the three girls, but if Kazuya had come, we would have broken up in the middle of the date and gone on a date together.
　Kazuya and I grew up together all through elementary school and high school.
　We used to hang out a lot in elementary school, but he stopped playing with me recently. As for me, I just wanted to stay with him the same way I used to.
　I've always liked him, but sometimes I haven't been able to confess it.
　I had no choice, so my friends and I went to watch the fireworks in a yukata. It would have been more fun if Kazuya was next to me.
　I took a picture of the three of us in our yukata and sent it to Kazuya.

　It's a shame we couldn't see you in a yukata!　Put a message on it that says, 'Isn't it cute?
　Next year I'll go with you!


　After the fireworks were over, I decided to leave my friends and head home.
　And there's a police car parked in front of my house for some reason.

　What's going on!

　I was in my yukata, but I hurriedly walked into the front door.
　At the entrance, there is Aimi crying in her yukata and a police officer explaining to her parents.

'Aimi!　What's going on?

　Aimi noticed and turned to me.

''-- Kazuya Nii-chan.

　As it was, I broke down crying again.

　Instead, the police officer explained.

'As a matter of fact, there was a street crime incident near the convenience store, and when Manabe Aimi and her friend were about to be attacked, a man protected them and stabbed them. The man was said to be an acquaintance of his.

Who's this guy you know?　Maybe ......

　Your mother answers for you. I look at my mom's face, but she's ragged with tears.

'Saori, it's Kazuya-kun. You defended Aimi and her friends and stood up to the killer.

'Yeah, and Kazuya?　Is Kazuya Shiina safe?!

　Pausing for a breath, the policeman began to speak with a look on his face that was hard to describe.

'I'm sorry, but by the time we got to the hospital, he was already in cardiopulmonary arrest.

　It's a blank slate.

　We were exchanging messages earlier today.

''I'm sorry sis ....... To brother Kazuya, "Run! But I was too scared to move. Then, in order to protect us, they went to the murderer to cover for us: ......

　Aimi apologizes as she cries.
　Saori hugged Aimi.

'Kazuya saved you, didn't he? Ai, I'm glad you're okay.

　I don't remember what happened after the policeman left.
　As it was, he cried so much in bed that he seemed to have fallen asleep.

　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.

　The school was on summer break, but there was a special meeting and details were reported.
　Kazuya Shiina said that he personally confronted the culprit in order to protect a junior high school girl from a street crime.
　On the stage, the principal explained, wiping tears from his eyes.
　Back in the classroom, Kazuya's desk was decorated with flowers.

　He cried with his friends in the classroom as well.

　A few days passed and I went to Kazuya's funeral.

　Kazuya's face was beautiful.
　I hugged the coffin and cried, but I managed to come home with my mom on my shoulder.
　Aimi was crying the whole time too.

　Saori lay down on her bed and looked at the ceiling.

'Kazuya, thank you for saving Aimi. If you were here for the fireworks, maybe it would have been a close call for Aimi. I couldn't confess to you, but I'll always love you Kazuya.

　He mumbled as he looked at the hidden photo of Kazuya in the classroom.