The walk home was gruel. Ishikawa-san supported me the best she could. We had to stop often.

The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows on the dirt road.

"How are you feeling Mitsue-kun?" Her strides were steady, her eyes looking forward. The sunset

splashed her eyes in a sea of orange, the light dancing in her ocean blue eyes.  

"It still hurts alot..." I grunted. She returned a swift smile. I winced through the pain.

"Thank you again." She turned to me. "You would have done the same for me Mitsue-kun!"

I couldn't help but smile. Despite all of this pain, I felt... happy. It was a feeling I haven't felt in

a long time. "Why are you smiling Mitsue-kun? Wait... are you enjoying this pain?" 

I laughed. "No, it's not that, it's nothing really." She gave me a quizzical look. Her crooked smile,

her golden hair fluttering in my face as the breeze rolled through, and the warm sun on my skin.

I felt alive.