The Park

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CHAPTER 25: THE PARK

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The park was quiet.

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It was Monday after school. The group had drifted there like we always did. Hana brought snacks. Yuki brought homework. Ren brought his sketchbook. Mei brought her book. Charlotte came even though no one had invited her.

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I sat on the bench and watched.

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Hana was handing out snacks. She gave one to everyone. She didn't take one for herself.

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Yuki was doing her homework. She was focused. She didn't look up. She didn't talk.

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Ren was drawing. He was drawing the park. He was drawing the group. He was drawing the space between us.

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Mei was reading. She was in the corner. Her back was against the tree. Her book was open. She wasn't turning the pages.

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Charlotte was standing at the edge of the group. She was watching. She was always watching.

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No one talked about anything important. We talked about the arcade and the cooking club and the archery range. We talked about homework and exams and the summer festival that was coming up.

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For a moment, it felt like we were real friends.

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For a moment, it felt like everything was fine.

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───

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I got up to leave.

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It was getting dark. I had to get home. I had things to do. I had nothing to do.

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Charlotte followed me.

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She didn't ask to. She just stood up when I stood up and walked with me.

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We walked in silence through the park and past the shopping street and past the bakery. She stopped at the corner.

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"This is where I get off," she said.

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"Okay."

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She looked at me.

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"Makoto."

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"Yeah?"

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"You're different."

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"I know."

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"That's not what I meant."

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She looked at me with the same unreadable expression she always wore.

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"You don't want anything," she said. "From anyone. Ever."

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I didn't say anything.

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"You're the first person I've ever met who doesn't want anything," she said.

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"Is that a good thing?"

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She didn't answer.

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She turned and walked away.

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I stood at the corner and watched her go.

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I didn't know what she meant. I didn't know what she wanted. I didn't know anything.

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But I noticed.

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She was watching me the same way I watched everyone else. 49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi3YoAtHRf

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