Daisuki

Kumi graduated from SKE48. When she left, there was a gap in my heart. I wonder why, why is it that I care so much? We were in different teams, part of different generations. True, we had quite some work together. Miso and Dance, Nantene and Komimi, it’s funny how I was the character that ended up trying to protect her. As well as acting roles, we were both in the SKE48 senbatsu. There was even that one kiss scene that we did together.

“Non-chan!”

“…” I rub my eyes to see if I was seeing things.

Jurina-san does get hospitalized due to overworking, so maybe that may be the case. I doubt I have as much work as her, but hearing that nostalgic voice makes me doubt myself. Kumi is right in front of me, but somehow I don’t believe it.

“Earth to Kimoto Kanon~” She hugs me.

I’m pretty sure Kumi wants to do something serious like becoming a lawyer, meaning she’d probably have to study a lot. Rather than being an idiot, I think she’s more or less, just not that great with studying. Somehow, it’s improbable for her to be here.

“Kumi?” But, somehow, she’s here. My beloved senpai gives me that goofy grin like always, as if nothing had changed since her graduation.

“Non-chan… Even if I graduated… I’ll always like you~” Such cheesy lines coming from her.

“…” I’m silent. Even though it may not fit into my character, I can’t respond.

“…Happy Birthday…”

“…Why?” Why was Kumi here?

“Because it’s your 16^th birthday right?”

“But you never came to visit for Rena-san or anyone else…”

At first, she doesn’t respond, but she smiles. “That’s because Non-chan is important…”

“…” I blush.

“…”

“…?”

“…Non-chan… dai~suki…” She whispers into my ear.

“…Kumi… I love you too…”

In the past, we shared many smiles and laughs. Back in the beginning, she would say I was cute and of course, I would play along.

“Non~non~non~ Ganbarunon~ Kya! Kawaii!!”

“…Hehe…”

Even now, it’s not like much has changed. Graduation tears people apart sometimes, but Kumi will always be that important person to me. It seems a bit unrealistic, but it’s real.

“Happy~Birthday~”

“Un.”