[Projectile] You smile at the hope called despair

In mid-April, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

It has been eight days since Qihai saw Yijun for the last time.

Thinking of Yi Jun's painful and pretended indifference expression at the end, as well as the obvious rejection and nonsense language, Qi Hai felt worried and angry.

Mingming promised him to help him regain the feeling of smiling, but this is the result.

Although I feel that everything is very inexplicable—but, maybe he has some secrets.

Ichi-kun is actually a gentle person...

Last time at the tree house, he was the one who cleaned up the house, moved her to the bed and prepared refreshments.

He was also the one who got her a bunch of dolls and new game consoles in the game hall.

Although sometimes it is scary and uncertain, but maybe the mind is unexpectedly simple.

Just like a strong kid.

It's just that this kid... looks a little...

Looking at him, I always inevitably think of Hyuga-kun.

Sometimes Ichi-kun's expressions and actions are exactly the same as Hinata-kun.

In the past, she always waited for Hinata-kun to tell her troubles, but she got a result of leaving without saying goodbye.

After being defeated by Yikun, she knew that she would never wait for the day when Hinata-kun told her about her troubles.

She is a "super high school level gamer", and Hinata-kun is a preparatory subject.

There is still an unspeakable gap.

Although she doesn't care, Hinata-kun definitely does - and is also forcing herself to do and think about things that cannot be done.

Otherwise, she wouldn't always refuse at all, what she knew about him.

"...someone like me... really has nothing to say..."

"...I will continue to create such happy memories in the future."

That's it, the sense of distance that you can't touch even though you are close at hand.

Obviously smiling, but extremely lonely.

But at that time, I was telling him wishful thinking about the things about my classmates, a life that he had no contact with at all.

Doesn't this make him even more lonely?

Isn't that just saying nice things—that kind of self-righteousness.

Qihai can't guarantee that if Hinata-kun is pulled into the class to participate in activities, the rest of the students will treat him friendly.

There are some people in the class that Qihai doesn't understand either.

Especially Komaeda-san - kept shouting 'symbol of hope' or something.

Although he enjoyed his life in class, he quite hated the preparatory subjects.

This made Koizumi, who was looking for Sato for dinner, quite embarrassed.

As for Class A of the 77th class and the newcomers of the 78th class, there are many people who even undergraduates dislike.

It would be great if I could understand Hinata-kun a little bit earlier.

……

At that time, seeing Yijun's painful expression, although Qihai wanted to catch up, she couldn't help being afraid.

Although what she said sounded nonsensical, there might be something she didn't understand.

...I really don't know anything about Yijun.

And at that time, the icy aura emanating from Yijun's body, that terrifying feeling-it was simply murderous.

Frightened by this murderous intent, she could almost confirm that Yijun, at that time, really wanted to kill her.

But he was troubled by something, and in the end he had no choice but to run away.

what can we do about it……

Thinking about Hinata-kun, she felt that there was no way to let go of Kazu-kun.

Although he kept paying attention to Yijun's trace, he seemed to have disappeared just like that.

According to his ability, if he really didn't intend to appear in front of her, and didn't intend to contact her, he would have no possibility of discovering him at all.

If he wanted to, it would be impossible to find him... Even though she was worried, Nanami decided to put this matter aside for the time being.

……

On this day, Class B of Phase 77 collectively organized cherry blossom viewing.

The invitation was proposed by students from Xiyuan Temple, and the location is an ecological park outside the school.

Everyone was in high spirits, and Qi Hai also packed up her mood and brought various board games and lunch boxes.

I'd rather eat ice cream, but it's still a little cold now.

After thinking about it for a while, Qihai exchanged a few packs of strawberry biscuits that she baked herself and mixed with a little mint.

Mr. Zuo Tian brought a newly assembled drone, saying that it is equipped with a camera, which can take pictures of cherry blossoms from a long distance.

Koizumi-san brought a camera, and Mitarai-san brought a drawing board.

They will continue to shoot scenes for the collaborative animation.

