"I've graduated high school safely, and starting tomorrow, I'll be the sailor I've always dreamed of being. Honestly, I wanted to go to university with you and keep laughing about stupid things... Just kidding! That was a joke, haha. I get to go to the sea I love so much, so I'm actually super lucky."

She gazed at the distant harbor, her eyes dazzling. Her smile was bright as always, the very picture of positivity. But deep within the black pupils staring back into mine, a lingering loneliness she couldn't quite hide seeped through.

In truth, she chose this path so as not to burden her family, but Kaoruko would never say that herself, not even if her life depended on it. She was supposed to hate being at the mercy of adult selfishness and harsh reality, yet for the sake of someone precious, she would suppress her own loneliness and force a smile. That was the kindness of the girl I loved. "Hey." Kaoruko took a step closer, standing on her tiptoes to peer into my face.

"I'm going far away, but you know... I'll always love only you. Even on a ship, no matter where I go, the only place I have to return to is by your side."

A small, warm hand gently enveloped mine. With her small 154cm frame, desperately hiding her loneliness, Kaoruko simply smiled gently, as if confirming the precious time they had left—time that might be their last.

"So, I'm off."

And she never came back.