Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You. (どうせ、恋してしまうんだ。)

Stop grinning at me like that while eating.

I can't help it. It's good.

Syugo?

Nothing.

You always make a scary face, Syugo.

I was so shocked when you jumped at Kizuki.

I haven't seen you make a face like that before.

As a chef, what will you do if you hurt your hand?

Are you out of your mind?

You and Kizuki!

Throwing hands at each other like that—

No more talking about Kizuki.

Syugo?

Right now...

The person in front of you...

is me.

Out of anyone else, the one by your side...

is me.

2030

My apartment's small, but make yourself at home.

Thanks.

What the heck were you and Syugo doing in front of Mizuho?

Actually, I wanted to be the one to lay it on you.

You abandoned Mizuho for three years.

I'm sorry.

Idiot.

The one you need to apologize to is Mizuho.

Can I ask you something?

Why'd you break up with Mizuho?

I ran away.

2021

Forget him.

Let's forget about Kizuki.

I bet everyone else thinks so too, right?

That's enough, Kai.

Yeah. Kizuki's our friend.

I hate that part about adults.

Kai-kun. Everyone...

I'm so sorry.

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It's over!

You idiot!

We were so close to finishing that!

You're useless! You held me back!

You're no friend, Kizuki!

When are we ever going to defeat the dragon at this rate?!

You guys...

How long are you going to play games?

What about making plans for Kizuki's birthday?

Why is Kizuki even here?!

What a mess!

Now, now.

You play the game for us instead, Shin-chan.

I'll come back after I take a bath.

I'm going to bed!

Kai's angry.

Hey, Mizuho.

How should I have used this item?

I'm cramping from laughing so much.

Your timing was completely off.

Mizuho.

Let me see. For that item...

You need to go home.

What?

It's almost midnight.

But I told my dad.

You shouldn't be in the room of a guy

who isn't your boyfriend this late at night.

Y-You're right.

I'll head home soon, then.

Kizuki. Go drop her off.

Oh. Okay.

Thanks for having me over.

As expected of an honor student.

No "I'll take you home" or anything like that?

What are you thinking, Shin-chan?

What? It's common sense.

Leaving those two alone on a day like this...

You don't need to pretend that you're fine.

Wh-What?!

You surprised me!

Since it's going to be tomorrow in ten minutes...

I wanted to give you one last kiss while I'm still 16.

Kizuki.

Is there anything you want for your birthday?

Nothing, really.

But there's something I want to know.

What about me made you like me, Mizuho?

Um, well...

This is so sudden.

Hm?

Huh? Wha—?

Then let's take the scenic route.

We're not going home until you tell me!

I have a ton of things I like about you, Mizuho.

What?

The way you chase your dreams of writing manga.

How you cheer me on when I'm swimming.

How your hair is a mess because you're too tired in the mornings.

Hm?

Aren't you dissing me in the last one?

What I...

Like about you...

Why it had to be you...

I can't think of a word that perfectly describes that.

But...

"Hope."

Ever since we were kids...

No matter the hardships, you never gave up and swam towards your dreams.

You're a ray of hope to me.

Can I leave it at that?

That was the time I thought to myself...

"I'll continue to swim for Mizuho no matter what."

I wanted to continue being her ray of hope.

It's past midnight now.

That was your first kiss as a 17 year old.

Happy Birthday, Kizuki.

I really did think that.

Here. From our first year in high school.

Oh yeah, the inter-high preliminaries.

I was so frustrated that I placed 3rd on that day.

You also accidentally wore your senpai's sandals, right?

Why did you even record that?

Aren't you practicing too much, Kizuki?

The virus finally calmed down, so new matches could start up again this season.

Really?

This is my last chance.

I want Mizuho to see me swim at the inter-high finals.

Kanto High School Championship

Swimming Competition

And now for the 52nd program.

Boys 100 meter freestyle final.

In Lane 6,

3rd year Kizuki Hazawa from Aogasaki High School.

Kizuki! Give it your all!

You gotta win and make the inter-highs!

What a bold declaration of victory.

He's unstoppable.

His eyes are totally just on Mizuho.

Take your marks!

Back then...

I was enveloped in a blue light.

I felt like I was able to go anywhere within that light.

Boys 100 Meter Freestyle Finals

1st Kizuki Hazawa Aogasaki

2022

Hey, Kizuki?

Did you get that?

Yup! I did.

Be sure to come back home during the Koigahama Fireworks Festival.

We absolutely have to go together.

Wh-What is it?

You miss me because I got into college and live in the dorms now, right?

Nuh-uh! I can visit you whenever I want to!

You're not that far away!

You're so cute, Mizuho!

Stop teasing me!

2025

We somehow made it.

I'm so glad we made it just in time.

So Mizuho's job searching now?

Yup.

She said she had an interview today, too.