Hanamura-san prepared a luxurious picnic, and Komaeda-san also brought a large stack of toast.

……

When we arrived at the Ecological Park, Mrs. Yukinan announced free activities and free association, and we will have dinner together at noon.

Because many students asked to take pictures before, Zuo Tian hurriedly produced several drones to meet the demand.

Naturally, Qihai also borrowed one.

Different from the cherry blossoms in the school, the cherry blossoms here are more emotional with different scenery.

Pale pink and white, like clouds and clouds, ethereal and quiet.

Behind the gate is an exquisite waterside building.

Qihai couldn't wait to get one with her mobile phone.

……

In the grass by the roadside, red flowers are blooming, and there are exquisite fences.

There is a very tall cherry blossom tree in the back. If you set it up from a long distance, you can take a good angle.

Nanami controlled the drone, and a card came.

The effect is surprisingly good.

……

The light pink reflects the snow-capped mountains in the distance, which looks very spectacular.

It's a pity that there is nowhere to stay.

Thankfully there are drones.

Controlling the drone and adjusting the angle, Qihai decided to take another shot at a place where the sea of ​​flowers was thick and the snow-capped mountains were slightly exposed, but suddenly the camera stopped moving.

When I looked up, the drone was stuck on the cherry blossom tree.

This is bad.

There is not a single classmate around.

In order not to let this pleasant cherry blossom viewing tour end prematurely, Qihai constantly adjusted the camera lens of the drone to confirm the location where the drone was stuck——

It was finally found on a tall tree.

It won't be hard to get it...

Thinking of this, she dropped her backpack and quickly climbed up the tree.

It went well——

But when she got the drone, the branch under her feet suddenly broke.

!

This is bad, I didn't expect--

Nanami subconsciously closed her eyes—it must be painful.

……

"You're still... defenseless."

A cold voice came from above.

Without the expected pain, she was hugged horizontally by someone.

Hey?

Opening his eyes, what he saw was Yi Jun's expressionless face.

He is wearing white short sleeves and a black tie today, and his long hair is tied into a ponytail and draped behind him.

The arms that had been covered before were exposed, and they were as sickly white as the face.

But compared to the first time I saw it, it looked better.

"Yijun! I haven't seen you these days, where have you been?"

This time, I absolutely cannot let Yijun leave, I must do something.

"...Didn't I say it... Don't get involved with me... Otherwise, you will die."

Yijun dropped a sentence coldly, and was about to leave.

"I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid of anything... If Yijun doesn't say anything, I can't help you as a friend at all." Qihai hurried over, "Didn't you promise to help Yijun get back his smile before... At present, I am Will never give up."

"Stop wishful thinking and self-righteousness..." Yijun looked a little annoyed, "I don't have a smile, which is something that only human beings have."

"I've been used to such weird lines for a long time... one of my classmates often said that, so there is no reason at all." Qihai looked at him firmly, "It's just wishful thinking... I have already identified a gentleman It's my friend, if you want to do it, do it!"

"I said—don't come any closer!"

That cold, murderous aura reappeared.

Last time, Qihai was frightened by him, because Yijun's appearance was really terrifying.

However, in the days that followed, Qihai kept regretting, thinking about what would happen if he didn't leave Yijun that day.

Maybe he will find his smile again?

Moreover, if he could have understood Hinata-kun a little bit back then, instead of being self-righteous and making him even lonelier——

Maybe Hinata-kun won't just disappear without a trace?

Maybe he will write back to her?

It must be the original self, too self-righteous, too much - hurt him!

Qihai, who was thinking like this, rushed over without thinking about anything, and hugged Yikun tightly.

"let me go."

Looking at Yijun's painful expression, Qihai thought, where is he in pain again...

"I won't let it go. This time, I will definitely not let it go. I really can't rest assured about such a gentleman... I really don't understand anything, I don't understand Yijun's affairs, but even if I don't understand, I still have to be with you." When you are in pain, stay here!"

"Even if you don't understand, even if you don't understand, even if you can't change your mind, you must never let go of Yijun and bear your troubles alone. No matter where you are, you know that there is a friend like me - holding your hand."

"Are you...are you unreasonable..." Yijun gritted his teeth, gradually lost his strength, and lay down on the ground.

In this way, Qihai pressed on him.

"Yeah...it's unreasonable. But, I have already told my important friend...the result is not important, it's like a game...even if you lose badly, even if you encounter an unreasonable game, I I will continue to play... Even, everyone hates it, I will never give up! Because I like games! Friends are the same!"

"This is my own business...others are irrelevant. Even if Yijun said that we are not the same kind and are destined to have different fates...I will never give up!"

"You!" Yijun's expression became more painful and distorted uncontrollably, gradually showing a trance look.

"Yi-kun is suffering so much, even if I don't understand it, even if I can't bear it instead, there are things I can do..." Qihai hugged him even tighter, "This way I won't be alone... It doesn't matter if you feel uncomfortable, I I will always be here, so don't give up looking for a smile no matter what!"

"Where there is pain, there is joy... Now that you feel pain, you must remember the feeling of happiness... So, don't say anything that is not human... A gentleman is... a gentleman! A gentleman is No matter what others think, my friend, I will never give up!"

Yijun tried to push Qihai away, but unfortunately he had no strength at all.

Qihai looked at Yikun's face with a remorseful expression.

"...I did something that I regret very much before."

"I hurt my friend Hinata-kun...I kept talking about my own affairs self-righteously, without considering his feelings at all...Tomorrow, Hinata-kun is preparing for a subject, and the situation is very difficult...but I said it to myself The easy life of an undergrad…”

"This... makes him even lonelier... the distance between us is further stretched... This is the result of me only focusing on saying nice words..."

"Now he's gone...I don't even have a chance to apologize...I regret it, really regret it..."

"Even if Mr. Yukino said that people have different pursuits...but if I had thought about Hinata-kun more...I..."

"I won't lose this friend...I've been wanting to write, to tell him..."

"It doesn't matter if you don't have a bachelor's degree...It doesn't matter if you don't work so hard...It doesn't matter if you can't do it..."

"Hinata-kun... is already a great person...he taught me many things..."

"After he left... I felt very lonely and sad..."

"I really... miss him so much... really want to look at him and stay by his side..."

Qihai choked up, and tears came out of her eyes unconsciously.

Little by little, he hit Yijun in the face.

"I...how should I... apologize to Hinata-kun..."

"So... such a thing... how can I..."

"how come……"

……

"Seven seas..."

It was an extremely familiar, gentle voice.

Seven Seas was taken aback.

Yijun's hand touched her face very gently, "...don't cry."

That sad look, that gentle look in the eyes——

Definitely not the previous Yijun.

Hinata-kun?

"...don't call me by the wrong name." His expression returned to normal, "thanks anyway, even if it hurts, I'm getting used to it—are you going to continue like this?"

Qihai suddenly realized that she was holding down Yijun, and hurriedly stepped aside.

"I'm sorry before...but I will continue to be with Yi-kun...this is something I can do..."

Qihai took advantage of the situation and lay down next to Yikun.

……

The two lay in the fallen cherry petals, watching the surrounding cherry blossoms bloom in full bloom and slowly wither.

Ahead is a clear blue sky.

For a while, neither of them spoke, only the sound of wind blowing.

All is silent and ethereal.

"The scenery here... is very comfortable..." Yijun's voice sounded slowly, with a warm feeling, "This is probably... the feeling I like..."

"I found it... Yijun, you are laughing!"

The girl quickly pressed the phone and handed it to him.

Huh?

Although it's not very obvious... In the photo, the corners of his mouth did turn up unconsciously.

If it was just this level of pain... if he got used to it, he would probably laugh too.

Thinking of this, thinking of the predicted, shattered future... He really didn't want to admit his ability.

If she is willing to accompany... at least, forget it for now.